Honorable Marriage (PART 2)

Perhaps if marriage was looked upon as God intended, the issue of homosexual marriage would never have arisen, for I believe people would not stand for such an attack on the home if we truly viewed marriage as honorable. Sadly, even in some Christian homes marriage is not treated honorably, but with contempt and disdain. Can we be surprised that the secular humanist have no respect for marriage if Christians do not? I believe that perhaps we have only seen the beginning of this push for gay marriage, and this very loud minority will not stop until they get their way, despite the will of the people. I have seen and heard many well intentioned people debate this issue, and they are almost embarrassed to give an answer to why gay marriage is wrong. I do not believe that we need to be apologetic in our apologetics and for having a biblical point of view. Praying that we as a Christian people will stand firm in our biblical view of the honorable institution of marriage, we must answer the calculated questions that arise from proponents of gay marriage. Make no mistake, these carefully crafted and oft repeated questions and mantras come by no accident, but are all part of a propaganda campaign to change the minds of the American people. These catchy phrases, and tricky questions come from the Father of lies himself, and are used to cause the weak to question their moral beliefs. He tried the same with our Lord, as the Pharisees oft asked questioned designed to be pitfalls, but we must follow our Lord’s example and not let Satan get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (II Cor. 2:11). We must be ready to see these questions for what they are, and pray God give us the strength and vigor to answer them biblically.
First of all, "gay" marriage is a misnomer. Two men can't marry each other, it is impossible. They could go to the court house, say vows, and with all the power vested in every jot and title of the constitution of any state of Union, combined with all the power vested in the United States constitution, pooled with all the power of every elected politician, and every unelected judge behind the bench, all of this power and authority cannot make two men be married. Two women can send out invitations, rent a hall, and hire musicians to play Paschel’s “Cannon in D” as they walk the isle, there could be vows and smiles, rings and tears, nevertheless, at their receptions, they would not be married, because they CANNOT be married. God's purpose for His institution was from the beginning, and always will be, the union of man and woman. That is marriage, and man and woman are the only two parties that can be married. From the beginning God made them male and female, for the purpose of marriage. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mark 10:6-9) Nothing can be so clear. Whatever union they believe to have, they are not married because they do not meet the qualifications of two persons desiring matrimony (Matrimony - Marriage; wedlock; the union of man and woman for life; the nuptial state. Webster’s). We must never let ourselves be framed in their debate, but remain strong in our biblical worldview. Once we give way, just an inch, to the possibility that homosexuals could be married, we have already started down the wrong path. Plain and simple, no two men ever have, nor ever will marry.

Honorable Marriage (PART 1)

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Marriage is honorable in all, and in every way it is a praiseworthy institution. Meditate about that for a moment. In all, marriage is honorable, respectable, and admirable and it would behoove us all to contemplate the fact God is telling us in His word that marriage is worthy of esteem, and respect. One primary reason that marriage is honorable is because it is a divine institution. God is good, and everything that God does is good, and since marriage is God's institution, marriage is good. One of the great blessings of God to mankind is marriage. It was not good that man should be alone, and by God’s mercy, out of man He made woman and began one of the greatest blessings that mankind has known. Marriage is one of the blessings that remained from the Garden of Eden. Though we lost much through the fall, God lovingly and mercifully allowed us to retain the blessed union of husband and wife. There are problems with marriage in our nation; namely that it is, for some, reputed as nothing. Rather than seeing it as a divine gift to mankind, it is often looked upon as a scourge; a source of all problems and unhappiness. I overheard a couple men discussing the supposed horrors of marriage to a man who was thinking about getting married, and they wrongly advised him to stay away from the divine institution. They praised the single life, and lamented over the vows they themselves had taken. Part of the dilemma with the 50% (if not more) divorce rate in our country is how little we, as a people, think of it. Whatever one thinks of gay marriage, it is evident our nation as a whole, does not view marriage as honorable in all. When you think lightly of something, you will not value it, as much. When I hear some teenager doing burnouts in their car, squealing their tires at a red light or when I see the black marks on the road, the evidence they have “peeled out”, I always think, “there is someone who doesn’t buy their own tires”. Someone who has to work to buy their own tires, value them more than to foolishly abuse and waste them. A marriage that is considered honorable isn’t put down, mocked, or taken lightly. The bonds of matrimony are more often than not, joked about and put down, rather than defended and spoken as the honorable institution it is. I am certain you could turn the television on any day of the week and you would come across some show making a mockery of marriage. Husband and wife being made to look like mortal enemies instead of one flesh, and instead of showing God made man and woman for each other, they portray that we were made to pick at each other. The husband is an imbecile and the wife an overbearing grouch. The typical television show about family and marriage portrays a battle of wills, instead of a family and home. The secular view of the effeminate man and the feminist woman have replaced the biblical example of marriage found in Ephesians chapter five. On the other hand, the promiscuous single life is shown to be “cool” and full of happiness and satisfaction. How long does it take for this flood of media to change the hearts and minds of a people? How much propaganda can the average American withstand, when it comes to the family?

Churches That Leave Their First Love

Revelation 2:1-7

It is striking to me to consider the fall of Ephesus in light of all they were doing right. This church had a lot going for it, they were doing a great many good works in the name of our Lord Jesus. From the outside, they looked like the model church, but Jesus, the Great Physician, diagnosed a problem. They had left their first love. I believe that churches today are in danger of this very same sin. I don’t believe the “age” of Ephesus is past, because there are churches today that have left their first love. Every true church in existence could leave it’s first love and fall into this terrible sin. Many hold to different opinions as to what is meant by first love, but by looking at Ephesus, we can determine what it is, exactly to leave your first love. By eliminating what is NOT meant, we can more clearly see what is meant by leaving your first love and how to correct this sinful behavior. It is hard to repent from something you don’t know that you are doing, and the message from our Lord was clear to Ephesus, and it should be clear to us as well. From this passage, God shows us what they were doing good, so from that we see what is not meant by leaving their first love. Next we will look at what remains, and it will show us how they left their first love, and then God tells us what they had to do to be restored.
Without question, Ephesus had left her first love. Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Jesus Christ, who walked in the midst of His assemblies, who held those seven stars in His hands had a message for this church. The Lord looked upon this church, of which He is the only Head, and saw some things they were doing right, but rightly and justly diagnosed Ephesus with a terrible, and potentially fatal problem, leaving their first love. How did Jesus communicate this message to the church? Through the preaching of His word, by the pastor of the church. The message was sent to the messenger, not the deacon, not Sister So and So, but unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write. When the man of God preaches the truth of God’s word, the people of God should heed the message.
The message was to be preached, and they were to be rebuked for leaving their first love. God was not unclear on what was going on here, and by reading the text we see what it is to leave your first love.
The church did not leave it’s first love by going away doctrinally. They were a strong church. Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. The bible does not tell us what the deeds of the Nicolaitians are for sure. There are many different ideas as to what it could be. EG Cook says “nikao which means to conquer and Laos which means the people. The deeds of the Nicolaitans simply means to me that some of the big shot preachers began to lord it over the little ones.” Others say it was a teaching of antinomianism, others say it was a sect started by one of the original deacons at Jerusalem. The Lord didn’t give us specifics to this group, and knowing that it is false doctrine is enough. What we need to glean, is the attitude of the false doctrine. Some falsehood was coming into or attacking the church. The deeds of this sect was odious to our Lord, and Ephesus hated it as well. This is a far cry from men today who cry “unity” at all cost.
The church was an intolerant church, but they didn’t leave their first love by being intolerant, but, in fact, were commended for their intolerance. Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil. This church took a strong stand against sin. They couldn’t stand them which are evil. They were a separated people unto God, not putting up with wickedness and wicked behavior. The church did not slide into evil, or tolerate evil among them. Leaving one’s first love is not a church that deals with sin, or one that disciplines sin. The first love is not a love for everyone and everything. Men cry for love and compassion toward evil, and claim that anyone who takes a stand against sinful behavior has no love in their heart. Many think that way, Jesus is not one of them. Jesus commended Ephesus for not bearing them which are evil. The bible is clear on church disciple, and in fact, those who oppose discipline harbor more hatred for the offender. If you saw a very young child walking out into a busy street, would you stop them? Would you be compassionate by ignoring the danger, or would you do all you could for them? If you knew that the church building had severe structural damage, and at any moment could fall, would you do all you could to protect the members from going inside the building? Our Lord gave us a particular pattern for protecting HIS church, and the members of it, viz. church discipline. Ephesus did not leave it’s first love by not bearing with evil.
Ephesus did not leave it’s first love by allowing false preachers a foothold in the church. Thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. False doctrine tried to get a hold in the church, but being the intolerant church they were, they actually examined what was trying to be presented to them. Oh that we would be so today. How many of our brothers and sisters are being led astray from truth by slick-tongued charlatan wolves. The men at Ephesus would have none of it, and would to God that we would not have any of it either. Churches today are under attack, and sadly, some falling away because they did not try them that preached to them. Self-constitution, priesthood, hardshellism, preterism, antinomianism all trying to gain hold of the Lord’s churches from within. The church examined the teaching of these men, the church compared it to the scriptures, the church judged it, then churched ruled on it’s findings. What was the verdict? These men who said they were apostles, said they were the men of God, said they were Baptist, said they were just like Paul, Peter, James, John, said they held to these Landmarks, were in fact liars. Some think that we must accept everyone and everything that comes our way, but the Lord’s church doesn’t operate like Little League, letting everyone bat and play the field. They either didn’t let these liars in the church or they excluded some among them, teaching heresy. Leaving your first love is not examining lies, and calling those who promote it liars. God didn’t rebuke them for truth, and didn’t rebuke them for standing for the truth. They were NOT rebuked for separating themselves from the evil in the world, and not bearing with evil in the church. They were not rebuked as not being loving for allowing liars to preach in their church. Rather commended them for those very actions. We can follow the example of Ephesus here.
Ephesus did not leave her first love by a lack of works, as they were a working church. Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience… Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Christ Knows the church, and her works. Christ knows every work done in His name. He knows the works that are unknown to everyone else. Take comfort that Jesus knows you who labor for Him. They had patience, godly endurance and perseverance in trials and temptations. They worked hard in the church, they were toiling, the idea of heavy work, manual labor. They didn’t faint in the work of Christ, in His name. No matter the cost, the kept on in the work and did as they were commanded by their Lord. We today could learn from their example, to labor with out fainting for the cause of Christ. Their first love was not left by a lack of work. Ephesus did not leave her first love by not standing up for what was right. They were a bold, earnestly contending church. They labored without fainting. They were a strong church, and didn’t give up in the face of problems. They quit themselves like men, and took a stand and hung in the fight. In hopeful endurance and steadfast constancy, Ephesus did not lay down when the going got tough in the service of our great God and Glorious Saviour Jesus Christ. There was something that was going on with them, they were facing some trial it seems, that was not a ‘here and it’s gone’ type of trial, but since they were currently bearing something, and currently having patience, it was there before, and is still there. They were commended for their continual stand.
What a great church! Who would not like to be a part of this? They were a doctrinally strong church, they were an intolerant church where it came to falsehood, they were a working church, they were a sanctified church, and they were a bold, and earnestly contending church. But as Jesus said nevertheless I have somewhat against thee. Doing all these things right, Christ had some what against them. Falling from any of these things could be the RESULT of leaving your first love, but Ephesus did all these things RIGHT, and yet still had left their first love.
What is the first love? Who did you love first after salvation? Who is (should be) your primary love since? The answer is Christ. Mat 22:36-39 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Our love for God is our primary love, and it should be above everything else. How did they leave it? They were a true church of true Christians, a doctrinally sound group, but their love had waxed cold. A love of truth without a love for “the Truth” is not pleasing unto God. A love for the church without a fiery love for the HEAD of the church. They held to doctrine, but it had become simply a teaching to them If they loved the truth, stood against error, hated those things that were against truth, how did they leave their love? A man meets a girl and falls head of heels in love with this girl. He can’t sleep, he thinks about her all day long, can’t stand to be away from her. Buys here gifts he can’t afford, go places that he wouldn’t normally go, because she likes it, says things he wouldn’t have thought he would ever say, because he loves her. They get married, and his love for the woman grows stronger and stronger. After years of marriage, the man wants to get her a big house because he loved her so much. He gets a job, then another, working 60 hrs a week to pay for the house he bought her. Now, he doesn’t have time to think about her, doesn’t have time to talk to her, and now doesn’t really want to go places with her and when he does, he just ‘goes through the motions’, his heart really isn’t in it. Ask him why he is working so hard?, ‘I love my wife’, but in his heart, he has left his first love. Now providing for her has superceded his wife, the work was the most important thing, not the wife. He was doing what he should have been doing, providing, but the providing became his first love. His work, which started because of his love, had become his love. His love for his wife had gone cold. He was faithful to her, didn’t cheat on her, protected her, but his zeal was no longer for the person of his wife, but in working for her. There was nothing wrong with WHAT they were doing or HOW, but WHY. Jesus is their first and primary love, and if He is not, you have fallen. If Jesus is not the primary love in the church, the church has left it’s first love. If you are serving God, don’t stop, but consider your motives and don’t leave the other undone. Some say that it was the preaching of strong doctrine that led the church here, but I don't believe that preaching the doctrines of grace makes churches cold, and unfaithful, otherwise, it would have been condemned. They left Him in their heart. Not in works, nor doctrine, nor truth or sin. They had a potentially fatal heart problem. Election should lift your heart to praising Christ, not John Calvin. Landmarkism should be held to because of Christ, not JR Graves. They problem with those who have left us, they hold fast to men, rather than the word of God. We should love the Church because Christ loves it, and not for any other reason. We can’t love the work more than the one we are working for. Witness to the lost because you love Christ, not because you have to do it. Don’t stand for the truth because I’m right, but it is the very word of our loving Saviour and King. Don’t bear them that are evil because you are thinking about what others say, but because we LOVE CHRIST, and since we love HIM, we keep HIS commandments. Don’t stand in persecution as a feat of strength, but because you love Jesus Christ.
The way to repent gives us a clue as to where they fell, and what state they were in. Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen. A very Serious charge! Jesus said they were FALLEN, not about to fall. Where did they fall from? That first love. Ephesus was known for their love unto the saints, and their faith in Jesus Christ. Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, and they truly loved Jesus our Lord, Eph 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Reading the book of Ephesus, the topic of love comes up again and again. Husbands were to love their wives as Christ loved the church, they were exhorted that the body would grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ and also of the edifying of itself in love. The Holy Spirit inspired prayer of Paul included the exhortation that the church would be rooted and grounded in love, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. This was the state of the church, this is the place where they had fallen. Many times we are, as it were, on a mountain top serving God, and nothing can defeat us, we are close to the Lord, we see His blessings in our lives, and we are full of love for our God, but other times, our love may wax cold. It may be from un-repented sin, but with Ephesus, it wasn’t the case. They had forgotten WHY they were serving the Lord. What was the remedy? To repent, turn from your sin, stop on the path you are going, and go back to where you were. Jesus said that they needed to amend their ways, hate their current way and go back from whence they fell. To be followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Not just followers of doctrine, or men, but Christ. We can’t just do the right thing, but do the right thing, for the right Person, and right reason. We are to do the first works. Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first work. Ephesus had to go back to the primary work, for their first love. Mat 22:36-39 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Love Christ, love His church, serve Him in it, that is the first work. Do the work, the primary work, the first work, do it with love.
Jesus mercifully gave this message to the pastor, and told them the problem, and gave them the remedy. He also told of the punishment if did not repent (Rev 2:5) or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Jesus told them, he would come unto thee quickly. He was not speaking of His pre-tribluational coming in the clouds, but He would come unto this church, and come in judgment. Dear reader, consider yourself in your church service, and read the first chapter of the book of Revelation, meditate on the description of Jesus Christ, and recall the great price He paid for it, the shedding of His own precious blood, and the promise for continuing on in sin, is a quick coming. He told them they did not have lot of time to change, here is the problem, here is how to fix it, now do it, do it or else. We can remember as children, or saying to your own children, “or else”. What followed “or else” usually wasn’t very pleasant. “Or else” is the consequences for not obeying the warning given. Change, repent, go back to your first works, quickly or else I will Remove thy candlestick. The severity of the punishment should show us the seriousness of the crime. We must guard ourselves against leaving our first love. You can backslide by falling, or diving into sin, and going were you thought you would never go, and be stuck in a place you never wanted to be, you can be beaten, tattered, broken, blind, not being able to see afar off, forgetting even the fact you were purged from your old sins, oh the awful condition of the backslider! But, you can also backslide sitting in the pew every Sunday, teaching a class, from behind the pulpit, if the heart is not toward loving Jesus Christ. The consequence of failure to turn is they will no longer be a church. The designation of church is not based upon the sign in the yard, it is the Lord’s church. This is not a game we can play, this is serious. Think for a moment, unfaithfulness in our solemn duty to God results in Him removing the candlestick. It removes protection, guidance by the Holy Spirit, true worship, we would become a religious society instead of a called assembly, and ultimately no different than another protestant group, if Christ removes the candlestick. God will not forever be longsuffering with churches who will not follow or obey.
I don’t know what happened to Ephesus, but they are not in existence today. Perhaps they repented, perhaps not. I urge you, to consider your ways. Some of the other churches in Asia had some big problems. Pergamos held to the doctrine of Balaam, and in idolatry, some held to the doctrines that Ephesus rejected. The members at Thyatira came to church and was led by a Jezebel, a prophetess. The Laodiceans were lukewarm, so they had their problems too, and those problems could be seen by all. Here is the deceitfulness of sin. The church at Ephesus, from the outside, and the inside looked like the model church. Search your heart, and consider why you do, what you do, in the service of our Lord. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

A Minister’s Preaching

A devotion from the book "The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions".

MY MASTER GOD,
I am desired to preach today,
But go weak and needy to my task;

Yet I long that people might be edified with divine truth,
That an honest testimony might be borne for thee;

Give me assistance in preaching and prayer,
With heart uplifted for graced and unction.

Present to my view things pertinent to my subject,
With fullness of matter and clarity of thought,
Proper expressions, fluency, fervency,
A felling sense of the things I preach,
And grace to apply them to men’s consciences.

Keep me conscious all the while of my defects,
And let me not gloat in pride over my performance.

Help me to offer a testimony for thyself,
And to leave sinners inexcusable in neglecting thy mercy

Give me freedom to open the sorrows of thy people,
And to set before them comforting considerations.

Attend with power the truth preached,
And awaken the attention of my slothful audience.

May thy people be refreshed, melted, convicted, comforted,
And help me to use the strongest arguments
Drawn form Christ’ incarnation and sufferings,
That men might be made holy.

I myself need thy support, comfort, strength, holiness,
That I might be a pure channel of thy grace,
And be able to do something for thee;

Five me then refreshment among thy people,
And help me not to treat excellent matter in a defective way,
Or bear a broken testimony to so worthy a redeemer,
Or be harsh in treating of Christ’s death, its design and end,
From lack of warmth and fervency.

And keep me in tune with thee as I do this work.

Question #32 "What is your position on the security of the believer?"

Some time ago, I was given a set of questions by a church who wanted me to come and preach for them, to see if we believed the same truths. I kept a copy of the questions and my answers. Here is question #32.

Question: What is your position on the security of the believer?

The born again child of God is eternally secure. God predestined, called, justified, and glorified his people. Romans 8:28-39 beautifully shows the security of the believer. Our salvation is based upon the finished work of Christ, and as he has finished that work, and we are justified by him and his blood, then there is nothing that can separate us from his love. He is our surety. We live and die in Christ. Since he rose again, then we will rise, since he is with the Father, there we will be also.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

E.M Bounds on "Prayerless Praying"

EM Bounds from the chapter Hindrances to Prayer from the book The Complete Works of EM Bounds on Prayer

"We once heard an eminent and saintly preacher, now in heaven, come abruptly and sharply on a congregation that had just risen from prayer, with the question and statement, 'What did you pray for? If God should take hold of you and shake you, and demand what you prayed for, you could not tell him to save your life what the prayer was that has just died from your lips.' So it always is, prayerless praying has neither memory nor heart. A mere form, a heterogeneous mass, and insipid compound, a mixture thrown together for sound and to fill up, but with neither heart nor aim, is prayerless praying. A dry routine, a dreary drudge, a dull and heavy task is the is prayerless praying.

Prayerless praying is much worse than either task or drudge, it divorces praying from living; it utters its words against the world, but with heart and life runs into the world; it prays for humility, but nurtures pride; prays for self-denial, while indulging the flesh."

Jacob Josiah

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Introducing Jacob Josiah Newell. Born 3-4-09.

The Newell Family is rejoicing in the continual blessing of our Sovereign King, Lord and Saviour with the addition of Jacob Josiah. According to God's providence, Jacob was born early due to Crystal's health; early with the doctors, but at the set time according to His choosing. The birth left Jacob in a little respiratory distress, but thankfully, Crystal is doing extremely well, and Jacob's stay in intensive care was uncharacteristically short according to the doctors, and is to full strength at this time out of ICN.

I am white as snow!

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Thoroughly stained, thoroughly cleansed. We are made white, by Red; Christ's righteousness replaced our filthy rags of self righteousness by the shedding of His precious blood, death, and resurrection. Oh for a thousand tongues to sing!!!

Hebrew children or Hebrew men?

I am sure you have heard Shadrach, Meshach and Obendego referred to as Athe three Hebrew children@ as I have. I may have said it myself, it is a popular phrase. But I am not going to say it anymore.



First of all, scripture refers to them as men. In Dan. 3:12 and again in verse 16 they were called men. We need to rely on scripture, and that alone. So many people are led and deceived by stories and tales they hear some preacher say. I have heard, as you may have too, someone telling you something that is in the bible, that is not there. They have heard someone they trust tell them about the bible, but haven=t checked for themselves like the noble Bereans. Sunday School classes, may sing beloved Sunday school songs, but are they scriptural? I have 3 young children, and there are many biblical books for children, with cute cartoons and pictures, but some, not all, misrepresent the biblical record of truth on some of the more widely know biblical, historical tales. You may think that it is unimportant, or taking this too far, but is it really? How many wise men were at the manger to see Jesus when he was born? Answer: Zero. The wise men did not go to the manger, but the home, not to see the infant babe, but the young child. Well how many wise men were there? We don=t know, it does not say. There were three gifts, but the bible does not tell us how many men there were. Not going by biblical record, and just repeating the stories and saying we have heard, are doing harm to the hearers of the word. Is it a rank heresy if someone says Hebrew children, no of course not, but I use this example to illustrate a broader issue, that is the accuracy and final authority of scripture, and how subtly the Devil works in putting doubt and misunderstanding in the hearts and minds of hearers of the word of God. Note Eve, Did God really say?.. Our job is not to criticize the bible, but to base our beliefs on scripture, not on what we have heard. Our era, more than any other, has no excuse for not knowing what the bible teaches on a subject. In the country in which we live, there is not trouble getting and reading the bible. From the internet, to numerous stores, we have so much access to scripture, and helps, there is no excuse for us. I am not trying to say that simply using the phrase Hebrew children indicates one lacking in knowledge, study or ability to teach, so I ask that you not take it in that light, but after catching myself say it, and considering why I said it, some thoughts that came from my own meditation on phrasing and why I am not going to say it anymore.




The second reason I don=t say Hebrew children is, even if they were children or young men, they sure did not act like it. Shadrach, Meshach and Obendego acted like men. I Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. This may not be politically correct, but it is biblically correct, they acted like men. Is it a reflection on our society, that in some places, it may be required for one to explain what it means to act like a man? In our time, that is insulting to say act like a man. We live in a culture that tries to feminize men, especially younger boys. That boys are taught that their God given instincts to protect and lead are wrong and are taught they are no different that the girls. Public schools will take a boy, full of the natural masculine tendencies given to him by God, and will be put on medication and forced to get in touch with his feminine side. There is a difference in overlooking sin by saying boys will be boys, and actually allow boys to be boys. How many times do you think that David used his sling before he met Goliath? He certainly was not home playing with dolls during his youth. But acting like a man, is not meant here by pastimes, but by taking charge of the situation, and standing up for what is right and what you believe in. Despite the challenges that were presented, and despite what they faced, they acted like the spiritual leaders men should act like.



They did not compromise when others did. Ephesians 4:13-15 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Every pastor of the Lord=s churches would love to have men like Shadrach, Meshach and Obendego. When the music started playing and everyone bowed down, but them. They did not succumb to peer pressure, they did not bow to keep from starting trouble, they did not bow because the were not tossed to and fro by this wicked idolatry. In Ephesians four, we read of the Lord's church, that in the preaching of the word, the members of the church, as the body of Christ, should grow in the truth unto a full grown man, that not acting like children, being tossed about by everything they hear and see. The devil attacks the churches of our Lord in such a way, seeking to devour. When trouble comes, and it will, there needs to be men, who will stand and speak the truth, who will not bow the knee to false doctrine, false teachings, and head to fables by those who subvert the truth. No, we are to have a child like faith in the word, in humility, but we are not to act like children in the work of the Lord. Could you imagine, being held captive in this foreign land, all the things these people had done to their families and homes, the decree that had already been issued, facing death. What about their job? They were ones whom had been put in a position that set over the affairs of the province. Did they waiver? Did they compromise, why after all, what good would they be if they were dead, there is no need to start a fight, or cause trouble, right? No, when the others bowed the knee, God had men who acted like me, and stood and fought the good fight of faith.



I do not call them children, because they were men in the faith. Timothy, apparently, had some issue with his age, as Paul instructed that others should not despise his youth. Timothy, though young in age, was mature in truth. There are some people, who the Lord saw fit to save at a young age, have been Christians and Baptist for many, many years. And there are those, who are elders in the flesh, who the Lord was pleased to save in the later years of life, who are babes in Christ. I won't call these men the Hebrew children because they acted like men in the faith. Hebrews 5:12-14 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. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 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. They may have been younger men in years, but they were men of faith. Others, who may have fell, and may have been deceived in the idol worship, these men were strong. You may say, well God has not given me such wisdom, I am a babe in Christ because I haven=t been blessed with knowledge. Did you ask? Have you prayed for wisdom? You have not because you ask not. God promises wisdom to those who ask and seek it. I once heard a song on the radio praising this kind of attitude. It went "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned." In an attitude that it was either not important or only for some people to know what God has willed. If you want to know, read it. He told us in His word! Why was the songwriter not skilled? Because they have not grown. You may question that not all will know as much, God blesses some with incredible knowledge of scripture. That is true. What is also true is strong meat belongeth TO THEM THAT ARE FULL AGE even those WHO BY REASON OF USE have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. I also know that the giants of the faith did not learn and know the truth through osmosis, those who have a great knowledge, spend great time in study and prayer, and God blesses them in it. I am not inclined to believe that these Hebrew men just woke up and knew what they knew out of no where. As David was prepared in the field with the lion and the bear for Goliath, and Elijah was prepared for Carmel at the brook of Cherith, so are God's people prepared for their struggles in this life, by preparation. Study to show thyself approved.



They stood up like men, in the face of evil, and spoke the truth. Dan. 3:17-18 if it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.



Like men, they submitted to their true King, the Lord Jesus. Little children, when mom and dad tell them things, like to ask why? They have problems listening and accepting authority. We do that as well, when we murmur and complain about things that happen in our lives. When is it said, "why does this happen to me?", who are we asking? We are questioning God. But the men of our story said thy will be done. What a reply! How we can learn from these men. God is able to deliver us from the furnace, if it is His will. And if it is not his will, and we die in the furnace, either way, O king, He is going to deliver us out of your hand. So either way, we are delivered, and either way we are not going to worship your false god.



Now that I have told you why they were men, and not children, I will tell you why they are children. They were men among men, they were men of faith, but they were the children of God. Indeed, so much courage shown in the face of so much to loose, so many to go against, but because they were children of God, they were never alone. They had a child like faith in God.



They were the adopted children, by faith, trusting in God.



They were the children of God because they loved him, not through their works, but by faith.




The bible, time and again, is full of accounts of ordinary people, whom the world thought little of, never would have noticed, or in positions of hardship, doing the extraordinary in the service of God for His glory. It is our God who hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. It is our Lord who enables men to stand like men, and may God help us all to stand for the truth.

When Christians Cry

So many Christians, when they cry, do so unto the world. There is no true comfort here, not for one who has been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Once we have tasted of that sweet fellowship with the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Spirit, one could travel every inch of this world, and not find the peace and comfort of soul that is found in Christ. Oh, the vanity of life when we are downcast! We don't need to despair, for where ever we are found, from the ends of the earth, we are never too far from the Masters ear. We are never too far from the love of God. Whether under the depths of the sea, to the farthest reaches of the plains, God will hear our cry. We may be far from friends and family, we may be alone and afraid, but we are never truly alone if we have Christ. He who bore our sins will never leave nor forsake us. David said "when my heart is overwhelmed". Browns Driver Briggs defines the Hebrew word here ataph translated overwhelmed as 'to cover, to envelop ones self, or to be feeble, faint, growing weak.' The idea is that the heart is weak, feeble, overcome by sorrows. As if shipwrecked at sea, with the waves of grief shrouding the soul. How many times have the children of God been overwhelmed? Our hearts are feeble. Even the most hardened soul, at some point has been overwhelmed. How much more so for the children of the most high? We see our families away from God, our neighbors leaving this world with out Christ, we suffer persecutions and are attacked by our enemy, the Devil, looking about this world which waxes worse and worse each day. Sometimes the saints of God, we once had sweet fellowship with, now forsaking the assembly of our great God. The grief, the pain, the sorrow is overwhelming. That doesn't even take into consideration the sorrow of our hearts over our own souls for our own sin. How we fail our Lord! Oh how oft we sin against our Saviour! Are not our hearts grieved and overwhelmed at our failures, the sin in our lives? Are we not overwhelmed at times from the great work we have been commissioned to do, and yet it seems we spin our wheels, and toil and labor, with seemingly no results? I cry unto God when my heart is feeble. When I am filled with doubts and fears. When I don't understand, and strive to serve my God. I cry unto my God when I am alone, when my faith is weak and I'm sorely tried. The children of God have and truly know what it is like to where the cloak of despair, and to languish in the depths of grief, and to have the heart overwhelmed, beyond the ability to express the emotion of our fainting fits of despondency. We will have a heart that is overwhelmed.

But if that was the end of our walk with Christ, we would be of all men most miserable. All the son's of Adam experience such woe, but the joy of the Christian is we do not remain. The world will seek comfort in self, pleasures and other futile attempts of merriment, but we have such a blessed treasure, for when we are weak, He is made strong. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Jesus is the Rock that is higher than I.

When our hearts are overwhelmed, it is Christ in which we find safety and refuge. When we are overcome we are as is we were lost at sea, shipwrecked with no hope of recovery, no hope of making it to shore, with drowning in despair our only conceivable hope. Jesus Christ is the Rock that is higher than I. He is the safety when our hearts are overwhelmed, He is the mighty Rock of refuge, and of our salvation. He is higher than I, higher than our troubles, higher than we could ever get ourselves. Psalm 18:2 says The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. When we are overcome by grief and sorrow, Christ is where we must flee. Jesus is the solid, secure, and safe refuge. Through the blood of Christ, we have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, which hope we have as an anchor of the soul. Lead me to the Rock, for I can't go on my own. I am too distraught to find my own way, to weak to see, lead me, Holy Spirit, in my distress, to the Rock. Let me never look for refuge in any other. Lead me, take me, help me! I cry out when I can=t help myself, but not to my own devices, not to my own works, but to the Rock, the solid rock, that is higher, loftier, mightier than I, that has hope and life for all who cling to Him.

Update

Aplogies for the rather incomplete post on my books last week. I mentioned that I was expecting some more books, but didn't mention the titles, only that I was expecting them. Well, I received the last of them today. "How to Read a book" and "Preachers and Preaching by Jones." came first, and I have started “How to read a book”, and I think that I am going to get a lot out of it, and I pray that it will help me to get more out of the books that I read.

Today, I received Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God by Voddie Baucham Jr. I look forward to reading this book, as I feel the burden of my responsibility to my children, day by day.

The next two books are “Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church” by Michael Horton and “Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate” by Jerry Bridges.

I welcome all comments about these books, if you have read them, and as I finish, I'll let you know what I think, both here and at Shelfari.

Psalms 119:33-34

Psalms 119:33-34 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

At first glance, it may appear that the psalmist has said the same thing in two verses. Teach me the way of thy statutes, give me understanding, I shall keep it unto the end, I shall keep thy law. Though subtle, there is a difference. In verse 33, the prayer is that God would teach the way of the statutes. God is our teacher in spiritual matters, and when we learn, or are taught the word, it is God that teaches us. Being taught also intimates the babe in Christ, one who didn't have previous knowledge. All spiritual knowledge and learning is of Christ. Though a man may preach, or one may read and study, it is God that reveals these truths to us. This is not the same as understanding. In my personal life, I was taught about the trinity. Prior to being taught, I didn't know anything about the Godhead, but after being taught, God gave me knowledge I previously did not have, but I didn't (and still don't) have full understanding of the Trinity. It is God who gave me the little understanding I have now. In secular terms, I have been taught some about auto mechanics. I can troubleshoot basic problems. I know that fuel is needed, a spark to ignite the fuel, a battery and starter etc. but I don't have a good understanding of why these components are needed. The spiritual babe in Christ is taught, but needs understanding to grow into maturity. We need to know the law to keep it, and need understanding to observe it with our whole heart.

Reading

There is a common thread you seem to find in the men God uses, and it is they are readers. They were well read and read well. Considering the men of the bible, they were well read, and they knew the Word of God. Paul had a high regard for the written word as well, "when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments." It was one of the things he charged Timothy to do, in the book of First Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

AW Pink said “In my early years, I assiduously followed this threefold course: First, I read through the entire Bible three times a year (eight chapters in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament daily). I steadily preserved in this for 10 years, in order to familiarize myself with its contents, which can only be done by consecutive reading. Second, I studied a portion of the Bible each week, concentrating for ten minutes (or More) each day of the same passage, pondering the order of it, the connection between each statement, seeking a definition of the important terms in it, look up all the marginal references being on the look out for its typical significance, Third, I meditated on one verse every day; memorizing it.” That is a schedule that would put most to shame indeed, but that was simply his Bible reading, Pink spent much time reading other works as well. “In born to write”, by R.P. Belcher, it is said that A.W. Pink had read more than one million pages of religious literature. “If one averages that one million pages over 27 years, it comes to over 37,000 pages a year. Therefore, Pink was not only a student of the Bible, but also a student of theological literature as well.”

I recall B.H. Carroll said that he read around 300 pages a day, besides the bible, and men like Gill, and Spurgeon are also famous for their reading prowess. Biography after biography of Christian men who preached with great power, you will find them to be voracious readers. These men didn’t sit back and wish they could be great preachers, nor did they say that God hadn’t given them the gifts to be great preachers, but they worked at it, and worked hard. Yes, men like Spurgeon could stand and give eloquent extemporaneous sermons, and had a mind that could recall great amounts of information, and present it in an impromptu, yet powerful way, but remember that the information had to be first obtained! Pink’s books and sermons overflow with scripture, and he had great power in pulling the themes of the bible together, but where did that familiarity come from? Reading. Without the power of computer aided study, these men worked, and worked hard for their knowledge, and God blessed their effort.

Certainly they were blessed of God, and were given great gifts of natural ability, skill, and mental prowess, but it is also not to say they didn't hone and sharpen the gifts God gave them. Spurgeon would not have been Spurgeon had he not read. Pink would not have been Pink, if he had not given all he had in the service of God.

Happy Birthday

Today is my dear wife’s birthday. She is an amazing woman. Not only is she a model wife, but the magnificent mother of three (soon to be four) boys, whom she skillfully home-schools. Since I was called to preach even before we met, she knew what she was getting into by marrying a preacher, and not only has she been supportive to me in my preaching, she has be a great help, support and encouragement to me. Never complaining, never questioning preaching engagements, always open to the next door that God would open. She is a wonderful woman, and though no one reads my blog, I still offer to her this tribute. Happy birthday.

New Books

I have started the new year off with several book purchases. I received the first today "The Mercies of a Covenant God" which came highly recommended. Though the book is in fairly good condition, the seller on Abebooks.com advised that it was in "new" condition and being a paperback, I suppose I expected it to be in better condition than it arrived in. But, to his credit, I received the book VERY quickly. I ordered a couple books from Amazon the day before, and still yet to receive them. The book is here now, and soon to be digested, if the Lord be willing.

Psalm 119:9

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.


The world offers untold ways of counseling to help the young in their way. Sports, clubs, counseling, rehabilitation programs, boot camp, hard work, etc. etc. The problem the young face, as well as the old, if we are shaped in iniquity. We have inherited a natural disposition to sin and evil. It is not good kids gone bad, but bad kids manifesting their natural desires. How then shall the young man cleanse his way? Is there no hope? Won't our government implement some way for the young to feel good about himself, and make up for the fact of not having a father, or growing up in poverty? Isn't that the socialist way, through tax dollars at problems, create more programs, so government can "solve" all our problems?

There is a way, by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Friends, It is the word that needs to be taught. For our young lambs, it is not programs or holidays that will cleanse the way, but it is the word of God. For our lost young, even more important is the instilling of God's word in them, and pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Word, the blessed Holy Bible, the book of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel message that I preach, only faith and repentance in the Word, Jesus Christ, will cleanse the way of anyone. Only the word in the life of a child of God will bring one closer to God. Read the word, believe the word, live the word, love the word.

New Year's Resolution

OK, I need to loose weight. Now that we are past that, is it biblicaly a good idea to have New Year's resolutions? I believe that anytime you take an assessment of your life, and find areas where improvement is necessary, that it's a good thing. Here is a list of resolutions that I am going to pray that God would enable me to do this year, and every year after.

1. To know them which labour among me, and And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.
2. warn them that are unruly
3. comfort the feebleminded
4. support the weak
5. be patient toward all men
6. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
7. Rejoice evermore.
8. Pray without ceasing.
9. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
10. Quench not the Spirit.
11. Despise not prophesying.
12. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
13. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Wise Men

Anyone know where I can find the passage where the wise men were with Jesus when He was born? Also, anyone know the passage that says there were THREE wise men?

Thanks.

Talking to Myself

I heard a comedian once say "Writing a blog that no one reads is like talking to yourself in the car." I agree.

My New Bible

I have my new bible today, and I love it. After almost a year of diligent searching, I finally found a company that was able to convert my bible into an interleaved bible (a blank page between every page of scripture). I could have purchased an interleaved, but I am so familiar to my current bible, that often when I can't remember the chapter or verse, I know what side of the page it's on, and I didn't want to start that process over with an new bible.






Now, I am looking forward to filling it up with study notes. I think that it will be a profitable tool, especially for someone with a poor memory such as myself. I know many times I regretted not having the ability to put more detailed notes in the small margins, but that problem has been solved.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

“How poor, how rich, how abject, how august;
How complicate, how wonderful is man!
How passing wonder he who made him such,
Who mingled in our make such strange extremes
Of different natures, marvellously mixed!
Helpless immortal, insect infinite,
A worm, a god - I tremble at myself!”

Oh, my soul, tremble at thyself! Tremble at the fearfulness of thy situation; and commit thine immortal all into his hands “who is able to keep thee from falling, and to present thee faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” - Andrew Fuller.

ROMANS 5:12

ROMANS 5:12
So death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned-

A difficult saying. Not that it is difficult to understand, but a hard pill to swallow, we are born guilty. The ancient heresy of Pelagianism teaches that man has the tendency to commit evil, and this passage means that man simply does commit sin, but has the free will to do good and is able to live without sin or guilt. While it is true that we do have a sinful nature, our state is much worse than a tendency to sin. Our whole being, all of mankind, was thrust into complete and total guilt in Adam. We not only inherited a sinful nature, but we are born guilty sinners. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation. Modern day evangelist, in so-called churches are closer to Pelagius than they are Arminian, that works are possible, and that you can live without guilt and sin. This passage should forever be the death nail of Pelagianism, and the semi-pelagiansim of giving God a helping hand in salvation, that we have the ability to do something (make decisions etc.). Charles Hodge, in his comentary on Romans says of this passage. "The words “have sinned” does not mean “do sin” or “have sinned” but it is in the historical tense, expressing momentary action in past time. All sinned, i.e., sinned in Adam, sinned through or by one man."

Rom 5:8-11 But God commendeth (He proved, He showed or exhibited) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified (Not simply forgiven, but stand as if innocent) by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Psalm 119:14

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Oh the joy of being a Christian! There are trials and temptations, but who would trade the joy for anything at all? The way of Christ is a way of peace, joy, loving kindness, God’s graciousness and tender mercy. The way of forgiveness. The way of obedience is not grievous, but what could be more joyful than walking in the light as He is in the light? Will riches every satisfy, or only pacify? Consider a young infant, when they are wanting mothers milk, they will cry out until they are satisfied. Take a pacifier and put it in their mouth. Are they content? Is the heart of the child now quiet, or are they pacified. Take away the pacifier, and they will surly cry again. All the riches in the world will not bring true, lasting joy, only pacify our hearts.

They let her down?

FROM FOX NEWS:

A mother who decided to abort her son because he may have inherited a life-threatening kidney condition is overjoyed that he survived the procedure.
Jodie Percival of Nottinghamshire, England, said she and her fiancee made the decision to abort baby Finley when she was eight weeks pregnant.
Percival's first son Thane died of multicystic dysplastic kidneys — which causes cysts to grow on the kidneys of an unborn baby — and her second child Lewis was born with serious kidney damage and currently has just one kidney, the Daily Mail reported.
Click here for a photo of baby Finley.
"I was on the (birth control pill) when I became pregnant," Percival, 25, said. "Deciding to terminate at eight weeks was just utterly horrible but I couldn't cope with the anguish of losing another baby."
A short time after the abortion, Percival felt a fluttering in her stomach. She went to the doctor for a scan and discovered she was 19 weeks pregnant.
/**/

"I couldn't believe it,' Percival said. "This was the baby I thought I'd terminated. At first I was angry that this was happening to us, that the procedure had failed. I wrote to the hospital, I couldn't believe that they had let me down like this.
"They wrote back and apologized and said it was very rare," she added.
Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing health editor for FOXNews.com, said Percival's situation is actually quite common.
"Women that have early terminations in weeks six, seven and eight, many times the pregnancy is so small that doctors miss removing the baby," Alvarez said. "The danger is that the failed attempt can damage the baby. That is why these patients who get early terminations need follow-ups."
Another scan a week later confirmed the baby also had kidney problems, but doctors told the couple the baby was likely to survive, so they decided he deserved another chance at life.
In November, Finley was born three weeks premature. He had minor kidney damage but is expected to lead a normal life.

Did you notice her reaction? "I couldn't believe it,' Percival said. "This was the baby I thought I'd terminated. At first I was angry that this was happening to us, that the procedure had failed. I wrote to the hospital, I couldn't believe that they had let me down like this.

Pray for our country.