SALVATION

When it comes to Salvation in Christ 
The Father thought it! The Holy Ghost brought it and the Son bought it! While I was taught it and while I sought it the devil fought it but by the grace of God I caught it!! To the Lord my God be the glory for saving me after I heard the Old Gospel Story!!! (Junior Parker)

FEBRUARY 6 – PLANTED NOT POTTED

FEBRUARY 6 – PLANTED NOT POTTED

1 Chronicles 17:9  Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more as at the beginning, 

God has a promise for David. God begins by reminding David that he was taken from among the sheep as a shepherd and that he could lead Israel. God has taken a humble shepherd and make him a great and powerful man. This man would wield great influence, not only over Israel but also over neighboring nations as well. Very significant is the promise to ordain a place for Israel. Then we have that promise to plant them. Notice the permanence here. They won’t be potted so they can be moved here and there. They will be planted so that they can send down roots and gain nourishment.

Another thing that is interesting to me is the thought my wife gave me when I said I was going to make her some planters to put in front of the house. Here was her reply, “If you do, you will be the one to go out there every day to water them.” Now that was said in no uncertain terms. As I thought, I came to realize what she was saying. Potted plants have a limited place to grow. Therefore the roots cannot grow deep enough to supply water and therefore the need for continual maintenance. We have church members that are high maintenance because they are potted instead of planted. We also have preachers in the same condition.

I prefer to be planted. I want my roots to go so deep that nothing can shake me. I want to be so watered in God’s Word that my roots will spread and I never let go of any part of The Word. I do not want to minimize anything of what Jesus had done. I want to be strong in every aspect of what Jesus taught. His death, burial, and resurrection I always want to hold securely and high for the world to see. I also do not want to minimize anything about the Church. Jesus built the church the way he wanted it. He put the offices in the Church that He wanted there. He put two ordinances there also. I have no right to change it.

Mark 14:24 Jesus said, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. I do not think that those that would read this post would remove the death of Jesus from the gospel. I also do not believe anyone would want to remove His burial and resurrection from the Gospel. I believe the reason would be that Jesus shed His blood and therefore the gospel is precious. Consider this – Acts 20:28 instructs us that the Church Jesus built was purchased with his own blood. Jesus died for His Church. Bride or not, the blood– bought Church is precious to Jesus and we have no right to change or minimize anything about it.

May we become planted and drive our roots deep.

A GREAT MAN ONCE SAID:

It is for us to dig the well, it is for God to send the rain and the water.

It is for us to plant the seed; it is for God to make it sprout and grow.

It is for us to cultivate the field, it is for God to give the harvest.

It is for me to witness, it is for God to give the increase, to save the soul.

When I have done the best I can, then God must do the rest, and He will.

 

Unknown Author

HOW TO KNOW THERE IS A GOD

Pope’s Points

Julian Pope

HOW TO KNOW THERE IS A GOD

Would you like to know that there is a God, that Jesus Christ is His Son and Savior, and what true teaching is? Will, Jesus Himself suggested an experiment: Joh_7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. The responsibility is on the seeker. He must be willing to do God’s will when it is revealed to him. God promises no light to one who closes his eyes against it, nor any spiritual food to one who will not eat.

If you are an honest doubter, will you pray this prayer? “God, if you exist, I ask You to reveal Yourself to me. I am willing to do Your will if You reveal it to me, and will accept Jesus as my Savior if You reveal Him to me as Your Son.” Then read the entire Gospel of John, first noting its purpose in chapter 20, verse 31.

HEAVEN ON MY MIND

William Andrew Dillard

HEAVEN ON MY MIND
Parson to Person

The Lyrics of a gospel song include the words: “I woke up this morning feeling fine; I woke up with heaven on my mind.” What an inseparable duo! They are cemented more securely than “love and marriage” or “horse and carriage.” When thoughts of heaven and of the Good Lord are founded solidly on the eternal Word, they become the substantiating of heaven on earth. How else could one feel then but fine, mighty fine! Think about it!
David described the blessed man as one who meditates in His law day and night, Psalm 1:2. That is feeling fine, mighty fine! When others dish out unfair treatment, instead of being discouraged, consider the marvelous meaning of the words in Psalm 119:78, “Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause but I will meditate in thy precepts.” This turns personal hurt and discouragement into feeling fine, mighty fine! When the forces and “friends” of this world bring pressure to think and walk perversely, remember Psalm 119: 15, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” This severs a bad situation and leaves one feeling fine, might fine.
Some folks are comparable to a reed shaken by the wind. They bend and sway with whatever force is predominant at the time. Others are more comparable to a mighty tree, realizing that even though evil winds may not be stopped, one may, but the grace of God, stand strong and not bow down to them. It is incumbent upon every Christian to know who he is through identification with the person and words of the Lord, not by simple, blind acceptance of the tenants of a church where he may belong.
In the classic movie “Gone With The Wind,” Scarlett dealt with unpleasant or difficult situations by procrastination: “I won’t think about that today, I will think about that tomorrow.” That mindset can only make matters worse by creating a vacuum evil is eager to fill. By all means, take the initiative!
Taking the initiative then to be in control of spiritual and mental matters, one will find himself marching in cadence with the Pauline instructions that speak so pungently to this point. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Now there is the subject matter having come full circle. With goodness and heaven on one’s mind, life is fine, mighty fine!

Squanto – friend to the Pilgrims

American Minute with Bill Federer

William Bradford called him “a special instrument sent of God.”

Of 102 Pilgrims that landed in Massachusetts in November of 1620, only half survived till spring.

Then appeared Squanto.

In March of 1621, as recorded in Governor Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation, Squanto joined the Pilgrims:

“About the 16th of March, a certain Indian came boldly amongst them and spoke to them in broken English…

His name was Samoset. He told them also of another Indian whose name was Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better English than himself…

Massasoyt, who about four or five days after, came with the chief of his friends and other attendants, and with Squanto.

With him, after friendly entertainment and some gifts, they made a peace which has now continued for twenty-four years…”

William Bradford continued:

“Squanto stayed with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation.

He showed them how to plant corn, where to take fish and other commodities, and guided them to unknown places, and never left them till he died.”

Governor Bradford wrote of Squanto:

“He was a native of these parts, and had been one of the few survivors of the plague hereabouts.

He was carried away with others by one Hunt, a captain of a ship, who intended to sell them for slaves in Spain…”

The story is that Squanto was purchased by some monks in the Spanish slave trading city of Malaga.

They introduced him to the Gospel and gave him his freedom.

From their he traveled to England.

During this time, a disease, possibly smallpox, wiped out Squanto’s tribe back in Massachusets.

Governor William Bradford wrote of Squanto:

“…but he got away for England, and was received by a merchant in London, and employed in Newfoundland and other parts, and lastly brought into these parts by a Captain Dermer, a gentleman employed by Sir Ferdinand Gorges…”

Pilgrim Governor William Bradford continued:

“Captain Dermer had been here the same year that the people of the Mayflower arrived, as appears in an account written by him, and given to me by a friend, bearing date, June 30th, 1620…

‘I will first begin,’ says he, ‘with the place from which Squanto (or Tisquantem) was taken away, which in Captain Smith’s map is called ‘Plymouth’; and I would that Plymouth (England) had the same commodities.

I could wish that the first plantation might be situated here, if there came to the number of fifty persons or upward; otherwise at Charlton, because there the savages are less to be feared…

The Pokanokets, who live to the west of Plymouth, bear an inveterate hatred to the English…

For this reason Squanto cannot deny but they would have killed me when I was at Namasket, had he not interceded hard for me.’”

Governor William Bradford described the dangerous situation by telling the unfortunate fate of a French ship in 1617:

“About three years before, a French ship was wrecked at Cape Cod, but the men got ashore and saved their lives and a large part of their provisions.

When the Indians heard of it, they surrounded them and never left watching and dogging them till they got the advantage and killed them, all but three or four, whom they kept, and sent from one Sachem to another, making sport with them and using them worse than slaves.”

Governor William Bradford wrote of Squanto:

“The settlers, as many as were able, then began to plant their corn, in which service Squanto stood them in good stead, showing them how to plant it and cultivate it.

He also told them that unless they got fish to manure this exhausted old soil, it would come to nothing, and he showed them that in the middle of April plenty of fish would come up the brook by which they had begun to build, and taught them how to catch it, and where to get other necessary provisions; all of which they found true by experience…”

Bradford added:

“Another Indian, called Hobbamok came to live with them, a fine strong man, of some account amongst the Indians for his valor and qualities. He remained very faithful to the English till he died.

He and Squanto having gone upon business among the Indians, a Sachem called Corbitant…began to quarrel with them, and threatened to stab Hobbamok; but he being a strong man, cleared himself of him, and came running away, all sweating, and told the Governor what had befallen him, and that he feared they had killed Squanto…

So it was resolved to send the Captain and fourteen men, well armed…The Captain, giving orders to let none escape, entered to search for him.

But Corbitant had gone away that day; so they missed him, but learned that Squanto was alive, and that Corbitant had only threatened to kill him, and made as if to stab him, but did not…”

Bradford wrote further:

“After this, on the 18th of September, they sent out their shallop with ten men and Squanto as guide and interpreter to the Massachusetts, to explore the bay and trade with the natives, which they accomplished, and were kindly received…

Nor was there a man among them who had ever seen a beaver skin till they came out, and were instructed by Squanto.”

American Minute-Notable Events of American Significance Remembered on the Date They Occurred

Governor William Bradford wrote the account of Squanto’s death in LATE SEPTEMBER 1622:

“Captain Standish was appointed to go with them, and Squanto as a guide and interpreter, about the LATTER END OF SEPTEMBER; but the winds drove them in; and putting out again, Captain Standish fell ill with fever, so the Governor (Bradford) went himself.

But they could not get round the shoals of Cape Cod, for flats and breakers, and Squanto could not direct them better.

The Captain of the boat dare not venture any further, so they put into Manamoick Bay, and got what they could there.

Here Squanto fell ill of Indian fever, bleeding much at the nose,-which the Indians take for a symptom of death,-and within a few days he died.

He begged the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen’s God in Heaven, and bequeathed several of his things to some of his English friends, as remembrances.

His death was a great loss.”

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The Moral Liberal contributing editor, William J. Federer, is the bestselling author of “Backfired: A Nation Born for Religious Tolerance no Longer Tolerates Religion,” and numerous other books. A frequent radio and television guest, his daily American Minute is broadcast nationally via radio, television, and Internet. Check out all of Bill’s books here.

280 – Oct. 07 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

 

“He had the finest voice of any public man of his time.”

October 07, 1857 – Charles Haddon Spurgeon, in his 23^rd year, preached to 23,654 persons by turnstile count, the all-time attendance record, “the greatest crowd ever addressed by a Gospel preacher,” (to that time), in the central transept of the cyclopean Crystal Palace, a building so large that it was “apparently unenclosed for vastness.” The occasion was a fast-day service. Another interesting incident in connection with this…meeting was Spurgeon’s private afternoon acoustical test in the empty building. He lifted his golden voice and cried, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” A workman in a high gallery heard the voice, was smitten with conviction, put down his tools, went home, and after a season of spiritual struggle, found peace and life by beholding the Lamb of God. Spurgeon must have possessed an extraordinary vocal ability during his ministry in London. One historian says, “He had the finest voice of any public man of his time.” We know that George Whitefield also addressed huge crowds in America. “Benjamin Franklin measured the area reached by his voice and declared, ‘I computed that he might well be heard by more than 30,000.’” Spurgeon was called to the New Park Street Church on April 19, 1854. Within a year’s time, it was necessary to secure a larger building. In less than 3 years they had grown by 425%! In Feb. 1855 Exeter Hall was secured, and then they moved on Oct. 19, 1856 to the Royal Surrey Gardens with its three tiers of Galleries that seated 12,000. For three years they averaged over 10,000. That golden voice was silenced in death on Jan. 31, 1892.

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273 – Sept. 30 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

 

Elder John Leland married Miss Sallie Devine on Sept. 30, 1776, and God blessed them with eight children. As the Apostles, along with Patrick Henry, Carrington, and Washington, he would have been considered an “unlearned and ignorant” man, in that he had received no formal education. But his proficiency in the gospel, law and politics was as profound as any of his contemporaries. Born in Grafton, Mass. on May 14, 1754, he was saved after a lengthy period of conviction over his sins. In June of 1774 he moved to Virginia, was ordained, and assumed the pastorate of the Mount Poney Baptist Church in Culpepper County. For the next fifteen years he served in a very successful evangelistic ministry that covered 75,000 miles, and the preaching of over 3,000 sermons. Altogether he baptized 1,352 converts. One woman’s husband came to shoot him but he got her under while the members detained him. His shrewd and witty mind aided him in championing soul liberty and religious freedom. It was primarily through his able leadership that we have the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He also opposed slavery when it was unpopular to do so, and was successful in disenfranchising the Protestant Episcopal Church which was supported by taxation in Virginia. He ended his life still preaching the gospel in his native Massachusetts and died at age 67 on Jan. 14, 1841. [Robert Boyle C. Howell, The Early Baptists of Virginia (Philadelphia: Bible and Publication Society. 1857), p. 242

Dr. Greg J. Dixon: From: This Day in Baptist History II: Cummins and Thompson,   pp.  535 – 36        

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235 – August 23 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

“Oh that God would do it again”

On August 23, 1802, David Lilly writes about a great work of God that is going on in the upper part of South Carolina. Multitudes are made to cry out, “What shall we do to be saved?” A few days ago, I returned from our Association…A vast concourse of people assembled on Saturday, and considerable appearances of solemnity soon took place; but no uncommon effect till Sunday, later in the evening. Then the Lord was pleased to manifest his power to many hearts. On Monday the work increased. The hearts of many were made to melt; and several men, noted for their impiety, were stricken and lay among the prostrate…such a degree of brotherly affection as appeared among the ministers and messengers of the churches, I scarcely ever saw. It was enough to melt the heart of the greatest infidel living…Be assured, my brother, the Lord is doing great things for this people in this country.” If a traveler had passed through the settled portions of North America, in 1799, he would have heard the songs of the drunkard, the loud swearing and the obscenity of crowds around taverns, and the bold blasphemous vaunting of infidels, in every village and hamlet. If he had returned in 1801, he would have heard instead, the proclamation of the Gospel to awed multitudes, earnest prayers in the groves and forests, and songs of praise to God, along all the public thoroughfares. Virginia had experienced seasons of revival during the middle of the eighteenth century, but west of the Allegheny Mountains a great spiritual dearth existed. A revival began among the Presbyterians and Methodists. Great revivals were also known among the Baptists as reflected by the letter by Rev. Lilly above. Oh that God would do it again.

Dr. Greg J. Dixon: From: This Day in Baptist History Vol. I: Cummins/Thompson, pp. 347-48.

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The Power of God

 

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed,” Romans 1:16, 17.

 

Some believe the knowledge only of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is the power they need to be saved. However, for the gospel to be the power of God unto salvation, one must believe the gospel, repent and ask forgiveness of sin and by faith receive the person of Jesus Christ into himself. When one makes that surrender, the Spirit seals Himself to the believer’s spirit, then the believer comes alive unto God. The power of God, Jesus Christ, regenerates the seeker’s spirit and he comes alive unto God to walk in newness of life (Phil. 3:9).

The wrath and power of God against sin is revealed in nature. The whole universe has been placed under the curse. All creation groans and travails in calamity, looking forward to the time when Christians receive their new bodies (Rom. 8:22, 23) because Heaven and earth also be created new. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away” (Rev. 21:1).

 

 

JUST SAYING

The power of God is the person of Jesus Christ. Receive Him.

Robert Brock