WHAT’S WORSE?

(Here is an article by C.W. Fisk in his booklet "From Methods and Mechanics")

• What is worse, one who does not believe in God or one who believes in Him but does not serve Him?
• What is worse, one who does not believe the Bible or one who says he believes it but does not read it?
• What is worse, one who does not believe in prayer or one who says God answers prayer but never takes time to pray?
• What is worse, one who does not believe in the church or one who believes but never attends regularly?
• What is worse, one who says he does not believe there is a hell or one who says there is a Hell and yet never goes soul winning to try and win someone to keep them from going to Hell?
• What is worse, one who says that it’s foolish to go to Sunday School and church or one who says that you ought to go to Sunday School and church, but never visits his absentees to be sure they’re faithful to class?

You answer these questions.

No doubt about it, the atheist who dies without God will burn in Hell. By the same token, the Christian who knew his responsibility and failed to do it will also give an account to the Lord. The Scripture states in Luke 12:48b, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”. Sometimes I wonder if in the sight of God the cold-hearted and backslidden Christian might be just as big a disappointment as the atheist. It is really hard to say which might be worse in the sight of Almighty God. Won’t you do your best for Jesus this week?

Take Heed

Matt. 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

This warning by Jesus Christ has special relevance in these latter days when there are multitudes of "false Christs, and false prophets" (Matt. 24:24), not only in the so-called New Age movement but also in all kinds of religious, political, and educational areas of influence, and are, as Jesus warned, deceiving many. Therefore, His urgent warning: TAKE HEED!!!

This is a frequent emphasis in the New Testament of God's Word. For example, Paul warned the Ephesian elders: Acts 20:28-28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Note also the warning to the Hebrew believers: Heb. 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. To anyone who feels overconfident in his own ability to withstand such deceptions and temptations, Paul warns: 1 Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Many similar warnings exist, and therefore we do well to take heed also to the safeguards that God has provided: 1 Tim. 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

We must continue our daily walk with Jesus Christ in sound Biblical doctrine!!!!!

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Things We Ought To Do

Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

This sharp rebuke by Jesus Christ to the religious leaders of His day should also be taken seriously by us Christians today. Although we are saved by grace alone, not by our own works of righteousness, there are many things we ought to do, not as a matter of credit toward salvation, but as gratitude to God for our salvation. Of course, we should be loving and kind to others at all times, with mercy exhibited to others within our day to day relationships, and we should be faithful in our areas of service within our family, friends, work, church, and local community.

Other "oughts" of the Christian life would include the following incomplete listing:

1. Prayer - Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2. Obedience to God as a Priority - Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
3. Working and Sharing - Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
4. Gracious in Speech - Col. 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
5. Walking with God - 1 Thes. 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
6. Heeding God's Word - Heb. 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
7. Sanctified Behaviour - 2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS???

(A portion of an article found at www.starlightbaptist.com which sheds some light on false teachers!!!)

INTRODUCTION: 1. Webster defines false as not genuine, intentionally untrue, arranged or made to deceive, adjusted to mislead, inconsistent with the fact. 2. False is not the same as wrong. Wrong can be a casual deviation from right. False is designed to deceive.

WHAT IS FALSE TEACHING?

1. FALSE TEACHINGS come from deceitful workers who appear to be godly but in fact are Satan’s ministers. 2 Cor. 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2. FALSE TEACHINGS are designed to pervert the Gospel of Christ. Gal. 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
3. FALSE TEACHINGS are lies that come from teachers whose consciences have been deadened by departing from the truth. 1 Tim. 4:1-4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
4. FALSE TEACHINGS are carefully crafted to seduce and deceive. Mark 13:21-23 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
5. FALSE TEACHINGS are designed to steal & destroy God’s churches. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

6. FALSE TEACHINGS are used to gain followers for personal use. Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

HOW CAN WE GUARD AGAINST THESE IMPOSTERS?

1. Study the Word of God—regularly & faithfully. 2 Tim. 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2. Don’t change your beliefs when you know you have been taught the truth. 2 Tim. 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
3. Use only Scripture to develop your convictions. 2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
4. Follow leaders who are able to teach sound doctrine. Eph 4:11-15a And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love....
5. Ordain only qualified Bible preachers who use sound doctrine to combat false teachers. Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
6. Support pastors who are called of God & are responsible to protect the flock. Acts 20:28-32 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

7. Be aware & on guard against such evil workers. Php. 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Things Found At The Cross

A SENT SON

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

A SUFFERING SAVIOR

Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

SEVENTY-TWO THOUSAND SOLDIERS (Heavenly)

Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

A SYPATHETIC SAVIOR

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

A SCORNFUL CROWD

Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

SADISTIC SOLDIERS

Luke 23:36-37 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

A SIGNIFICANT SIGN

Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

A SARCASTIC SINNER

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

A SAVED SINNER

Luke 23:40-43 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Mercy and Truth

Psalms 57:10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

The words "mercy" and "truth" are connected numerous times in the Old Testament of the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms. These references are sources of spiritual refreshment to the Christian believer:

1. God's mercy and truth are extended to those who are in obedience to His Word - Psalms 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
2. God's mercy and truth are directed toward those in distress - Psalms 57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
3. God's mercy and truth are more than ample to meet any spiritual need - Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalms 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
4. God's mercy and truth are met together in Christ - Psalms 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The truth is, man in his unrighteous state could never find peace with God on his own. It was therefore necessary for Christ "to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor. 5:21) Receiving, by faith, Christ's righteousness, through His sacrificial death on the cross, will result in mercy and peace being extended to the one who believes.
5. Believer's should give praise and glory for God's mercy and truth - Psalms 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Psalms 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Fear and Trembling

The Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We are often admonished to “fear God,” and to work out our salvation with “fear and trembling”. How do we obtain the commanded virtue of the fear of God?

One great key is to look at Israel. They lost sight of Moses, so they created their own image of god (the golden calf), took off their clothes and had an orgy (Exodus 32). Suddenly Moses appeared in wrath, threw the Ten Commandments at their feet, and cried, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” The people decided if they wanted to serve sin or God. Those who refused to stand with Moses came under the sword. That no doubt produced the fear of the Lord.

We live in an age that has lost sight of Moses. The moral Law has been removed from the market place, from schools, and even from many churches. The result has been that America has made her own image of god, stripped off her clothes and had an orgy. Our commission is simply to cry to the world “Who is on the Lord’s side?” We are to proclaim the gospel of peace. Those who refuse to make peace with God through the blood of the cross, will be cut down by the wrath of the Law. That should put the fear of God into any of us.

But that’s not the only catalyst. There is something else that can help us. The book of Peter says to “pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” Why should we do that? The following verses tell us: 1 Peter 1:18-25 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

If anything should produce the fear of God in our hearts, it is the cost that God went to so that we could be forgiven. If I deliberately violated civil law and it cost my father every penny he owned to pay my fine, what sort of moron would I be to go back to crime? Rather, if I saw his incredible sacrifice, I should be humbled and filled with gratitude at such an expression of his love.

God didn’t pay our fine with mere silver or gold. He paid it with the precious blood of Jesus of Nazareth. Golgotha was not only a display of love, but it was a display of how much God cares about justice. The cross of Calvary was an expression of His wrath against sin, and if and I can understand that, I will fear the Lord.

An article from the Comfort Food blog

BLESSED ARE THOSE THAT LISTEN

Prov. 8:32-35 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

These verses speak clearly of the importance of seeking God for wisdom and diligently searching for truth. Near the middle of the passage, we see the words, “Blessed is the man that heareth me.” There are certain blessings reserved for those who learn to listen to God. There is such a simple, yet precious truth contained in these words and others like them in the Bible. God wants to teach us. He wants to show us His ways. He wants us to learn His wisdom. God does not want us to be without direction, but we must learn to listen. God beckons to the reader to hearken. “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” Why would anyone refuse God’s teaching? There are probably many reasons. Sometimes we have our schedules so full that we do not give God the time that is necessary to listen. Other times, our minds are so crowded with the din of other things and we are so distracted that God’s Word is not heard. Then, there are those who do not always want to hear and heed His Word because it is not in agreement with their preferences or opinions. Nevertheless, there are blessings to be enjoyed by those who listen. We learn from the sacred Scriptures that it was Solomon’s primary request for wisdom, and we see the priority he placed on it, which caused God to bless him with many things other than what he asked. This promise tells us that THE BLESSED MAN will be “watching daily” at the gates and doors of wisdom. Diligence and faithfulness are implied in this demand. The desire to listen for God’s direction is a priority that takes precedence at all seasons. Many are motivated to seek God’s wisdom in times of great distress or trouble, but God wants us to “hearken” to Him at all times. One of the most productive habits one will ever develop is spending time every day reading God’s Word and looking for wisdom. God has spoken to us and will continue to speak to us through His Word. Our Master promises to bless those who sincerely seek Him on a daily basis.

A devotional thought by Pastor Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church

The Carnal or The Biblical???

1 Cor. 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

The indictment “You are carnal” is a stinging charge from the Apostle in that his words are right to the point of all of man’s problems with sin. To be a carnal person means to be fixated on that which is temporal. The scripture teaches us to set our affections on things above, meaning things which come from God who is eternal. Carnality speaks of an obsession with human feelings. It is to be emotionally driven and under the influence primarily of the flesh nature (the natural man) that all are born with. The Corinthians had a major problem with this. It seems clear that many today suffer the same crisis of faith.

1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The natural man refers to people who have not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit through receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior. Natural means just that, and implies no understanding of spiritual things. I have frequently met people who tell me that they do not go to church nor accept the bible as the word of God and yet go one to proclaim to me that they are still “very spiritual people”. The bible never teaches that unsaved people are not spiritual. It however does teach quite clearly that unsaved people do not have “The Holy Spirit of God” nor do they understand the “Things of the Spirit of God”. The problem with unsaved people is not that they are not spiritual. It is that they do not know what spirit they are of. The unsaved are deceived and of the spirit of Satan. The unsaved see no need to obey God and be in a local church. They see no need to submit to Church authority or to support the work of the ministry with tithes. It is all foolishness to them.

It is an interesting study to watch people who say that they are believers and yet want nothing to do with the truth of the bible. Although anyone who is saved is only so due to the grace of God provided on the cross by Jesus Christ, immature saved people can sometimes act like the unsaved. When people decide to use their old thinking to interpret a situation, they in many ways end up reacting as though they were unregenerate. Spiritual discernment comes not from our natural thinking but quite to the contrary it comes from thinking as a new person in Christ.

There is a crisis in every believer’s life when that believer is confronted by the work of the old way of thinking before salvation clashing with the new way of thinking as a Christian. When a person comes to Christ they do not automatically change everything. There is a process known as sanctification when a believer chooses to put off the old nature and put on the new. This is done by an act of the will and an implementation of study of the word of God. If we really want to walk in newness of life we must choose not to walk in the power of the natural man with its inability to spiritually discern. Instead we must walk in Christ having infused his word into our souls as to effect a change in our thinking. The word of God is the only power given to ultimately give us godly insight and thus that gives us the ability to truly discern the things of the Spirit.

The following is a list of 10 carnal indicators;

1) Offended easily.
2) Envious of others blessings.
3) React without pondering a biblical response.
4) Self interest is first thing that comes to mind in a crisis.
5) Refusal to forgive.
6) Gossip.
7) Rebellious against Spiritual authority.
8) Can’t receive correction.
9) Not teachable.
10) Run by emotions.

So the choice is given to us between the Carnal and the biblical, the natural mind or the mind of the Spirit. The choice is always before us.

Written by Dr. David M. Berman

THE BLESSED MAN FEARS GOD

Psalm 112:1-2 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

This is an essential quality for the person who desires to see God’s hand of blessing. He must learn to fear the Lord. “Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD.” One cannot expect to see the blessing of the Lord who does not sincerely and consistently fear Him. We have witnessed a sad decline in the fear of God in our lifetime. This absence of fear has made its way into the churches as well. Worship is becoming more and more man-centered instead of God-centered. Casualness and worldliness are welcomed in many places of worship. Unless there is great repentance in our society, we can assume this trend will continue. There are many who now believe and teach that it is unhealthy for a person to fear God. Somehow, it is considered a thing to be shunned. Of course, the Bible teaches contrary to that. Proverbs 19:23 tells us, “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied.” The fear of God brings life and satisfaction. Blessing comes to those who fear the Lord. The fear of the Lord helps us to be mindful of God’s presence. Because we fear Him, we will want to please Him. The fear of God helps us depart from evil. The fear of the Lord teaches us that He sees our every deed, knows our thoughts, hears our words, and is aware of our motives. Fearing God keeps us aware that we will give an account to Him one day at the Judgment. Our text also states that THE BLESSED MAN “delighteth greatly in his commandments.” God is looking for, and promises to bless, those who will take His Word seriously. The commandments of the Scriptures are not man’s commands, but they are “his commandments.” Obedience and the fear of the Lord go hand in hand. We are to hide His commandments in our hearts and teach ourselves to love His Word. Let’s ask ourselves, “Do I enjoy the Bible? Do I delight greatly in the truths of Scripture? Do I look forward to and make the most out of times of Bible study or the preaching services of the church?” Our attitudes about these things will help to determine the reality of God’s blessing in our lives. God wants to bless as we follow His ways.

A devotional thought by Pastor Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church

The Wisdom of This World

1 Cor. 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

The scholars and scientists and intellectuals of this world may be held in great esteem by men, but to God, their humanistic reasonings are foolishness. In fact, the evolutionary philosophy which dominates the "wisdom of this world" has led to our modern amoral culture, to racism, to imperialism, to communism, Nazism, to New Age pantheism, humanism, atheism, abortionism, and to all manner of evil and foolish beliefs and practices.

Yet many modern evangelicals feel they must accommodate the wisdom of this world in their own schools and churches, forgetting that "the world by wisdom knew not God." (1 Cor. 1:21) God has warned us not to follow "the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought." (1 Cor. 2:6) Why should we waste precious time in teaching our students or our congregations the wisdom of this world that not only is false and harmful, but is soon coming to nought? The only valid reason at all for doing so is to teach them what's wrong with it, so that they can "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15)

Above all, they must not accomodate the wisdom of this world in their own worldview. God has gravely warned against the evolutionary philosophy of the world (2 Peter 3:3-6) in these sobering words: "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness." (2 Peter 3:17)

1 Cor. 3:18-20 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

The Word and The Spirit

1 Cor. 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

How is it that some people can read a Biblical passage and find it either tedious, confusing, or even foolish, whereas others will receive great understanding and blessing from the same very passage??? The answer to that question is SIMPLE; the first group of people are animated only by the spirit of the world, "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2), whereas the other group of people are indwelt by the Spirit of God, having received the Holy Spirit when they trusted Jesus Christ for forgiveness of their sins and eternal salvation.

After all, it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures to begin with:

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The inspiration was literally "God-breathed," where the breath of God" is none other than the "Spirit of God."

The human writer Paul said the following concerning his own divinely inspired writings;

1 Cor. 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Likewise it is the same Spirit indwelling each believer who illumines, and confirms, and applies His own Scriptures to the individual Christian who reads or hears them.

Jesus had promised His disciples that "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13) This He does through the Scriptures He inspired, with blessings abundant as we study them prayerfully and with believing and obedient hearts.

Keeping Your Final Appointment

I once read this arresting 300 year old epitaph while sauntering through the cemetery at the Old Tennant Meeting House in Manalapan, New Jersey:

Behold and see as you pass by

As you are now so once was I

As I am now so you will be

Prepare for death and follow me.

Reportedly a cemetery visitor once wrote these words in chalk on that very memorial stone:

To follow you I'm not content

Until I know which way you went.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

That is an appointment you and I won't miss!

Do you keep all your appointments?

I'll never forget my chagrin as I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to be speaking to a hundred men at a local church barbeque at the very moment I was teeing up on the public golf course! To my knowledge this was the only appointment to speak I've failed to show up for in forty years.

There is one appointment none of us will miss—our appointment with death.

My cousin lived to 101 years, but he still kept his appointment with death. My young grade school friend did not avoid his appointment with death on the day he drowned in the Missouri river. For this appointment everyone will be "present and accounted for." Thankfully, we only do it once.

But what follows the appointment is the real problem—"After this the judgment."

Atheist Fredrick Neitzche asserted: "When I die, I rot." True, the body awaits its final state while decaying in the ground, but that's not all there is to it. Judgment is next.

This judgment will result in hell for most people, sadly. They will go there not because they are not respectable citizens, but because they refuse to come to Christ on His terms.

Anglican Jeremy Taylor described the awful eternal aspect of hell like this:

A death without end;

An end without end;

For death shall ever live

And their end shall never begin.

The appointment with death is for a moment in time, but the consequences of our rejection of Christ last forever.

Hell is eternal!!!

Do you keep all your appointments? You may be known for failing to do so. But your appointment with death followed by judgment will not be missed. And you don't know when that will be.

Be certain you are ready.

A devotional thought by Jim Elliff

...AND THE PULPITS ARE SILENT

(Here is a portion of an article by Coach Dave Daubenmire from the March 6, 2008 issue of NewsWithViews)

Jeremiah 5:26-31 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Despite what the political parties would like you to believe, the problem in America is not the politicians, it is the pulpits. I hate to break the news to you, but most of America’s pulpits are filled with cowardly men. They are a shame to the Christ they claim to serve.

Harsh words, aren’t they? Not the type of thing that will make any friends in this “cheap-Grace” culture in which we live. But that’s okay. I’m not looking to make friends.

I am about fed-up with what I see. How did we ever get such man-pleasing leaders? All that our fore-fathers held dear is being destroyed before our very eyes and hardly a peep from the pulpit. They don’t want to hear it. It's the pulpiteers that I am talking about. They are concerned with being too harsh, they tell me that “Jesus is in control,” that they are not “called” to fight evil and that "we should pray for our enemies.”

Where have these guys come from? What we need is a return of the Voice of God thundering through the prophets standing in America’s pulpits. Not the prissy Purpose Driven drivel passing as the Gospel today. The feminized-preachers of today cannot hold a candle to those who ushered in The Great Awakening which led to the American Revolution, and the abolition of slavery -- two world-changing events spearheaded by the pulpit.

While our nation is killing babies, our schools are indoctrinating Christian-kids in Secular Humanism, and “Truth has fallen in the streets,” our preachers are attending church-growth seminars, using "self-help” books to supplement the Bible, and chasing after the butts and bucks. They are fiddling while the nation burns, building their church rather than Christ’s Kingdom.

Public schools are destroying the faith of Christian children and the pulpits are silent.

Legislation is introduced to remove the rights of parents and the pulpits are silent.

Children are taught they came from apes and the pulpits are silent.

Millions of children are “medicated” to control their behavior and the pulpits are silent.

Gambling is promoted to pay for schools and the pulpit is silent.

Precious babies are being murdered in the womb and the pulpits are silent.

Planned Parenthood kills babies with our tax dollars and the pulpits are silent.

Judges make laws and the pulpits are silent.

Tolerance trumps Truth and the pulpits are silent.

Sodomy is granted legal protection and the pulpits are silent.

The institution of marriage is crumbling and the pulpits are silent.

Obama says the Sermon on the Mount justifies gay marriage and the pulpits are silent.

Government has replaced God as defender and provider and the pulpits are silent.

Faith-based initiatives invite the government into the Church and the pulpits are silent.

The IRS muzzles the voice of the Church and the pulpits are silent.

Taxes are levied to do the work of the Church and the pulpits are silent.

The Church locks arms with compassionate-conservativism and the pulpits are silent.

Children’s service agencies separate family members and the pulpits are silent.

Self-help books replace the Bible and the pulpits are silent.

A Purpose Driven Life is elevated above dying to self and the pulpits are silent.

G.W. Bush says Christians and Muslims worship the same God and the pulpits are silent.

The Constitution is ignored and the pulpits are silent.

Pagans pray to open a session of Congress and the pulpits are silent.

Our elected officials lie and steal and the pulpits are silent.

Private property is stolen by government and the pulpits are silent.

Mother Earth is protected more than Father God is defended and the pulpits are silent.

Illegal aliens over-run our borders and the pulpits are silent.

The entertainment industry celebrates debauchery and the pulpits are silent.

From a bygone era, the sound from the pulpit rumbles throughout the ages.

Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die? Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you DAMNED? - Leonard Ravenhill

Churches don't need new members half so much as they need the old bunch made over. There wouldn't be so many non-church goers if there were not so many non-going churches. Too many churches are little more than four walls and a roof.- Billy Sunday

The voice from the pulpit today sings a different song.

Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Truth, justice and the American way are a thing of the past.

Isaiah 59:4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Tragically, the pulpits are silent.

Wrong on Two Counts

Matt. 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

When the Sadducees, who were the theological (religious scholars), philosophical, and scientific elite of the day, came to Jesus with a trick question in an attempt to discredit Him, He responded with the stinging rebuke found in the verse above. While His response dealt specifically with the fact of resurrection and the nature of the after-life, His two-fold evaluation of self-reliant scholars still fits today, particularly in regard to evolutionary speculations. Darwin attributed to nature, concluding evolutionary progression based on natural selection, abilities which clearly belong to God alone. He knew something of the Scriptures, but his memoirs show that he had little understanding of basic Biblical teaching. He felt that if there was a God, He had little power or had not been involved in the affairs of this earth. Most atheistic evolutionists today follow Darwin's intellectual footsteps.

But what of Christian intellectuals, theistic evolutionists, progressive creationists, or advocates of the framework hypothesis, who claim to know God but yet deny His awesome power in creation? They too reject the clear teaching of Scripture regarding creation, relegating God to the mundane task of overseeing potentially accomplishable by man. Peter aptly describes this attitude when he calls it willful ignorance; 2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.

It has been sugggested by some that all human error can be traced to one or both of these categories: 1) not knowing and/or believing the Scriptures and 2) underestimating the power of God.

BLESSED ARE THE SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Here again, we find a paradox in the teaching of Jesus, something that seems to contradict common sense. Which is THE BLESSED MAN, the man that is hungry or the man that is full? We would naturally assume that fullness and satisfaction is a sign of blessing. However, Jesus wants us to know that this is not always true. Having every appetite filled is not always good for us. Physical and financial security and satisfaction can often result in spiritual apathy. The Laodicean church is an example of this. Their personal estimation was recorded as, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Jesus’ evaluation of them was quite different. He said, “thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). In our free, industrialized, capitalistic society, virtually every need is met. The experience of material prosperity has left many Americans without a sense of their greater need, which is spiritual. So much of our world is consumed with entertainment and pleasure that the absence of God is unnoticed or of little concern. The writer of Proverbs recognized this inherent danger when he wrote, “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee” (Proverbs 30:8, 9). THE BLESSED MAN must maintain a spiritual appetite. We must always be hungering and thirsting for truth and righteousness. Although we are obviously satisfied with Jesus, we should never be satisfied with our progress in the journey or our growth in grace. We can only be continually filled with God’s blessings as we are consistently hungering and thirsting for more of His work of grace in our lives. The more we hunger and thirst, the more we will be filled. Isaiah said it this way, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground” (Isaiah 44:3). How many times do people come to the Word of God or to the church services without a spiritual appetite, and then go away receiving little? THE BLESSED MAN nurtures an appetite for God and His truth and will find that his perpetual hunger and thirst will be met with ongoing nourishment from the Source of all true blessings.

A devotional thought by Pastor Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church

A Fool's Follies

Despite our pride, many of us have been or are fools in the eyes of God. This is a very humbling thought, but it is God’s opinion and it is the one that matters and not ours. Noah Webster defined foolishness as “void of understanding or sound judgment, weak in intellect (applied to general character), unwise, silly, vain, trifling, ridiculous, sinful …” In the book of Proverbs there are at least 42 verses dealing with foolishness. Here is how God defines foolishness in Proverbs:

1. A fool wants to do wrong, and does not think of the consequences:

Prov. 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Prov. 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

2. A fool listens to his own ideas, and is not concerned about others. He gets angry when others tell him what to do:

Prov. 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Prov. 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Prov. 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Prov. 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Prov. 11:29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

3. A fool lets his opinion be known right away:

Prov. 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Prov. 12:16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Prov. 18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Prov. 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

4. A fool minds everyone else’s business:

Prov. 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

5. A fool does not learn from his mistakes:

Prov. 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

6. A fool does not believe there is a God: Although found in the book of Psalms, here is another person God identifies as a fool.

Psalms 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

“He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.” — Tillotson

An article from The Bible View published by Bill Brinkworth

Those Whom God Calls Fools

Deut. 32:6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

Moses rebuked the children of Israel with these words above as he warned them just before their entrance into the Promised Land. It is the first use of the word "fool or foolish" in the Bible. Here it is applied to God's chosen people after they had been redeemed out of Egyptian slavery by God. This implies that the most foolish of all people are those who have known about God and His great salvation and yet have turned away from His Word.

Paul wrote in similar scathing terms of those who had known of God's great deliverance of their fathers from the evil world before the Flood, and yet then abandoned Him for idolatry;

Romans 1:18-22 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

David used the same word about those who decide they can explain things without God, just as do so many intellectuals in modern America;

Psalm 53:1-4 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

Even prophets and preachers can become fools if they follow their own wisdom instead of God's Word;

Ezek. 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Jesus Christ similarly rebuked even those He dearly loved, because they were surprised and discouraged when He was crucified. "O fools," He said, because they had been "slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." (Luke 24:25)

God help us to maintain believing hearts, not foolish hearts, as we serve Him!!!

Tragic Ignorance

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

There are several important Biblical truths about which unbelievers - and sometimes even Christians - seem tragically ignorant, with an ignorance affecting their very lives and eternal destinies. Perhaps the most tragic is that mentioned in the verse above. Paul was writing specifically of the Jews, but the same ignorance is found in countless others; people who seek to earn salvation by their own religious and moral works rather than through faith in the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, who died for their sins.

There is also widespread ignorance concerning death and life beyond the grave;

1 Thes. 4:13-14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

With respect to Christian life and ministry, Paul says: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." (1 Cor. 12:1) Yet most Christians neglect to develop or use their gifts, mainly because of ignorance concerning their proper function as described in God's Word in the following passages; 1 Cor. 12, 1 Cor. 14, Rom. 12:3-21, and Eph. 4:7-16.

In today's world, we urgently also need to be instructed concerning the deceptions of the wicked one; "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Cor. 2:11)

For all who seek instruction rather than ignorance, let them study God's Word;

2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Let Them Alone

Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

The Lord is long-suffering, and those who speak in His name should be also. There do come times, however, when further witness becomes useless or even harmful, or when continued interaction merely invites contamination with ungodliness. In such cases we must simply leave such people alone, following them with prayer and trusting God alone to deal with them.

Such was the ten tribe nation of Israel, led by the tribes of Ephraim, just before God sent them into Assyrian captivity. Using the prophet Hosea, God told Judah henceforth to let them alone - they were hopelessly given over to pagan idolatry. The words "joined to" in the verse above literally means "under the spell of."

The Lord Jesus used similarly harsh language in reference to the hypocritical Pharisees of His own day;

Matt. 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

There are other similar warnings found in God's Word;

2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Tim. 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Most such warnings found in Scripture seem in context to apply especially to people who once knew and understood the truth, perhaps even professing to accept it for some time, and then knowingly rejected it. When such men oppose our testimony, God says to let them alone; He can deal with them better than we.

Judging Error

Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

In order to MARK and AVOID those professing Christian teachers and leaders who are promoting doctrinal heresy, thus causing divisions among Christian believers, it is obvious that we must exercise sound Biblical discernment and judgment. This judgment must be based on "the doctrine which ye have learned" from God's Word.

Isa. 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Such discernment is not to be based on supposed scholarship, tolerance, or eloquence, for such teachers "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Instead, we must know and apply God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. We must be like the Bereans, who, when they heard new teachings, "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)

It is sadly true today that many who call themselves Christians have compromised with the pseudo-scientific worldview of evolutionary humanism and philosophy that controls all secular schools and colleges, hoping thereby to avoid the "offense of the cross" (Gal. 5:11), and to remain on good terms with the "the princes of this world" and "the wisdom of this world." (1 Cor. 2:6)

They do this for their own personal gain or prestige, however, not serving Christ, "but their own belly." Those who are "simple," Bible believing Christians are, therefore, not to be "deceived" by their "good words," but to "mark" and "avoid" them.

Rom. 16:19b ..... but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

The Honest Use of Scripture

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Jesus spoke these sharp words of rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees who had hindered the plain teachings of Scripture with numerous "interpretations" which enabled them to ignore whatever teachings they found inconvenient. The Lord Jesus Himself always took the Scriptures literally and as of divine authority, and so should we.

Furthermore, He taught that EVERY WORD was true and authoritative: Matt. 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. He also said that "the scripture cannot be broken." (John 10:35)

Skeptics may pose certain difficulties in the Bible, evolutionists may riducule its account of creation, and sinners in general may try to wiggle away from its moral contraints, but the SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN! Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48) Jesus Himself is the living Word of God, and we dare not tamper with the written Word inspired by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, of course, could and did in some cases extend and apply the Old Testament Scriptures, because He Himself was their Author, but He never questioned their factuality or literal accuracy, and neither should we.

Nevertheless, many modern "christian" intellectuals and cultists are following the example of the Pharisees, rather than of Jesus Christ, "wresting" the Scriptures for their gain but "unto their own destruction." God has spoken plainly in His Word. It is our responsibility to believe and do what He says.

2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.