Monthly Archives: October 2011

Thought for the Day – Trials

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Psalm 100:4-5, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (4) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (5)”

As I read these two verses this morning, the first thing that struck me was that we are to enter the Lord’s presence not only with a thankful heart but we must put action to that thankfulness by saying so and blessing Him. We have so much to be thankful for, my friend!

If you are one who looks at the world with a pessimistic viewpoint, you won’t be able to see why you should be thankful. In fact, you’re reading this and saying, “Yeh, RIGHT! Easy for you to say! You don’t know what I’m going through!” Do you truly believe that you are the only one going through trials? (Ecc. 1:9) Every believer has a cross to bear. Every last one of us has something they are going through. What makes you think that your trial is greater than someone else’s? Everyone is allowed the wonderful opportunity to deny himself and follow the Lord. In so doing, they “pick up their cross” [whatever the trial(s) of their life will be] and follow the Lord. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 Notice the word daily? It’s not a one-time thing – each day has its challenges and each day we must choose to take that challenge and follow Christ and His will for us.

I doubt very much any of us can say that we have been tried as much as, or even as close to, Job. If you haven’t spent time in the Book of Job, you should. You would glean so much and it would help you through your trials – especially if you are that pessimist. I know from my own experiences that each trial the Lord has allowed me to go through has built my faith in Him. The more my faith is built, the more I trust Him to take care of these and future trials. With this comes comfort – what’s in my heart will show on my face. The pessimist’s face reflects how he handles each trial – it’s written all over his face. He does not stop worrying or complaining. He does not spend the extra time in the Scriptures that he so desperately needs. He does not rejoice in the midst of the trial to encourage himself. This was true of Job when his friends came to see him. They didn’t recognize him. (Job 2:12) Now I can’t say as I blame Job because the trials he went through were enormously overwhelming. However, we still have something to learn from this.

Our trials are also a testimony to believers and unbelievers alike. They can see where our trust lies through our actions. Our trials also reveal who our true friends are – we saw this evident in Job’s own life. These friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu) didn’t lift Job up in his time of need. We must remember that our friends are sinners like we are and will fail us from time-to-time. We must also remember that we have a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother and that is Jesus Christ. (Prov. 18:24) He will NEVER fail us. Be careful where your counsel comes from in the midst of a trial. Be sure that all counsel aligns with the Scriptures before you act on anything. I’ve learned this through experience. We are not thinking at our best when we are in the midst of trial. It is best to wait on the Lord and let Him show us what He wants us to do. (Isaiah 40:31) The Lord is faithful and will show you what to do, whether through the Word, the counsel of your spouse, or your Pastor, etc. HE will encourage you!

My trials have always confirmed my faith in the Lord. After reading Job, I see that God restored his earthly possessions, his health, gave him more children and God even restored his marriage. Job was struck from all sides yet look how blessed he was of God because he depended on the foundation of his faith. How much more should we? We have the Scriptures to encourage us and speak to us! Are we tried more than Job was? I don’t think so. Are we tried more than those precious saints in Fox’s Book of Martyrs? I don’t think so. Yes, some of you are struggling with physical problems that seem to overwhelm you. But your trial is no greater than the dear woman who has gotten saved and yet her dear husband remains unsaved. I’ve been down that road and would never wish this on anyone. Yes, they are two different types of trials, but trials none-the-less. Each person feels as though their trial is the greater one. Each person feels as though they are at the end of their rope. Don’t belittle someone’s trial to make yours appear greater. If you are doing this, you are focused on yourself, my friend, and not on the will of God.

Remember, your “cross” (your trial) is yours! It’s not more than you can handle because that would make God a cruel God and we know that He is a faithful God. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13) Only you can glorify God through this trial – no one else. Do you take this trial as an opportunity to bring glory to God or to wallow in self pity? Do you take this trial as an opportunity to grow in your faith or do you run from it and smear God’s precious name in the mud? The choice is yours.

Thought for the Day – Unrepentent Heart

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Psalm 120-1-4, 7 [A Song of degrees.] In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. (1) Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. (2) What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? (3) Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. (4) I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. (7)

Have you ever been in a quandary like this psalmist? Have you ever been in a situation where lies were spoken against you yet the liar refused to see the error of his ways? If so, how did you handle it? Who did you run to? Did you run to others to gather your defenses? This psalmist ran to the Lord and cried unto Him. This is the perfect place to start, isn’t it?! God will deal with this offender – God will allow judgment to fall on this offender. God is not mocked.

The Lord is clear in His word as to how to deal with liars – with those who seriously offend us. Matthew 18:15-18 outlines it out for us:

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (Mat 18:15)But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Mat 18:16)

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Mat 18:17)

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Mat 18:18 )

There is proper order to follow in Christ’s church. Go to the offender alone. If he doesn’t listen, take one or two with you. If he doesn’t listen, bring them before the church. If they still do not listen, they are to be regarded as a “heathen” (Matt. 18:17) or a “publican”! Verse 18 is even more interesting. Matt. 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The Lord says that the offender may have moved on from your church to another, but if he still has not repented, his actions are “bound in heaven”! Once this offender repents, it is loosed in heaven. This offender may have moved on, possibly serving in another church, but his actions are still recorded and are still bound in heaven. How can his ministries be blessed? They can’t, not until he repents and his actions are loosed in heaven. I have read these verses many times but never associated verse 18 with the previous three verses. This is serious business!

I recently heard a message on church discipline – it sure isn’t a topic you hear very often! It is a needed message in today’s world. Our churches are filled with lackadaisical Christians. They come once a week and think they’ve given God their all. You also have those Christians who are whited sepulchers – they appear righteous on the outside but their insides are like dead men’s bones. One of Pastor’s comments stuck with me. He said that the Lord put these verses on church discipline there so that we would learn to fear Him. Surely, we cannot believe that we can continue in our sin and get away with it. No, no one is perfect. We all sin. (Rom. 3:23) However, Matt. 18:15-18 deals with those who offend another and are confronted with it.

Have you been offended by one of your brethren? Have you told them so? It could very well be that they haven’t a clue that they have sinned against you. Before you complain about it, pray about it! You then have clear instructions on how to deal with it in Psalm 120 and in Matt. 18:15-18. When you have gone to the Lord first and asking Him for wisdom and a heart for reconciliation, then you can follow the principles outlined in Matt. 18. With this inspired process, you chance to win a brother over. That teaches those who are spiritually immature to grow in the Lord. It teaches us to give grace to those who see their error and forgive them.

But, on the other hand, if that person is unrepentant, the Lord provides direction in how to deal with that as well. God does not leave His children in the dark. He is the God of light and truth. (John 12:46) He provides the proper guidelines for us. I’m so thankful that we do not have to react as the world.

Early in my Christianity, I was overheard by a believer when I spoke what I then thought was one of those “little white lies”! I praise God for that believer’s boldness toward me. She pulled me aside and corrected me and showed me in the Scriptures what I had done wrong. She was firm – but she was not rude. I remember that to this day. I remember how convicted and embarrassed I was and the Holy Spirit used that to “grow” me. If I had been prideful and refused to listen, I would have hurt not only myself but those I affected with my “little white lie.” Of course, there aren’t any little white lies – they are all lies. That would be what the father of lies would have us to believe. (John 8:44) A lie is a lie and I found that out quickly.

I praise God for pastors like mine who do not fear to preach the whole counsel of God! I can’t help but think of Ananias and Sapphira and how Peter discovered their lie.  The repercussions were severe – they were struck down dead because of it. Did it stop there? No. God used it in His church. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Act 5:11) As a church, we must fear the punishment that comes from sin and allow it to put fear into us of the judgment the Father would lay on us if we continue in sin. Pay day some day, as the old saying goes! The born again believer’s eternal security is secure but chastisement will come if we go unrepentant. Whew! This taught me not to mess around with God.

We don’t hear messages like this very much and we truly need to. The church no longer fears – we have lost our testimony to the unsaved world – we live like them and think that we will go unpunished.

Thought for the Day – Burdens

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Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

Oh what a blessing this verse is when one of God’s children is going through trials. Sometimes our burdens seem to weigh us down. But my friend, we born again believers have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and desires to relieve us of our burdens. The God of all creation wants us to call upon Him. As I pondered this thought, I did a search in my Bible software on the phrase “upon the Lord” – what comfort and joy the search results brought to me. Let me share some of them with you:

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. (2 Sam. 22:7)And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering. (1 Chron. 21:26)

Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. (2 Chron. 13:18 )

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Psalm 18:3)

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:9)

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. (Psalm 99:6)

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. (Psalm 118:5)

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. (Psalm 123:2)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31)

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (1 Cor. 7:35)

Our Father cares for His children so much and longs to have this close relationship with us. So many of us take this for granted and don’t go to Him with all our cares. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Pet 5:7) Don’t you desire to run to a place where the Father is waiting to listen to your every word? He is not distracted by the television. He is not indifferent to your needs. He will be as close to you as you allow Him to be.

Thought for the Day – He IS Great!

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Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (Psa 40:5) This morning, my spirit is overwhelmed with thankfulness and gratefulness to my Heavenly Father. My heart is overflowing with blessings because I have a Father who loves me and cares for me. His face do I seek for comfort through all my trials and His Word do I search for direction.

There is none like my God! He knows me personally – He calls me by name – He knows every single fiber of my being – He has the very hairs on my gray head numbered – He tells me that His yoke is easy! What yoke? The yoke of the Christian life. Once we are born again, he places His yoke upon us. Look at the picture above … notice it has two openings for the head? Does this not excite you? It does me! This shows me that my Jesus is right there alongside me, carrying the burdens, carrying my cross with me, helping with the load of care! Oh brother and sister in Christ, isn’t that just a spirit lifter? Oh how I love Psalms. As I read them, the Lord reminds me of verses elsewhere which tie in beautifully.

Jer. 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (11) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (12) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (13) Thank You, Lord, for being “right there” and so easily accessible. I no longer have to go through a high priest, priest or Mary – I have direct access to the Father through His Precious Son, Jesus Christ, my One and Only Mediator. You know my thoughts, my motives, my heart, my desires – there’s nothing You don’t know about me. Yet, You loved me anyway, despite my horrid sinful nature. My heart and my mouth will never cease to praise You!

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Thought for the Day – Are You Mortified?

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Col 3:5-10 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

I have been saved for 30+ years and I have never seen so many spiritually anorexic Christians as I do today :-( This is very sad because it tells me that something is wrong with Christianity today! It tells me that Christians would rather have a “fluff” relationship with God than one that strives to be more like His Son. This type of relationship is not good at all – in fact, it is one of a rebellious child trying to live with his Father as though nothing is wrong! He’s still a member of the family but he does not have a right relationship with his Father.

Being Christlike takes work on the part of the Christian. I’m not talking about salvation here. I’m talking about the born-again child of God who is lazy when it comes to responding to the Holy Spirit’s convictions on sin. This is what today’s text is all about.

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines the word, “mortify” as:

To subdue or bring into subjection, as the bodily appetites by abstinence or rigorous severities.
To subdue; to abase; to humble; to reduce; to restrain; as inordinate passions.
To humble; to depress; to affect with slight vexation.

The word death in French is “morte” (of Latin root). What if every Christian today would take his Christian walk seriously and would apply today’s text to his life? Many are not willing to put to death those things which they find pleasurable. Talk to the Christian who loves his wine or pipe.

Paul exhorts the Christians in Colossi to put into subjection their bodily appetites. Unfortunately, many cults use these verses as prerequisites for salvation. However, Paul says in verses 9 and 10 that the believer has put off the old man and those deeds Paul spoke of in verses 6-8. Paul goes on to say that the believer has put on the new man who now has renewed knowledge after the image of Christ! Anyone who is not mortifying his members is going to be at the devil’s disposal. He will be a weak Christian and will fall into temptation. (1 Peter 5:8)

You may say that you don’t practice the sins mentioned in Col. 3:5. But before you get high and mighty, Paul also includes several in Col. 3:8 that hit home for many Christians. The Christian who still curses or has an anger problem is one who does not put his body into subjection in order to honour the Lord Jesus Christ. I have actually had a Christian lady tell me that she can’t help herself when she ‘explodes’ but God’s word says differently!

If doing these things spoken of in today’s text does not cause a person to examine himself and his spiritual walk, something is not right. This person could in fact not be saved at all and trying to mortify his flesh would be futile. However, to the believer who has allowed himself to slip into these sins, Paul’s words, through the power of the Holy Spirit, should be piercing! (Hebrews 4:12) A Christian who finds himself at this point is a bad testimony to the unsaved world. Is it any wonder that people laugh at Christians? Why would they even be attracted to the Jesus Christ that we supposedly represent? If we don’t act any different that the world, what salt do we have to cause them to thirst? (Matt. 5:13) What light of conviction do we have to shine on the darkness of sin in their lives? (Luke 11:33)

What wonderful words spoken to believers today! Oh that we would take our spiritual walk seriously! What bodily appetites do you have in your life today that the Holy Spirit would like you to put to death? What nasty habit do you have? These verses would be of benefit to memorize! Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart through the powerful words of God. Take His prodding and apply it to your spiritual walk by mortifying your flesh!

Thought for the Day – Why?

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2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Today’s text may be confusing to the scoffer – it is a good excuse for him to say that the Bible has contradictions.  However, Paul does not say the gospel is hid; he says but if the gospel be hid. Our Heavenly Father wants every one of us to have an opportunity to choose eternal life through Jesus Christ, His Son. Why? Because God loves us. How much?

John 3:16 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.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Notice how the Lord does not want any to perish!  He wants that all come to repentance. It does not say He wants all to blab a prayer and live their lives like they did before. Repentance calls for and produces a change in one’s life (2 Cor. 5:17). Man’s religious system has devised, with the cunning help of Satan, where people can join their church and do a series of tasks that will give them warm fuzzies. They believe that surely these good works and deeds will be enough to outweigh the sin in their lives.

As Paul says, the god of this world has blinded them and they are content with that. These are the people to whom the Gospel is hid.  It is not hidden because of a cruel God, but it is hidden because they have chosen to follow after the delights of sin. They choose to continue in a religion that does not point its people to the saving sacrifice of Christ’s own blood and repentance.  They ‘muddy’ the living waters of salvation by adding man’s dirty works! When one truly desires to seek after salvation, God is sure to provide direction and help. Personally, I was going to end my life in a few short days. God knew this and sent my dearest friend to share the blessed Gospel with me! Had it not been for His great love for me, I would have entered Hell’s gates to spend eternity burning, screaming and no presence of the Blessed Saviour! Unbelievers have asked me many times how God can let a native in a dark jungle die without salvation. The same thing that happened to me happens to that native! If a native in darkest Africa can look at the heavens and realize there must be a Creator, God would do the same for him as He did for me. (Romans 1:20) He would send a missionary to share the precious Gospel!

How grateful I am that the Gospel was not hid to me (or to anyone for that matter)!! After my salvation, the desire not to sin was foremost in my heart. I desired to seek after the things of Christ and read my Bible faithfully.  It is during this time of much reading that I grew spiritually by leaps and bounds. This is what I recommend to any believer, new and old. God’s words are not hid from us! In fact, we are so blessed to be able to have His word in written form.  Practically every household has at least one Bible in their home. God made it easy for us and we should be ashamed if we do not take advantage of it.

God’s will, His word, and His gospel is not hid but it lies at our fingertips! Pick up the Book and read!

Thought for the Day – Willingly Ignorant

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2 Peter 3:3-7 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Have you noticed there are more scoffers today? I’ve been saved for 31 years and can’t say that I’ve ever read so many negative comments about Christianity. Worse still, there are scoffers amongst so-called Christians! Is it any wonder the world does not see us as a light that shines toward Jesus Christ?!

Just what is a scoffer? Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it as:

One who scoffs; one that mocks, derides or reproaches in the language of contempt; a scorner.

I was reading about the false predictions that the end of the world was to come this past May. The media had a field day with this and since then, I’ve noticed that the intensity of the media’s bashing is worse! ☹ How sad that these false prophets drag the name of Christ through the mud like this. The word of God clearly defines that a true prophet’s words will always be proven true. (Deut. 18:20-22) Therefore, our doomsday prophet’s predictions of the end of the world coming in May proved him to be a false prophet.

According to Peter’s words in today’s text, the scoffer is this way because he is walking after his own lusts. When one is seeking after the things of God through His word, he is fed and nourished by the Holy Spirit. He is fed spiritual fruit and truths. One scoffs God’s word because one isn’t IN God’s word daily. (2 Tim. 2:15) The scoffer pursues the world’s pleasures, according to Peter. Anyone who diligently seeks the Lord and His righteousness will not be fulfilling the lust of the flesh (his own pleasures) but will be desiring to be more Christ like.

Peter continues to say that the scoffer questions the Scriptures! (I’m certain that Peter is not referring to the believer who doesn’t understand a passage and asks the Holy Spirit to reveal its truth to him.) Peter is referring to the one who questions God’s word with “attitude”! For example, the abortion supporters do not consider killing a baby in the same light as “Thou shalt not kill”!  As well, those who have been practicing a certain ‘ritual’ in their religion despite what God’s word has to say about that practice.

I was especially taken by Peter’s choice of words in verse 5 – the scoffer is willingly ignorant! Oh my! If this does not prick the heart, I don’t know what will! One who chooses to be ignorant, in my opinion, will have a lot to account for at the Judgment Seat before the Lord Jesus Christ. It means that this person has CHOSEN to ignore the Scriptures.  He has CHOSEN to be ignorant on spiritual matters. Sadly, even Christians can be willingly ignorant of God’s word. They read their Bible and they can see that God is speaking against something in their religion but they willingly disregard it. The word of God convicts them of certain sins but they willingly disregard it because they want to continue in that sin. Does this speak of you, dear Christian? Are you willingly ignorant? As we read the word of God, we are suppose to heed the prodding of the Holy Spirit and repent of our sin – not continue in them. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Further, this scoffer chooses the world’s views over the Scriptures! God’s word is pure, tried, and true (2 Sam. 22:31, Psalm 119:160, Prov. 30:5) – it is by His word that we will be judged (John 12:48, Isaiah 8:20, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). So to scoff God’s word and ignore it will surely bring judgment and perdition. That’s not a word that one hears too often in modern-day English. Perdition is defined by Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary as:

The utter loss of the soul or of final happiness in a future state; future misery or eternal death. The impenitent sinner is condemned to final perdition.

If we reject the truth, we seal our own future – perdition – eternity in Hell. The word of God is clear about what Hell will be like. The scoffer, however, does not believe that a loving God would send anyone to Hell. The fact of the matter is that God doesn’t want that any should go there (2 Pet. 3:9) but many will go because they willingly choose to go there – it is their choice, not God’s. If they choose to be willingly ignorant, then they choose to willingly enter Hell for all eternity. No one willingly runs into a burning house so that they can burn all over their body. That sounds idiotic but that is exactly what the scoffer is doing.  He is willingly living his life, running down a path that will lead him to an eternity of burning without consumption! Oh the pain of it all! To make matters worse, not only is the scoffer screaming because of the burning pain, all those other souls that have gone to Hell from the beginning of the world until now are screaming with him! The pain, the deafening screams and the darkness are all that the scoffer has to look forward to. If this were a true reality in his mind, it would make a life-changing impression and he would amend his ways.

In closing, it saddens me that the false prophet from May’s doomsday prophecy has recanted and is now saying that it will occur tomorrow. He will be responsible for many, many more scoffers to surface. ☹ I pray that this devotional will touch a heart and cause someone to think on these things. I pray that it will also touch a Christian heart to diligently seek after God and His righteousness.

Thought for the Day – Fill ‘er Up!

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Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matt 5:6 (KJV)

It amazes me when I see sports fans (short for fanatics, and appropriately worded)! They know everything there is to know about their favorite team: the names of the players, their positions, their stats, etc. Oh my! Are we as excited about growing in the Lord as these sports fans? I haven’t met too many Christians who are – they are far and few apart.

As I was reading today’s text, I couldn’t help but wonder what the Lord Jesus Christ was trying to teach His disciples. As you walk your path in life, you come into contact with people who are searching for spiritual fulfillment. Some go the way of various forms of Eastern religions, such as Hinduism (which is on the rise in many forms today), Buddhism, Shintoism, etc. Others seek out religions founded on Christianity but are works based. In other words, one has to contribute something in order to “be saved.” Christ’s work on the cross is just not enough.

But what was Christ referring to in today’s text? He did not say to seek after the ‘founder’ of a religion. He did not say to seek after someone who is smart or rich. In fact, the Lord said quite the opposite. He told us that we will be blessed if we hunger (seek) after righteousness.

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines righteousness as:

Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.

Many claim to be righteous because they “do” most of what their religion requires. However, this is not what Noah defines as righteousness. Notice the purity of heart and rectitude of life – conforming the heart AND life to the divine law. The divine law is fulfilled in this:

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

This is where man’s religion fails. Religion produces “do gooders” but if one could see the heart, one would see sin. For all have sinned (Romans 3:23). So what must one do? First of all, one must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15). People tend to leave out the repentance part, therefore, they do not “seek or thirst” after righteousness and their lives are no different than before they prayed their prayer. (2 Cor. 5:17) I hope that makes sense to you because it is such an important part of the Christian’s life.

Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

An idle soul will suffer spiritual hunger. The idle soul is busy with the day’s events and drama and does not care about seeking after righteousness. But to the Christian who desires to grow closer to the Lord Jesus on a daily basis, he desires to be filled. God’s word feeds us, convicts of our sin, and helps us to grow in His image. The more we are fed, the more we hunger for righteousness.

Luke 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger.

You can’t fill a cup that is already full, right? Neither can a “religious” person be taught anything of spiritual value because his religion’s laws supersede God’s word. He is not seeking or hungering after righteousness but is “full” of man’s works. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the Jews. They considered themselves righteousness (already full) and did not wish to hear that they were not as righteous as they thought they were.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Are you fed today, Christian? Are you seeking, hungering, thirsting after righteousness? Do you hunger for it as much as you hunger for food? Are you conforming and rectifying your life to Christ’s divine law?

Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Lord Jesus has promises for those of us who hunger after His righteousness.

Revelation 7:15-17 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Thought for the Day – Vessels Unto Honour

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Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; (Psa 149:6)

Today’s unbeliever looks at “Christianity” and mocks it. We see it on television, books and movies all the time. The Christian is depicted as some lunatic. Even more as of late because of the false prophets predicting the end of the world and it does not happen! :-(

Yes, the world probably has always viewed the believer in this light. But I believe we are viewed in this way much more today. Why do I think this? All I have to do is to look at those professing Christ around me. They do not have the praises of God in their mouths. They don’t have their two-edged sword in their heads and mouths, let alone in their hand. The topic of Jesus Christ does not come up in general conversation amongst believers – why should His name be spoken of them in the presence of unbelievers?

I’m saddened by the lack of testimony our church holds today. No wonder the world laughs. No wonder they do not want what we have. My heart aches. We can’t agree on a Bible, we can’t agree on basic doctrine – even amongst the fundamentals – we argue amongst ourselves. Our pastor preached that more churches are started today due to splits rather than from a new work. How sad is that?

If the born again believers were busy praising God with their lips and their actions, as well as using the Word of God to lead souls to Him, they would be vessels unto honour instead of dishonoring Him. 2 Tim. 2:20-21, “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (20) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. (21)

What can we give our Saviour in honor of His birthday this year? When was the last time you led a soul to Christ? What a gift that would be!!!

This is Jesus’ Precious Bible
Richard Davies & Thomas Levi

This is Jesus’ precious Bible,
This the gift of God’s right hand;
Teaching how to die triumphant,
How to live His pure command;
This reveals the loss we suffered
When in Eden sin enticed;
And it shows the way to glory
If we follow Jesus Christ.

Precious Bible! in my bosom
Thy dear words a home shall find.
Countless blessings are, with beauty,
In Thy promises assigned;
My poor heart once roamed a desert,
Vast and dry, of withered sod,
Till Thy guidance brought me through it
To the living stream of God.

I will hide Thy words within me
Deep, where time cannot delete;
Thou art light upon my pathway,
And a lamp unto my feet;
Friend Thou art on life’s long journey
Biding through my hours of care,
And through heaven’s eternal ages—
Thou my treasure ever there.

Thought for the Day – 1,440 Minutes

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Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

We don’t know what tomorrow has in store for us – no one does. No amount of clairvoyance can accurately predict what lies ahead. All we know is that we have today. Each day, beginning at 12 a.m., we receive 1,440 minutes for that day. Everyone gets the same amount of minutes – non more, no less.  Sadly, however, not everyone uses their minutes wisely. (Proverbs 24:5)

As my feet hit the floor when I get out of bed, my prayer should be that I use each minute the Lord blesses me with according to His will. Making myself available to God in this way allows me to see God’s will in each circumstance and event of the day. For example, if I get up late, I will rush to get ready for work and won’t take time in His word to prepare myself for the day. My thoughts won’t be centered around the Lord when my morning began with chaos.  In fact, my thoughts will be cluttered with worldly thoughts because I’m frazzled. If the Lord sends a soul in need my way, I won’t be able to recognize that need if my thoughts are occupied on my rough start.

Being ready and making myself available to the Lord to show me His will is an on-going process. What I get out of my time with Him and in His word will be in direct proportion to what I put in. Makes sense, right? Compare it to being in school and preparing for a test. If you were the procrastinating type that crammed the night before, chances are you would pass the test but you would not necessarily remember any of it the following week. The lazy person who didn’t study at all would fail the test for lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6). Finally, the one who studied diligently throughout the class would pass AND would remember what was studied years later. If you compare yourself for the day’s tasks to that of someone studying for a test, in which of these categories would you fall? The amount of time you put in your Bible will be reflected in what you are able to retrieve when you need it most.  (2 Tim. 2:15)

What does this have to do with today’s text, you may wonder. We do not know if we will be alive tomorrow. To say that we will help a soul tomorrow and not prepare ourselves today is likened to the student who didn’t bother studying at all. How will we know when someone needs us if we are not even making ourselves available? Carpe diem, “Seize the moment,” says it all, doesn’t it?  The one who only reads his Bible right before visitations will only retain the efforts he put in. Only what was last read will be the first thing remembered. That’s not preparation at all! But the one who diligently read his Bible daily, studied, and committed verses to memory stands ready to accept any challenge that the Lord places in his path.

What am I doing with my 1,440 minutes every day? So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12 (KJV) I am convinced that I won’t be used of God if I have not prepared myself! God won’t move me forward in His will if I am not faithful. Why would I give my child more responsibility if he/she cannot even perform the tasks I’ve already assigned?

We all have 1,440 minutes in a day – what we do with those minutes is up to us!