I would like to thank the many people that have pulled me aside and have given encouraging words to me for the devotions that I have written. It does my heart good to know that there are people out there reading and being blessed by them. These people are not afraid to let me know how much they enjoy them. The devotion on baptism was a big hit with everyone. This was the one most people talk about. Please pray for me that I will also know and do the will of God. 1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul Psalms 116:1-4 (KJV)
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Psalms 118:1 (KJV)
We have so much to be thankful for in the day in which we live. God has been so good to us. He has given his only son to die on the cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt. We need to be thankful that we live in a country that is free. We are free to worship God in the way he wants us too. We should be thankful for churches in our land. People need to be thankful for true men of God that have been called by God to preach his word. Men that will stand and preach the gospel and the Holy Spirit prick our hearts and God save our souls for Jesus sake.
I have never seen a time when people feel like they don’t have anything to be thankful for. If you were able to rise up out of bed this morning then you have something to be thankful for. If you say preacher I was not able to get out of bed this morning so I don’t have that to be thankful for. Well just let me tell you this that you are still breathing this side of eternity so this is something to thank God for. People feel like they are in such bad shape today. Every time I felt like that I was in bad shape all I had to do was look around and soon I would see that there are people in worse shape then I am.
We need to love the Lord because he heard our cry. We need to love him because he helped us when we could not help ourselves. We are living in a land of plenty. We have more today than I feel that any people have had in the time before us. We have more food in the day in which we live than any other in time. We throw out more today than some countries have to eat. God has richly blessed us here in America . So yes may I say we do have a lot to be thankful for. There have been many times that no doubt we have set down to eat a meal and when we finished we make a statement you know it would have been good if we would have had some of this to go along with the meal. We are entering the month of November when we celebrate Thanksgiving. So when you sit down this year to eat your Thanksgiving dinner please remember who has made it possible for you to enjoy what you have. We have food on our tables and shoes on our feet. We have a roof over our heads and cloths on our backs. Yes I believe we have a lot to be thankful for. If you don’t think you have anything to be thankful for close your eyes and picture yourself in New Orleans under a bridge holding a card board sign saying I need food. Then open your eyes and look at the table spread before you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
January 18, 2011
Nov 16 - Rimes With Reason
We are reaching Thanksgiving Week and this gives another reason to think of food. Maybe, if we’re careful, extra delicious meals this season won’t add to our girth. Instead of thinking of increasing our pants size I would rather emphasize a nicer saying like: “Southern cooking makes you good looking.” I’m not discounting the beauty of the many adults I know, but either food choices or a slower way of life seems to make Southern young people more attractive.
Thanksgiving is mentioned many times in the Bible. When walls and gates of Jerusalem were repaired under leadership of Nehemiah names were drawn to move one of every ten Jewish families to that newly fortified city. The rest were to live in their own towns. At this occasion was the first mention of a prayer of thanksgiving: “And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer . . . ”-Nehemiah 11:17-KJV. Songs and praises were other ways to magnify God: “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”-Psalms 69:30-KJV.
This is one of the most familiar verses in the Bible: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”-Psalms 100:4-KJV. This verse talks of food leftovers: (29) “When you offer a Thanksgiving-Offering to God, do it right so it will be acceptable. (30) Eat it on the same day: don’t leave any leftovers until morning. I am God.” - Lev. 22:29-30-MESSAGE. Fast food places aren’t some new phenomena: When God visited Abraham: “Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. He said, ‘Hurry, Get three cups of our best flour; knead it and make bread.”-Gen. 18-6-MESSAGE.
There are recipes in the Bible like Ezekiel bread? One of our massage clients often brings a loaf. It’s moist, heavy, delicious and healthy. “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt: put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself . . . ”-Ezekiel 4:9-NIV. The Bible even mentions cooking spices: “She gave the king four and a half tons of gold and sack after sack of spices and precious stones. There hasn’t been a cargo of spices like the shipload the queen of Sheba brought to King Solomon.”-2 Chronicles 9:9-MESSAGE.
Some cooks go from sickbed to the kitchen: (14) “By this time they were in front of Peter’s house. On entering, Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed, burning up with fever.(15) He touched her hand and the fever was gone. No sooner was she up on her feet than she was fixing dinner for him.” Matt. 8:14-15-MESSAGE. Jesus used cooking yeast in this Spiritual parable: “. . . ‘God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread –and waits until the dough rises’.”-Matt. 13:33-MESSAGE.
Jesus promised that food will be supplied to those who trust: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”- Matt. 6:31-KJV.
These verses in the last Book of the Bible are the example to follow in our reverence and praise to Holy God: (11) “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, (12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”- Revelation 7:11-12-KJV.
Thanksgiving is mentioned many times in the Bible. When walls and gates of Jerusalem were repaired under leadership of Nehemiah names were drawn to move one of every ten Jewish families to that newly fortified city. The rest were to live in their own towns. At this occasion was the first mention of a prayer of thanksgiving: “And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer . . . ”-Nehemiah 11:17-KJV. Songs and praises were other ways to magnify God: “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”-Psalms 69:30-KJV.
This is one of the most familiar verses in the Bible: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”-Psalms 100:4-KJV. This verse talks of food leftovers: (29) “When you offer a Thanksgiving-Offering to God, do it right so it will be acceptable. (30) Eat it on the same day: don’t leave any leftovers until morning. I am God.” - Lev. 22:29-30-MESSAGE. Fast food places aren’t some new phenomena: When God visited Abraham: “Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. He said, ‘Hurry, Get three cups of our best flour; knead it and make bread.”-Gen. 18-6-MESSAGE.
There are recipes in the Bible like Ezekiel bread? One of our massage clients often brings a loaf. It’s moist, heavy, delicious and healthy. “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt: put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself . . . ”-Ezekiel 4:9-NIV. The Bible even mentions cooking spices: “She gave the king four and a half tons of gold and sack after sack of spices and precious stones. There hasn’t been a cargo of spices like the shipload the queen of Sheba brought to King Solomon.”-2 Chronicles 9:9-MESSAGE.
Some cooks go from sickbed to the kitchen: (14) “By this time they were in front of Peter’s house. On entering, Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed, burning up with fever.(15) He touched her hand and the fever was gone. No sooner was she up on her feet than she was fixing dinner for him.” Matt. 8:14-15-MESSAGE. Jesus used cooking yeast in this Spiritual parable: “. . . ‘God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread –and waits until the dough rises’.”-Matt. 13:33-MESSAGE.
Jesus promised that food will be supplied to those who trust: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”- Matt. 6:31-KJV.
These verses in the last Book of the Bible are the example to follow in our reverence and praise to Holy God: (11) “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, (12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”- Revelation 7:11-12-KJV.
Nov 16 - Testing Of Faith by DR Mallery Callahan
The testing of faith produces patience which is the hallmark of the mature believer. We must adopt the four consummate virtues of Christian living: justive, mercy, humility and faithfulness. Remember only God can judge his people. Faith is simpler than it seems.
Trust that :
(a) God is Good!
(b) He is a place of safety for us when we are in trouble.
(c) He is faithful to care for those who trust Him to do so.
Guard against bitte4rness in your own heart and among God’s people. Remember the battle is the Lord’s. Trust your battles to Him, and rest in His victory. He will fight your battles.
believe that God is able to supply all the needs, even when you have no idea how.
Trusting Him always,
Pastor Callahan
Trust that :
(a) God is Good!
(b) He is a place of safety for us when we are in trouble.
(c) He is faithful to care for those who trust Him to do so.
Guard against bitte4rness in your own heart and among God’s people. Remember the battle is the Lord’s. Trust your battles to Him, and rest in His victory. He will fight your battles.
believe that God is able to supply all the needs, even when you have no idea how.
Trusting Him always,
Pastor Callahan
Nov 16 - Who Will U Invite For Thanksgiving Dinner? By Minister Frankie L Crosby
7 “And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." Luke 14:7-24
Our Father has for many years invited us to partake of his goodness and his mercy.....
As we enter into this holiday season, we must ask the question: “Who do I know that needs a good meal?”
Jesus tells us when we give to the poor, it's like giving to him. Too often we invite only those who can repay or do a favor for us.....
God's word lets us know He will bless us! There is so much joy in giving when its done from the heart, expecting nothing in return. What excuses do u make for not doing what we've been instructed to do by the Lord?
Throughout these scriptures, the invited people made excuse, after excuse why they couldn't attend the banquet. There's gonna be a banquet in Heaven for those chosen and invited by God. After the servant(us) had done what the Master(Jesus) had commanded him to do, there was still room at the banquet for more! Just like most of our churches today, there's still room for you and me! That's why we must continue to "go to the highways and the by-ways and compel men to come, that my Father's house may be filled".
I know, not everyone is gonna accept the invitation to come but one day, you are gonna come----you might be rolled in but you are gonna come! To God be the Glory and no devil in hell can take that away. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends and please include Jesus at your banquet.
one of His kids,
Min. Frankie L. Crosby
Our Father has for many years invited us to partake of his goodness and his mercy.....
As we enter into this holiday season, we must ask the question: “Who do I know that needs a good meal?”
Jesus tells us when we give to the poor, it's like giving to him. Too often we invite only those who can repay or do a favor for us.....
God's word lets us know He will bless us! There is so much joy in giving when its done from the heart, expecting nothing in return. What excuses do u make for not doing what we've been instructed to do by the Lord?
Throughout these scriptures, the invited people made excuse, after excuse why they couldn't attend the banquet. There's gonna be a banquet in Heaven for those chosen and invited by God. After the servant(us) had done what the Master(Jesus) had commanded him to do, there was still room at the banquet for more! Just like most of our churches today, there's still room for you and me! That's why we must continue to "go to the highways and the by-ways and compel men to come, that my Father's house may be filled".
I know, not everyone is gonna accept the invitation to come but one day, you are gonna come----you might be rolled in but you are gonna come! To God be the Glory and no devil in hell can take that away. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends and please include Jesus at your banquet.
one of His kids,
Min. Frankie L. Crosby
Nov 16 - Where’s Daddy? by EJH
It’s funny where inspiration comes from. My kids seem to teach me more often than I do them. Our family is pretty close. As the children are young, and we were older when they were born, they are sometimes exposed to conversations adults have as we mature. Additional curiosity comes from our outdoor and country lifestyle where we often commune with nature, wild, and domestic animals. Kids watch us close, all of us, especially dads.
As men we are directed by God to revere and honor our families. I won’t quote scripture here, but you may search almost any Bible index for those key words. Let’s, for a moment, forget Christian Doctrine. Science, and common sense, demonstrate that, generally, the male of a species is typically larger, stronger, more agile, and all around more capable of protecting his family. My belief is that God made us that way.
Which brings me back to my kids. We’re sitting here tonight watching Animal Planet, one of their favorites. I’d like to boast training them to be comfortable talking about any subject. Reality is, most times I feel like a failure, surviving only by God’s immeasurable grace. They ask questions, or need some form of information, attention, or care, and all I can do is send up a quick prayer begging for guidance. Don’t get me wrong, I’m smart, and tough, it only happens a few hundred times a day, and somehow the words come.
So tonight they ask about the daddy bear. It seems momma bear was protecting two cubs, and humans were trying to rescue the family. ‘Where was Daddy?’ God must have been listening because we used it as an opportune time of discussion. In nature, this is the norm for most species. Darwin did have some validity to his research.
However, men were not programmed or designed like the animal father. Therefore, we have no business acting like members of the wild animal kingdom. Our responsibility is at home, with our families. Managing the household, comforting and encouraging our wife, providing a behavioral example, and sanctuary for our children. We need to bring home the bacon, as well as the vegetables, clothing, and other necessities of life. It is our responsibility to insure a safe, happy, and healthy home.
Everyone knows the statistics, a divorce rate of 50%, and young men dying in the streets. How long can it continue, still expecting civilized American society survive? I submit to you that many examples in the animal kingdom, would shame their human counterpart, Emperor Penguins, for one.
As men, we need to come home. Not simply to our earthly residence, but to Jesus. God’s word is a blueprint for life, the instruction manual for living. He has brought many sinners, even worse than you or I, back from the shadows. Our children need us, our wives need us. No matter how little we like to admit it, we need them.
However, even in turmoil, men must take the lead. It is your responsibility to make the first, second, and even third move if necessary. Lead by example, following only the lead of our Jesus, not of this world. It takes only a little inspiration for many others to follow. Just envision what an entire U.S. State of devoted husbands and fathers could start! America would be unstoppable. ejh
As men we are directed by God to revere and honor our families. I won’t quote scripture here, but you may search almost any Bible index for those key words. Let’s, for a moment, forget Christian Doctrine. Science, and common sense, demonstrate that, generally, the male of a species is typically larger, stronger, more agile, and all around more capable of protecting his family. My belief is that God made us that way.
Which brings me back to my kids. We’re sitting here tonight watching Animal Planet, one of their favorites. I’d like to boast training them to be comfortable talking about any subject. Reality is, most times I feel like a failure, surviving only by God’s immeasurable grace. They ask questions, or need some form of information, attention, or care, and all I can do is send up a quick prayer begging for guidance. Don’t get me wrong, I’m smart, and tough, it only happens a few hundred times a day, and somehow the words come.
So tonight they ask about the daddy bear. It seems momma bear was protecting two cubs, and humans were trying to rescue the family. ‘Where was Daddy?’ God must have been listening because we used it as an opportune time of discussion. In nature, this is the norm for most species. Darwin did have some validity to his research.
However, men were not programmed or designed like the animal father. Therefore, we have no business acting like members of the wild animal kingdom. Our responsibility is at home, with our families. Managing the household, comforting and encouraging our wife, providing a behavioral example, and sanctuary for our children. We need to bring home the bacon, as well as the vegetables, clothing, and other necessities of life. It is our responsibility to insure a safe, happy, and healthy home.
Everyone knows the statistics, a divorce rate of 50%, and young men dying in the streets. How long can it continue, still expecting civilized American society survive? I submit to you that many examples in the animal kingdom, would shame their human counterpart, Emperor Penguins, for one.
As men, we need to come home. Not simply to our earthly residence, but to Jesus. God’s word is a blueprint for life, the instruction manual for living. He has brought many sinners, even worse than you or I, back from the shadows. Our children need us, our wives need us. No matter how little we like to admit it, we need them.
However, even in turmoil, men must take the lead. It is your responsibility to make the first, second, and even third move if necessary. Lead by example, following only the lead of our Jesus, not of this world. It takes only a little inspiration for many others to follow. Just envision what an entire U.S. State of devoted husbands and fathers could start! America would be unstoppable. ejh
Nov 16 - Stay Kind Together by Brother Shelton
You know every day I see a husband and wife together sometimes they are happy and having fun together and sometimes they are fighting and cross with each other. I don’t know if it is good or bad, but I would like to take them to a quiet place and try to help them to understand that it is a gift from God that they know each other at all. They should stop and thank Him at least once a day or more for that blessing.
You see I was lucky enough to have a wife for 35 years that I did not have any bad days with, and I am so glad that we made the agreement that we did right after we were married. We agreed that we would not stay mad at each other more than an hour at the most. No matter what we were mad at and we would spend as much time together as we could be each day. To be honest at first it was not too easy, then we found out that the more time we spent together the more we cared for each other. We got so use to doing things together that if we could not do it together we did not do it. This is what I would like to tell all the couples that I see. They need to enjoy each other as much as they can for they don’t know how much time they have left.
One day we were in a car together, I had a wreck and she was killed. It will soon be three years and I was almost killed myself. I have been told by a lot of people that it could not have been helped. The law also told me this, but I must say that does not help me a lot. I would trade places with her in a second. I have prayed to God to do that, but as of now I am still here. I wonder if I am going to hell. You know about, ‘thou shall not kill. I have lost a lot of sleep thinking about that one. But on the up side I spend a lot of time thinking about the good times that we had together.
I have had two specialists tell me I should have died to, that is doctors. One was a heart doctor and the other was a colon doctor. I have asked to trade places with her or just take me to be with her and so far nothing. So you see I could tell all the couples to forget everything they can find to disagree about and be glad to still have time together. You see I don’t know if I would be anything to anyone if I did not have all our good times to think about. I don’t sleep a lot because of what happened. I have half a heart that gives me pain. So I have turned to God for help. I must say that I have found good and bad things in the Bible like in Romans 14:11-13 says, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” I have done that every chance I get, now let me finish. 12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or on occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
I think that each time a couple has words they are putting stumbling blocks out for each other. If a child happens to hear them fuss, then what effect does it have on them. I have tried to walk closer with God since the death of my wife than ever before. I know that no man has had a better gift than I did when I meet my wife. I just wish everyone could understand the same thing before it is too late. None of us know how much time we have left on this earth. Married men and women remember that the one you married is a gift from God, treat them as one.
In the book of James, chapter 4, verse 14 and 15 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow; What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that,” You see you should always put God first in everything. You see when you get married and time goes by you should start growing together not apart. So work harder to stay together, please.
In his love,
Brother Shelton
You see I was lucky enough to have a wife for 35 years that I did not have any bad days with, and I am so glad that we made the agreement that we did right after we were married. We agreed that we would not stay mad at each other more than an hour at the most. No matter what we were mad at and we would spend as much time together as we could be each day. To be honest at first it was not too easy, then we found out that the more time we spent together the more we cared for each other. We got so use to doing things together that if we could not do it together we did not do it. This is what I would like to tell all the couples that I see. They need to enjoy each other as much as they can for they don’t know how much time they have left.
One day we were in a car together, I had a wreck and she was killed. It will soon be three years and I was almost killed myself. I have been told by a lot of people that it could not have been helped. The law also told me this, but I must say that does not help me a lot. I would trade places with her in a second. I have prayed to God to do that, but as of now I am still here. I wonder if I am going to hell. You know about, ‘thou shall not kill. I have lost a lot of sleep thinking about that one. But on the up side I spend a lot of time thinking about the good times that we had together.
I have had two specialists tell me I should have died to, that is doctors. One was a heart doctor and the other was a colon doctor. I have asked to trade places with her or just take me to be with her and so far nothing. So you see I could tell all the couples to forget everything they can find to disagree about and be glad to still have time together. You see I don’t know if I would be anything to anyone if I did not have all our good times to think about. I don’t sleep a lot because of what happened. I have half a heart that gives me pain. So I have turned to God for help. I must say that I have found good and bad things in the Bible like in Romans 14:11-13 says, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” I have done that every chance I get, now let me finish. 12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or on occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
I think that each time a couple has words they are putting stumbling blocks out for each other. If a child happens to hear them fuss, then what effect does it have on them. I have tried to walk closer with God since the death of my wife than ever before. I know that no man has had a better gift than I did when I meet my wife. I just wish everyone could understand the same thing before it is too late. None of us know how much time we have left on this earth. Married men and women remember that the one you married is a gift from God, treat them as one.
In the book of James, chapter 4, verse 14 and 15 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow; What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that,” You see you should always put God first in everything. You see when you get married and time goes by you should start growing together not apart. So work harder to stay together, please.
In his love,
Brother Shelton
Nov 16 - Don’t By Pass Jesus! The Word Doesn’t! by Joyce Mizell
In her book, “Pack Up Your Gloomees In a Great Big Box,” then sit on it and laugh Barbara Johnson make three statements about words-If it’s free-it’s advice; If you pay –it’s counseling; If you can use either one-it’s a miracle. Of course, these words are facts in our every day life. The Holy Words of God are priceless to all for Light to guide; for Salvation of our soul and for Eternal Life. The Bible is old in time as we measure time but It’s always new to each generation.
God uses the Holy Word to make known his Will to man. Prophets of the past spoke the Word, The Word is written in the Law and all other Scriptures. The Word lives in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:1-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word of God never changes. In the Old Testament the Word came to the prophets by divine revelation. God’s spoken Word formed creation. A true prophet of God speaks Truth. A false prophet speaks words to grease his own palm. In our New Testament the Holy Word is used as a specific function of Jesus Christ. The New Testament describes divine revelation. The Christian message is the Word of God. Luke 8:11 tells us the seed is the Word of God. The Word of God must dwell in a Christian. Colossians 3:16
The Word of God is the Gospel. Three passages in the New Testament for Word are “logos” used as a title for Jesus Christ. John 1:1-14; 1st John 1:1; Rev. 19:13. John provided us with plain words we can understand Truth of the incarnation life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is the revelation of God. Hebrews 1: 1-God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2-Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. This is wonderful thought in the Holy Word.” JESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIVINE! Don’t By Pass Jesus Christ! Please read Acts 3: 19-26. God sent Jesus and after his death, burial, and resurrection he has been received back into heaven. The prophets told us about Jesus and Moses spoke the Word. God sent his son Jesus to bless us in turning away every one from our iniquities.
There are no detours or a way to meander from or around Jesus Christ! Should we ever think we can it’s a fatal mistake on our part. Reading what Barbara Johnson said about words was such a fact in our every day life that I decided to dig a little deeper about the Word of God and began a study on this article one morning.
Jesus Christ is the promised prophet of God, our Savior. Deut 18:15-The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of they brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken This Prophet spoken about would be the mediator between God and man. Matt. 21:11; Luke 1: 67-80; Luke 2: 25-34; Luke 7:16; Acts 3: 19-26 The revelation of Jesus Christ is about God. John 1:8 The angel gave John the revelation for the Word through Christ. We should study and take God’s Holy Word to heart and Soul. We must never try to by pass Jesus. John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness of the Light The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Jesus was in the world and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, and full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God because God is Spirit but in essence we see God through Jesus Christ.
Barbara Johnston nailed it on the head what she said about words in our earthly life. The Holy Written Word of God makes it crystal clear what we need to know and do to have Eternal Life. Please be sure and read Hebrews 1: 1-2 again where God has spoken to us by his son Jesus Christ.
I wonder if Jesus was here on earth today would he ask some of us the same question, HAVE I BEEN SO LONG TIME WITH YOU, AND YET HAST THOU NOT KNOWN ME, PHILIP? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER, AND HOW SAYEST THOU THEN, SHOW US THE FATHER?
DON’T BY PASS JESUS CHRIST!
God uses the Holy Word to make known his Will to man. Prophets of the past spoke the Word, The Word is written in the Law and all other Scriptures. The Word lives in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:1-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word of God never changes. In the Old Testament the Word came to the prophets by divine revelation. God’s spoken Word formed creation. A true prophet of God speaks Truth. A false prophet speaks words to grease his own palm. In our New Testament the Holy Word is used as a specific function of Jesus Christ. The New Testament describes divine revelation. The Christian message is the Word of God. Luke 8:11 tells us the seed is the Word of God. The Word of God must dwell in a Christian. Colossians 3:16
The Word of God is the Gospel. Three passages in the New Testament for Word are “logos” used as a title for Jesus Christ. John 1:1-14; 1st John 1:1; Rev. 19:13. John provided us with plain words we can understand Truth of the incarnation life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is the revelation of God. Hebrews 1: 1-God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2-Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. This is wonderful thought in the Holy Word.” JESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIVINE! Don’t By Pass Jesus Christ! Please read Acts 3: 19-26. God sent Jesus and after his death, burial, and resurrection he has been received back into heaven. The prophets told us about Jesus and Moses spoke the Word. God sent his son Jesus to bless us in turning away every one from our iniquities.
There are no detours or a way to meander from or around Jesus Christ! Should we ever think we can it’s a fatal mistake on our part. Reading what Barbara Johnson said about words was such a fact in our every day life that I decided to dig a little deeper about the Word of God and began a study on this article one morning.
Jesus Christ is the promised prophet of God, our Savior. Deut 18:15-The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of they brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken This Prophet spoken about would be the mediator between God and man. Matt. 21:11; Luke 1: 67-80; Luke 2: 25-34; Luke 7:16; Acts 3: 19-26 The revelation of Jesus Christ is about God. John 1:8 The angel gave John the revelation for the Word through Christ. We should study and take God’s Holy Word to heart and Soul. We must never try to by pass Jesus. John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness of the Light The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Jesus was in the world and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, and full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God because God is Spirit but in essence we see God through Jesus Christ.
Barbara Johnston nailed it on the head what she said about words in our earthly life. The Holy Written Word of God makes it crystal clear what we need to know and do to have Eternal Life. Please be sure and read Hebrews 1: 1-2 again where God has spoken to us by his son Jesus Christ.
I wonder if Jesus was here on earth today would he ask some of us the same question, HAVE I BEEN SO LONG TIME WITH YOU, AND YET HAST THOU NOT KNOWN ME, PHILIP? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER, AND HOW SAYEST THOU THEN, SHOW US THE FATHER?
DON’T BY PASS JESUS CHRIST!
Nov 1 - Where Will You Spend Eternity by Elder Burdette Thomas
Luke 16:19-31 19. “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Today I would like to take our study from Luke 16:19-31. In these verses of scriptures we will find a story about two men that lived long ago in the days of Moses. We are going to take these verses of scripture to show us that there is a place called heaven and a place called hell. And in one of these places you will spend your eternity. There is no might or maybe about it you will. Let us look at these verses of scripture now. First of all let was take a look at the man that is mention first, the rich man. “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:” Luke 16:19 (KJV)
From what the Bible tells us about this man he was very rich. A man that must have every thing money could buy. He had fine cloths and ate a wonderful meal every day. No doubt this man had a fine home, servants and any thing else money could buy. Next the Bible tells us about the other man. A beggar by the name of Lazarus. 20 “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:20-21 (KJV)
This was a poor man that had nothing. He was full of sores. He had nothing to eat because he would beg for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The dogs were the only thing other than God that had pity on the man. No doubt this man went to sleep many nights hungry. We read that both of these men died.22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;” Luke 16:22 (KJV)
There are some people in this world that don't believe there is a hell. According to Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23 (KJV)
You see both of these men died. The rich man went to hell and Lazarus went to heaven. The rich man was able to feel, see, hear and talk. He was in torment. He even saw Lazarus the poor beggar that he wanted nothing to do with in the comfort of Abraham's bosom or the paradise of God. The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich. He went to hell because he refused to trust Jesus as his savior. This man no doubt was given the opportunity to be saved just like the beggar. Jesus is the maker of the rich man and the beggar. The rich lifted his eyes in hell and new where he was. He begins to beg Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and put that one drop on his tongue. “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:24 (KJV)
Abraham begins to remind him of the life that he had lived. When all was said and done the rich man begin to plead with Abraham to send Lazarus back to his father's house to warn his five brothers. You see he did not want them to come where he was. There has been many in this world to die and lift their eyes in hell. They never intended on going to hell. Hell is a place where there is no love, joy, and peace. What you will find there is trouble, torments, pain and sorrow. Hell is a place you don't want to go. The thing is you don't have too. Jesus came into this world bleed and died on the cross that you may mess hell and go to heaven. Each one of us well spend eternity some where. So I ask you where will you spend yours. You don't have to go to hell. You have a choice. Please choose Jesus and go with me to heaven. It is so wonderful that God fixed it so that the rich and the poor can stand side by side on the other side. Please don't put off salvation because you may not get another opportunity. Then you like the rich man will lift your eyes in hell. I beg you don't let that happen. Jesus died for you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Today I would like to take our study from Luke 16:19-31. In these verses of scriptures we will find a story about two men that lived long ago in the days of Moses. We are going to take these verses of scripture to show us that there is a place called heaven and a place called hell. And in one of these places you will spend your eternity. There is no might or maybe about it you will. Let us look at these verses of scripture now. First of all let was take a look at the man that is mention first, the rich man. “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:” Luke 16:19 (KJV)
From what the Bible tells us about this man he was very rich. A man that must have every thing money could buy. He had fine cloths and ate a wonderful meal every day. No doubt this man had a fine home, servants and any thing else money could buy. Next the Bible tells us about the other man. A beggar by the name of Lazarus. 20 “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:20-21 (KJV)
This was a poor man that had nothing. He was full of sores. He had nothing to eat because he would beg for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The dogs were the only thing other than God that had pity on the man. No doubt this man went to sleep many nights hungry. We read that both of these men died.22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;” Luke 16:22 (KJV)
There are some people in this world that don't believe there is a hell. According to Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23 (KJV)
You see both of these men died. The rich man went to hell and Lazarus went to heaven. The rich man was able to feel, see, hear and talk. He was in torment. He even saw Lazarus the poor beggar that he wanted nothing to do with in the comfort of Abraham's bosom or the paradise of God. The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich. He went to hell because he refused to trust Jesus as his savior. This man no doubt was given the opportunity to be saved just like the beggar. Jesus is the maker of the rich man and the beggar. The rich lifted his eyes in hell and new where he was. He begins to beg Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and put that one drop on his tongue. “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:24 (KJV)
Abraham begins to remind him of the life that he had lived. When all was said and done the rich man begin to plead with Abraham to send Lazarus back to his father's house to warn his five brothers. You see he did not want them to come where he was. There has been many in this world to die and lift their eyes in hell. They never intended on going to hell. Hell is a place where there is no love, joy, and peace. What you will find there is trouble, torments, pain and sorrow. Hell is a place you don't want to go. The thing is you don't have too. Jesus came into this world bleed and died on the cross that you may mess hell and go to heaven. Each one of us well spend eternity some where. So I ask you where will you spend yours. You don't have to go to hell. You have a choice. Please choose Jesus and go with me to heaven. It is so wonderful that God fixed it so that the rich and the poor can stand side by side on the other side. Please don't put off salvation because you may not get another opportunity. Then you like the rich man will lift your eyes in hell. I beg you don't let that happen. Jesus died for you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Nov 1 - Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes
Statistics and numbers were an interesting part of my former life as a banker. I spent 42 years before retiring from that occupation by observing, handling and balancing sums and figures as do all who are still employed in those capacities. This type work was mentally challenging and you hear a lot of success stories, but many more sad ones. I’m glad that part of my life is over. We never kept up with “the Joneses” at our home by overspending or like some, trying to be overly competitive in business, by excessive borrowing because stress and ulcers will occur particularly at repayment time.
My life now as a Massage Therapist at our business is basically stress free. We are interested mainly in making individual clients feel better with quality care and less interested in numerical volume or quantity. Still, around town I hear interesting numbers in daily communication with people. For example one told of friends getting married in October. They timed it perfectly so that they were pronounced married at 10 minutes past 10 a.m. on 10/10/10. Thinking ahead, now that it’s November, next year someone can be married at 11 minutes past 11 a.m. or p.m. on 11/11/11.
There are many statistics and numbers in the Bible. I am not writing about what individual numbers mean or about the supposedly coded numbers or passages, but our Bible often mentions specific numerical data. Abram heard from the Lord: “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” - Genesis 13:16-NIV. Here’s another: “Look up at the heavens and count the stars-- if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” - Genesis15:5-NIV.
Women compared David against Saul in this verse: “As they danced, they sang Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” -1 Samuel 18:7-NIV. Around this era David separated those with musical ability to play harps, psalteries and cymbals: “Along with their relatives –all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord–they numbered 288.” -1 Chronicles 25:7-NIV.
We now have 12 million illegal aliens in the United States, but this is not a new problem. King Solomon had a similar situation in the nation of Israel. “Solomon took a census of all the aliens who were in Israel, after the census his father David had taken, and they were found to be 153,600.” - 2 Chronicles 2:17-NIV.
In this verse they counted just the great fishes maybe implying there were more caught: “Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.”- John 21:11-KJV.
This verse should give each saved individual confidence that our Heavenly Father keeps up with every tiny detail of our bodies, our lives and actions on this earth. The unsaved should be afraid. (29) “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny. Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. (30) And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” - Matthew 10:29-31-NIV.
Jesus’ name’s sake is a priority over anything, including family, property or material possessions. Worshiping only Him is our answer, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”-Matthew 19:29-KJV.
My life now as a Massage Therapist at our business is basically stress free. We are interested mainly in making individual clients feel better with quality care and less interested in numerical volume or quantity. Still, around town I hear interesting numbers in daily communication with people. For example one told of friends getting married in October. They timed it perfectly so that they were pronounced married at 10 minutes past 10 a.m. on 10/10/10. Thinking ahead, now that it’s November, next year someone can be married at 11 minutes past 11 a.m. or p.m. on 11/11/11.
There are many statistics and numbers in the Bible. I am not writing about what individual numbers mean or about the supposedly coded numbers or passages, but our Bible often mentions specific numerical data. Abram heard from the Lord: “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” - Genesis 13:16-NIV. Here’s another: “Look up at the heavens and count the stars-- if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” - Genesis15:5-NIV.
Women compared David against Saul in this verse: “As they danced, they sang Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” -1 Samuel 18:7-NIV. Around this era David separated those with musical ability to play harps, psalteries and cymbals: “Along with their relatives –all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord–they numbered 288.” -1 Chronicles 25:7-NIV.
We now have 12 million illegal aliens in the United States, but this is not a new problem. King Solomon had a similar situation in the nation of Israel. “Solomon took a census of all the aliens who were in Israel, after the census his father David had taken, and they were found to be 153,600.” - 2 Chronicles 2:17-NIV.
In this verse they counted just the great fishes maybe implying there were more caught: “Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.”- John 21:11-KJV.
This verse should give each saved individual confidence that our Heavenly Father keeps up with every tiny detail of our bodies, our lives and actions on this earth. The unsaved should be afraid. (29) “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny. Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. (30) And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” - Matthew 10:29-31-NIV.
Jesus’ name’s sake is a priority over anything, including family, property or material possessions. Worshiping only Him is our answer, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”-Matthew 19:29-KJV.
Nov 1 - The Age of Laodicea by Rev. Chad Jenkins
I sit here with my stomach in knots, and my heart in shreds. In the last months I have seen and heard of so many misrepresentations of Christ, that it makes my head swim. From the protesters at the funerals of our fallen servicemen, to the kook that wanted to burn the Koran, and all points in between. My sickness comes not from what these misguided souls are doing though, as much as it comes from the realization that it is far too easy for ME to misrepresent Jesus.
I can’t do anything about how anyone else behaves, but I can check my attitude about Christ. Jesus told the church at Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:15-16). In other words, their self-serving attitude toward faith literally made the Holy God of Eternity sick! How many of us today are claiming the name of Jesus, and locking arms with the church out of sheer convenience?
Are you a Christian of convenience? Do you show up at church on Sunday, and drop a little something in the offering so that you feel better about the rest of the week? When people speak to you during your daily routines, can they see the love Jesus in your life?
More and more it seems that folks want to claim Christianity, and find every “loophole” of grace that they can to justify loose living. Too many of the problems that plague the world today are just as prominent in the church: divorce, adultery, teen pregnancy, suicide, domestic violence, etc. The list goes on. And the church is in lock-step with the world. We don’t want to be told that our sin is what nailed the Savior to the cross, we want to be told how good we are. We don’t want to hear that our sin separates us from God, we want to know “how to live our best life now.” This is the very attitude that incited Jesus to walk into the temple courts and start tossing tables!
There are people literally dying for their faith in Christ around the world, and we don’t want to be bothered with gathering at church on Sunday. We want a “Christianity” branded and packaged for us.
Well, let me tell you, this is not what the Lord intended. Faith is not about our feelings, our comfort, or our prosperity; it’s about Christ and Him crucified (see 1 Corinthians chapter 2). It is about stepping out and trusting Jesus to lead (see John chapter 10). It is about letting go of our priorities and following His (see Matthew chapter 16).
Don’t preach to me, Preacher,
Tell the other guy.
I know that I have done some things,
But I had good reasons why.
These other folks don’t understand,
They’re much worse off than me.
So you be sure to tell them,
And don’t start tellin’ me!
I’ve shown up for church sometimes.
Even more than twice last year.
So don’t make me feel guilty,
Because I like to drink my beer.
Don’t God want me happy?
Is He worried how I live our lives?
I haven’t ever killed no one,
And I’ve been good to all my wives.
I don’t mind saying “Jesus,”
When my friends say it’s ok.
So don’t preach to me, Preacher,
I like myself this way.
Jesus gave the Laodiceans an answer to this attitude, and it is the same answer for us. “REPENT!” – Revelation 3:19
I can’t do anything about how anyone else behaves, but I can check my attitude about Christ. Jesus told the church at Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:15-16). In other words, their self-serving attitude toward faith literally made the Holy God of Eternity sick! How many of us today are claiming the name of Jesus, and locking arms with the church out of sheer convenience?
Are you a Christian of convenience? Do you show up at church on Sunday, and drop a little something in the offering so that you feel better about the rest of the week? When people speak to you during your daily routines, can they see the love Jesus in your life?
More and more it seems that folks want to claim Christianity, and find every “loophole” of grace that they can to justify loose living. Too many of the problems that plague the world today are just as prominent in the church: divorce, adultery, teen pregnancy, suicide, domestic violence, etc. The list goes on. And the church is in lock-step with the world. We don’t want to be told that our sin is what nailed the Savior to the cross, we want to be told how good we are. We don’t want to hear that our sin separates us from God, we want to know “how to live our best life now.” This is the very attitude that incited Jesus to walk into the temple courts and start tossing tables!
There are people literally dying for their faith in Christ around the world, and we don’t want to be bothered with gathering at church on Sunday. We want a “Christianity” branded and packaged for us.
Well, let me tell you, this is not what the Lord intended. Faith is not about our feelings, our comfort, or our prosperity; it’s about Christ and Him crucified (see 1 Corinthians chapter 2). It is about stepping out and trusting Jesus to lead (see John chapter 10). It is about letting go of our priorities and following His (see Matthew chapter 16).
Don’t preach to me, Preacher,
Tell the other guy.
I know that I have done some things,
But I had good reasons why.
These other folks don’t understand,
They’re much worse off than me.
So you be sure to tell them,
And don’t start tellin’ me!
I’ve shown up for church sometimes.
Even more than twice last year.
So don’t make me feel guilty,
Because I like to drink my beer.
Don’t God want me happy?
Is He worried how I live our lives?
I haven’t ever killed no one,
And I’ve been good to all my wives.
I don’t mind saying “Jesus,”
When my friends say it’s ok.
So don’t preach to me, Preacher,
I like myself this way.
Jesus gave the Laodiceans an answer to this attitude, and it is the same answer for us. “REPENT!” – Revelation 3:19
Nov 1 - THE MAJESTY OF GOD by Joyce Mizell
Reverence for the glorious, divine, heavenly Father our True God should take precedence above all things...
When Job speaks of the majesty of God it should quicken our thinking! He makes an extremely sensitive impression in Job 38:23-41 concerning our Divine Heavenly Father, Almighty God.
Abraham fell on his face when God spoke with him. This was the time when God told Abram that his name would be called Abraham and that he would be the father of many nations. Genesis 17:3-5 All who trust in the One and only True God realize his majesty and power. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God. Job 23:11
God spoke with the men of old and they saw no similitude of him. Graven images can never and will never replace Almighty God.Deut. 4: 15-21.
Almighty God is the only one in the universe who is totally independent from creation. God revealed himself to Moses as the “I Am.” God is forever! God is God! He is majesty and no force or power is out of his control. Read Isa. 40:12 and continue reading.
John gives three descriptions of God. Spirit John 4:24 Love 1st John 4:8 God is Light 1st John 5 God is an invisible spiritual being. He reveals himself in perfect emotion, intellect and will. Everyone can learn a life lesson from Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman must have been looking for the Messiah. Jesus offered her spiritual water.
And we can have spiritual water through Jesus Christ. One and all are eligible for redeeming Grace through Jesus Christ.
The majesty of our God deserves reverence. God’s greatest gift to man is his Son, Jesus Christ who is the One who gives us Life Eternal.
Psalm 93:1-2 should make us sit at attention reading the words because they are so powerful! The Lord reigneth, he is clothes with majesty. The Lord is clothed with strength, wherefore he hath girded himself and the world also is established, that it can not be moved. God’s throne is established of old and he is from everlasting!
Psalm: 8:1 O Lord, how excellent is they name in all the earth who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Please read Mark 9:1 on about the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Then read Matt 24:29 through 31 about the coming of the Son of man. All who have come to faith by the Grace of God will be anticipating our Lord’s return. We find comforting words in 2nd Thes: 1:7 and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 8- In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and have obeyed not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 1- (Paul)
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The foundation of the gospel, redemption, and salvation are the grace of God through his only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus built on his teaching that the hearers of him were believers in God and familiar with the Old Testament. God’s anointed was at work while Jesus was on earth. Luke 4:16-21
Jesus is the stone the builders rejected. Matt 21:42
Jesus is the King’s son who the guest refused their invitation. Matt: 22:2
Jesus is the Bridegroom who expects us to watch for his return. Matt 25:1
Jesus is the servant who will return in power. Matt: 25:14
Jesus is the King who will judge the nations. Matt: 25:3
Jesus is power and will make his presence known to all who believe he forgives sins and offers Eternal Life
Jesus is the Bread from heaven. John 6:33
Jesus built on believers in him were believers in God and familiar with the Old Testament.
In 2nd Peter 3:10 Peter urges us to look beyond this present world. This is a sound solid message for our day. Jesus will be returning! His return will come as a thief in the night for those not watching and ready to go! All things in this world will pass away. It’s no wonder Peter urges everyone to look beyond this world to the New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus told us in Matt. 24:42 to watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doeth come. In Revelation Jesus also warns us to keep our garments righteousness otherwise our shame will show.
All the riches of salvation exist in Jesus Christ. 1st Corinthians 1:30.
1st John 2:1 tells us we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous to forgive our sin.
The Word of God is filled with scripture after scripture to remove any doubt as to Jesus Christ’ identify. Space will not allow for all the Word on the subject. We are instructed in the Word to search the scriptures because these are they that testify of me. (Jesus)
Space is used up so what else can I say except what my neighbor the late Ms. Opal Sharpe would say to those she came in contact with- “Do you know my Jesus?”
When Job speaks of the majesty of God it should quicken our thinking! He makes an extremely sensitive impression in Job 38:23-41 concerning our Divine Heavenly Father, Almighty God.
Abraham fell on his face when God spoke with him. This was the time when God told Abram that his name would be called Abraham and that he would be the father of many nations. Genesis 17:3-5 All who trust in the One and only True God realize his majesty and power. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God. Job 23:11
God spoke with the men of old and they saw no similitude of him. Graven images can never and will never replace Almighty God.Deut. 4: 15-21.
Almighty God is the only one in the universe who is totally independent from creation. God revealed himself to Moses as the “I Am.” God is forever! God is God! He is majesty and no force or power is out of his control. Read Isa. 40:12 and continue reading.
John gives three descriptions of God. Spirit John 4:24 Love 1st John 4:8 God is Light 1st John 5 God is an invisible spiritual being. He reveals himself in perfect emotion, intellect and will. Everyone can learn a life lesson from Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman must have been looking for the Messiah. Jesus offered her spiritual water.
And we can have spiritual water through Jesus Christ. One and all are eligible for redeeming Grace through Jesus Christ.
The majesty of our God deserves reverence. God’s greatest gift to man is his Son, Jesus Christ who is the One who gives us Life Eternal.
Psalm 93:1-2 should make us sit at attention reading the words because they are so powerful! The Lord reigneth, he is clothes with majesty. The Lord is clothed with strength, wherefore he hath girded himself and the world also is established, that it can not be moved. God’s throne is established of old and he is from everlasting!
Psalm: 8:1 O Lord, how excellent is they name in all the earth who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Please read Mark 9:1 on about the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Then read Matt 24:29 through 31 about the coming of the Son of man. All who have come to faith by the Grace of God will be anticipating our Lord’s return. We find comforting words in 2nd Thes: 1:7 and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 8- In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and have obeyed not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 1- (Paul)
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The foundation of the gospel, redemption, and salvation are the grace of God through his only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus built on his teaching that the hearers of him were believers in God and familiar with the Old Testament. God’s anointed was at work while Jesus was on earth. Luke 4:16-21
Jesus is the stone the builders rejected. Matt 21:42
Jesus is the King’s son who the guest refused their invitation. Matt: 22:2
Jesus is the Bridegroom who expects us to watch for his return. Matt 25:1
Jesus is the servant who will return in power. Matt: 25:14
Jesus is the King who will judge the nations. Matt: 25:3
Jesus is power and will make his presence known to all who believe he forgives sins and offers Eternal Life
Jesus is the Bread from heaven. John 6:33
Jesus built on believers in him were believers in God and familiar with the Old Testament.
In 2nd Peter 3:10 Peter urges us to look beyond this present world. This is a sound solid message for our day. Jesus will be returning! His return will come as a thief in the night for those not watching and ready to go! All things in this world will pass away. It’s no wonder Peter urges everyone to look beyond this world to the New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus told us in Matt. 24:42 to watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doeth come. In Revelation Jesus also warns us to keep our garments righteousness otherwise our shame will show.
All the riches of salvation exist in Jesus Christ. 1st Corinthians 1:30.
1st John 2:1 tells us we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous to forgive our sin.
The Word of God is filled with scripture after scripture to remove any doubt as to Jesus Christ’ identify. Space will not allow for all the Word on the subject. We are instructed in the Word to search the scriptures because these are they that testify of me. (Jesus)
Space is used up so what else can I say except what my neighbor the late Ms. Opal Sharpe would say to those she came in contact with- “Do you know my Jesus?”
October 16, 2010
Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes - Oct. 16th Edition
Yes, I know the Washington Parish Free Fair is happening just after this issue is published and we will be camping out there. This is our one annual time to take the week off and relax spending time with great grand-children. And yes, this month is also noted for Halloween (I know all you Christians shudder when that word is mentioned). We however celebrate our oldest great-granddaughter Isabella’s birthday on that day, who was born by being labor-induced October 31 five years ago. We couldn’t talk the doctor out of his (I guess) golf game the next day or she could have been born Nov. 1, All Saints Day.
In some other ways this has not been the greatest year for our family. My youngest sister Gayle passed away in April and wife Linda’s youngest sister Vicky passed away last month. It’s hard to lose anyone you know, but especially those relatives so close to your heart. In past years, I’ve lost both parents Charles and Mary and Linda has lost her father Nelson and a child, fifteen-year-old Khristy. Thankfully there is not a rule that says people should die in the order of their birth or we would know each time who was going next. “No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death . .” - Ecclesiastes 8:8-MESSAGE.
The Bible has many verses to consider when reaching our final days: Some good advice to us came from prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah who became deathly sick. He said: “. . . Put your affairs in order; you’re about to die–you haven’t long to live.” - 2 Kings 20:1-MESSAGE.
When talking about final days I always like to read Biblical Job and in these verses he is speaking out loud hoping God is listening: (5) “Mortals have a limited life span. You’ve already decided how long we’ll live–you set the boundary and no one can cross it. (6) So why not give us a break? Ease up! Even ditch-diggers get occasional days off. (7) For a tree there is always hope. Chop it down and it still has a chance– its roots can put out fresh sprouts. (8) Even if its roots are old and gnarled, its stump long dormant. (9) At the first whiff of water it comes to life, buds and grows like a sapling. (10) But men and women? They die and stay dead.” - Job 14:5-10-MESSAGE.
Both our sisters suffered long before passing. My sister Gayle was handicapped throughout her life on one side with a paralyzed arm and leg, but finally succumbed to cancer. Linda’s sister Vicky suffered with liver disease and being a long-time transplant patient was required to take anti-rejection drugs all her adult life until it finally failed. Neither ever complained about their situations. King David wrote these words: “For as long as I remember I’ve been hurting; I’ve taken the worst you can hand out, and I’ve had it.” - Psalms 88:15-MESSAGE. In my opinion this next verse applies to both: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” - Psalms 115:15-NIV.
Attending funerals make us face reality that death is inevitable: (1) “A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date. (2) You learn more at a funeral than at a feast– After all, that’s where we’ll end up. We might discover something from it.” - Ecclesiastes 7:1-2-MESSAGE.
When you live right and are right with God there is nothing to fear because there is peace in death: “The right-living people are out of their misery, they’re finally at rest. They lived well and with dignity and now they’re finally at peace.” - Isaiah 57:2-MESSAGE.
In some other ways this has not been the greatest year for our family. My youngest sister Gayle passed away in April and wife Linda’s youngest sister Vicky passed away last month. It’s hard to lose anyone you know, but especially those relatives so close to your heart. In past years, I’ve lost both parents Charles and Mary and Linda has lost her father Nelson and a child, fifteen-year-old Khristy. Thankfully there is not a rule that says people should die in the order of their birth or we would know each time who was going next. “No one can control the wind or lock it in a box. No one has any say-so regarding the day of death . .” - Ecclesiastes 8:8-MESSAGE.
The Bible has many verses to consider when reaching our final days: Some good advice to us came from prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah who became deathly sick. He said: “. . . Put your affairs in order; you’re about to die–you haven’t long to live.” - 2 Kings 20:1-MESSAGE.
When talking about final days I always like to read Biblical Job and in these verses he is speaking out loud hoping God is listening: (5) “Mortals have a limited life span. You’ve already decided how long we’ll live–you set the boundary and no one can cross it. (6) So why not give us a break? Ease up! Even ditch-diggers get occasional days off. (7) For a tree there is always hope. Chop it down and it still has a chance– its roots can put out fresh sprouts. (8) Even if its roots are old and gnarled, its stump long dormant. (9) At the first whiff of water it comes to life, buds and grows like a sapling. (10) But men and women? They die and stay dead.” - Job 14:5-10-MESSAGE.
Both our sisters suffered long before passing. My sister Gayle was handicapped throughout her life on one side with a paralyzed arm and leg, but finally succumbed to cancer. Linda’s sister Vicky suffered with liver disease and being a long-time transplant patient was required to take anti-rejection drugs all her adult life until it finally failed. Neither ever complained about their situations. King David wrote these words: “For as long as I remember I’ve been hurting; I’ve taken the worst you can hand out, and I’ve had it.” - Psalms 88:15-MESSAGE. In my opinion this next verse applies to both: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” - Psalms 115:15-NIV.
Attending funerals make us face reality that death is inevitable: (1) “A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date. (2) You learn more at a funeral than at a feast– After all, that’s where we’ll end up. We might discover something from it.” - Ecclesiastes 7:1-2-MESSAGE.
When you live right and are right with God there is nothing to fear because there is peace in death: “The right-living people are out of their misery, they’re finally at rest. They lived well and with dignity and now they’re finally at peace.” - Isaiah 57:2-MESSAGE.
'It's Working For My Good' by Minister Frankie L. Crosby
Romans 8:28-31
To God be the glory and to my pastor, Dr. Mallery Callahan, Pastor, Sweet Rest MB Church, Franklinton,La; Pray for me as i hope this devotional touches someone, somewhere, no matter where you are in your walk w/Christ.
Here in these few passages of scripture, the Apostle Paul lets us know: 1. we have been called. 2.we have been justified. and 3. we have been glorified. we have been made right with God by faith (Roms.5:1) No matter what you are going thru today, you have and can have peace w/God! The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. The word "called" means: you are set apart, invited, summoned......you are called to be a child of God! Jer. 1:5 says: " before i formed you in your mother's womb, i knew you...." Jesus knew you and He knew me before we were even born......that's something to shout about!!!! He loves you and cares for you. Is. 54:17 says: " No weapon that is formed against us will prosper"!! No matter what the devil, life, or the enemy throws our way, God is there! God is on our side.....God will fight all your battles!!! "the battle is the Lord's"! You can rest assured that "it's working for my good". God will not leave you or forsake you(heb. 13.5,Gen. 28:15). When life throws u a curve ball, what do u do? Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind."If God be for you-who can be against you?! God tells Joshua in Jos. 1:5: " as i was with Moses, so shall i be with you".....Jesus will always be with us....."Greater is He that is in Him, than He that is in the world"....we are more than conquerors with Jesus on our side. God is working to make things work out for our "GOOD'....sickness, heartache, set-backs, disappointments.....they all work out for our '''''good""......It can only work out if you love God/are called by Him....Have you answered the "call"? Please take a few minutes and ask the Lord into your life and your heart.....He's a just God....He's a faithful God...and, He's waiting on you!!! won't you come-----COME TO JESUS TODAY, JESUS LOVES YOU AND SO DO I!!! God bless you and your family!!!!
MIN. FRANKIE L. CROSBY
ASSOC., Sweet Rest MB Church
Franklinton, LA
To God be the glory and to my pastor, Dr. Mallery Callahan, Pastor, Sweet Rest MB Church, Franklinton,La; Pray for me as i hope this devotional touches someone, somewhere, no matter where you are in your walk w/Christ.
Here in these few passages of scripture, the Apostle Paul lets us know: 1. we have been called. 2.we have been justified. and 3. we have been glorified. we have been made right with God by faith (Roms.5:1) No matter what you are going thru today, you have and can have peace w/God! The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. The word "called" means: you are set apart, invited, summoned......you are called to be a child of God! Jer. 1:5 says: " before i formed you in your mother's womb, i knew you...." Jesus knew you and He knew me before we were even born......that's something to shout about!!!! He loves you and cares for you. Is. 54:17 says: " No weapon that is formed against us will prosper"!! No matter what the devil, life, or the enemy throws our way, God is there! God is on our side.....God will fight all your battles!!! "the battle is the Lord's"! You can rest assured that "it's working for my good". God will not leave you or forsake you(heb. 13.5,Gen. 28:15). When life throws u a curve ball, what do u do? Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind."If God be for you-who can be against you?! God tells Joshua in Jos. 1:5: " as i was with Moses, so shall i be with you".....Jesus will always be with us....."Greater is He that is in Him, than He that is in the world"....we are more than conquerors with Jesus on our side. God is working to make things work out for our "GOOD'....sickness, heartache, set-backs, disappointments.....they all work out for our '''''good""......It can only work out if you love God/are called by Him....Have you answered the "call"? Please take a few minutes and ask the Lord into your life and your heart.....He's a just God....He's a faithful God...and, He's waiting on you!!! won't you come-----COME TO JESUS TODAY, JESUS LOVES YOU AND SO DO I!!! God bless you and your family!!!!
MIN. FRANKIE L. CROSBY
ASSOC., Sweet Rest MB Church
Franklinton, LA
The Year Of Miracles By Dr. Mallery Callahan
When we are faced with a great need, either for ourselves or for others, we should begin by humbly seeking to know God’s will in the matter. Praying for a miracle is welcoming a gift of the Holy Spirit to manifest. When His will is to work one, He will witness that to your heart. Then you can ask Him to perform the miracle that you know He wants to bring about. believe in your heart that it has already happened! With the anointing of faith that God gives you, speak it forth. But remember, miracles come by faith in God’s present power not human works or will power.
When we are worried, upset, or depressed, all we are really doing is delaying God in bring the victory. When you are going through a tough time in your life, even if you don’t feel like keeping a positive attitude. You don’t have to fight this battle. Stand still and you will see the deliverance of the Lord.
When negative thoughts come, reject them and replace them with God’s thoughts. When you’re in the attitude of faith, you are opening the door for God to work in your situation. You may not see anything happening with your natural eyes, but don’t let that discourage you. GOD IS AT WORK. God will bring you out with Victory.
DR. Mallery Callahan
Pastor, Sweet Rest M.B.C.
Franklinton, La.
When we are worried, upset, or depressed, all we are really doing is delaying God in bring the victory. When you are going through a tough time in your life, even if you don’t feel like keeping a positive attitude. You don’t have to fight this battle. Stand still and you will see the deliverance of the Lord.
When negative thoughts come, reject them and replace them with God’s thoughts. When you’re in the attitude of faith, you are opening the door for God to work in your situation. You may not see anything happening with your natural eyes, but don’t let that discourage you. GOD IS AT WORK. God will bring you out with Victory.
DR. Mallery Callahan
Pastor, Sweet Rest M.B.C.
Franklinton, La.
What God Wants From His People By Burdette Thomas
We are going to take this weeks study to help us see what God wants from his people. We like to live our lives the way we want too. As a child of God, we should want to please him. Besides after we are saved we are not of ourselves but we belong to him. The reason for this is because he paid a great price for us. He gave his only begotten Son to die on Calvary that we might have eternal life. We wonder in the day in which we live why we are not blessed no more than we are. Have you ever though that we might not be living the life that God wants us to live. Maybe we are not living a life that he can bless. You see for God to bless his people there are some things we must do. I would like for us to look at some scriptures in the Bible to help us see what God wants from us. First I would like for us to look at 2 Chron. 7:14, “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chron 7:14 (KJV)
Here in this verse we find what it takes for us to get a prayer through to God. We find that first off all we need to realize that we are the people that are called by his name. God is talking to the saved. The people that have been born again washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. He is not talking to people that are not saved. He is not talking about those that are out here in the world. He is talking about his people. When you begin to look around us today we will find we as the people of God are not where our forefathers were. If you would take time to talk to some of the elderly Christians you find that they were closer to God back thirty, fifty years ago. So we wonder what happen. Could it be God has changed and we as his people don’t know what he wants? I believe it is that we as his people have changed and left God out of the picture. I know it is not God because he never changes. 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal 3:5-6 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb 13:8 (KJV)
So we are the people of God. We are the redeemed. The called out, the chosen ones of God. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV)
I have seen a lot of changes in my life time. Some have been for the better but some have been for the worst. So as the people of God the first thing he tells us that we need to do is humble ourselves. This is something most people find hard to do. Some think that to be humble means you are weak, but this is not true. I would rather be weak in body and be strong in the Lord. Let us look and see what some of the scriptures tell us. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Prov 16:18-19 (KJV)
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:14-15 (KJV)
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:5-6 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:5-6 (KJV)
These are just a few scriptures that we can look at and find that God wants us to be humble. The second thing we are to do is pray. There are so many people in the world that claim to be a child of God but never bow their heads in prayer. They never say grace before a meal. That lets me know that they are not thankful for what God has given them. So I ask us how is our prayer life. First of all a lot of times we don’t even know what to pray for. Jesus taught us in His word how we should pray. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:5-15 (KJV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:18 (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)
Prayer is our only means of talking with God. We always pray in the name of Jesus. When we pray we must seek after the Lord. We must clear our hearts and minds of all the worldly things and pray earnest to him seek his face. Then we must turn away from our wicked ways. God will answer our prayer if try to hold on to the things of the world. We must turn lose of it all and seek him with our whole heart. After all of this is done then will God hear our prayer. God will hear and answer prayer like he did in days of old, with men like Abraham, Moses, David, the three Hebrew children, Daniel and a church that meet together and prayed with ceasing for one of their brothers who was in jail. When God hears our prayer and answers it, it makes us feel good. He said that when we did things his way he would hear and that he would heal. Look around us today and see if there is any healing that needs to be done. Then ask yourself am I doing all I can for the church I attend. Am I doing every thing for my family? Am I doing all I can for my country. People if there is anything to be done it have to be done Gods way.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Here in this verse we find what it takes for us to get a prayer through to God. We find that first off all we need to realize that we are the people that are called by his name. God is talking to the saved. The people that have been born again washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. He is not talking to people that are not saved. He is not talking about those that are out here in the world. He is talking about his people. When you begin to look around us today we will find we as the people of God are not where our forefathers were. If you would take time to talk to some of the elderly Christians you find that they were closer to God back thirty, fifty years ago. So we wonder what happen. Could it be God has changed and we as his people don’t know what he wants? I believe it is that we as his people have changed and left God out of the picture. I know it is not God because he never changes. 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal 3:5-6 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb 13:8 (KJV)
So we are the people of God. We are the redeemed. The called out, the chosen ones of God. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV)
I have seen a lot of changes in my life time. Some have been for the better but some have been for the worst. So as the people of God the first thing he tells us that we need to do is humble ourselves. This is something most people find hard to do. Some think that to be humble means you are weak, but this is not true. I would rather be weak in body and be strong in the Lord. Let us look and see what some of the scriptures tell us. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Prov 16:18-19 (KJV)
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:14-15 (KJV)
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:5-6 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:5-6 (KJV)
These are just a few scriptures that we can look at and find that God wants us to be humble. The second thing we are to do is pray. There are so many people in the world that claim to be a child of God but never bow their heads in prayer. They never say grace before a meal. That lets me know that they are not thankful for what God has given them. So I ask us how is our prayer life. First of all a lot of times we don’t even know what to pray for. Jesus taught us in His word how we should pray. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:5-15 (KJV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:18 (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)
Prayer is our only means of talking with God. We always pray in the name of Jesus. When we pray we must seek after the Lord. We must clear our hearts and minds of all the worldly things and pray earnest to him seek his face. Then we must turn away from our wicked ways. God will answer our prayer if try to hold on to the things of the world. We must turn lose of it all and seek him with our whole heart. After all of this is done then will God hear our prayer. God will hear and answer prayer like he did in days of old, with men like Abraham, Moses, David, the three Hebrew children, Daniel and a church that meet together and prayed with ceasing for one of their brothers who was in jail. When God hears our prayer and answers it, it makes us feel good. He said that when we did things his way he would hear and that he would heal. Look around us today and see if there is any healing that needs to be done. Then ask yourself am I doing all I can for the church I attend. Am I doing every thing for my family? Am I doing all I can for my country. People if there is anything to be done it have to be done Gods way.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
JERUSALEM By Joyce Mizell
Years ago Ms. Anna Foster requested a song on my radio program. The name of the song was Jerusalem. I could feel in my spirit how important the song was to her, although I never met the lady. Most of the lyrics were in Hebrew. Today while putting this article together thoughts of Ms. Anna and the song are in my memory bank.
History reveals the fact that many mighty empires have fallen. Jerusalem has survived through the years. It’s a gallery of past history and a symbol of hope for the future. When King David made Jerusalem the capital it became world history. However, before it was the capital our Bible tells us plenty about Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love her. Psalm 122:6 The Lord will extend peace to her like a flowing stream he will give peace. Isa.66:12
When Christ fills the second temple the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former saith the Lord of host. Hag. 2:9
The book of Ezekiel tells us that Ezekiel witnessed the departure of the glory of the Lord departing from off the threshold of the house and stood over the cherubims. Ezek. 10:18 Abraham looked for the city whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:10
Rev. 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down our of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my name. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. What a tranquil picture of the New Jerusalem!
The past Edemic curse spoken about in Gen. 3: 14 -19 will be gone forever. The Saints will serve God and reign with him forever. Daniel 7: 18, 27 The glory of God will make other sources of light unnecessary.
The return of Jesus Christ can happen at any moment! He will return for his bride, the Church. Lets give some thought to the New Jerusalem The blessings of God’s beautiful city is for those who obey his word. God has called us to holiness.
Our Lord is coming back to earth again to gather his own He will gather those who are alive but does not want us to be ignorant about those in the graves. The dead in Christ will rise to be with the Lord. Just think for a moment about Jesus descending from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then those alive will be caught up. Are we watching and waiting for the return of Christ?
History reveals the fact that many mighty empires have fallen. Jerusalem has survived through the years. It’s a gallery of past history and a symbol of hope for the future. When King David made Jerusalem the capital it became world history. However, before it was the capital our Bible tells us plenty about Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love her. Psalm 122:6 The Lord will extend peace to her like a flowing stream he will give peace. Isa.66:12
When Christ fills the second temple the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former saith the Lord of host. Hag. 2:9
The book of Ezekiel tells us that Ezekiel witnessed the departure of the glory of the Lord departing from off the threshold of the house and stood over the cherubims. Ezek. 10:18 Abraham looked for the city whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:10
Rev. 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down our of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my name. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. What a tranquil picture of the New Jerusalem!
The past Edemic curse spoken about in Gen. 3: 14 -19 will be gone forever. The Saints will serve God and reign with him forever. Daniel 7: 18, 27 The glory of God will make other sources of light unnecessary.
The return of Jesus Christ can happen at any moment! He will return for his bride, the Church. Lets give some thought to the New Jerusalem The blessings of God’s beautiful city is for those who obey his word. God has called us to holiness.
Our Lord is coming back to earth again to gather his own He will gather those who are alive but does not want us to be ignorant about those in the graves. The dead in Christ will rise to be with the Lord. Just think for a moment about Jesus descending from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then those alive will be caught up. Are we watching and waiting for the return of Christ?
October 9, 2010
Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes - Oct. 1st Edition
Looking at our calendars, we have seven long months each with 31 days and five shorter ones with 30 days or less. This month of October is a long one and one of the better ones in my opinion. Weather now has a chance of getting cooler, while God’s handiwork and glory this month give our trees, flowers and roadside plants beautiful colors. The problem is that these colors are short-lived. They briefly beautify our forests, yards and roadways, and then ‘poof’, they are gone when cold air reaches them. Where we live, our seasonal weather change keeps us looking forward to what’s coming next, but grass or weed growth and leaves falling creates work and problems outside our homes. Even though temperatures sometimes hang on we are still thankful for short and defined seasons unlike some places having only one temperate zone like those living near the equator or closer to the polar caps.
Our Bible has many features and references about shortness, brevity, including abbreviated stories. Here are a few: This is a short six word obituary: “. . .There Miriam died and was buried.” - Numbers 20:1-NIV. I like to read about Biblical Job because he toughed it out, hung in there and came out better in the end. Here, he has momentary joy: “Are not my days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy.”- Job 10:20-NIV. Job also had great wisdom. He seemed to know comparatively that life on earth is like a fleeting shadow: (1) “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble (2) He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.” Job 14:1-2-NIV.
This is one of the shortest stories in the Bible: (14) “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: (15) Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. (16) Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”- Ecclesiastes 9:14-16-KJV. Also, there are several brief single-chapter Books in the Bible. These are: Obadiah 1-21; Philemon 1-21; 2 John 1-13; 3 John 1-14 and Jude 1:25. The shortest chapter in the Bible is Jeremiah 45:1-5.
Jesus, with authority, gave a short two-word command: “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”- Mark 2:14-KJV. At a very young age, when I first started learning and memorizing Bible verses I could always get by quoting the shortest verse in the Bible -- a two-word verse: “Jesus wept”-John 11:35-KJV.
Here is a profound truth for us Gentiles stated briefly: (1) “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles (2) Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, (3) that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation . . . ”- Ephesians 3:1-3-NIV. There were ten kings with the shortest reign: (12) “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast (13) They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.”- Revelation 17:12-13-NIV.
Finally, here is the most important short sentence and verse in the Bible “ . . . Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”- Ecclesiastes 12:12-13-KJV.
Our Bible has many features and references about shortness, brevity, including abbreviated stories. Here are a few: This is a short six word obituary: “. . .There Miriam died and was buried.” - Numbers 20:1-NIV. I like to read about Biblical Job because he toughed it out, hung in there and came out better in the end. Here, he has momentary joy: “Are not my days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy.”- Job 10:20-NIV. Job also had great wisdom. He seemed to know comparatively that life on earth is like a fleeting shadow: (1) “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble (2) He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.” Job 14:1-2-NIV.
This is one of the shortest stories in the Bible: (14) “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: (15) Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. (16) Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”- Ecclesiastes 9:14-16-KJV. Also, there are several brief single-chapter Books in the Bible. These are: Obadiah 1-21; Philemon 1-21; 2 John 1-13; 3 John 1-14 and Jude 1:25. The shortest chapter in the Bible is Jeremiah 45:1-5.
Jesus, with authority, gave a short two-word command: “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”- Mark 2:14-KJV. At a very young age, when I first started learning and memorizing Bible verses I could always get by quoting the shortest verse in the Bible -- a two-word verse: “Jesus wept”-John 11:35-KJV.
Here is a profound truth for us Gentiles stated briefly: (1) “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles (2) Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, (3) that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation . . . ”- Ephesians 3:1-3-NIV. There were ten kings with the shortest reign: (12) “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast (13) They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.”- Revelation 17:12-13-NIV.
Finally, here is the most important short sentence and verse in the Bible “ . . . Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”- Ecclesiastes 12:12-13-KJV.
God Changes Lives by Elder Burdette Thomas
This week we are going to look at a subject that will change a person’s life. When a person gets saved their lives change. They will be like the apostle Paul. He said after he got saved that the things he once loved he now hated and the things he once hated he now loved. So you see salvation will bring about a change in a persons life. We are not to judge a person but we can look for fruit in their lives. There are many people who claim to be a Christian but you see no fruit in their lives. There has not been a change. They still say and do the same things they have always done. So the Bible tells us to look for fruit. “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:15-20 (KJV)
Jesus is teaching us here that if you are saved things will be different in your life. He uses natural illustrations to get this lesson over to you and me. When one gets saved he is a new creature in Christ Jesus. “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)
SO after salvation Jesus makes all things new so we have a new beginning. Things change and we should be a different person. There are people in the Bible that bear this out. In John Chapter 4 it tells us of a woman that came to the well to draw water. She received more than just water that day but she received living water. She was saved. This woman had never thought about Jesus. Now she was face to face with the Master. He told her of her life which this astonished her. A stranger knew every thing about her. “16 Jesus saith unto her, ‘Go, call thy husband, and come hither.’ 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, ‘Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly’”. John 4:16-18 (KJV)
After Jesus talked with this woman she asks him for that living water which he gave to her. This woman’s heart was changed. She went out to tell others about Jesus. 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:29 (KJV)
Many believed in Jesus because of this woman’s testimony. You have to understand these people knew this woman and the kind of life she was living. Now when she came to them they saw a difference in her. They saw something in her that they had never seen before. In Luke Chapter 19 we find a man by the name of Zaccheus that had got saved and a change took place in his life. “1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.’ 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Luke 19:1-10 (KJV)
You see this man got a good doss of God’s salvation. I feel that there are a lot of people today that what they need is a good doss of salvation. This man was willing to give half of his goods to the poor and if he had taken anything from any man by false accusation he was willing to restore him fourfold. This mans life had changed. We live in a time when some people all they think about are themselves. Everything is about themselves. Maybe these people need what Zacchaeus got. A good doss of God’s salvation. I tell you it will make a change in your life. In Acts 9 we read about a Pharisee by the name of Saul. “1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,” Acts 9:1 (KJV)
This man fought as hard as any body against God and His people. Saul was going to Damascus to punish the people of God there. But on the road to Damascus God saved this man named Saul. “4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’” Acts 9:4-6 (KJV)
God sent him to a man named Ananias there he was to learn what he was to do. This Saul who God changed his name to Paul was used of God to preach the gospel and write many books of the New Testament. This mans life was changed after he meet the Master. I am well aware that a person can lose the joy of their salvation. You cannot lose the salvation but you can the joy. The way we lose the joy is by turning away from God and everything that He is. When this happens I feel people are most miserable. There are a lot of people out there that looks like they have lost their joy. They have lost their song. You might even say their wood is so wet that you never could get a fire built. There is a man in the Bible by the name of David that lost his joy. “7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:7-13 (KJV)
There are people who say they have been saved but never tell anyone. People I am not ashamed of my salvation or my Jesus. If you are saved you should want to tell everyone we meet.
I trust that this has been a blessing to each one of you that reads it. If you are saved see if there has been a change in your life. Everyone one of us at one point and time in our lives has tried to change the way we were living. It might have lasted for a little while but things would soon return to the old ways. Believe me when God changes a life it is changed. May God bless you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Jesus is teaching us here that if you are saved things will be different in your life. He uses natural illustrations to get this lesson over to you and me. When one gets saved he is a new creature in Christ Jesus. “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor 5:17 (KJV)
SO after salvation Jesus makes all things new so we have a new beginning. Things change and we should be a different person. There are people in the Bible that bear this out. In John Chapter 4 it tells us of a woman that came to the well to draw water. She received more than just water that day but she received living water. She was saved. This woman had never thought about Jesus. Now she was face to face with the Master. He told her of her life which this astonished her. A stranger knew every thing about her. “16 Jesus saith unto her, ‘Go, call thy husband, and come hither.’ 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, ‘Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly’”. John 4:16-18 (KJV)
After Jesus talked with this woman she asks him for that living water which he gave to her. This woman’s heart was changed. She went out to tell others about Jesus. 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:29 (KJV)
Many believed in Jesus because of this woman’s testimony. You have to understand these people knew this woman and the kind of life she was living. Now when she came to them they saw a difference in her. They saw something in her that they had never seen before. In Luke Chapter 19 we find a man by the name of Zaccheus that had got saved and a change took place in his life. “1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.’ 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Luke 19:1-10 (KJV)
You see this man got a good doss of God’s salvation. I feel that there are a lot of people today that what they need is a good doss of salvation. This man was willing to give half of his goods to the poor and if he had taken anything from any man by false accusation he was willing to restore him fourfold. This mans life had changed. We live in a time when some people all they think about are themselves. Everything is about themselves. Maybe these people need what Zacchaeus got. A good doss of God’s salvation. I tell you it will make a change in your life. In Acts 9 we read about a Pharisee by the name of Saul. “1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,” Acts 9:1 (KJV)
This man fought as hard as any body against God and His people. Saul was going to Damascus to punish the people of God there. But on the road to Damascus God saved this man named Saul. “4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’” Acts 9:4-6 (KJV)
God sent him to a man named Ananias there he was to learn what he was to do. This Saul who God changed his name to Paul was used of God to preach the gospel and write many books of the New Testament. This mans life was changed after he meet the Master. I am well aware that a person can lose the joy of their salvation. You cannot lose the salvation but you can the joy. The way we lose the joy is by turning away from God and everything that He is. When this happens I feel people are most miserable. There are a lot of people out there that looks like they have lost their joy. They have lost their song. You might even say their wood is so wet that you never could get a fire built. There is a man in the Bible by the name of David that lost his joy. “7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:7-13 (KJV)
There are people who say they have been saved but never tell anyone. People I am not ashamed of my salvation or my Jesus. If you are saved you should want to tell everyone we meet.
I trust that this has been a blessing to each one of you that reads it. If you are saved see if there has been a change in your life. Everyone one of us at one point and time in our lives has tried to change the way we were living. It might have lasted for a little while but things would soon return to the old ways. Believe me when God changes a life it is changed. May God bless you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
Abusing Grace -Matthew 21:12-16 by Rev. Chad Jenkins
Are you a grace abuser? I look around today, and it seems more and more that folks are living for the moment. “If it feels good, do it!” is their battle cry. The trouble with that idea is that there is pleasure in sin for a season. Often times what feels right at the moment can have huge consequences down the road. So we compromise our solid footing in the Word and justify our sins, trying to convince ourselves that the Lord “understands.” We begin to develop a “flexible morality.” Sometimes we are faithful, and sometimes we are not.
Please understand, I am glad to live under the grace and mercy of Christ. I am humbled that he would accept me, stained as I am, and wash me clean in the blood of Calvary. Sometimes though, I think we neglect to see the balance of grace and justice in Christ. The Gospel of John says that Jesus grew up before men “full of grace and truth.” The grace we like, but the truth hurts. If we took a poll today, I think the vast majority of us would admit that we don’t consider the justice of the Lord nearly as much as His grace. We want the Lord to take as we are, and He does, but then we don’t want Him to change us. We still want it our way.
This is not a new thing. Paul warned the believers of his day not to use grace as a license to sin. He could see the writing on the wall. He understood human nature. We want to know just how close we can get to sin and still be saved from it. Jesus made it clear that we either stand with Him or against Him. He said that no man can serve two masters. In the world, and the church for that matter, we see the trappings of the world. “What’s in it for me?” “How do I benefit from denying myself!?!?”
We have a clear picture in the Bible of what Jesus thought of “flexible morality.” Read Matthew 21:12-16:
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13”It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.' " 14ÊThe blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise' ?"
Jesus had no room for idolatry in the temple. If we consider that the Bible says our bodies are “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” then it stands to reason we should not allow idolatry in our lives. His concern was that God’s people spend time in a relationship with their heavenly Father, not going through a bunch of religious motions. Certainly he didn’t care for an admission fee at the gates of the temple.
We don’t like to see this side of Jesus. We prefer to see Him in a Renaissance painting, with wispy hair and trickle of blood on His brow. We get uncomfortable at the idea of Jesus, a masculine and sweaty carpenter, coming into our house and turning over the tables of our unfaithfulness. We want to talk about Jesus when it’s comfortable, call on Him when we have a need, and keep Him out of our business the rest of the time. That is flexible morality.
I read a story several years ago, and have kept it and referred to it many times. It really helps me understand the arrogance of selective faith and weak morals. In 1992, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Dennis Curtis was arrested for armed robbery. Though he had broken the law of the land, Dennis apparently had his code of ethics. The police found a folded piece of paper in his pocket with a list of “rules” he had for himself:
1) I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2) I will take cash and food stamps--no checks
3) I will rob only at night.
4) I will not wear a mask.
5) I will not rob mini-marts or 7-eleven stores.
6) If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7) I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8) I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
` This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by his standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state. Likewise, when we stand before the Lord we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God’s perfect law.
So, where do you stand? Are you letting the perfect law of the Lord guide you, or are you carrying around your own list of what is right and wrong?
Please understand, I am glad to live under the grace and mercy of Christ. I am humbled that he would accept me, stained as I am, and wash me clean in the blood of Calvary. Sometimes though, I think we neglect to see the balance of grace and justice in Christ. The Gospel of John says that Jesus grew up before men “full of grace and truth.” The grace we like, but the truth hurts. If we took a poll today, I think the vast majority of us would admit that we don’t consider the justice of the Lord nearly as much as His grace. We want the Lord to take as we are, and He does, but then we don’t want Him to change us. We still want it our way.
This is not a new thing. Paul warned the believers of his day not to use grace as a license to sin. He could see the writing on the wall. He understood human nature. We want to know just how close we can get to sin and still be saved from it. Jesus made it clear that we either stand with Him or against Him. He said that no man can serve two masters. In the world, and the church for that matter, we see the trappings of the world. “What’s in it for me?” “How do I benefit from denying myself!?!?”
We have a clear picture in the Bible of what Jesus thought of “flexible morality.” Read Matthew 21:12-16:
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13”It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.' " 14ÊThe blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. 16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise' ?"
Jesus had no room for idolatry in the temple. If we consider that the Bible says our bodies are “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” then it stands to reason we should not allow idolatry in our lives. His concern was that God’s people spend time in a relationship with their heavenly Father, not going through a bunch of religious motions. Certainly he didn’t care for an admission fee at the gates of the temple.
We don’t like to see this side of Jesus. We prefer to see Him in a Renaissance painting, with wispy hair and trickle of blood on His brow. We get uncomfortable at the idea of Jesus, a masculine and sweaty carpenter, coming into our house and turning over the tables of our unfaithfulness. We want to talk about Jesus when it’s comfortable, call on Him when we have a need, and keep Him out of our business the rest of the time. That is flexible morality.
I read a story several years ago, and have kept it and referred to it many times. It really helps me understand the arrogance of selective faith and weak morals. In 1992, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Dennis Curtis was arrested for armed robbery. Though he had broken the law of the land, Dennis apparently had his code of ethics. The police found a folded piece of paper in his pocket with a list of “rules” he had for himself:
1) I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2) I will take cash and food stamps--no checks
3) I will rob only at night.
4) I will not wear a mask.
5) I will not rob mini-marts or 7-eleven stores.
6) If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7) I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8) I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
` This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by his standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state. Likewise, when we stand before the Lord we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God’s perfect law.
So, where do you stand? Are you letting the perfect law of the Lord guide you, or are you carrying around your own list of what is right and wrong?
Good Morning Denominational Christian by Richard Spurlock
Intro:
I felt great urgency to place this in the September 16th Edition, but for the lack of space it had to wait until now... A few days later another Devotional Seven Marks Of A Bible Christian By John Lavier crossed my path and I understood why it had to wait... Please read it with an open mind, search your Bible and dwell on the Word and not what others have told you...
Friday, August 27
Good Morning Everyone,
There is an uneasiness in my Spirit as I get ready to go after the papers in McComb and start delivering today... I headed out of Bogalusa on Thursday, Aug. 26 to get the papers, but a sudden headache in the back of my head helped me realize just how tired I was... A realization that I might make it there, but was not sure that I could make it home... As I turned and drove back to Bogalusa, the headache stopped and a calmness filled me...
Last night I slept for over six hours... I cannot remember the last time I did this without being sick... Even with the Shingles last month and a fatigued feeling I slept off and on but not for long at any one time... The redness in my right eye that had Shingles remains blood shot and aching... There are a few places in my scalp that are still sore... I pushed myself too much this week and probably got too stressed out at times... Praying the Shingles do not return... Chronic cough has returned in the last week... Over a month too soon for my yearly bout with Bronchitis...
Part of a verse comes to mind - Absent from the body - Present with the Lord... I wonder is this something I was taught as a child, but is not in the Bible... I look it up...
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 ( For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The thoughts of Friends of my past that have already faced the Angel of Death and made life's final journey comes to mind... My Dad, RonE, Catherine, Abraham, Donnie, Frank, there are more, but the names do not come to me right now... It is enough to know that these Christian friends are truly in a better place... So many face this each day, their family saying "they are in a better place", but without that person’s realization that JESUS is the Only Way to this better place they face the only alternative - The Lake of FIRE... So many people look at this and say, GOD is a good God and would not punish us that severely for not looking upon HIS Son as the Savior of the World... He/She was a good person... Good people don't go to Hell, or do they???
For those that read this and they have loved one, relative or friend that has faced death recently or perhaps just a breath away and prayers are being lifted to spare their life for a few moments longer, I give you this to think about...
Forget the Fire, forget the unbelievable pain, the stench, and focus if you will on a dark lonely place... Pitch dark, no light, you speak but do not hear, all you have is your thoughts of a life on earth... All the bad times, none of the good... Not so much as a glimmer of love left in your body... All the negative emotions we try to avoid on earth are magnified... To end this is your desire, but the end never comes... All your friends that looked upon Hell as the Eternal Party Place are no where to be found, they are in their own lonely dark place... Alone... The thoughts of your child, friend or spouse that accepted JESUS as their personal savior and are in Heaven with JESUS is blocked... THERE IS NO JOY in the fact that at least someone you knew made it to Heaven... Worst of All, the realization that your refusal to accept JESUS as your Savior and your desire to follow the ways of the World has been you downfall... The words of satan ring true in your ear as you think back to the many times the Holy Spirit tried to convict you of your sinful ways and satan kept telling you that you had time to be a goody two shoe Christian... Have fun now, because once you become a Christian the fun is over... Well you waited a breath too long... Your chance has passed... By not choosing, you made your decision... It's not what GOD will do, it is because of what you didn't do... You Did It... It was Your Decision and You Blew It...
Now you are alone for all eternity... No Light, No Love, No Joy, No Smiles, Not even a happy thought to dwell on, and worst of all - No JESUS...
JESUS said in Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
There are a lot of people that call themselves "CHRISTIANS", but are Christian in name only... Good people, Generous People, People in Church on the front pew every time the door opens that will realize one breath too late that their path to Heaven has lead them to the Broad Gate of Destruction and the Lake of FIRE...
Not by what I say or by what man has said, but by what GOD has said... The Bible - Read, Study, Verify what you have been taught... Don't pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe... It's All or None... There are no contradictions...
Over 350,000 people will die today... Many will spend Eternity in the Lake of FIRE...
Matthew 7:13-15 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
I ask you One Question -
I felt great urgency to place this in the September 16th Edition, but for the lack of space it had to wait until now... A few days later another Devotional Seven Marks Of A Bible Christian By John Lavier crossed my path and I understood why it had to wait... Please read it with an open mind, search your Bible and dwell on the Word and not what others have told you...
Friday, August 27
Good Morning Everyone,
There is an uneasiness in my Spirit as I get ready to go after the papers in McComb and start delivering today... I headed out of Bogalusa on Thursday, Aug. 26 to get the papers, but a sudden headache in the back of my head helped me realize just how tired I was... A realization that I might make it there, but was not sure that I could make it home... As I turned and drove back to Bogalusa, the headache stopped and a calmness filled me...
Last night I slept for over six hours... I cannot remember the last time I did this without being sick... Even with the Shingles last month and a fatigued feeling I slept off and on but not for long at any one time... The redness in my right eye that had Shingles remains blood shot and aching... There are a few places in my scalp that are still sore... I pushed myself too much this week and probably got too stressed out at times... Praying the Shingles do not return... Chronic cough has returned in the last week... Over a month too soon for my yearly bout with Bronchitis...
Part of a verse comes to mind - Absent from the body - Present with the Lord... I wonder is this something I was taught as a child, but is not in the Bible... I look it up...
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 ( For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The thoughts of Friends of my past that have already faced the Angel of Death and made life's final journey comes to mind... My Dad, RonE, Catherine, Abraham, Donnie, Frank, there are more, but the names do not come to me right now... It is enough to know that these Christian friends are truly in a better place... So many face this each day, their family saying "they are in a better place", but without that person’s realization that JESUS is the Only Way to this better place they face the only alternative - The Lake of FIRE... So many people look at this and say, GOD is a good God and would not punish us that severely for not looking upon HIS Son as the Savior of the World... He/She was a good person... Good people don't go to Hell, or do they???
For those that read this and they have loved one, relative or friend that has faced death recently or perhaps just a breath away and prayers are being lifted to spare their life for a few moments longer, I give you this to think about...
Forget the Fire, forget the unbelievable pain, the stench, and focus if you will on a dark lonely place... Pitch dark, no light, you speak but do not hear, all you have is your thoughts of a life on earth... All the bad times, none of the good... Not so much as a glimmer of love left in your body... All the negative emotions we try to avoid on earth are magnified... To end this is your desire, but the end never comes... All your friends that looked upon Hell as the Eternal Party Place are no where to be found, they are in their own lonely dark place... Alone... The thoughts of your child, friend or spouse that accepted JESUS as their personal savior and are in Heaven with JESUS is blocked... THERE IS NO JOY in the fact that at least someone you knew made it to Heaven... Worst of All, the realization that your refusal to accept JESUS as your Savior and your desire to follow the ways of the World has been you downfall... The words of satan ring true in your ear as you think back to the many times the Holy Spirit tried to convict you of your sinful ways and satan kept telling you that you had time to be a goody two shoe Christian... Have fun now, because once you become a Christian the fun is over... Well you waited a breath too long... Your chance has passed... By not choosing, you made your decision... It's not what GOD will do, it is because of what you didn't do... You Did It... It was Your Decision and You Blew It...
Now you are alone for all eternity... No Light, No Love, No Joy, No Smiles, Not even a happy thought to dwell on, and worst of all - No JESUS...
JESUS said in Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
There are a lot of people that call themselves "CHRISTIANS", but are Christian in name only... Good people, Generous People, People in Church on the front pew every time the door opens that will realize one breath too late that their path to Heaven has lead them to the Broad Gate of Destruction and the Lake of FIRE...
Not by what I say or by what man has said, but by what GOD has said... The Bible - Read, Study, Verify what you have been taught... Don't pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe... It's All or None... There are no contradictions...
Over 350,000 people will die today... Many will spend Eternity in the Lake of FIRE...
Matthew 7:13-15 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
I ask you One Question -
Do You Know My JESUS???
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