Sunday, December 24, 2006

Good Will Toward Men!

     “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
     Mary was a virgin as told in Isaiah 7:14: “14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Immanuel means “God with us.”  God sent his only son to earth in the form of a baby that grew into a man to be sacrificed for the sins of the whole world.  But not only did he die, but rose again and conquered death that those who believe in him could do so also.  
     He’s no longer the baby in the manger, nor is he walking the dusty roads of Galilee, nor is he still on the cross as depicted in some statues, but is now on the right hand of God, his Father, making intercession for the saints.  “Hebrews 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25  “Romans 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27  “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; “Hebrews 10:12  
     We can pause to remember the baby in the manger, but we should remember where he now is and what is coming.  He is coming back for his people and to judge the earth.  Christmas is a wonderful time of year but a Christian can have Christmas all year through!  We can serve and adore the Master who will some day come for us.  “14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas to all and if He is not in your heart, let him in!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

The Nation Turning Left

While some of the data and my hopes which I felt were also something kin to the Holy Ghost felt that the right would keep the House and Senate, that didn't seem to happen, or at least the House at the time of this writing. God knows best. The nation is turning more to the left and the hour is getting darker but it is time for the Christian's light to shine. "14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
." Matthew 5:14-16
The world can stand in the middle of a political debate, but cannot stand long in the pressence of the Holy Ghost when he is moving on them. This is more hope to us than any one person in government.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

The End Time


There is concern by many regarding the times we are living in, especially relating to the last days, the Mark of the Beast, and how this will fit in with our nation.  While I do not claim to have all the answers, I may be able to provide some, and those are based on Bible study and the basic consensus of more learned men down the ages.  We have to first establish that our findings and opinions must be based on the Bible, God’s word.  It is the only real authority.  Without using the Bible as the sole authority, it will only cause confusion.  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17  

God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to earth first as a man as he took on the form of a servant.  “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”  Philippians 2:5-7.  He took on the form of man and was obedient unto death, the death of the cross so mankind could be freed from sin and certain death and judgment.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  God gave his son that we might have life if we’ll take it as it is written, “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.” Romans 10:9-10  On his name, and him only can man be saved.  The Apostle Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12  

Now it is apparent that he will come back someday as he said many times when on earth.  “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3  He will come again and there are numerous scriptures regarding this.  The question is, when, and what happens between now and the time he returns.  

There is coming upon the earth a period know as the tribulation period.  It will be a seven year period when Satan will have rull rule on the earth through a world leader.  Prior to that period, it is felt by most that the believers will be taken up with Jesus.  This is referred as the rapture of the church.  Here is an account given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.  “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.   For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  Those who have Christ in their hearts must be ready for that day.  

After that, the tribulation period starts.  The  Mark of the Beast will happen sometime during the second part of the seven year period.  Daniel 9:27 says the following, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”  While this may seem a little vague, it refers to the last seven years or “week” where the anti-Christ ruler will break his covenant with Israel.  At the end of the seven years, men will become so bold they will think that they can literally fight against Christ in person.  This is referred to the battle of Armageddon.  “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”  Joel 3:12-14  Christ will judge the nations there.  

He will then reign on the earth for 1,000 years.  Revelation 20:6 says, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”  The remainder of that chapter tells of Satan being released from his prison, or the bottomless pit, at the end of the thousand years.  He will cause a rebellion only to finally earn his place in the lake of fire.  Then all those who are not written in the book of life will be judged and they will join him there.  12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:13-15  Is your name in the book of life?  

So, to sum this up, the Mark of the Beast will probably be given during the middle of the tribulation period.  If you are a blood-bought child of God, believing on Jesus Christ to save you, then you should be out of here before then.  As far as our country is concerned, it is a little more difficult to say.  I can tell you that we, as a nation, are not really the key players in the times of the tribulation so I personally feel that we will not be a world power then.  I also strongly feel that we will be judged as a nation for the sins that we are allowing to run rampant and for the laxness of the church to fight them.  We were once a Christian nation but no more!  While we have a God-fearing president, soon that will all change and our nation will be enveloped into darkness, with a darker government and one that Gid will no doubt use to pour out his wrath on.  Ifamily:Arial;">
Why do people hate George Bush?  Is it the wor in Iraq?  That’s only the surface reason.  The root cause of their intense hatred of the man is that he stands for some Bible-based values and claims to be a Christian.  While I can say that he has not done everything right, what president has.  However, he has stayed the course and not backed down to defend Israel, not backed down on his Christian beliefs and has not been dazed by public opinion, either when it was high or low.  For this, God will honor him and keep the powers that be until he is finished.  

This only scratches the surface regarding the topics mentioned above and much more detail should be given on each however this blog is long enough.  I try to keep these fairly short so people don’t get weary reading them.  As always, if you have questions or comments, email me at rapurdy@cox.net.  

Saturday, October 28, 2006

If

“If”
All promises of the Word of God are built on conditions.  This promise is also built the same.  The conditions are outlined here.  

“my people”
Who is God talking to here?  “My people” refers to his church.  True, he spoke this to King Solomon almost three thousand years ago but the promise is for the church today as the formula for revival in a land is still the same.  It is the church that is the fault for the immorality and the vast amount of wholesale sin that runs rampant in our country.  It is the church that sat back while the Bible was taken from our children in schools.  It was the church that failed to stop the lawful slaughter of babies so that now in some states while 16 year old girls have to get written permission from their parents to go to a tanning bed, they can get an abortion without their parents consent.  It is the church who has failed to preach and teach the Word of God so now homosexuality is fast being an accepted life style with same sex marriages being legalized in various states and one day, nationally.  It is the church, or “my people” who have loved to be so much like the world that the world has taken over the church.  They have become like Laodicea who “are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;” but are unaware that they, and I should say we, since I’m a part of the church, are unaware that the church in the United States has overall become “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”  See Revelations 3:14-20.  

“which are called by my name”
This narrows it down as to who is referred to as the church here.  This applies to those of us who say that we are Christians.  That is pretty clear.  I know that someone will say that this is the Old Testament and the church was under law then.  That makes no difference as the rule still applies today as I mentioned above.  

“shall humble themselves”
Lets be honest with ourselves.  We Americans are some proud folk.  This has, of course, spilled into the church of Jesus Christ.  “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” See 2 Peter 5c.  God’s grace for America is fast running out.  He will judge this nation and we should not think that we will escape if we are not walking in his light.  1 Peter 4:17 says, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”  We must humble ourselves and not be caught up on the pride of this world.  To humble ourselves means to have an open heart ot the gospel and the Word of God, submitting ourselves to Christ in sincerity and truth, and realizing our dependence on him.  Lip service is not enough for God knows our hearts.  Another way of humbling ourselves is fasting.  This is not something that was just done back in the dark ages but is expected of Christians now.  While I could go on at more length with this, it is sufficient to say that fasting is a very important part of the walk with Christ.  I love to eat just like everyone else and I don’t claim to be a model faster by any means, but I know it is important in our walk.  Through the years I’ve tried to push it back in the background but as this planet streaks closer to judgment and Christ’s return, I realize that it is very important.  Fasting is meant by abstaining from food, now something you wear or an activity.  It goes hand in hand with prayer.  Many Muslims fast during the day on Fridays but we have a hard time just going without a meal!  

“and pray”
All the above is of not much avail without prayer.  The church in general has forgotten how to pray.  The art of intersession is gone.  No one “prays through” anymore but instead goes to a counselor who can only give some relief.  “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”  Jeremiah 6:14  when is the last time you’ve spent more than even fifteen minutes of uninterrupted prayer.  How many spend an hour a day?  How many full time preachers spend two hours a day at prayer?  We in America are so proud that we feel we have it together so we don’t need to pray, but we don’t.  We’re loosing the battle and will never prevail until we get back on our knees as a church and realize our dependency on Christ.  The church is good at supplying sports teams, suppers, parties, and all other activities, but what about the prayer meeting?  Are you aware that the outward battles are only a show as to what is going on in the heavens.  We blame the President for problems in Iraq but where does the fault really lie!  Ephesians 6:12 says, “12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (Underline is mine).  “3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5  There are other proofs of this such as in Daniel chapter 10, Isaiah chapter 20 and others.  Until we learn that as a church, we will never really pray.

“seek my face”
It’s not enough for the church to humble herself and pray, but to also seek God’s face.  How is this done?  By reading and applying his Word.  I have talked to people who have spent their entire lives in church and yet have very little knowledge of the Word of God.  The fact that some main line denominations are discussing the option of having homosexual preachers is a telling example.  We feel like we’ve become pretty smart and many times know more than God.  I’m afraid that church has become as Paul writes in Romans 1:22  writes “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”  He also states in 1 Corinthians 3:18  “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.”  It takes humbling ourselves and prayer for us to be able to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“turn from their wicked ways”
This is very simple.  We must apply in our lives everyday what we receive from God.  Many churches who were once places where the Bible was preached and lived out daily have become nothing but fronts for social concerns and promotion of a socialist society.  How did all this happen?  By not doing the above.  It is not enough to say, “I believe,” but we must apply it in our lives.  James 2:18 says,  “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”  

“then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”
God will hear our prayers, will forgive the sin in our lives, and heal the land.  It’s just that simple.  The country I love is heading for judgment.  We can blame the politicians, the judges, or anyone else, but I’m afraid the fault lies in God’s people, the church.  

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

America's Peril


The liberal media and Hollywood has done a great job of massaging the minds of Americans into thinking that things are bad, real bad. Well, if the liberals gain control, as they say, "You ain't seen nothin' yet." May I also add, for those who believe in the power to pray, pray for the elections each day from now until election day. However, one more word: Although we need to take seriously who will be governing us, one thing is for certain - God reigns in heaven with Jesus Christ his Son and will one day return no matter who is ruling.

The following is taken from the AFA Action Alert.

How important are the upcoming elections? Extremely important! Below is a list of what we can expect if the liberals win. These elections are crucial. It is vitally important that you vote. Please vote and encourage others to do the same. As bad as things are, they will be infinitely worse if the liberals win. The strategy of the liberals is to get Values Voters so disgusted and discouraged that they will not vote. If that happens, the liberals will have achieved their goal and they will be running our country. Here is what we can expect if the liberals win:



  • Amnesty for 12,000,000 illegal immigrants.
  • A push to make homosexual marriage and polygamy legal in all 50 states.
  • Only liberal judges will be appointed. They will create laws to implement the social agenda liberals cannot get passed through the legislative process.
  • Liberals will make the killing of the unborn more difficult to stop.
  • Liberals will continue to try to rid our society of Christian influence, including any reference to God in our Pledge and on our currency.
  • A return to the "Fairness Doctrine" in broadcasting where opposing views must be given equal time. Every conservative talk show host will be forced to give a liberal equal time on every issue. The purpose of this rule will be to shut down conservative talk shows.
  • An increase in taxes to push new social programs.
  • Passing a new "hate crimes" law making it illegal to refer to homosexuality in a negative manner.
  • Liberals will give terrorists from other countries who try to kill Americans the same rights American citizens enjoy under our constitution.
  • We will withdraw from Iraq, sending the message to the terrorists that if they will just be patient they can win and bring their terrorist acts to the U.S.

Go Vote! Encourage Others To Do The Same.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Soul Checkup


Recently, I was at the doctor’s office to get a referral for a specialist whom I regularly see.  After the doctor promised the referral, he then made me schedule an appointment for a routine checkup which, we are told by the medical community, should happen once a year.  He referred it as “routine maintenance.”  Many do well to keep their bodies in shape by exercise, eating right, and even getting regular checkups, expecting to live long, productive lives. While this is complementary, we have to understand that this life will only last for a short time.  The Psalmist wrote, “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told,” Ps 90:9.  Jacob, who lived 147 years, called his life a “pilgrimage” when asked by Pharaoh as to how old he was, then being only 130.  In James 4:14, our lives are referred to has a “vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”  
Seeing that our time here is so short, doesn’t that make eternity seem longer and more important to focus on knowing that we will live forever somewhere, either in Heaven or Hell? it then seems a prudent thing to do to prepare for eternity now.  These are the things that must be done.  
First, we all must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.  We must confess our sins realizing that we were born into sins and ask his forgiveness then take him as our Lord and Savior. “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 3:3.  Being “born again” is asking Jesus into your heart to be your Savior and Lord.  You must start a new life in Christ and walk with him daily.
We must continue in the faith as our Lord said in John 10: 27-28. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”  No man shall pluck us out of his hand as said in verse 28 if we meet the condition of verse 27 which state that we must hear his voice and follow him but we must meet that condition.
Wandering sheep stray from the path and it is possible that they may never get back into the fold.  While the son was in the far country, as told by our Lord in the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, he was not in the presence of the father.  Only when he came back did he again gain the father’s presence.  
We must then ask ourselves, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2)  The twelve disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus believed but only knew of John’s baptism.  The Apostle wanted them to know he had something better.  They were then baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, saying that to signify that it was Christ’s baptism not discounting the Father and the Holy Ghost, and were filled with the Holy Ghost and “they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”  This manifestation is still good today and should be held as the evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost.  May we continually go back to the fountain when it is flowing and get a re-filling!

This comes to the fourth point that is so necessary for a Christian to keep following the Master and hear his voice.  That is to take time for self-examination in the mirror of God’s Word.  I mentioned the yearly checkups for the body, but how about a time when you set aside some time for a checkup on the soul which will live forever?  When reading the diary of David Brainerd, one can not be amazed by the number of days that he set aside for prayer and fasting for self-examination through God’s Word and the Holy Ghost.  In Hosea 10:12 we read, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you”.  Follow ground is ground that has either been plowed and not seeded, or ground that has been inactive.  When we set ourselves apart for some time alone with God for our spiritual checkup, we are breaking up the fallow ground.  When that ground is broken up, there may come forth seeds of another ministry or opportunities that God will give us that otherwise may not be.  Sit down for some hours alone with God and the Bible.  Set aside some days of fasting and clear the calendar for God for those days.  Many times, attitudes and spirits creep in to our nature and we become dross instead of gold for the Master.  It will allow us to get the “spiritual weeds” out of our lives and  that sin “which so easily besets us,” so you and I can “run with patience the race that is set before us,” Heb. 12:1.  Break up that ground and see what’s in store for you!

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Have You Received The Power Since You Believed?

     “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  (Acts 2:4)
     This well known scripture gives the famous account of the Holy Ghost’s first falling on believers of Christ on the day of Pentecost which occurred about fifty days after Christ’s resurrection.  
     Jesus foretold his disciples that this would happen.
     “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49  This was given so that they could “receive power” and be “witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8  
     We can continue to read accounts of believers being baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues throughout the book of Acts.  
      “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”  (Acts 10:44-47)
      “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)
      “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” (I Corinthians 14:18-19)  
     While the revival in Samaria recorded in Acts 8 does not specifically say they spake with tongues when being filled with the Holy Ghost, it does indicate that there was some kind of manifestation the occurred when believers were filled.  “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”  (Acts 8:17)  Obviously, something very definite happened when the believers were filled with the Holy Ghost or else they wouldn’t have known that they had received it.  
     From these accounts then, we must conclude that being filled with the Holy Ghost a work of grace that should follow after one is saved, and that when filled with the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, there is evidence by speaking in a heavenly language or other tongues.  If you have been told that you just have the Holy Ghost by faith and yet this has not happened, you do not have the Holy Ghost according to scripture.
     Now I want to make one thing perfectly clear.  Tongues are not the only manifestation of the Holy Ghost nor should they be misused.  Just because they have been over emphasized in the past does not make them void today.  But the fact that we can just “believe that we have the Holy Ghost” without any manifestation is totally false and unscriptural.  It is a definite work of grace and when someone has been filled with God’s spirit there has always been a noticeable change.  Don’t be short-changed by just “believing” you have something when you really don’t, according to scripture.

WHY THE EVIDENCE OF TONGUES ANYWAY?
     Many will say that manifestation of tongues were given specifically for evangelizing the world in the time of the apostles, but is now no longer needed.  Why then, did Paul say he did not speak with tongues much in public as indicated above in I Corinthians 14:19?   First, speaking in tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost as pointed out above.  So what can be done with them after the initial infilling?  
     The scripture tells us that when we speak in tongues in prayer, it edifies, or builds us up.  “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.”  (I Corinthians 14:1-4)  This passage tells us that tongues were not made to speak unto men as no one could understand what was being said.  However, they could be used in private prayer for edification or building up oneself in the Lord.  
     Jude 1:20 says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,”  We are being built up in order to be witnesses and have power to live for God when praying in the Holy Ghost which is in tongues.  Do we need built up? I know I do!  So when we refuse to except this part of God’s blessing, we are refusing his help to live for him and a chance to get closer to him.
     There is a gift of tongues which are part of the nine gifts of the spirit but we are not dealing with that at this time to save from confusion.  Even that must be used discriminately when in public worship and is subject unto the user.  “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1 Corinthians 14:32)  This, I believe pertains to all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  

ARE THEY FOR TODAY?
     “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (I Corinthians 13:8)  Many use this scripture to argue that tongues have ceased.  They say that the scripture says that prophesies shall fail and tongues cease.  That’s true, but knowledge shall also vanish away.  When did all of this happen?  Do we have knowledge today?  Of course we do!  So we also have tongues, prophesies and the other gifts of the spirit in operation.  It is funny how men will take part of a scripture and use it to satisfy a false doctrine but yet ignore the rest.
     Peter said of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, “…..Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Act 2:38-39)  Notice he didn’t put a time limit on this and so as long as souls are being called by God and being saved, this promise is valid.  

WHY DON’T WE SEE THESE HAPPENING IN THE CHURCH TODAY AS A WHOLE?
     Satan can appear as an angel of light.  Many things that have occurred that seemed to be in the Spirit of God were not, but were in error.  It is true that there is a great deal of phony gifts and other things done supposedly in the spirit but there are phony $20.00 out there but you and I both know that we will still spend $20.00 when we have them.  In other wards, that doesn’t make the $20 illegitimate just because there may be some counterfeit ones floating around.  This should also be true with the things of God.  
     There has been much negative teaching and misunderstanding regarding the manifestation of the Holy Ghost.  This is due sometimes because of not fully knowing the scriptures as well as lack of exposure to the Holy Ghost power.  Woe to him who says that the baptism with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues is of the devil for our Lord said “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” (Mark 3:28-29)  
     Men have been taught in seminaries against the true baptism of the Holy Ghost so therefore have accepted this teaching without correctly consulting the scriptures.  
     Another reason is simply due to sin and unbelief.  God will not fill a dirty vessel with his Holy Ghost.  If he expected purity in the church then, he expects it now.  Even Pentecostal denominations are telling us that only a small percentage of their people are now filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues.  We are a backslidden nation with a backslidden church.  The baptism of the Holy Ghost was not wide spread throughout the middle ages due to the church’s falling into sin and superstition.  When it began to revive with men such as Martin Luther, John Wesley, D. L. Moody, and others, God again saw fit to pour out his Spirit in great measure throughout the world around the beginning of the 20th century.  The past 50 years have seen the church in America sliding down into a backslidden condition as a whole and with it, the withdrawing of the blessings of God.  “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17) We must get back to holiness and purity before Christ takes away our lampstand in this country.  “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:5  

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Our Risen Lord

I apologize for some of the double posts but the small application that I use to post the blog seemed to malfunction so I posted again to make sure everything got on.  Remember, Jesus Christ has risen and is now on the right hand of the Father making intersession for the saints.  “ Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)  The prince of this world is judged and will one day be cast into the lake of fire and all who follow him.  “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10 )  But those whose garments are made white by the blood of Christ will live forever in the presence of God and his Son.  “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8)

Let us walk that we may be worthy.  

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Notes

While I use this blog mostly for Bible teaching, let me record a few personal notes.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted and I’ve not had the time to post much lately.  We’ve been to Iowa where I grew up and had a nice visit with my mother, sisters, as well as some of the other family members as we had a reunion there.  We’re all growing older but to the believer in Christ that should just signal one day closer to Home.  

At work, we’ve been on the run sometimes even into the evenings.  This past Wednesday was such as I was doing an awareness presentation with a colleague in Lufkin TWC.  We had already done one in Livingston that morning.  This one got off to a late start as we waited for some of the attendees to arrive.  It was about 3:00 when I got the call.  I had just finished my part and was sitting down in the front of the room by the laptop computer and projector relaxing as Liz, was giving her portion of the presentation.  My phone vibrated so I looked at the caller ID.  It said Tiffany.  Tiffany is my oldest daughter who is married with a very cute 2 year old girl named Emma.  I wasn’t going to answer at first as I thought she was just trying to call me in order to reach her mother but I realized that she doesn’t usually do that and doesn’t call me during the day unless there is a real good reason.  I decided I better check it out so went out and answered.  She said, “Dad, I just wanted to let you know my house is on fire.”  I could tell by her voice that everyone was OK and I asked if she had called 911, and she had.  

Later that even we witnessed what was the remains of an older home in rural East Texas, no longer livable but only destined to be bulldozed down.  You really don’t realize how much you have and then need when you lose everything but the clothes on your back.  That realization hit home as we went to town to get things for them just to last them for a few days at least.  

Through all of this we know that God has his hand in everything and will meet their every need.  I also know that he will work this for his good.  

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Instructions For the True Believer

“Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.” Ezra 9:12

Do not marry an unbeliever. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

Do not seek their peace. What makes the worldlings happy is not what should make you happy. Your happiness is in the things of God and the blessings given by him, i.e., the Holy Ghost, prayer, the Word, a peaceful home, helping others
especially find the way of grace.

Do not seek their wealth. Your treasures are in heaven while theirs are here on
earth. Where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be. They will think it
a big thing to save up for retirement in a big way and some of them will obtain it
but many will not. Those who do, will only have a few felling years of pleasure
only to soon embrace hell.

You will be strong. Your strength will be in God and you will not fear the
constant fear of man. You will have power in the Spirit in order to see
deliverance to others.

You will eat good. You will be blessed and God will satisfy your mouth with good
things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. You will desire the things
of God and the things of his Spirit along with his word.
You will have an inheritance that you will leave to your children. Your children will pass on to their children

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

A Heart Toward israel

While I have already posted this on the blog, I felt it necessary to elaborate a little more regarding the future of Israel.  I also feel that “A Heart Toward Israel” is more appropriate.  

At this writing there is war between Israel and Lebanon.  It may be resolved by the time you read this, but it may not.  At any rate, let’s look at what the church’s  attitude should be toward Israel.  Let’s look at the Bible to get God’s insight on this.  First, we have God speaking to Abraham saying in Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  Abraham’s son was Isaac and Ishmael as well as others.  Isaac was the father of Esau and Jacob and Jacob was the father of  twelve sons who made up the twelve tribes of Israel.  Through the Jews came the Messiah from the tribe of Judah and our Bible was brought to us by the Jews.  

David said in Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”  He urged those to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel so shouldn’t we do so today?  While we can’t condone all they have done these past years since they have again become a nation, we must admit that they are a marvel as a people.  What nation can be split apart, driven from their homeland on two occasions, be a desolate land for years, then come back as a powerful nation as we see today.  They suffered two centuries of war from the crusades, and are suffering war and being threatened with losing land even now. What nation commands the world’s attention like Israel whose land mass is less than most of our states?  Jerusalem itself is said to have only a little over 700,000 people.  Doesn’t that make one wonder why the world keeps its attention on such a tiny country and why so many nations would like to see this tiny country pushed into the sea?  

Israel will have its place in the future as Christ will reign from there during the millennial reign.  Before that, however, the world and especially the anti-Christ must be judged.  The anti-Christ will set himself up as God in the temple that will soon be built in Jerusalem.  “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;   Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  It has been said that the materials and pieces of the temple are already in place, waiting to be put together. Judgment of the armies of the world will take place not far from Jerusalem as told in Joel 3:12-14.  “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Finally, Christ will reign from Jerusalem where the new temple will be located.  The central world government will be there and all the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.  See Isaiah 11:1-9, Rev 20-4-6 and Ezekiel chapters 40-48.  Scripture after scripture indicates that God has his eye on Israel whose heritage began with God’s special blessing and promise. As Christians, we should pray and have a warm spot for Israel in our hearts.  The city and country of Israel were important to God and us in the past, they are now, and will be in the future.  Again quoting a verse already mentioned, Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”  

Saturday, July 15, 2006

A Heart Toward israel

While I have already posted this on the blog, I felt it necessary to elaborate a little more regarding the future of Israel.  I also feel that “A Heart Toward Israel” is more appropriate.  

At this writing there is war between Israel and Lebanon.  It may be resolved by the time you read this, but it may not.  At any rate, let’s look at what the church’s  attitude should be toward Israel.  Let’s look at the Bible to get God’s insight on this.  First, we have God speaking to Abraham saying in Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  Abraham’s son was Isaac and Ishmael as well as others.  Isaac was the father of Esau and Jacob and Jacob was the father of  twelve sons who made up the twelve tribes of Israel.  Through the Jews came the Messiah from the tribe of Judah and our Bible was brought to us by the Jews.  

David said in Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”  He urged those to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel so shouldn’t we do so today?  While we can’t condone all they have done these past years since they have again become a nation, we must admit that they are a marvel as a people.  What nation can be split apart, driven from their homeland on two occasions, be a desolate land for years, then come back as a powerful nation as we see today.  They suffered two centuries of war from the crusades, and are suffering war and being threatened with losing land even now. What nation commands the world’s attention like Israel whose land mass is less than most of our states?  Jerusalem itself is said to have only a little over 700,000 people.  Doesn’t that make one wonder why the world keeps its attention on such a tiny country and why so many nations would like to see this tiny country pushed into the sea?  

Israel will have its place in the future as Christ will reign from there during the millennial reign.  Before that, however, the world and especially the anti-Christ must be judged.  The anti-Christ will set himself up as God in the temple that will soon be built in Jerusalem.  “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;   Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  It has been said that the materials and pieces of the temple are already in place, waiting to be put together. Judgment of the armies of the world will take place not far from Jerusalem as told in Joel 3:12-14.  “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Finally, Christ will reign from Jerusalem where the new temple will be located.  The central world government will be there and all the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.  See Isaiah 11:1-9, Rev 20-4-6 and Ezekiel chapters 40-48.  Scripture after scripture indicates that God has his eye on Israel whose heritage began with God’s special blessing and promise. As Christians, we should pray and have a warm spot for Israel in our hearts.  The city and country of Israel were important to God and us in the past, they are now, and will be in the future.  Again quoting a verse already mentioned, Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”  

"De Vinci" or "Da Vinci”


My answer, whatever!  There was no intent to make De Vinci a Spanish name.  The point is this:

  1. The whole “Da Vinci” thing is false and blasphemous.  The church obviously did not care or couldn’t pray enough to keep it out of our country.  

  2. Hollywood will stoop to anything to make money and come across with their godless views.

  3. There is one true God, the God of the Bible.  He’s not someone or something we can create in our own imagination to be what we would like him to be.  His thoughts, intents, plans for the future, desires, and expectations are all in his Word.  There are places in the world where people are risking their lives simply to have this Book.  Will we come to that place in America?

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Why Art Thou Cast Down?

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”  Psalm 43:5

This life can become very depressing.  You may be going through things that have come upon you brought about by no action of your own.  Other things in life come our way due to the result of some of the decisions we have made in life, and this also may be the case with you.  Whatever the reason, there is no reason to live without hope like may others are doing in this world.  

We all have been through trying times and whether you are a Christian or not, you will go through other valleys in your life like the rest of us.  David was going through a great valley when he asked the question, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?” His thoughts were continually surging forward, sometimes in mere depression and sometimes even in anger and bitterness, yet he was a child of God!  But when he came to himself, he realized where his hope lay, in the Creator, Author and Finisher of all things.  

Have you rested in this hope of Christ.  Have you asked him into your heart to become your Savior and Lord, admitting you’re a sinner!  Are you still waling in the light?  “7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:7  If you are, you still have hope.  If you haven’t ever really given your heart to Christ or if you just made a “decision” which amounts to a intellectual experience only, then you need to come to the Cross and cast yourself at Jesus’ feet in repentance, seeking his forgivness and excepting him as LORD.  If you have prayed at one time, giving your heart to the LORD, but have slipped back, you need to renew your faith and come back to him like the Prodigal Son came back to the father.  

Please remember the words in Hebrews 10:38  “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”  Saint of God, use your depressed state as a stilt for prayer and fly before the Lord, making your requests known before him.  “20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” Jude 1:20

Why Art Thou Cast Down

“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.” Psalm 42:5

At times we become discouraged and cast down in our souls.  This happens to those who believe and trust Christ as well as those who do not.  The difference, however, between the two is that we who trust Him have a refuge and hope for tomorrow.  Sometimes one faces things in life that there seems to be no answer to, and there may not be as far as the rational mind can conceive.  However, we serve the God who created the universe, and has all things under his feet.  He started all of this and he will finish it.  That’s for certain!  The important thing is, what, as man, will we do about this?  Will you continue to go on in your despondency and try to “party” your way out while only making the problem worse or will you fly to the Creator and Savior for help and strength who has all solutions to all problems!  

If you’re down in your soul, you’re not the first.  David was as you can see from the verse at the beginning.  Others were as well but they had a hope in God and could feel it in their souls as they prayed.  Living for Christ is not just an academic experience but an experience of true life and the power of his Spirit.  One can only feel that power when he/she actually gives her heart to him and trusts in him as Savior and Lord.  

Monday, June 26, 2006

Out of Captivity

“Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.” Psalms 126:1

Many times Israel cried out with this Psalm to be delivered from captivity. They had been in captivity during the time of the judges, the time of the kings of Judah and Israel, and last into the foreign lands.  This was all because they refused to keep the law and commandments of God but went the way of the desires of their hearts.  

Today, much of the church is in captivity being drunk on the pleasures of this world, self-indulgence, self-seeking, and lust for money and recognition.  She’s drunk on the flattery of the world and has left off the Word of God in general.  There are prayers for salvation but only decisions not true conversions.  There are no life changes, no sanctification or consecration.  Those words are mostly in the past now.  The church is drunk on its own self-imposed beauty, backing away to see the wonderful works that its done, attributing it to “God” when it was done on their own professional wisdom.  The church has lost contact with God in general and doesn’t even realize it.  Truly the protracted prayer meeting and times of consecration are mostly in the past.  Revive us again Lord Jesus!!!

Saturday, June 24, 2006

How Great Is Our God

Psalms 89:11  The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

It is an awesome thing to consider how great God is.  He has always been here, he lives today, and he will be here forever.  It’s beyond human comprehension and reasoning.  Isaiah asks in Isaiah 40:12, “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?”  All the waters of the earth are measured in the hollow of his hand. He can hold them all!  Think of it!  He can measure the heaven with just his hand and easily measure the dust of the earth.  Weighing the mountains and hills are no problem to him and all the nations are but a drop in the bucket to him as we read in the 15th verse of the same chapter, “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.”  All of this is nothing to him.  He made it all and he will have the last word.

Then why do we worry?  He saw that man could not join him in heaven so he even sent his Son as a sacrifice so we could have a way through Christ.  What a thoughtful God and Father and what a Lord and Christ!  If we are truly his children, we now have access to his throne.  If you wanted to talk to the President or Governor, you’d probably get rejected as I would.  Even talking to a congressmen is rare at best.  You may talk to your mayor and councilmen but unless you’re on familiar basis with them, the conversation will be limited.  But one can talk to the Heavenly Father through Christ any time and all the time if he wishes.  This is what pray is all about.  

Yet, we have a prayerless society and I’m afraid much of the so called church is just as prayerless.  If the average American says a table grace he feels he’s doing his part.  God desires communion with his children and if you’re one of his you should be spending time with Him.  “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”  Psalms 37:4  We’re missing out if we don’t, not only on blessings, but salvation for our loved ones, and perhaps eternal life itself.  

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Satan Is Cast Down

Evil is all around us.  Deception, misunderstandings, and gross error is ever present.  Many are buying the bill of goods the media is drumming out to them and many have bought into the Christian Humanism that has so easily infiltrated our churches.  Spiritual warefare is rarely talked about anymore, only programs, building funds, and new methods.  The church has forgotton how to pray, I mean really pray!  Not a five or ten minute prayer, but how about spending a half hour, an hour, a couple hours, maybe even a day or night alone with God?  

We are on the winning side, even though the devil may throw everything against us he can.  Jesus said in Luke 10:18 after the seventy came back rejoicing because the devils were subject unto them, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”  The devil has been thrown down as we read in Isaiah 14: 12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” We also read in Ezekiel 28:18 where God not only addresses the King of Tyre, but the devil who was working through him, “Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.”

The devil has lost his former place as an angel with God has taken the earth.  But only for a short time because the time will come when he will be thrown into the bottomless pit according to Revelation 20:1-2, ¶  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”  That’s not the end though because he will be let lose at the end of the thousand years millennium and will make war with the saints, only to be cast into the lake of fire forever!  Read all of Revelation 20 verses 1 through 10 and see for yourself.  

We may be in a battle now but take courage.  Pray, stand, believe, and keep looking for His appearing.  Satan knows the end of the story and has little time left, but if you’ve read the scriptures and believe, you know it too.  

Saturday, May 06, 2006

The De Vinci Code

The De Vinci Code

When the De Vinci Code came out a couple of years ago, I didn’t pay much attention to it.  I ran across it several time on Audible.com and read the first couple lines of the summary but went no further.  From what I gathered, it was just another way of man trying to tell us how to interpret the Word of God through something else that was discovered which may, or may not, have any value.  My attention was then caught again by it when an email came my way advertising a video refuting its claims.  Since this was a reputable source, I decided I need to learn a little more about this book that has seemed to captured the attention of millions, to where it will be released as a movie come May 19 of this year.  

To sum it all up and put it simply, the message in this book, which is a novel, is that Jesus Christ was a fabrication of Constantine and the fourth century church.  There are other claims such as the Bible not being real, there being a gospel of Judas and other outlandish things.  To put it quite bluntly, this book is trash!  You may ask if I’ve read it or will I.  The answer is no!  I can smell garbage without getting to close.  

Christ and the Gospel, the Word of God, and God himself have been here before Dan Brown and he’ll be here after he’s gone.  While this is disgusting to say the least, his is not the first attempt to undermine the Bible and it won’t be the last.  The problem is that America is swallowing it in like candy.  The church doesn’t seem to have enough power to stop the tide of deception, but is standing by while Hollywood takes it’s hand of deception and sacrilege.  

If you think I’m being hard, I am.  Not maybe at Dan Brown and the rest of those who will continue to wander down the path of destruction, as well as those teetering on deception and thus falling over the edge: but at our whole social fiber in America which used to be built on the basic teachings of the Bible.  It’s no more, and I’m convinced that America is no longer a Christian nation.  Does that mean we quit praying for her?  No!  I am grieved for all of this and I hope you are too.  If you are one of those being taken in by Dan Brown’s deception, remember what the great Apostle Paul said: 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, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16, KJV  

There are those who have been slain and being persecuted for even owning this great Book.  In America, we can own all the Bibles we want without interference. Satan has other ways of taking our eyes off Christ.  Watch your step!  The Lord is at hand!  

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Resurrection Sunday

Resurrection Sunday

It’s Easter or Resurrection Sunday and what a joy it is to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, although we can really celebrate this each day because he rose over two thousand years ago and will live forever.  I had spent this past week in Kerrville for a statewide training but with God’s help, I was able to get some spiritual refreshment through a couple of sermons that I had previously downloaded onto my personal laptop as wel as the spirit that I felt in the early morning hours of prayer before the events of the day started.  

But now that is past and we move on to another week, but with it the realization that we serve a living God who promises eternal life for all those who trust Him as Savior and follow Him.  John 10:27-28 says, “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.”  We first must trust in Him as our Savior and Lord then follow Him which means do what He says.  We know what He is telling us by reading and living His Word, or the Bible.  That is His Word and the Word we will be judged by in heaven for  David said in Psalm 94:12, “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law.”  The law that David had was only the first five books of the Bible known as the Pentateuch but less someone say that is only law, we read in the New Testament in Romans 2:16, “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”  The gospel is of course the gospel given to Paul written in the New Testament.  

When we realize that we have a book such as the Bible that will allow us to hear from God himself and that doesn’t change, we know that we have a God and therefore a promise that cannot change for Malachi 3:6  says, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”  We continue to receive God’s mercy.  If you do not know the risen Savior and your life is only full of empty dreams, hopelessness, and depression, trust in the living Savior, Jesus Christ and be made brand new.  

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Changing Times

Once again we have changed our time. We have “sprung forward” our clocks to the daylight savings time so we can have an hour more sunlight at night. In the fall, we’ll turn the clocks back and “fall back” an hour, re-capturing the hour we lost this spring. This isn’t new. We’ve done it for years. I remember when it first started. I was a boy in Iowa and only certain towns would have it. One town, named Washington, would have it but the rest of us wouldn’t so when I visited my grandma who lived near Washington and went their somewhat often, it always seemed strange to have to figure everything an hour ahead. You may not be aware of this, but there is one place that the time splits within the half hour. Strange, but true and who knows why, or at least I don’t.

Time is important to us, sometimes too important. We have time pieces everywhere. They’re on our microwaves, stoves, cell phones, radios, computers, cars, and anything else that man can figure out a way to attach a clock. And of course, we MUST have our watch and don’t forget the clocks on the wall and the big one over the fireplace. All these timepieces are not an accident. We demand it. We have to get it down by the hour. Even on our days off, we have to know what time it is. Why, who knows but we’ve got to know.

Time to God is not the same as for us. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8 What may seem like an “eternity” to us, is no very little time to God. Even in prophesy, we can find a gap of thousands of years between phrases. “6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: {several thousand years} and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

But, one day, time will be no more. “But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.” Zechariah 14:7 In eternity, time will have no meaning. The question is, where will you spend it?

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Fellowship

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

This means that if we walk in accordance to God's Word, we can have fellowship with Him, and also with one another. God is a "friend that sticketh closer than a brother," Proverbs 18:24.

It's a wonderful thing to have friends, people you can talk to and enjoy each others company with. Friends laugh together, play together, work together, and sometimes cry together. But you may be going through a time when you don't think you have any good friends. You may feel like you're alone. The feeling of loneliness sometimes overwhelms you.

Last night, we had a wonderful fellowship meeting. We seemed to all be in one accord and the spirit in the service and fellowship afterwards was wonderful. We all had the same common denominator, Christ and his love. But there are times when I feel all alone, maybe not physically so as I'm happily married and have four wonderful children and 5 grandchildren. But there are times when I, like everyone else, go through valleys that no one else can understand. Sometimes my wife goes through valleys that I don't quite understand and all I can do is encourage and pray. You may be in that condition now.

You're not the first, nor will you be the last. David felt this way and remember what Jesus said on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He was so alone that he felt even his Father had forsaken him. But I got good news for you. Maybe even the closest family member seems to have forsaken you, the Lord will take you up if you come to him. Psalms 27:10 says, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." The Lord will never forsake you if you don't forsake him. If you've not come to him, pray and ask him into your heart and life now. You'll never be forsaken by him if you let him guide you and if you trust in him

Saturday, March 04, 2006

David Encouraged Himself

“….but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30: 6

I realize I haven’t written much these past couple of weeks.  Seems like I just couldn’t get with it but I feel I need to try to be more diligent at it.  Also, we’ve been taking care of our grandbaby while my daughter, Tiffany, recovers from eye surgery.  The baby is back with the mama and Papa misses her some but glad things are a little more in normal sequence now.  I don’t know if anyone even sees these as I’ve not seen any response but maybe one day someone might be encouraged and helped by these blogs.

I preached on the above text Wednesday evening.  I went to a revival meeting in another near by city, the evangelist preached along these lines too.  I sense that many in the church boy are going through times of spiritual deadness or a desert if you will.  I know the feeling.  You try to pray but the heavens are brass.  You read your Bible but nothing comes to life.  You even try to miss a few meals but the blessing is only short lived, if there is any.  

David was in a place where he really shouldn’t have been.  In a strange city, although Ziklag originally belonged to the Jews, but now it belonged to the Jews’ enemy, the Philistines.   He had gotten there because he was weary of running from Saul and felt that refuge in a foreign land was better than continuing to live in caves.  I don’t blame him.  King Achish, king of the Philistines assigned Ziklag to him so there he settled.  Then the Philistines mobilized so they could go to battle against Israel.  David tried to go with the Philistines but fortunately for him the Lords of the Philistines would not allow it.  When he returned to Ziklag he and his men found it burn and their wives and children taken captive.  They wept for their wives and children then turned their attention on the possibility of stoning David since they felt he was responsible.  David could get no help.  He only could encourage himself in the Lord.  Read the story in 1 Samuel chapter 30.  

Sometimes that’s all one can do is remember how big God is.  Remember he is the Creator, the Author and the Finisher of all things.  Without Christ, what is there?  Encourage yourself in the past blessings and read the Psalms and apply them to yourself.  

The important thing is that David didn’t give up.  After encouraging himself, he received God’s guidance and they were able to recover all.  You may be going through something that no one, even your closest friend, or your spouse can quite understand.  But pour your heart out to God, even if you don’t feel anything because you know that God hears all.  The race may seem tough at times but in this race, the only way you can lose is quit.  Don’t give up!

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

The Word of God Part VII

“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”  Acts 8:30-31  

Phillip the Evangelist was told by the angel of God to “go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” (Verse 26)  As he was traveling, he saw the treasurer of Ethiopia riding in a chariot reading aloud from the book of Isaiah.  When Phillip asked him if he understood it, he expressed his hunger and yet his inability to grasp what he was reading.  As we continue to read the story, we find Phillip expounding on the scripture and eventually the eunuch gave his heart to Christ and was immediately baptized.  The Bible says he “went on his way rejoicing.”  He then understood the message that he was trying to read which was in Isaiah 53:7-8 which caused him to rejoice.  

While the eunuch could understand some of the scripture he was reading, he could not grasp the full meaning until he became a child of God.  This is because the Bible is not like any other book in that it not only is read from a literal sense, but things contained in it also must be spiritually discerned.  “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.” 1 Corinthians 2:14    There are many truths in the Word of God and they can only be discovered through God’s spirit.  One can read this book over and over and still not receive all that is in it.  I’ve read it through many times but still fail to grasp all of the truths and teachings hidden inside the pages of this great book.  

That is why Jesus said of those who talk of the Kingdom of Heaven, “Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:52   There are old truths that have been the foundation of our faith, yet we constantly discover new insights and teachings as well, like the scribe that Jesus was talking about.  

There is no piece of literature that compares to the Bible.  There is no one book that has as much merit as God’s Word.  It’s from this book that we’ll be judged.  The reason for the churches in the United States for drifting afar is because most have abandoned the Bible as the fundamental axiom for truth and doctrine.  We have been walking on the slippery slope of men’s opinions, the vote of the people, the swa of the world and have forgotten the very thing that can help us stand against the storms of the world.  

Thursday, January 26, 2006

The Word of God Part VII

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11  

There are many incidents and events recorded in the Bible.  These are historical accounts that are written for our admonition and to illustrate how man reacts in various situations as well as God’s attitude toward man’s behavior.  When we read of stories such as Saul’s conferring with a witch, David’s sin with Bathsheba, Samson’s laying with a harlot, and other accounts such as these, we must realize that these are only recorded to show the consequences of sin and the actions are not always condoned by God.  Read the Bible as fact and take the whole word of God as truth so you can fully understand why an event is recorded.  That’s why Paul told Timothy that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16  Read the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelations in order.  You can do it in a year by only reading three or four chapters a day.  There are treasures in that book that you will find that can be found no where else.  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46

Monday, January 23, 2006

The Word of God Part VI

PERSONAL NOTE: It’s been a couple of weeks since the last post due to my having some of my family here for some time as well as making a trip to the border last week.  

“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Psalms 119:160  

It has been said by many throughout the ages that the miracles recorded in the bible, such as the departure of the Red Sea, never happened.  It’s very simple.  If you don’t believe that God parted the Red Sea, sent manna to the children of Israel, sent the plagues in Egypt, and performed many other miracles recorded in his Word, then you can’t believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again.  You either take it all or none.  That includes the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, the nine gifts of the spirit, and holiness.  God’s Word is real and true and man may doubt it but we will be judged by this Book called the Bible.  The more men try to disprove the Bible, the more they have found it to be correct.  Even when giving historical accounts, it matches history and the recorded miracles in the Old and New Testament are real.  Don’t let some one who may have a degree from the local seminary, beter known as “cemetery” talk you out of it.  

“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.”  1 Corinthians 2:14    The preceding scripture gives the reason why many have so much trouble understanding and believing the Bible.  In order to read it and receive from it you must have the Holy Spirit to guide you and that can only be obtained by first excepting Christ as Savior and then continuing to walk and live for him.  …for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

The Word of God Part IV

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8  
It has been said many times, “The Bible is not relevant for today as it is only a history book dealing with the Jews in ancient times.”   However, the Bible is as real today as when it was written.  Many prophesies have been fulfilled but many have to be fulfilled thus making it a book of the past, present, and future.  It is a most interesting book.  I challenge you to read it through.  There are stories of heroism, battle, romance, and interesting historical accounts.  There are also practical suggestions as to how one should live and conduct a business, treat his fellow man, as well as what to expect in the future.  This is not a book of the past, but a book that lives on and on.  

There is comfort when reading the Psalms, advice when reading Proverbs, good practical teaching when reading the gospels, and most of all, it shows us the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ.  If you want to know the future, look at the prophesies as it is written, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  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 Peter 1:20-21  You may say you don’t understand everything in the Bible.  Welcome to the club.  I don’t think the greatest Bible scholar ever understood everything written.  That’s what is so wonderful about the Word of God.  You can read it over and over again and it comes to life, bringing a deeper message each time.  This book is alive and will continue to live!  Read it daily.