Baptist City Blog

Listen to this great sermon by Dr. Jack Schaap, "Don't Fight Against Those Who Are Fighting For You"

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

The Value of the Basics

1 Chronicles 15:2

"Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever."

David learned a valuable lesson the hard way that every generation needs to learn. The lesson that David learned was that the basics work every time, even if they seem to be outdated. David wanted to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem so that he could experience God's blessings to their fullest. The mistake David made was that he copied the Philistines way of moving the ark instead of following the basics that God gave in moving the ark. This mistake caused a man to lose his life. However, David learned from his mistake and went back to the basics and was successful in his attempt in bringing the ark of God to the city of David.

In our modern times, many have left the basics of God's Word because they seem to think that the basics are outdated. In this day of technology, the basics may not seem to work as well as technology, but the basics will beat out the results of technology every time. The basics are the foundational principles of God's Word that will bring the greatest blessings on your life if you will follow them. Here are some observations about the basics that will help you in your daily life.

First, the basics are always safe. The reason why the basics are always safe is because they have been tried and proven. When you try a new way, you don't know what the new way will produce or where it will lead. If you want to be safe in life, then you would be wise to follow the basics.

Second, the basics are always relevant. Here is where many people make a mistake. Many people feel that the basics are outdated and won't work in today's technologically advanced world. That is where they are wrong. The basics are the foundation upon which everything is built. God is not saying not to use today's advances, but only use today's advances if they don't take you away from the basics. The basics will always be relevant because Scriptural principles never change.

Third, the basics always produce good results. When David got back to the basics, that is when he experienced his desired results. The best results in life always come when following the basics. The basics may not be flashy, but they always give you the results you want. In the sports world, the team that follows the basics is the team that usually wins the championship. They may not always be fun to watch, but they win the championship that the team desired. Your greatest victories in life will come when you follow the basics.

Christian, have you been tempted to leave the basics? Don't allow the new age temptations to pull you from the basics of the Word of God. The basics in business will make your business the best that it can be. Following the financial basics will help you to do the best with the money that you do have. The basics in Christianity will produce the best Christians. The basics in church building will always produce the strongest churches. The basics that made a nation strong will always keep that nation strong. Never leave the basics, for in them lies your greatest blessings.

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

Close and Happy Family Life

1 Chronicles 6:33

"And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,"

One thing that most families truly desire is to be close and happy. Yet, with Satan's attack against the home, you see more and more families that struggle with being close and happy. Of course, a close family will be a happy family. A family that is not close to each other will not be a happy family.

The verse above shows a family that seemed to be happy. We don't know much about what this family did while they were together at home, but we can see three things this family did that gave them the closeness and happiness that surely you desire for your family. Though this is only a microcosm of what it takes to have a close and happy family, I believe these things will help you with your family.

First, they were a singing family. In verse 32, the Scriptures says about this family, "And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing,..." Yes, this family was talented and had the ability to sing in the tabernacle, but for them to sing in public they had to first sing at home. One of the fond memories I have about growing up was when our family would get around the piano and sing together. I believe it is good for families to sing together. This is one reason why it would be good for you to make sure your girls take piano lessons, because they will use the ability to play that piano with their family. To help your family stay close and happy, have a time when the family sits down and sings together. Go around to each member of the family and ask what they want to sing, and then sing it. There is something about singing together that brings happiness to the home.

Second, they were a serving family. In the verse above, you will notice that this family "waited with their children." The word "waited" is the same word we use for serving. This family knew the importance of serving God. Your family will never have the closeness and happiness which you desire until you serve God. God is the One Who founded the home. Until you get the Founder involved in the home, then the home will not be happy. Be careful about getting so wrapped up in worldly affairs that the family doesn't have time to serve God. At the top of your priority list for your family should be serving God. You will never acquire a happy family until you serve God.

Last, they were a together family. Notice in the verse above it says, "with their children." It wasn't mom and dad serving God alone, it was the whole family serving God together. A close family is a family that does things together. Be careful about everybody in the family doing their own thing. Even in the church, the family needs to do things together. If you are not careful, dad has his duties in the church, mom has her duties in the church, the children have their duties and activities in the church, and nobody is doing anything together. It's good that the whole family is involved in the church, but it's better if the whole family serves God together. Even around the home, be sure that the family does things together. Don't allow one child to be the loner. Yes, you will have times when each member of the family is doing some things alone, but on the whole the family needs to do things together.

It will never be easy to keep your family happy and close, but the effort spent doing so will be rewarding. When the family is close and not feuding with each other, then home will be a happy and peaceful place for all. It will become a place where the family looks forward to being. Ask God to help you have a close and happy family, and then start singing and serving God together.

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

Vulnerable Times

Proverbs 7:5

"That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words."

Everybody will be vulnerable to sin and Satan's attack. It does not matter how strong or great of a Christian you are, there will be some times when your will be more vulnerable than other times. It is very important for you to know when these vulnerable times are so that you won't be destroyed by Satan's attack.

Proverbs 7 teaches us the importance of keeping God's Word and understanding It so It can keep us away from the vulnerable times. One of the vulnerabilities of most people is that of the opposite sex. Though this is not the only area where people can be vulnerable, if you will learn how to help yourself in this situation it will also apply to other areas of your life.

The first time of vulnerability is at night. You will notice in verse 9 that the young man was walking around "in the black and dark night:" Very little good is ever accomplished when someone is roaming the streets late at night. A lot of young people get into trouble by being out late at night. No matter what your age, you should be very careful about being out late at night.

Second, when you are alone you are very vulnerable. In verse 7, you see that the young man was alone. You must guard your mind and what you do in your alone times. It is during your alone times that your character weaknesses will be revealed. You will do things when you are alone that you would never do in public. Watch yourself when you are alone so that you don't succumb to sin.

Third, you are vulnerable when you are around the opposite sex. In verse 10, the young man met a harlot who was "subtil of heart." Though I don't believe every person will be subtil, I do believe that being alone with the opposite sex is very unwise. You should guard against being alone with the opposite sex so that you do not have to fight the temptations that come from being alone with them.

Fourth, when you are in an unfamiliar time of your life, you are vulnerable to Satan's attack. Be careful when you start new endeavors in life. It is in these times that Satan can cause you to make foolish decisions because you are unfamiliar with where you are in life.

Fifth, when you are spiritually wounded your are very vulnerable. The Scriptures say in verse 26, "For she hath cast down many wounded:..." When you have been spiritually wounded, you must take extra guard that you don't yield to temptation. When a Christian has attacked you, beware of temptation. When you are struggling as a Christian, beware of temptation. When sin has wounded you, beware not to yield to more sin.

Last, when you are physically weak you are vulnerable. Verse 26 can be applied to the spiritual side as well. When you are tired, you must watch that you don't yield to temptation. When you have been fighting sickness, you must be careful not to yield to temptation. When you feel physically weak for no apparent reason, watch yourself because you are vulnerable during this time.

Whether or not you believe this, Satan is out to destroy you. Watch yourself during these times of vulnerability so that Satan doesn't get the upper hand in your life.

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

Formula of an Answered Prayer

2 Kings 20:5

"Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD."

The best way to learn how to do something is to study what has been successful and copy the formula that made the success. In the verse above, you will find the formula of Hezekiah's answered prayer. Hezekiah was told that he was going to die. Instead of griping and whining about his situation, he went straight to God in prayer for he knew that only God could change his plight. The result of this action and how he prayed is what gave him the answer that he needed. If you want your prayers to be answered, then you would be wise to copy how Hezekiah prayed.

The very first ingredient in this formula for answered prayer is taking time to pray. Hezekiah could not have had his prayer answered if he wouldn't have taken time to pray. One of the biggest reasons why Christians don't have answered prayers is because they don't pray. God does not answer prayers because of how eloquent they are, He answers prayers because someone prayed. God cannot answer your prayers until you start to pray. If you want to have answered prayers, then you need to take time daily to pray.

The second ingredient in this formula is to pour your problems out to God. Hezekiah did not beat around the bush with his prayer. When he prayed he got right to the point of his prayer. You will notice when you study this prayer that Hezekiah immediately prayed, and as Isaiah was walking out of the palace God came to the prophet and told him that He heard this prayer. That would mean that Hezekiah's prayer was not that long, but it was to the point. When you go to God in prayer get to the point, and pour your problems out to God.

The third ingredient in this formula for answered prayer is to remind God of what you have done. When Hezekiah prayed, he poured his problem out to God, and then he reminded God what he had done for Him. One of the reasons it is important to serve God is so that you can use your service record as a bargaining chip with God to get your prayers answered. God is more likely to answer the prayers of those who are doing something for Him than He is for the one who never does anything. Don't be afraid to remind God of your service record in serving Him when you are trying to get an to answer to prayer.

The last ingredient in this formula for answered prayer is tears. In the verse above, God noticed Hezekiah's tears. God says in Psalm 126:6, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." God notices the tears of His saints. Put your heart into your prayers and don't be afraid to weep while praying for God will notice your tears.

What need do you have today for which you need God's intervention? Follow the formula of this prayer and apply it to your need and watch how God moves to answer your prayer.

The FBC Hammond bulletin for 06/26/2011 is now up at www.baptist-city.com.

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

A Position Worthy of Respect

2 Kings 2:23

"And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head."

There are certain positions that are worthy of respect. Often we may not like a person who fills a position, but the position itself is worthy of respect. For instance, the leader of a country will be liked by some and despised by others, yet, the position that person holds is worthy of respect. In the verse above, we find that the man of God's position is worthy of respect. Whether or not you like the man of God, you should respect him because of his position. His position is worthy of respect because he is a representative of God. With this in mind, let me give you several thoughts from the story above.

First, God takes the man of God's position seriously. Many have looked at the verse above and questioned why Elisha would call she bears to punish these children for their ridicule of him. What you must understand is that even though Elisha cursed these children, it was God Who sent the she bears. The punishment may seem extreme, but it was God who administered the punishment, and no man should ever question God's punishment. If God sent such severe punishment to children, then He must take the man of God's position seriously. If God takes this position seriously, then you should treat the person who holds this position seriously and with respect.

Second, children should be taught to respect the man of God. The parents of these children should have taught them better. Children often do what their parents teach them by example. These children most likely were only mimicking what they had seen their parents do. You should make it a point in your home to teach your children to respect the man of God. Teach them to address him properly. Teach them not to criticize him. Of course, if you criticize the man of God then you will have a hard time teaching them not to criticize him. Teach your children to respect the man of God by taking care of him. You can do this by letting them give their preacher little gifts. Teach your children to respect the man of God by praying for he and his family on a regular basis. Children should be taught to reverence the position of the man of God.

Third, criticism of God's man should never be entertained. You must be careful not to become a part of a group of people who criticize the man of God. You will notice in the verse above, it was a group of children and not an individual child. Criticism of the man of God often happens in groups. Rarely do you see individuals criticizing the man of God. Therefore, when you are around people who start criticizing the man of God, you should try to stop the criticism or leave, but don't become a part of it. Avoid the groups of people who are known to criticize God's man.

Last, God will punish those who attack the man of God. I have seen many times in my life God's punishment on those who attack the man of God. Some have paid a dear price because of their attack against God's man. God will not let you get by with attacking His man. He will punish you if you become a part of criticizing and attacking the man of God.

Be careful what you say about the man of God. Realize that his position is worthy of respect. If you have been guilty of criticizing and attacking the man of God, then you need to get it right before you face God's punishment. The man of God's position is worthy of respect, be sure that you give it the respect it deserves.

Four exceptional sermons for the week of 6/12/11 await you at www.baptist-city.com.