Synopsis of the Bible, the Word of God

This Book contains the Word of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy. Its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions immutable.

Read it to be wise. Believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.

Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed.

Christ is the grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.

It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of judgment.

It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgments, and be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents.

(Found on the fly-leaf of D. L. Moody’s Bible)

Are You Committed to Your Church???

From God's Word, we know the following statements are TRUE!!!

Jesus Christ started the church.....
Jesus Christ is the head of the church.....
Jesus Christ gave Himself for the church.....
Jesus Christ shed His blood for the church.....
Jesus Christ loves the church.....
Jesus Christ nourishes the church.....
Jesus Christ cherishes the church.......

Therefore, the church is very important to Jesus Christ.

If it is that important to Him, then it ought to be important to us!!!!!

How committed are we to the local church?????

Are you an active and committed member of a local church, or do you find it easy to make excuses about not attending church and instead "worship" and "serve" God in your own personal way???

Now, you do not have to answer to me...... simply tell God about your own personal thinking and committment regarding the church which Jesus Christ Himself established during His days here on earth. Does your thinking line up with the clear instructions for believers outlined in the New Testament Scripture???

Are There Different Pews in Your Church???

In most churches the pews look alike. But they are really very different.

THE CRITICAL PEW- This pew watches the pastor of the church with an eagle eye. The singing is too soft or too loud. The building is always too hot or too cold. The critical pew finds everything but the blessings of God.

THE IRREGULAR PEW- Sometimes this irregular pew is full; sometimes it is empty. The problem is that you never know what to expect from this pew.

THE CORDIAL PEW- This pew is always radiant like the sunshine. This pew greets other pews with genuine cordiality, extends a handshake to every visitor and listens with joy to the sermons.

THE PRAYERFUL PEW- This pew spends a moment or two with bowed head in silent prayer upon entering the church. This pew comes to worship and brings the spirit of worship with it into the church.

THE SLEEPY PEW- This is the pew usually occupied by those who watched the late show. There are many "nods" in this pew but there are seldom "nods" of approval.

THE BORED PEW- This pew is occupied by those who take no mental or spiritual preparations for the service. It seldom offers a prayer for the pastor or singers or that the message will be helpful. This pew is located very near the Critical pew, usually in the back of the church. Not much music comes from the bored pew and when the services ends, it complains that the spiritual meal was blah.

Which of these pews will you occupy when you come to worship in the Lord's house next Sunday?

How to Make Spiritual Progress

The complacency of Christians is the scandal of Christianity.

Time is short, and eternity is long. The end of all things is at hand. Man has proved himself morally unfit to manage the world in which he has been placed by the kindness of the Almighty. He has jockeyed himself to the edge of the crater and cannot go back, and in terrible fear he is holding his breath against the awful moment when he will be plunged into the inferno.

In the meantime, a company of people exist on the earth who claim to have the answer to all life’s major questions. They claim to have found the way back to God, release from their sins, life everlasting and a sure guarantee of heaven in the world to come.

These are the Christians. They declare that Jesus Christ is very God of very God, made flesh to dwell among us. They insist that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. They testify that He is to them Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption, and they steadfastly assert that He will be to them the Resurrection and the Life for eternity to come.

These Christians know, and when pressed will admit, that their finite hearts have explored but a pitifully small part of the infinite riches that are theirs in Christ Jesus. They read the lives of the great saints whose fervent desire after God carried them far up the mountain toward spiritual perfection; and for a brief moment they may yearn to be like these fiery souls whose light and fragrance still linger in the world where they once lived and labored. But the longing soon passes. The world is too much with them and the claims of their earthly lives are too insistent; so they settle back to live their ordinary lives, and accept the customary as normal. After a while they manage to achieve some kind of inner content and that is the last we hear of them.

This contentment with inadequate and imperfect progress in the life of holiness is, I repeat, a scandal in the Church of the First-born. The whole weight of Scripture is against such a thing. The Holy Spirit constantly seeks to arouse the complacent. "Let us go on" is the word of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul embodies this in his noble testimony as found in his Philippian epistle: "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (3:7-8, 10, 13-14).

If we accept this as the sincere expression of a normal Christian I do not see how we can justify our own indifference toward spiritual things. But should someone feel a desire to make definite progress in the life of Christ, what can he do to get on with it? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Strive to get beyond mere pensive longing. Set your face like a flint and begin to put your life in order. Every man is as holy as he really wants to be. But the want must be all-compelling.

Tie up the loose ends of your life. Begin to tithe; institute family prayer; pay up your debts as far as possible and make some kind of frank arrangement with every creditor you cannot pay immediately; make restitution as far as you can; set aside time to pray and search the Scriptures; surrender wholly to the will of God. You will be surprised and delighted with the results.

2. Put away every un-Christian habit from you. If other Christians practice it without compunction, God may be calling you to come nearer to Him than these other Christians care to come. Remember the words, "Others may, you cannot." Do not condemn or criticize, but seek a better way. God will honor you.

3. Get Christ Himself in the focus of your heart and keep Him there continually. Only in Christ will you find complete fulfillment. In Him you may be united to the Godhead in conscious, vital awareness. Remember that all of God is accessible to you through Christ. Cultivate His knowledge above everything else on earth.

4. Throw your heart open to the Holy Spirit and invite Him to fill you. He will do it. Let no one interpret the Scriptures for you in such a way as to rule out the Father’s gift of the Spirit. Every man is as full of the Spirit as he wants to be. Make your heart a vacuum and the Spirit will rush in to fill it.

Nowhere in the Scriptures nor in Christian biography was anyone ever filled with the Spirit who did not know that he had been, and nowhere was anyone filled who did not know when. And no one was ever filled gradually.

5. Be hard on yourself and easy on others. Carry your own cross but never lay one on the back of another. Begin to practice the presence of God. Cultivate the fellowship of the Triune God by prayer, humility, obedience and self-abnegation.

Let any Christian do these things and he will make rapid spiritual progress. There is every reason why we should all go forward in our Christian lives and no reason why we should not. Let us go on.

Taken from: A.W. Tozer's book Man: The Dwelling Place of God (What it really means to have Jesus Christ living in you).

Do It Now!!!

The Lord is winding up His work,
And time is running out;
If there’s something you must do,
Do it now!
If there’s something you must give up,
Do it now!
If there’s something you must tell,
Do it now!
If there’s something you must repent of,
Do it now!
If there’s pardon to be asked,
Do it now!
If there’s something to restitute,
Do it now!
If there’s money you’ve to re-pay,
Do it now!
If there’s work to be done for Jesus,
Do it now!
There’s such an urgency in heaven,
For time is running out, so,
If there’s anything you must do,
Do it now!
Do it now!
Do it now!


– Shiella

Righteousness Exalteth a Nation

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Many Christians are asking, "What can I do for my Nation at this time?" Are there any answers that we can solve? Yes, the Bible always has an answer. Let us read Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." You and I can live and promote righteousness.

We need Christian people to do the following:

1. We need people to have character.
2. We need people to have courage.
3. We need people to have convictions.
4. We need people to have commitment.
5. We need people to have a combat attitude.
6. We need people to get out of their comfort zone.
7. We need people to have compassion.

Friends, does your life and actions exalt our nation??? Are you bringing honor and glory to God our Father??? Are you standing for truth and right in this selfish, wicked world???

OCCUPY TILL I COME

Luke 19:12-13 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Jesus had been to Jerusalem a number of times, beginning when He was a child. But, this time was different. He would be mocked and rejected, then suffer and die for our sins, the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world. Because some of His listeners thought the kingdom of God would soon appear, Jesus spoke this parable to them. The meaning is clear. He would soon be leaving for a "far country" and would one day "return." As He departed, He would disperse His resources to His "servants" with a simple command: "Occupy till I come."

Thank God for the incarnation, sinless life, vicarious death, and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is salvation in none other. Today our Lord is seated in Heaven, but one day He will return. The return of Jesus Christ is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. Christians in the first century looked for the return of Christ. For two thousand years, believers have anticipated our Lord's return. Paul wrote to Timothy that there was a crown of righteousness laid up for those who "love his appearing" (II Timothy 4:8). Jesus is coming back. All indications show that He could come at any moment. We look forward to our being united with our Lord and loved ones who have gone before. We look forward to being free from this world of sin and our sinful flesh.

In the meantime, what should we be doing? The Lord's Word is clear; we are to occupy until He comes. To occupy means "to be busy, to busy ourselves with the responsibilities given to us." Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns, we are to continue to be busy about the business He entrusted to us. He has given each of us gifts and abilities to use for His work. We all do not have the same gifts or assignments, but all of us are equipped to serve Him. All are to be busy until He comes. There are many who talk, with apparent interest, in matters concerning the return of Christ; and yet they are not busy serving Him. There are others who served Him at one time, but have ceased to do so, for one reason or another. By the grace of God, we are to obey His command and occupy until He comes.

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

We Need Men Who Are .......

(Here are some devotional notes from our men's Prayer Breakfast presented by Bro. Stinnett Ballew on August 22, 2009 at our church.)

We need men who are.......

1. Fixed in their Salvation
2. Forgiven of all Sin
3. Fortified with the Scripture
4. Fervent in Supplication
5. Filled with the Spirit
6. Faithful in Service
7. Friendly in their Separation
8. Free in their Sharing
9. Following the Shepherd
10. Fruitful in Soulwinning

Or Would I?

If I had been Adam
When temptation was nigh
To disobey God’s command,
I would have obeyed, or would I?

If I had been Lot,
From wickedness I would shy,
I’d have never pitched my tent,
Toward Sodom, or would I?

If I had been Cain,
To God I would not lie,
I’d bring the proper sacrifice
To please God, or would I?

If I had been Jonah,
When sent to Nineveh to cry,
I would not have run away,
Or tarried, or would I?

If I had been Peter,
On me God could rely,
I would not have denied the Saviour,
Or forsook Him, or would I?

If I had been Demas,
Why, I’d rather die
Than to love this present world,
And forsake God’s work, or would I?

If I had been the rich young ruler,
There would be no reason why
I wouldn’t sell all to follow Christ,
I’d give Him my all, or would I?

Written by Harry Todd

If you don’t walk with God, you’re walking in the wrong direction!!!

ETERNAL INVESTMENTS

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Are we living for this present world or for the world to come? Are we investing in things that are temporal, or in those that are eternal? Jesus tells us that we are either laying up "treasures upon earth" or "treasures in heaven." One day, we all will depart this life. Thank God, through our faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death for our sins, we are promised an eternal home in Heaven. What will be there in Heaven when we arrive? According to the Bible, we can make investments in Heaven while we are living here below. The Scripture encourages believers to live mindful of the world that awaits us. We are not to be like those in the world who live only for the temporal pleasures and rewards of this brief life. The Bible tells us that our lives are like a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes away. In fact, everything in this world will one day be destroyed.

One promise we have concerning eternal investments is the permanence of those treasures, compared to the fleeting life of earthly investments. Another benefit of investing in eternal things is the immediate return in our lives. Although investing in Heaven will bring rewards for eternity, we are also promised that having our treasures in Heaven makes our hearts more heavenly minded. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Most of us can relate to this principle, having found ourselves mindful of things in which we have personally invested our time or treasure. This matter of eternal investments is something that relates directly to our life of faith. We make daily decisions based on our priority of serving the present or future world.

How is it that we can make investments in Heaven? We do so by giving of our resources, our money and time, for the cause of the Gospel and the salvation of the lost. These investments will last forever. As we invest our treasures in eternal things, we are learning to live for that which will never pass away. In turn, we find our hearts will be there also.

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

Salvation or Religion: Which do you Have???

Religion is not salvation!!! You may be religious and morally upright and still be a stranger to salvation. There are many people who build their salvation on religion. They think if they observe religious ordinances and do the best that they can, God will have to accept them. This will never give anyone eternal life or scriptural salvation.

You may belong to a church, be a church officer or a churchgoer, be an active church worker or trying your best, striving to do right; you may have been taught in God's Word, baptized in water and confirmed; you may have partaken of the Lord's Supper, taught Sunday School, preached, read the Bible - yes, and all the rest; but if you haven't been converted (Matt. 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.), you are still in your sin and are a stranger to the Lord Jesus Christ.


Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

There is only one way you can be saved, and that is by trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Perhaps you believe that Christ died on the cross for you and your sin, but you haven't trusted Him as your Saviour. Then you have not made use of what He has done for you.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Perhaps you have been trying to do your best but still have a longing in your heart for true peace with God. This peace will be yours as soon as you trust Christ to save your soul.

Just now, friend, trust Jesus as your Saviour and let Him save your soul!!! Religion is not salvation; only Jesus can give you SALVATION!!!

THE RIGHT FRIENDS

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

We are reminded in this Scripture that it is very important that we be selective about our friendships. Friends can be the source of great encouragement and positive influence, but they can be a negative factor as well. God clearly warns us of the effect that wrong associations can have on us: "a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Many have been deceived about the destructive influence of the wrong friends. This mistake is commonly made by young people, but adults should also recognize this warning. It would be wise for young people to respect and honor their parents' wisdom in respect of the choice of their companions. Sometimes others are able to see attributes or character flaws which we may not recognize. The Bible says, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (I Corinthians 15:33). Whether they are negative or positive, it is natural to learn the tendencies of our friends. The familiar adage is usually true, "you become like those with whom you associate."

Not only should we make certain that our choice of friends is pleasing to the Lord, but we should also strive to make every effort to contribute to meaningful friendships. In every relationship we have responsibilities. It would be very selfish to think that we could have a good relationship with others but not have to contribute to that cause. For instance, Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loveth at all times." A true friend will be there in good times and bad. We are to be faithful to our friends. If we want to have friends, we must be friendly toward others. "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly" (Proverbs 18:24).

True friendship also involves the willingness to give and receive reproof. "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:5, 6). We should want to have the kind of friends that will help us become all that God wants us to be. A godly friend will be concerned for our spiritual progress. Likewise, we should want to be able to help them in their spiritual pilgrimage, encouraging and supporting them. Of course, the best Friend we can ever have is our Savior. He is our constant Companion and Source of encouragement, counsel, and support.

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

Down in the Dumps (and Out of Them)

Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

When God's servants get into the dumps, we always find God points the way to deliverance.

1. When Elijah got under the juniper tree, the angel told him to "arise and eat." I Kings 19:5
2. When Paul was threatened with shipwreck, the Lord told him to "be of good cheer." Acts 27:25
3. When John was banished to the island of Patmos, the Lord revealed Himself to him. Rev. 1:11
4. When Jonah was in the belly of the whale, the Lord gave him deliverance as soon as he said, "Salvation is of the LORD." Jonah 2:9
5. When Joshua was on his face through defeat, the LORD said unto him, "Get thee up." Josh. 7:10
6. When Samson was grinding in the prison, the LORD caused his hair "to grow again." Judges 16:22, 28
7. When Israel was "groaning" in Egypt, Jehovah made them glad by bringing them out of it. Ex. 6:5

Christian friend, if you are currently "down in the dumps," look unto these examples above from God's Word and allow God to lift you up and begin serving Him again with a refreshed and renewed spirit!!!

SEEKING WISDOM

I Kings 10:24 And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

Solomon, the heir to the throne after his father David, was known for his unprecedented wisdom. Soon after Solomon became king, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Ask what I shall give thee" (I Kings 3:5). Solomon could have asked for riches, for long life, for the defeat of his enemies, or any number of other things. Instead, he asked for an understanding heart and discernment, or wisdom. God was so pleased with his request that He gave him the wisdom he desired and also promised Solomon great riches and honor. Solomon was renowned for his wisdom, writing "three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five" (I Kings 4:32). People traveled great distances to see the throne of Solomon and "to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart."

We all need God's wisdom, probably more than we realize sometimes. The Scripture tells us that Solomon's wisdom exceeded that of all the kings of the earth, and thankfully much of his wisdom is preserved for us in the Book of Proverbs. As people sought to hear the wisdom of Solomon, we should be seekers of God's wisdom. No one had more wisdom in his day than Solomon did, but "a greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42). Jesus is unsurpassed in wisdom and riches. I Corinthians 1:24 tells us Christ is "the wisdom of God."

God wants to give us wisdom, but He expects us to be seekers of wisdom. The Lord has wisdom for our relationships, our finances, our hurtful pasts, and for every area of our lives. God's wisdom is different from the wisdom of this world. Just as the world sought to hear Solomon's wisdom, we are to seek God for wisdom. James tells us, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally" (James 1:5). God is generous with His wisdom. Many of the family problems, financial problems, and relationship problems that plague God's people could be resolved if they would seek and apply God's wisdom. We should ask the Lord regularly for wisdom. As we read the Scripture each day and listen to Bible lessons and sermons at church, we ought to be seekers of truth, learning the ways and principles of God, that help us walk in His wisdom.

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

TRUTH SANCTIFIES

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

This passage is found in that glorious portion of the Scripture where Jesus prayed with and for His disciples just before His brutal and agonizing death on the cross. At this time, our Lord prayed about many things, including the disciples' relationship with the world. Immediately prior to our text, He said, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:15, 16). Jesus was concerned about His disciples and how they would be affected and influenced by the world. He did not pray that the Father would remove them from the world. God has a plan and a purpose for us. For now, it involves our being in this world. However, while we are in this world, Jesus wants to keep us separated from the evil influences of the world. We are to influence the world in a godly way, but Jesus does not want the world to have a huge influence on us.

We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Jesus prayed that we would not be worldly. The Bible describes Christians as "strangers and pilgrims" (I Peter 2:11). As the familiar hymn states, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through." It is clear that we are not to be like the world that we live in, but what is it that separates us from the world? The answer to that question is found in this sentence of Jesus' prayer: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." To sanctify means "to make holy, to purify, to consecrate, to set apart." Jesus wanted His disciples to be separated from the world, to be a holy people for God.

The thing that sets us apart from the world is the Word of God. God's Word is the truth. The truths about sin, love, marriage, and child training are found in the Bible. The truths about keeping ourselves honest and moral, about friendships, about our vocational lives, about keeping our words pure, and about proper appearance are in the Bible. If we will live according to the Word of God, we will live separate from the world. A person who does not respect the Bible, or desire to live according to it, will not understand Bible separation. However, a person who loves the Bible and wants to live by the precepts of the Scripture will be an answer to the prayer that Jesus prayed.

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

Paradoxical Commandments of Christian Leadership

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered; Love
Them Anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior
motives; Do Good Anyway.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and make true
enemies; Succeed Anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow; Do good
Anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable; Be Frank
Anyway.
6. The biggest man with the biggest ideas can be shot down by
people with the smallest minds; Think BIG Anyway.
7. Men favor underdogs but follow top dogs; Pull for a Couple
of Underdogs Anyway.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight;
Build Anyway.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you try to help
them; Help Them Anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in
in the teeth; Give the World the Best You Have Anyway.

By Howard Ferguson

Taking A Stand

Whatever the specific issue, vigilence is always the price of freedom. Here are three recommended questions a Christian should ask themselves if current conditions in their life require them to take a stand.

1. Am I taking the right stand? The right stand always lines up with the Word of God.
2. Am I standing in the right way? The right stand must be done in a way that pleases God.
3. Am I standing with a right spirit? The right stand must always be put forward with a Christ-like spirit that God can bless.

(These guidelines are detailed and recommended by the Christian Law Association.)

Twenty Cans of Success

1. Why should I say I can't when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)?

2. Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)?

3. Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)?

4. Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling, knowing that God has allotted to me a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)?

5. Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take actionbecause I know God (Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)?

6. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)?

7. Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)?

8. Why should I lack wisdom when Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it (1Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)?

9. Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God's lovingkindness, compassion and faithfulness, and have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23)?

10. Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)?

11. Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is (2 Corinthians 3:17)?

12. Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ (Romans 8:1)?

13. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)?

14. Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit (Galatians 3:13, 14)?

15. Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances (Philippians 4:11)?

16. Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)?

17. Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me (Romans 8:31)?

18. Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through his indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:33;2:12)?

19. Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ (Romans 8:37)?

20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations (John 16:33)?

HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD

Titus 1:9 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.

Paul's instruction to Titus regarding the ordination of pastors is timely for our day. They were to be men who were capable of "holding fast the faithful word." Pastors, also referred to in the New Testament as bishops or elders, must be grounded in the Word of God and able to resist temptations to compromise the principles and commands of the Scriptures. Paul refers to the words of the Scripture as the "faithful word." God's Word can be trusted. It has not changed, and it will not change. It is forever "settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).

We are witnessing rampant attacks upon the Word of God and blasphemous attempts to change the Holy Bible. The truth will remain because its preservation has been promised in the pages of Scripture. The words, "as he hath been taught," remind us of the importance of teaching and training as far as doctrine is concerned. We cannot hold fast the Word of God if we are not instructed and strongly convinced of its message.

Churches of the New Testament are identified as being pillars and grounds of the truth. The Lord's churches are to hold to the truth, teach and preach the truth, and spread the truth to our needy world. Unfortunately, there are so many places that claim the title of church where the Bible has little place or influence. This is a sad testimony of the state of religion in our society. People need to be taught the Word of God.

How can we stand against error unless we are equipped with the sound doctrines of the Bible? What does the Bible mean when it refers to our responsibility of "holding fast" to God's holy truth? We are exhorted to hold on to the words of Scripture because there will be forces determined to loosen the grip God's servants have on the Word of God. The devil wants to steal the Word of God from the hearts of listeners, as Jesus taught in the Gospels. The enemy is always attempting to erode our faith in God and undermine the authority of the Bible.

We must hold fast against the currents of compromise and the liberal tendencies that are so prevalent. We must tighten our grip on the pure doctrines of God's Word, and refuse to be swept away by deception and false doctrine, "holding fast the faithful Word."

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

The Truth

1 Tim. 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Believers are encouraged to be in prayer "for all men," including "all that are in authority," that our own lives might be "quiet and peaceable," as well as for their personal salvation.

God, who abhors and promises to judge sinful individuals, does not desire to punish anyone. His desire is for "all men to be saved," and He has done all that is necessary to bring this about, by paying sin's awful penalty of death. While not all will prevail themselves of this opportunity, choosing instead to continue in their own sin, our prayers somehow are used by God to bring some "to the knowledge of the truth."

The truth necessary for salvation follows:

1 Tim. 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

In order to be saved, we must embrace the fact that there is only "one God" who alone holds the key to eternity, and that there is only one way by which we can reach that God, "the man Christ Jesus." We, in our natural state, are at war with God, estranged from Him, and separated by the presence of sin in our lives. Christ Jesus, acting as our mediator, our peacemaker, our advocate, being both fully God ("one God") and fully man ("the man") bridges the gap between the Father and men.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

How has He bridged the gap? He "gave himself a ransom for all." The Bible teaches that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23) but that "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). Since He willingly "gave Himself" as a punishment for our sins, we can stand before God the Father in Christ's sinlessness.