Pastor's Blog

Worry

2010-02-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

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!

Friends

2010-01-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

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.

His fireplaces

2010-01-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

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 Ecumenical Movement

2009-12-17T13:08:00.000-08:00

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.

Public Schools?

2009-12-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

"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

To know more about Christ

2009-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

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.

An Uncommon Christian

2009-10-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

"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.

"lights in a dark world"

2009-10-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

"In the midst of a crooked and perserve nation among whom ye shine as lights in a dark world" (Phillipians 2:15) We as Christians are supposed to live this life right in the middle of a wayward society. "Crooked" speaks of moral evil, and "perverse" speaks of a twisted nature. If there ever were a twisted and perverted generation this is it. Right is now wrong, and wrong is now right. This is exactly where God wants us. These are the people The Lord wants us to reach and influence. These are the very people God loves and Jesus died for.

If our ultimate purpose for being here was to worship God, then God would have immediately transported us to heaven because in heaven worship is perfect. If our ultimate purpose for being here were to fellowship with one another, God would have transported us to heaven where we could fellowship in perfection for eternity. We are here that we might "shine as lights in a dark world".

Our Lord prayed in John 17 " I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil". We must shine "among" the lost world. We are to take the "church" to them. This world needs Christ--and we are his "ambassadors". Let us take our responsibility seriously, let us desire to live "godly in this present world", contrasting the darkness with the glory of the light of Christ.

Fighting back

2009-10-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

Scripture exhorts us to fight. James 4 :7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The word "resist" literally means "fight back."

If a police officer goes to arrest a criminal, and that criminal resists arrest; what does that mean? It means he is doing everything in his power to keep the policeman from arresting him. He is fighting back.

When Satan attacks the average Christians prays. Praying could be called a form of resistance, and there is certainly nothing wrong with praying when under attack, but the promise is not, "Pray, and I will make the devil flee." The promise is "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." If the Devil flees, it it is because we resisted or "fought back."

The Bible never says run from the devil, but rather resist and he will flee. Billy Bray, the Cornish miner preacher of old, said that he often did battle with the devil. One day while digging up little shriveled potatoes in his garden, the devil began to put thoughts into Billy's mind. " Billy, if God really loved you, you would have big, nice potatoes instead of these shriveled-up ones!" He kept bothering him until Billy shouted out loud, "You devil, I've got your character back home in my Bible in John 8:44, it says that you are a liar and the father of it. Besides that, when I served you , I didn't have any 'taters at all! Now git! "-- Now that's resisting!

The next time you are under attack do what Billy bray learned to do: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."---FIGHT BACK!

Make the most of your time

2009-10-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Everyone realizes that our time on Earth is limited. If we are wise then we will make the most of it. There is only so much time available and its' amount is unknown."See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." (Ephesians 5:15) Time is completely irretrievable, we can never repeat or relive it. There is no such thing as a literal replay, that exists only in the world of film.

Since our time is limited we cannot afford to dwell in the past or
live with the wrong priorities. Ephesians 5:16 says; "redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Hence, everyday is a new day, every moment is a new opportunity, let us make the most of our "alloted" time, let us spend it wisely for Him.

"The days of our years are threescore and ten: and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" Psalm 90:10

"Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am" Psalm 39:4

A Good Christian

2009-10-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

There is a big difference between being a Christian, a converted man or woman saved by the blood, and being a good christian. For example, it is easy to get married, one can get married without money, without work; all one needs to do is say "I do". But after the marriage, to be a really good husband or wife is not so easy---it costs something.

Being a converted child of God and really serving God acceptably costs something too. When the Lord Jesus told the disciples of His own impending trial, condemnation and crucifixion, He said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. And whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:23, 24). The kind of service that does not cost anything is not worth anything. If one is to hear "well done thou good and faithful servant," it will be because they paid the price of being a good christian.

The Old Testament and New Testament alike---books written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by some forty men, covering a period of fifteen centuries or more--give us a real testimony that it costs much to be a real man or woman of God.

May we today make a holy renunciation of our own plans and say an eternal "yes" to all that God asks of us. May we all desire to be a good christian.

Present Joy

2009-10-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Far too many allow past experiences to rob them of the present joy afforded in Christ. It does not have to be that way. We can be joyful in spite of what the past has been. By understanding and embracing the Grace of God we can sail beyond the past and rejoice in the present. By yielding to God we can replace the timorous frustration of our past with His total fulfilling joy in the present.

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life, For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" Romans 6:4-6

As Christians we have entered into a permanent relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We can rest completely in Him and the new life He has afforded us. He has placed the Holy Spirit within us to lead us to the abundant life. Our task is to set our thoughts on the Truth of His Word and allow His Word to supersede the frustrations and pain of the past.

The tensions of the past can be exchanged for contented living in the present by abiding in Him."If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36

Momar Qhadaffi

2009-09-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

The criminally insane despot Momar Qhadaffi was allowed to address the UN today. For 90 minutes he attacked just about everything and everybody. He attacked the UN, USA,Western Europe, Israel, NYPD, WW1, WW2, Korean war,etc.... Not suprisingly the one person he praised was our President, Mr. Obama. He lovingly stated " he wishes Obama would stay President forever." How sweet and kind of him.
"beware when all manner of men speak well of thee"

Arise from your sleep Mr. President. Quit being an embarrassment. Quit bringing shame and contempt upon the free world. May God open your eyes.

Wordliness

2009-09-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

After David's episode of immorality, murder and deception he found himself begging God to restore his joy. "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation...." (Psalm 51:12) When Naomi returned from her long journey of pride and selfishness rather than trusting in God, she said, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara, for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me." (Ruth 1:20) Peter's worldly associates at Pilate's judgement hall prompted him to curse and deny Jesus, and he, as well, lost his joy for the Scriptures tell us that he went out and wept bitterly. Worldliness is much like the beautiful green ivy that wraps itself around the big oak tree. While we admire its attractiveness it draws the sap from the tree and thus causes the branches to be malnourished, wither and die.
Worldliness is a parasite that robs us of the joy of the Lord. It is a damper that quenches our zeal for Him. Just like a bucket of water thrown on a brightly burning flame, worldliness immediately reduces the holy fire of zeal for the Lord to a smoldering ash. John Wesley said, "Anything that cools my love for Christ and takes off my spiritual edge is of the world, and that is sin to me."
Far too many christians instead of "Come see my zeal for the Lord" could say, "Come see my zeal for the world."

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 John 2:15-17