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September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 20

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 

by Pastor Paul M. Sadler 

“Though a grace believer, one of my brothers recently denounced the medical profession’s ability to help those suffering from mental illness. He denounces any form of medication. He said that he believes only our beloved physician, Jesus Christ, could heal such ‘defects of the spirit.’ This man has suffered terribly all his life. Can you tell me please, is this his own belief or one that the BBS would also endorse? He will listen to you and I beg you to enlighten all of us.” 

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul instructed Timothy: 

“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (I Tim. 5:23). 

The apostle clearly wanted Timothy to use a little wine for medicinal purposes to ease the problems he was having with his stomach—and to treat his other afflictions. Paul himself was ministered to by Luke, “the beloved physician,” who attended to the apostle’s eye infirmity (II Cor. 12:7-10; Gal. 4:13-15 cf. Col. 4:14; II Tim. 4:11). We too should avail ourselves of whatever is at our disposal to address the particular health issues we are facing. God would have us to be judicious in preserving our health. 

We would highly recommend that your brother seek out medical attention as soon as possible. Many times the chemical messaging of the brain is merely malfunctioning. Like diabetes, many mental disorders are often successfully treated with medication. This should be done in conjunction with the assistance of a godly pastor who can provide the needed spiritual support. The counsel of the Word of God at such times is indispensable. With God’s help, we are confident that your brother can live a productive and fruitful life for the Lord. The apostle says in II Corinthians 1:3: 

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” 

Surely God has been merciful in allowing medical science to understand more fully the complexities of the human body, which is a demonstration of the wonders of His handiwork. Therefore, we believe it is prudent to utilize this mercy to relieve our pain and suffering. It is indeed true that Christ is still the Great Physician; and sometimes, He does intervene to heal our infirmities (Phil. 2:27). But today in the administration of Grace, this is the exception, not the rule. More often than not, His grace is sufficient (II Cor. 12:9).

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE...

Lemonade 

One afternoon I pulled into my driveway and saw a sign in my yard: "Lemonade 25 cents." My little entrepreneurs, Meredith and Andrew, took a short break to give me a hug. Then it was right back to their customers. 

"What will you kids buy with all your earnings?" I asked "How about we go out tonight for ice cream?" Before they could answer, some potential customers came up the street. 

"Get your lemonade here," Meredith five, called to them. "We're raising money for the poor" 

I was more than a little taken aback. "The poor?" I asked. 

My son explained that the contribution for the poor had been stolen from church. "We can get ice cream another time," he said. "This money is for people who really need it." 

I was never so proud. The stolen money was certainly a case of sour lemons. My kids took those lemons, added a heaping spoonful of kindness, and came up with the sweetest lemonade. 


- from Da Mouse Tracks

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 19

When The Lord Became Angry 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam 

“And He saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 

“And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man. Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other” (Mark 3:4,5). 

Why did our Lord become angry when the Jewish leaders refused to answer His questions? He was “grieved for the hardness of their hearts.” Their silence was not the silence of ignorance but of willfulness. They had “watched Him whether He would heal… on the sabbath day; that they might accuse Him,” but they could not tell Him what was wrong about it. Indeed, when He asked them what was wrong they refused to answer His questions. 

How inconsistent! How unreasonable! How unjust! And, as we read the context, we are amazed to find that this sullen, stubborn opposition came not from the Sadducees but from the Pharisees, not the religious “liberals” but the “conservatives,” the Bible-believers of the day! 

They were the orthodox group. Nevertheless, because of their pride and bigotry generations following have looked down upon them and have pronounced with contempt the name Pharisee. 

Paul stood with them, doctrinally, against the Sadducees. He said: “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee” (Acts 23:6), nevertheless the Pharisees had joined the Sadducees in their opposition to him and to the glorious message he proclaimed. In this respect times have not changed, for those who stand boldly for God’s message and program for our day will find themselves still opposed by Sadducees and Pharisees alike.

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE...

Steak 

One night at the dinner table, the wife commented, "When we were first married, you took the small piece of steak and gave me the larger. Now you take the large one and leave me the smaller. You don't love me anymore." 

"Nonsense, darling," replied the husband, "you just cook better now." 


- from Monday Fodder

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 18

Objects in the Mirror... 

by Pastor Ricky Kurth

January, 2017 

…are closer than they appear.” That’s the warning you see on the passenger-side mirror of your car. The convexity of the mirror gives you a more panoramic rear view, but it also makes the cars behind you look smaller, and further away than they actually are. This can give the illusion that there is room to change lanes, when the truth is that the driver in the adjacent lane may have to hit the brakes if you do—and the horn! 

This mirror warning always reminds me of God’s words to Ezekiel: 

“Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off” (Ezek. 12:27). 

You’ll notice that the problem wasn’t that God’s people doubted that Ezekiel’s prophecies would come true; they just didn’t think they would come true for a long time. And you know, God’s people today are no different. When we read Paul’s predictions about the Rapture (I Thes. 4:13-18) and the Judgment Seat of Christ that will follow (Rom. 14:10), we believe these things will happen, but we tend to think they are a long way off. This can lead to complacency in serving the Lord, just as it did in Ezekiel’s day. Thus we would do well to read God’s response: 

“Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; There shall none of My words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done…” (Ezek. 12:28). 

While we cannot say that the Rapture will be prolonged no longer, we can say with equal assurance that the word which God has spoken to us shall be done. The panoramic view that the mirror of God’s Word affords us (James 1:22-24) allows us to see everything that is ahead of us, and these things are closer than they appear! If you are not living for the Lord, “boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). The Rapture may come today, and you may find yourself standing before your Lord and Judge this evening. Why not heed Paul’s admonition, 

“…knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom. 13:11,12). 

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE....

Old Maserati 

I was living in the mountains above Denver when my college buddy, Gary, arrived in his ancient Maserati sports car. He had just driven it from Ohio, and as he pulled into my driveway, the car broke down. 

Calls to auto-supply houses and garages in search of replacement parts proved futile. The 1962 model was simply too rare. Responses ranged from "Mas-a-what?" to "You've got to be kidding." One guy just laughed. 

I was at the end of the listings in the Yellow Pages when I dialed Victor's Garage. "Vic," I said, "you're my last hope. Do you carry any parts for a 1962 Maserati?" 

There was a long pause. Finally, Victor cleared his throat. "Yes," he replied. "Oil." 


- From ArcaMax Jokes

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 17

The Day Of Itching Ears 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

January, 2017 

For the professing Church the day of theological controversy has passed. Ecumenism is now the word on every tongue. Church leaders appear to have become convinced that the stifling confusion in the Church can be overcome only by all of us getting together, minimizing our differences and emphasizing those doctrines on which we all agree. As a result some of the most important doctrines of Scripture are neither denied nor affirmed; they are ignored. But little matter, for the objective now is not to be true to the written Word of God, but to see to it that the Church is “strong” and commands the world’s respect. 

Ecumenism, sad to say, has made significant inroads among evangelical believers too. All too seldom do men of God stand up to defend by the Scriptures the truths they believe and proclaim. Theological debate has given place to the dialogue, in which two individuals or groups sit down together to discuss their differences and see if there is not some basis for agreement. This appears generous and objective but too often convictions are compromised and the truth watered down by such undertakings, with the result that the Spirit’s power is sacrificed for numerical strength. 

No man of God can speak in the power of the Spirit when he places anything before the Word and Will of God. Nor can the Church ever be truly united and strong unless she puts God’s Word and Will first and takes her place in the world as Christ’s embassy on alien territory (See II Cor. 5:20). 

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE...

My Job As A Taxi Driver 

I got fired from my job as a taxi driver ... 

It turns out my customers didn't like it when I tried to go the extra mile.. 


- From Daily Clean Jokes

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 16

The One Essential Thing 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam 

The place of the Word in the life of the believer is settled once and for all in the inspired record of one of our Lord’s visits to the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). 

Commentaries on this passage generally point out that both Mary and Martha had their good points! This, of course, is true, but if we limit ourselves to this observation we rob the account of its intended lesson, for our Lord did not commend both sisters for their “good points.” He reproved Martha and commended and defended Mary with regard to one particular matter. 

What, exactly, was Mary commended for? How often she has been portrayed as an example to us to spend more time with the Lord in prayer! But this is missing the point of the passage. Mary was not praying; she “sat at Jesus’ feet, and HEARD HIS WORD.” She just sat there, drinking in all He had to say. This was “the one essential thing” which Mary had “chosen” and which our Lord said was not to be “taken away from her.” Thus, while prayer and testimony and good works all have their importance in the life of the believer, hearing God’s Word is “the one essential thing” above all others. Indeed, let this “one thing” be given its rightful place and all the rest will follow naturally. 

It is granted, of course, that we must study the Word prayerfully and with open heart, or it will have disastrous, rather than beneficial results, but this only goes to place still further emphasis upon the supreme importance of the Word of God, which we seek, by sincere and prayerful study, to understand and obey.

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE...

Car Trouble 

A friend of mine recently went on a trip and had to stop at a rest area on the Interstate. She took her keys, left her purse and cell phone in her car, and went to the restroom. 

When she returned, her remote wouldn't unlock the door and she panicked. "What am I going to do? My cell phone is still in the car and I can't call Onstar!" 

Another traveler nearby overhearing this asked, "Have you tried the key?" 


- from Doubleagle64

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 15

What Happened at Pentecost? 

By Pastor J. C. O'Hair

November 5, 2012 

Pentecost was one of Jehovah’s feasts for Israel. Pentecost was fifty days after the firstfruits; fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Pentecost He shewed Himself alive by many infallible proofs . . . “speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3. Immediately before the ascension of Jesus Christ, the apostles, to whom He had been explaining the Kingdom of God, asked Him: “Wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. Some months before His crucifixion Jesus had spoken a parable against Israel, in which He put these words in the mouth of that Nation “We will not have this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:14. Then to Israel Jesus said: “Therefore I say unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:43. We have no detailed record of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God which Jesus taught His apostles after His resurrection, but we may be positive that He told them nothing concerning the Church, which is His Body, as this was not revealed to the twelve apostles until it was made known to the Apostle Paul some years after Pentecost. And so their question: “wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom of Israel?” 

When Jesus began His public ministry He said: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” Mark 1:15. More than ten years after this announcement Peter, in speaking to Cornelius, declared that the word concerning the Kingdom was sent unto the children of Israel. Acts 10:36. In sending forth His twelve apostles to announce “the Kingdom at hand,” Jesus instructed them to go only to Israel. Matthew 10:5 to 7. When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus the Kingdom of God was at hand for Israel, as never before. Israel’s King was at hand, and with the King, the Kingdom announced. Simeon was waiting for the “consolation of Israel.” Luke 2:25. Joseph, in the city of the Jews, waited for “the Kingdom of God.” Luke 23:51. They were waiting for one and the same thing; namely, for the coming of the King of Israel to be that Nation’s Divine Deliverer. 

Israel’s expectation was expressed by the Holy Spirit in the words of the father of John the Baptist. Zacharias: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: for He hath visited and redeemed His people . . . That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear.” Luke 1:67 to 77. This was not a dream or an imagination of Zacharias; it was God’s truth spoken by the infallible Holy Spirit, to confirm that which that same infallible Holy Spirit had spoken concerning Israel’s Kingdom by the mouth of all of the Lord’s holy prophets since the world began. Luke 1:70. Neither was Peter speaking in the flesh when the infallible Holy Spirit spoke to Israel by his mouth some months after Jesus Christ had gone back to heaven, offering to that Nation the very same Kingdom of God on the condition of repentance. “Repent ye therefore and be converted . . . . And He shall send Jesus Christ, Which before was preached unto you; Whom the heaven must receive until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19 to 21. 

Let us carefully note the same language in Luke 1:70 and Acts 3:21, both messages by the pen of the same human author: “By the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Most assuredly Peter and the eleven, in the third chapter of Acts, were offering to the Nation Israel, the very same Kingdom of God that was at hand with the Holy Spirit baptism of Jesus Christ and that was described by the Holy Spirit by the mouth of Zacharias. 

Between His resurrection and Pentecost Jesus said to His apostles: “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day” Luke 24:46. And now that we know that Christ appeared once to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time; now that we know that He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, we wonder and question, asking why did Gabriel announce that the Lord God would give unto Jesus the throne of David, to reign over the House of Jacob forever, and how could Jesus have offered to Israel, in good faith and sincerity, a Kingdom, when He was to be delivered according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God? In the shadow of the cross did He not say, “for this cause came I unto this hour?” John 12:27. There is not the slightest suggestion that Jesus was born to be the Head of the Church, which is His Body. He was born King of the Jews, and properly saluted by Nathaniel, “Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:49. But if Jesus had to fulfill all that was written of Him and be nailed to a tree, how could He have given the Kingdom of God to Israel, had they voted unanimously to crown Him King? Acts 13:29. Hebrews 2:9. Hebrews 9:26. Acts 2:22 and 23. Acts 4:27 and 28. And yet Jesus Christ did most assuredly proclaim to Israel the Kingdom of God with Himself as King. The Kingdom of God was at hand, because the time was fulfilled, and the King had been born. But Israel would not have the King to reign over them, and to that Nation the King said, “The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:43. Most assuredly Jesus was not saying to individual Israelites, “the Kingdom of God shall be taken from within you.” And most certainly Jesus was not saying to individual Israelites, “you will be given no further opportunity to enter the Kingdom of God.” During the past nineteen centuries the door of salvation has been wide open for individual Israelites and Gentiles. Then what did Jesus mean? 

I find less difficulty in understanding how the risen Christ could have fulfilled God’s promises to Israel by coming back from heaven, according to Peter’s proclamation in Acts 3:19 to 21, and giving the Kingdom of God to Israel after His death and resurrection, than in understanding how He could have fulfilled Isaiah 9:6 and 7, by taking the throne of David, before He fulfilled the Scriptures concerning His suffering and resurrection Of course in making this statement, I am not unmindful of the fact that God purposed something altogether different, in Christ Jesus, before the world began, concerning Gentiles in the Body of Christ. 2 Timothy 1:9 and 10. Ephesians 1:3 and 4. But this had nothing to do with the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel, concerning their Kingdom and the restitution of all things, spoken by the mouth of all their prophets since the world began. The Body of Christ was not the subject of prophecy. It was a hidden mystery, hid in God, unknown to Israel’s prophets. Ephesians 3:1 to 9. Colossians 1:24 to 27. But the question is, “what began on the day of Pentecost?” Did the Lord, by the mouth of Peter and the eleven, offer again the Kingdom of God to Israel? 

Our Premillennial brethren, who claim to be Dispensationalists, teach that while Jesus was on earth He actually offered to Israel a literal, physical, earthly Kingdom, with Himself as King ready and willing to occupy David’s throne in Jerusalem. And furthermore they teach that it was that Kingdom of God that Jesus said would be taken from Israel. And furthermore they teach, that when Jesus, the Son of man, shall come back to earth He will give to Israel the Kingdom of God which he offered to that Nation, and which that Nation refused to accept, when He was here in the midst of Israel. And why should not any student of the Word of God agree with these brethren? Surely the Bible teaches that Jesus was born to take David’s throne and establish the Kingdom of God on earth, with Israel restored. Luke 1:29 to 33. Mark 1:14 and 15. And if the words of Jesus have any meaning, when Israel “shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory,” “know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:27 and 31. The Son of man is coming again to redeem Israel. That Nation is going to be saved. That Nation is going to possess all the land of Canaan; and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land. Genesis 17:6 to 9. Amos 9:11 to 15. But now the question, can we agree with the Premillennial Dispensationalists who teach that, beginning with the day of Pentecost, the devout Jews from every nation under heaven, “ye men of Israel,” were offered a place in an entirely different Kingdom of God? These brethren teach that before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of man, the Nation Israel was offered a literal, earthly Kingdom of God; but that thereafter they were offered membership in the Body of Christ, a hope laid up in heaven; that is, entrance, by repentance and baptism, into the heavenly Kingdom of God, something entirely different from the Kingdom which is yet to be restored to Israel. Your attention has been called to the similarity of language in Luke 1:70 and Acts 3:21, “spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Whatever we may interpret the offer of the Lord, by the mouth of Peter, to Israel, in Acts 3:19 to 21, we must believe that it is the very same Kingdom of God described in Luke 1:67 to 77, the Lord’s visitation to His People, Israel, for national deliverance. Was not Jesus born to occupy David’s throne, according to Luke 1:30 to 32? Was not Jesus raised from the dead to occupy that very same throne, according to Acts 2:25 to 30? 

Something must have happened which caused the Lord to change His mind about immediately taking the Kingdom of God away from Israel, as Jesus, in Matthew 21:43, said would be done. Was it not because when the Son of man was sinned against, and was giving Himself a ransom for many, He cried, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?” Luke 23:34. Surely the Father heard that prayer, for in the offer of the Kingdom of God to Israel anew, Peter declared, “I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.” Acts 3:17. Remember, these words were addressed to “ye men of Israel.” Acts 3:12. Then the offer, “repent . . . and He shall send Jesus Christ.’ Acts 3:19 and 20. What prophets did Peter and the eleven quote to Israel on the day of Pentecost? Joel and David. What was the very heart of Joel’s Prophecy? “Then will the Lord be jealous for His land, and pity His people.” Joel 2:18. Not one word did Joel or David have to say concerning the Jews and Gentiles, made one in the New Man, seated in the upper-heavenlies in Christ. Ephesians 2:7 to 18. Joel and David prophesied concerning Israel in their own land under their King. 

Yes, Israel sinned against the Son of man; and it was forgiven them. Matthew 12:32. God exalted that Son of man with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins; yea, their greatest of all sins, “killed the Prince of life.” Acts 5:30 and 31. Acts 3:15. This meant more than salvation for the individual Israelite. Three thousand of them were added on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:41. Then the number increased; “the number of the men was about five thousands.” Acts 4:4. All of these were Israelites. Then the Kingdom of God was not taken away from Israel. Some months later Stephen, addressing his message to that Nation, said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56. There Israel was resisting the Holy Spirit. Acts 7:51. That sin was not to be forgiven them. But Stephen once more prayed for their forgiveness. Acts 7:60. God continued His mercy toward His Nation; permitted their Temple to stand; and continued through Saul (Paul) to offer to Israel the Kingdom spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began. 

It is true that the saved Israelites, whom Saul had been persecuting, were called “the Ekklesia of God,” that is, “the Called-out of God,” “the Church of God,” or “the Assembly of God.” Galatians 1:13. I Corinthians 15:9. They were called “the Church which was at Jerusalem,” Acts 8:1; “the Churches of Judaea.” Galatians 1:22. But the fact that individual Israelites were being added to “the Ekklesia of God” did not mean that the Nation was not being offered the Kingdom, by the return of the Son of man. Neither did it mean that individual believers were being raised up and made to sit in the upper-heavenlies in Christ, as members of the Church, which is His Body, according to Ephesians 1:22 and 2:5 to 7. How could members of Christ’s Body have been sitting with their Head in the upperheavenlies, when He was standing, as the Son of man? 

Even when Cornelius, and His house, were added, their salvation was in fulfillment of Amos 9:12. “Simeon hath declared how God did at first visit the Gentiles.” Acts 15:13. “To this agree the words of the prophets (Amos and others); as it is written.” Acts 15:14. How different is the language of Paul, “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men . . . That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs of the same Body.” Ephesians 3:5 and 6. We cannot read the Body into Acts 15:13 and 14 without having a contradiction between Peter and Paul. 

Therefore, we have no Scriptural proof that the Body of Christ began on the day of Pentecost. It is one thing to say, “I think it did”; but it is quite a different thing to Scripturally prove it; which seems rather a difficult task.

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE....

Military Initials 

When I was a newly commissioned Lieutenant in the Army, I was assigned as a temporary assistant in an administrative office in a Military Intelligence unit. One day a log came around with a cover sheet instructing all assigned officers to read it and initial it as indication of their compliance. I figured it meant me too, so I read and initialed it. 

However, a few days later, it came back addressed specifically to me. An attached note read:"You are not permanently assigned to this unit and are thus not an authorized signee. Please erase your initials and initial your erasure." 

So I did. 

- from Pastor Tim

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 14

The Value of Afflictions 

by Pastor Ricky Kurth 

When I was a boy, a popular way to insult a classmate was to say, “When God was handing out brains, that kid thought He said ‘pains,’ and hid behind the door.” Let’s face it, none of us likes to suffer pain, afflictions, or tribulations! Because of this, God’s people can often be found on their knees behind the door, asking God to shield them from these unpleasant things, or remove them once they become part of their lives. 

And yet the overwhelming testimony of Scripture is that afflictions are good for us! Consider just this small smattering of verses that describe the spiritual value of afflictions: 

“And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (II Chron. 33:12). 

“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word….It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes” (Psa. 119:67,71). 

When God’s people are not afflicted, they tend to forget Him. Speaking of the people of Israel, God said, 

“…when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery” (Jer. 5:7). 

“According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten Me” (Hos. 13:6). 

Speaking of God and Jeshurun (Israel), Moses said, 

“He made him…eat the increase of the fields…suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs….But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked…then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation” (Deut. 32:13-15). 

When God speaks to us in the absence of afflictions, we tend not to listen: 

“I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear” (Jer. 22:21). 

There’s just something about afflictions that draw us closer to God! No wonder Paul said, “we glory in tribulations” (Rom. 5:3), “knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope” (v. 4). Once we learn God’s grace is sufficient for all our needs, we can say with Paul: 

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities…for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Cor. 12:9,10). 

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE...

Stampede 

Our children's Sunday School classes were presenting their end of the year program for the congregation - telling about the life of Jesus. 

When it came to the part about Jesus' miracles, one little boy said, "Yes, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead!" 

The teacher urged him to tell us more. 

He said, "Well, Jesus told them to open the tomb, and then He said, 'Lazarus, come out!' And it's a good thing he didn't just say 'Come out!' because there would have been a stampede of dead guys." 

Needless to say our congregation enjoyed the presentation 
very much. 
- from Da Mouse Tracks

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 13

Always Abounding 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam 

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 15:58). 

We should note carefully that the Apostle Paul here addresses only his brethren in Christ, those who have truly been born again — born into the family of God. 

Furthermore, he sent this appeal to Christians everywhere: to “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Cor. 1:2). He knew that there is a tendency among all believers to be tempted to abandon the work of the Lord through discouragement or carelessness, so he pleads with us to be “stedfast” and “unmoveable,” reminding us that our labor is “not in vain in the Lord.” 

How we need this exhortation! We do not soon abandon our businesses or homes. We toil on in spite of difficulties and obstacles, and when the outlook is darkest we often work the hardest. Sometimes our bodies suffer for it, but we do not immediately give up. 

And how much more urgent is the work of the Lord!  Souls are perishing all about us for whom Christ died. It is our plain duty to pray for them and tell them of His love. It is our responsibility to toil and sacrifice that they may hear and believe the good news. What shall we say when some day we stand before our Savior if we have been satisfied merely to know Him ourselves? And what will He say? 

Let us then be up and doing, “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Life is too short to fritter away the precious moments God has given us to proclaim His saving grace. Let us tell them, then, by lip and by life, by our testimony and by our behavior, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” and that “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE...

Handy Man

A man sees a job ad posted on a construction site, "Handy man wanted; apply within." So he does and speaks to the foreman.

"Can you drive a Bobcat?" the foreman asks. 

"No."

"Can you plaster?" 

"No."

"Have you ever done any carpentry?" 

"No." 

"If you don't mind me asking," says the foreman, "what's so handy about you?" 

"Well, I only live about five minutes down the road..." 

- from Clean Laffs

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 12

The New Nature In The Believer 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam 

It has been well said that if there is anything good in any man it is because it was put there by God. And something good — a new, sinless nature — has been imparted by God to every believer. 

While there is still within us “that which is begotten of the flesh,” there is also “that which is begotten of the Spirit,” and just as the one is totally depraved and “cannot please God,” so the other is absolutely perfect and always pleases Him. 

Adam was originally created in the image and likeness of God, but he fell into sin and later “begat a son in his own likeness, after his image” (Gen. 5:3). It could not be otherwise. Fallen Adam could generate and beget only fallen, sinful offspring, whom even the Law could not change. But “what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,” accomplished, “that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3,4), 

As Adam was made in the likeness of God, but fell, so Christ was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, to redeem us from the fall, that by grace, through the operation of the Spirit, a new creation might be brought into being, a “new man… renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him” (Col. 3:10) a “new man, which, after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24). Referring to this “new man,” John says: 

“Whosoever is born [begotten] of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born [begotten] of God” (I John 3:9). 

“We know that whosoever is born [begotten] of God sinneth not…” (I John 5:18). 

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

DAILY SMILE...

Church Service 

     One day 3 young men were passing a church where the service was going on. As they never stepped into a church before, they decided to go in and see what is a church service. They opened the front door and stepped in. The pastor, a fiery preacher was preaching - walking up and down, left to right and moving fast. . An usher welcomed them but the usher couldn't see any empty chairs. Oh yes, there were three chairs empty in the front. The young men sat there staring at the preacher moving fast and speaking loud. 

     The preacher took his breath. He said, "I ask, where is God?" He walked down from the pulpit repeating that question, "where is God?" He came to the first young man, looked at his eyes and repeated the question in a solemn voice, "young man, I'm asking you, Where is God?" 


     The young man turned to his friends and said, "Let us get out of this place. They lost God and trying to put the blame on us."

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 11

Capitalizing On ????

by Pastor Ricky Kurth

Originally Posted 12/24/16

Depending on when your monthly Searchlight arrives, the Mayan calendar deadline for the end of the world has either come and gone, or else it is looming in the imminent future.  All the hoopla that surrounded this gloomy prediction got me to wondering if there might not be some way that Christians could capitalize on yet another failed non-Biblical prophetic expectation.  After all, last year when the Rapture failed to take place on the date designated by a popular radio Bible teacher, God’s people were able to take advantage of this by pointing out that, when it comes to the Second Coming of Christ, the Bible says that “of that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matt. 24:36).  Those that knew the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming were also able to point out that the date of the former is just as unsearchable in Scripture as that of the latter.  Surely there has to be a way to similarly benefit from the failure of the Mayan calendar disaster as well. 

I wonder if what we are looking for might be found in Isaiah 41:21-24.  There, God Almighty thunders forth a challenge to all the false gods of the nations, daring them to “produce your cause,” that is, to produce “strong reasons” why anyone should believe they are God.  If you are wondering what kind of reasons He had in mind, the Lord went on to say, “let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen… 

“Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods….” 

This challenge went unanswered in Isaiah’s day, of course, for only the God of the Bible knows the future, something He has proved over and over again in Scripture, and something that the failed predictions of others serve to magnify. 

With all this in mind, why not put together a short mental list of fulfilled Bible prophecies, and mark Isaiah 41 in your Bible?  That way when the subject of the Mayan calendar comes up the day after the December 21st deadline (as you know it will!), you can capitalize on the biggest non-story of the year by reminding people that the challenge of Isaiah 41 has still gone unanswered, and that the God of the Bible is still the only God worthy of worship.  Let’s determine to be ready to offer “a word in season” (Isa. 50:4) to all who are disillusioned by the gods of the nations, and are in desperate need of the God who sent His Son to die for their sins.

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

Daily Smile:

Prayer 

Two young sisters went to bed. As the four-year-old folded her hands in prayer, the six-year-old shouted out: “I’m telling Mommy; you’re goin’ over her head!”

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 10

Reaching Real Maturity 

by Pastor John Fredericksen 

Spiritually speaking, Paul considered Timothy his “son in the faith” (I Tim. 1:2). And, like any parent, he had noble aspirations for his loved one. In the Book of II Timothy, he is very specific about four things he wants Timothy to become for the Lord. 

First, he wanted him to be a good servant of the Lord (1:6). God had given him a temporary spiritual gift that was not to be wasted, but consistently used in the local church, where he would have opportunities and the obligation to use this divine enablement. 

Paul also wanted Timothy to become a good soul-winner (1:8). Apparently, there were real dangers in doing so for Timothy, and there was a danger he might shrink away from this essential task. He might allow the fear of men, and their reactions, to prevent him from sharing the gospel. If Timothy did not grow beyond such a fear, his lack of action would essentially be saying he was “ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” What a reminder for us today as well! 

Next, Paul wanted Timothy to be a good student of the Word (2:15). Specifically, he wanted him to diligently apply himself to the study of the Scriptures so that he would be able to rightly divide the Word. 

Finally, Paul wanted Timothy to faithfully hold fast to the distinctive doctrines taught only by the Apostle Paul (1:13,14), to continue in them without wavering (3:14), and then teach them to faithful men who would stand with him in dispensational truth (2:2). In Paul’s eyes, it would only be as Timothy achieved these four goals that he would be a spiritually-mature saint. 

In a practical sense, each of us today can gauge our own spiritual maturity by measuring ourselves against these four goals that Paul had for Timothy. If we are consistently using our God-given capabilities for the Lord in our local church, then we’ve taken a step toward spiritual maturity. If we are bold and faithful in giving out the gospel to lost souls, we have taken another step toward maturity in Christ. If we are willing to endure hardship in ministry for Christ, without stopping our service, we have taken yet another step in maturity. If we are unwavering in our loyalty to the distinctive dispensational truths of God’s Word, as taught exclusively by Paul, we have taken still another important step toward spiritual maturity. 

When young children begin to walk, they take one wobbly step at a time. Sometimes they fall down. The important thing in their development toward physical maturity is the process of getting back up when they fall, undeterred, and continuing to walk on toward greater stability. Dear saint, if you’ve fallen down in one of these four areas of growing in Christ toward spiritual maturity, get back up and start walking again in the right direction. Your Heavenly Father is watching and waiting to be pleased of what you choose to do next.

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

Daily Smile:

Night Watchman 

A man got a job as a night watchman at a factory. There had been a lot of thefts by the workers on the night shift, and so every morning when the night shift workers passed through his gate, it was his job to check their bags and pockets to make sure that nothing was being stolen.

Things were going along very well the first night on the job until a man pushing a wheelbarrow of newspaper came through his gate.

 

Aha, he thought, that man thinks he can cover up what he is stealing with that newspaper. So he removed the paper only to find nothing. Still he felt that the man was acting strangely, so he questioned him about the paper.

"I get a little extra money from newspapers I recycle, so I go 

into the lunchroom and pick up all the ones people have thrown away."

The guard let him pass, but he decided to keep a close eye on him. 

The next night it was the same, and the night after that. Week after week it went on. The same guy would push the wheelbarrow of newspapers past the guard's checkpoint. The guard would always check and find nothing.

Then one night, about a year later, the guard reported for work only to find a message had been left for him telling him to report to his supervisor. He walked into the supervisor's office and before he could say a word, the boss said, "You're fired!"

"Fired?" he asked in total surprise. "Why? What did I do?"

"It was your job to make sure that no one stole anything from this plant, and you have failed. So you're fired."?

"Wait a minute -- what do you mean failed? Nobody ever stole anything from this place while I was on guard."

"Oh, really," the boss answered. "Then how do you account for the fact that there are 365 wheelbarrows missing?"

September '19 - Daily On Line Edition - DAY 9

A Reason to Sing! 

by Pastor Ricky Kurth 

During their seventy years of captivity in Babylon, the people of Israel didn’t feel much like singing: 

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 

“We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 

“For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 

“How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” (Psa. 137:1-4). 

We are told that the children of Israel were well known for their music, and we wouldn’t be surprised if this were so, for faith in our God has inspired countless great compositions down through the centuries. But when their captors demanded that they sing the songs that expressed the joy they felt in their God and their homeland, the sorrow they felt in their hearts would not allow these captives to give voice to such expressions while shackled with the chains of Babylonian bondage. 

But if God’s people cannot sing outside of their Promised Land, how can Paul call on us to be “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19)? How can we sing the Lord’s songs in the land made strange to us by the anti-God sentiment found all around us, and the iniquity upon iniquity that we see on every hand? 

We believe it is because God has already “raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6). Remember, we serve a God that “calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Rom. 4:17). In that passage, God was able to call Abraham “the father of many” before he had any children. This is because God had promised to multiply his seed, and so in the mind of God he already had a multitude of descendants! In the same way, God can use the past tense in describing how we are already “glorified” (Rom. 8:30), and since the Lord has promised that we will one day “reign with Him” (II Tim. 2:12) from thrones on which we will sit together with Christ in heavenly places, in His mind it is as good as done, we are as good as there. 

And if that’s not something worth singing about, I don’t know what is!

Today's Devotional Sponsor:

Daily Smile:

Spelling
 
A sixth grade class is doing some spelling drills. The teacher asks Tommy if he can spell 'before.' 
 
He stands up and says, "Before, B-E-P-H-O-R." 
 
The teacher says, "No, that's wrong. Can anyone else spell before?" 
 
Another little boy stands up and says, "Before, B-E-F-O-O-R." 
 
Again the teacher says, "No, that's wrong." The teacher asks, "Little Johnny, can you spell 'before'?" 
 
Little Johnny stands up and says, "Before, B-E-F-O-R-E." 
 
"Excellent Johnny, now can you use it in a sentence?" 
 
Little Johnny says, "That's easy. Two plus two be fore."