I'M NOT THERE YET

My life is not one of constant accomplishment and
success like yours is.  I have to admit that I often
fail to live as God would have me to and seem to
have few if any accomplishments.  In fact, I often
want to just go hide or disappear.  Or even simply
tell God I've had enough.

That is one reason that this comment made by
Erwin W. Lutzer in his book
Failure The Back Door to Success
makes such a impression on me.

"Bible records and church history reveal to us that

many of God's servants have at times handed God

their resignation." 

Well, at least I'm not the only one.  So, I will try
to take the example of the apostle Paul when
writing from a prison cell in Rome near the end
of his life.

"I don't mean to say that I have already

achieved these things or that I have already

reached perfection.  But I press on to possess

that perfection for which Christ Jesus first
possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters,
 I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one 
thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward 
to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end
of the race and receive the heavenly prize for 
which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling 
us."  (Philippians 3:12 - 14 NLT)  

TODAY'S QUOTE

"To many today, knowledge and information have

become equal to doing.

"This is why the Western church has become the 

world's greatest collector of knowledge and expertise.

And this is also whey we're so dependent today on 

consultants.  How many pastors spend far more time

meeting with church growth consultants, fund-raiser

and salesmen that seeking the face of God for His will,

plans and solutions?"  

- K.P. Yohannan in

The Road To Reality

BEING GENEROUS

  Image courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com. 

So you are really generous are you?

I wish I were.

Why, you probably donate some out of every pay 

check you get.  I do.  But I am not truly generous.

Have you ever thought about how God looks at our

giving?  One time Jesus Christ was in the temple 

with his disciples watching the rich people put in 

their large donations.  Then a poor widow came and

put in two small copper coins.  He told his disciples;

"...this poor widow put in more than all of them; for

they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but

she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live

on." (Luke 21:4 NASB)

This reminds me of an incident in the founding of 

the "Yoido Full Gospel "Church" in South Korea.

As far as I know it is still considered the largest

Church in the world.  It has a membership that is

close to 800,000 members now.

The founder of the Church, David Yonggi Cho in

his book "The Fourth Dimension" [Get a copy, it

is an inspiring book.] tells us how when they went

into their first big building program they were going

broke and the whole thing was about to go into 

bankruptcy.

I suppose it was in a meeting of the Church and

the problem being addressed when a poor old 

Korean woman who only owned the cloths on

her back and; a plate to eat off of with a few

eating utensils offered to sell them for money

to help the Church.  They of course refused 

because she would not even have a way to eat.

The old lady insisted.  She told them that Jesus

Christ had died for her and the least she could

do was offer her plate and utensils.  She would

just eat off of a piece of paper with her hands.

A business man was present who's heart was

touched by this offer.  If I remember correctly

he offered something like $2,500.00 for the plate.

And this became the turning point with people

taking to heart the need and began to give.

A poor old Korean woman because of her 

love for God who died for her was willing 

to eat off of piece paper so God's work could

go on.  It resulted in the largest Church in the

world.

THE AGING OF THE CHURCH

Image courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com  

THE AGING OF THE CHURCH.

Just like people that get old.  What we call the church

is getting old also.  In our younger days we are full of 

strength and energy, ready to take on a days work or

a project.  But when you get to be my age, just getting

our of bed is a real accomplishment.

But first let me define "church".  It is unfortunate but 

when we say church today we often mean that building

down on the corner, or wherever.  But the Holy Bible 

has a different view of what the "church" is.

In the Bible the word "church" comes from the Greek

word, "ekklesia" meaning "a calling out" or a popular

meeting, specifically a religious conjuration.  So, we

could simply say that a true church is simply a group

of people, especially a group of Christians.

When the church was formed by God it was largely

a group of poor uneducated people.  It went out 

full of power, running over everything it it's way

as it were.

But what changed?

Back then they depended on God and his power and

help.  But the longer the "church" has existed, the more

the ideas and workings of mankind have influenced it

like toxins would in your body until today it is almost

dead in comparison to then.  In fact, many so called 

"churches" today are no more a "church" than a circus

is.

O.K.

What brought all this on?

I had been thinking about one of the things in the

"church" that had changed, "preaching".  This is only

one facet of the deterioration of the Church of Jesus

Christ.  I will share that with you and then quit.

New Testament preaching was simply

any one and everyone PROCLAIMING

Jesus Christ anywhere and everywhere.

Today, preaching Christ has become

a performance by a paid performer to

a clique of people in a building.

TODAY'S QUOTE

Image courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com   

"Every Christian family ought to be , as it were,

a little church consecrated to Christ and wholly

influenced and governed by His rules."

- Jonathan Edwards   

REAL PREACHING

Image courtesy of:www.Pixabay.com  

SORRY, that is not the way it was done in the

original New Testament Church.  You know how

it works as well as I in today's Church.  You 

gather the Christians together, then "preach" to

them to get them saved. (?)

Look at the picture below.  These "critters" "preach"

in the New Testament way.

My wife put out a couple of bird feeders a few weeks

ago.  It took a little while.  But finally a bird showed

up.  My wife told me it would go and tell the others

where the feed was.

It took a while, but today they are flocking in.  Today

I had to fill the feeders twice because so many birds are

coming in.  When one found the feed it passed "the good

news" to the others who passed it to others who passed it

to others.  That is the way it was done in New Testament

times.

"Now Saul was consenting to his death.  At that 

time a great persecution arose against the church

which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered

throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, EXCEPT

THE APOSTLES." ......(v. 1 Emphasis mine.)

"Therefore those who were scattered went 

everywhere preaching the word."(v.4)

(Acts ch. 8:1 & 4 NKJV)

CHRISTIAN FANTASY LAND

Image courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com   

Reading in the book of Isaiah this morning a passage

of Scripture really stood out to me.  It is so realistic of

 the modern heresies that are in the "Christian Church" of 

today.

There are at least three of the most popular doctrines

in the Church that really are not taught in God's Word.

That is, unless you take the Scriptures out of context

and spin them around putting them in the order you

want, while ignoring other passages dealing with the

same subject.

It is just like when God said to the nation of Israel;

"For this is a rebellious people, false sons,

Sons who refuse to listen To the instructions

of the LORD; Who say to the seers, 'You must

not see visions"; And to the prophets, ' You 

must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak

to us; pleasant words, Prophesy illusions."

(Isaiah 30:9,10 NASB)  

The common thing I note about all of these heresies

is that they are more pleasant to us than the truth.

May I suggest that we take God's word just as it is

written - ALL OF IT.

THE POWERLESS CHURCH

Image courtesy of:www.Pixabay.com

Have you ever wondered why the Church of 

Jesus Christ in this country has lost it's power?

"An appalling and horrible thing

Has happened in the land:

The prophets prophesy falsely,

And the priests rule on their own authority;

And My people love it so!

But what will you do at the end of it?"

(Jeremiah 5:30, 31 NASB)  

You don't think that is so.

Turn on your TV or look at Facebook.

See all the preaching about being healthy 

wealthy and wise.   How to be happy or 

feel good or the good plans for your life

ad infinitum.  And obviously people love 

it.  We as a Church are more concerned

about our own satisfaction than we are 

about having the power of God and His

kingdom.

GOD HELP US.

I'M A CAR. I'M A CAR. I'M A CAR. I'M A CAR

Image courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com  

I'M A CAR.  I'M A CAR. I'M A CAR.

I spend several hours a day in the garage so

I'M A CAR.

Lady, it don't work that way.

I one time knew a man who apparently had a 

different outlook on life than his wife.  So,

she lived in the house, and he lived in the garage.

BUT, it did not make a car out of him.

You may go to a church.  But that does not make

a Christian out of you.  The creator of mankind 

said:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is

born of water and the Spirit he cannot

enter into the kingdom of God." 

(John 3:5 NASB)

PREACHER, PREACHER, PREACHER

Image courtesy of:www.Pixabay.com  

Hey preacher.

Please help me.  You see I am not a very smart man.

I am just an old man living back here in the Ozark 

hills.  Why, I am so ignorant I do not even have a 

"Dr." in front of my name - what ever that means.

Preacher what I do not understand is this.  My 

impression is that your mandate is:

"Go into all the world and preach the 

gospel to all creation."

(Mark 16:15 NASB)

And it seems that the apostles and first Christians 

understood it to mean:

"And they went out and preached

everywhere,"

(Mark 16:20 NASB)

Please explain to me how,

Standing behind a pulpit,

In a building,

with the doors shut,

preaching to people who believe like you do,

Is going out and preaching the Gospel

to the whole world.

RELIGION WILL SEND YOU TO HELL

Images courtesy of:www.Pixabay.com

SALVATION

Let us begin by understanding each other.

When we speak about salvation we are not talking

about religion.

Many people suppose that Salvation and Religion

are the same thing, but that is a mistake.

Salvation and Religion are by no means

identical.  You may have as great deal of 

Religion without having a bit of Salvation.

It is true that the Bible speaks of as Religion 

which is "pure and undefiled," but even this

Religion is not Salvation, but only a product

of Salvation.  The Bible frequently warns against

Religion as a substitute for Salvation.

The dictionary will tell you that the word

"Religion" is derived from a root meaning

"to heed" or "to have a care."  It is the 

opposite of "neglect."

It is a good thing to take heed and have a

care for the things of God, but even this

will avail nothing unless it leads to 

Salvation.

Religion by itself is death.

Salvation is Life.

How is Salvation Obtained?

No one gets Salvation by "getting Religion."

Nor by joining the Church.  Nor by turning

over a new leaf and trying to serve God.

Nor be praying.  Nor by confessing his sins.,

(The promise of 1 John 1:9 is for those

already saved).  Nor by sorrow for sin.

Nor by asking God to forgive his sins. By

none of these means is Salvation obtained.

Salvation is obtained through a definite receiving

of the Lord Jesus Christ as one's personal Saviour.

The instant this is really done, Salvation is an 

accomplished fact.  This is shown by John 1:11,12.

"He came unto His own, and his own received

Him not.  But as many as received Him, to them

gave He power to become the sons of God,

even to them which believe on His name."

The next verse goes on to tell what happened

to those who "receive Him,"  that is, those who

"believed on His name."  They were at once

"born...of God."

Just so it is today.  As many as receive the 

Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, giving 

up all else and cleaving only to Him for 

Salvation, are instantly and forever saved.

His own declaration of John 5:24 stands good

through all time; ---

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hearth My 

word, and believeth on Him that sent Me,

hath everlasting life, and shall not come into

condemnation, but is passed from death undo

life."

Salvation is in Three Tenses

There is the past tense.  'When a man takes the Lord

Jesus as his own Savior, he may at once and ever

after truly say, "I am saved!"  Putting the matter in

the past tense as to the time, he may truly say 

"Then and there I was saved!"  This work is 

instantaneous; it is Salvation from the penalty of sin.

There is the present tense.  When a man is born again,

the Holy Spirit begins to work in him, both to will and 

to do of God's good pleasure, and to conform him to

the image of Christ.  This work is progressive; it is

Salvation from the power of sin.

There is the future tense.  When the Lord Jesus comes

again it will be "apart from sin, unto Salvation" (Heb. 9:28)

It is then that we who are now the sons of God will be

instantly changed into the image of Christ: We shall be 

like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3"2).

This is instantaneous; it is Salvation from the presence

of sin.

[Reprint of W.L.P.'s article.]

THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU

WHERE'S THE POWER?

Many, many, many years ago I would set with my Bible

in my lap reading about the "New Testament Church".

Not being as smart as you are, all I could tell was that

the Church in the Bible was different than the Church I

attended, or you attend.  For one thing they had more 

power than we did.  There were other differences too,

but what were they?

Since then I have spent many years in several different

denominations.  Two of them in particular confidently

proclaimed that they "had the power".  But my question

constantly was, in all the years of attending, "Where's 

the power" you are talking about?

After about forty or fifty years of watching and learning

(Mostly from others) it has become obvious that there

is absolutely no similarity between today's Church - most 

places - and the Church of the New Testament.  We use 

the same words, but over the years have attached different 

meanings to the "Religious" words we use. 

To add to the wonderment of it all, in this country we

have more Bibles, Christian literature, Christian books

and Christian programs than anywhere in the world.

But, about the weakest "Church".

We are like some people the Apostle Paul spoke of when

he said they ... "are always trying to learn but who can

never come to to know the truth."

Many years ago I ask some folks who were visiting our

Church how their pastor was doing - or something.  I 

of course referred to the good pastor as "Reverend".

What a mistake that was.  They let me know real quick

that he was not a "Reverend" any more.  He is a 

"Doctor" now.  Since then this good man has became

nationally famous.

It is obvious the way the Church is going that we 

do not need more "Doctors" of divinity or philosophy

or anything else.

WE NEED PROPHETS

not "Doctors".

But to the point.

Way back before you or I were born Moses had the answer

to our dilemma.  He was speaking to the children of Israel 

about the Law God had given them and keeping it.

Moses told them;

"You know it and can quote it,

so now obey it."

(Deuteronomy 30:14 GNT)

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

We live in an age when the thinking is;
attempt great things for God, think positive
about it, hook your wagon to a star, if you
don't set goals you will never reach them
etc. etc. etc.  Even the "Church" has
swallowed this kind of thinking regarding
work for the kingdom of God.

It seems that God in his mercy has granted me
a new lease on life.  And my desire is to make
what time is left count for the Lord.

So one day I was setting thinking about my own
accomplishments for the Kingdom of God.  I do
not need to tell you that I felt totally insignificant.
No accomplishments.  An absolute failure.  Zilch.

While setting there feeling completely washed out
the Holy Spirit clearly indicated to me that God has
not called me to accomplish great things for him -
BUT, to be faithful to him.

In fact the Bible no where asks us to "attempt" great
things for God.  In the King James version the word
"attempt" is not even in it.  But there are several dozen
references to being faithful.

The Lord brought an incident to mind that illustrates
how little things can be more important than big things.
And, how I am to walk with, and serve him.

Thirty years ago last month the pastor of the church
wanted me to go with him to a major southern
city to a big name Christian conference.  There were
several big time Christian leaders there with outstanding
nationally known ministries.  We also visited a well
know church with an outstanding pastor who had a
national outreach ministry.  Most of these guys had
doctorates.  Real impressive.  Right?

Do you know what I remember from all their preaching
and teaching.  NOTHING.  Not a word.

But I do remember a lady setting at the table with us
for lunch one day.   She was just bubbling over about
Jesus.  She was a custodian in some school district.
That's right, a janitor.  But as she told us about her
heavenly Father's love and provision for her - I was
shamed, but encouraged.  And I remember it and it's
lesson to this day.

Now who had the most lasting ministry??????

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."

INTERFERENCE

I know.

This is not a pretty picture.

You have seen prettier pictures.

You have seen better looking snow.

In fact, the snow gets much deeper where you live.

I live back in the hills.  Now the hills here are not very

high.  But the valleys are real deep.  So when a snow

storm hits, it can be a very serious thing.

The day I took this picture I had gone to a morning church

service almost 30 miles from my house.  I knew the storm was

coming.  But it was not supposed to be here until later in the day.

So I threw some weight (wood) in the back of my old work truck

and when to church.  But the storm hit hard while I was in church.

This first point about the storm is not the point of the post.

I just want to give God the thanks.  Then the point of the post.

This storm was one of those dry powdery type of snows.  It 

was slicker than grease.  And on the way back home, many a 

prayer was offered up when one wreck after another was passed.

While squirming up one hill after another.  And taking one detour

after another with the old truck.   But God answered 

every one of them.

When I was about seven miles from the house I finally decided

to give up, park the truck and call for help, knowing I could not get up

 our hill.  So while turning around to go back to an empty parking lot 

I had just passed, one of my grand kids spotted me.  He was in a 

vehicle that would take me anywhere.  I did not even have to get 

the cell phone out.  Isn't God good.

O.K.

The point of today's post.

I attempted to take a picture of the snow falling through the 

kitchen window.  But the storm was abating and the snow 

flakes very small.  However, my problem was I could not 

get on the internet, even to check the weather.

My internet service comes from a cell tower about two 

miles from the house.  Often when storms come I loose

 contact with the cell tower.  Electrical interference from 

thunder storms will do it.  Or as in this case, snow and

other times ice.  I do not know if the signal is lost because

 of all the snow in the air, or if something gets coated with

 snow, ice or a pollutant.  [Incidentally the correct spelling of 

"pollutant" is "politician".]  But ether way, the message does 

not get through because of the interference.  You could 

think of this as the material world interfering with the spiritual

world.

[I know.  You do not believe in "radio waves" because you

cannot see them, touch them, smell them or taste them.  So

they do not exist and never have existed.]

Our lives are the same way.  When they get all cluttered up

with visible things (stuff), cares about food, clothing, riches,

fame or just being "cool" and having fun - then the unseen 

signals sent by God (The cell tower) can not get to us, 

the receiver.

Jesus pointed this out when he said,

"Other people are like the seeds sown among the thorn

bushes.  These are the ones who hear the message, but

the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all

other kinds of desires crowd in and choke the message,

and they don't bear fruit."

(Mark 4:18,19 TEV)

Are "things" or "stuff" causing interference in

your life so God cannot communicate with you?

REAPING FROM READING

REAPING FROM READING

I do not read as well as you do.  But I have learned 

to read a little bit.  And over the years there have been

so many things that; encourage, inspire, motivate, or

even warn me, that I feel compelled to share some of

it with you.

In David Wilkerson's book,
AMERICA'S LAST CALL,
is a paragraph on p.115
that cut's close home.
It regards the Church in America.

"Today God sees prosperity and abundance pulling
his bride away from him.  She's growing more and 
more earthbound- richer, more comfortable, less
mindful of Christ  And now the Lord must move
quickly to wean her back to himself.  How will he
do this?  First, he'll remove everything that has 
preoccupied her time and attention.  he declares,
'All of this wealth may have been a blessing to my
bride at one time.  But now there's so much garbage
in my church, the only way to get her clean is to
rid her of all these worldly possessions!'" 



OUCH!

CHURCH OF THE WINO

Article of Faith.

"Thou shalt drink much wine."

Scripture substantiation

"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,

and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

and remember his misery no more"

(Proverbs 31:6,7 KJV)

"Drink no longer water,

but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake

and thine often infirmities."

(1 Timothy 5:23 KJV)

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,

do it with thy might; ..."

(Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV)

Therefore,

"Thou shalt drink much wine."

ABSURD

You say.

Yes it is.

However it is no more absurd than several of the 

most popular doctrines in Christendom.

At least one extremely popular doctrine cannot be found

in the Scriptures at all.  

That is,

unless you pull the Scriptures you want out of context,

then put them in the order you want.  And like several of

the other doctrines, totally ignore those Scriptures that do not suit you.

Are the things I believe about God and the Scriptures

something that mankind has concocted and taught me?

Or,

something that I believe because I have found it 

taught in the Scriptures -ALL OF THE SCRIPTURES?

WHOSE IDEA IS THIS?

"From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now, I have never lived in a temple; I have traveled around living in a tent. In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.

- 2 Samuel 7:6,7 (TEV)

Photo courtesy hilltopchurchofchrist.nky.c

The idea came from man, not God.

See 2 Samuel 7:1 - 17

Photo courtesy www.connectingpoints.com

On the mount of transfiguration the disciples saw Jesus in his glory. Then,

"Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said."

- Luke 9:33 (KJV)

It is man that wants to build. That is something creative we can do - even in the flesh.

Photo courtesy www.tireeimages.com

What was God's response to Peter about building a tabernacle?

"A voice said from the cloud, 'This is my Son, whom I have chosen - listen to him!'"

-Luke 9 35 (TEV)

There is our responsibility.

"When the voice stopped, there was Jesus all alone..."

- Luke 9:36 (TEV)

Jesus alone is our need

Photo courtesy buildingdesign.remodeling...

Halley Bible Handbook on p.859 says,

"The First church building was erected in the reign of Alexander Severus (222-35). After the edict of Constantine they began to be built everywhere."

Wow! From Pentecost to 222-35 AD. with out a church building.

You don't suppose the "church" was too busy turning the world "upside down" (Acts 17:6 KJV) to worry about building a church building.

All those years with out a church building,

printing press,

radio,

TV,

or the Internet.

yet turning the world upside down.

Then the church went into the construction business.

And we lost something.

Photo courtesy www.peterbrownconst.com

Is it possible that the real motivation behind our mad drive for buildings is the same one that motivated;

King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:12,

or "wannabe" king Absalom 2 Samuel 18:18

to build a "Monument"?

Yes, a monument to a ministry or

a monument to a churches presence in the community,

or a monument to our successful "Christian" program.