Criticism - A Gift From God

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Criticism is not something that we naturally enjoy. No matter who is sharing their thoughts with us, we all tense up and hope that what is said won't be too scathing. How soon we forget that all criticism is not harmful! I guess that since most is considered to be bad, then we tend to generalize all as being so. This post will seek to help us see that criticism is a gift from God!

God is Clean. Why Shouldn't Your Music Be? The Messenger of the Music

THE MESSENGER

There are two areas that relate to the messenger of the music.  The first is the testimony of the person.  The second is how they relay the message.

POINT ONE – LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO: THEIR TESTIMONY.

WAIT A MINUTE!  WHO IS THAT BOY SITTING WITH MY DAUGHTER?

You have probably heard of boys who come to church just so that they can date someone’s daughter.  Every Christian parent’s security alert should go off when a Christian girl raised in church has decided that this non-Christian boy isn’t so bad after all. 

The story goes like this:

She was out with some friends or was at school and she was introduced to him.  She is sure that his intentions aren’t anything but transparent and he might even be a Christian after all because he seems like such a good guy. 

As time goes by she notices some negative things about him, but the bad things have been far outweighed by the great time they have together and how she feels when she is with him.  Why are people being so picky and judgmental about him anyway?  They don’t know him like she does. 

She decides; the church is just full of hypocrites who don’t even care about her as much as he does.  So despite her loving family who fell in love with her the moment they laid eyes on her, who taught her to ride a bike, who prayed with her before she went to bed, who cheered as she set a spike in volleyball, who tentatively offered her the keys to their nearly paid off vehicle as she got her driver’s permit; she disregards all their concern and CHOOSES THE BOY.

Playing the part of the enemy.

Recently I overheard a few young people sharing their excitement over having tickets to attend some famous rock star’s concert that’s happening soon. They were ecstatic; they couldn’t believe they were able to get such good seats; they were trying to figure out who else they would take with them and what outfits they were going to wear! It was really this intense conversation that was happening behind me that I had no business in, yet was eavesdropping anyways. Oh, I think I failed to mention… these individuals are Christians.

What exactly did God mean in II Corinthians 6:17? “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you…” It seems pretty simple and straight-forward to me. But the thought doesn’t end there – there’s one sentence is finished with this: “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (vs. 18) There’s a great reason why Christians should be separated from the world and its ways. If you’re truly saved, then you’re the child of the King! You are princes and princesses. You never see royalty rolling around in the mud, associating with criminals or rebels, or engaging in activities of the enemy… they don’t mingle with and engage in “common” activities. They are separated. They are distinct. The same should go for Christians.

Music
I love music. It is one of the things I enjoy most in this world. I play the piano, I love to sing, I love to write music… but even more, I love to listen to music. Music has always been a great help to me – especially when I’m sad or frustrated. But it has also been a great downfall for me as well. I used to listen to it all… well, I never like that scream-o stuff, heavy metal, anything I had to plug my ears and strain to understand – that was just never enjoyable for me. But I used to crave hip hop, R&B, rap, rock, alternative, some country, and a few others. I knew the music was doing absolutely nothing to edify me or help me grow in any way – I knew music that exalted sex, drugs, alcohol, crime, violence, suicide, and a multitude of other unBiblical activities was something that I really shouldn’t be feeding into my mind… but I liked the beat. I liked the way it made my car rumble. I liked the way it made me feel. Ah, the way music makes us “feel” – that’s the big one. It stimulates our emotions; makes us forget the cares of the world for a few minutes; breaks the silence; gives us something to constantly keep our minds busy with. The problem with that music is that it doesn’t glorify the Lord in any way.

... effectual fervent prayer....

Greetings friends and fellow believers in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is with hopeful heart that I bring to you a need for prayer for my dear daughter who was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer early this summer. She will have her 4th chemotherapy treatment this week. She is battling this evil beast but her faith and spirit have not waivered from Christ her Saviour.

Now it is our request that intercessory prayer be offered according to Scripture: "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16.

If you would like to leave a word of encouragement to my daughter, please leave it in the "comments" below and I will pass it along to her.

Roadmap Through Revelation

Take a look at this video for my upcoming book, Roadmap Through Revelation.





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Government

Ro 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Ro 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Ro 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Ro 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Ro 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Ro 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Ro 13:7 ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Ro 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

-Lamentations 3:21-23

I love this passage; it is filled with hope and healing for the broken spirit. But have you read the verses before verse 21? They're depressing!

Lamentations 3:1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
Lamentations 3:2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

Lamentations 3:3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.

Lamentations 3:4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.

Lamentations 3:5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

Lamentations 3:6 He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.

Lamentations 3:7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.

Lamentations 3:8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.

Lamentations 3:9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.

Lamentations 3:10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.

Lamentations 3:11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.

Lamentations 3:12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

Lamentations 3:13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.

Lamentations 3:14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.

Lamentations 3:15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

Lamentations 3:16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.

Lamentations 3:17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.

Lamentations 3:18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:

Lamentations 3:19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

Lamentations 3:20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

Have you ever felt like this? I have! Verses 21-23 wouldn't be half as beautiful and refreshing without the artfully but painfully written verses previous. After taking in verse 1-20, we see the remainder of the passage in a whole new light:

How to Help a Wounded Person

How to Help a Wounded Person
By Cary Schmidt (published by permission)

One of the most difficult circumstances of life and ministry is to try to help someone who has been deeply hurt. These are hard moments. More than anything, you want to take away the hurt, undo the pain, and fix the problem. But it’s just not that easy. Woundedness—regardless of how it occurred—requires time and God’s grace in order to heal.

Here are a few thoughts (not exhaustive by any means) that you might be able to place in your tool box to encourage and help those who are wounded.

First—Teach through Hebrews 12. Much of life’s pain is not disciplinary in nature—but all of it is allowed of God and is intended to be used by Him to produce good in our lives (Romans 8:28). Hebrews 12 deals powerfully with how Christians should respond to wounds and chastening—by claiming God’s grace and turning away from bitterness. As I study this passage it seems that chastening can be both disciplinary and nurturing in nature. In other words, it’s not always about discipline, but it is always difficult and painful.

Second—Emphasize God’s Desire to Heal. (vs. 13) The focus of Hebrews 12 is the peaceable fruit—the outcome of grace. Help the hurting person find hope in looking forward. In time, God’s grace can work all things to our eventual profit. Satan wants the hurting to only focus on the past—the hurt. After all, it’s difficult to imagine how the abuse of another can produce something good in me! God calls His child to “lift up the hands which hang down.” He offers hope in what is yet to come by His grace.

Third—Call the Hurting to Pursue Peace with All Men. (v. 14) For God’s healing, the wounded must have a right heart toward the relationships of life—even the broken ones. This is a bit different for each situation, and forgiveness is always a journey—a process of forgiving over and over again. But one condition of God’s healing is that the hurting must have an agenda of peace not revenge or resentment.

5 Tips To Coping With Loneliness In The Ministry

Andrew Schank

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From time to time, every pastor, missionary, and evangelist faces loneliness in the ministry. In the midst of a crowd, you can feel all alone. After great evangelistic campaigns, and promotions yielding great results, a pastor can feel like he has actually gained nothing but emptiness. How can one deal with these varying types of loneliness? Is there an answer?

Eight Hidden Doctrines We Can Learn From Agape and Phileo - The Pseudo-Scholars' Lie

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There is a constant attack upon the Authorized Version of the English Bible. All across our nation, pseudo-scholars take every advantage they can to correct and demean God’s Holy word. One of the most common ways of doing this is by “going back to the original languages” to get a “deeper meaning”.

This leaves the listener with a feeling of inadequacy in their English Bible, as well as a desire, not to study the Bible, but rather to study Greek.

A steward of the word of God should be trying to get his listeners to fall in love with Jesus Christ, and with the Bible. If Christians were as impressed with their Bibles as much as they are with the brains of Greek scholars, I believe we’d have a lot more unity in the body of Christ and a lot more people getting saved.

By and large, the Greek “nuggets” are not worth the time it took to find them. To prove this, I’m going to go after the biggest Greek nugget of all, the “agape and phileo” one.

Mission: Modesty (Part 3)

I think the reason I had the most problem with the whole “skirts vs. pants” issue was because it was my mom and dad’s standard… but not mine. The whole “because I said so,” the “because it’s the right thing to do,” and the “because it’s a good testimony” reasons weren’t good enough for me. It wasn’t personal to me. It wasn’t MY standard or something the Lord had convicted me about personally.

I believe this is the problem with a lot of Christian girls today who were raised with the “skirt only” standard. Once the Lord began dealing with me about this area of my life (and many other areas) it became my personal standard. I couldn’t fight it anymore. I could no longer argue with the One who spoke the worlds into existence and hung on a cross for my sin. He told me He wanted better for my life; it became common sense for me once He convicted me about the way I was dressing.

Let’s go back to the three girls I mentioned in part 1 of this series: Kristina, Kirstyn, and Jessica. Remember I said that we all began to have a discussion about this topic at the church one Tuesday afternoon? It was interesting to me that the Lord was working in all of our hearts regarding this issue at the same time. I believe the Lord worked it that way so we could all be an encouragement and share our different thoughts about the matter with each other.

As we talked we shared our struggles, our reasons, our hopes, our fears, and the lessons the Lord was teaching us. For a few of us, we had been raised in skirts our whole lives. Skirts were all we had ever known until the past couple of years. They were the old way for us – it had been a long, enduring process of applying the “children, obey your parents” law set forth by God in His Word. However, now that us four girls are older and now that the Lord has dealt with each of us personally, we can look back and see the reasons why. We can see the bigger picture. It’s not a “clothes” issue; it’s a testimony issue - it’s a heart issue.

Kirstyn shared what the clincher was for her about this matter. She had read the following verses during her devotions:

Jeremiah 6:
(16) Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Mission: Modesty (Part 2)

Don’t miss the beginning of this series: part 1!

Let’s take a look back in history when fifty or sixty years ago it was rare to find a woman wearing pants. Why? Because pants were classified as men’s clothing. The issue wasn’t that pants were wrong for women to wear. Rather, it was a modesty issue. It was a distinguishing mark. A lady was classified by her modest clothing, her demeanor, and how she conducted herself in public.

So what’s changed? Why are pants now accepted as the norm for women, and skirts raise questions? Did God? No. He can’t (Malachi 3:6). So then if God didn’t change, then that means over time people changed. They changed their standards and beliefs and trailed behind whatever the popular movement was. The “time’s changed” and so did the trends – and the people followed. When I got older and stupid enough to stand up to my parents, I began really questioning why I wasn’t allowed to wear pants. All the kids my age were making fun of me, I got asked if I was Amish at least once a week, and – let’s be honest here – skirts are not the most modest thing for a tomboy to be hanging upside down from trees in. And yes, I took being a tomboy to a whole new level.

My mom would always take me back some thirty-some years and recall how the Lord worked in her life and convicted her that as a Christian she should be wearing skirts. Then she would whip out Deuteronomy 22:5 and quote it to me: “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” Lastly she would end her side of the discussion with something like this:

“If we let this issue slide, then what’s next… low-cut shirts? Above-the-knee dresses? Spaghetti-strap tank shirts, shorts, or mini skirts? That’s not pleasing to the Lord. If a boy sees you wearing pants, His thoughts will not be on the Lord – you’ll become a stumbling block for his thought process. Do you want to do that?” …and so on.

Vessels

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4 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.

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

2Co 4:6 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.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2Co 4:8 ¶ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Mission: Modesty (Part 1)

I know. You took one look at the title, made a distorted facial expression, and were half-tempted to close this page. But you’re still reading at this point, so we’re off to a good start.

I have been dealing personally with the issue of "skirts vs. pants" in my life. *gasp! Oh no she didn’t…!* Oh, yes I did. Stay with me though…

I have grown up wearing skirts and dresses all my life. However, I also argued and fought with my parents about it every step of the way. Because my parents standard wasn’t MY standard, I felt that it was being forced on me. Which, I suppose, in a way it was. But it was their house, their rules – my job was to simply obey.

“Fine! I’ll obey your rules now, because I have to, but one day I will wear pants… because I don’t share your same conviction.”
Mom would just look at me and smile while I continued my tirade. And when I’d finally stop rambling on about how I disagreed with her, she’d speak up: “Well, that’s a few years off yet, and when you have your own children maybe then you’ll understand the importance behind it. one day you’ll realize this is the right thing to do.”
In reply, I’d begin another outburst: “Mom! There’s nothing *wrong* with pants! They’re not sinful!”
She stopped arguing with me after awhile – she realized I wasn’t going to “get it” no matter what she said.

Eventually I became gutsy enough to hide pants in my parent’s house and wear them whenever I hung out with my “group of friends.” I’d change into pants in my car on the way to wherever I was going, and then I would change back into my skirt on the way home. After pants became a norm for me, I started progressing into other areas of dress. Skimpy shirts, mini skirts, shorts, dresses missing half the material on the top, and bikinis. I wore it all; I had no boundaries – well, very few.

After I was back in right relationship with the Lord, He began dealing with me about several issues. My modesty (i.e. clothing) being one of them. About a week and a half ago I bagged up 75% of the pants I owned and dropped them off at the Salvation Army. I was holding back about 3 or 4 pairs… “just in case.” The Tuesday following my Salvation Army drop-off run, I went to my church to practice with the trio I play the piano for. When I walked into the auditorium they were having a discussion about clothing… mainly the “pants vs. skirts” issue. Ironic, is it not? God was dealing with all three of those girls with the same exact issue (at the same exact time) that He was dealing with me about! Kirstyn and Kristina had been raised the same way I was. Kirstyn wore her first pair of pants once she got married. Kristina has always worn skirts. I rebelled against my parents, and thus wore pants when I shouldn’t have. Jessica was not raised the way we were, but since being married has adopted the “skirts only” standard for herself and now for her daughter.

Why…?

Stay tuned for part two!

~ Heather Joy
http://growup318.com/

Strength for Today

Allen Domelle has written many devotions we use here at IFBKJV.com, but this one was a special blessing to me today. He also just redid his website, take a look - it's looking great!

It Will Get Better
Job 3:2-3

“And Job spake, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.”

When you read the verses above, you can see that Job was overwhelmed with the tragedy that had smitten him. Put yourself in Job's shoes for a minute, and think about what you would feel like if everything that happened to him happened to you. Job lost his job, wealth, transportation, children, health, friends and wife. This is quite a bit of tragedy to hit one person at one time. I seriously doubt that there are too many people who have had all of this happen to them at one time.

In the verse above, we read Job's first response to everything that had happened to him. Job's first response was overwhelming despair. Notice that Job questioned why he was born. When you put yourself in Job's place, you can just about feel the overwhelming feeling of despair and disbelief that had taken him. Yet, when we read the remainder of the book, we learn that because Job did not give up, his end was better than he ever imagined.

Your first response to tragedy when it comes your way is very important. There are many who will read this devotional that are either in the midst of tragedy or have just had tragedy hit them. There are many who read this devotional that are just like Job and are overwhelmed with the tragedy that has come there way. Let me help you with some advice to get you through what you’re facing.

First of all, it is bad. I am not going to try and paint a pretty picture for your tragedy because all tragedy is bad. Though your tragedy may be bad, it is probably not as bad as you feel right now.

Secondly, don't react to your first feelings. When tragedy hits, you are normally in a tailspin and really don't know how to react. You must be careful not to react to your first feelings when tragedy hits because you are not in a good frame of mind to make decisions.

Thirdly, everything is not lost. Our reaction is to think that we don't have anything else for which to live, and this is totally untrue. You always have something for which to live, and you must not think that everything is lost. If you will look hard enough, you can find something for which you can live.

Next, God is still alive! Let me assure you, though you may doubt the existence of God at this time, He is still alive! God is alive and He knows what you are facing right now. In fact, God is concerned for you and will not allow more to be placed upon you than what you can bear.

Lastly, it will get better. When you read the end of the book of Job you realize that His end was better than he had ever imagined. I promise you, if you are saved it will get better. You will get through whatever you are facing right now and you must realize when you get through it that it will be better.

Don't despair when tragedy comes, it will get better. Just hang in there and you will find that the initial overwhelming feeling of tragedy will subside and life will eventually get better. It may seem bad right now, but it will get better.

God is Clean. Why Shouldn't Your Music Be? The music behind the lyrics

THE MUSIC

I have labored over this section. It is without a doubt the hardest part to explain with just words. It is a little longer than my other points, but it is honest, informative and well worth it.

It is not just a difficult point to describe; it is a difficult point to accept. It doesn’t take much discernment to understand whether lyrics are good or bad. Still, while it doesn’t take a ton of discernment to recognize Satan’s music, it does take some. Even so, once you recognize his beat, it is still hard to admit to it as such.

I groan inside when I hear people say the following, “Music is a gray area in the Bible.” It’s a lie. I want to say that again, because I think it is important. THAT IS A LIE. The Bible has a lot to say about music. If you don’t believe me, go reread the Scriptures under the “Lyrics” section. Please do not fall into this trap.

What God has to say about "Lyrics"

How to Kill A Church, Part 3 of 3

By Davis W. Huckabee

I. BY STAYING AWAY FROM IT

II. BY STARVING IT

III. BY STRIFE IN IT

IV. BY STUBBORNNESS

In the Scriptures, stubbornness is a sin that is compared to witchcraft and idolatry, I Sam. 15:22, and yet some people seem to delight in stubbornly resisting all spiritual progress and activity in the church. It is no virtue to be so set in one's ways that one hinders a church from changing for the better. No church was ever so perfect when it started but that it has room to change for the better. Indeed, sanctification is itself a pro gressive changing for the better of individuals, and if the members daily change for the better, so should the church. The sin of the Sardis Church was that it stubbornly refused to repent of sin, Rev. 3:3, and consequently it slowly died on the vine, all the while refusing to admit its cold and indifferent state. There is such a thing as dead orthodoxy - a doctrinal soundness which is devoid of any real love to Christ.

Some say, "Well, it is my life, and it is my business whether I repent or not," but this is not true, for every person is an example to someone else, and his bad example will lead others astray, perhaps concerning something much worse. Besides, the corruption of a church member is a corruption of that much of the church, and "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, " I Cor. 5:6. No one can afford to indulge any sin, because sin in church members is what kills churches.

There are many ways to kill a church, but the important thing to notice is the solemn consequences of tearing down a church of the living God: "If any man defile ('destroy'-the Greek word is the same as that translated 'destroy') the temple of God (a church, as the preceding verse shows), him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are, " I Cor. 3:17. It matters not what excuses may be given, if an individual or group of individuals so conduct themselves as to cause the death of a church, they had better prepare to shortly face the judgment of God in the loss of their physical lives.

A church is of more importance than the collective rights of all the members, for a church exists, not just for its own present members, but is a witness to many who may never join it, but who may be led to the Lord through its ministry. Not only so, but the rights of future members must also be considered when taking any action that might be detrimental to the church . Many carnal church members, in their zeal to get their own way, justify their own sins, sooth their own pride and hurt feelings do not care that they may quench the only faithful lighthouse of the truth in their community. Nor that future generations may not have opportunity to hear the gospel and to be saved because a church was destroyed by the carnality of its members. The attitude of some is "I'm saved, so let the rest of the world go to hell for all I care." Such an attitude hardly evidences genuine salvation. if it be true that "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (I Jn. 3:17), how much more so is this true of those who have no concern for the welfare of the souls of others? God pity the man who destroys a church: if he is saved at all, he puts himself under the judgment of physical death for putting his own selfish wants and will above the welfare of a church of the living God.

V. BY SELFISHNESS.

All of the foregoing points may be summed up in this one, but we venture

Pleasing God out of Convenience....

Why do some Christians think that it is only important to please God when it is convenient for them? So many worldly things have creeped into our homes and we idly stand by do nothing. We just shrug it off as say: "It isn't as bad as what other's are doing"  Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?) or "It isn't that bad I could be doing worse"
Romans 6:1-7:

*What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
*God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
*Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
*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.
*For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Aren't we to be a peculiar people? Peculiar means to be strangely different from the world, set so far apart that you are different.

1 Peter 2:9-12
*But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
*Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
*Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
*Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

I think that if some of us Christians were to be put in a line up with "The World"; when we were judged we would look the same and sound the same as the world-with no difference at all. It is just such a shame how we have let the devil deceive us and that we blindly follow the world thinking; "That it isn't that important! I am saved and I am going to heaven anyways-so why does it matter?!" Again Romans 6:1-2 just rings loud in clear; "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

It just disgusts me to see Christians listening to inappropriate music that doesn't glorify God-and they come up with an excuse "Oh, I only have to listen to good stuff when I am around other Christians or at church" seriously-do you honestly believe that to be the case? That is such a lie:the Scriptures give us guidance as to what music we are to have in our lives:

Ephesians 5:19-20
*Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
*Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

also in Colossians 3:16-17:

*Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
*And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

I honestly cannot believe that after listening to some of the music that many Christians do that they can immediately go on to Praising the Lord truly and with meaning from their hearts.

101 Ways To Help Your Pastor

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Every pastor, regardless of age, years of experience, and size of congregation, needs help from time to time. It is the responsibility of the congregation to meet the needs when they arise. Listed below are 101 ways one can help their pastor in various categories/areas. It is very likely that someone could add to this list. For this reason, we ask that you submit your ideas in the comment section below!

Satan Is Telling Me "Why Should You Try?"

So I found this old sermon online, and hope it is a blessing to you as well:
All Satan's Apples Have Worms
by Evangelist John R. Rice

I am speaking tonight on the subject, "All Satan's Apples Have Worms." I do not deny that the Devil has some pretty apples; I just say that all of them are fakes and that after you bite into them, you will find they have worms. All Satan's apples have worms.

Luke, chapter 15, is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, one of the most beautiful stories in all literature - the story of the prodigal son. With what measure of strength God will give me, I will bring to your mind illustrations, Scriptures and experiences proving that every time the Devil promises happiness, he lies; proving that every time the Devil promises things will turn out well, he lies and deceives; proving that everybody who ever depended on the Devil's lie, the Devil's way, the Devil's pleasure, the Devil's whims, the Devil's plan for happiness and peace, found they were duped, fooled, deceived; found that the Devil's apples all have worms.

Now in Luke, chapter 15, verse 11 and following:

"And he said (Jesus said), A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and be merry; For this my son was dead, and is alive again: he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."


Satan Does Have Beautiful Apples

First, Satan does have beautiful apples. This prodigal boy thought, It is dull around here. I don't want to stay home. And my father wants me to obey him.

Obedience is always a distasteful thing to young people, "I don't want to have to stay here and mind. I don't want Dad telling me what time I must get in, what time I must be in bed. I don't want anybody telling me when to get up, what kind of company to keep, whether I can go to this place or that place, and can't go to another."

So the prodigal son thought, I want to get from under my father's thumb. How many young men have thought, Oh, if I could only get untied from my mother's apron strings, how happy I would be.

So this prodigal said to his father, "If you are going to ever give me anything, give it to me now. When you die I may be an old man of thirty with all the chances for a good time gone. I am not willing to wait until you die to have part of your estate."

Young people feel that way, that a person is awfully old when he is thirty.

"If you are going to give me anything, give it to me now." So that father divided unto them his living.

This boy thought things around home distasteful; he did not want to obey the rules.

And then he said, "I don't want to work so hard." Young people always feel, Why does there have to be so much hard work in the world? You remember God said to Adam in the Garden of Eden after sin came in, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake." He did not say, "I have cursed the ground as a constant reminder that I hate you, that I am trying to whip you, that I am punishing you, that I want to make you unhappy and miserable, that I want to wear you out with hard labor." Rather, God said, "I have done it because I love you. I have cursed the ground for your sake, and you are now going to have to work for a living."

Young people think the Devil doesn't say that. No, the Devil has easy ways of making a living without work. The Devil has easy ways of getting along without buckling down. The Devil always claims to have a better way than studying hard to get your lessons. He says, "You can cheat on exams; you can postpone studying and cram before examinations." But you will soon find him to he a liar when you try that.

Water, Water, Everywhere, and Not a Drop to Drink! - The Seven Baptisms

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While it seems that most of the time denominations argue about what method of baptism to use, little attention is paid to the fact that there are actually seven baptisms in the Bible and that only three of them actually involve people getting wet! It’s very important to familiarize yourself with these baptisms, because they play a critical role in rightly dividing the scriptures.

If you start applying things from one baptism where it wasn’t intended, you could wind up getting crazy ideas like thinking baptism has something to do with salvation, receiving the Holy Ghost, or some other kind of nonsense.

We’ll start chronologically from the first recorded baptism to the last.

1. The Baptism of Moses.

I Cor. 10:1-2, Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;”

Isn’t that peculiar? A baptism in the Bible, 1500 years before John the Baptist ever showed up!

This refers to the time when the entire nation of Israel passed through the Red Sea on dry ground, and not a Jew in the whole bunch of them got wet! This was a baptism of identification. At the moment of Israel passing under the cloud and through the sea, it was a public identification for the entire world to know that these people were God’s people, and that the Lord God Jehovah was their God.

2. John the Baptist’s/Peter’s Baptism.

Matthew 3:1-6, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4) And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5) Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6) And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”

Before we delve into this, it’s critical to point out some very important facts. Do you realize at this point in history, no one knew who Jesus was? They would shortly, but these people were getting baptized before anyone had ever even seen Jesus! They were getting baptized before Jesus had even started His earthly ministry, let alone died on the cross, and certainly before anyone was talking about trusting in His atonement on the cross.  John the Baptist would have made a terrible Baptist today, he was a bacon avoiding, Mosaic Law abiding, Sabbath keeping Jew!

90 Day Bible Reading Challenge Reminder

Today is day two of the KJV Bible Challenge (posted on the KJV Devos area of this website). If you have not read the Bible through this year yet, there is still just enough time to start now and be finished in December. It is not a challenge for the faint of heart, but it is not too burdensome (roughly an hour a day).

The daily reading schedule on the KJV Devotions area of this website is posted, (starting on 9/1/2010), and you can get the reminder emailed daily to help meet this goal.

Have you signed up for all the devotions by email? If not, I encourage you to do so; the email via feedburner works very well, is readable, and dependable. It comes once a day, and includes all the devotions posted that day. If you write a daily or weekly devotional, you can also submit yours for inclusion there.

Excuses, Excuses, You'll Hear Them Everyday...Part 2

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Today, we’ll look at the second part of Moses’s excuses to the Lord. As we talked about yesterday, It seems like everyone, from time to time, finds excuses that hinder our relationship with Jesus Christ. So many times we don’t serve God because we have a “good” reason that we can’t. Moses gave five excuses as to why he couldn’t do the task that God laid before him. We looked at the first two excuses yesterday. If you didn’t catch yesterday’s blog post, just click on this link:“Excuses, Excuses, You’ll Hear Them Everyday…Part 1″, and you will find the first two excuses, with how they relate to us today.

We talked yesterday about how the first two excuses Moses gave were classic among us today. Well, the last three excuses are pretty common as well! Let’s look at the last three excuses now.

Moses’s Third Excuse: “They won’t listen! They will reject the message and the messenger.” – How many times do we as followers of Christ use this excuse? This excuse is probably most used about witnessing. So often we say, Well, I know that Jesus gave us the great commission, and I know He wants us to reach the lost and dying with the Gospel, but in today’s times, people won’t listen! That’s why I don’t witness, because I know nobody is going to pay attention to me.” Have you ever heard someone say that? I know I have! In fact, I’ve even used that excuse before! Then I realized: That was just another nice excuse to not follow God’s plan! It sounds nice, but the fact of the matter is this: God commanded His Scriptural, New Testament Church to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” (Matthew 28:19) We have been commanded to go and teach and preach the Gospel! It doesn’t say, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations if they are listening…” At the beginning of this year, I was working at a factory. I had only been a preacher for about 4 months. While I was working there, I met another preacher who had just come back from Seminary. We struck up a friendship, and since we worked on the same line, we talked often. One day we were sitting in the break room, when one of the other guys from our line walked in. He began to mock God, and make fun of Jesus, as he had done every other time he saw me. He poked fun at salvation, and jokingly asked if I could “save” him. So, I started to give him the simple plan of salvation! My preacher friend seemed uninterested, and got up and left the break room. It was exciting for me to be able to share the Gospel with someone at work! I have to say, the guy shot me down after about 5 minutes, told me the Bible was full of contradictions, and walked out, but still, I was able to share the Gospel with him! I asked my preacher friend about it later, and why he didn’t stay in there with me. He told me, “Well, there are just some people I won’t witness to, and he was one of them.” I asked him why he wouldn’t witness to him, and he replied, “Some people just aren’t ready to hear the Gospel.” How sad is that? It’s not up to us who is “ready” to hear the Gospel, it’s our job to tell it! We can’t be concerned how it is going to be taken, or if the other person is even going to listen! That’s not our problem, our concern is to simply share the Gospel. Countless Prophets in the Old Testament went and told the masses what God’s message was, without ever having one single convert! Jeremiah for example, preached for 70 years, and NEVER had one person repent because of his message. Jeremiah didn’t worry about it though, he was simply following God’s command. Can we honestly say today that we are doing the same thing?

Moses’s Forth Excuse: I don’t know how to say it. I do not talk or speak well. – Alright, this one goes along with the last excuse. Do you notice how these excuses all focus on our weaknesses? God has called Moses, specifically for this task, and he is so worried about himself, that he can’t see that God will be with him! God tells Moses, “I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Wow! The God of the universe says He will be with Moses’s mouth, and teach him what to say! What could Moses do wrong, if God is leading his mouth? What about us though? How many times do we say that we can’t share the Gospel, or we can’t tell others about Christ, because we wouldn’t know what to say? God says He will be with you, and teach you what to say! What else do you need? When we step out on faith, and talk to someone, God really will direct your mouth. I’ve been scared to death to talk in front of people, or to even talk one-on-one with someone before, but God has always put the words, His Words, in my mouth! I’ve spoken in front of many people before, and 5 minutes before I got up on the platform, I was so worried I would forget what I was going to say! However, when I get up and approach the pulpit, God always helps me remember what I’ve studied, and He helps me deliver the message. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zone, because that is when God can use us the most!

Trampling through the T.U.L.I.P.s

"We are the Lord's elected few, let all the rest be damned; there's room enough in hell for you, we won't have heaven crammed!"

(Actual Calvinist song as documented in The Other Side of Calvinism
by Dr. Laurence Vance)

This article is not meant to mock Calvinists. There are many God loving people who have held to Calvin’s system of soteriology, not the least of whom was Charles Haddon Spurgeon. On the flip side, there have always been very good Christians who’ve held to the opposite view, Armenianism, such as John Wesley.

Pointing out the errors in doctrine is not the same as demeaning those who believe it.

That being said, Calvinism, if taken to its logical end result can be very harmful. Those who take it there are called hyper-Calvinists, and they tend to spend their time in groups muttering about the elect, eternal decrees, and doing everything but soul winning. Thankfully, Charles Spurgeon was not a hyper-Calvinist and he actually spoke out against them.

Regardless of whether your beliefs lean towards Armenianism or Calvinism, it’s important to take a step back and examine them. I’ve seen many Calvinists accuse those who do not adhere to their doctrine as being lazy, unwilling to study the scriptures, and taking the easy way out. If you are a Calvinist, I hope you will hold yourself to the same standard of diligence that you hold others to as we take a look at the five points of T.U.L.I.P, starting with Total Depravity.

Becoming an Insightful Parent

Becoming an Insightful Parent
By Cary Schmidt (published by permission)
Becoming an Insightful ParentDiscerning Your Child’s Needs and Responding Biblically

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Do you understand your children? Do you know how to interpret their behavior? Do you understand warning signs and know how to respond? Do you connect their outward behavior with the condition of their heart?

 In Hebrews 5:12-13 we read a challenge to believers to be skillful in the Word and discerning, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

The word discerning speaks of judicial estimation—the wisdom and ability to see what’s really doing on in a circumstance. This ability is something we should all desire in every area of life, but especially with nurturing of our own children. Frankly, the primary thing many parents care about is if their kids are “staying out of trouble.” But discerning parents desire to get beneath the surface and to understand what’s going on in they heart. Why?

The heart is where Biblical values are formed—only when we understand their heart can we understand where they stand with God, and if their faith is authentic or merely an outward, temporary show.

The heart is where questions are contemplated—every child has questions, and Satan is good at exploiting these questions and providing false answers. Parents who get into the heart, unearth those questions so they can provide biblical answers.

The heart is where real relationships are cultivated—like the root system of a tree or healthy plant, it’s beneath the surface, face to face, eye to eye, and heart to heart, that a strong relationship and authentic closeness is built.

The heart is where spiritual battle is fought—the Devil is going after our kids hearts. He wants their emotions, their beliefs, and their attitudes. If we’re going to with the spiritual battle, it must be fought for the heart.

A discerning parent is constantly on a sacred pursuit of their child’s heart. Let’s examine ten keys to developing a discerning spirit with our children:

1. Understand God’s Word - the primary way that any of us grow in discernment is the Word of God. The principles of God’s Word provide a foundation of understanding. If you will become a discerning parent, you must become a student of God’s Word and of good parenting books that expound God’s Word.

2. Ask for God’s Wisdom - This is one of God’s great promises to us in James 1—that He will give wisdom to anyone who will ask in faith. Wisdom is the ability to see the real needs and know how to respond. It is the ability to see your child as God sees and to respond as He would have you to respond. Wisdom will help you know when they need to be sent to their room, taken out to lunch, or put to bed.

3. Pray with and for Your Children - nothing will help you understand where the heart is like prayer with someone. Make it a priority to pray with them each night before bed. Sense their heart toward you, toward the Lord, and toward the challenges of life through their response—physically, in prayer. So few parents actually do this, but it’s so powerful and so simple! This brief time of prayer will accomplish spiritually what weeks and weeks of human effort could never accomplish.

Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:9b-15