Baptist City Blog

Monday, 2/22/16  Ps 48:14, For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. This verse has enough comfort in it to last....oh...a lifetime at least.             Pro 17:16, Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? Before we can people to “buy into” church and spiritual things, we need to get their heart. Their actions (treasure: $, time, will) will follow their heart.            Just an observation:  Peter publicly abandoned the ministry in John 21:3 (I go a fishing). In John 21:15, he was given the chance to publicly reenlist (Lovest thou me?) Not sure what to think...did the Lord give him the opportunity to “un-do” what he had done in the same manner he’d done it? Your thoughts?

 

Tuesday, 2/23/16  Neh 10:39, ...and we will not forsake the house of God. These people vowed this; maybe we should too. If people’s actions can get you out of church, where is your forgiveness? Where is your faith in a God to care for situations? It’s not all about you and your feelings or your perspective.                  Pro 16:2, All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. You can convince me; you can convince others; you can even convince yourself that you sin is something other than what nailed Christ to the Cross...but you can’t convince God. Just come clean already and quit justifying and excusing and tolerating your own wickedness.

 

Wednesday, 2/24/16  Ps 119:27, Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. V33, Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. It’s not enough to learn the precepts; we must know the WAY (lifestyle, reason behind, goal) of the precepts and statutes.         Rom 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. “Receive” means to “take to oneself, like food,” or to “receive to friendship or hospitality.” Christ received sinners who knew they had no good to offer Him and that action shone the spotlight (gave glory) onto God. You and I are to forgive and receive the very same sinners He’s received, and thereby turn on our own spotlight already... The problem is, many of us have the switch on the spotlight turned “On” but it’s pointed directly at...US. Give God the glory already.

 

Thursday, 2/25/16  God issues commands to do things we aren’t likely to do, or commands us to not do things we’re likely to do. Pro 23:22, Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Young adults, this verse is for you...Millennials...heads up!!       Pro 23:19, Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Notice: we are to “guide our own hearts” not follow them. Do NOT let your heart by your guide: it is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. You wouldn’t follow a psychopathic murderer would you? Or use a convicted felon for a financial advisor? Or, use a prostitute to guide you in matters of purity? DON’T FOLLOW YOUR HEART!!!

 

Friday, 2/26/16  Would you characterize your Christian life as joy-FULL? Ps 51:12a, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. The dam that blocked David’s joy was unconfessed sin...it might be worth you looking into.                Definition of mercy: not getting a deserved negative. Matt 5:7, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. You’ll need and want mercy one day; will you give it today to the one who’s offended(-ing) you? (Even if they were in a position of leadership and “should’ve known better”?)  Yes, I’m going there again: some of you need to forgive your parents, or a teacher, or a former church leader. Maybe you get upset every time I post about forgiveness...why does it offend you so much? Do the right thing...forgive...let it go...dismiss the case...AND WALK OUT OF THE COURTROOM!!! (And never come back in....LET IT GO!!)

 

Saturday, 2/27/16  Pro 22:3, A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on and are punished. Do you analyze your current path, habits, goals? Prudence says to look at ourselves regarding our motives, anger being retained, our sinful tendencies, besetting sins, unforgiving spirit, etc.           Matt 23:5, But all their works they do for to be seen of men...  A question for those who perform your Christianity in the public’s eye and one that only you can answer: do you do what you do to be seen of men, or, while being seen, to help others?

 

Sunday, 2/28/16  Matt 20:26, ...but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant. Notice that Christ never condemned seeking greatness or position. But He gave the roadmap: greatness, titles, positions, rank, authority are to be gained through serving those above and those under you.         Neh 13:3, Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. When was the last time that you started or stopped something because of preaching or personal devotions? Are you guilty of going through the motions of the Christian life? We’re to be constantly changing into a more accurate copy of our Example.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- The greater a man is in power above others, the more he ought to excel them in virtue. None ought to govern who is not better than the governed.

- Use sin as it will use you; spare it not, for it will not spare you; it is your murderer, and the murderer of the whole world. Use it, therefore, as a murderer should be used; kill it before it kills you; and though it brings you to the grave, as it did your head, it shall not be able to keep you there. You love not death; love not the cause of death.

- We often confuse our identity with our habits, but the truth is, habits can be changed! Habits are things you do. They are not who you are! You have weaknesses, but you are not your weaknesses. You are a unique creation of God, flawed by your nature and choices, yet deeply loved by God. No man or woman will ever love you as much as God does. His love for you is not dependent on your habits.

- Proud Christians boast of what they have done for Christ. Humble Christians boast of what Christ has done for them.

- Pastors need to remember that they are shepherds, not CEO's. Shepherds care for the sheep, while CEO's care for the biggest shareholders (givers).

- Notice: You will be required by God's law to pay the price for your sins. Please disregard this notice if Christ has already paid the price on your behalf. Thank you.

- You called your pastor for his strengths, so stop criticizing him for his weaknesses.

- Sometimes God allows us to fall apart so that he can put us back together.

- Get even with someone today. You know THAT person you should get even with. Yes that one. The one who loved you at your worst. The one who helped you when you were down. The one who has been there with through thick and thin. Get even with them today by being the friend and blessing they need.

- If people can cause you to lose your faith in God, it proves that your faith was actually in people, not God.

- You can't be a Wave Walker and a Water Watcher at the same time. - Peter

- Choose to be broken so God does not have to break you.

- I have chosen to live a "WHAT'S NEXT?" life rather than a "WHAT IF?" one.

- One of the most offensive things you will do is forgive someone who others do not feel deserves it. Be prepared to take criticism and some rebuke, but hold your ground, you are right and they are wrong.

- When you have a dispute with another Christian your spiritual maturity will be revealed by whether you want reconciliation or vindication.

- My scars tell a story...they remind of when life tried to break me and failed.

- A defeat is a temporary event, but giving up is a permanent event.

- You will either come through the hurts of life with a hard lesson or a hard heart.

- Some Christians keep chasing away the unattractive cocoons in the church and then complain because there are no new beautiful butterflies.

- No matter what you have done some people will not forgive you. No matter what you have done, God will always forgive you.

- Adult child, make sure you see your parents as human beings. Understand that they struggle in the same ways you do. They feel fear, hurt, uncertainty, and doubts. Do not expect them to be any more "perfect" than you, because they are merely sinners saved by grace just as you are. Give them the same grace you would to any other sinner. most parent/child relationships are hurt because we do not take the time to understand these truths.

- Stop looking for the good in your afflictions and look instead for God in them. He will guide you to the good.

- No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Situations, questions of, “What should I do?", and problems all inevitably come into our lives and the lives of people we know. When you study God's word (Psalm 1:2) and know of and approve where He stands and what His advice is you'll be better off to make decisions and advise. 2 Tim 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

- How we respond to fallen Christians, even when we are personally shaken, says much about our knowledge of, understanding in, and desire to demonstrate Christianity. Galatians 6:1-2.

- Bible thoughts! Ps 22:24, For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." What a great truth! Here's something we can claim today!

- The words of a wise man’s mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself. - Adam Clarke. Ecc 10:12, “The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.”

- Pro 16:8, Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right. To choose wealth over honesty and right is ungodly and wicked. We need the blessings, protection, and direction from God far more than we need more wealth and prosperity.

- Ps 128:4, Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. Those who would have a happy, godly, and prosperous family need to have a holy fear and respect of God.

- Luke 18:41, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. I wonder how many spiritually blind are crying out and begging for the Master’s touch of healing today, only to be sent away unchanged with a feeling, rather than salvation.

- Job 4:7, Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the righteous cut off? We need to be very careful about our speculation about life’s circumstances in the lives of others, and seek God’s purpose for what goes on in our own lives.

- Pro 21:14, A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. Hatred, bitterness, and anger on the part of another toward us can often be pacified, defused, and healed by a kindly deed, gift, or bribe lovingly passed on secretly to the offended.

- Pro 22:4, By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life. The pursuit of riches, wealth, and fame without humbleness of heart and the fear of the Lord is an effort in futility, and a sure path to misery and personal failure.

- Pro 23:26, My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. It is important to get the heart of a child, and also to set a godly example to follow.