Baptist City Blog

- Tuesday, 11/27/18  Luke 24:6, He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee... Those who’ve been in church for very long usually just need reminders and encouragement. That’s what I try to do with these texts. Whom could you remind and encourage?                                    Luke 24:45, Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures...  Psalm 119:18, Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. We can’t do any part of the Christian life very efficiently, if at all, without His direct intervention. Pray Psalm 119:18 before you read...I promise that it’ll help you.

 

- Wednesday, 11/28/18  John 1:41, He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. Two truths: first, is everyone in your family saved? Secondly, if nothing else, we can at least tell what happened to us. Use your mouth to see your family saved...and if your life stifles your voice, clean up your act, then talk.                                 Proverbs 27:2, Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. It’s obvious that we’re not to toot our own horn, but it says to “let” others praise us. Too often, we seek, expect, or even demand that we get treated a certain way. That’s a sure road to disappointment, anger, and resentment. Quit putting your happiness into the hands of another. Worry about what you can control and quit worrying about what others do.

 

- Thursday, 11/29/18  Psalm 73:25, Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. We, to some degree, know the first half, but can we truly say the second half? Are you closer to that sentiment than before, or are you “good enough,” “close enough” to God?                         Proverbs 27:22, Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. This teaches that correction is not a matter of how much pressure the boss/parent/teacher exerts, but the tenderness of the recipient’s heart. Strive to capture the heart and the actions will be automatic. BTW, how’s YOUR heart toward your authorities? How pliable are you?

 

- Friday, 11/30/18  How to change your spouse/child/employee: Proverbs 27:21, As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. The pot and the furnace are tools to remove impurities and leave the valuable ore. So, brag on your “target.” Even the tiniest positive step: see it and compliment it.                             Romans 2:4, Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Notice that, even though the passage is dealing with the unsaved, truth is directed to us. Always be cognizant of the fact that NONE of the Bible was written to others; ALL of it is written solely to you and me. So, could you say when the last time His goodness led you to an altar to repent of something?

 

- Saturday, 12/1/18  John 13:35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Love is not just being uber-nice to another; love is treating someone the way the Bible says to, even if that means pointing out an erroneous belief. Don’t “love” others so much that you un-love God.                                 John 13:32, If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. A foundational principle of the Christian life: God’s agenda ALWAYS is to have first place. Notice, even with His own Son, the Father’s glory came first. It’s not selfish: He deserves it. And He’ll give us what He deems we deserve...IN TIME, which usually means in eternity.

 

- Sunday, 12/2/18  Psalm 144:1, Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. Notice that God taught David how to fight. We do Him a GREAT disservice to think that He’s only concerned with and capable of helping us in the spiritual aspect of life. There is NO part of life in which God is not interested in, nor one in which He’s not the ultimate Expert.                                    Ezekiel 16:2, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, and say, Thus saith the Lord God... Let’s all encourage our pastors to preach fearlessly. If he doesn’t step on toes occasionally (including our own), he’s not doing his job. Write him a note when he gets a little louder, more angry, or wound up...we need that...and he needs to know we know that.

 

- Monday, 12/3/18  Psalm 76:1, In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. It matters not if He’s known and great elsewhere...what about in your life. Honestly, when was the last time you mentioned the name of Jesus outside of church, outside of your closest friends? (Ouch...to me too...)                               Psalm 38:3, There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. We’re all sinners who’ll eventually succumb to the wages of sin and die, and we live in a sin cursed, germ filled world which works on our dying body, but it is a Bible truth that sin does cause physical ailments. Don’t overlook the Great Physician as you dial your earthly one. Perhaps it’s not high blood pressure or cancer...perhaps it’s bitterness or lust or a lack of soul winning that is causing the pains... Maybe your heart needs Someone more specialized than a good cardiologist... ‘just sayin’.