Morning Devotional December 25, 2022

 

Hebrews 10:24-25

“24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

I see this morning where some of the Lord's churches are canceling services. In much of the country we are experiencing a very harsh winter storm with colder than usual temperatures. In some places the roads may be hazardous to travel. I believe our Lord understands these times when His people are hindered from corporate worship by the weather. But, this year we have something else going on today. And so it is that I wonder how many Pastors and churches have canceled services out of convenience and used the weather conditions as an excuse? I also wonder how many of those same people will travel to be with family or friends today. Some even travel further than the distance to their church?

The truth of the matter is that oftentimes we, even God's children, are just looking for any excuse to not be with the Lord's church on the day they gather to worship. We will pray the Pastor calls and cancels or that the majority of the congregation will persuade the Pastor to do so.

In many places where the winter storm has wreaked havoc the past few days, the roads have been cleared. People have gone out to do their final “Christmas” shopping. Yet, can't get to church this morning.

For many, the excuse this time is not the weather but the joy of following after the world and her religious ways. It's the thrill of rebelling against our Lord and Savior by falsely proclaiming the day of His earthly birth. It's the emotionalism of declaring the doctrines of devils with the story of Santa Clause. Jeremiah 5:31“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional December 24, 2022

Proverbs 12:22

“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.”

What a sad thing it is for men of God to take a stand for a lie rather than the truth. It is disheartening this time of year to see so many of God's preachers proclaim the lies of the season rather than stick to the truth of God's Word.

Whether you believe Christmas is rooted in paganism or not, the observance is so full of lies about the true story of our Lord's birth it is an abomination to the Lord. Yet, year after year Pastors who preach good, solid truth from God's Word the rest of the year will preach what tickles the ears of sinful man rather than proclaim the truth of God's Word.

It is so simply put in multiple places in the Bible, the events surrounding the conception and birth of our Lord and Savior. We see in the Book of Acts and the letters written to the early churches no mention of observing the birth of our Lord. What we do see are many warnings to not follow after the traditions of man and the sinful ways of this world.

There is no need for the lies surrounding the celebration of our Lord's birth. The Holy Scriptures are clear what took place, when it took place, and where it took place. But, because some have decided the story told by the followers of Roman Catholicism sounds better than what God Himself told we have what we have today. Sadly many in the Lord's true churches have fallen into this false doctrine, or doctrine of devils also.

The story of Santa Claus is based on lies and is steeped in lies also. It amazes me even more as I grow older how God's people can feed such a lie to their children and grandchildren. Then stand in wonder when those same children fall for the lies of this very wicked generation. It is a sad thing when God's own people preach truth all throughout the year then for a few short weeks proclaim the lies of a dead and dying world. A world that cares nothing for the truth of God's Word. A world that knows just enough about God's Word that they will make up a story about the earthly birth of the Son of God and make it sound so nice and pretty that God's own elect will fall for it rather than stick to the truth we are so commanded to proclaim.

What will you do this weekend? Proclaim the truth of God's Word or follow the lies of man?

Pastor, what will you preach? What example do you live in your home and in public? If the Lord was to come back tomorrow while you are standing in the pulpit, what will you be preaching? Truth or a lie? Think about it!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional December 17, 2022

 

Jeremiah 10:2-4

“2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”

What is wrong with God's people today? In a day and age when we have some much information at our very fingertips. We can research more, easier, and faster than at any other time in history. With the technology we have today and with some many using this technology. We have no excuse for not understanding clearly, things that may have been not so clear in the past.

Don't misunderstand. I fully believe God's Word is clear to those He chooses to open their understanding to the mysteries of His Word. God's Word is never changing. No matter how or what the modern so-called translators try to say. Some try to say the Old Testament was for Israel only and not for the New Testament Church. That would apply to the Old Covenant. But the Old Testament as we know it. Those books of the Bible from Genesis to Malachi are just that, Books of the Bible. The same Bible that holds the New Testament books.

So, do we, as members of the Lord's churches, read and study the Old Testament? Is there a benefit to us to do such? Why would God include the Old Testament in the Canon of scripture He provided for us today? If one will simply read and study the Old Testament and the stories of those saints back then we will see a people, though loved greatly by God, continuously rebelled against God. Time and time again God showed His love, mercy, and grace on them. We see the never ending love God has for those He calls His children. Even when they rebelled and even when they sought after false gods and false doctrines.

But, remember we also see the chastisement of God on those same children when He had had enough of their rebellion. And every time He chastised them we see God get the glory and it was for their good. Is not the telling of the stories of God's people in the Old Testament a prime example for God's people today? Then why is it that we read and study those stories in the Old Testament and still live our lives in rebellion against God and His Word just as they did? I have heard it said that we must learn from history so that we don't repeat history. Yet, God's people are just as guilty as the unsaved at repeating their history.

In an age where there is a great movement in our nation to remove and erase our Godly Heritage, many of the Lord's churches have and are doing just that. By celebrating the unholy day of Christmas the Lord's churches are removing and erasing their very own Godly Heritage. The very Christmas story that will be represented by nativity scenes on the church property to the sermons and lessons preached and taught the next few weeks will be chuck full of false doctrine and full of false god worship. Go to the Books of Matthew and Luke and read, in detail the whole story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and tell me it ain't so. And yet God's people love to have it so.

I would also challenge you to read the whole of the New Testament. Paying close attention to those stories of the first churches and the God's men who taught those people how the churches were to worship and who to worship. Nothing is ever mentioned about holy days. Matter of fact most of those men warned the churches to flee the ways of the ungodly world. The Jews and the Gentiles alike were instructed to leave their former ways and look to Christ and Christ alone. Today we see many reverting back to the old Jewish holy days as a replacement for the paganism of Rome and others following the pagan worship of Rome and Babylon. Both declaring their observances “Christian”.

With the technology we have today we can easily research where these holy days and observances come from. Their history and true meanings are out in the open if you are willing to do a little research. When you find this history then go to God's Word and see what God had to say about unholy observances. See what God had to say about following after the traditions of man. See what God expects for worship from His people. Follow Christ and Christ alone!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional December 10, 2022

 

Proverbs 1:1-7

“1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

In the first few verses of the Book of Proverbs we see who wrote the book and why. King Solomon, who some say was the most wise man to ever live next to Jesus Christ.

Notice in verse 7 Solomon tells us where we must start to gain knowledge. It all begins with “the fear of the Lord”. Not a “scary” type of fear but rather a reverence and respect for the Lord. All the knowledge and wisdom man needs in this life must first begin with a fear of the Lord. Without this key element all knowledge and wisdom is in vain.

So from verse 2-6 we see the purpose of the writer. The Proverbs in this book are written in such a way and are explained in such a way that the very simple minded can understand. But, only if they seek the meaning of each Proverb in “the fear of the Lord”. Notice Solomon says if we do not fear the Lord when seeking knowledge we are fools.

Much of what is contained in this book is what most Christians consider “common sense”. Common sense is greatly lacking in our world today. We have seen a whole generation turn the science community upside down with all kinds of claims of. From claims of multiple genders to how to control a virus to sodomy. All this can be traced back to a lack of fear of the Lord.

It doesn't just happen with the unsaved. Notice it has even taken hold with many of God's children and sadly even with the Lord's churches.

If God's people feared the Lord as they claim and studied more from the common sense instructions of Solomon how much better off would we be?

Remember it was Solomon who God said these words to:

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Though this was given directly to the Nation of Israel along with the promise of healing their land, it is still wise instruction for God's people down through the ages. Did God heal the land of Israel? Not yet. Why? Because His people have not humbled themselves, and prayed, and sought His face, and turned from their wicked ways.

Look at Israel today. They are still living in turmoil. They have no peace and healing in their land. Is it any wonder we see the same problem with the Lord's churches? We seek and pray for healing in our land. Whether for health or political or peace but God's people have not humbled themselves, and prayed, and sought His face, and turned from their wicked ways.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional December 4, 2022

 

Philippians 4:19

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional December 3, 2022

 

Acts 1:8

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Today we will have a brother come preach for our monthly fellowship meeting who has been called out of one the the Lord's churches to be a missionary. The strange thing about this brother's calling to many is the fact that the Lord has not called him to go to a foreign land. We recently started supporting a dear brother and his family who are in the process of starting a mission work in Wyoming. Both of these men have a desire to see God's elect saved and churches organized in areas that are void of true churches.

Here in the United States of America God's people have this sense of entitlement. We often think there is no need for missionaries here. After all, are we not “One Nation Under God ''? Look around us today, watch the local, state, and national news. Honestly, do we really look like “One Nation Under God”? Can we truly say we are a Christian nation? Remember the meaning of the name “Christian”? To be Christ-like or to be a follower of Christ.

With our track record on baby murder, the treatment of the elderly, our religious freedoms that seem to be eroding daily, the way the Lord's true churches have fallen after the world in their worship of sports and entertainment idols and the idolatry of pagan holy days, the removal of godly heritage from public view, etc. How can we really believe we, as a nation, are one under God? Sure, God has shown great mercy on this nation because of His people. But, how long will God show mercy to a nation who time and time again denies His very existence? And not just the nation as a whole, but God's own people. The members of the Lord's own churches.

This is why I say there is a great need for missionaries in our nation today. Our nation is in dire straits, spiritually speaking. Every election cycle we vote for the person who we think will change our nation back to what it once was. We argue and discuss among ourselves about the evil in politics on all levels. Yet do we have a desire for a spiritual awakening in this nation? If not, then why not? That is the greatest need in our land today.

Please understand, I am not saying to stop supporting missionaries going to the foreign field. What I am saying is we have a great need here at home. Our Jerusalems(cities and communities), Judeas(states and nation), and even our Samaria(Canada) are in great need for missionaries from the Lord's churches to go and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

If you are a man who has been called into the ministry but unsure about where God wants you, I encourage you to pray about a church that is in need of a pastor or an area of our nation that is in need of a missionary and a true church. There are plenty of both needs. Call me, we'll pray together and talk about these things.

Pray for these brethren who have a desire to see souls saved in our nation. Pray for them as they go out seeking to follow their call from the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional November 27, 2022

 

One of my favorite passages from God's Word.

1 John 4

“1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional November 26, 2022

2 Corinthians 4:1-7

“1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

It never ceases to amaze me how this time every year men, pastors, preachers, and teachers, men who preach God's Word with boldness and truth throughout the rest of the year all of a sudden begin to follow after the traditions of man. In many places we are warned of this in God's Word. Yet, whether it is to appease the crowd or to keep peace in their home/family, or simply to feed their own sinful flesh or maybe a combination of all this, these men will set aside the truth of God's Word and begin preaching a series of lies. Lies that are so easily refuted if one is willing to study God's Word.

It's almost as though these men care nothing for the recorded birth of our Lord and Savior in Matthew and Luke and prefer the fairy tales of unsaved men.

The saddest of all this is the claim that it is all for the “children”. But, is it really? We preach about telling the truth all year long then when it comes down to the earthly birth of Jesus Christ many can't even open their Bibles and read what it says in fear of being made a heretic by God Himself.

Every year those of us who boldly stand for the truth in this matter are chided and ridiculed by those who claim the name of Christ but refuse to stand on the truth. Instead, for sentimental reasons they fall back into their old life of sin and from the same pulpit in which they have preached truth all year long, are now “turned unto fables”.

Make no doubt about it, I am speaking to and of Baptist here. Why preach the very doctrines of devils our forefathers died fighting against? We think and are commonly taught that the martyrs who died throughout church history fought only against infant baptism. Find you a good Baptist History book. Read of how those men and women stood against everything Roman Catholicism forced on their people that was false doctrine. This included the Roman observation of the Christ-Mass.

If we are going to claim to be part of the Lord's Bride, then why would we preach the doctrines and traditions of those who are clearly the enemy of our Bridegroom?

If you are a Pastor or Preacher or Teacher or Missionary, the Lord has given you a ministry. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.” “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

Brethren, preach Christ and Him crucified. Forsake false doctrine and the traditions of the world and preach the truth of God. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

Now more than ever our loved ones need to hear the truth from God's Word. And it is our job to proclaim it!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional November 24, 2022

 

Psalm 100

“1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

We could spend a month of Sundays or more preaching from this wonderful little chapter. But, for now we will concentrate on the day before us. The Psalmest has written so much into this short chapter. Reminding us of our duty to praise and worship our Lord continuously. Not just once or twice a day, but to be in constant communion with our Heavenly Father.

Notice in verse 3 who this is written to. We, His people. Not the whole world, but the people of God.

O where would we be without His mercy!!! We should be especially thankful for His mercy on us and on our nation today. What a wicked people we are. Yes, even we the people of God are wicked. Look at our lives and how we live in this old sin filled world.

Don't forget why this day was set aside by our forefathers: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional November 20, 2022

 

Psalm 100

“1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Every year at this time our nation has what was originally intended as a season of Thanksgiving to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us in the previous year and for those to come in the next year.

The more wicked our society becomes, the more forgetfulness rather than thankfulness becomes the norm. As a whole, we have forgotten the mercy God has shown upon us as a nation. And not surprisingly this has crept into the Lord's Churches. We go from one demonic holy day to another this time of year with little to no recognition of the day our Founding Fathers set aside to give thanks to our Creator. Then we wonder why our nation is in such dire straits.

For many Thanksgiving Day is now known as “Turkey Day”. Filled with two of the biggest idols of our day. An overabundance of food and football. With no reverence for the One who the day was originally set aside. Yet we still pride ourselves on being “One Nation Under God”.

It was a joy to go to a Bible Conference yesterday where true Thanksgiving was observed in the preaching and the fellowship. Where will you be today? What about when it's time for the midweek service? What will you be doing on Thanksgiving Day? Praising and worshiping and giving thanks to our Heavenly Father or wrapped up in the things of the world. Waiting and planning and scheming for the Black Friday sales. Playing music and decorating for the false god of Christmas?

Our thanksgiving to God does not stop with the end of the meal or the end of the day or the end of the long weekend. God tells us over and over and over in His Word to always give thanks to Him and only to Him.

So, child of God, where will your thoughts and prayers be this year during this season of Thanksgiving to God? On things of God or the things of self and the world?

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional November 13, 2022

 

Jeremiah 13:8-11

“8 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

9 Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.

10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.”

This past week we saw the “Great Red Wave” of the Republican Party die out before reaching the beach. Why? Could it be because of the prideful speech and actions of God's people just days before the election? People were so sure that their candidates were going to all win landslide victories. But, it looks as though our God had other plans.

I watched a few news broadcasts and posts on social media in the days after the election. It amazes me how people who claim to be God's people have come up with every excuse possible to explain their party's downfall. Not one that I have seen has come out and admitted God is in control and it is God who planned all this from the beginning. It's as though Landmark Sovereign Grace Baptist have forgotten who is Sovereign. It's as though they have forgotten what they preach.

Why? Because, even though we say we believe in an all Sovereign God we still want things the way we want them. We still have that sin of pride dwelling within us. So much so that our wants are more important than our needs, at least in our own eyes.

Let us not forget who we are and to whom we belong. Let us not forget this world is not our home, but it is that eternal home to come in which we should have our hope. Living all eternity with our Lord and Savior should be more on our minds than this temporal life here.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional November 12, 2022

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

I would like us to look at a word this morning that I don't believe I have really never thought much about until recently. The word “Dogmatic” or “Dogmatical”.

Here is the definition according to Websters 1828 Dictionary:

“DOGMATIC, DOGMATICAL adjective

1. Pertaining to a dogma, or to settled opinion.

2. Positive; magisterial; asserting or disposed to assert with authority or with overbearing and arrogance; applied to persons; as a dogmatic schoolman or philosopher.

3. Positive; asserted with authority; authoritative; as a DOGMATICAL opinion.

4. Arrogant; overbearing in asserting and maintaining opinions.”

Over the years I have heard preachers use this word in the positive to tell how strong they believe something or use this word in the negative to tell why they may not be very strong in a certain teaching.

As God's children, we should be dogmatic in certain doctrines taught in God's Word. A few examples; We must be dogmatic on the teaching of the Gospel, the doctrines of election and predestination, the doctrine of the Lord's Church, Creation, etc. Anything God has made clear in His Word we must be and remain dogmatic about. Another words, a dogmatical opinion must be taught with authority from on High. The only way this is possible is if it is clearly taught in God's Word and is clearly understood by the man preaching the message.

However, there are doctrines or teachings we may not understand completely. These doctrines we must be careful about. These doctrines, which may not be made clear in God's Word, whether God has not opened them to us yet or in our rebellion we have refused to see the whole truth of the matter. The fact is there are times where the Lord does not reveal a certain teaching to us and so, in such cases we can not be dogmatic in our beliefs or opinions on the matter.

For example: some of the end times prophecy, what Heaven looks like, what life was like on earth between the fall of Adam and Noah, etc.

The fact of the matter is there are things mentioned in the scripture that we may never understand or know what really happened. We can guess but that is all it is, a guess.

The problem I see in all this is we have preachers who will not be dogmatic where God's Word is clear while at the same time they are dogmatic on things they have no knowledge of.

Another issue is when a preacher says he is not dogmatic about a certain teaching but continues to preach the topic as if he is dogmatic. It is like the old saying that says “if you preach something loud enough and often enough the people will begin to believe it.”. Brethren, that is dangerous. Very dangerous. If the scripture is not clear on something then why continue to bring it up? If you need Godly counsel to help understand it, that is one thing, but to continue to preach something that you, yourself are not sure about and God's Word is not openly clear about can make us out to be a false teacher.

Remember what Peter said in 2 Peter 1:20 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”

We will have our different opinions on matters. Certainly no two Christians are going to believe exactly the same on every single doctrine. But, there are certain doctrines we must be dogmatic about and preach with God given authority. Then there are things we may mention in passing or give our opinion about that we cannot be dogmatic about because God has not taught clearly in His Word. Those things we can study and ponder about but we must be very careful about if we preach them from the pulpit. If the scripture is silent then what right or authority do we have to be dogmatic about our opinion?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional October 30, 2022

 

1 John 5:1-3

“1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

Have you been born again? Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? Do you love Him?

Do you love His children? Are you keeping His commandments?

Where is your desire to be with your brothers and sisters on the day our Lord has set aside for corporate worship? Do you love them enough to want sweet fellowship with the saints? Do you find it a grievous thing to be a part of the Church in which you are a member?

What about daily Bible reading? Do you love the Lord enough to want to learn more about Him? Or is Bible study getting in the way of the things in life you want? Do you find it a grievous thing to take time out of your busy schedule to study God's Word?

What about your prayer life? Are you in constant communion with your Heavenly Father? Are the petitions you bring before Him according to His will or yours? Do you find it a grievous thing to spend precious time with your Lord and Saviour?

Oftentimes when we read these verses we think of those who are openly rebelling against God and His commandments. But what about our secret sins? What about our own neglect of God's commandments? These are all questions we should be asking ourselves. We must examine ourselves before casting judgement upon others. Do we love the Lord enough to follow His commandments?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional October 29, 2022

 

Isaiah 40:31

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Our text verse is very popular with “religious” folks today. Everyone likes to make the claim that they are waiting on the Lord in some aspect of their life. Yet, where do we really find ourselves? On a daily basis? Are we truly waiting on the Lord for what He has for us or are we trying to push things to fit our wants?

1 John 5:14-15 tells us if we have confidence in the Lord and “we ask any thing according to His will, He will hear us”. Maybe that is the problem? Do we have that confidence in the Lord? Do we have faith that He will answer our prayers? Are we asking according to His will or our own? Are we waiting on His answer to our prayers or are we pushing for what we want?

Remember Abraham and Sarah? Remember the promise of a son that God made to them? They got tired of waiting for that promise to come so they tried to push things along. Sarah gave Abraham her handmaiden to bare him a son. How well did that turn out? Not only was that son not what God promised but the seed of that son would be a thorn in the side of God's people till the end of time.

God would eventually give Abraham and Sarah the son He promised and that son's seed would go on to be the Nation of Israel whom God himself favored over all the nations on the earth. And what a history we read of that great nation in the Old Testament. Look at all the times they tried not to follow God's plan for them. All down through their history we see where God brought trials and persecutions on them for not following Him.

Are we any better than the Nation of Israel? Do we think because we are a member of one of the Lord's true churches that our every prayer deserves the answer we want? Do we have the faith to wait upon the Lord for the answer to our prayers? Do we have the confidence in the Lord that we should have?

Why does the Lord make us wait? Could it be so we will take the time to study His Word and commune with Him, strengthening our faith even more in Him? How else do “we mount up with wings as eagles; run, and not be weary; and walk, and not faint.”

How often we forget Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional October 23, 2022

 

1 John 5:14-15

“14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

As God's children we often pray according to what we want and not according to God's will. This is why so often our prayers seemingly go unanswered. But just because we think God does not answer does not mean we did not get an answer. If our prayers are not according to His will the answer may be “NO”. Since “NO” is not the answer we want, we usually assume that God has not given an answer yet. “Maybe we need to be patient and wait for God's answer?”

How foolish we must look to our Heavenly Father in such cases.

When we come before our Heavenly Father with our petitions we must come with a confidence that we believe He will give us an answer and that the petitions we bring are according to His will. How do we know our petitions are according to His will? Just like everything else we do in this life. We must rely on the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to give us guidance in what we ask. We must put aside our earthly desires and wants and listen to the Holy Spirit for what we need and what our Heavenly Father's will is for us.

Yes, there will be times we know not what to ask. There will be times we don't know the words to say. But God knows our hearts and our thoughts. Remember He is Sovereign. He knows what's best for us and only He knows His plans for us.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional October 9, 2022

 

John 15:9-17

“9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

Wow!!! What a glorious passage of scripture!!! From the Quarterly Fellowship Meeting at King's Addition Baptist Church in South Shore, KY last Saturday to the nightly Revival meeting at the same place this past week to the Fall Bible Conference at Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, OH yesterday, We have been greatly blessed by all the sermons we have heard preached on the love of our Lord and Savior. It has been an amazing week with the theme of every meeting being the same. It was never planned that way by us but only by the grace of Almighty God did He give His men the messages that so closely fit together.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional October 2, 2022

 

1 Corinthians 16:14

“Let all your things be done with charity.”

We are commanded to 1^st love God and 2^nd to love our neighbor. Jesus said these were the greatest of all the commandments. If we do not love God first we cannot truly love our neighbor. We may show some kind of compassion or friendship toward our neighbor but we will not truly love them unless we love God first.

And how much do we love God? Do we love Him like He loves us? Do we love Him enough to follow His commandments like He commands us too? Often times we would like to think we do. But do we really?

We need to examine ourselves daily. Remove any sin that maybe in our lives. By reading and studying God's Word daily and being in constant prayer with our Heavenly Father, our love for Him will grow and strengthen.

It is only when we have loved God that the love for our neighbors will come. Not just our neighbors in this world, but also our brothers and sisters in Christ. By showing Godly love to our brethren we can be a witness to our worldly neighbors for the love of Christ. In hopes that if they are the elect of God He will use that witness to bring them to Himself.

Praise God for the love He has instilled within us for Him and our neighbors!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional October 1, 2022

 

Philippians 4:4-5

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

As God's children we have plenty to rejoice about. We have been blessed way more than we deserve in this life. But what about our witness for the Lord? Do others know who we are and whose we are? Do others see us rejoice in the Lord? Or do we hide our joy from the world?

As the Lord's return is at hand, are we the witnesses for Christ we are supposed to be? Not just to the unsaved world but what about our brethren? Do our fellow church members see the joy we have in Christ? What about those from other churches we fellowship with?

Would we not be an encouragement to each other in these trying times if others saw us rejoicing in the Lord!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 25, 2022

 

1 Corinthians 2:1-8

“1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Have you ever noticed in the letters the Apostle Paul wrote in the New Testament how he never lords his Apostleship over the churches? Paul always comes across in a humble manner. Never bragging of his role in the Lord's work. Paul understood how wretched a man he truly was and it was only by the grace of God he was what he was.

Paul was sent out as a missionary under the authority of the Church at Antioch to preach the gospel to the lost and to organize churches where the Lord led. There was no mission board or conference or fellowship that held authority over Paul or the mission work he was entrusted with. Only his sending church. Then once those mission works were organized into churches themselves, they were totally independent, answering only to the Lord Himself. Yes, Paul was often times called upon to help settle disputes within the churches as he did in Corinth.

Remember, Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. He had a certain authority no one before or since has had with the Lord's churches. This notion of a “modern day Paul” is false and any man who accepts such a title should be shunned as a heretic and he himself should be leery of those who would place such a title upon him.

Please understand, there is nothing wrong for a church or group of churches to seek guidance from a man/men who are wise in the Word of God and able to help with disputes or just apt to teach on certain doctrines. We often times call a man to come preach a special meeting or a revival or Bible conference. But when a man claims he has authority over organized churches, especially those who have pastors and/or elders, he needs to take a lesson from the Apostle Paul and humble himself before God and God's people.

The Lord's churches have no need of a man who is so high-minded and self-centered he thinks he has more authority than the Lord Himself.

I John 4:1:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!