This Is The Book!!!

Since God wrote it, mark its truthfulness. If I had written it, there would be worms of critics who would at once swarm on it and would cover it with their evil spawn. Had I written it, there would be men who would pull it to pieces at once and would perhaps be quite right to. But this is the Word of God. Come, search, ye critics, and find a flaw; examine it from its Genesis to its Revelation and find error.

This is a vein of pure gold, unalloyed by quartz or any earthly substance. This is a star without a speck, a sun without a blot, a light without darkness, a moon without paleness, a glory without dimness.

O Bible! It cannot be said of any other book that it is perfect and pure, but of Thee we can declare that all wisdom is gathered up in Thee without a particle of folly. This is the Judge that ends the strife where wit and reason fail. This is the Book untainted by error but is pure, unalloyed, perfect truth. Why? Because God wrote it. Ah! Charge God with error if you please; tell Him that His Book is not what it ought to be.... Blessed Bible, Thou art all truth.

By Charles Spurgeon

Seven Sound Things

1. A Sound Heart - Pslm. 119:80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.


2. A Sound Mind - 2 Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


3. A Sound Speech - Titus 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.


4. A Sound Doctrine - Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:


5. A Sound Believer - Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.


6. Sound in the Faith - Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;


7. A Sound Wisdom - Prov. 3:21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

From One Thousand Bible Readings by F.E. Marsh

Dealing With the Devil

The best way for your family to deal with the Devil is not to make a deal with him.

You can win the victory through Christ as you:

1. "Resist the devil" in the power of the Holy Spirit - James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.


2. Do not give the Devil any room to operate in your family - Eph. 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.


3. Attack the Devil with the Word of God - Matt. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.


4. The Devil is an accuser - he will accuse your family to God.


5. The Devil is a slanderer - he will slander your family.


6. The Devil is a destroyer - he will attempt to destroy your family.


7. The Devil is a liar - he will lie to your family.


8. The Devil is a deceiver - he will deceive your family.

Thank God, the Devil is a defeated enemy, and Jesus Christ will destroy his works. 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

By Dr. Raymond Barber in Family Portraits

Someone, Just Anyone

She sat alone in an old people's home,

Lonely and old and gray;

She wished that someone, just anyone,

Would call on her that day.

DID YOU???

He lay for days on his hospital bed;

The hours were long and hard.

He wished that someone, just anyone,

Would send him a cheery card.

DID YOU???

He was far from home on foreign soil,

Feeling homesick, lonely and blue;

He wished that someone, just anyone,

Would write him a letter too.

DID YOU???

Her loved one died a few weeks ago;

All sad and brokenhearted she sat.

She wished that someone, just anyone,

Would come to her house for a chat.

DID YOU???

He hoped he had recited his verse well,

That little fellow you know;

He wished that someone, just anyone,

Would smile and tell him so.

DID YOU???

The matter of Christian service -

We are living it day by day.

When we help someone, just anyone,

As we walk along life's way.

Back-Seat Problem

"I wonder," said good Parson Jones,

With a little troubled frown,

"If there is any way to get

You folks seated farther down."

"You see I have to talk across

So many empty pews

Before my voice can reach the back;

I fear my point you lose."

"And then I feel so lonesome too,

Way up here - you clear back there;

It's hard to feel you're with me

When I come to God in prayer."

"I wonder if you folks are scared

Of what I'm going to preach,

That you hurry so to park yourselves

In the farthest seat?"

"Or do you fear the church someday

Will suddenly catch fire?

Or do you want to slip out quick

If of my theme you tire?"

"I wish you'd come up closer

So I wouldn't have to shout -

If you don't I'm going to have

Those back seats taken out!"

Church Membership Matters

Why Every Christian Needs a Spiritual Family

By Tim Christoson, Lancaster Baptist Church Adult Ministries Director
Published in The Baptist Voice, December 2008

Occasionally, I am asked why a Christian should become a member of a local church. Some insist that membership is merely a technicality, not seeing much difference between attendance and membership. Some argue they can worship God on their own, disconnected from a church family. Others feel qualified to invent their own, new definition of the church in an attempt to release them from responsibility.

Simply put, church membership is about making a commitment. It is a commitment to a body of doctrine, to a body of people, and to the body of Christ. To become a member is to join arms with others of like faith and to join God in His redemptive work in this world.

Being a member of a local church....

1. Gives me an environment in which to grow spiritually - Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 14:22-23 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Heb. 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.


2. Identifies me with my fellow believers - Eph. 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 1 Peter 2:9-12 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: 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. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.


3. Allows for genuine friendships, edifying relationships, and voluntary accountability - Rom. 16:1-6 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Prov. 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.


4. Enables burdens to be shared and loads to be lightened - Gal. 6:1-5, 10 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Eccl. 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.


5. Builds a prayer network for mutual intercession - Rom. 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 1 Tim. 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1 Tim. 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.


6. Places me under the spiritual protection of godly leaders - Heb. 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Acts 20:28-29 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.


7. Provides a means to honor God financially by supporting local and world evangelism - 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Php. 4:14-18 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.


8. Serves as a place for me to bring others so they may hear the Gospel - Matt. 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.


9. Creates an opportunity to discover and exercise my spiritual gifts - Rom. 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 1 Tim. 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.


10. Connects me to something eternal and more significant than myself - Rom. 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Col. 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

The one institution Jesus set out to build was the church. Matt. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus loves the church. Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; The church belongs to Him, and our existence was made possible through His sacrifice. Acts 20:28 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.

May we avoid the gravitational tendency to lower our esteem for God's choice organization. May we recommit ourselves and redouble our efforts of worshipping, growing, and serving together as a local church.

Heb. 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Be Strong

Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift;
Shun not the struggle - face it, 'tis God's gift.


Be strong!
Say not, "The days are evil. Who's to blame?"
And fold the hands and acquiesce - oh shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name.


Be strong!
It matters not how deep intrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day how long;
Faint not - fight on! Tomorrow comes the song.


By Maltbie Davenport Babcock, 1858-1901

The Sheep Need a Shepherd, and We've Got One!!!

The Bible refers to God's people (those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour) as "sheep." We could note many similarities between real sheep and Christian people, but I want to emphasize the "Shepherd." Sheep need a Shepherd, and we've got One!!!

Isa. 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

What an appropriate way to describe the Saviour!!! He is further called:

1. The Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.




2. The Good Shepherd - John 10:11, 14 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.




3. The Great Shepherd - Heb. 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Then consider these things:

1. The Shepherd knows His sheep - John 10:14, 27 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:


2. The Shepherd calls His sheep - John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.


3. The Shepherd gathers His sheep - Isa. 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.


4. The Shepherd guides His sheep - Pslm. 23:1-2 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.


5. The Shepherd protects His sheep - Jer. 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.


6. The Shepherd died for His sheep - Matt. 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. John 10:11, 15 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Now, what about you, my friend? Are you one of His "sheep?" That's the most important issue in the world!!! Why not receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and "Shepherd" today? You'll be glad you've become one of His "sheep!" He's a wonderful "Shepherd!"

Pslm. 95:7-8a For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, .......

-The Fundamentalist, Sept. 1979

The Fellow Living Beside

Do you know the neighbor who lives in your block?

Do you ever take time for a bit of talk?

Do you know his troubles, his heartaches, his cares,

The battles he's fighting, the burdens he bears?

Do you greet him with joy or pass him right by

With a questioning look and a quizzical eye?

Do you bid him "Good morning" and "How do you do?"

Or shrug up as if he was nothing to you?

He may be a chap with a mighty big heart

And a welcome that grips, if you just do your part.

And I know you'll coax out his sunniest smile

If you'll stop with this neighbor and visit awhile.

We rush on so fast in these strenuous days;

We're apt to find fault when it's better to praise.

We judge a man's worth by the make of his car;

We're anxious to find what his politics are.

But somehow it seldom gets under the hide,

The fact that the fellow we're living beside

Is a fellow like us, with a hankering too

For a grip of the hand and a "How do you do?"

With a heart that responds in a welcome sincere

If you'll just stop to fling him a message of cheer.

And I know you'll coax out his sunniest smile,

If you'll stop with this neighbor and visit awhile.

By H. Howard Biggar

The Sins of Anxiety, Worry, and Fretting!!!

Matt. 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

The waste of it! The uselessness of it! All the worry that ever got itself accomplished in this weary, worrying world; all the sleepless nights; all the burdened days; all the joyless, mirthless, peace destroying, health destroying, happiness destroying, love destroying hours that men and women have ever in all earth's centuries given to worry, have never wrought one good thing.

It was all evil and only evil. It shut out the face of God, the loveliness of nature, the joy of love and the compensations of life. It poisoned the peace of others and cast its hateful shadow over other lives.

The very point of the sin of worry, the very reason why it is the basest, most cowardly of sins, is that it darkens the lives we are most responsible to bless - and all for no good, but only to blight and wrong.

The amazing thing about it is that no one is convicted of this mean sin! Good people live in it and with no sense of the outrage which it involves against the love of a kind, heavenly Father and against the rights of others!

By C. I. Scofield

How Deep is Your Devotedness to God???

Our devotedness to God should be:

1. With our spirits - 1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
2. With our bodies - Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
3. With our members - Rom. 6:12-13 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
4. With our substance - Prov. 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
5. Unreserved - Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
6. Abounding - 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.
7. Persevering - Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
8. In life and death - Rom. 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.