Sermon of the Week

This is a sermon from Dr. Jack Trieber, pastor of North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, CA. He has a very successful, growing ministry with thousands in attendance very week. This is a sermon which he preached in September of 2008.

Dr. Jack Trieber - Yet Now There is Hope.mp3

Proverb of the Day 5/31

This is our last Proverb of the Day for the month of May!!! (Collective “awww…”) I hope that these have been a blessing to you! I know, and the other authors can attest to this as well, that these postings have been an amazing encouragement to me! We do not provide them to try and flaunt something that we wish we knew, but rather because they hit our hearts and God touched us about changing in an area, or maybe He encouraged us..etc., and we want to share what the Holy Spirit has laid on our hearts. With that said, here is May’s last Proverb of the Day…

Proverbs 31:27 - “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

I’ve only got one word for you….YUM!!! Doesn’t that bread look…scrum-diddly-umptous??? That is chocolate chip bread!!! OH!!! My mouth is sagging on the floor!!! lol That bread sure looks tasty and I’m sure it is…BUT…it’s really not good for me :( It has sugar and chocolate chips! Yummy, but devastating for my body! My taste buds love it, but my digestive system has a hard time not storing it as fat! There is a lesson here that God is trying to teach us and he used the illustration of bread. Let’s continue and make an application for our lives…

God mentions, “the bread of idleness.” This bread is obviously something that we are not supposed to partake of, seeing how the woman in Proverbs 31:27 was praised because she “eateth the bread of idleness.” What is idleness? The word idle means, “inactive; doing nothing.”, according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. We are admonished and commanded not to be idle. Another word which is a synonym of idle is slothful. The person who is idle is slothful because they are doing nothing, when they very well could be doing something productive. When a person stops being productive, he becomes idle, and then is in danger of becoming slothful. How does this fit it with the illustration of bread? Why did God use bread as a way of communicating His point?

Bread is a symbol for food in general. Food is something that we MUST HAVE in order to survive, but not all food is good food. There is good bread and bad bread. There is food that taste good, and food that is disgusting…you know brussell sprouts, beets, radishes, etc…(sorry mom). And there is food that taste awesome…spaghetti, Mongolian beef from my favorite Chinese restaurant, lasagna…ok….ANYTHING ITALIAN OR CHINESE!!! There is also, to our great regret, food that is good and BAD for us. :( There is food that is good tasting, but is not good for our body…hence, the tempting picture of chocolate chip bread! It might taste good, it might be satisfying for a little while, but after a few too many pieces of said chocolate bread, we’re going to notice some “love handles” are getting some more “love” put on ‘em then we want! It might have tasted good, and still does, but it really wasn’t the best thing for us!

Idleness is the same way. It is no fun to work sometimes…it is no fun to stay productive sometimes…sometimes we just wanna be lazy!!! Sometimes we just wanna take a day and do nothing…be idle! That idleness feels really good too!!! It is great to stay in your PJ’s all day and watch movies!!! That is fun and it “tastes” great…BUT…is it really what is best for us? Unfortunately not… :( However, just like one piece of chocolate chip bread will not break the bank…neither will some time of idleness. Idleness, like chocolate chip bread, however, has a quality that makes you want more and more. After too much time of idleness, you will find yourself with nothing to show for it but excess “weight” stacked up in your life, that you could have taken care of day by day, but instead you chose to put it off and be idle.

We live in an idle society. Don’t get me wrong, we are busy…but we are busy being idle! We rush from store to store…being idle. We rush from restaurant to restaurant being…idle! We are like Paul said,

2 Thessalonians 3:11 - “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”

Notice, they were busy, but they were not working!!! What about us? Are we working? Or, are we just busy being idle? What have you accomplished today? Does your house need cleaning, but instead you were too busy being idle? Does your lawn need mowing, but instead you were too busy being idle? Does your Bible need reading but you were too busy being idle? Do souls need to be won buy you are too busy being idle? No one has ever been hurt by a lack of idleness, but many are destroyed by it. I know that idleness looks good…just like that bread…I know it will taste good, but afterwards I will have nothing to show for it. But, if I am productive and I work today, I can look back with a smile.

Don’t you want to look back on yesterday and say, “Wow! Look at how much I got done!” Isn’t that a better feeling than knowing that you wasted a whole day of your life? Again, it is totally great to spend some “idle time” relaxing, but try to even make your idle time productive…read your Bible, pray, be with the family and kids, call a friend and let them know you care about them, READ THE BLOG (sorry, that was a shameless plug lol), etc… “Today is the material with which Yesterday’s are made.” ~ Dr. Jack Hyles Don’t you want a good yesterday to look back on? You won’t get it by being idle. Those of us who may say, “Yes I will! I am just going to do nothing all day long…I LOVE IT!”, will regret it when we see all of those “pounds” of undone things stacking up on the body of life. That person has nothing to look back on. Nothing to see and say, “Look at all that God did through me today!” So that, when tomorrow comes, we can look back on yesterday with gratification in our hearts and say,

“to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Isaiah 56:12

Proverb of the Day 5/30

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

Verses about the Word of God are very important in our generation. Never before have fundamentalists attacked fundamentalists over WHAT the Bible is, nor where the Bible came from. However, today I bring you not a gloomy message, but a few statements of encouragement…

“Every word of God” – Many contest that the Bible is not a word-for-word translation, and they are correct. No translation is word for word. If you translated from Spanish into English “word for word” you would end up with some pretty humorous dialogue! Illustration…my pastor has preached before to our Spanish church by means of a translator. Oftentimes, Pastor would say just a few words in English, but Bro. Samuel (our Spanish pastor) would rattle off ten times more words than were spoken in English! Why is that? Because no GOOD translation is “word-for-word”, but rather…word BY word. This is otherwise known as the “Formal Equivalence Method.” A word-by-word translation is a process by which each word in the said translation is translated according to the CONTEXT! So, a word with different meanings, might mean one thing in one passage, yet another thing in another passage. This is because the CONTEXT of the two passages were different and therefore demanded a different word. This is the most accurate way of translation. Hence, this was the method used by the KJV translators! God promised the whole entire world that we would have every word!!! Guess what…”every word” in Hebrew doesn’t do me any good! “Every word” in Greek doesn’t edify me one bit! I need “every word” in ENGLISH!!! And I have in it my KJB!!! Don’t let some liberal theologian tell you don’t have a “word perfect” Bible!!! God promised me EVERY WORD!!! But, not just every word in Hebrew…every word in ENGLISH…and SPANISH…and whatever other language you wanna insert! I have an “every word” Bible!

“Every word of God is pure:” - After God inspired the so-called “originals” (which weren’t really originals anyway…God has the originals in Heaven! They’ve been there before time begun! Psalms 119:89 - “LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”) After those inspired words were translated at Hampton Court word-BY-word, did this promise fade away? Did they cease to be the “pure” words of God? Do you still have a perfect Bible today? Or, did those words somewhere along the line cease to ALL be PURE? NO!!! They were pure/perfect/inerrant/etc., when they were given to Moses/Paul/John/etc., and they are still PERFECT today!!! Don’t try to tell me that my KJV is not pure! God has given me a promise…and the last time I checked, He has gotten a reputation for keeping His promises!!!

“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee,” – First, God promised us every word, then He promised to keep them pure, and lastly, He commanded that we not tamper with it! Think about this…If the KJV says one thing…and the NIV/Living Bible/RSV/etc., all say and teach thing contrary to the KJV, can both be right??? NO!!! How about it NIV??? The NIV teaches that David didn’t kill Goliath!!! - 2 Samuel 21:19: “...Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod." Uh-oh! What does the KJV say? 2 Samuel 21:19: "...Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.” Can they both be right? Can they both be pure? Can they both be “every word?” NO!!! What happened? Somebody who thinks that they need to “redo” what God has already done, CHANGED HIS WORDS!!! God said, “Don’t you touch My Word!!! Why? Because…”thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Ps. 138:2 Somebody felt the initiative to FIX the ERRORS that God had made!!! And guess what happened??? Those men like Wescott and Hort, as we look back on their writings, we see who they really were! They were reproved and found out to be blatant liars! Read the book “Final Authority” by Dr. Bill Grady and you’ll see many quotes by these men created their corrupt Greek text. God has lifted His Word above His own name, and that is the LAST THING you better mess with!!! So, look out RSV, NIV, ESV, ASV, Living Bible, Reader’s Digest Condensed Version (Why would anybody want a CONDENSED BIBLE!!!), NLT, NWT….you better watch out, cuz you’ve made God MAD!!! He said, “Don’t you touch my Words!!! You can curse me and I’ll put up with it, but don’t you are touch my Words!!!”

God has promised us EVERY WORD, and He said that those words would be PURE, and He commanded us not to tamper with those Words!!! Where is this every word, pure, not-to-be-tampered with Bible for English speaking people….THE KJB!!!!!

Proverb of the Day 5/29

Proverbs 29:18 - “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

What can you make out of the picture above? I see a doorway…1,2,3,4…people, something blue, maybe a poster, and that’s about it. It’s not very clear is it? How would you like to see this way everywhere you went? That would be horrible!!! Even worse…what if you knew someone who had vision like the pic above, and had the opportunity to get laser correction surgery, bought and paid for…but they rejected! I would say, “So and so, you are crazy!!! Don’t you want to see??? Your always falling down and hurting yourself and someone has made a way for you to see better and you say, ‘NO’?”

However, many Christians have severely blurred vision…we can barely see ahead…we can’t make out the obstacles or stumbling-blocks in our path…we stumble and hobble through life with our hand on the way guiding us because we don’t have good vision spiritually. We have all read this verse before and probably heard some great sermons on this subject…so I’m not going to go into detail, but I just want us to sit back and think, “What is my vision for my life?” or, as we should be asking, “What is GOD’S VISION for my life?” Do you have a vision? If so, how clear is it? Maybe it is foggy because God has not quite revealed it to you. On the other hand, many people just don’t have God’s vision for their life. They are just kind of wandering around in a “blurry” world where they’re content to walk slowly with their hand on the rail keeping them from falling. That is not the life that God wants to live!!!

God has a special vision/purpose for every single one of us! You were put on this earth to fulfill God’s vision for your life! And guess what…only you can do it!!! There is only one you (thank goodness jk lol), and there will never be anyone who can do some of the things you do! God wants to fulfill his vision in your life, but more importantly, He wants you to catch on to His vision!!! Do you have God’s vision for your life? Or, is everything real blurry? Are you content to live a blurry life spiritually? I’m not!!! I know that God has something GREAT planned for me to do for Him, BUT unless I catch His VISION, I will PERISH!!! My life will be wasted without His vision! I can have my vision for my life and still perish…but, if I have God’s vision for my life, then He is obligated to keep me and preserve me until that vision is fulfilled!!! Do you see that wonderful truth?

God has a vision for you…He wants to take that vision and replace yours with it. He will then preserve you as you strive to accomplish that vision!!! Oh, what a happy life a man lives KNOWING that He is fulfilling God’s vision for His life!!! Are you? What about this morning when you got out of bed? God envisioned you getting down on your knees and praying to Him, thanking Him for air to breath! Did you share that vision with God? Or, did you envision something else…breakfast…getting ready for work…spending time with the kids…and God says, “Hmm…I saw that going a little differently in my mind…” What about when you were in the pew on Sunday? God envisioned you getting what you needed and hitting the “mourner’s bench”..changing your ways..and loving Him more! But, we left without a single change of heart or mind…and God said, “Hmm, I saw that going differently in my mind…”

Do you share God’s vision for your life? Often, we are willing to share God’s vision for our future, but we are unwilling to sacrifice this moment to Him. Remember, tomorrow never comes. Today is the material that yesterdays are made of. (Dr. Jack Hyles) All we have is a vapor divided into days…POOF…POOF…POOF…”What is that Zack?” That is another day where we didn’t share his vision for our life!!! All we have is this MOMENT in which we live!!! So…let’s take this moment and give it to God and say, “God, I know that you have a VISION for how you want me to spend TODAY, and I want to fulfill your vision for my life today!!!!” Oh, how God must love it when we give Him TODAY!!!

God has planned out your whole day in His mind. When you lay down to sleep tonight and say, “Dear God, thank you for this day that you gave us…”, and God says, “Your welcome Zack, but I kinda saw today going differently in my mind.” Or, will He say, “Your welcome Zack! You took today and SQUEEZED EVERY drop out of it! You fulfilled my vision for your day, today!!!” What are you going to do with Today? Fulfill God’s vision or do your own thing? Choose wisely…

S.M. Lockridge and Dr. Jack Hyles!!!

This video is a compilation of S.M. Lockridge and Dr. Jack Hyles…the first part is from Dr. Lockridge from a sermon called, “That’s My King!”, and the second is from Dr. Hyles in his sermon, “The Name Above Every Name.” This audio was playing at Pastor’s School a couple years ago along with a different video…I was there in person…and you’ve never heard screamin’ like you heard when S.M. Lockridge started!!! Then…when Dr. Hyles came on…OH MY!!! The roof just about flew off!!! It was amazing!!!

If you want to get excited about being an Independent, Fundamental, Baptist…then listen to this video!!! If this vid doesn’t get some Baptist blood pumpin’ in your vain…you need to see the Doctor!!! Please watch and be encouraged!!!

Proverb of the Day 5/28

Proverbs 28:9 - “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

I wonder why this gorilla has his ears covered? Is it because someone is trying to tell him to do something that he doesn’t want to do? Or, is it because he has seen sooo many little kids do it to their brother or sister? I think, most likely, it is the latter. We, as human beings, have a natural, yet sometimes sinful desire to discard anything thing that comes to our ears that we do not want to hear, even if it is truth. But, if that which is being spoken IS true, and we do turn “away” our “ear”, this proverb shows us the consequence.

We all want to be heard. No one likes to be ignored, God especially. I, by the grace of God, am a young preacher. I have have the opportunity to preach many times in our main service at church. As a preacher, when you are putting a sermon together, you will often say, “Oh boy, this will really help so and so!” The time comes to preach the sermon and you “leave it all on the field!” You really give it all you’ve got! And…they totally disregard everything you’ve said! I think, “If they would just listen! This could be the very thing that helps them with ____!!!” It hurts deeply to see them turn away from the Word of God. How much more do you think God hurts when we are sitting in a pew listening to the man of God, or when we are sitting on our bed reading His Word, or when we are listening to a sermon on the blog…and we hear EXACTLY what God wants us to hear to help us with ____, and we totally disregard it!!!

We say, “Oh, I’ve already tried that!” or “That won’t help me!” or “That’s not what I need!” We all think that we are the exception to the rule and therefore it is very easy for us to think, “Well, my case is different!” When God says, “NO! I have laid down a principle in my Word that will help you, but you are turning your ear away from me!!!” Oh, how many people lives have been ruined because they have taken the advice of man rather than God!!??!! How many times have I seen people who had financial problems and they REFUSE to tithe!!! They KNOW that God has COMMANDED them to tithe, but they have a better idea!!! They are turning their ear away from the Word of God! How many times have people had problems with a particular sin and not removed every “provision for the flesh”, thinking that they “can handle it”??!!?? They had a better idea than God!!! They are turning their ear! How many times have people heard a message or gotten counsel from God’s man and the Word of God, and still decided to “do their own thing”??? Well, if you or I want to turn away from what He has to say, we have that option, but there is a consequence…

…“his prayer shall be abomination.” As you already know, the word abomination means, “The object of detestation, a common signification in scripture.” (Webster’s 1828) Can prayer be an abomination to God??? WOW!!! “Zack, are you telling me that God can HATE my prayer?” No…God is telling you that. We do not realize how great a sin it is to turn our ear away from God!!! We do not realize the price we pay when we plug our ears to the man of God!!! We have no clue how much we forfeit when we refuse godly counsel!!! What do we lose? We lose our “line” to God!!! The person who goes to church with a problem…hears a sermon about that problem and refuses to listen…will not have much influence that night when he pray about that problem!!! God is looking down saying, “What??? Are you kidding me??? I just preached to you for 45 minutes!!! And you took what I gave you and threw it away!!! You listened to your friends instead of me!!! Do you really expect me to listen to you right now???”

The point is…why would God listen to us if we will not listen to Him? He said our “prayer” shall be abomination. He lists it right up there with the 7 things that God hates in Proverbs 6. It is hard to believe that our prayer can be disregarded by God, but…think about the effort that He put into putting that Bible into your lap. Think about all of the men who DIED a horrible to death to ensure us that we would have God’s law in our hands!!! And what do we do with it??? Yes, we read it, but sometimes…we turn our ear away and do our own thing. I cannot imagine how much that must hurt God!!! Are you listening to Him? Are you taking godly advice, even when it does not compute with your reason and logic? Remember,

Isaiah 55:9 - “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

But…

Proverbs 21:13 - “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

I don’t know about you, but I want God to hear my prayers…but He can’t hear us if we are not hearing him. Let’s unplug our ears to God’s Word…

Funny Video: Courtesy of Jamie White (literally)

This is a video of a promotion that we had for our bus route. If our kids brought a certain number of visitors…Jamie gets shot 5 times by all the workers and driver!!!! Well, Mary Beth (the first shooter) didn’t do a very good job (sorry Mary Beth!) and so I decided to take away her last shot and add it to my 5! So, I would have 6 shots right??? Wrong…I ended up unloading 33 shots and nailing him around 18 times

I feel no remorse whatsoever! LOL Jamie was a great sport! And the kids, of course, absolutely loved it! I have a feeling that the next time it comes around for a bus promotion, I’m guna be the one getting shot!!!

Watch and enjoy!!!

Proverb of the Day 5/26

Pr 26:20 - “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:…”

A couple of years ago, a few of the guys from our youth group @ OBC went to “Take the Challenge.” Take the Challenge is a week of camp operated by Circle C Baptist Ranch in Buckeye, Kentucky, which is a ministry of Clays Mill Road Baptist Church, pastored by Dr. Jeff Fugate. This week of camp is devoted to training 7th – 12th grade boys how to become men.

The whole week can be suppressed into one phrase, “Running us ragged!” All of the instructors were former Army, so they knew just how much fun it would be to give us a “little, tiny” taste of what it is like in the military. We would march…and march…and march…and march…and then get yelled at for marching wrong…and then march…and march…ALL DAY LONG! AND…we slept OUTSIDE!!! You say, “Oh goodie, that sounds like fun!!!”…well you try it and see how much you like it! See how much you like going to sleep when its cold, and then waking up soaking wet from all the dew!!! It’s not fun! (Can you see that I’m still getting over it? lol)

Although I am not exaggerating about what we had to do, it was, on the other hand, a lot of fun, and a great experience. Another challenge we had to take was building our own fires and cooking our own food! This, after a few mess ups, became a lot of fun! We learned how to start a fire using only one match, and then we kept that fire going for hours and hours. At night, we would pile on enough would so it would smolder all night and still be good and hot in the morning.

Christian, your heart is like a fire-pit. It is a place where your spiritual warmth dwells. Each one of us has, or should have, a fire in our hearts for the Lord. How is your fire doing? What do I mean?

Every Christian should have a “burning” desire in his heart to serve God. That burning desire, or fire, is what motivates you to please God and do His will. We all want that fire to burn deep in our soul so that we wake up every morning excited about serving God! Many young preacher boys, such as myself, will say, “I just wanna be on FIRE for God!!!” Well, that’s great, but you can try to light a fire all day, but if you don’t have any wood (substance), you have nothing to burn!!!

Just like you must continually put on the wood to keep a fire going, you must continually put on the necessary spiritual things to keep your spiritual fire going! Many people have a mountain top experience spiritually and are on fire for a little while, and then after a week or so, they are asking, “Why don’t I feel it anymore?” I’ll tell you why, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:…” You say, “Zack, what are you trying to say?” I’m trying to say that if you won a couple souls last Thursday at Church-wide soul-winning, that lit a fire in your soul, right? Then, you were still pretty excited about it on Friday…but you didn’t read your Bible on Friday…and then on Saturday, the excitement was gone!!! Why? You stopped putting the wood on!

It is not enough to get a fire spiritually, but the challenge is to KEEP it burning!!! How do you keep it burning? By piling wood on top of it!!! Do you have a small fire kindled in your soul? PILE THE WORD OF GOD ON IT…pile SOUL-WINNING on it…pile PRAYER on it…pile SINGING AND SPIRITUAL SONGS on it…pile GOOD FELLOWSHIP on it…pile RED-HOT PREACHING on it…Why? Because we as Christians need to keep that fire burning high and hot!!!

Do you know why a lot of Christians are only on fire for a little while at a time? Why do they go up and down, up and down? Because they will get a little fire started in their heart, but don’t pile any spiritual wood on there, and the fire goes out! And they wonder why they are cold!!! They wonder why they don’t feel that warmth spiritually! Yes, you won a soul yesterday, but don’t be content with the match that was lit, PILE SOME WOOD ON IT!!! It’s time to beg God to start a fire in our hearts, and it’s our job to pile on the wood. And as a result, we will feel the warmth that God intends for every one of His children.

Proverb of the Day 5/25

Proverbs 25:4 - “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.”

There are many ways to refine silver. You can use acid, sodium nitrate, etc. However, refining by fire is the most effective way of producing pure silver. Like most of the best methods, it does take time. We as Christians are God’s precious possession. As pictured in this Proverb, we are like silver purchased by God. However, when we were bought, we had many infirmities. We were not pure. We were in no way fit “for the finer.” God in his mercy looked down on us, and looked past our infirmities and saw something else. He saw a beautiful piece of pure silver…shiny and bright, pure in the sight of all men. He knew that this was the result for which He strived, and wants to make us into something usable.

In order to accomplish this end, God understood it would not be an easy process, nor a quick one. He purposed in His heart, that the best way to attain a pure child of God was by fire.

Zechariah 13:9  “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”

To be refined by fire is a slow process. It takes multiple trials in the furnace to bring forth pure silver of gold. Just like it takes many times in the furnace of God’s tests to excrete the infirmities in our lives. It might be a slow process…and it might take many times in the “furnace”, but every time we go through the fire, we come out a little more like Christ. When a silversmith is refining silver, all of the infirmities will rise to the top called the “dross.”  It will form a film like substance on the stop, which he will proceed to “skim” off and throw away!!! When God puts us through a trial, automatically our faults and infirmities rise to the top for everyone to see, however, it is your choice whether they just get mixed back in with the rest of you, or scraped off and thrown away.

What does it mean to go through the fire? The “fire” or refining process that God uses in our lives, are commonly referred to as “trials.” A trial is, “Experience; suffering that puts strength, patience of faith to the test; afflictions or temptations that exercise and prove the graces or virtues of men.” (Webster’s 1828) A trial is when God sees that there is something in our lives that needs to go…and infirmity. God then places us in the “fire” and refines our hearts. If we endure the trial, we will come forth purer than when we entered. God is putting your faith to the test, and as a result strengthening your walk with God and excreting the waste and infirmities in your life.

When a silversmith wants the best results in his refining, he place the silver over the hottest part of the fire. Do you feel that you are in a trial that is too “hot”/hard for you? Do you feel like you are going through more than you can bear? Christian, if you are going through a trial, PRAISE God that He has seen you worth of being place in the fire! It is an honor for God to look at you or me and say, “You know what? If I were to work with him/her I could really make something out of them!!! But, it’s going to take a little heat!” Do you know what God sees when he looks at you? He doesn’t see your infirmities as much as He sees your POTENTIAL!!! God knows that the most effective way of reaching your potential is to put your faith to the test!

You say, “I have been in this fire for so long!!! When am I going to get out!!! Haven’t I suffered long enough?” Do you know when the silversmith knows that his silver is done refining??? He knows it is done when He can see his image in it. Oh, friend, would you like to know when your trial will end? It will end when Jesus sees himself in you!!! God puts us in the furnace not for punishment, but in order to make us usable, pure, holy, and moldable! But, we will always be going through these “trials” until we let Jesus “skim” off our infirmities that make themselves most prevalent during refining!!! Are you going through a trial? Are you in the fire? Let Jesus throw away the dross, so that others can see Him in you!

Sermon of the Week

This is a sermon by Dr. Jon Jenkins, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, in Gaylord, Michigan. He is also founder and President of Grace Baptist College. Dr. Jenkins is an amazing preacher and pastor by the grace of God. The entire town in which his church is located, has a population of 3,000 people (there are much more people than that in the county obviously), and he has over 1,000 in attendance on Sunday morning!!!

Last fall, Dr. Jenkins came to our churched and preached in our annual “Foundations Conference”, along with Evangelist Dr. Monte Watts. Dr. Jenkins is a powerful preacher!

This sermon is entitled “Renewal Requirements.” Do you need to be renewed spiritually like God says in Isaiah 41? This sermon dives into the requirements necessary to be renewed. If you are feeling like you need a “pick me up” spiritually, or if you need to learn how to encourage yourself by the grace of God, please listen to this sermon!

Dr. Jon Jenkins - Renewal Requirements.mp3

Proverb of the Day 5/24

Proverbs 24:21-22 - “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:”

“Change has come to America” ~ President Barak Obama during his speech after winning the 2008 election. Change is generally considered, by most people, as a good thing. People as a whole believe that change is what life is all about. Many say, “You just keep going ‘til you find something that works! Then, when that’s old or stops working, CHANGE!” Is this a healthy attitude? Is the attitude of “changing according to results or feeling” a characteristic that we as Christians should possess? God said, “meddle not with them that are given to change:”

First, do not misunderstand me…change is sometimes needed for a person or a society. However, constant changing of position or principle is un-Biblical. Illustration…let’s say a man is under the constant yoke of alcohol. But, he sincerely desires to be free from this bondage. Should he CHANGE his ways? YES! In this case, change is a good thing. However, should he have had to change? NO! He should not have fallen in the firstplace! If you know a person who is always having to “change his ways”, STAY AWAY FROM HER/HIM! They are a person “given to change”! They are always in need of serious changing, and that is not a person from whom you can learn much. But, I do not believe that is the main application of this verse.

Let’s get back to the drunkard in our illustration. Regardless of what he should have done, he has fallen into deep sin, and needs to change. Let’s say that he enrolls in a program like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), and tries that. But, it doesn’t bring lasting results…should he CHANGE? YES! Then, he is introduced to a good Biblical, Christ-centered program like RU (Reformers Unanimous). RU has helped thousands of people just like him receive freedom from habitual sin by focusing on Jesus Christ! The program is great at first and he is free for a few days. After one week of freedom, he falls again…should he CHANGE methods again? NO!!! Why not? Because it is not about what we think will work…it is not about what we think will help…it is not about the RESULTS necessarily…IT IS ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT!!! Should the drunkard just keep changing methods and programs over and over and over? NO! He needs to get in his Bible, and find out what kind of program GOD would have him be in! Then, find one that is conformable to those principles! If you get immediate results…GREAT! If you don’t for a while…DON’T CHANGE!!! It is NEVER right to change or deviate from God’s Word in order to obtain “results.”

You may ask, “Zack, why are you saying all this?” I bring this up because there are some people in the IFB movement, and in Christianity as a whole, who are “given to change.” They are no longer receiving the “results” that THEY desire…and so they…CHANGE. They find new methods and means of reaching people that are outside the Bible, in order to obtain these results. Is that right? Is it right to stick with one Bible until it no longer gives you the “result” that you are looking for? And then you switch to the Living Bible until its glitter wears off…then to the NIV…and on and on…Is it right to stick with traditional, sacred, God-honoring music until it no longer gives you the “result” that you want? So…you bring in CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) and go outside the boundaries of God’s Book! Is it ok for women to wear long skirts and for men to have short hair, only until we are not longer receiving the “results” that we want in our soul-winning or at church? The answer to all of these questions is, NO!!!

Let me say this very plainly, it is NEVER right to CHANGE from what God has said, no matter what the results will be!!! It is WRONG to let your hair grow long, fellas, in order to be more accepted in the world for the purpose of winning souls! It is wrong for you to change Bibles in order to be accepted to speak at more churches, or win more souls! It is WRONG for a church to change its music standards in order to get a bigger crowd and win more souls! “Zack, are you saying that we shouldn’t do everything we can to win souls?” That is not what I’m saying…what I’m saying is that it is never…NEVER…right to do wrong to do right!!!!!

“I’m not getting what I used to out of my KJV!” – don’t change Bibles…CHANGE YOUR HEART! “I’m not getting much of a buzz out of traditional music!” – don’t change music…CHANGE YOUR HEART! “I’m not winning as many people as I used to…I think I’ll not talk about sin so much out soul-winning!” – don’t change methods…CHANGE YOUR HEART! “We’re not having the attendance that we used to since we started preaching standards and convictions here at our church!” – don’t change your convictions…CHANGE YOUR HEART!

“Results” are not the determining factor of what method we use. My Old-fashioned KJV is the determining factor of how I operate! If that brings success, PRAISE GOD!!! But, if it brings poverty and loneliness, l’m just guna say what Esther said, “and if I perish, I perish.” (Es. 4:6)

Say What?

Here is our new “Say What?” post!!! In case you haven’t seen one of these before, here is what you do: You need to come up with a funny quote for the picture above!!! Write this “caption” in the “comments” box and then after one week we will take the best ones and vote for the best one! So…look at the pic (which is hilarious by the way! Thank you, whoever sent that to me!)…and then come up with a funny quote!!!

If everybody participates…these are a lot of fun!!!

Proverb of the Day 5/23

Proverbs 23:10 - “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:”

Do you recognize the building in the picture above? That is the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It’s being 2500 years old certainly qualifies it to be an “old landmark.” In fact, it is one of the oldest. Did you know that in 2007, Greek archaeologists removed thousands of items from the Acropolis, and relocated them into a museum at the bottom of the hill. “Greece has taken out a 400 million euro ($568.6 million) insurance policy for this move.”, according to rueters.com(http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL1123826620071011)

Can you imagine, if someone proposed the idea of demolishing the Acropolis, and replacing it with a new, shiny, modern shopping mall? There would be an outrage!!! Something that was cherished, old, beautiful, and a symbol of a culture passed (howbeit an unsavory one), would be replaced with something “modern.” However, we, as Christians, Independent Fundamental BAPTIST Christians, possess something much more precious than a building made out of stone!!!

The previous generations of Christians laid down some landmarks to help us keep our way. They established some guidelines and some principles for us to follow. From Martin Luther to John Wycliffe…from George Whitfield and Charles Wesley to D.L. Moody…from Billy Sunday to J. Frank Norris…from John R. Rice to Jack Hyles…those men set up some landmarks for future generations.

What is a landmark? According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary “landmark” is, “a boundary;…the territory inclosed:” Those BOUNDARIES were set up for us to stay within!!! Why did those men set up these BOUNDARIES??? Because, they had seen the other side! They had seen outside the ropes of protection…and knew that there was nothing but harm for us there. “What kind of landmarks Zack?” Landmarks like the King James Bible!!! Men of past generations told us to stay way from other versions PER-versions! They set up a boundary which read, “Do not leave! Stay inside the boundary of the KJV! Danger outside!” But…do you know what we have done??? WE have REMOVED that landmark and said,

“We know that you built the greatest churches of NT times…we know that you men have won more souls than we could imagine…we know that you have been the frontrunners of the faith for decades…BUT we are going to go our own way! We know what’s best!!! The KJV offends people! Dr. Hyles…you didn’t know what you were saying when you said that we have a “every word” Bible!!! That kind of thinking can’t build big churches!!! (except for his of course!) That narrow-minded view of the world and the Word of God is not popular today! Standards are not popular today! Preaching against homosexuality is not popular today! Sorry Dr. Rice! Sorry Dr. Hyles! Sorry Dr. Roloff, but we have found a BETTER WAY TO GO! We are going to step OUTSIDE of the BOUNDARIES that you have set!!! Why you ask? Because these LANDMARKS are not conformable to our generation!”

Oh, but we forget that the landmark of the KJV is what BUILT THIS COUNTRY! But we forget that the landmark of STANDARDS is what BUILT THIS COUNTRY! But we forget that the landmark of HOLY LIVING is what BUILT THIS COUNTRY! We forget that KJV, rippin’ and snortin’ screamin’ and hollerin’, Hell-fire and damnation preachin’, Old-time religion, old–fashioned song books, and SOUL-WINNING is what BUILT THIS COUNTRY!!! These have been landmarks set before us, but everyday we are tearing them down for something shiny, new, modern, and sophisticated.

We have traded a pulpit for a music stand…we have traded song books for so-called “Praise and Worship” songs (which is nothing more than the devil’s music put to words! It doesn’t matter what THE WORDS SAY, it’s all about what the MUSIC ITSELF SAYS!). We have traded our KJV for a NIV or an RSV or a NKJV…I DON’T NEED A NEW KING JAMES BIBLE!!! The biggest churches in all the world were built with the KJV! I’m not changin’!!! My Bible has won more souls than the Living Bible ever will!!!!! I AM SIMPLY SAYING TODAY…that we in America have let our landmarks be torn down! There are no boundaries anymore! “We can do what we want! Worship how we want! Dress how we want! Sing how we want!” But, that is not what the men of old laid down for us!!!

What about you? Are you still within the landmarks that have been set before you? Or, have you found a new, shiny, modern way of doing things. Be careful…God said to stick with what has been laid before you!!! What is the consequence of not staying within the boundaries? You will, “enter not into the fields of the fatherless:”…When you abandon the boundaries set before you by the men of old, you are entering into a new “realm” which has no foundation on which to base itself. It is unproven. It has no history. It does not have any forefathers that went on before and made it work. It is “new”. Be careful about jumping on the “new” train!!! Why? Because…"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” – Malachi 3:6 If there is genuinely something “new” in Christianity, beware because God hasn’t changed!!! If it was right 50 years ago, it is right today! And if it was wrong 50 years ago, it is wrong today.

Be careful about wandering outside of the landmarks…

Taking a break from the Proverb of the Day…(just for today)

Many of you are aware of the current controversy surrounding the King James Bible on the subject of inspiration. In this writing, we will discuss if it is true that a translation cannot be inspired, and if it is true that only the originals were the inspired word of God. I firmly believe that the KJB IS the INSPIRED, INFALLIBLE, INERRANT Word of the Living God for English speaking peoples!!! Many people, however, do not believe that inspiration is carried through the translation process. But, as we will see, they are mistaken. God has given us a clear example in the Scriptures that proves the Independent Fundamental Baptist position on the KJB!!! Enjoy…

KJV: Inspiration Carried Through Translation?

The controversy over the inspiration of the King James Bible has reached a new height. In times past, fundamentalist minded people have gathered around the KJV and shielded it from the predators outside. At this point in time, fundamentalists are now confronting, arguing, criticizing, and fighting with their own brethren. This "controversy" surrounds the doctrine of the "inspiration of Scriptures." Most liberal theologians, seminaries, churches, etc. all agree that the doctrine of the inspiration of Scriptures, pertains only to the original written manuscripts. For example, God "breathed" the words to Moses/Paul/David/John, etc., and they wrote down those exact words. The result was a perfect manuscript with the precise words of God. However, many liberals believe that once you take those inspired words and copy them to another piece of paper, they are no longer the inspired words of God. They contend that God would have had to "re-breath" those words again for them to be inspired. Thus, the words that have been copied over and over through thousands of years might have mistakes in it. Furthermore, most liberal theologians believe that even if the words that were copied over and over were still the inspired words of God, when you translate those words into English, they cease to be the inspired words of God. They have become the "words of the translators." Why? They argue that God did not "breath" the English words to the KJV translators, and therefore the words cannot be the inspired words of God in English. Is this true? Is it true that when the original words were copied, they were no longer the inspired words of God? Even if the copies are still the inspired words of God, if you translate them into another language, i.e. English, do the words cease to be the inspired words of God? Let us take a look at what God has said in His Word about this topic of the possibility of inspiration being carried through a translation.

There are two passages of Scripture which I would like for us to examine. First, we will consider II Peter 2:20-21:

2 Peter 1:20-21 - "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

These are very famous verse used by many preachers as evidence for the initial evidence of the scriptures. However, there is more here than we are talking about. First, let us have a quickly review the summary of the preceding verses. Peter is encouraging his brethren to trust in the prophecy of the coming Savior. He has already come once, as seen in the phrase, "prophecy…in old time", which refers to the OT prophecy of the coming Messiah. However, as seen in the phrase in verse 19, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy;", Peter is writing of the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. He is giving his readers confidence that Jesus will come again because of the promise that was fulfilled in His coming the first time. Peter then goes on into our text verses (20-21) explaining that prophecy does not have more than one meaning, but rather, has one interpretation for all to heed. He also states that when the "prophecy of scripture" was preached, it was not "by the will of men", but Isaiah/Jeremiah/etc., all were "moved by the Holy Ghost" to speak the words that were spoken. Those words were then written down (scripture) and issued for all to read.

Notice the phrase "prophecy of the scripture." This "prophecy" was not preached because Malachi necessarily wanted to preach it, but The Holy Spirit of God "moved" him and spoke the words through him. Prophets, in the Bible, were what we would call preachers. The purpose of a prophets was to preach, as seen in Nehemiah 6:7:

"And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together."

So, when these "prophets" would prophesy or "preach", II Peter 1:20-21 states directly that they were not speaking of their own will. However, the Holy Spirit of God was speaking the words through them. Isaiah did not preach with his own words! The Holy Sprit INSPIRED him to speak those words! You say, "How do you know?" Because Peter said that "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:" They preachers of the OT were INSPIRED by the Holy Spirit as they preached! Notice the phrase, "holy men of God spake…" The Bible does not say, 'holy men of God wrote down as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." The Bible says, that the preachers of the OT SPAKE as they were INSPIRED by God to speak!!! The word "spake" means to preach. Isaiah was inspired as he preached righteousness to Israel! Jeremiah was inspired as he wept and cried aloud against Israel's sins! Jonah was inspired by God when he preach salvation to Nineveh! Elijah was inspired as he condemned Ahab…and the list goes on and on!!! Holy men of God, "spake", as they were INSPIRED by the Holy Ghost!

The Holy Spirit INSPIRED Isaiah/Jeremiah/Malachi/Hosea/Jonah, etc., as they SPAKE. Then those INSPIRED words were written down!!! The result was, many of the original manuscripts. Hence, many of the original portions of scripture/prophecy/preaching were ----- COPIES! They were written records of the spoken words!!! Were they still the inspired words??? YES!!! Almost all of us agree that ALL of the "original manuscripts" were the inspired words of God! However, in essence, they were copies! Yet, they were still the inspired words of God, even though they were first SPOKEN and then written as Scripture! So, firstly, to argue that a "copy" of the "inspired" words of God means that you lose the inspiration is absurd! Why? Because the Bible was not inspired when it was written down…it was inspired "breathed" when it was SPOKEN!!! If a copy is no longer the inspired words of God, what about when Onesimus COPIED the SPOKEN words of Paul as he, Paul, was dictating to Onesimus? What was inspired? Did God "breath" the words to Paul, have him speak them, and them "re-breath" them to Onesimus??? NO! Paul "spake as" he was "moved by the Holy Ghost." Paul was inspired of God to SPEAK those words and then Onesimus WROTE DOWN THOSE WORDS, and the product was…SCRIPTURE! Scripture means, holy, written word. II Tim. 3:16 says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…" So, was the COPY of Isaiah's SPOKEN words inspired? YES! But, according to II Peter 1:20-21, so were the SPOKEN WORDS! Does that mean that God rebreathed those words when it was time for them to be written??? NO! It means that the SPOKEN words were inspired, and then those INSPIRED words of God were written down, giving us Scripture, which IS INSPIRED according to II Tim. 3:16. Therefore, it is ludicrous to contend that the copies were not still the inspired words of God. They were the INSPIRED WORDS when spoken, and they were the INSPIRED WORDS when written.

I stated at the beginning of this writing that the subject would ultimately be, "the possibility of inspiration being carried through a translation." All of the previous writing has been foundational. Now that we know that "prophecy" or preaching in the Word of God is INSPIRED by God…now that we know that a copy is still the INSPIRED word of God…now that we know that God does not have to "re-breath" the words for them to still be inspired…now that we know that II Tim. 3:16 applies to the written record of the SPOKEN words…and now that we know that BOTH the SPOKEN and the WRITTEN (Scripture) word is still the inspired Word of God…we are ready to continue our trek.

Now, we come to the issue at hand…inspiration being carried through translation. For this part of the discussion we will consider Acts chapter 22. To preface, remember, God said, "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (emphasis mine) Prophets (preachers) were INSPIRED by God as they preached. Then in II Peter 1:20-21, Peter states, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; " Peter is referring to the promise from Jesus Christ that He would return. Notice, we are referring to the SPOKEN and WRITTEN record of the words of Jesus Christ! Peter was present when Jesus promised them He would return! Those SPOKEN words were no less the INSPIRED words of God, then the written ones which would be distributed among the churches.

Peter is simply saying that not only were the OT preachers inspired by God when they preached, but so was Jesus! When He promised them that He would return, He was giving them the INSPIRED WORDS of God. They were then written down to form Scripture. Think about it…doesn't it sound logical, that if a man preaches a sermon by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the whole time, God knew that He would use it for Scripture (and had already "settled" it in Heaven)…don't you think the Holy Spirit would make sure the preacher got it right? Don't you think that the Holy Spirit would make sure that…Isaiah, for example... would say exactly what had already been "settled" in Heaven for us? (Ps. 119:89) OF COURSE HE WOULD! That is where inspiration came in! Anytime we see a sermon preached by the power of the Holy Spirit, whether it be Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, Paul, or Jesus, they were INSPIRED by the Holy Spirit to speak those words! And with in mind that let's take a look at Acts 22:1-2:

"Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)"

Paul is preaching to the Jews in Jerusalem. The Jews were in an uproar. They were screaming and wishing to do violence unto Paul. Then, Paul proceeded to give his "defence". Paul knew that he might not necessarily have the ear of the people, and so he decide to speak to them in the Hebrew language. (Acts 21:40, 22:2) Hebrew was the religious language of the Jews. Using this language immediately gained the attention of the people and, "they kept the more silence: " Paul was PREACHING to the Jews…the words that he PREACHED were written down as SCRIPTURE…however, according to II Peter 2:20-21, as we have already established, Paul was INSPIRED by the Holy Ghost as he "spake"!!! Peter was standing before a hostile crowd that wanted him dead. He was delivered up to the Gentiles to be tried. Why is that important? Because Jesus had given a promise in Matthew 10:19-20,

"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."

Jesus had given the disciples a promise that the Holy Spirit would INSPIRE them as the SPAKE!!! Paul was INSPIRED AS HE SPAKE!!! However, notice that the Bible says, "that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them…" Once again, why is this important? Well, what language was the New Testament written in? …GREEK… The NT was written in Greek from COVER TO COVER! And yet, the Bible says that Paul was INSPIRED (II Peter 2:20-21) in HEBREW (Acts 21:40, 22:2), and then the INSPIRED words that Paul had spoken were recorded by Luke in Greek!!! The inspired Hebrew words which were spoken were TRANSLATED and WRITTEN (scripture) in GREEK! Most likely, Luke translated those inspired Hebrew words right there "on the spot" into Greek. Why? Because a Hebrew copy wouldn't do much good, seeing as how the common language was Greek. However, whether it was translated right then or whether it was recorded in Hebrew and then translated by Luke, it matters not. You cannot hurdle the fact that somewhere along the line, the SPOKEN INSPIRED words of Acts 21:40-22:21, were eventually TRANSLATED into Greek. No one argues that the original manuscript of Acts 21:40-22:21 was the inspired word of God, however, that manuscript from which was a copy of the spoken words in Hebrew which were translated into Greek.

So, if the SPOKEN words were INSPIRED (II Pet. 2:20-21), and then were recorded by way of TRANSLATION (scripture), were those written words (scripture) no longer the inspired word of God? Did God have to re-breath the words to Luke? Were only the Hebrew words which were spoken inspired, and the COPY of those words in Greek just preserved? NO!!! II Tim. 3:16 says that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God…" God said, let me repeat that, God SAID, that Luke's written words (IN GREEK) were inspired!!! The written record, which was in Greek, was just as much inspired as the spoken words, which were in Hebrew!!! Once again, does that mean that re-breathed the Greek words? NO!!! It just means that it is a FACT that the SPOKEN words were the INSPIRED words of God in HEBREW and the WRITTEN words were the INSPIRED words of God in GREEK! The truth that they are the inspired words does not change according to language. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God.", and "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." So, if the words were still inspired when they were translated from Hebrew to Greek, why would they cease to be the inspired words when translated from Greek to English??? THEY WOULDN'T AND THEY HAVEN'T!!!!

God INSPIRED much scripture through preaching of the Bible…the men themselves were inspired by God as they, "spake." (II Pet. 1:20-21) Those inspired words where then written down and became scripture. Were they still the inspired words of God? Of course! And in the instance of Acts 21:40-22:21, Paul was inspired to SPEAK in Hebrew, but it was RECORDED in Greek, and BOTH were inspired!!! Later on…those INSPIRED words (which were mostly written records of spoken words - copies) were translated AGAIN. This time it was Greek to English!!! AND GUESS WHAT???? I hold in my hands today, by the grace of God, the INSPIRED WORDS OF God IN ENGLISH!!!! Yes my Bible is the Inspired, Infallible, Inerrant Word of God!!! It was the inspired Word of God, when it was spoken…it was the inspired Word of God when it was written…it was the inspired Word of God when it was translated…and it is the inspired Word of God today!!!

Lastly, consider II Pet. 1:20-21 and II Tim. 3:16 once more:

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." - II Pet. 1:20-21

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Tim. 3:16

Notice, that the word "spake" in II Pet. 1:21 is past-tense, but II Tim. 3:16 uses the present tense verb "is." Glory to God, the inspired word of God was SPOKEN ONCE, but they are STILL THE INSPIRED WORDS TODAY!!!!! God was saying, 'I spoke it once and RECORDED IT forever!!! I have given and will continue to give the INSPIRED words of God to ALL generations! I will continually give my INSPIRED words to new nations and new tongues!" That is the meaning of inspiration! God spoke it once, but has given it to us and will continue to give it to all generations! Does that mean that God had to "re-breath" every time we copy or translate the Bible? NO! It simply means that he will always provide us with His INSPIRED words, regardless of language or land!!!

In Conclusion, how ridiculous would it be for you or I to stand before a King who spoke a different language than you or I…and when the King spoke, a translator said, "Hear the words of King…" and then I interrupt, "EXCUSE ME! Um…you said, "the words of King "so and so", but...um…that's not true! The words that you are speaking are your words not his words! They are not the words of the King!" The translator responds, "What are you talking about? These are not my words!!! I might be translating it for you to understand, but they are still the words of the King!" It is just as ridiculous for us to say, "Well, they are not actually the words of God…they are the words of the translators!" Hey theologian…hey so-called scholar…hey college professor…hey liberal pastor…It doesn't matter in what language you put it, THEY ARE STILL THE WORDS OF THE KING!!!

But…what do I know? I'm just a "freshman theologian."

~ Zack Evans 5/21/09

Proverb of the Day 5/21

Proverbs 21:13 - “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

When I read this verse a few months ago, God really gripped my heart with a thought. That thought turned into a sermon that I have preached multiple times. The sermon is entitled, “I’m Not Listening.” I do not plan to re-preach that sermon in text, however, I would like to give you some food-for-thought as you go on your way today.

When we hear the word “poor”, we more often than not think of a person without money, food, a home, etc., Or, a poor child as seen in the picture above. But, “poor” is a stronger word than that. A person can have nothing to his name and be rich. A person can have everything in the world and yet be poor. This verse is not only talking about a materially poor person, but ESPECIALLY, a spiritually poor person. The Bible is talking about a person who HEARS the cry of the poor, but then PLUGS up his ears at their cry. Question…does the fact that the man has plugged up his ears, and therefore cannot heart them crying, change the fact that the poor are still crying? Did they magically get what they needed when he plugged up his ears? Did they just drift off into nothingness? Have they stopped crying? NO!!! They are still crying out! They are still with need! But, that man has just temporarily soothed his conscience!!! He has just made himself feel better! He has not changed the fact that people are in need!

You might ask, “How does this apply to me?” The poor are crying all around you. They are crying out for something but they don’t know what it is. The drunkard is crying out for something, but he doesn’t know what it is. The drug-addict is crying out for something, but he doesn’t know what it is. The harlot is crying out for something, but she doesn’t know what it is. The thief, liar, cheat, gambler, etc…are all crying out for something, but they don’t know what it is. They want joy…they want happiness…they may be rich in this world, but deep down they know they are poor. However, you, my friend, are rich!!! You say, “I have no money! I just have a decent home! I just have used cars and unpaid bills! How am I rich!” You are saved and on your way to an eternal home in Heaven!!!!! You are the richest person in the world!!!! You have something money can’t buy!!!! But…the aforementioned people do not have what you have…but they want it!!!

You say, “Well, if they want what I have…if they want salvation…then why don’t they have it already!” Do you really want to know? Do you know what the desire to drink is??? It is a desire for a relationship with Jesus Christ, that someone is trying to fill with ALCOHOL!!! You say, “WHAT???” Hear me through…Everyone of us is made with a part missing. And that part is Jesus Christ. We are all born with a “hole in our heart” that only Jesus can fill. You felt it the day you got saved. However, the drunkard feels it the same way you do…but do you know what happened??? He had that desire inside of him…that longing for something…but he didn’t know it was a desire for Jesus Christ…he was looking for something to satisfy his longing soul…and WHAT HAPPENED??? The dirty liquor crowd said, “Oh, Look here sir! You need something! You have that void in your life??? DRINK THIS!!!!” And from that day until this he has been trying to fill that void with alcohol, but it can only be filled with Jesus Christ!!!!

You say, “How did that happen???” It happened because WE LET IT HAPPEN!!!!!! That drunkard/drug addict/harlot/etc., NEEDED something…they had the same void that you had…but the liquor crowd GOT TO THEM FIRST!!! The drug crowd GOT TO THEM FIRST!!! And who’s fault is that??? YOURS AND MINE!!! Dear reader, you have the only thing that can satisfy and drunkard’s void!!! You have the only thing that can satisfy a druggie’s habit!!! And that person is JESUS CHRIST!!! There are millions of people in America and across the world who are POOR!!! Not because they don’t have money! Not because they don’t have a home! BUT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE JESUS!!!! What are you going to do about it? Are you going obey the call? OR….

Are you going stop up your ears at the cry of the poor? It is your choice…my choice…our choice…but, remember, there is a consequence if you choose to refuse God’s proposal. If a person will not obey the call to give these spiritually poor people what they need, THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, then, “he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” In short, God is saying that a person who does not heed the cry of the world in need of salvation, don’t stand much of a chance at getting their prayers answered! Does it seem like there is a wall between you and God? Do you feel so far apart from Him when you when? If so…I have a question…

Are you listening to the cry?

Proverb of the Day 5/20

Proverbs 20:4 - “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

A sluggard is, “A person habitually lazy, idle and inactive; a drone.” And the book of Proverbs has much to say about sluggards. This verse brings out something very interesting and practical that we can apply to our lives TODAY!

The Bible says that a lazy person will not plow when it is cold. Why? Because he doesn’t feel like it! Because it is not the comfortable thing to do! It is not what his body desires! He WANTS to stay inside where it is nice and warm and watch ESPN all day! (I’m not sure if they had ESPN back then or not lol) However, although he does not want to go outside and work, he does WANT food. He does want good clothes. He does want to supply for his family. He does want to be a good son/husband, etc. But, him WANTING those things is not going to matter when harvest time comes!

This man did not plant any seeds that would even have a chance of coming up later! He didn’t do the necessary requirements for a successful harvest! He didn’t plow…and if you don’t plow, you can’t plant! So, you can throw a bunch of seed out all day, but if you don’t PLOW, you wont get much! Sowing is the easy part. It’s not much work to throw seed, but it is a LOT of work to plow! He was not willing to do the hard work to get the result he wanted, so now he will beg and go hungry.

Are we like this man? Are we plowing up the “fallow ground” in our Christian lives? Are we constantly finding the rocks in our “spiritual garden” and throwing them out? Or, are we just sitting around doing nothing because we don’t feel like it? Did you not read your Bible today because you didn’t feel like it? Then you are not plowing --- so don’t expect a harvest! Did you not pray today because you didn’t feel like it? Then don’t expect a harvest! Did you not go soul-winning this week because you didn’t feel like it? Then don’t expect a harvest! If you are not plowing the field of your heart EVERYDAY, then don’t be surprised when you don’t have any fruit!

Do you want good grades? You’ve got to plow! Do you want a good family? You’ve got to plow! Do you want to preach with power? You’ve got to plow! Do you want to win more souls? You’ve got to plow! Do you want to build a big bus route? You’ve got to plow! Do you want your Sunday school class to grow? You’ve got to plow! I’m just simply saying that if we are not plowing, then the seeds will fall on “fallow ground” and they will not “take”!!! Hence, it is impossible for us to grow! Are you plowing? Or, is your spiritual plow just sitting in the field like the one pictured above? It’s time we get out the old plow of God’s Word and, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” - Hosea 10:12

Proverb of the Day 5/19: Courtesy of Andrew Quigley

Proverbs 24:1 -  “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.”

You know, God said He wants us to be holy, for He is holy, 1 Peter 1:16. Holy means to be free from sin and sinful affections; but I have yet to meet someone who is sinless or does not have sinful affections, myself included. This proverb gives us a very important teaching that we need to understand and follow.

First of all, the first part of this verse which says: “Be not thou envious against evil men…” What exactly is this saying? Well the word “envious” here means from the Webster’s 1828 dictionary: “…pained by the desire of possessing some superior good which another possesses…” You say, “what?” This verse is talking about evil men, why would we, and how could we get anything good (if they have anything good) from an evil man? The implication is that this person has something that you may desire. Maybe it is fame…maybe fortune…maybe fast cars and big houses. Whatever it is, it is something that when you look at that man you say, “Wow! He’s really got it going on! I know that according to the Bible, he is an evil man! But, I would love to be in his place!”, or something like that.

When you look at a movie star, or a superstar athlete, what do you think in your mind? Do you know that the person you are envious of is a “evil” person, and yet you still support their work? And yet you still look at them in awe. Do you idolize them in your eyes and in the eyes of others? God said that we should not be envious of them because God is angry with them. God sees their deeds that they are evil and will reprimand them of their deeds. They will end up worse off than you! So, there is no need to want what they have, because all that they have will be corrupted.

Now that we got that covered; what does the other half mean? Let’s look at it again. “…neither desire to be with them.” We are not only to not desire what the evil man has, but to not even go out with him. When I mean out I mean, out to lunch, out having fun, or letting them get to know you on a personal level. The Bible says that is a BIG NO NO. This even applies to family. If there is a family member who is an evil person that you don’t have to spend time with because they don’t live with you, YOU ARE NOT TO LET THEM INTO YOUR “INNER CIRCLE” OF INFLUENCE! Of course, we are supposed to be kind and loving and witness to them, but we are not supposed to let them get close enough to rub off! Do you have a friend like this? Do you have a family member like this? How about a boyfriend of girlfriend like that? “Oh, but Andrew, you go soul winning, and many of those people you meet are what the Bible describes here as being an evil man.” Yes that is true; but when I say this, I say, we shouldn’t go and have fun or just spend time with them. If we are teaching these people the Bible, or witnessing to them, that would be alright.

Well why would God say to us not to be with people like this? I’ll tell you why: BECAUSE SATAN WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT “THEY REALLY AREN’T THAT BAD!” He knows that if we hang around the wrong kind of people, we will become like those people. Don’t you act like your friends? Why is that? Because the people you hang around will determine the kind of person you will be. Who are your friends you go out with? What are your other family members like? What about your girlfriend; or your boyfriend, what is their lifestyle like? Who are the people like, that you spent the most time with? It may not always be easy to leave someone you are close to just like that. But what does the Bible say? “But there may be consequences if I do this.” I never said there wouldn’t be, neither does the Bible. But just because there may be consequences DOES NOT change the fact that WE ARE NOT SUPOSE TO GO OUT, HANG AROUND, OR BE WITH THE EVIL MAN! The evil man is the one who does not follow God and His Word. “Oh but he/she believes in God and believes the Bible is a good book.” That’s not good enough. Have you ever seen or heard a CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) group? Oh yeah they believe the Bible and God, but do they “follow” them both? NO! I can hear our NGBI students saying: “That’s right!” Because we have been learning about these CCM groups in class. The CCM groups are not the kind of people you want to hang around. Showing you a picture of them should be enough for you to see what I am talking about.

Satan is looking for someone to devour. He would love it if we decided to spend just part of our life with the evil men. He wants to see us crash. But God tells us how to avoid this from happening: “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.”

The Bible is a wonderful book God gave us. He gave us so many truths like this one to guide us. Now let’s get down to business and read it!

Sermon of the Week

Dr. Hyles preached this sermon as a declaration of where he stood on many common and controversial subjects. He, unlike many preachers today, was “no holes barred” about his principles and convictions that he derived from the Bible. If you are looking for a great sermon to get you PUMPED UP about what you believe, THIS IS THE SERMON FOR YOU….Please listen

These are provided for you to LISTEN to, not to give me something to do at work (although I do enjoy it! lol) But, please take advantage of the great material provided on this site.

These are some of the best sermons that you will ever hear. They have changed my life forever, and I hope they will do the same for yours. Here is one of my favorites…

Dr. Jack Hyles - If I Perish, I Perish

Proverb of the Day 5/18

  Proverbs 18:14 - “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

In this proverb, God gives us an amazing contrast. First, he says, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;” This reminds me of the man by the pool of Bethesda. The Bible says in John 5:5 - “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.” This man was sick, or lame, or whatever he was for 38 years!!! He waited year after year for someone to help him into the pool after it was troubled, but no one helped him. What kept him going? What was it inside of him that “sustained” him? His spirit! His WILL!!! He knew that he couldn’t walk good…he knew that he couldn’t do the things that the others did…but as soon as he was feeling down and out, he would rustle up that old spirit of his and say, “I will not give up! I have been here too long to quit!!!” His spirit sustained him. However, this was an OUTWARD hurt. The first part of God’s contrast is the inner will compensating for the outer hurt.

But, in the second part of the contrast, we see an inward hurt or a “wounded spirit” to be exact. Now, remember, the spirit was that which was used to sustain the body, but now there has been a role reversal! The body is perfectly fine, but the spirit is in grief! The spirit was used to sustain the flesh, but what is going to sustain the spirit when IT IS wounded? God is simply saying that our will or spirit inside of us can help us overcome a lot, but when someone hurts our spirit, there is nothing inside of you that can mend it. Your spirit is only capable of helping you get through when it ITSELF is healthy. But what about when it is the one who is wounded? The Bible asks rhetorically, “who can bear”…”a wounded spirit”? The answer is….NO ONE! There is not a single person on the face of the earth who can properly bear a wounded spirit!!! Why??? Why can’t you mend your own spirit?

Ecclesiastes 12:7 - “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

Why can’t you mend your own spirit? Because you did not create it! Let me explain. I love shirts! Especially dress shirts! However, I can no idea how to make them! (Too bad too because I could save a lot of money!) So, let’s say that I wanted to have a custom made shirt…and I let a seamstress make me one! Now, she finishes my shirt, I pay for it and take it come. Is it mine? Yes! However, let’s say that next month, the sleeves gets a “run” in it!!! Am I going to take it home and fix it? NO!!! Because I have no idea how!!! Who am I best served to give the shirt to? THE SEAMSTRESS! She made it, and she’s knows how to fix it! Our spirit is the same way…

We did not create our spirit. We have very little knowledge of how it works. We know what it likes and what it doesn’t like, but if it breaks, WE DON’T HONESTLY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT!!! So, has someone wounded your spirit? Are you hurting inside? Has someone close to you left? Do you feel that aching inside over something or someone? If so, your spirit is wounded. And you need to face the fact that you don’t know how to fix it. How are you served to deal with it? Is it best to go read self-help books, or see a psychologist??? I don’t think so. Why? Because you didn’t make your spirit and neither did they! Is it best to go to a friend and ask them to fix it? No, because they did not make your spirit! GOD MADE IT! Take it back to Him! He is the One who can mend the “tear” in your heart! He is the One who can mend your wounded spirit! Just like I wouldn’t trust myself with a needle and thread to fix a shirt, I wouldn’t trust myself to fix my spirit!!! GOD MADE ME and He knows how to fix me!

Psalms 55:22 - “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Our spirit may be able to sustain our infirmity, but only “he shall sustain” your spirit!!! Are you hurting? Take the pieces of your heart to Jesus…

Proverb of the Day 5/17 (Please read!)

Proverbs 17:20 - “He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.”

Have you ever met a person who just seemed to complain about everything is his/her life? No matter how good things are, they are about to get bad, or no matter how bad things are, it will get worse, they say. They don’t wake up in the morning, they resurrect! lol They look at the big blue sky and say, “YUCK! It’s Monday!” They gripe that they have to go to work…they gripe that they have to take care of the kids…they gripe that they have to do their chores…they gripe about the bills…the gripe about their boss…they gripe about their parents…they gripe about the weather…the gripe about their pastor…they gripe and gripe and gripe!!! They kinda always look like the lady above, unhappy! Why? This verse tells us why.

That person may be your co-worker at work. Why is he unhappy/griping all the time! Is it because there is no good in his life? NO! He has the same job as you, he has the same boss as you, he has the same pastor as you, he lives in the same country as you, he looks at the same blue sky as you, but yet he is unhappy, grumpy, or depressed 24/7!!! Why? It’s not because his life does not contain good things, but rather that HE DOESN’T SEE THEM!!! He overlooks them! He doesn’t even notice that they exist! Why? His heart is not right with God. Are you like this? Do you have a hard time finding good in your life? Friend, it is not because it is not there! There IS good in your life! You just have to stop overlooking it!

When was the last time you walked outside and looked up at the sky and said, “Oh Lord, look at that sky! How beautiful! YOU MADE THAT! Oh, life is good!” When was the last time you saw a bird fly, and you sat in amazement at its graceful soaring and said, “Oh Lord, life is good!” When was the last time you looked at a flower, and said, “Even Solomon was not arrayed like one of these! Oh Lord, life is good!” When was the last time you saw the American flag, and you said, “God, you have allowed me to be born into a free country! I wasn’t born in Iraq! I wasn’t born in Afghanistan! I’m an AMERICAN! Oh, life is good!” When was the last time you read, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hands.”, and said, “Dear Jesus, I’VE GOT A HOME IN HEAVEN!!! I know that I’m not rich on this earth, but I’m rich in Heaven!!! I know everything is not right down here…everything is not perfect, but bless God, I’m going to Heaven in just a little while!!!! OH God, LIFE IS GOOD!!!!”

Life is good Christian! You just have to see it! Stop staring at your finances, and look at the GOOD! Stop staring at your uncertain future, and look at the GOOD! Stop staring at your wayward child, and look at the GOOD! Stop staring at the government’s issues, and look at the GOOD! Stop staring at the faults of your friends, spouse, and pastor, and look at the GOOD! There is good to be found…it just all depends on how you look at it. Don’t be like the lady in the picture…depressed…grumpy…sad…all because things aren’t perfect. They guy in the cubicle next to you at work has got the same problems as you, but he doesn’t stare at them!!! Let’s turn off the internet right now, exit out of the blog, get down on our knees and thank God that, LIFE IS GOOD!!!!

Proverb of the Day 5/16

 

Proverbs 16:9 - “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”

Have you ever felt like the guy in the picture above? Have you found yourself with two or more paths to choose from, and you can’t decide which one you should take? God has given us a realization in this verse that we should consider whenever making a decision on which way to go.

We all have a free will. It is something that God has implanted in our soul that will never change. God will never force you to do anything. Whenever presented with a decision, you have the power to choose whatever you would like. Some might say, “Awesome! I can do whatever I want?” Yes and no. This verse tells us that we choose or decide which “way” we will take. We can choose to take the will of God for our life, or I can choose to take the will of Zack for my life. However, just because I choose my path, does not mean that I choose the terrain. It does not mean that I choose how easy the path will be to walk. And, it does not mean that I choose where I will end up!!!

Ultimately, “the Lord directeth” my steps! He will not force me down a path that I do not choose, but He can make the path that I have chosen very difficult for me to traverse, if it is not His will. Illustration…A Christian young man in high school has the choice to attend Bible college and get a good degree and find a good wife. Or, he can go to a secular college and get a similar degree, and attend parties, drinkfests, co-ed dorms, and all the sinful things that his old nature desires. Let’s say that this young man has a bit of a rebellious spirit and wants to “do his own thing.” Can he? Absolutely!!! But, does that mean that he can choose how that path will treat him? Does that mean that he can decide how he ends up? NO! In fact, the result of his actions were chosen for Him, when he disregarded God’s Word, and “did his own thing.” He “decided” in his “heart” where he wanted to go and “decided” in his “heart” that he would be happy, but God said, “Nope, not so fast! You chose the path and now I choose the consequences!"

The principle is that we can indeed choose where we go, but we do not choose where we end up. Now, it is a “given” that if he walk in God’s will we have somewhat “chosen” to arrive at our God-ordained destination, but did we get there on our own? NO!!! The Lord directed our steps! If we choose the path of “ME”, then God will direct our steps so that we will fall flat on our face, even though that is not what we had “decided”. However, if we choose the will of God, He will in turn direct our steps so that we do not fall! As a result, we end up at our destination!

Are you at a crossroads in life? Do you have an important choice to make? Remember, it is your choice where you go, but not where you end up, Ultimately, God “directeth” your steps. So…choose wisely.

Proverb of the Day 5/15: Courtesy of Aaron Quigley

Proverbs 14:4 - "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox."

Before I get started I have to say that this is one of my favorite verses in the book of Proverbs. Most of us have probably heard a sermon or two using this verse, but we could be refreshed about the subject.  Zack has already put up two posts about slothfulness, so this would go right along with that.

First, let’s pull apart this verse. In the first half of the verse we read, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:” Now, you may ask “What does that mean?” I’m glad you asked. (lol) The crib is the stall where these oxen would spend most of their time in. So, if there are no oxen then there’s no cleaning the stall. The  second half of the verse says, “but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” The only way the farmer can get the increase is by putting his oxen to work.

So, what is the application here? Well, I’m not gonna tell you! That’s for me to know and you not to find out. Just kidding…lol Anyway, the crib, or the stall is like our church building and the oxen are like us Christians. Now you’re thinking, “Wait, I think I know where he’s going with this.” And you would be exactly right. If there’s no work done within our church, then I would expect to see a clean perfect looking church building. But, ours is definitely not. Every single week the ladies and sometimes a few of the men have to clean the church to get all the gunk and nasty stuff that has been collecting from all the traffic of the people. That’s not an easy job, but it tells us something. The people of our church want to increase something. That is, the knowledge, and eventually salvation, by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to all the people who come into this church.

I can’t stand it when I come into a church and look around, you would think that it was a museum. God’s not looking for a place where the people say oh look at me and how wonderful I am. I have to tell you that I’m no better than the worst sinner here. Like our pastor says, “Our church is not a museum where we put on display all the best looking Christians, it’s a hospital.” Last time I checked hospitals were not the cleanest places in the world. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that our church is perfect, because it surely isn’t. The day you walk into a perfect church; from that moment it will no longer be perfect.

In conclusion, the more work that’s being done at a church the more it needs to be cleaned. God is pleased when He sees Christians doing all they can to serve Him. So, don’t just sit there all day long playing Xbox. Start working in a ministry at your local, fundamental, independent, KJV only, Baptist church. Hey, it’s a messy job to clean the church every few days. But don’t look at all the cleaning that needs to be done; look at all the people that have been saved by the grace of God as a result of us doing our part by bringing them in. Then, once here, God does His part by convicting them of their sin and saving the ones who ask for His salvation.  Praise be to God for letting us work in His church!

Proverb of the Day 5/14

  Proverbs 14:34 - “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

“The United States of America.” What a name! That name possesses so much history, so much freedom, so much power, so much wealth, so much significance to the entire world. There are so many unbelievable blessings that arise just from living in this country! The most important and sacred to us of course is our freedom. Freedom to speak what needs to be spoken. Freedom to buy and sell. Freedom to love whom we wish. But, most of all, freedom to worship Whom we worship. I am a patriot in every sense of the word! I love my country! However, there is a large schism between where we came from as a nation, and where we are headed…

How did America become so great? Was it our resolve to no longer be under British rule? Maybe. Was it our families for whom we fought grueling battles and long winters? Maybe. Was it the fresh breeze of freedom which grew stronger everyday, refreshing the Colonial troops? Maybe. Was it General Washington…a man of great wisdom and talent on and off the battlefield…was it him? Maybe. Was it Thomas Jefferson and his brilliant mind? Maybe. Was it the well organized political system that was put in place with President Washington at the helm? Maybe. Well, what was it then!?! It was not so much our fighting skills because we had very little. It wasn’t so much our supplies, muskets, and canon because we did not have the best. It wasn’t that we outnumbered the British, because we did not by any means. Then what was it??? Then reason why America became so great was because of her….RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The worst guy in town might get drunk every now and then, but he had never raped anyone. Everybody went to church because it was the “norm”. Everybody read the Bible, because it was still the GOOD Book to them. Divorce was almost non-existent because when feeling for each other was lost, love took over. Children did not become rock stars, or get hooked on drugs, or cuss our their parents. Adultery was considered ‘sickening’ and was a shock to be heard of. Now, don’t get my wrong…we had our faults! We were not perfect! But…we…were…righteous!!! We wanted freedom! Not just freedom to buy or sell…not just freedom to have a democracy…but freedom to worship God!!! And when God looked down on that primitive red, white, and blue flag, He said, “I am going to bless that nation. Not because they are perfect, but because they are righteous. They seek me. They want the freedom to WORSHIP me!!! I like that. I think I will make this nation the catalyst by which I will send the Gospel all over the world!” God has blessed America because she has been righteous. God “exalted” her above all the nations of the earth because she has been a truly “Christian” nation. She has spread the gospel all across the globe for centuries! So…my question is…what happened?

Do the two paragraphs above sound like a narrative of present-day America? NO NO NO!!! Why??? What has happened??? Today, the worst guy in town is not someone you would want to pass in the street. The BEST guy in town probably goes to church a couple times a month. The average Independent Fundamental Baptist church runs….90!!! By 2050, America might be 50% Muslim!!! Why is all of this happening??? I’ll tell you why! Because somewhere along the line, someone compromised…someone made a change…someone left the Old-Time way…and then another, and another, and another, and another…etc., Oh, it has not happened overnight! But, over the course of the last 75 years! We have trashed soul-winning for self-help feminars seminars! We have traded in our King James Version for a New International per-Version! We have traded our pulpit for a music stand! We have traded our blood filled songbook for CCM! We have decided that homosexuality is a “lifestyle” and not an ABOMINABLE SIN! We have declared in court that abortion is not murder, just a removal of an inconvenience! We have traded the Christian, Bible-loving Presidents of the past for homo-loving, Bible-hating politicians! AND WE WONDER WHERE AMERICA HAS GONE? It should be no surprise that we are declining in wealth! It should be no surprise that we are declining in power and influence! WHY? Because “RIGHTEOUSNESS exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

God said “sin is a reproach to ANY people.” America will not be the exception to the rule! It will fall as Babylon fell. It will fall as Greece fell. It will fall as Rome fell. It will fall as Persia fell. It will fall as Germany and Soviet Russia fell. And who is to blame??? The righteous who stopped being just that…you and me…it is our choice…are we going to let this country die? Or, are we going to start living a righteous life while no one else is looking so that God can say…“I know a lot of people aren't living for me. I know that it has become a "very small remnant", but there’s one! Oh Look! Another one! And another! Wow, look a whole church full of ‘em! I might be able to do something will them!” It’s our choice. Are you helping exalt America by living a righteous, sin-hating, soul-winning life? Or are you contributing to its decline by doing nothing. It’s time to decide.