THE HIGHER LAW

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

THE HIGHER LAW

How strange, people say we should not base our laws on religious tenets. So where do they think, "Thou shalt not kill... steal... bear false witness," came from? Man made laws may change, but the moral code of God is authoritative. The further our society moves from the God of the Bible, the less respect it will have for the Bible, and the more God's people will be oppressed and persecuted for following the Bible. (see 2 Tm. 3:12 & Ti. 2:12).

PASSAGES...
2 Timothy 3:12-17
(12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
(14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
(15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Titus 2:11-15
(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.
(15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

A TELLING CHOICE

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

A TELLING CHOICE

So, would you rather have God actually deliver you from all sin in this present world or would you rather God unilaterally elect you unconditionally to salvation?

Your preference will not influence God's way of salvation, but it will tell something about your own heart.

If you would rather be delivered from all sin than be unconditionally elect, then God has Good News for you.

NEGLECTED TREASURE

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

NEGLECTED TREASURE

The majority of people have been given a treasure, greater than pleasure and beyond measure.

Though it demands great Care, Time and Sacrifice, the return is of Infinite Value.

God gives children to parents, 1- to raise them for Him, 2- to teach them about Him, 3- to lead them to Him. 

Sadly, very few children get the needed investment from their parents. Children are often left to blaze their own trail, but they usually follow other young people who are confused and lost. When parents do offer guidance, it is usually away from a life that is consistent with Biblical godliness. How sad to throw away such a treasure. Eternally sad.

REVIVAL: BENEFITS FROM; STEPS TO.

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

REVIVAL BENEFITS AND STEPS

BENEFITS

Aside from evangelism, revival services produce various blessings for those who have been saved, including:
1- Backsliders are restored to a right relationship with God and others:
2- Believers make total commitment and become entirely sanctified;
3- Vision is renewed and enlarged;
4- People are called to the ministry (domestic and foreign).

True revival comes when parishioners focus on God in an exceptional way. Remember, "revival" implies a need to re-focus and re-commit. These 4 things should be happening during regular services. But in any case, "Keep On Keeping On."

STEPS

Here are three easy to remember steps to Revival (renewal, restoration). These three steps are found in Christ's words to the churches in Revelation (chapters 2-3).

1- Remember what God has done. Remember where you were with God.

2- Repent, change your direction, you mind. Quit looking to sin, Satan and self, instead, look unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of faith. Whatever is good, think on those things.

3- Repeat your commitment, believe, surrender, obey, praise.

ALL THINGS NEW

FEBRUARY 26, 2012

ALL THINGS NEW

Recently, while I was teaching about the coming conflagration, I was asked, "Why will the world be destroyed by fire?" One of the thoughts that has come to my mind is the problem of vermin and pestilence. God will cleanse the universe with fire, so that the New Heaven and New Earth will be without any creatures that thrive on, and contribute to death and decay, along with all bacteria, viral infection and all other effects of sin. Take a few moments to read the following passage. God will make all things new, and the corruption of sin will all be gone. Praise the Lord.

Revelation 21:1-8

(1)  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

(2)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

(3)  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

(4)  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

(5)  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

(6)  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

(7)  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

(8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IS BEAUTIFUL

FEBRUARY 25, 2012

CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IS BEAUTIFUL

One of the beautiful facets of being a child is their innocence. I realize they are born with a sinful nature, but they have not been exposed to the harsh and polluting influences of a sinful culture. They love, trust, confide and inquire with a less cynical and more honest intent.

Woe to those who introduce them to "the real world" by violating them, physically, morally, mentally, spiritually or relationally.

The best environment for children is a holiness home and church.

PASSAGE...
Matthew 18:3-7
(3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
(6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
(7) Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

HOMESICK AND HOMEFOLK

FEBRUARY 24, 2012

HOMESICK AND HOMEFOLK

Have you ever been away from home, family and friends? When you are in a foreign land you can have spells of homesickness. Then, after weeks of separation from all that is familiar and precious, you receive a letter from a loved one, or special cookies in a "care package," or a person from "back home" (even a stranger) visits, and your heart is warmed and your spirit is lifted. There is even more comfort and encouragement when you live among like minded fellow sojourners.

God has given us the Church (the local body of believers), to ease the pain of, "Homesickness." When the fellowship is vibrant and constant, it is like heaven on earth.

SCHEDULING FOR SUCCESS (3/1/12)
Sometimes we are not able to get together with our local church for worship, study, fellowship and ministry, because of sickness, uncontrollable events or travel. This is why we need to make every effort possible to gather when we can, with an eager, submissive and loving spirit. We need to avail ourselves of every opportunity to obtain all we can from God when the body gathers. We need it, others are depending on us and God is worthy of our best.

We should align our week and set our schedule in order to give our full attention to the services we attend. Worship, study, fellowship and ministry times should be given highest priority, since God has arranged these times for us to praise, learn, grow and serve. Be on time, be alert, be hungry for His word, be submissive, be eager. Come with open head, heart and hands and all the more as the day of His return approach (He. 10:25).

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

A friend recently was singing the praises of TV evangelists and the service they provide to shut-ins. What a shame, what an indictment, that a church would neglect or abandon its own people, who are incapacitated, and give them into the hands of strangers.

The Church not only provides the atmosphere for Christians to grow in grace and knowledge, it also provides service to people in need, like people who are shut in and the elderly. It is a shame when a church neglects the needy and shuns its responsibility to do the work God called it to do.

Upward and Onward in Jesus,

Pastor David L. Gould