Baptist City Blog

Sunday, 9/6/15  Luke 11:2, ...Thy will be done... A reminder that God’s will is to be DONE, not just known, believed, or preached. Could you list what you DID in the last 24 hours that He specifically wanted?                Jer 31:19, Surely after that I was turned, I repented: and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. After you’re confronted with your sin and you agree with God and you feel the shame...NOW is the crucial time. Don’t wallow in the shame. Fix what you can and move on. The Devil tries to keep us unconfessed; if that fails, he’ll try to keep us crippled in shame.

Monday, 9/7/15  Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart. “Forsake” means to leave behind, but it doesn’t automatically indicate a desire to do so. Mercy and truth keep marching on (to the beat of the Master’s drum) and will leave us behind if we get distracted and quit following them. Keep up with mercy and truth: avoid the allure of vengeance and old wives’ fables.                  Jer 21:2, (quoting wicked King Zedekiah), Enquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the Lord will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us. Don’t expect God to automatically bail you out of the sewer that you so willingly dove into: He may, but don’t be surprised if He doesn’t. King, if you live a life that is against all that God says, don’t spit in His face and talk about His wondrous works and deeds. If you’re man enough to live without God in the “good times,” then you will probably need to live without him in the bad.

Tuesday, 9/8/15  Ps 84:2, My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Your old, carnal nature rebels against the things of God, but your new nature longs for Him. All of creation groans for His redemption. Will you give in to your old or new nature today?           Rom 7:24, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Basic truth: there are 2 types of righteousness: imputed and personal. Upon salvation, a person’s sins are charged to Christ and His righteousness is charged to the convert: their record is then totally pure. However, the body is still sinful: the saved person is to “grow in grace” and “work out” his salvation. In other words, he is to let Christ control his body. A key to the Christian life is balance: if we dwell solely on our perfect eternal record, we tend to disregard living holy lives here and now. If we dwell too much on our personal righteousness (or lack thereof) we will get discouraged and quit. Again, the key is balance, and a thorough knowledge of the Bible. Our permanent record cannot be marred, and our daily record simply needs to be cleansed by confession and forsaking.

Wednesday, 9/9/15  1 Pet 1:6, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. How does joy and heaviness (depression) coexist? A person can be in overall good health, and yet have the flu for a week. One can deeply love their spouse, but have had arguments and even do the “silent treatment” for a few days. A dependable car still needs a tune-up. Lesson: Don’t go to pieces because you react a little poorly when life caves in around you.             Read Jeremiah 35. The prophet called in a family and told them to drink wine (grape juice) and they refused. They said that their ancestor, Jonadab had told his descendants to never do so, and they were following his directive. The prophet complimented them, and then scolded the nation: this family was very diligently obeying the dictates of a man whereas the nation was ignoring the dictates of their God.  Application:  Many believers cling to/defend/promote some secular doctrine (politics, immunizations [pro/anti], diet, oils, genetic modified foods, money, pleasure, etc. You name it) more fervently than they do Bible doctrine. Are you guilty of this? How often do your FB posts promote a cause (which is not in and of itself sinful) that is not related to the Bible? If I perused your posts for the last 6 weeks, how readily could I tell that you’re a born-again child of God? ‘just wondering...

Thursday, 9/10/15  Ps 85:8, I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. We trust our doctors, and don’t get angry when they correct us: we know that they have our long-term health in mind. We let them chide us about our bad habits...even if they might struggle with unhealthy behavior too. Why don’t we act the same with God’s men? God’s word is full of peace for us.               Ps 3:1-2, Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many there be that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. We’ve all found ourselves in the midst of these verses, and most of us stop at the “Selah” (a musical term meaning, “rest” or “take a break.”) We complain and live the best we can “under the circumstances.” However, God and the psalmist do not stop: But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Regardless of how bad we’ve got it, God’s got the situation well in hand; He knows what your situation is, and He knows what to do about it. So, what are we to do? V4, I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Most believers stop at the “rest” after v2; most of the few who continue stop here. “I prayed about it!! Now what?”  V5-6, I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. (Exercise the faith you have...quit worrying and go on about your life.)  Then, V7, Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. Keep on praying and walking by faith, and give God the glory for deliverance.                             Luke 18:9, And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous...  ¹When evaluating either our own righteousness or another’s, be sure to specify whose definition you’re using. A person can be awesome by human standards and yet be an abomination to God. (Are you 100% righteous in His sight? Message me if you’re not sure.) Conversely, a person can be despised by man and highly esteemed by God.  ²We’re notoriously very poor judges of ourselves: usually we inflate our own value and grade ourselves too highly (showing pride), or, occasionally, we are too harsh and totally trash ourselves (which also is unscriptural.)

Friday, 9/11/15  Pro 5:3, For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil. Men, remember the grenade that’ll destroy your life won’t be decorated with “DANGER” signs, but with silky, skimpy clothing. V4, But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a 2-edged sword. Stay strong; do right.              In Luke 7, John was in prison (enforced idleness: he was no longer DOING anything for God) and simply thought. Combining the extended thinking time without any action, along with the trouble of imprisonment, and he began to doubt his core beliefs: v19, ...sent [2 men] to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? Or look we for another? Lesson: do more and think less... Too much thought without corresponding action leads to error. The Christian life is to be DONE, not debated; accomplished, not theorized.

Saturday, 9/12/15  Pro 5:3, For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil.  ¹Ladies, pray for you man...if he’s a good godly man, there’s a target on him. ²Ladies, do you entice the men that belong to another by your speech, clothing, or mannerisms?                     Rom 13:14, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Many believers fail twice here: the first half refers to putting on tight-fitting clothing (doesn’t fit well, and therefore is uncomfortable). Because it isn’t “natural” and comfortable, we oftentimes give up on that aspect of the Christian life. Then, Part B, we frequently make it easy to succumb to our sinful inclinations. “Strike One!” “Strike Two...you’re out!!!”

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- It Is Not the Church’s Fault.  My friends: it was not the church that hurt us, it was our sins. Perhaps the church failed to offer help in healing and may even have made matters worse, but if we think the church is our problem we have a huge problem. Our problem is that we wanted the church to heal us rather than realizing that Christ is the only Healer. I realize that many churches have lost their way when it comes to the matter of grace for fallen sinners. If a church has failed you, do not get bitter. Do not cast blame. Do not condemn them. Maybe the Lord knew you were co-dependent on people and on the church itself and God is allowing you to be weaned away so that you will walk more closely to the Lord. He is the ONE you need and He never fails. Satan would like nothing more than to get your eyes on the failures of the church and off the grace of God.

- Don't rest from the labor; rest for the labor.

- I learn far more about a man by the questions that he asks than by the answers he gives.

- I think after taking ten selfies your phone should shut down until you read a book.

- The way to a "happily ever after" in a marriage is realizing that you will not always be happy. The way we deal with the unhappy times makes for the "happily ever after."

- I truly believe that the biggest regret I will have when I meet God will not be the sins I committed but the prayers I failed to pray.

- Don't deceive yourself. There is no sin so scandalous that we are not all susceptible to committing that same sin.

- Healing will never take place without the help of humility.  We've been taught to be tough, be strong, "suck it up," and stand tall. However, none of that will work in the process of healing. Pride prevents, and even intensifies the pain. Hurting is the cry for humility. Hardness will only hinder healing. God can humble me, or I can humble myself!

- Don't Forget!  When a friend hurts you don't forget all the times they helped you.  When the pastor lays an egg, don't forget all the messages he brought that touched you.  When your wife burns the meal, don't forget all the delicious meals she has cooked you.  When the authority punishes you unfairly don't forget all the times they turned a head in mercy. When your husband throws his dirty clothes on the floor don't forget all the hours he has worked to provide for you. When your kids disappoint you don't forget all the joys they have brought you. When the day goes bad in every way, don't forget all the wonderful days you have enjoyed. When God allows a trial in your life don't forget the daily mercies he brings into your life. It is easy to remember the immediate disappointment and forget the history of blessings. It ought not be so.

- Average Kids.  It is kinda strange how average parents pressure their kids to be above average. No doubt some kids will be above average but not most. Sometimes in the effort to make them above average we provoke them. Rather than nurturing them we pressure them. Parent be careful to allow your child to...  1. Be who God made he or she to be not what you envision for them.  2. Grow at the pace that does not make them resentful towards you for pushing them too hard.  3. Achieve to a level that is proportionate to their God-given abilities.  4. Be content that they are not inferior because they do not accomplish 'big" things in their lives.  5. Feel you are proud of them for being a Christian who loves the Lord and lives a quiet and peaceable life.  Most of us are average people and that is not bad. What would we do if we did not have average people in our churches? My grandparents were average people. But, they were good people and the result was that God chose to use them to raise above average children, not by pushing them above their abilities but by bringing them up but bringing them up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

- Sin is like driving a car. The first time you do you are a bit nervous, after awhile you get comfortable, but if you do it long enough you will eventually think you have been granted a license for it.

- If Jesus was nothing but a good, honest, humble man who was not God, then when Thomas called Him “Lord and God” Jesus should’ve corrected him. If Jesus wasn't God, his acceptance of worship as God wouldn't be good; actually it would be very bad. It would make Jesus some sort of megalomaniac—and definitely not a great, righteous and humble man.

- When I was young, I thought that God had gifted me with skills so that I could arrange a good life for myself.

I was wrong.  It was a process. But I learned that God had gifted me with skills to gift Him back so that He could arrange a great life for me. I cannot count the times when a widow in our church had a plumbing problem, or a young couple had an electrical problem, or a farmer had a machine break down that I was able to help solve the issue. When they offered to pay, I could not accept. I learned that when I gave God everything of mine, He gave it back in multiples. It also seemed that when I held onto something that was precious to me, it lost its value or it was taken away. Young person...or old person, if you give God everything, He will give it back in manifolds. It's mind blowing because it is His mind not our mind. (Isaiah 55:7-9) & (Philippians 2:5).  Have you a skill or talent or gift? If you keep it to yourself, it will surely come to naught. If you give it back to God, its value will skyrocket and boomerang. (Matthew 10:39). Take the time and read the texts. Then go give yourself away... to God!

- Miracles never took place without some human effort, some voluntary involvement. The sceptic was never used. It was always the volunteer who witnessed the power and miracles of Jesus Christ. Paul said, "When I am weak, then am I strong," because he was a volunteer! Paul figured it out!

- Our unworthiness causes us to doubt that God will answer our prayers. Yet the prayer of faith is trusting that God is worthy of asking and that He through His mercy may answer our requests. So it will always be the unworthy petitioning the Worthy. Let us pray on!

- You will never get a grip on sin. Sin will always have the grip on you. And remember: Sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.

- How do you know if someone needs encouragement? If they are breathing.

- There is a big difference between remorse and repentance.  "I'm sorry" is for mistakes, "Will you forgive me" is for sin.

- I am not without sin, but praise God I am without condemnation.

- If your presentation of the Gospel sounds too good to be true and too easy to believe, then you are doing a good job presenting the Gospel.

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- I love it when verses of Scripture "jump" out at me when I am reading the Bible. Here's three "little" words that, if you think about them, can change everything about how you live, think and act: God is faithful, I Cor 1:9. Not only is He faithful in the promise and gift of salvation, but in keeping me saved for all eternity! A person can be faithful, but only to the extent that circumstances in their life allow them to be. A flat tire can cause a faithful person to be late. Sickness can cause a faithful person to have to neglect his duties for a time. But since God rules over ALL circumstances, there will never be a time when He is overcome by them and is caused to be unfaithful. He will ALWAYS do what He says He will do and ALWAYS be what He says He is. He will ALWAYS keep every promise He has written in His Word because there is no other way for Him to act.

- Ps 140:4, Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked: preserve me from the violent man: what have purposed to overthrow my goings. If our nation continues in their ungodly evil path, this will be the prayer of every child of God!!     

- 1 Thess 4:13, But I would not have you ignorant brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. Thanks be to God for this hope and promise.

- Ps 145:9, The Lord is good to al, and his tender mercies are over all his works. This Labor Day we need to take time to thank the Lord for His goodness and tender mercies to us.

- Bible thoughts! Ps 8:9,O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! He really does have an excellent, majestic name! Let's not use it flippantly!

- The word highway made me think of vehicles moving fast. Pro 16:17, The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Thus, we ought to depart from evil as fast as we can!

- Bible thoughts! Ps 10:11, He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it." But you see, that's just the thing! God has NOT hid His face from us! He's a constant presence in our lives! He's there and He's near! Why fear when we know Who's on our side?! Woohoo!!!

- When we get away from the simplicity that is in Christ, life becomes very, very complicated. (2 Corinthians 11:3).