MARCH 20 – Self Destruction

MARCH 20 – Self Destruction

Pro 13:13  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 

There is a great value in the Word of God that orders life in a profitable way. There are many today that despise the Word of God. They boldly attack it and try to destroy the Word of God. There are those that are not so bold and simply attack the Word in a subtle way. They attempt to quietly destroy the authority of the Word. Some do that by being correctors to the Word. The way they use to do that is to say, “well this passage really means this.” This implies that the common man cannot understand the Word of God. Others despise the Word by misapplying passages of scripture. Leaving the idea that if you are a true follower, God wants you to be rich. If you are a true follower, you will never be sick.

John 1:1 gives us what the Word is. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This speaks of Jesus Christ. Now when we despise the Word, we are despising Christ and in essence trying our best to destroy Him. We distort Jesus Christ. We give pictures of Christ that are not true. Notice that those that despise the Word will be destroyed. But those that fear the commandment shall be rewarded.

We should fear God and his call to trust in His Son. We should be obedient to the Word after repentance and believing so that the world will know we do not despise the Word. Those that claim to have been saved and still are living in their sins are despisers of the Word, of Jesus Christ.

May we ever love the Word and love our Savior, Jesus Christ.

MARCH 19 – My Thoughts are not Your Thoughts

MARCH 19 – My Thoughts are not Your Thoughts

Isaiah 55:7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 

8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 

9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

There are times when we need to stop and take a look at what we are doing. We need to study and re-consider, are we doing this God’s way. Are we feebly trying to get God to accept something that we are doing? God has made the claim that our ways are not His ways. Our thoughts are not His thoughts.

Notice that God is not happy with the wicked ways of man. He is not happy with man’s unrighteous thoughts. We can scheme and plan all we want and attract a great crowd and it not be accepted by God. Paul had a few things to say about the manner of doing things.

2Timothy 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

5  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 

God lays out for us in His book how to approach Him in worship and in service. I have heard the statement, “God knows my intent.” I have also heard, “what is important is what is inside not outside.” These are people that are trying to justify themselves before man hoping that what they are engaged in will be accepted by God. If it is of the world or worldly thought, it is unacceptable to God.

Have we entangled ourselves with the methods of the world? Are we truly seeking God’s way?

FEBRUARY 21 -– Raising up faithfulness

FEBRUARY 21 -– Raising up faithfulness

1Sa 2:35  And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. 

Every generation sees a period of unfaithfulness. It can be very discouraging. God is saying here that the priests have left the God approved way of service. Some would say that they simply changed their methods. Yet we find that God is truly particular about the way the priests served Him. We see the worship of Jeroboam rejected along with the attraction of the golden calves that drew the people and gave them an icon to kneel to.

Through out history, we find this happening. The Waldensians, at the beginning, had articles of faith like ours. After much persecution we find that later articles of faith had changed in some doctrines. Our own nation has gone through several periods of moving away from man of the ways of worship and the doctrines established by the Bible. This comes from man’s desire to have an “impact” where they are are.

We have been called to preach the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to convict and draw. God said “I will raise mu up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which in in mine heart and in my mind. We are to pursue the mind of God and His will and His way of worship and winning the lost. If we do it wrong we will be cut off just as Hophni and Phinehas was cut off.

We are called by God. We are to be separated from the world. We are work God’s way.

FEBRUARY 12 – LET ME

FEBRUARY 12 – LET ME

Ruth 2:7  And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. 

Let me work. Is this not what Ruth said here? Let me work. Ruth was looking to provide for her and Naomi. She is asking to be able to work. All too often one has to beg people to work. In our day and age and society, welfare comes to easy and too cheaply. When abundance is given without requirements of work, then people become lazy. Ruth was saying, let me sweat. Sweat equity is a saying that shows the value of something. It is worth sweating for. Ruth was not looking for a handout.

In our Churches today, this often is the problem. They consider they have done enough when they simply come to Church. They are often more concerned about what they can get than what they can give God. They are looking for gratification instead justification. They are looking for approval rather than worshiping God and giving unto Him what is His due.

We have members of our Churches that have great talent, yet do not use that talent for the Lord. The most hypocritical reason is, I don’t have time. So many abilities go to waste today. I am reminded of the time that the President of the Seminary I went to related a story. If memory serves me correct, the President was pastor of that Church. Every Sunday morning a dog would find its way into the Church building and would have to be chased out. At the invitation of a revival, an old man under conviction of service walked the aisle and said: pastor, I can’t read or write, I can’t teach, I don’t know what I can do but I am ready to serve. The pastor said you know that old dog that sneaks in every Sunday morning? Yes, sir, I do. You can get here early and be the doorman and keep that dog out. For the rest of that old man’s life, he was the first to Church and that old dog never got in again.

DO something for God. If you have the gift of gab, gab for God. If you can create and maintain the sound system, do it for God. If you can create web pages for the Church, do it for God. If you can mow grass, do it for God. If you can be a doorkeeper, DO IT FOR GOD.

1Cor. 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

THE HUMBLED STATE HONORS GOD!

William Andrew Dillard

HEBREW HONEYCOMB

THE HUMBLED STATE HONORS GOD!

It is an ironic, but interesting turn of events deserving considerable thought and appreciation. I write about coming to grips with one’s elevated relationship with God in New Covenant discipleship. It is elevation by another that humbles man. Please think with me for a moment.
Natural man, in his hereditarily, sinful condition is most often prideful, in denial of his condemned state, and resistant toward repentance from sin to exercise faith in God. But when he is saved by the grace of God, and embarks on a life of discipleship, he rejoices in his new position as a child of the King, even though he may continue to see himself as low, largely worthless, still plagued by sin, and sometimes rebellious. He may feel this is the proper viewpoint that honors the God of his salvation. Perhaps there is a need to re-examine a couple of things: self imposed humility may not be humility at all, and the highest honor man bestows upon God is to live within the perimeters of His calling while understanding and accepting the position in life that His unspeakable gift brings.
Colossians 2:18 speaks of a voluntary humility while verse 23 speaks of fleshly, will worship and humility. There is such a thing as being proud to be humble, but that is all pride rather than humility. True humility comes through reconciliation of oneself to God. Moreover, if God exalts His obedient children to heights not often considered, then He is honored most by their understanding, acceptance, and proper handling of that exalted state, which excludes fleshly pride.
Just what is this godly exaltation that God’s children may know? First, it is the privilege of being admitted to His Bride through baptism and fellowship in a New Testament church. Secondly, it is occupying the position of mature sons of God who are destined to rule the world with King Jesus at His coming. Thirdly it is being a viable part of the present “Israel of God,” Gal. 6: 16, which is His body, the pillar and ground of the truth, I Timothy 3:15. Additionally, one is exalted to being a god, John 10: 31-36; I Cor. 8:5. Jesus used this very terminology to confound the know-it-all Pharisees about those unto whom the Word of God came, Psalm 82:6. Certainly, the Lord’s church is the recipient of His Word: the faith once delivered to the saints. As gods (little g), they constitute His body, His Bride, His Israel, His representatives and the designated supporters of the truth. Who is it then who could not be humbled by such lofty exaltation? Moreover, who then would not be totally sobered by that responsibility? But more, to the point, who would deny these God-given designations and still claim to honor Him? He is honored in truth, and in our acceptance and obedience of Heaven’s provisions and placements.

Keep On Keeping On

 

Galatians 6:9, 10

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” Galatians 6:9, 10.

God has given believers a distinct opportunity in this life. He has given us an opportunity to make a difference in the world around us. We do this by doing “good” (verse 10). When sin entered this world, there was no good that came with it. If there is ever going to be any lasting goodness that comes to this earth, it will be the result of God working through His people.

The world needs the goodness of Christ, and it needs the followers of God. It needs you and me. As this verse states, we cannot grow weary when it comes to well doing. Yes, there is reward waiting for the believers that do good, but there is also benefit in this life. Like light penetrating darkness, our good deeds shine bright in a gloomy world.

This “opportunity” that is mentioned in verse 10 is not just speaking of occasional moments when we have a chance to do good. The Greek word here refers to a distinctive period of time. That period of time is the life of a believer. Our life on this earth is the specific season that God has given us to make a difference through our “well doing” (verse 9). Our lifetime is our opportunity to do good.

We must make a priority of doing good. Our goodness should be towards those around us, but even more, we must show goodness towards those who are also a part of “the household of faith” (verse 10).

 

JUST A THOUGHT

Are you using your opportunity to do good?

Nathan Rogers

359 – Dec. 25 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

Preached the first Baptist sermon in Oregon

 

 

1851 – Dr. Rueben Hill, on Christmas day, organized a Baptist church in Corvallis, Oregon, making Corvallis his major point of service for the next sixteen years. Dr. Hill had come there from Albany, Oregon where he preached the first Baptist sermon ever preached in the state. He planted churches, and served for twelve years as moderator for the Central Baptist Association. He also drew up the charter for the McMinnville College. In 1870 he was made the financial agent of the college and his salary provided scholarships for impoverished Baptist preachers. He also served in the Oregon territorial legislature for two terms. Rev. Rueben Coleman Hill, M.D. was born of humble beginnings in Kentucky on March 27, 1808. He disciplined himself to obtain a good education by his own efforts. When twenty-five, he married Miss Margaret Lair. Dr. Hill received Christ and was baptized into the Knob Creek Baptist Church in Maury County, TN. He served as a deacon and at thirty-six was licensed by the church to preach. In 1846 after evidence of God’s blessings upon his ministry he was ordained as a gospel preacher. From there he founded a rapidly growing Baptist church in Keetsville, MO. Great revivals were held in Springfield and in Arkansas. The gold rush broke out in California and the Hills joined a caravan heading west. He preached every Lord’s Day and witnessed incessantly on the way. When they arrived at Mud Springs, CA, gospel services were begun in the shade of a large tree. When the diggings dried up the town dried up too. From there the Hills moved on to Oregon. Dr. Hill died on Dec. 31, 1890.

 

[This Day in Baptist History II: Cummins and Thompson, BJU Press: 2000 A.D. pp. 705-06. C. H. Mattoon, Baptist  Annals of Oregon (McMinnville, Oreg.: Telephone Register Publishing Co., 1905), 1:82.]

 

Prepared by Dr. Greg J. Dixon

 

The post 359 – Dec. 25 – This Day in Baptist History Past appeared first on The Trumpet Online.

 

 

 

A SPECIAL GUEST By Heather Spears Kallus

 

If I could dine with anyone…well…besides the fam,
I would want to share a meal…with the Blessed Lamb.
The things I’d want to thank Him for, how would I even start?
Could I even speak the love that’s found deep in my heart?

I wouldn’t want a lunch express…fast food of any kind,
I’d want to share the thoughts inside…of all that’s on my mind.
I’d hope the service would be slow…I’d want to drag it out,
Just for me and Jesus…that’s what it’d be about.

First, I’d like to thank Him…for His life that He gave,
So our lives just wouldn’t end with names upon a grave.
I’d thank Him…for opening the lock on Heaven’s gate,
I’d stall for extra time…asking for another plate.

Very soon, He’d catch on…to my little plan,
After all, He knows us…each woman and each man.
Then He’d say, “Relax, my child, I know your every thought,
I want to be here, too…just as you have sought.”

My nerves would calm, He’d take my hand, “What would you like to say?”
“Lord, I thank you for the things…you do for me each day.
Thank you for my legs that work when I get out of bed,
For my eyes that greet the day from my sleepyhead.”

“For giving me a family that loves me through it all,
For answering my prayers, when Your Name I do call.
For our meals, for our home, each sunrise fresh and new,
For our friends, for our health, for freedom, Lord, to love You.”

“For blessings in abundance and the chance for us to share,
With those who may not realize how You deeply care.
For giving us a recipe through Your Holy Word,
Of how to get to Heaven…to reach You and be heard.”

“I can’t believe You gave your life for sinners just like me,
But, I know You love us, Lord, more than we can see.
I thank You for the tiny taste found in a mother’s love,
A day-to-day reminder that love is from above.”

“Thank You for my Mom and Dad whose love is never ceasing,
For my precious husband, each year, my love’s increasing.
For the gift of children…I feel so very blessed,
They bring me peace and joy…more than I could’ve guessed.”

Then, I’d stop and say, “Oh my, how time has flown!
Would you like to talk?  I’ve been in my little zone.”
“Yes, my child, please love like me…there is no other way,
Love your friends, your enemies, the least you meet each day.”

“Show everyone a glimpse of what a life with Me can be,
One that’s full of hope…and tranquility.
Share your time and talents…your abundant treasures, too,
You need me just as much, dear one, as I’m in need of you.”

“You are my hands, you are my feet, you are my lips to speak,
Encourage all you meet each day…it’s Me they need to seek.
For hope when things seem hopeless, for love when they’re alone,
For comfort when they’re suffering, use kindness in your tone.”

“Dear Lord, I know you’re busy, I thank You for your time,
Please know this meal’s on me, sir…won’t let you pay a dime.”
“Oh, my daughter, please recall that I have paid for this,
On the cross, remember…betrayed with a kiss.”

Then, before I could respond, He was no longer there,
I looked high and I looked low, but couldn’t find Him anywhere.
Then a voice in my head reminded me to pray,
A way that we can call on Him each and every day.

He is there, He’s all around, He’ll dine with us each day,
Just remember to invite Him on Thanksgiving when you pray.
“Bless this food, Lord, bless this house, while we work and rest,
We saved a seat…for You, Lord…please come and be our guest!”

From Heather’s blog: http://www.sipsofsunshine.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-special-guest.html

 

 

Copyright 2013 Heather Spears Kallus. Permission is granted to send this to others, but not for commercial purposes.

 

268 – Sept. 25 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

They reached the Navajo

 

1852, Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Gorman were approved by the American Baptist Home Mission Society to serve among the Navajos in New Mexico. That field had recently been opened by H.W. Read of Connecticut. Two additional couples had also recently gone to that field of service, including James Milton Shaw and his wife from New York. A letter from Bro. Gorman dated in 1876 relates many of the trying experiences from the time that they arrived in Laguna in 1852. They had a nine month delayed entrance into “the Pueblo” as promised by Capt. Henry L. Dodge. The priests (Catholic) had done everything possible to “rout” them from the village including suing them at law in Taos, which they won at great cost of time and money. At times they had a hard time finding enough to eat and out of funds most of the time. Thankfully when Capt. Dodge did come he persuaded the Indians to allow them to teach their children and to preach Christ to them. He was able to preach every Sabbath except when on mission tours and finally in 1858 he was able to build a little chapel. The first Indian convert in N.M. was Jose Senon who carried on the work when the missionaries had to leave when the area was occupied by the Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Gorman died at 92 after he pastored successful churches in Ohio and Wisconsin. [Lewis A. Myers, A History of N.M. Baptists (Baptist Convention of New Mexico, 1995), pp. 59-60. This Day in Baptist History II: Cummins and Thompson, BJU Press: Greenville, S.C. 2000 A.D. pp. 525-27.] Prepared by Dr. Greg J. Dixon