It would do us all good to remember that the responsibilities of life are not meant to become a heavy burden, but an opportunity to fulfill our purposes in life. When our Lord spoke about the cares of this world choking the word(Matthew 13:22; Luke 8:14; 21:34),He used a word meaning division or distraction, something agitating the mind and consequently throwing one's true perspective out of focus.
Consider this: All can be done with rejoicing instead of a worrying attitude. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee"(Isaih 26:3). Nothing and no one can disturb His peace. The trials, tribulations and tumult of life should drive us to God not away from Him. We are to hope(Hebrews 12:11), praise and pray(1 Thessalonians 5:16-17), and not to fret. We should take Him at His Holy Word and cast our care upon Him(1 Peter 5:7). We should not sit down and mope and sorrow, giving way to despair, but rather get up and sing His wonderful praise. We should walk by faith and not sight!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friends
Everyone should be very careful about the friends and associates they allow into their lives. The scriptures give us wonderful examples of good friendships: Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It would do us all good to study these relationships carefully and determine to be wise in the friends we choose.
True friends are for sharing(Hebrews 13:16). Real friends help in time of need. True friends are also encouragers(Hebrews 10:23-24). There is great and lasting benefit from the friends who are willing to encourage and edify us. True friends offer spiritual support(James 5:16). They have no trouble going boldly to the throne of Grace on behalf of a friend. True friends serve(I Thessalonians 2:6-8). They work for each other's mutual benefit.
May we strive to choose our friends wisely and serve our chosen friends willingly.
True friends are for sharing(Hebrews 13:16). Real friends help in time of need. True friends are also encouragers(Hebrews 10:23-24). There is great and lasting benefit from the friends who are willing to encourage and edify us. True friends offer spiritual support(James 5:16). They have no trouble going boldly to the throne of Grace on behalf of a friend. True friends serve(I Thessalonians 2:6-8). They work for each other's mutual benefit.
May we strive to choose our friends wisely and serve our chosen friends willingly.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
His fireplaces
I love an open fireplace. There is something therapeutic in the flickering flame and the crackling of burning wood. Most homes do not have such fireplaces, but God has always had His fireplaces.... The burning bush, the brazen altar of the tabernacle, Mount Carmel, and His people.
The only fireplaces He has today are the hearts of His people.We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The fire of the Holy Spirit is to burn in the fireplaces of our hearts.
Frankly, there is nothing more pathetic than a drowsy and lethargic christian. When the people of the church lack the burning power of the Holy Spirit, it ceases to be a thriving organism and becomes merely an organization. Lacking the spiritual strength to operate as a true church of God, it will rely more and more upon mechanics and machinery.
"For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:29) Our Lord desires to have, and will have a church that is on fire with His Divine Presence and Power. Let us all remember that the steam needed for His work comes from His fire under the boilers.
The only fireplaces He has today are the hearts of His people.We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The fire of the Holy Spirit is to burn in the fireplaces of our hearts.
Frankly, there is nothing more pathetic than a drowsy and lethargic christian. When the people of the church lack the burning power of the Holy Spirit, it ceases to be a thriving organism and becomes merely an organization. Lacking the spiritual strength to operate as a true church of God, it will rely more and more upon mechanics and machinery.
"For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:29) Our Lord desires to have, and will have a church that is on fire with His Divine Presence and Power. Let us all remember that the steam needed for His work comes from His fire under the boilers.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Ecumenical Movement
The Ecumenical movement seeks to unite the denominations and churches into a common body. It is the belief of this Pastor and the position of the First Baptist Church of South Brevard that this cannot be achieved without compromising fundamental truths that are at the very heart of what we believe.
The very Basis for Christian belief is compromised by this ecumenical crowd. Unity, as they see it, cannot be achieved without doing away with the Bible as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice.
Eugene Carson Blake, a past top administrative officer of the World Council of Churches, and past president of the National Council of Churches stated in his address entitled "A Proposal Toward the Reunion of Christ's Church."...."The scripture as the sole basis of authority must be dropped if unity is to be possible. So long as the wording 'sola scriptura' is required, no bridge can be made between Catholic and Evangelical.It is now clear in ecumenical conversations that Protestants generally have come to recognize the right place of tradition...." (p.70 "Eugene Carson Blake", Zoth Century Reformation Hour, Collingswood N. J.)
As independent Baptists we belong to neither the catholic(universal) or protestant groups. We believe that the BIBLE IS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY! It is given to us by God and is profitable for doctrine and practice (II Tim 3:16,17). It is the STANDARD (I Peter 4:11). It is to believed, read, known, searched, taught, talked of and received. There is blessedness in hearing and obeying it (Luke 11:28, James 1:25) and we shall have nothing to do with those who seek to make it of minimal effect through their traditions ( Mark 7:9-13). The Ecunemical crowd is wrong because their authority is wrong.
The very Basis for Christian belief is compromised by this ecumenical crowd. Unity, as they see it, cannot be achieved without doing away with the Bible as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice.
Eugene Carson Blake, a past top administrative officer of the World Council of Churches, and past president of the National Council of Churches stated in his address entitled "A Proposal Toward the Reunion of Christ's Church."...."The scripture as the sole basis of authority must be dropped if unity is to be possible. So long as the wording 'sola scriptura' is required, no bridge can be made between Catholic and Evangelical.It is now clear in ecumenical conversations that Protestants generally have come to recognize the right place of tradition...." (p.70 "Eugene Carson Blake", Zoth Century Reformation Hour, Collingswood N. J.)
As independent Baptists we belong to neither the catholic(universal) or protestant groups. We believe that the BIBLE IS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY! It is given to us by God and is profitable for doctrine and practice (II Tim 3:16,17). It is the STANDARD (I Peter 4:11). It is to believed, read, known, searched, taught, talked of and received. There is blessedness in hearing and obeying it (Luke 11:28, James 1:25) and we shall have nothing to do with those who seek to make it of minimal effect through their traditions ( Mark 7:9-13). The Ecunemical crowd is wrong because their authority is wrong.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Public Schools?
"To be silent about religion and the contributions of God-centered religious thought to the growth and development of our nation may be, in effect, to make the public schools an anti-religious factor in the community.
Silence creates the impression in the minds of the young that religion is unimportant and has nothing to contribute to the solution of the perennial and ultimate problems of human life. The negative consequences are all the more important when society is asking the public schools to assume more and more responsibility for dealing with the culktural problems of growth and development."
".......The school must never supplant the church and the home in their responsibility of teaching children to "believe". The school can, however, reinforce the church and the home by cultivating in the children an appreciation and understanding of the moral and spiritual foundations which undergird our American Way of Life."
The aforementioned words were written by Mr. Thomas D. Bailey, Superintendent of Public instruction for the State of Florida in 1962. These words compiled the Foreword for the State Teachers Guide titled "Teaching Moral and Spiritual Values in Florida Schools".
It is incredibly sad to see how far our Public Education System has moved away from this once promoted standard. Today prayers are forbidden in the classroom and before events. Valedectorians are being reprimanded for using their faith in their remarks at graduation ceremonies. Schools have been sued over displaying a cross, utilizing scripture in the classroom, having local preachers lead the football team in prayer, etc...
In 1953 The Miami Senior High School students produced a play titled "This is America". They began their play by quoting Genesis 1-3. The narration continued with: "God created man in His own image..." Today Miami-Dade schools proclaim life began with a "big bang". The days of the routine quoting of scripture and God created man narrations in public school plays may be gone, but it should never be gone from the christians routine.
The Public School model is bankrupt and backwards. They have forgotten the History of our great Nation and the God who was such an integral part of that History. May we as Christians "shout it from the housetops" may we never grow complacent and silent.We must strive to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." (Phil. 2:15)
"Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people" Pr. 14:34
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord....." Ps. 33:12
Silence creates the impression in the minds of the young that religion is unimportant and has nothing to contribute to the solution of the perennial and ultimate problems of human life. The negative consequences are all the more important when society is asking the public schools to assume more and more responsibility for dealing with the culktural problems of growth and development."
".......The school must never supplant the church and the home in their responsibility of teaching children to "believe". The school can, however, reinforce the church and the home by cultivating in the children an appreciation and understanding of the moral and spiritual foundations which undergird our American Way of Life."
The aforementioned words were written by Mr. Thomas D. Bailey, Superintendent of Public instruction for the State of Florida in 1962. These words compiled the Foreword for the State Teachers Guide titled "Teaching Moral and Spiritual Values in Florida Schools".
It is incredibly sad to see how far our Public Education System has moved away from this once promoted standard. Today prayers are forbidden in the classroom and before events. Valedectorians are being reprimanded for using their faith in their remarks at graduation ceremonies. Schools have been sued over displaying a cross, utilizing scripture in the classroom, having local preachers lead the football team in prayer, etc...
In 1953 The Miami Senior High School students produced a play titled "This is America". They began their play by quoting Genesis 1-3. The narration continued with: "God created man in His own image..." Today Miami-Dade schools proclaim life began with a "big bang". The days of the routine quoting of scripture and God created man narrations in public school plays may be gone, but it should never be gone from the christians routine.
The Public School model is bankrupt and backwards. They have forgotten the History of our great Nation and the God who was such an integral part of that History. May we as Christians "shout it from the housetops" may we never grow complacent and silent.We must strive to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." (Phil. 2:15)
"Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people" Pr. 14:34
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord....." Ps. 33:12
Monday, November 9, 2009
To know more about Christ
God is concerned about all His children. He wants us to know more of His plan and purpose in the world. In Ephesians chapter 1 we see the soul-stirring desire of Paul to know more about Christ. Like Paul we too should have a constant desire to know more about Him. We should know more about the hope of His calling(1:15-18a), the riches of the glory of His inheritance(1:18b)and the exceeding greatness of His power(1:19-23).
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever." May we all have as our main goal to know Him more.
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever." May we all have as our main goal to know Him more.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
An Uncommon Christian
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." --II Peter 3:14 David Livingstone wrote in his diary; "I have found that I have no unusual endowments of intellect, but I this day resolved that I would be an uncommon christian."
Today, as in any day, many of Gods' people are good spectators and poor participators. We often are high on intentions and low on deeds, we start well
and finish poorly. Benjamin Franklin once remarked; "Work as if you were to live 100 years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow." Theodore Roosevelt remarked one day; "I am only an average man, but I work harder at it than the average man." What makes for the uncommon Christian is persistent zeal for the will of the Lord, working at it as though it all depends on him and praying knowing it all depends on God.
There are many Christians who have an interest in their beliefs, the uncommon Christian is working out those beliefs. May we all desire to be the uncommon Christian.
Today, as in any day, many of Gods' people are good spectators and poor participators. We often are high on intentions and low on deeds, we start well
and finish poorly. Benjamin Franklin once remarked; "Work as if you were to live 100 years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow." Theodore Roosevelt remarked one day; "I am only an average man, but I work harder at it than the average man." What makes for the uncommon Christian is persistent zeal for the will of the Lord, working at it as though it all depends on him and praying knowing it all depends on God.
There are many Christians who have an interest in their beliefs, the uncommon Christian is working out those beliefs. May we all desire to be the uncommon Christian.
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