TRULY HOLY

DECEMBER 8, 2011

Just in case anyone asks you, there is no "holy city of Medina" (or Rome for that matter). I mention this because a news article this week told that an Australian man has been sentenced in the "holy" city of Medina, Saudi Arabia, to receive 500 lashes and a year in prison because he supposedly blasphemed Islams prophet. This is not unusual, since Saudi Arabia is consistently one of the greatest offenders against religious freedom and human rights in the world over the past several years. Sadly, Barack Hussein Obama has referred to the religious writings of Islam as the "holy" Koran, though the only holy book in the entire world is the Holy Bible, since it reveals the only, true and living God.

Religions can call something holy (like cities, books or leaders) but only the presence of the God of the Bible actually makes something holy. I wonder, though, if sometime in the future, Islam stops killing Christians (which is not likely), will all of Saudi Arabia's oppression and persecution of Christians and Jews be forgotten, just as society has forgotten the monstrous atrocities of the Roman religion against Bible believing Christians in the past. By the way, I don't know that Rome ever apologized for their crimes against Christians.

One other observation. I am appalled by the the way the word, "holy" is used in conjunction with crude and filthy talk. It is not unusual to hear people, even children, use the word, "Holy" with words that refer to human waste. How sick is a society when it calls human filth by the word associated with the purity of God.

Proverbs 17:15

(15)  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

2 Peter 2:1-2

(1)  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

(2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Isaiah 5:20

(20)  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Launch Out and Hold Fast,

Pastor David L. Gould

THE A-B-Cs OF PERFECTION

DECEMBER 7, 2011

Here are the A, B, Cs of the perfection God provides for us and expects us to experience in this present world.

Atonement Perfection (the perfection obtained for us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Biblical Perfection (the perfection described, offered and commanded in the Bible).

Christian Perfection (the perfection of heart and love available to those who are walking by faith).

So, for those who are, "Not Perfect, Just Forgiven," He is able.

For a more thorough study, I have included a page entitled, BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT.

Launch Out and Hold Fast,

Pastor David L. Gould

FOLLOWING IN CHRIST'S STEPS

DECEMBER 5, 2011

JESUS LEADS,

When Jesus died on the cross for us, He commended His spirit into the care of the Father.

Luke 23:46

(46) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

WE FOLLOW,

When we die on the cross with Christ, we commend our lives into the care of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:24-25

(24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould

GOD DESIRES UNITY

DECEMBER 1, 2011

God knows everything about everything all the time. He is compassionate. He loves His creation, even those in rebellion, and He loves His redeemed. How sad when He sees people divided, separated, in conflict. He knows what would heal their relationships, but they don't ask, listen or obey, and therefore they are not reconciled.

Human parents also mourn divisions between their children. How often a parent would help erring siblings salvage failed relationships, if they would ask, listen and follow godly counsel.

Here are some verses that apply to the opening paragraph.

God Knows Everything (omniscient).

Job 37:16 (perfect in knowledge).

Psalm 139:4 (knows our thoughts).

Psalm 147:5 (limitless understanding).

Isaiah 46:9-10 (knows end from beginning).

1 John 3:20 (God knows all things).

God is Compassionate.

Psalm 78:38; Psalm 111:4; Psalm 145:8; Lamentations 3:32.

God Loves His Creation (the human race).

John 1:29; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 19; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:4; Titus 3:4-52; Peter 3:9; 1 John. 2:2; 1 John 4:9-10, 14.

God Loves His Church.

John 15:9; Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 5:2, 25.

God Wants His Children to Live in Peace and Unity.

Psalm 133:1-3; Romans 12:16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-8; Philippians 2:2-3; Philippians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians. 5:13; Hebrews 12:14; James. 3:17-18; 1 Peter. 3:8-11.

Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould

SPIRITUAL SATURATIOIN

NOVEMBER 28, 2011

When someone becomes fanatical about something, he saturates himself with that culture.

Sports enthusiasts study players, teams, stats, history, plays.

Music enthusiasts memorize lyrics, tunes, singers/musicians, tours, backstage info.

Movie enthusiasts crave info on stars, productions, behind the scenes gossip, showbiz trivia.

Business enthusiasts learns markets, trends, costs, connections, captains of industry, tax loopholes.

My observation is, those who are truly enthused with Christ and salvation focus on spiritual things constantly, make spiritual choices consistently, praise Christ continuously. Check your vitals.

They do this by inwardly singing spiritual songs, quoting Bible verses, praying without ceasing, observing everything through the mind of Christ. This is the life that leads to growth in grace and knowledge of Christ.


Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould

JOB 1

NOVEMBER 28, 2011
Concerning God's salvation and Christian ministry, Job 1 is Believer's Perfection.

PASSAGES...

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Ephesians 4:11-13

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Colossians 1:28-29

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Job 1:1
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.


Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould

LOYALTY ALERT

NOVEMBER 25, 2011
There are people who confuse being a Christian with being an American. Yes, you can be both, but you must not confuse the two. Likewise there are those who think that Christians should not question the actions of the US Government and Military, and Christians must follow the laws, rules, codes and directives of the  US Government and Military. WRONG.

Obey God Rather Than Men
When any government or authority figure takes action against the message of Christ, the Christian must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Also, when a government misuses or abuses it power/authority by attacking or oppressing Christians or the Christian message, it is time for Christians to stand against such entities, even if it is the US government or military. I am not speaking of violent resistance but non violent resistance. Though we should not take arms against our government, we must never follow those who resist or attack the gospel.

US Attack On Christianity (the beginning)
The US government and military has made it illegal for men/women in uniform to obey Christ in fulfilling the Great Commission (make disciples of all nations, Matthew 28:18-20), the US government and military has ordered that Holy Bibles not be distributed by men and women in the military. The US government and military has ordered the burning of Holy Bibles. The US government and military has forbade the message of Christmas to be openly displayed on some ( if not all) military properties. NOW, The US government and military has ordered that a cross be removed from a chapel in Afghanistan.

Only One Way To God
The cross in an offence (Romans 9:33), but it should not be the target of the American government or military. Christ and the Bible are despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3), but they should not be attacked by the American government or military. The Christian message is not one of many ways to God or the best of a few ways to God. Christ is the only way, the only truth and the only life and no man comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). Whether in our own country or on foreign shore, the faith of our fathers should not be cast off or cast down in order to appease any other religion or any other nation.

Time To Choose
I realize some people have no problem accommodating the anti-Bible, anti-Christ, anti-Christian in our society, but for those who want to be true Christians, choose ye this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).

Call To Spiritual Warfare
This is not a protest against government or military, since those are the worldly tools God uses to punish wicked and protect the righteous (1 Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13:1-4). Remember, our weapons are not carnal, swords of steel, but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12-17). This is a call to consistent loyalty to Christ, whether people are in uniform or not. The State has the right to lead the people, provided they do not lead the people against God and His word. Christians have an obligation to obey the State, provided the State does not usurp the authority of God. The State has a responsibility to obey God (Romans 13:4) or it becomes the anarchist.


Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould