Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

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.

Oct 12th The Saturday Morning Post – Your Minister

Today’s Passage – Matthew 19 – 21 (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 56 – 60; Proverbs 12)

(Matthew 20:25-28) “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. (26) But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; (27) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Good morning. Jesus said, in the above passage, “…and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus, God Almighty in flesh, came to earth to minister to us. He is our example, and we should be striving to emulate Him. God the Son submitted Himself to God the Father’s will. This is what Jesus said about the Father’s will…

(John 6:37-40) “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (39) 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. (40) 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.”

If you are looking for the will of God for your life, to start, be a servant: a minister for the Lord. As a student, be a servant to your Sunday School teacher. As a Sunday School teacher, be a servant to your students and the Sunday School Director. Director of whatever ministries the Lord has entrusted you with, deacons, assistant pastors; be a servant to those given to your charge and your pastor. As a pastor, be a servant to all those who the Lord has given you. If we all do this we will be ministering to our Lord Jesus Christ. And if God Almighty could wash the feet of men, why can’t we do the same?

(John 13:3-17) “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; (4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. (5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. (6) Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? (7) Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. (8) Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. (9) Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. (10) Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all (11) For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. (12) So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? (13) Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. (14) If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. (15) For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (16) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. (17) If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

What is your attitude towards your sister or brother in Christ? The Greek word for minister is the root word: Diakonos. This is the same word we get deacon from. A minister is one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master. If we as Christians were more like Jesus, maybe the world would want to receive Him too, and stop chasing after false gods and religions like Islam, Buddhists, Secular Humanism, Baal, and any other false god you can think of.

Peace!

Oct 5th The Saturday Morning Post – Beating The Devil

Today’s Passage –Matthew 1 – 4 (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 21 – 25; Proverbs 5)

(Matthew 4:1-11) “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (2) And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. (3) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (5) Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, (6) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (7) Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (8) Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (11) Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Good morning. We have an adversary who loves to make trouble for us. He is the father of lies. He is so stuck up on himself that he pictures himself as a god. He hates God, and he hates God’s creation: us. But there are a few things we can do to defeat our already defeated foe.

1) Remember that God is in control.

Think about Job, and everything the devil put him through. God put a limit on what he could do to Job…

(Job 1:6-12) “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (7) And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (8) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (9) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (10) Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (11) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. (12) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And Job lost his children and all he had. The next attack fell on Job, but God spared his life.

(Job 2:3-6) “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. (4) And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. (5) But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. (6) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

But the devil is strong, and may be hard for you to defeat whatever he is doing in your life. You need help…

2) You need to ask Jesus into your heart and be saved.

Solomon said…

(Ecclesiastes 4:12) “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

If you are saved, God is your Father, and you have Jesus, and you have the Holy Spirit, and a threefold cord is not easily broken: and God can’t be broken. In Matthew 4:1-11, our opening verses, we see the devil’s attack on Jesus: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

3) Know your Bible.

Every time the devil tempted Jesus, the Lord delivered a knockout punch with the Word of God. The apostle John said…

(1John 5:13) “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

When you get save, you become a child of God. He loves you and will never cast you out. Jesus said…

(John 6:37-40) “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

(39) 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. (40) 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.

You have nothing to fear if Heaven is your home.

Peace.

Sep 28th The Saturday Morning Post – It Gets Worse, But Has A Happy Ending

Today’s Passage – Habakkuk 1 – 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 – Revelation 13 – 16; Psalms 136 – 140; Proverbs 28)

Read the “0928 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

(Habakkuk 3:17-19) “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: (18) Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (19) The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Good morning. We are in Quartzsite, Arizona, at the time of this post. We were almost out of food and provisions. On the way in we found an Aldi. When we food shop back in New Jersey, Aldi’s, is the first place we go. And we usually spend under $100. This stop was $250! Now we did buy a few extra things as we will be boon docking in the desert for a while, but still $150 more than usual? When we first started shopping at Aldi’s, we spent about $70. Gradually this went up and up. But God is good…

(Philippians 4:19) “But my God shall supply all your need according. to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

God is good to His children. If you’re not saved, you need to get saved.

(Acts 16:26-32) “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. (27) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. (28) But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. (29) Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, (30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (32) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.”

You see…

(2Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

The best thing you can do is rely on the Lord. Trust Him to supply your need as He said He would. Put your trust in the Lord, He will not let you down. Let me tell you what happened to Jesus, in His own home town…

(Matthew 13:54-58) “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (55) Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? (56) And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? (57) And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. (58) And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.“

Trust God. He is the only way we can get through the mess in our country that is coming.

Peace! (But only when Jesus comes.)

Sep 21st The Saturday Morning Post – Make America Great Again

Today’s Passage – Joel 1 – 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 – 2 Peter 1 – 3; Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)

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

(Joel 2:1-11) “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (2) A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. (3) A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. (4) The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. (5) Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. (6) Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. (7) They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: (8) Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. (9) They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. (10) The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: (11) And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Good morning. How is that coffee you’re drinking? Are you able to afford eggs and bacon for your breakfast too? Are you sick of all the high prices that you have to pay? Are you fed up with the homosexual movement, or schools teaching your sons that they can be girls, and your daughters, boys? God made you just the way He wanted you. Who are you to tell a perfect God that He is wrong? Sin has spread all across our nation. How do you expect God to bless. America will never be great again as long as there is sin in the camp. When He comes back, do you thing He will be happy with what He sees? No, He will not.

(Joel 2:12-13) Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: (13) And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

(2Chronicles 7:14) “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.”

(Joel 2:18-19) “Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. (19) Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:”

(Joel 2:28-32) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (30) And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. (32) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”

So if you want to make America great again, tell others about Jesus.

Peace.

Sep 7th The Saturday Morning Post – The Jew Hater

Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 24 – 27 (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 – Ephesians 4 – 6; Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)

Read the “0907 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

(Ezekiel 25:1-4) “The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, (2) Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them; (3) And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity; (4) Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.”

(Ezekiel 25:8-17) “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen; (9) Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim, (10) Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations. (11) And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD. (12) Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; (13) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. (14) And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD. (15) Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; (16) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. (17) And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.”

(Ezekiel 26:1-6) “And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (2) Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste: (3) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up. (4) And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. (5) It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations. (6) And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Good morning. In our reading today, we have the Ammonites, Moab, Seir, Edom, the Philistines, and Tyrus. They all have something in common: they hated Israel, and rejoiced when God’s people were taken into captivity. God had made a covenant with Abraham…

(Genesis 12:1-3) “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

There has been much Antisemitic activity in the world today: even in our own nation. If America is going to survive, it needs Jesus. Who, by the way, is Jewish. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is God. He is the Creator of the universe.

(John 1:1-5) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(John 1:10-14) “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

This is Jesus: God in flesh, dwelling with the people He loves. How could people hate someone who shed His blood, dying on a Roman cross, so you would not have to go to Hell when you die? You see, we all have sinned and we can’t save ourselves…

(Ephesians 2:8-9) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

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

(Romans 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

And…

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

(John 3:16-17) “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. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

(Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

(1John 5:12-13) “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

It is my hope that the Antisemitic reading this will understand, and receive Jesus, a Jew and God Almighty, as their personal Saviour. Jesus is the only hope for America and Israel.

Peace.

Aug 31st The Saturday Morning Post – The Soul Winner

Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 1 – 4 (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 – 1 Corinthians 13 – 16; Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 31)

Read the “0831 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

(Ezekiel 2:2-7) “And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. (3) And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. (4) For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. (5) And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. (6) And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. (7) And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

Good morning. When you got saved, and learned about soul winning, did you think about screwing up and sending that person to Hell? Why? You can’t save anyone, let-alone send anyone to Hell. Only God can save someone. Because of their own rebellious nature, they send themselves to Hell. It’s all because they refuse to believe: not your giving the Gospel. As a matter of fact, how are the going to believe unless you tell them?

(Romans 10:13-16) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”

You were called by God to share the Gospel with others…

(Acts 1:8) “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.”

Peace!

Aug 24th The Saturday Morning Post – What’s Wrong With The Old Black Book?

Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 37 – 40 (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 – Romans 1 – 4; Psalms 116 – 118; Proverbs 24)

Read the “0824 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

(Jeremiah 37:1-2) “And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah. (2) But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.”

(Psalm 117:1-2) “O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. (2) For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”

And the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Good morning! Aren’t you glad today that you have truth that you can stand on? God’s truth? And His truth endures forever. You can trust your King James Bible. If you look at the cover page, you will see: The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised. Translating is stressful work. The translators knew they were answerable to King James, but also the King of Kings. Not to mention all the English speaking people who would be saved from reading God’s Word and seeing with their own eyes God’s perfect plan of salvation. That was a heavy responsibility to carry on their shoulders. They knew what God said in the Scriptures…

(Deuteronomy 4:1-4) “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. (2) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (3) Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. (4) But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.”

Pro 30:5-6 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (6) Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

(Revelation 22:18-20) “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

And you think your job has you stressed out? I have a translating example. It’s not the greatest example, plus it’s Spanish, not Greek or Hebrew. I typed an English phrase into a website that would translate the phrase into Spanish. It came out…

tengo que ir al bano

tengo means “I have.”

que means “what”, although the website said que has multiple meanings.

ir means “I have to do something.”

And al bano means “to the bathroom.”

You have “I have / what / I have to do something / to the bathroom.”

So the translation would probably look like this…

I have [to go] to the bathroom.

Maybe, one day, I’ll learn Spanish. The translators of the King James Bible reverenced God’s Word. They feared the Lord. The words that help us understand the English structure of the verses, if needed, were put in italics.

I hope I didn’t lose you with that last statement. There has been a question being kicked around about the inspiration of the Bible: was it just the originals that were inspired, or the King James Bible too? We can see how God feels about His Word from the verses above. God wants His Word perfect. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

God’s hand was all over the King James Bible. He gave the translators every word that He wanted in the Bible, both italicized and non-italicized. Without Jesus, the translators could never have given us the correct translation in the King James Bible. And we know from testimonies, history, and revivals, that the King James Bible brought forth much fruit, as it still does today.

Let me show you something I copied from somewhere while I was in college…

1382 The Wyclif Bible

The first purification.

1525 The Tyndale Bible

The second purification.

1535 The Coverdale Bible

The third purification.

1537 The Rogers Bible

The fourth purification.

1539 The Great Bible

The fifth purification.

1560 The Geneva Bible

The sixth purification.

1568 The Biship’s Bible

The seventh purification.

1611 The King James Bible.

(Psalm 12:6) “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”

So, what’s wrong with the old black book?

Absolutely NOTHING!

Peace.