Baptist City Blog

Thursday, 9/15/16  Got character flaws? Do you offend people at times? Sinful habits? In need of God’s mercy? Matt 6:15, But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. You’ve got to give in order to get.                             Deut 30:19-20, I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live: that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sward unto thy fathers...to give them. Notice the verbs and the order of them and the word “that” or “[so] that.” A choice leads to love which leads to obedience which leads to cleaving which leads to extended blessings and peace which leads to a good life.

 

Friday, 9/16/16  Deut 13: an entire chapter that outlines 3 scenarios whereby God’s people are tempted to follow false gods. Three scenarios; 1 solution: capital punishment. Beware of who advises you spiritually and the content of what is said...God is deathly serious and jealous for you.                              John 10:10b, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. A lack of the “abundant Christian life” may indicate a lack of life in general. Are you sure that you trusted the Saviour, plus or minus nothing, to care for your sins? Then, if so, what is hindering the type of life that God intended for His children to live?

 

Saturday, 9/17/16  Ps 3:1-3a, Lord, how they increased that trouble me! many are there that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me... People can and will criticize every aspect of our Christianity, but your relationship with God is solely your domain, and is exclusively your responsibility. It’s as good as you choose it to be. He’s waiting...go talk to Him. Go read His book.                             A Bible thought: Pro 18:24, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly." Whatever I want out of life, I must give it first to others. "Give and it (whatever it is) shall be given to you again," Luke 6:38.

 

Sunday, 9/18/16  How to partake of and enjoy church today: Ps 5:7, But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Don’t just get your body ready for church: prep your mind and heart also.                               Uncomfortable with the things of God? With “all of the hypocrites” down at “THAT church”? The problem may not be as far away as you’d like... Ps 5:4, For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. There’s room for another hypocrite in the pew...right next to this one. Come on down.

 

Monday, 9/19/16  Hos 4:1, Hear the word of the Lord...the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Does God have a controversy with your family? Church? SS class? Life?                            Acts 2:14, But Peter, standing up with the 11, lifted up his voice [& preached on Pentecost.] those who saw him deny the Lord a few weeks prior probably didn’t think too much of the sermon.  ¹The temptation will ALWAYS be present to filter the perfect Message through an imperfect messenger.  ²Messengers must be as circumspect as they can be.  ³Faulty messengers do not negate the expectations the Lord has regarding obeying His perfect Message.  ⁴Legitimate criticism is always possible toward a human messenger.  ⁵No legitimate criticism is possible toward God’s message.  ⁶God demands obedience to the Message regardless of the faults of the messenger.

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- Pro 15:33, The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility. We cannot get, or understand true wisdom without a fear and honest respect for the Lord! Neither can we expect promotion and honor without a humble teachable spirit.

- Ps 133:2, It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down into the skirts of his garment. When the people of God love each other and get along without friction and discord, it leaves a fragrance that cannot be hidden.

- Ps 130:4, But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Just because He is a God of mercy and forgiveness does not make Him weak, tolerant, or without wrath!

- Pro 17:5b, …and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. We need to be very careful about our attitudes toward the tragedies and troubles of others.