Sun, Jun 28th - 11:17PM

America Needs The Prayers of the People of God

2009, July 4, marks the 233^rd birthday of the nation of America. The document which was signed by fifty-six men, which declared independence from earthly powers, is concluded with these powerful words: "With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor". Twenty-nine of these men suffered deep loss as nine of them died as a result of war.

America has been held to the highest place of respect through these past years. Looking around the landscape of other nations, one can find resources which should be a boon to each of these countries. When America’s vast vaults of natural blessings are looked upon, one can see the hand of God at work in molding those blessings into a respected and successful nation.

People by the thousands, through the years, have sought refuge in the nation. Lives have been started over and developed into fantastic success stories. The mission of Jesus Christ has found safe haven within the borders of America for the sharing of the Good News of the gospel around the world. Churches have been free to preach the love of God and salvation through Jesus Christ resulting in thousands of Americans being born into the family of God. America has indeed been spiritually blessed, as well as materially, beyond any other nation on the face of the globe.

Citizens of the United States are the most blessed of any people anywhere. Freedom, although obtained at a high cost, has endured throughout these United States of America for these 233 years.

The road from 1776 to the present hour hasn’t been an easy trip. For some those years of freedom has come more slowly then to other groups and individuals. Race relations have made tremendous advancements in the past 40 - 50 years. Poverty remains a real challenge in many circles. Political wars are often frightening. Immorality is a driving force in safety issues and law enforcement. But for now, much of our freedom remains intact, although there are fearful possibilities just ahead.

The desire of the body of Christ in 2009 is to live through another Great Awakening as in years past. God’s promise in the Old Testament is still relevant for today. And if a new awakening is to come to this nation, His roadmap to spiritual renewal will be required.

A Call 2 Fall on our knees is planned across the nation for Sunday, July 5. The Family Research Council, led by Tony Perkins, is seeking to have at least 40,000 churches participating in this event. Our church in Gloster, Galilee 1^st Baptist, will be one of the 40,000. Our service will be on Sunday night beginning at 6 P. M.

40,000 churches can translate into millions of Bible believing Christians praying for America. God told Solomon at the conclusion of his building the temple and at its dedication, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land"(2 Chr. 7:14).

It my earnest belief that our nation will not adopt laws to protect the innocent babies in the mother’s womb, that we will never make any headway in protecting Christians from hate speech rules and laws, that people will never realize until it’s too late what brought down brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah by utilizing psychological arguments and political maneuvering. Politicians, news anchor personal, clergymen, it is time that we answer all morally damaging activities with the Word of God. I dream about hearing those on the airways speak the scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to run with it. God’s promise in the Old Testament, in the first major prophet, Isaiah, is still as plain as it gets. The prophet wrote down what the Holy Spirit led him to write: "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth. It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please. And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it"(55:11).

Let us pray that America will see one more spiritual awakening before the King of kings, and Lord of lords, returns to rapture out the body of Christ. Will you be one of those millions who fall on their knees in behalf of the greatest country on the face of the earth?

Sun, Jun 21st - 10:37PM

From the first pages of the Bible we discover man in a difficult situation. He has listened to Eve, the wife God gave to Him, who convinced him to eat the forbidden fruit. As a result of his disobedience before God, the Adam family is driven from their beautiful, peaceful home in Paradise.

Instead of living among the ever producing fruit of the original plants, Adam has to now grow his crops as the sweat pours from his body. The ground he plants will produce thorns and thistles along with some eatable herbs. Besides the labor now required to grow his fruit, Adam will now live a number of days and after death return to the dust from which he came.

Throughout history, especially Biblical history, the responsibility of the man has been to be the provider for his family. Even in the much debated Ephesians 5:22-28 scripture passage, where the wife is ordered by scripture to be in submission to their own husband, he is ordered to love his wife even as Christ loved the church. And Christ’s love was a sacrificial love in that He willing gave up His life for the church.

In our more sophisticated, modern society, the role of the husband as provider has changed. In some cases, where impairment or illness has occurred, this role change has become a necessity. In other cases, such as career women, the dual role is selected. And perhaps when children are reared and gone, this can bring relief from financial burdens.

This isn’t a devotion to discus the pros and cons of husbands and wives in the same family going into the workplace. But it is an encouragement for men to take their responsibilities in the home as a very serious obligation. Paul the apostle uses the illustration of a faithful father in his letter to the Thessalonians.

This was a city to which Paul ministered and established a church. The first letter written to these faithful believers is a love letter from the apostle to the people. In it he reminds them of his faithfulness in coming to their city and he wrote "For you yourselves know, brethern, that our coming to you was not in vain"(1 Thess. 2:1).

He continued through this second chapter to remind them that he preached to them the Word of God and that he worked with his hands, as a tentmaker, and paid his own way while among them. Then he wrote, ". . . as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory"(2:11-12). He uses the faithful father as an example of his ministry among them.

The man in today’s society, as in other days, has many responsibilities. To be the complete man of God in the home, he must learn to balance his life. I’ll only mention three areas today.

First, the man of the house must given time for the wife. She is after all that "rib" which God has prepared just for you. The health of a long life depends upon the spark of love never growing so dim it can’t be recognized. If you wish to share 62 years together, as the dear friends of Peggy and myself, D. M. and Ruth Dixon are celebrating this weekend, you better pay attention to her need of your presence, your togetherness for quality time.

Second, in most families, children will come along and be a part of the family. Sometimes, this occurs through the natural birth of the married couple’s love. On other occasions children are adopted into the family. And then, of course, when couples are remarried, step-children are often brought into the home. They too need your time. Time to encourage, to guide, time to listen!

Another important time consumer is the work place. Generally, the man has no control over time spent at work. That makes all the other times important in balancing the man’s life.

Finally, just a short word, as space is evaporating, time must be spent for your church and for your spiritual growth. Along with yourself, your children will need your guidance in understanding how they should live lives worthy of being called "Christian".

Doing the balance act for men is stressful, but it can be done and is being done by many men. Join them today.

Sun, Jun 14th - 11:10PM

In the New Testament of the Bible, you will find a book entitled "Timothy". This is a letter which Paul the apostle wrote to a young man named Timothy. In the first few verses of the book, or letter to the young preacher, the apostle recalls the faithfulness of his mother Eunice and the faith which his grandmother, Lois, had also. And Paul was convinced that Timothy’s faith had come through their faithful witness.

In chapter 1, verse 8, Paul addresses the young man. He wrote, "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands". He further reminded Timothy that ". . . God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind".

Throughout the remainder of the letter, the young preacher is encouraged and counseled how he was to carry out the ministry given to him. I find, in this text, a word to the wise of our generation.

Paul wrote in the Romans letter, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them . . ."(12:6). And a search for the word gift or gifts in the New Testament reveals a number of passages which deals with gifts given to the Lord’s people to be used in His service.

God has never sent His people out into the world without gifting them with the necessary tools to complete the task for which they are sent. Thus, New Testament believers are equipped by the Holy Spirit for every single work Christians are called to perform.

Timothy was given the gift of pastoral ministry. With that gift comes the gift of teaching and encouragement, along with other gifts. Paul wrote challenging him to "stir up the gift of God which is in you".

Herein lies a real danger of many individuals who have received a gift or gifts from the Holy Spirit and are not using those gifts in His service. Our people need to be called out on this matter.

There are complete, small and large volume, books on the subject of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are various interpretations as to how this gifts are to be classified. Some folk will believe that gifts and abilities are one and the same, thus the list has grown through the years as new technologies are advanced. So, this devotion will not answer a lot of your questions but hopefully will help you search your own life and see what it is specifically that the Holy Spirit has given to you.

Perhaps you have the gift of introducing information to groups, that is, you can teach. If so, then your task is to fine tune your gift and volunteer to become a teacher in your church. Good Bible teachers are always in need. And just think of the opportunity you will have in leading folk to understand the truths of God’s Word and then watch them grow in their spiritual lives.

One major need in churches around the country is for an individual who can play the piano. If that is your gift, then believe me, you can have full time opportunities available for you. Many small churches have of necessity begun using CD music for their congregational singing as well as for special music.

If the Holy Spirit has given to you the gift of music, both playing and singing, along with leading congregational singing, then you must not hide that gift away. If He has given it to you, then He desires for you to use it in the service of the Lord.

You get the point I’m making! Timothy, although having received the gift, could have ignored the gift, went on his way to do what his heart led him to do, and thereby dishonored God. If so, his end of life would have been much different.

It is a firm belief of mine that everyone has some gift, while others have more than one gift. It is a dangerous thing to receive a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit and then not use it for the purpose(s) He has designed.

So, look deep into your life and discover what is your gift(s). Then fine tune that gift for the Master’s use. You will never be sorry about your decision to get involved. When using His gift in His service with joyful thanksgiving, your life will be filled with joy.

Discover your gift. Go to your pastor and ask him to help you discover the place where the Lord would have you serve. He will be delighted and happy to give you assistance. Please, use it before you lose it!

Mon, Jun 8th - 12:12AM

Anytime a person ventures into a new project, the venturer seeks the best advice possible. He, or she, does everything they can to make sure the goal sought is achievable. When investments are involved, they want to be as near the symbol of guaranteed achievement as one can get. You’ve heard the statement, which is the symbol of certainty, it’s as sure "as taxes and death". And we are all aware just how sure those two things are to us all.

Each year, the working public must deal with tax issues. Taxes are paid on salary and other income received. Taxes are paid on commodities bought. Taxes are paid on homes owned. Taxes are paid on cars driven . . . you get the point. A person, so they say, can’t live without taxes!

And once in everyone’s life death visits. That’s not a popular thought, yet one has no further to look than to the daily newspaper’s obituary page. Death is a sure thing, so we are told.

But I want to share something in today’s devotion that is more sure than "taxes and death". If a person doesn’t work and never makes a purchase or owns a car or home, then perhaps they will not have any taxes to pay. And if you are a believer and if the Lord returns in the air to rapture the body of Christ out of the world in your lifetime, then you won’t ever die physically. Changed in the twinkling of an eye, yes, but will not die.

So, if you or I can be rescued by both scenarios, there is one other certain thing that will come to pass for the people of the world. It is found in 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." The promises of God will come to pass.

Immediately, the mind turns to the good things which are promised in the scriptures. Folk will begin to think about the streets of gold, the paradise of God, Heaven where there will be no sickness, no death, no hospitals, no funeral homes. And those are promises which the Lord will keep for the people of God who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I, for one, look forward to a land where cheating won’t be a problem, where there will be no police force, no military, no destructive bombs, no murder, rape, or other evil dangers. I look forward to the reunion with friends and family who have already gone on ahead of me. I look forward to a world where real peace will exist.

But, just as God has made promises to the family of God which awaits their fulfillment, there are also promises made to those who reject Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Peter wrote in his second letter, "But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men"(3:7). The "same word" refers back to verses 5 and 6 where Peter reminds the Christians that the world which is and the flood which destroyed the first world, and the heavens which are in place are thus because of the word of God.

Now, in our present moment, the heavens and the earth, which have become the object worshiped by multitudes of people, are reserved or kept for fire, or judgement, which will come in the day of judgment and perdition, or destruction, of ungodly men. This is a promise which is sent out to all Christ rejecters. The drug dealers, the bootleggers, the prostitutes, the ungodly, and "all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death"(Rev. 21:8).

Yes, the promises of God are more sure than are taxes and death! There isn’t a single soul on the earth from past history to the end of history who shall escape His promise. For the saint it’s the joys of eternal life. For the sinner, it’s the eternal judgement of God. Are you ready?