Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 21st The Saturday Morning Post – The Perfect Gift

Today’s Passage Hebrews 12 – James 1; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:13-17)

Good morning. My wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I did not know. Don’t laugh: do you know what you want for Christmas? There was a time when I could answer that question. Something would catch my eye, either on TV or in a catalog, and I thought I really wanted whatever it was. Now that I’m old, I guess I’m not impressed by the things of this world. There was a time when I was amazed at new technology. I saw a commercial the other day for a new wristwatch. One that could do just about everything a smart phone could. Amazing how far LSI (Large Scale Integration) has come: cramming all that stuff into a wristwatch. Okay, maybe I’m a little impressed; do I want one? Na, I’d probably have the screen shattered within the first month. What do you want for Christmas?

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6)

And you know what happened after that. That ‘gift’ Adam received from Eve caused the downfall of all mankind. But James 1:17 tells us…

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Let me give you three characteristics of the Perfect Gift…

1) It costs the giver, not the receiver.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

2) It is perfect: exactly what you needed.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

3) It is made to be shared so others will benefit from the gift also.

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Peter 4:10)

This Christmas, let’s try to stay focused on God’s Perfect Gift…

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Have A Merry Christmas!

Dec 14th The Saturday Morning Post – Deliverance

Today’s Passage – 1 Thessalonians 1 – 5; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14)

“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Rembering 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; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1Thessalonians 1:1-10)

Good morning. I really like how chapter 1 ends:, “…even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”; and there is a wrath coming. Seven years of the wrath of God are going to be poured out upon the earth. Maybe you’re worried about this if you don’t believe what God’s Word says at the end of chapter 4. Look at this verse from chapter 5…

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1Thesselonians 5:9)

Before God pours out His wrath on the earth, He will call His people home in the twinkling of an eye. The end of chapter 4 tells us…

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thesselonians 4:13-18)

If these words were not true, how could we comfort one another with them?

And also…

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Corinthians 15:51-58)

Yes, I would also be worried about the wrath of God, if it were not for the fact that He poured out His the wrath that He had for me on the Lord Jesus Christ: as He hung on a cross, and shed His precious blood for me. If you can’t believe the rapture verses, how can you believe the rest of the Bible. All of the Bible is God’s Holy Word, and if He says He is coming back in the air to receive His bride, then you better believe He is. Can you believe the following verse?

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

God made salvation as simple as 1John 5:12…

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1Jn 5:12)

I like what Jesus said about my salvation…

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

If we all took God at His Word – He says what He means, and means what He says – there would be more obedience to God’s Word and less arguing over it.

Sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer!

May I thy consolations share,

Till from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,

I view my home, and take my flight:

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise

To seize the everlasting prize;

And shout while passing throu’ the air,

Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer.

Peace!.

Dec 7th The Saturday Morning Post – The To-Do List

Today’s Passages – 2 Corinthians 11 – 133; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)

(2Corinthians 13:11-14) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (12) Greet one another with an holy kiss. (13) All the saints salute you. (14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.

Good morning. Paul is concluding his letter to the Corinthians. Under the dictation of the Holy Spirit, he writes us a To-Do list…

Be perfect (complete).

Be of good comfort.

Be of one mind.

Live in peace.

Matthew Henry gives a good explanation of these in his commentary…

“(1.) To be perfect, or to be knit together in love, which would tend greatly to their advantage as a church, or Christian society. (2.) To be of good comfort under all the sufferings and persecutions they might endure for the cause of Christ or any calamities and disappointments they might meet with in the world. (3.) To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their comfort; for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we shall have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this could not be attained, yet, (4.) He exhorts them to live in peace, that difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of affections – that they should be at peace among themselves. He would have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should be no more contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which they should avoid debates, envyings, backbitings, whisperings, and such like enemies to peace.”

Paul wrote in…

(2Corinthians 13:10) “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”

If the Apostle Paul came to your church, would he have to use sharpness to get you to do what was right? Or, could he be uplifting, building you up: edifying you. In 1Corinthians 14:12…

(1Corinthians 14:12) “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”

And in verse 26, “…Let all things be done unto edifying.”

When you edify someone, you build them up in the Lord: train them as a child in the way they should go, and they will help someone else; and so on. What did I do to edify someone today? If we answer that question on a daily basis, we will be focused on what Jesus was focused on: others. If we get our eyes off ourselves, and look to the needs of others, edifying them, God’s work will get done.

Let me leave you with an example that my wife and I are very thankful for. Two actually: one from God, and one from someone unknown…

December 6, 2024, was my daughter’s 49th birthday. A few years ago, Camille and I celebrated by going over to the grave, adding new flowers, and a few other Christmas items. It had been raining and drizzling all day. When we got to the cemetery, God held back the rain. We were edified: God reinforced the fact to us that He is in control. He cares for us in the little things, as well as the big. Just think about it: the Creator, who spoke everything we have into existence cared enough about us to hold back the rain while we went to the grave. Just a note: as we drove away, the rain came down in buckets! God is good!

Part two of this is also a part of what inspired this blog today. Somebody had come and visited Melissa’s grave earlier, and left a message written in the ground behind the gravestone. Maybe the message was from God too. I know we received much joy from reading it, and knowing that someone else cared. The message simply said, “I LOVE YOU.”

Peace! (JOY: Jesus, Others, You)

Nov 30th The Saturday Morning Post – Can You Imagine

Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 1 – 5; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 30)

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Corinthians 1:10)

Can you imagine what our churches would be like if we were “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”? Can you imagine all the souls getting saved and baptized each week because they want what we have? Can you imagine the impact we would have on our communities, on our states, on our country? Can you imagine? Even the liberals may get converted!

It came to Paul’s attention that there were contentions among the members of the church at Corinth. It had gotten to the point where Paul had to plead with the church to be of one mind. Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 2…

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus, who is God the Son, was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. If He were not God, He would have been steeling glory and worship from God. That would be sin, and that would make His sacrifice worthless, and He would have never risen from the grave. But He is God, and being God, He is perfect, and He rose from the grave, and all the glory and honor and worship goes to God.

Can you imagine if we were all of that same mind? Jesus, as God, humbled Himself putting on flesh and became a man, and was obedient even unto death on the cross. All that because He loved us. Can you imagine if we had the same love for each other? But of course we would have to be of the same mind and under control of God the Holy Spirit to even come close.

With the Holy Spirit in control, the life of the Christian, and the life of the church, would be showing the fruit of the Spirit…

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

Can you imagine if we had the same mind? How about the same judgment? God’s mind and His judgment are available to us from the same place: the Holy Bible: the Word of God. God’s Word has everything we need to have His mind and judgment. How can we make it our own?

1) PRAY…

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

2) READ…

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9)

3) LEARN and APPLY and DO…

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Can you imagine?

Peace.

Nov 23rd The Saturday Morning Post – Felix Trembled

Today’s Passages – Acts 23 – 25; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)

“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:24-25)

And wouldn’t you tremble too? Good morning. Felix listened while Paul tried to reason with him. And Felix trembled. And why not? Paul was giving Felix the Word of God. The Holy Spirit was at work on Felix’s heart. It was if the Lord Himself were speaking to Felix. And Felix trembled. Paul reasoned…

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

1) Paul reasoned of righteousness. Your righteousness must be greater than the righteousness of the Pharisees…

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

And you know what God says about our righteousness…

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

And…

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…” (Romans 3:10)

Only the Lord can make you righteous…

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:21)

He is our righteousness…

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OURRIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6

And Felix trembled as…

2) Paul reasoned of temperance. Felix, you need some self control. I’m trying to tell you about the Lord, and all you can think about is money…

“He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.” (Acts 24:26)

Temperance is also from the Lord. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit…

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

And Felix trembled.

3) Paul reasoned of the judgment to come.

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:7-15)

And Felix trembled. Are you trembling? Jesus is coming back soon. Are you ready? You can be. If you have never called on the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and save you, then you need to do so before it’s too late. Don’t tremble like Felix. Start rejoicing because the trumpet is about to sound!

Peace.

Nov 16th The Saturday Morning Post – Mirror Mirror

Today’s Passages – Acts 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 76 – 80; Proverbs 16)

“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:9-15)

Good morning. When others look at you, what do they see? When you look in a mirror, what do you see? When the men who sat in the council looked at Stephen, they saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel. And false witnesses had told the council that he blasphemed against God. Taken prisoner, forced to stand before false accusers, nowhere and nobody to run to. Trapped and about to be stoned, his face should have shown fear. His face should have shown anguish. There should have been trembling and there should have been tears running down his face. But his face was as the face of an angel.

Mirror, mirror, what do people see in my face? Do they see calm or adversity, strength in truth or cowardliness in lies, angels or devils, Jesus or Satan. You can have the face of an angel if you want too.

1) Stephen was full of faith.

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” (Acts 6:8)

He must have pleased God…

“But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

2) Stephen walked with the Holy Spirit.

Stephen was full of power.

“…full of faith and power…” (Acts 6:8)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

3) Stephen had wisdom.

“And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” (Acts 6:10)

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Corinthians 15:58)

When men accuse you, will you hang your head in shame knowing they are right? Or will you stand boldly on God’s truth, and have the face like an angel? Mirror, mirror?

Peace

Nov 9th The Saturday Morning Post – Caught In The Act

Today’s Passages – John 8 – 9; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 41 – 45; Proverbs 9)

Read the “1109 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:1-11)

Good morning. Ever get caught in a lie, or any other sin, for that matter? Maybe you were just never caught. Having your sin exposed to the whole world (or even just a few people) is not a good situation to be in. Think about this woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. Being taken in the very act, she was probably naked when the scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus. And it takes two to Tango: where was the man who was involved? There are only three explanations to the man’s whereabouts: he either escaped, or he was a scribe, or he was a Pharisee. Either way, the woman was alone, naked, and facing the fruit of her sin. Scary. The Law said that she should be stoned to death. What would Jesus say? After all, He was the Man of God, and the Pharisees were hoping to entrap Him with His own words. They all waited for the Master’s replay, and it was not what they expected. And He said unto them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

Some scholars say that the word sin in Jesus’ reply refers to the sin of adultery: the same sin as the woman. I don’t have time right now to verify this, but Jesus said…

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

The Bible also says: for all have sinned. So it really doesn’t matter if it was the sin of adultery or some other sin: they all had sinned and could not cast the first stone. The only one there who could cast the first stone was Jesus. Her accusers put down their rocks and departed. All that was left there was Jesus, the woman, and her sin. And Jesus asked, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?”

She said, “No man, Lord.”

And Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Do you know someone who was caught in the very act of sinning in some way? Maybe you are sinning, but haven’t gotten caught yet. What would you rather hear? “You bonehead! How could you do something that stupid?”

Or would you rather hear something like, “These things happen to the best of us. Let’s pray, and ask the Lord for help with this.”

We need to be more like Jesus, instead of running with stones and ready to kill. Our attitude should not be one of condemnation, but one of restoration: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Peace.

Nov 2nd The Saturday Morning Post – Faith As A Mustard Seed

Today’s Passages – Luke 17 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)

Good morning. When the Lord returns to earth, will He find faith when He looks at you or me, or anybody? Will the Lord be pleased? Without faith it is impossible to please Him (see Hebrews 11:6). Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith we ask God for things in prayer, the evidence appears in the form of an answer to those prayers. God gives us something to ask Him for, then He answers by granting the request: God is the beginning and the end of our faith, and everything in between. The disciples wanted to please God, so they asked for an increase in their faith…

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luke 17:5-6).

Jesus compared the Kingdom of God as a mustard seed…

“And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” (Mark 4:30-32).

Consider this…

I am a mustard seed. I am nothing on my own: just a seed only 1 to 2mm in diameter. But, plant me in the ground and give me fertilizer, and water; after 3 to 10 days, I start to germinate. My roots stretch deep into the soil looking for nutrients, and water; while my leaf breaks through the surface to bask in the light of the sun. I grow from the smallest of seeds to the mightiest of all the herbs of God’s creation. I am a mustard seed.

Also, consider this…

I am a human being. I was created in God’s image, but I am nothing on my own; just a person with a soul, and a dead spirit. But, give me the gospel, and the chance to receive Jesus as my Saviour and I become a new creature. My dead spirit is quickened: made alive. My eyes search God’s Word for His will for my life. I grow spiritually. I bask in His love, and the light of His Word. I go from being dead to being alive; from being lost and now found. I am saved. I am a Christian.

We all have to start somewhere: we need to start with Jesus for without Him we could do nothing (see John 15:5). When we hear the gospel, the Holy Spirit tells us we need to believe it and be saved (see Ephesians 2:8-9, John 15:26, Acts 16:19-34). We become a new creature, a child of God (see 2Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:26). It is all by faith; it is all by Jesus, God the Son: He is the author and finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).

So Christian, let me ask you again: will the Lord find faith when He returns to earth? As His return comes closer, and the devil’s time grows shorter, what little faith we have may be shaken. Proverbs 3 tells us to:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God is in control. He knew about all the ups, and the downs you have had, have, or will have in your life. He already has the solution to your problems, all of them. Trust Him. Believe Him. Have faith in Him.

Peace.

Oct 26th The Saturday Morning Post – The Curse Causeless

Today’s Passage – Luke 2 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26

“Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:1-6)

Good morning. Isn’t it great that ALL flesh shall see the salvation of God. But take a look at our nation. When I look, I have to ask when LORD? Everyone knows who the Lord Jesus Christ is. They call out His name every day. They use His name as a curse or as slang. They see Him as a false prophet, as a good man, even as a baby in a manger, or hanging on the cross. They don’t see Him as Almighty God, the Creator of everything, LORD of Lords and KING of Kings. They have heard of Him, but they don’t know Him. Besides that, with our busy lives, who has time for religion? Like the Bible says in todays Proverb…

“As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” (Proverbs 26:2)

Below are three pledges that we teach our children in our school: Jersey Shore Baptist Academy.

“I pledge allegiance

to the flag

of the United States of America,

And to the republic

for which it stands.

One nation,

under God,

indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.”

“I pledge allegiance

to the Christian flag

and to the Saviour,

for whose kingdom it stands.

One Saviour,

crucified,

risen,

and coming again,

with life and liberty to all who believe.”

“I pledge allegiance

to the Bible:

God’s Holy Word.

I will make it a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.

I will hide it’s words in my heart that I might not sin against God.”

These are the three pledges that we start every school day with. We want our students to know that (whether the Nazi-Commie-Socialist-Liberals like it or not) this is one nation under God. And that there is only One Saviour, who is coming again with life and liberty to all who believe. Our children must also understand God’s Holy Word, and hide it’s words in their hearts that they might not sin against God. We want them to learn these things, apply them to their lives. You see, somewhere along the way, we Christians dropped the ball. We have allowed those we have elected to take the Bible out of public schools, to take the Ten Commandments out of Government buildings (maybe that’s why there is so much corruption: they no longer have any guidelines to follow). New Jersey is allowing gay couples to marry. God calls homosexuality an abomination. And this ‘marriage’ is a mockery of the love that Jesus has for His church. What about abortion? Our elected officials want to allow abortions at any time during the pregnancy. We have dropped the ball, and let them get away with reducing this once great nation into a soon to be third-world nation (no offense meant to any third-world nation).

So what can we do? The same thing God told Solomon after the dedication of the temple…

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicals 7:12-14)

Our land needs healing: we need to get back to being one nation under God (not false gods).

Peace.

Oct 19th The Saturday Morning Post – Out Of The Heart

Today’s Passage – Mark 6 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 91 – 95; Proverbs 19

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 19

Read former posts from this pasage – “Don’t Lose the Personal Touch” & “Politicians”

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23)

Good morning. In our passage from Mark chapter 7, Jesus is explaining that the things that defile you come from within: from the heart. Jesus said…

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35)

What is coming out of your heart? Is it good, or is it evil treasure. Does your treasure hurt or help others: do you lift them up, or do you tear them down? Does gossip build up or tear down? Do you direct your anger at others or the actual source of your anger? Are you bothered by evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, or foolishness? There is hope; in Jesus there is always hope. First…

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2Corinthians 13:5)

There was a time when I was not sure of my salvation. I was at Texas Baptist College for only a couple of months. I gave Dr. Gray, my pastor at Longview Baptist Temple, a letter explaining my situation. He gave me the best advice I ever received. During the evening service, at the invitation, he called me up front to pray with me. Before we prayed he told me, “…I can’t tell you if you are saved or not. But if you aren’t 100% sure, you need to take care of it.”

So on July 23, 1995, at the evening service in Longview Baptist Temple, at the invitation, I called on Jesus to save me. I am 100% sure of my salvation, and have been since then. The devil has tried to shake me up with past sins a few times, but I know I’m saved. And this is the same advice I’m giving you: if you are not 100% sure, take care of it. Now. You are not guaranteed tomorrow. Ask Jesus into your heart. Would you rather have people see Jesus coming from your heart, or would you like them to see the evil things coming out? Take care of your heart…

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

Secondly, remember…

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:17-21)

We become a new creature in Christ: one who has given Jesus their sins, and received His righteousness. This is why Jesus told the Jews, if their righteousness did not exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, they could not enter the kingdom of heaven (see Matthew 5:20). You, me. or the Pharisees will not make it into heaven with our own righteousness: we need God’s righteousness: freely available to all who come to the Lord Jesus Christ.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:1-10)

Lastly, in Joshua chapter 7, Israel went up against the small city of Ai. They lost, and ran away from their enemies…

“And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” (Joshua 7:5-13)

God told Joshua to get up and fix it. We need to do the same thing. If we sin (which we will) we need to confess it…

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

If someone sins against you, confront them and take care of it: be reconciled…

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

As Jesus made His way to Calvary, there were many people around Him. Some cried out in anger. Some hit Him. Some ripped off His beard. Some spit on Him. And some wept. What would be coming out of your heart?

Peace.