Baptist City Blog

- Tuesday, 12/19/17  Psalm 86:5, For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. A favorite verse... We all enjoy His mercy on us, but do you ever beg that He’d be merciful to others? to those who attack you? Or volunteer to take their chastisement?
                                “Thank you Lord for all of the negatives in my life!!”  You say, are you crazy? No, just quoting the Apostle Paul. Philippians 1:12, But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. So that my bonds in Christ... Do you use your negatives to benefit the Kingdom, or do you simply complain about them? (If the Devil knows you’ll turn the negatives into souls, maybe he’d quit getting after you, and if God sees you praising Him while in the fire, maybe He’ll flex His muscles on your behalf more often. ‘just sayin’...)

 

- Wednesday, 12/20/17  Mark 8:2, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat... A) He noticed. B) He cared. C) He acted.  Three steps to being a blessing...3 possible places to fail to be one. I know which I’m more prone to do...                           Do you ever feel shallow for simply praying, “Lord, bless so-n-so...”  Maybe try this:  Colossians 1:9-12a, [we] do not cease to pray for you, and to desire...  1) that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (“help them to know what You want them to do...”)   2) that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, (“Help them to live like a Christian; to not embarrass You.”)   3) being fruitful in every good work, and (“Help them to be spiritually productive in all areas of their lives.”)   4) increasing in the knowledge of God; (“Please speak to them through Your word and in church.”)   5) strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, (“Strengthen them to be able to take what it on their plate.”)   6) [strengthened] unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (“Please use their situations to produce useful spiritual qualities in them.”)   7) giving thanks unto the Father... (“Help them to become thankful children of Yours.”)

 

- Thursday, 12/21/17  Psalm 9:13, Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me... You will have those who hate you or disagree with you or fight you. It will happen. So, go to God or get bitter...those’re your choices.                                  Proverbs 17:17, A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Would you say that you’re a good friend? And a good relative to your brother/sister/family/in-laws? In context, is your love as constant when your friend has troubles as when they don’t? (Love, not agreement.) (Even if the troubles are self-inflicted...) As a Christian brother/sister, are you “Johnny-on-the-spot” when the one you claimed to love is going through the fire? When was the last time you called them? Gave a gift? Checked on them? Maybe you’re not the friend and relation that you think you are... Maybe that aspect of your Christianity is “in word only.”

 

- Friday, 12/22/17  Mark 9:38, And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in THY NAME, and he followeth not US: and we forbad him, because he followeth not US. Don’t get so hung up on “your team” that God’s work suffers. Yes, love what you have, but don’t flaunt it: it’s flawed cuz you’re there.                          2 Samuel 12:14, Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. The “man after God’s own heart” gave the God haters occasion to blaspheme. God’s men are still men, and are still sinners. And, guess what? Sinners sin. I’m tired of hearing people criticize fundamental Baptist churches as being “prisons” and “cults” and sources of “abuse.” Yes, men do wrongly, but if you’re following God and trying to serve God, then man and his frailties won’t stop you. Could it be that those doing the criticizing are simply looking for an excuse to justify their own worldliness? I understand being hurt...been there, done that...am there. But that’s what forgiveness is for. That’s why we’re called to holiness and not carnality. So, to all my dear friends, former students and others: if it’s “not your cup of tea” then OK. You will answer to God just like I will. But don’t try to “put the company out of business” because 1 jar of mayonnaise was bad. Forgive, and go on. Quit sowing seeds of discord...God really hates that.

 

- Saturday, 12/23/17  2 Kings 13:2, And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom. You can do what’s easy and natural, or what’s hard and supernatural. Choose today! And tomorrow, and the next day...                         1 Thessalonians 1:3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father... Leaders (bosses, teachers, pastors, parents, coaches), remember that no follower ever feels that their leader acknowledges or praises them enough...try to become the exception to that rule. God notices when we try, try and succeed, and try and fail, and when we don’t try because something is bothering us...be like God.

 

- Sunday, 12/24/17  We all want happiness and success. But there are right ways and wrong ways to get both. Psalm 92:4, For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. Do it with God and do it through His methods.                                 Are you willing to let this verse apply to you? 1 Thessalonians 3:11, And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. Before you answer, realize that it will entail, not only sweeter feelings in your heart, but also increased action from your life. Remember that “God so loved...THAT he gave...” Now, again, are you willing “to increase and abound in love”?

 

- Monday, 12/25/17  Proverbs 20:9, Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?  Always remember that all of our opinions, judgments, decisions, choices, logic...all of it comes from a permanently flawed source. So don’t take yourself too seriously, and don’t expect others to do so either.                            2 Kings 20:19, Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? Because of this one statement and the selfishness it demonstrates, I absolutely DESPISE Hezekiah. Lesson? There are some things that we do that others will never get over...regardless of whatever else we do. However, we should still try to get along with everyone and undo or cover over any flaws we manifest, even if those overtures are rejected.

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

- Ps 64:5, They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily: they say, Who shall see them?  Evil and wicked men act like no one sees or hears them. They need to look up!! Our God sees, hears, and knows even their thoughts.

 

- 2 Tim 6:6, But godliness with contentment is great gain. A great verse, and one that assures us a successful life if put into practice.

 

- The story of Christmas is the story of a love that was willing to give what was most precious for what was most unworthy. God so loved, that he gave his Son. Christmas reveals to us the heart of God which overflows with love, a love so great that God gave his only Son for people who rejected him.

 

- Christ was born in a manger, in a filthy barn, but when I trusted him he was born in my heart which was filthier than any barn and more unworthy of him than any manger. That is the meaning of Christmas.

 

- Christ came as a helpless Baby to save a helpless race.

 

- The greatest gift ever found under a tree was the blood that had been willingly shed by our Saviour on that old rugged cross.

 

- Pro 21:12, The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. We ought to observe, feel sorry for, be burdened for the wicked, but never be envious of them.

 

- Eze 3:8, Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. Real men of God, who are called and sent by God and Holy Spirit filled, will usually be tough, hardheaded, and set in their ways. He may even be controversial.

 

- Ps 71:5, For thou art my  hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth. PTL for teaching and training by godly parents at an early age.

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

- You cannot come and adore Christ the Lord if you abhor one of his own.

 

- Christ took on my naughty, so I could take on His nice.

 

- Happiness comes a lot easier when you stop complaining about all that is wrong in your life and start noticing what is right in it.

 

- Never in all of history has it been harder to discern the voice of God, but that still small voice is yet speaking. Let it ring over all the noise of Hollywood, and all the clutter of Internet. Find that quiet place with God, and let stillness with Him afford you the discernment to make each step along the way of life.

 

- Sometimes pain is caused by a pinched nerve. And very often, pain in our lives is also caused by a pinched nerve. Don't live in pain. Learn to relieve the pinch and loosen the pressure. Some will medicate, inoculate, vegetate or relocate, but they still carry the pain. How about an alignment? How about a simple adjustment. Sometimes, just putting things in proper order and perspective can completely eliminate the pain and restore real pleasure!

 

- If your Christmas is looking lonely, even painful, remember that God hasn’t forgotten you. He wants to fill you with his hope, his peace, and his joy. He is called Emmanuel, because he is with you even in this difficult season.

 

- To All My Friends Facing A Dark Christmas

   Yes, there are many of you who have a dark Christmas ahead. I understand more this year. It is the first Christmas without my mom. Like me, perhaps it is the first Christmas without that loved one who passed away since last year. Maybe it is the Christmas after you have lost a job or even your church. It may be a Christmas that you are fighting a battle that you see no way you can win, or that you are facing a life threatening disease to you or someone you love. Maybe it is a Christmas that is wrought with financial difficulties and the gifts under the tree will be few, if any, or it is a Christmas of the pain betrayal from one you trusted and loved.

   Whatever it is, you are not facing this Christmas season with as much excitement as most. You are just trying to get through it and hoping to soon a light up ahead. To all of you who have such a Christmas in sight may I offer you this hope. The Christ child we celebrate is sitting next to the Father at this very moment interceding on your very behalf. He knows what you need more than you do. Adore him a little more. Worship him a little more. Celebrate him in your heart a little more. Love him a little more. Let the light of your dark Christmas come from within as he comforts you as only our Savior can. Merry Dark Christmas, my friend.