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!!!