Personal Checklist For Revival

My former pastor shared this checklist with our church family about a month before one of our revivals at our church. I thought I would share it with you today to reflect upon your own Christian walk and need for personal revival in your relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1. Am I in fellowship with the Lord? 1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. Do I have daily devotions? 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

3. What is the condition of my prayer life? 1Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

4. Do I harbor any bitterness? Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

5. Do I have any unconfessed sin in my life? Pslm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

6. Do I have ought against my brother? Mt 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

7. Do I love the brethren? Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

8. Do I gossip? Prov 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

9. Am I easily offended? 1 Pet 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

10. Am I guilty of the sin of stubbornness? 1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

11. How is my relationship to my spouse, children, parents, brothers, sisters, employers? Eph 5:21-25 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Eph 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Eph 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

12. Do I ever go on visitation? Luke 14:23 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.

13. Am I really what people see? 1 Sam 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

14. Am I concerned about souls? 1 John 3:17-18 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

15. Am I willing to inconvenience myself for others? Mt 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

16. Am I willing to ask the Lord to speak to me through the preacher and will I do what He says? James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Here are a few verses with "thanksgiving" found in the book of Psalms in God's word to meditate and reflect on this Thanksgiving day.....

Ps 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Ps 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Ps 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Ps 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Ps 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Ps 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Ps 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Ps 147:7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Here are a few things I am thankful for.... not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day that the Lord allows me to see the new day.

* The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which I have believed by faith and has saved my soul!!!
* The Holy Spirit which guides and directs my life and helps me to discern truth from error.
* God's inerrant, infallible, perfect, preserved word, the Bible, which He has given to each of us to guide and direct our life and tell about His goodness and mercy through eternity past and eternity future; God's written word to mankind.
* The local church where I can worship, grow, fellowship, and serve along with my other Christian brothers and sisters in the Lord.
* A submissive, beautiful, loving wife, who sincerely loves the Lord with her whole heart, and sets the tone for the wonderful harmony in our home.
* Six wonderful children, five of whom are saved and are looking to the Lord for guidance in finding the right will for their lives, and one who is just now reaching the age of accountability, but already loves the things of the Lord.
* My extended family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors, who have been placed into my life to help me grow in the Lord.

Take time today the thank the Lord for something He has done for you!!! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The Man of Vision vs. The Man of Ambition

Here is a contrast study of two totally different ways of life chosen by men in today's world. I found this chart in Dr. Clarence Sexton's monthly newspaper, "The Baptist Vision."

The Man of Vision, "The Biblical Leader" vs.

The Man of Ambition, "The Pragmatist"

The Man of Vision begins with God, while The Man of Ambition begins with man.

The Man of Vision does a work of faith, while The Man of Ambition does a work of sight.

The Man of Vision believes, "If it is right, God will bless it," while The Man of Ambition believes, "If it works, it must be right."

The Man of Vision is obedient to God, while The Man of Ambition is in competition with others.

The Man of Vision desires God to be glorified, while The Man of Ambition desires approval of man.

The Man of Vision is Christ-centered, while The Man of Ambition is man-centered.

The Man of Vision serves God, while The Man of Ambition serves self.

The Man of Vision lives a life of "simplicity and godly sincerity" (II Cor. 1:12), while The Man of Ambition lives a life of complexity.

My desire is to be a Man of Vision, putting into practice the commands and principles of the Bible, and forsaking the wisdom taught by today's professors, media specialists, news commentators, and political "leaders" (I use that term lightly since today's politicians are a far cry from the political leaders we had in the past history of this nation.).

My friend, what about you? Is your desire to be a Man of Vison, or is your desire wrapped up in self, looking for wealth, power, social status, image, and prestige; or in other words, a Man of Ambition?

A Self-examination for Church Members

What kind of church would my church be...... if every person were just like me?

How many worship services would we have had this year...... if everyone had stayed at home when I did?

How many times would an evening service or program have been omitted..... if no one had gone except when I was there?

How many times would the Sunday School have met..... if they had met only when I attended?

How much Christian instruction would the children and adults of our community receive.... if everyone showed as much interest in it as I do?

How many of my neighbors would have been invited to worship or welcomed into the church... if everyone had invited as many as I have?

How many prayers would have been offered for my pastor, the church staff, my neighbors, my family, and my church, ...... if everyone prayed as I do?

How many words of faith would have been shared with others.... if everyone had only shared as I did?

What kind of church would my church be..... if every person were just like me???

There is No Private Sin

Bro. Linton Smith sends out a devotional post each day on his mailing list featuring thoughts from A. W. Tozer. I thought I would share the one that he sent out today. There is no such thing as private sin.... it will end up effecting those around you; but even more important, it already effects your relationship with the Lord!!!


Spiritual Warfare and Sin: No Private Sin

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”
— 1 Corinthians 5:6-7

No sin is private. It may be secret but it is not private.

It is a great error to hold, as some do, that each man's conduct is his own business unless his acts infringe on the rights of others. "My liberty ends where yours begins," is true, but that is not all the truth. No one ever has the right to commit an evil act, no matter how secret. God wills that men should be free, but not that they be free to commit sin...

Coming still closer, we Christians should know that our unchristian conduct cannot be kept in our own back yard. The evil birds of sin fly far and influence many to their everlasting loss. The sin committed in the privacy of the home will have its effect in the assembly of the saints. The minister, the deacon, the teacher who yields to temptation in secret becomes a carrier of moral disease whether he knows it or not. The church will be worse because one member sins. The polluted stream flows out and on, growing wider and darker as it affects more and more persons day after day and year after year.

From A.W. Tozer’s: The Size of the Soul, pp. 74,77.

What If.....???

The article below was posted on a mailing list and I thought I would pass it along. It was written by Dr. Thomas Holland (author of Crowned With Glory) and Bro. Marty Shue. I know some will be offended, while others will read it and ask God and the Holy Spirit for discernment in evaluating its contents. I do know Satan has his hand in creating confusion and division in the ranks of Christians in today's world.... were Christians in the past confused about the word of God, or is this a sign of the last days and the church of Laodicea??? I for one would like to be in the church of Philadelphia; known for my works, keeping His word, and in words and actions, not denying His name (Rev. 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.)

WHAT IF???

The older I get the more I realize just how little I actually know. When I was much younger I thought I knew it all and was convinced that I was always right. It wasn't until I left the security of my parent's house and began a family of my own that I realized just how deceived I had been. I quickly discovered that I was not always right and I didn't know everything. There are many times when I get it wrong---I'm subject to get the facts incorrect---or I just blow it altogether. There is even the possibility that I may be wrong about something today. However, the good news is that I'm not always wrong---Happily, I do get it right occasionally!

For years now I have diligently studied and prayed about the Bible translation issue. I realize (from past experiences) that there at least exists the possibility that I may be wrong regarding the King James Bible issue. It may be that I've completely misunderstood what the Scriptures themselves teach regarding the words of God and His promises of preservation. After all it does seem that many other Christians read these same scriptures and come to a completely different conclusion than I do. It is certain that we can't both be right. Since this is the case I can't help but wondering what the Lord will say to me when I stand before Him if I'm wrong. Will the Lord rebuke me for literally applying His words? Will the Lord punish me for believing that He not only promised to preserve His words but He actually did preserve His very words (every one of them) and not just the 'message' only? Will the Lord chasten me for believing and promoting Biblical inerrancy? Will He rebuke me for believing that His words are 100% perfect and have been handed down to us 100% perfect? Further, I wonder if the Lord will condemn me for applying Ps. 12:6-7, Matt. 24:35 and 1 Peter 1:23-25 to the doctrine of Biblical preservation?

In addition to the questions above I also wonder just how much trouble I'll be in for recommending to others the Authorized King James Bible? This I wonder in light of the fact that God Himself seems to have greatly blessed it for nearly 400 years. Or could it be that I will be rebuked for my position of leaving it to each individual to decide for themselves what they will read? I can't help but wondering just how much punishment I will face for believing and promoting Biblical preservation; and for using, defending and believing every word of our AuthorizedVersion?

While these questions frequent my mind I'm also confronted with the idea that I could just as easily be right. And, what if I'm right? What if it is true that God has promised (as the Scriptures indicate) to preserve every one of His words and that He has not allowed a single one of them to pass away (i.e. be lost in transmission)? If I am indeed right I must wonder how those that believe some parts of the originals have been lost, and believe it is only the'message' that needs to be preserved and not the very words of God, will fair when they stand before theLord? How will they answer for their misplaced beliefs? And what will those who deny that any Bible is the actual preserved words of God have to say for themselves when they appear before the Lord? What reasons will they be able to utter to account for the fact that they believed every Bible contained errors and were the mere "work of men" and not the words of God?

And what if the Authorized King James Bible is indeed the preserved word of God for English speaking people? What will be the end of those who have scoffed at its text? What about those who have 'corrected' it or who have pointed out what they call 'errors'? What will the Lord have to say to them? What about those individuals that have produced hundreds of Bibles contrary to the Authorized King James Bible? What will the Lord say to those who have rejected many of His words that are found in the Authorized King James Bible choosing rather to believe what modern scholarship has said? If I am right, I must wonder what the Lord will say to these people and what will they have to say to the Lord for placing their trust in man (i.e. scholarship) and not in the power of God?

When I consider the Scriptures, and my current beliefs, I really can't think of any verse(s) that teaches I will face a greater judgment for actually believing what I read in the scriptures. I can't think of a single statement of condemnation in the Bible for those that unerringly believe what God has spoken or that literally believe that God has kept all His promises pertaining to His words---allowing nothing to be lost. I cannot think of a single reference indicating that only the 'message' is important and not the actual words of God. I find no judgments pronounced upon those that believe God's words are to be perfect, without error of any kind. I find no words of warning against believing in Biblical inspiration and Biblical preservation.

On the contrary, I can think of places where those who did not believe the promise(s) of God did not fair very well. And, I can think of twice in the OT where we are told not to add to or take from God's word(Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:6). I can also think of a place in the NT where we are told the very same thing. In fact, call it ironic if you wish but it is one of the last things the Lord has to say to us (Rev. 22:18-19).

As I said at the onset, I've been wrong before and there is a high probability I'll be wrong again. But when it comes to this issue of Bible translations and the preservation (or lack thereof) of God's every word I really want to make sure I have it right. In my understanding, it is highly possible thatGod will overlook my zeal to promote His word ... but what about the zeal of those who correct it and/or deny it exists today?

What if I'm right? What if you're wrong? Something to consider isn't it?

DO YOU BRAG ON GOD???

We have been studying through the book of Nehemiah during our Wednesday evening service at church. In Chapter 9, just after the reading of Chapter 8 which tells about the people returning to reading, hearing, understanding, and observing the Word of God, we find the people in prayer to the Lord, again just after hearing the Word of God for the fourth part of a day (hmmmm..... in today's churches, the people come anticipating getting out, always looking at their watches, instead of getting in, worshipping and serving the Lord). After confession of sins and repentence, they began to "brag on God," and all His wonderful character and attributes. Here are just a few we find in the rest of the chapter.

• vs. 5 His names
• vs. 6 His creation
• vs. 7 What He has done in the lives of people
• vs. 8 His character
• vs. 9 His love and compassion
• vs. 10 His miracles
• vs. 11 He will make a way / protection
• vs. 12 He guides us
• vs. 13 He still speaks to us / fellowship / His precious Word
• vs. 15 His provision / His promises
• vs. 19 He does not forsake us
• vs. 20 The Holy Spirit
• vs. 21 Sustenance
• vs. 22 Our country
• vs. 23 Our family
• vs. 24 Our possessions / Victory over enemies
• vs. 25 His goodness
• vs. 27 His chastening / Leaders
• vs. 28 He is the God of a second chance
• vs. 30 His forebearance / Men of God
• vs. 31 His mercy
• vs. 32 He cares when we are in trouble

What about you? Is there something going on your life which the Lord has directed and provided just for you that you could take a few minutes in prayer to brag on Him? Or do you have no belief in God and His plan for man here on this earth, and simply go through each day bragging on your own wisdom, abilities, and accomplishments? One day, we will all meet God and give an account of our lives...... I, for one, will thank Him for paying my sin debt on the cross, and brag on Him for His goodness He provides for me and my family each and every day.

Commitment to Christianity Depends on How it is Measured

I receive updates from The Barna Group which surveys different subjects of interest, especially those related to the faith and practice of people in the United States. Check out their site and sign up to receive their periodic updates. Their webpage is found at www.barna.org

Interesting findings from their latest survey; it appears that most Americans like the security and the identity of the label "Christian" but resist the Biblical responsibilities that are associated with that identification. Being a "Christian" is more about image than action. For instance, almost 80% claim to be Christian, yet only 29% had attended church, prayed to God, and read from the Bible during the last week.

Friends, that is very sad!!! Contrast those statistics of today with that of the early Christians and early church found in Acts and other books of the New Testament. Has God changed, or have we allowed the World to influence our actions??? Today, we need a zealous hunger for God, an avid thirst after righteousness, and a pain-filled longing to be Christ-like and holy!!!

What about you??? How commited are you to Christ??? Can the world see Christ in your life??? Is a Christian testimony important to you??? Are you peculiar to the world, or do you fit right in with all their activities??? I don't need your answers..... you are not doing it for me. However, God yearns for you to talk to Him and draw closer to Him. His desire for your life is a life commited to Him and His Word.

Back in Service!!!

Well, I am sure that I don't have many that follow this blog, but just in case, I am back in service. During the last few months, my family and I have finally moved into the central part of NC where I had been working and traveling back and forth for about fourteen months previously. The Lord allowed us to find a home "just exactly" what we were looking for, and now, after last week, we have now joined a good fundamental, independent, King James Bible believing Baptist church (yep, I am one of those kind!!!). Ain't God good!!! He is able!!!

I am looking forward to posting from time to time and hearing from you.... you are always welcome to comment on each post.... as I continue to "Stand in the Gap!!!"

I pray that all of you are continuing to grow in the Lord as you study His word, and are serving Him instead of serving self in this sinful, sinful world. One doesn't have to look far to see that we are in the last days..... so, it is our job to point unbelievers to Jesus Christ, encourage fellow believers to trust and believe and obey God's word, and stand for right in the world regarding current events and trends and political correctness. Don't be afraid to draw a line in the sand.... and if for some reason the waves of sin wash away that line, confess and ask for forgiveness and then redraw that line!!! Today we need those who will stand for the Lord..... not just within the four walls of the church.... but out in the world. Show forth Christ in your life.... have a good testimony..... love and share the Gospel with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow citizens. God gives us each 24 hours to serve Him and interact with others..... are we???