Baptist City Blog

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A Spiritual Second Generation

Deuteronomy 5:3

"The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day."

When you think of second generation Christians, you mostly think of Christians who are not very dedicated to the work of the LORD. Sadly, most second generation Christians are not very spiritual. I am personally a sixth generation Christian. I believe that second generation Christians can be spiritual, and in fact, do more than the previous generation.

In the verse above, the generation of the children of Israel were second generation. Their father's were the one's who refused to go into the Promised Land, so this generation wandered forty years in the wilderness because of the sins of their fathers. However, when Moses addressed this generation, he addressed them as a spiritual generation. There were several things that made this second generation a spiritual generation.

First, they made their Christianity personal. Notice that they said that the LORD made this covenant "with us." They understood that they couldn't live off of mom and dad's spirituality. They realized they had to make it their own. Spirituality is not inherited. Just because your parents were good Christians does not make you a good Christian. Too many young people believe they are spiritual because of their parents. The only way you will make it as a second generation Christian is to make your Christianity personal.

Second, they learned from the previous generation. These people realized the mistakes of their fathers, and they did all that they could to avoid making the same mistakes. One of the blessings of being a second generation Christian is that you can learn from the successes and failures of previous generations. If you are wise, you will avoid the mistakes your fathers made and follow their patterns of success.

Third, they made God's commands personal. This generation understood that God's commands were for them. They didn't pass it off as something they didn't need to do, but they understood that the commands God gave were to them as well. Second generation Christians must be careful about thinking that the commands from God for the previous generation do not apply to them. God's warnings apply to you as they did to your fathers.

Fourth, they made God's promises personal. You will never be successful as a second generation Christian until you make the promises of God personal. The same promises that your parents claimed are the same promises you must claim. God's promises are multi-generational. In other words, they apply to every generation. Take the same promises that your parents claimed and make them personal by claiming them as your own.

Finally, they made God personal. This is the most important thing you must do to be successful as a second generation Christian. You should not serve God because your parents served Him, but you must serve God because you choose to serve Him. Joshua made that very clear in Joshua 24:15. Every generation must make God their personal God if they are going to succeed in the Christian life.

You will fail as a Christian if you live off your parents Christianity. You need your own victories. You need your own answered prayers. You need your own personal experiences with God. You will never be successful as a second generation Christian until you make God and the Christian life personal.

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The Ideal Worker

Exodus 36:1

"Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded."

Finding the ideal worker in any walk of life is never an easy task. When you ask employers how hard it is to find the ideal worker, you will find that many of these employers are frustrated in finding someone who is the ideal worker.

When God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle, He gave him a man who was an ideal worker. Bezaleel would be coveted by every employer today if he were alive. There is no doubt in my mind that the tabernacle of the LORD would not have become what it did without Bezaleel. Let me show you several things about this man that made him the ideal worker.

First, he was a wise worker. You will notice in the verse above that the LORD gave Bezaleel wisdom to "...know how to work..." Bezaleel was not careless about his work. He used wisdom to build the instruments of the tabernacle and to accomplish the work in the best possible way. You should strive to be wise as you work. Don't be careless on the job, but be wise in your work habits so you can accomplish more for God and your employer.

Second, he worked well with others. In Exodus 38:22, you will read that Bezaleel worked with a man named Uri. His ability to work with others helped the work to go smoother. There is nothing worse than trying to get people to get along on the job. If you want to be an ideal worker, then you need to learn to work well with others. No, they may not always do things the way you would do them, but they can help you and the one for whom you are working to accomplish the task in a greater way.

Third, he was a willing worker. In Exodus 35:21 you will see that God used him because he was willing. Bezaleel didn't have the attitude that he had to do God's work, but he had the attitude that he was privileged to do God's work. When you get past the "Got to" attitude and get to the "Get to" attitude concerning your work for the LORD and your employment, then you will find that the work you perform will be more enjoyable. When people enjoy what they do, they will produce a better product.

Fourth, he was a self teacher. In the verse above, you can see that Bezaleel never stopped learning. In order to get wisdom in an area, you must be willing to learn about that area. An ideal worker will continue learning about the area in which they work. The reason for this is so that they can do what they are supposed to do in a better way. Never stop learning about what you are supposed to do. Be a self teacher, and motivate yourself to improve your education in the area of your work.

Fifth, he followed instructions. In Exodus 39:21, Bezaleel did everything that the "...LORD commanded Moses." This means that Moses gave Bezaleel the instructions on how to do the work. Bezaleel humbly followed the instructions given to him. Ideal workers are one's who will follow instructions. Don't be one who makes your own rules, but follow the instructions given to you.

Last, he was a finisher. In Exodus 39:43, you will see that the work was finished. Ideal workers finish what they start. Whenever you start a project, be one who finishes it. Don't leave projects unfinished.

Ideal workers are hard to find. Let those with whom you work feel that they have found an ideal worker in you.

Preparing for the Famine

Genesis 41:29-30

"Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;"

Life is a series of cycles. You will have ups, and you will have downs. You will have prosperity, but you will also have famine. God allowed Pharaoh to have a dream that taught this principle. God showed Pharaoh through his dream that there would be seven years of plenty, and the years of plenty would be followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare for the famine by setting aside in the years of plenty. This advice should be followed by all, whether it is a person or a government.

Prosperity will not last forever. One of the mistakes of this present generation is that it doesn't seem to understand that prosperity will end. When you live in times of prosperity, you must realize that it will end someday.

Likewise, famine will not last forever. Just like prosperity will only last for a time, famine will end someday as well. When you are going through tight times, you must not give up, eventually you will see good times again. You must not despair in times of famine for they are only temporal.

Furthermore, prosperity is sent to prepare for the famine. Here is where many people make a mistake. Prosperity is not sent for pure enjoyment, but God sends us prosperity so we can prepare to make it through the times of famine. During times of prosperity you must have the character to set aside. When you are young, learn to set aside for retirement. When times are going well, learn to set aside some finances to make it through the coming years of famine. You must not be one who wastes all your finances thinking that they will always be there. There will come a time when prosperity will end, so you must be sure to use the time of prosperity to prepare yourself for when the time of famine comes.

The bite of famine is only as grievous as prosperity's preparation. Famine is never an enjoyable thing to go through, but you can take the fierceness of its bite away by preparing for it in times of prosperity. When you look at those who prepared for their senior years when they were young, you will notice that they don't struggle as much as those who wasted their years of prosperity. You can either tighten the belt in years of prosperity so you can enjoy the latter years of your life, or you can splurge now and have nothing when the years of famine come.

Finally, preparation and prayer gives provision in the famine. If you will learn to set aside during times of prosperity, you will find that you will have enough to make it through the times of famine. Moreover, you must pray and ask God to give you the wisdom and character to help you to set aside. Ask God when the famine comes to help multiply what you have set aside. God promises to supply all of our need, so ask Him to bless what you have.

If Pharaoh wouldn't have listened to the wise advice of Joseph, then Egypt would not be in existence. Follow the advice of Joseph to set aside in times of prosperity so you can make it through the years of famine.

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She Had No Child

Genesis 11:30

"But Sarai was barren; she had no child."

One of my relatives who had a great influence on my life was my uncle and aunt, L.J. and Bessie Parr. They are some of the greatest Christians you could ever meet. One of the blessings they had in life was they had no children. That's right, I called it a blessing! Though they wanted children, God blessed them with no children so that they could become a parent to many others. I never one time heard them complain about not having children. Though they wanted a child, they understood that it was not God's will for their lives. So, they took it as an opportunity to invest in the lives of other children, and in doing so, I became one of the beneficiaries of their influence. Just like Sarai had no children, they likewise had no children and used it as a ministry to help others.

Let me briefly address how to talk to those who have no children. Be careful about asking people who are childless when they are going to have children. First of all, this is not your business. Second, this can be very hurtful to some who have tried to have children and can't. Pray for them, and ask God to open their womb. Support them, but don't be judgmental of their situation for you don't know the whole story.

However, for those who have no children and would like to but for some reason God has not opened your womb, let me advise you to accept your situation as God's will for your life. Don't let your situation of not having any children cause you to become bitter. God cannot use you to your fullest potential in your current situation until you accept it as His will.

Second, take your situation as an opportunity to help other children. My uncle and aunt helped so many children, that in some sense they were able to help more children than if they had their own. Maybe the reason God has not blessed you with your own child is so that you can influence more children. Invest your life in children on a bus route. Get involved in ministries where you can help children. Treat other children as you would treat yours if God gave you a child of your own.

Third, do right! Don't become like Sarai who wanted a child so badly that she pushed her husband to commit adultery. Doing wrong to get a child is never right. Adultery is always wrong! Maybe God is testing your faith to see if you will do right even if He doesn't give you a child. Don't let your desire for a child be so great that it moves you to sin.

Fourth, pray, pray and pray! You may have prayed for a long time, but don't give up on God. Yes, you must accept your situation and not complain about it, but it does not mean that you can't continue to ask God for a child. Unless God has plainly told you not to ask for a child anymore, then continue to pray that He will give you one.

Fifth, ask your pastor to anoint you with oil. James 5:14 applies to your situation. Maybe God is wanting to see if you will humble yourself enough to ask your pastor to pray for you. I have seen God give many people a child because they went to their pastor and asked him to anoint them with oil and pray for them.

Last, consider adopting a child. We preach against abortion, but we don't adopt. Though I believe you need to be careful, young girls who get pregnant out of wedlock need to know there is someone who will adopt and love that child. Maybe the reason God gave you no children is so that you can adopt one.

Use your situation of having no children of your own as a ministry to help their children. Remember, God does everything on purpose. So take your situation to bless others, and maybe God will bless you with your own child.

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

Why Are You Running?

Genesis 3:9

"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?"

God asked Adam and Eve a disturbing question when He asked, "Where are thou?" What would cause anyone to hide from God? Why would anyone ever run from the presence of the God Who made them? However, this happens over and over again. Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God, yet through a series of actions they found themselves running and hiding from Him. The same things that caused Adam and Eve to run from God are the same things that cause people to run from God today.

First, wrong associations will cause people to run from God. Adam and Eve associated with Satan. This wrong association caused them to run from the presence of the One Who wanted to help them. Wrong associations will often cause people to run from those who love them and want to help them. People will run from their preacher when they have wrong associations. People will run from their parents when they have wrong associations. People will run from the very ones who want to help them, and all because of wrong associations.

Second, disobedience will cause people to run from God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating of the forbidden tree. You will always know when someone has disobeyed because they will run from their authority. When you obey your authority, you will want to be in their presence. One of the reasons why people run from authority is because they have been disobedient.

Third, indecency will cause people to run from God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they knew they were naked. Their indecency brought shame when God's presence came. It is amazing how soon people will become indecent when they are running from God. I have watched people have good dress standards become indecent when they started running from God. If you would be ashamed to be dressed a certain way in the presence of God, then most likely you are running from God. If the preacher caught you dressed in a way that would embarrass you, then let me kindly say that you are running from God.

Fourth, compromise will cause people to run from God. When Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to dress themselves, they were compromising. Compromise always leads to wrong actions. Instead of trying to change God to meet your standards, you need to change your standards to meet God. A sure sign of compromise is when people start attacking the Word of God, which is the King James Bible for the English speaking people. Their attempt to change the power and authority of the Word of God is a sign they are running from God.

Last, improper roles of authority will cause people to run from God. In verse 17, God showed that Adam and Eve disobeyed His roles for authority. You can tell when a society is running from God by how they try to say that God's roles for authority are antiquated. The roles of authority never change. Whenever a person is running from God, they won't mind changing the roles of authority in their life.

Do you see any of the signs of running from God in your life? I challenge you to be sure to stay close to God by avoiding the areas that would cause you to run from Him. When you are right with God, you won't run from Him. When you are right with God, you will want to be wherever He may be. Be careful that you don't run from the One Who wants to help you. Stay close, for in His presence you will find life's richest blessings.

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

How Do You See God?

Revelation 19:11

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."

Our perception of a person or a situation is often determined or influenced by the current situation of our life. This way of perceiving things will often determine how we see God. In the verse above, John saw God coming to fight the last battle, the Battle of Armageddon. You must realize that John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos when He described how he saw God. Though John was going through a rough time in his life, he still gave us a good description of God.

He first described God as faithful. Though John could have looked at God and thought that God had forsaken him, He did not say this, but he said He was faithful. In other words, John was saying that God could be depended upon. It doesn't matter what you are going through, you can rest assured that God is still faithful today. God will always be there for you in your time of need, for faithfulness is part of the character of God.

John then described God as true. How thankful you ought to be that God is still a God of His Word. Whatever God says He is going to do, He will do. When trying to determine truth, look no further than God. Whatever you read in God's Word is true, for God is truth. Man may lie to you, but God is always true. Man may skew a story, but what God says is absolutely true. Man may exaggerate illustrations, but whatever God says is exactly how something happened. Not only can God be depended upon to be there for you in your time of need, but His Word can be depended upon to guide you through life.

The third way that John described God is righteous. Every Christian can be thankful for this. If it were not for the righteousness of Jesus Christ, then every person would be destined to Hell. However, John was saying that everything that God allowed to happen to him was something that he deserved. Likewise, you must stop griping to God about how He treats you and realize that you deserve everything that God allows to come your way. God's treatment of His people is always righteous treatment. Nothing will come your way that you don't deserve. I can say this because we are all sinners, and the best that any of us deserves is Hell. Therefore, stop complaining about what you don't deserve and accept God's treatment of you as righteous.

John then described God as determined and passionate. In verse 12 John saw the eyes of God "were as a flame of fire,..."  God's determination and passion should be exemplified in every Christian. Don't be a Christian who is passive and dead, but be like your Saviour Who is determined and passionate about everything that He does.

In verse 13, John finally saw Jesus as his sacrifice. Jesus is the sacrifice for salvation. He is the only way that anyone can be saved. If you will focus upon Jesus as the sacrifice for your salvation, then you will find that you will see Him properly.

Let me ask you, how do you see God? John was right when he described God in these ways. Yet, how he saw God didn't even scratch the surface of the goodness of God. Take some time today and write down how you see God. Then take your list and thank God for everything that He is to you.

Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.

God Knows

Revelation 3:15

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot."

Seven times in the first two chapters of Revelation God says the words, "I know." Though each time God said it was not always good for the church, it can be encouraging to know that God knows. God says in these chapters that He knows our works, our labor, our patience, our stand, our endurance, our tribulation, our poverty, our surroundings, our love, our service to Him, our faith, our heart's condition, our strength and our walk with Him. This is quite a list and God knows all of these things. When you read this list, several things should come to your attention.

First, you can't hide from God. Too many times Christians treat God as if He were a human who only knows what can be seen. You must realize that God knows the heart. What you may be able to hide from others you cannot hide from Him. You can't hide your sin from God. Yes, you may be able to hide your sin from your spouse, parents or pastor, but God knows when you sin the very first time you do it. He also knows your heart. You can't hide a cold heart from God. You may be able to put on a good show for those who watch you, but God knows if your heart is on fire for Him. Always remember that you can't hide anything from God. That is why you must be up front with God regarding your sin. He already knows, so be honest with Him and you will find that He will be more longsuffering with you.

Second, God knows every detail of your life. It encourages me that there is nothing in my life that God doesn't notice. The little things you do in life are noticed by God. Man may not see the things you do in private for God and others, but God sees every little detail and will reward you accordingly. He also knows your fears and worries about tomorrow. He knows your concerns with what the future holds. Though we should never worry or be concerned about our future, it is encouraging that God does know these little details about you, and He will help you through them if you will let Him. Tell God in prayer about the details of your life. Be honest with God, for He already knows these details. Likewise, don't think that your private works go unnoticed. God sees them and will reward you.

Third, God knows what we go through for Him. Nobody quite knows every heartache that you face. However, let me encourage you that God knows. To some this may not be comforting, but you must understand that God knows what you go through for Him. He sees your stand on the job and what you go through for your Christian testimony. He sees your stand in the public schools and the ridicule you receive for that stand. He sees your stand in the public square and the persecution you receive. He sees your stand among compromising Christians. God knows what you go through for Him. Don't give up! God is there to help you, and He will reward you if you will just hang in there.

Seven times in two chapters God reminds us that He knows. Christian, if you will daily remind yourself that God knows and sees all things, you will find that this knowledge will help you to live a cleaner life and will encourage you to keep going when you feel like giving up. Every day, before you leave your house, simply remind yourself that He knows.