Month September 2022

5 Reasons to DOUBT your salvation.

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Nobody wants to doubt their salvation, but before you can be assured, one must know where they are.

Once you know where you are, then you can learn how to be assured.

5 Reasons to DOUBT your salvation.

You DO NOT KNOW:

If you DO NOT KNOW how to be saved, or DO NOT KNOW what the bible says about salvation, then you need to be in DOUBT. There are many examples of people who DO NOT KNOW they are lost.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev 3:17).

OPPOSES Scripture:

If you’re practice is in direct OPPOSITION to clear biblical teaching. It should be self evident, but many are in OPPOSITION to the word of God. Often it’s related to the first one.

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:6-7).

UNDERSTANDING:

If you don’t UNDERSTAND why you’re doing something. To be pleasing to God, we must know what He wants and UNDERSTAND why. This doesn’t mean you need to become a biblical scholar, but our hearts have to be involved in obedience to God. Balaam was compliant with God’s command in Number 22-25, but he certainly wasn’t obedient (Jude 11).

“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:30-31).

BIBLICAL Evidence:

Probably the most important reason, and the reason every other one is based, is BIBLICAL evidence. Unless we have BOOK, CHAPTER, & VERSE for what we practice, then we ought to be in doubt. We need to have a firm understanding of how to study, how to know what God wants, and how to rightly divide the word of God.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15).

“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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2Tim 3:15-17).

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col 3:17).

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)?

TOLD something from silence:

If what we’re doing is solely based on what someone TOLD us to do without a biblical basis, then run away from that person. Many believe that we can do whatever we want as long as God has never said we can’t. This is operating from silence. Silence prohibits. Consider what happened to David when he argued from Silence.

“And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar” (2Samuel 7:1-7)?

Nowhere in our lives do we find it acceptable for a defiant person to claim, “nobody said I couldn’t.” Without the prohibition of silence the direct statements and commands of God are rendered useless. When we order a pizza, our direct statements about what we want eliminates all other unspoken possibilities. If you doubt me on this, try ordering any food for a child and see if even their silence matters.

These are 5 reasons to DOUBT. However, we need not remain in DOUBT. We can KNOW the will of the Lord. That will be in a future article.

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Lessons in 1Peter: 4:4 STRANGE

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1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Why do those from our former lives think it STRANGE that we no longer run with them in wild living?

SINFUL In deeds. 1Peter 4:3-4

TALK EVIL about others…curse. 1Peter 2:12

RELIGIOUSLY wrong. Mark 7:1-7

ARROGANT and obnoxious. 3John 9-11

NEVER STUDY God’s word. Matt 22:29-32

GREEDY for gain in this life. 2Pet 2:1-3

ENTERTAINMENT driven \ worldly. Rom 14:17

Spencer

7 things to PROTECT #3, RESOURSES

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7 Things we ought to PROTECT pt3. RESOURCES.

“O Timothy! keep that which is committed to thy trust,” (1Tim 6:20).

We’ve been taking a closer look at the 7 things we ought to protect.

This next one is about protecting RESOURCES.

Before we begin, it must be understood that we’re not talking about protecting things in this life because we trust them above God. That’s condemned.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:19-21).

What is under consideration in this series is the proper use and the protection of them to guard them from Waste, Abuse, Sin, Trusting, and Exploitation (cf. Luke 15:12-14). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Now that we understand that material goods are from God for our use and not for trusting in them, we can now see how to use these material blessings for HIS GLORY. Some erroneously believe that Christians (and especially preachers) are to take a vow of poverty.

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

We are authorized to use resources for our personal MATERIAL needs. This is a blessing from God He gives to His children. “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God” (2Cor 9:10-11). The Psalmist wrote, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing” (2Thess 4:11-12; Phil 4:11; Heb 13:5).

Another use of our resources is to care for our OLDER Parents (and by extension our OLDER selves, cf. 2Cor 12:14; cf.  a warning; Luke 12:15-21) “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1Tim 5:4,8). Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their failure in caring for their parents by their erroneous dedication of their wealth for God (cf. Mark 7:9-13).

We ought also to use our resources from God to help NEEDY Saints (and as individuals, our needy NEIGHBORS, cf Luke 10:25-37). “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Eph 4:28). What we’re learning is that the Saint is to be working for his income and preserving some for use for those in NEED (cf. Gal 6:10; James 1:27).

Another blessing of the resources from above is for us to personally ENJOY (in a godly way of course). “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1Tim 6:17). Another example that these resources are not for saving trust, but for the glory of God.

Rather than preserving resources out of worry or anxiety (cf. Matt 6:20-34), we ought to have a heart that is YEARNING to give. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1Cor 16:1-2; cf. 2Cor 8:1-2; Acts 4:32-37 & 5:4). “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2Cor 9:6-7). One implied above is for the spreading of the Gospel through the support of evangelists; “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance” (Heb 10:34; 2Tim 2:4; cf. 1Co 9:9; 1Tim 5:18).

As you may notice, each of these uses of money are often for the helping of others. Before the ability to help another, we must first have enough for ourselves and more than we need, but don’t worry about that. When we have the proper attitude about money, God provides the increase; “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God” (2Cor 9:8-12).

Spencer

How to TEST the spirits. 1Thess 5:21

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1Thess 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (NKJV)

1John 4:1; 1Thess 5:21

  1. Are they just TROUBLERS? Gal 1:7
  2. Do they EXAMINE the scriptures to see if what is said is true? Act 17:11
  3. Do they SHOW the SCRIPTURES? 2Tim 3:15-17
  4. Do they TAKE TIME with you to teach, learn, or clarify. Like Paul & Aquila, Priscilla at Ephesus. Acts 18:26; 19:9-10

Spencer

Why do some of MORE? Psalm 119:97-104

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MEM

Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Why does this one have MORE?

Perhaps because he MEDITATES MORE? 99

Perhaps because he OBEYS MORE? 100-101

Perhaps because he RESTRAINS FEET MORE from every evil way? 101

Perhaps because EVERY false way is hated more? 104

My Yoke is Easy, My BURDEN is light

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My yoke is easy and My BURDEN is light.

Matt 11:28-30

28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

How is the BURDEN light?

  1. we BELIEVE in the promises. Heb 12:6. 2Tim 4:6-8
  2. because of His UNSURPASSED love. Eph 3:18-21
  3. because of our REDEMPTION through Christ. 1John 1:7-9
  4. his word is DELIGHTFUL and not grievous. 1Cor 10:13. 1John 5:3; Ps 119:24
  5. because His Yoke is EASY. Mat 11:28-30
  6. because He NEVER LEAVES us nor forsakes us. Heb 13:5; Psalm 37:25

The BURDEN of Christ is easy and light.

7 Things we ought to PROTECT pt 1

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pt1. Personal Safety.

“O Timothy! keep that which is committed to thy trust,” (1Tim 6:20).

Last week we looked at an overview of 7 things we ought to protect. These next 7 articles will dive deeper into each of those items.

The first one is about PERSONAL SAFETY.

Can a child of God protect, preserve, save their life? Is it always necessary to die for the cause of Christ? Yes and no, it depends on the situation.

We have several examples from the life of the Apostle Paul. Let’s learn from his example when his life was under threat of imminent death.

On his way to Jerusalem the Apostle Paul said, “for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Upon arriving to Jerusalem and entering the Temple he was arrested. Paul was ready to die.

At first, he was going to be scourged by the Roman guard. “The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him” (Acts 22:24). Paul was ready to die.

But Paul said, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned” (v25)? Upon further questioning, they discovered that Paul was a natural born Roman citizen. They became afraid of what they were about to do to him and they backed away. “Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him” (v29). Paul was ready to die.

We conclude that while it is important to be ready to be beaten for the cause of Christ, it’s not necessary if you can lawfully avoid it without denying your faith in Christ. He did not violate Matt 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Paul was ready to die.

Later, during this same arrest event, a plot was discovered to assassinate Paul. “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul” (Acts 23:12-16). Paul was ready to die.

Upon learning of the plot Paul did this, “Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him” (Acts 23:17). The plot was told to the chief captain, “But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee” (22:21). The chief captain then sent Paul that night along with two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred (v23). Paul was ready to die, but it wasn’t necessary, and he did not deny the Lord in the process.

We conclude that a Christian ought to be ready to be jailed, beaten, and even die for the cause of Christ (Acts 5:4-41). However, if there is a lawful means of protecting your life without denying the Lord that bought you, then do it. We could cite other such examples from Paul’s missionary journeys (Acts 9:25; 2Cor 11:33; Acts 16:35-40), in all Paul was ready to die.

If the means necessary to avoid persecution is to deny the Lord, then we’ve violated the command, denied the faith, and are in jeopardy for our soul. “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 10:33).

Paul was ready to die, arrest, beatings, and eventually did die. All for the cause of Christ (2Cor 11:23-33; Phil 1:20-22; 2Tim 4:6-7).

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev 2:10).

Spencer

MOURNING is better

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MOURNING is better?

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4)

Why is MOURNING better?

Death is a MOTIVATOR. Loss can move someone to consider their own lives for change, Repentance. Sickness, Sadness, Pain can all do the same thing. (2Sam 12:23; Mark 9:24; John 3:16)

God is an OBJECTIVE judge and is perfectly Just. ( 2Cor 5:10; Re 15:3 Just & True). “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” (Psalm 145:17). As we consider our own lives, we need to look to the ONE that holds life in His hand.

Death is UNAVOIDABLE (Jas 4:14; Ecc 3:2; Heb 9:27; Rom 5:14 death reigned from Adam). We have somehow forgotten that death is certain. It is appointed for man to die and then the judgment.

As we ponder our own mortality, looking to God for guidance, we need to REMEMBER that God has provided a means of RESURRECTION through His Son, Christ Jesus. IN CHRIST we have hope. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him” (1Thess 4:14; John 11:25-27).

As we think about our loved ones who have died, we will NOT get over it, nor should we. Their death should be a constant reminder of our mortality and our need for God. Becoming a Christian offers the only consolation for death. Jesus used His power of the resurrection as comfort (John 11:25-27). When David’s child died he said, “I shall go to him,” (2Sam 12:23).

Mourning eventually turns in to remembering. IT IS OKAY to talk about our deceased loved ones. Here’s a question for you; what does you deceased loved one want for you on your birthday, anniversary, holidays? What do they want for your salvation?

Consider the motivation of the rich man for his family after his death. We have insight from Jesus about the motivation of those who have gone on before us.

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment” (Luke 16:19-31).

As we mourn, let us resolve to NEVER GIVE UP. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Getting Old is a privilege for in it we have been given opportunity to turn to God.

Lastly, mourning can lead us to GO & PREACH to the dying that Jesus saves from death. Life is short, so short that it’s called a vapor that is here and then gone (James 4:14). Because life, even a long life, is so short when compared with eternity, that we need to warn and encourage others to action today.

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2Cor 6:2; cf Heb 3:7-15).

Spencer

How do you turn away from sin and become a child of God? You must obey the Gospel. (click here)