BACKSLIDING

Proverbs 14:14; Matthew 24:12; Hebrews 10:38

How wonderful it would be if we could say as the Psalmist said 44:18 – “Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;”.Sadly, there are few that can make that claim. Drawing away from God for different reasons happens to most saved people. It could be the influence of a spouse, a friend or the lure and lust for the things of the world. Even when faithful in church services, there are time we are closer to God than at other times. According to Proverbs 14:14, “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. There are times the struggle within us is so real. The carnal striving with the spirit bringing indecision and division. It can happen in different areas of life. Financial, physical and mental division. We can be filled with our own ways, become narcissistic in the things we do. An attitude that my way is better than God’s way. The whole of life becomes about us instead of God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Matthew really clues us in by saying in Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Do we see this today? Sure we do. If we would be honest we would admit that the flesh rules upon occasions. We have a denomination that split over the homosexual issue. Understand, I believe that denomination does not hold the true, but in morals they used to be very close to the Bible. Yet, some that should know better just blew them off as not having the truth to begin. So when do we worry about those that call themselves Christians? When they those false denominations are normalizing homosexual relations and even having two men that claim to be married, or two women that claim to be married “pastoring” churches so called? That is happening. Now I am going to hit some of you right between the eyes now. Are we backsliding when a sport has such a hold on us that we will support the halftime show of sex and crotch grabbing by watching the game? I know, some of you said we did not watch the halftime show. You spread all over face book, to children and teens that you supported the super bowl by watching it and thereby supporting the halftime show whether you watched it or not. How many children saw it and were influenced by it? I have read a few articles that were not written by preachers or even Christians. These lost carnal men are decrying the moral degradation of such a display in a public venue. Their claim is that it significantly displays how degraded people have become in their attempt to okay this sensual conduct. One wonders how far it will go before Christians will rise up in disgust withdraw their support from such wickedness.

The writer of Hebrews says in 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith: . . “ Is your faith rooted in Jesus Christ. If it is, have you withdrawn yourself from the things of the world? Are these worldly things so important that they have a hold on you so that you can draw back from the Lord on a temporary basis and excuse it by claims that you did not see the smut. You do realize that you were counted in the millions that watched it and those that broadcast paid the super bowl based upon the head count. Therefore, you financially supported the halftime show. Is that drawing back from the Lord? The author of Hebrews is very clear here in 10:38 “. . . but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

THE HOG

Feed him in milk,
Dress him in silk,
And call him a beautiful name;
But I’ll tell you, Bud,
He’ll root in the mud,
And act the hog just the same.

Don’t think it amiss,
Because he does this,
And call him a horrid bad creature;
For he is no dog,
He’s only a hog,
And follows the bent of his nature.

If he had a sheep’s heart,
He’d do a sheep’s part,
And down in the mud wouldn’t wallow;
But as he is no lamb,
He can’t act like them,
For nature’s the thing that we follow.

So, the nature of sin
Forever has been,
To root in the mud with the Devil;
From sin to depart,
It takes a new heart,
To lift to a higher clean level.

Man may do his part,
But can’t change his heart,
This power to him is not given;
He may look and pray
For a clean heart today,
And God can answer from heaven.
—J. L. Brown [a Missionary Baptist preacher in north Arkansas, who for a time served in the state legislature.

HL Jinx Wilkinson

FOLLY

Proverbs 15:14; 18:13; Psalm 53:1

Pro 15:14  The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 

What a thought provoking verse. The very first part of this passage reveals a person that is very thoughtful. An understanding person knows that he does not know everything. This type of person is a seeker of knowledge. He wants to hear so that he can learn. There are many today that want to close their ears to words that might expand their knowledge. A seeker of knowledge is a reader and a hearer. A seeker of knowledge will feed many. Proverbs 10:21 says “The lips of the righteous feed man.” A seeker of the knowledge of God that applies that knowledge to their life and gains forgiveness, cleansing and salvation is the righteous that will feed many because they have something they have learned to give to others.

The contrast to the seeker of knowledge is “but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness” Proverbs 15:14b.

Pro 18:13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 

Has this ever happened to you? How often has someone cut you off or how often have you cut someone off that is trying to contribute to your knowledge. Consider, you are not Hetty on NCIS Los Angeles. We are not mind readers no matter how perceptive you thing you are. There are 2 things I would warn you about. To believe that you know what some one is going to say is evidence of presumption and an element of self-conceit. An old standard statement is, God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth so that we can hear twice as much as we speak. This presumption of knowledge brings shame. Proverbs 26:12 says “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.” We need to learn how to listen carefully to others.

Psa 53:1  The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. 

This verse is considered an emphatic statement about the atheist. Notice the proclamation that an atheist is called a fool. The term fool overshadows the sense of sin in such a proclamation. We consider sin to be a horrible, terrible thing, yet the foolishness of a person denying God overwhelms the idea of sin. This statement is worse than a heathen that believes there is a God but continues in wickedness and sin. The denial of God is “abominable iniquity.” The stench of denial reaches heaven. Here is a fool who has denied the creation that he lives and thrives on. Here is a fool who has denied the Son of God, our Redeemer and Savior. Here is a fool who has denied the sacrifice of the Son of God. Here is a fool who has denied the shed blood of the Son of God which cleanses us from sin. Here is a fool that is an abominable stench to God and has no hope in this life or the life here after. Our prayer should be that God deniers might see the mighty work of God.

Fear of God

Joshua 24:14; Ecclesiastes 12:13; I Peter 2:17

There are those that have a serious problem with fearing the Lord. There are those that are lost and have no fear of God. There are those that say they are saved and have no fear of God. There are those that are lost and have seen the mighty hand of God working in peoples lives and they have not fear of God. Moses was dealing with Pharoah about releasing God’s people and some of the greatest miracles man has ever seen were brought to bear on Pharoah and his people. Here is what Moses said about Pharaohs hardened heart. Exodus 9:30; “But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.

Notice the benefits these scriptures tell us of fearing the Lord.

Psa_22:23  Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Psa_33:8  Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psa_34:9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Psa_115:11  Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Psa_115:13  He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

Psa_118:4  Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa_135:20  Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.

Pro_3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Ecclesiastes tells us a thing or two about no fear of the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

We are told explicitly to fear God. We have Peter instructing us in I Peter 2:17; “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

We have plenty of excuses today for our actions. We use a statement, “God looks at the heart, God knows my heart, or don’t be so legalistic.” Some do not like to think that God expects any more than salvation. We are clearly told that we are a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1. We are told in Ephesians that we become new creatures, that old things are passed away, behold all things become new. When we have been saved, Our way of thinking changes, Our way of talking changes, Our way of living changes. There are many that claim to be saved that continue to curse, think wrong thoughts and live a way that does not show fear of the Lord. Those that are trying to do their best to live in a way that honors God are called legalistic. What a shame that that those want to live like Christ are maligned by others. May we fear God and live as much like Christ as possible. May we give our best to the Master.

The Fool

Psa 14:1  The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.  KJB

Sell Me This Power

HEBREW HONEYCOMB
SELL ME THIS POWER

William Andrew Dillard

In biblical Christianity there is power! Saints sing of it often in such hymns as “There Is Power In The Blood.” Repentant lost people rejoice in it at the altar of their heart. Saints who are wise reject the time consuming offerings of the world in order to know Him and the POWER of His resurrection as did St. Paul as he told the Philippians.
Jesus said that all power is consolidated in Him as He commissioned the church in Matthew 28:18-20. Just before ascending, He told His church that they would receive power after that the Holy Ghost was come upon them. According to Acts 2, they certainly did. But it was not a temporary power. It was an age long power to be resident in New Testament churches; power sufficient to bring them through the age with the proper testimony of God, and His love for the world.
But power is one of the objects of the sinful, greedy world which sees material advancement as the purpose of life. Thus the very existence of understood power draws men either to God and Salvation or to Satan and the ladder of materialism and creature comforts.
Such was the case of one Simon the sorcerer as noted in Acts 8. It is interesting to note that Simon was a long time practitioner of sorcery. Doubtless, he accumulated a considerable amount of wealth with it. However, the introduction of Bible Christianity in Samaria was mightily blessed of God so that many were saved and baptized. Make of this what you will, the Bible declares that Simon also was saved and baptized. Simon then continued with Philip, drawn by the miracles which he did.
Some days later Peter and John were dispatched from Jerusalem to Samaria who prayed for them, and laid hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit that had come upon the church in Acts 2. Simon was impressed, so impressed that he offered the apostles money to have their power conferred upon him. Peter minced no words rejecting the request, and directing him to repent of such wickedness, 8:22-24.
Unarguably, the apostolic years were filled with extraordinary displays of holy power as credentials of holy men in the absence of the New Testament. But with its completion, focus is shifted more precisely upon the church of the Living God. It is the pillar and ground of the truth under the constriction of the Holy Spirit and the eternal Word. In these things there is staying, aggressive, authoritative, energetic power from heaven. Surely, the world remains filled with satanic inspired charlatans, who emulate Simon saying, sell me this power that I may accumulate wealth through deception. But, as it was then, so it is now. The gifts and calling of God may be only enjoyed God’s way. They are not for sale.

APRIL 8 – An Unprepared Heart

APRIL 8 – An Unprepared Heart

2 Chronicles 12:14  And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

Such a tragic statement. “… and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The heart has been said to contain the wickedness of the world. There are times when a person can seem to be fine and wonderful, yet the heart contains wickedness that corrupts the thinking of men. How often has one that has appeared to be a pillar of the community been revealed to have done something vile?

Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? That is a pretty definitive statement. So what is the answer to this wickedness? We need to know because the wickedness in our communities is growing rapidly. The condition of the human heart leads to abortion, beatings, theft, and murder. The only answer is to clean out the heart.

That brings us to the cleanser that can do such a wonderful work. The blood of Jesus Christ. Are we bloody Baptists? Yes, we are. That is the cleansing power of God. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse a wicked heart. While there are those that have taken the blood out of the hymnals and out of the pulpit, we preach the cleansing blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ ,and His shed blood.

Jesus prepares our heart to seek the Lord. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.” The blood cleanses the heart of wickedness and sin. This is a necessary preparation for seeking God and His will in our lives. Then we are “prepared” to meet our God when death comes to this mortal body.

A daily preparation to meet and know God for those that have been born again, is prayer and study of His Word Did you prepare your day by communicating with God this morning?

Opinion

Jim Harris

Opinion: It is my opinion that one reason we don’t want to admit that we have a heart problem in America is because you can’t pass any legislation to solve it. The only One who can take care of this heart problem is the Great Physician.

I think this settles the issue. It is a heart problem.

Matthew 15:19
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, MURDERS, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”

FEBRUARY 16 – Understanding Hearts

FEBRUARY 16 – Understanding Hearts

1 Kings 3:9  Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 

An understanding heart is what is needed today. To often we are critical without understanding the desire of God or understanding the situation that has occurred. I am not suggesting that we let sin slide without proper measure. I am suggesting that we are too presumptuous sometimes.

An understanding heart seeks God and the will of God. When we understand the will of God and apply His law and judgments we then discern between good and evil. This understanding heart will seek the knowledge needed to correctly handle a problem or situation.

An understanding heart seeks wisdom from above to make application here on earth. Our actions with our loved ones and friends and others need to be “seasoned with grace” and applied with the “salve of love.” How often we harm instead of heal.

Let us, like Solomon, pray for an understanding heart.

BURNING HEART OR HEARTBURN?

HEBREW HONEYCOMB

William Andrew Dillard
BURNING HEART OR HEARTBURN?

Sometime back I drove past a sign that read: CHURCH OF THE BURNING HEART. I thought that was a little unusual for the name of a church. Upon further inquiry, I learned that it was like so many other religious clubs doting the landscape in these last days. It was what one would call independent, but more precisely non-denominational. That simply means it does not affiliate with any known and named group of churches both in affiliation and in doctrinal standing. Of course, there are enough non-denominational churches that now non-denominational would be a denomination but for the lack of affiliation among themselves or any cohesiveness to their doctrinal standing. It seems they just want to present themselves to the public as totally free, thus better, than any church that is known by its doctrinal standing. As a result what is commonly held among them is the doctrine of universal, invisible church which necessitates open communion. Furthermore, they have no qualms about baptismal source or mode, and most do not maintain a church membership role due to their universal thinking. But these things effectively negate personal responsibility, and personal accountability in the minds of natural men who have an inclination to worship God due to their being made in His image. The appeal succeeds in motivating men into further estrangement from their Creator in a form of godliness that denies the power thereof.
As more and more of these types of “churches” arise, one may wonder at the wonder of it all. Would the Holy Spirit lead men to a form of worship that is in rebellion to plain biblical teachings? Is it possible that God would accept a form of doctrine out of conformity to His Word? Has the blood-bathed battle of His churches throughout the last 2,000 years been in vain; their form of worship and division of the Word of truth wrong?
The apostle John has the answer in his first epistle: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” 2:18-20. Compared to Holy Writ, a better name for the afore mentioned group might be THE CHURCH OF THE HEARTBURN, big time!
As sweet as they are, let it be recalled that Jesus did not make His people to be sugar, but salt! Moreover, the disastrous results of salt that loses its savor is graphically presented in plain terms! Matt. 5:13