Be Diligent…

Recently, I heard again that old excuse, “Well, the Bible is dead!  Why should I follow it?”  Some people just want any excuse not to believe the Bible, and they will follow any lie that helps them in their disbelief.  But is the Bible a dead letter?  Let’s examine the evidence.

Let the Bible defend Itself.  We read, in I Peter 1:24-25, All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flower of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.  Thayer, the Greek scholar, writes that forever here means:  a) to continue to be;  b) not to perish;  c) to last, endure.  The Bible also says that:  All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (II Timothy 3:16)  A careful examination of the New Testament unquestionably shows that It does give instruction for life, which, if followed by all men, would undoubtedly give us a far better world than we now have.

The first part of the Old Testament was written some 3,500 years ago.  It relates and deals with the history of the Jewish nation, and God’s dealing with them.  In the past, there have been many doubters who said that certain parts of the Bible were not true.  Further archaeological discoveries have proven that the Bible has been accurate in every detail that it gives.  So far, no one has proven even the smallest detail to be inaccurate.  The details given on geography in the Old and New Testaments have proven to be exactly accurate.  Think about this:  God worked through 40 different men, who lived on three different continents, from many different walks of life for over a period of sixteen hundred years to write the Bible.  In spite of all those who do not believe, there is not one contradiction, and the vast number of prophecies, except those which speak of the Second Coming, have been fulfilled exactly as God said they would.  If anyone says that the Bible is fiction or just a fairy tale, turn the tables on them.  As them to prove their statement by showing the errors.  They cannot do it, because there are no errors in the Bible.

If you believe that God exists, you must also believe that Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those that put their trust in Him. (Proverbs 30:5)  If God is true, and He is, then we know that He cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18); therefore, we must also believe that …the Word of God is living and active.  (Hebrews 4:12)

Yes, the Word of God is a living entity.  It is viable today.  It is exactly what we need to guide us in the way we shuld live to obtain Heaven in eternity.  Therefore, we are bold to say,  Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, O Lord.  (Psalm 119:105)  I depend on the living Word of God.  I hope you do, too.

What say ye?

Posted on February 2nd, 2012 by doc
Filed under: Authority of Scripture, Faith, Living Word | No Comments »

Related posts:

1. The Bible: Dead or Alive?
2. Do You Love the Bible?

A  man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)

How many times have you let the actions or words of another cause you to lose your temper?  I saw this lately, and it was NOT a pretty sight.  Remember, no one can cause you to lose your temper unless you give them permission to do so.  God has put you in control of your tongue and your temper; it is up to you and you alone to control both.

Before you lose your temper, try to remember what Solomon said:  An angry man stirs up dissention, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.  (Proverbs 29:22)  When we are angry, let’s face it, we often say and do things we later regret.  However, words once spoken can never be regained.  That is, when you are angry and rail out, what you say is there as long as anyone who hears it lives.  It can never be recalled.  Yes, I can repent.  Yes, you may forgive me…indeed, if I come to you and ask your forgiveness, you have no choice but to forgive me.  However, the echo of my words will be in your ears forever, because, unlike God, you can forgive me, but you cannot unfailingly forget what I said or did, nor will others who heard.  It just lingers on, doesn’t it?  However, Jesus, Himself, taught us that we have no choice but to forgive if we want to be forgiven for our own sins.  (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26)  In fact, if someone has sinned against you, and you have not forgiven them, or if you have sinned against someone and not asked them for forgiveness…in either case, your worship is in vain until you have met with that brother or sister and both have forgiven the other.  (Matthew 5:23-24; Mark 11:25-26)  Folks, this is a serious matter; it concerns your eternal destiny!

For as churning the milk produces butter, and as the twisting of the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.  (Proverbs 30:33)  When you allow someone to produce anger in you, and you reveal it in public, it is unerringly true that some will side with you and some will side with the other fellow.    This is a true recipe for strife.  When this happens in the Lord’s church, it is especially troublesome for it can cause division, and no member of the Lord’s body should ever wish to be responsible for that.   Just as the proverb is true, so is it true that anger and railing only causes more strife.  It is evitable.  That is why God has directed the Holy Spirit to warn us against public displays of anger and strife, isn’t it?

James, the half-brother of Jesus, also warns us when he wrote My dear brothers, take note of this;  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  (James 1:19-20) You can Be angry and sin not…(Ephesians 4:26). Never rail out at anyone in a moment of anger.  Sleep on it.  If you still feel the same way the next morning, go to that person in private, and work it out.  The sin may not be in the anger itself, but rather in what you let it do to your self-control.

Therefore, the next time someone treats you wrong or says something you do not like, do not rail out in an attempt to justify your thoughts.  Do not lose your temper, nor try to “get even” with them.  For we know Him Who said, “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay.” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”  (Hebrews 10:30)  Do not try to avenge any wrong; it is not your place.  Take it to the Lord, for He will always judge righteously, and many times, He knows things you do not know.

Finally, try to keep your words as they should be.  I used to have a shirt that had printed on it:” Lord, please keep my words sweet as honey, for tomorrow, I may have to eat them.”  Above all else, remember that God, Himself, has directed us to Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.  Amen.

What say ye?

Posted on January 26th, 2012 by doc
Filed under: Anger, Christian Example, Obedience, Patience | No Comments »

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What, exactly, is a refuge?  It is a place you go when life becomes too hard to bear, when you are in fear of your life, or when you simply feel that you need the protection of a safe place where troubles cannot reach you.  It is a place where you feel safe and secure.  It is a place where you can safely rest without fear that harm will find you.  On this earth, there is no place of absolute refuge.  Wherever we can go here, if we can get in, so can someone else.  Yet, there is a place of quiet rest and refuge.

Nahum, a prophet of the Old Testament, wrote, in Nahum 1:7,   The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.  All of us have had troubles; none of us will escape this life with NO troubles.  Even King David, the man after God’s own heart, had troubles.  But David wrote, Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with Your right hand, You save me.  (Psalm 138:7)

I am not King David, nor are you.  But God has promised God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble.  (Psalm 46:1)  Therefore, like in times of old, we, too, can say Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  (Deuteronomy 31:6)  Yes, God promised long ago to give us His protection if we are faithful to Him.

Ah, but I hear you say, “That was the Old Testament.  What about the New Testament?”  Good question, and I have the answer.  First of all,  Hebrews 6:18 tells us, That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.  Did  you catch that?  It is impossible for God to lie!  Whatever He has promised will stand until the end, and we can count on Him as a refuge, for He has promised that.  Furthermore, we can read, in Hebrews 13:5-6,  …I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.  Thayer defines forsake as, “leave helpless, totally abandon, utterly forsake.  These are the things God has sworn He will NOT do.  Therefore, I can rest assured that God is always with me, and will always protect my soul unless I turn away from Him.  My soul can safely take refuge in God, for He is eternal, and will preserve my soul in Himself as long as I am faithful to Him.  That is a great consolation, isn’t it?

Therefore:  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts  us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  Amen.  (II Corinthians 1:3-4) (Did you catch that?  As we are comforted, we have an obligation to pass it on.  Do you comfort others?)

What say ye?

Posted on January 19th, 2012 by doc
Filed under: Bible study, Christian life, Security, Word study | Comments Off

Related posts:

1. God Is Our Refuge

“Well, it was just a little lie, and it made him feel better.  What’s the harm?”  Yeah, I’ve heard that one before.  When I read Romans 1:28-32, I find a list of sins that the Bible says those who practice them are “worthy of death.”  This passage does not specify lying, but if you read the list, you will see some things that we, as humans, do not consider all that bad.  I mean, things life envy, deceit (which is lying), whisperers, haughty…Well, God says these are worthy of death!

As in all things, we need to investigate what the Bible says.  Let’s look at I Timothy 1:9-10.  Do you see “liars” listed among such others as murderers, fornicators, and homosexuals?  That is not a good company to be in, but liars are there.  In Revelation 21:8, we find liars in the lake of fire, along with murderers, fornicators and idolators.  Again, not company we would like to be found in, would we?

Paul wrote to the Colossians, Lie not to one another seeing you have put off the old man with his doings…

Back in the late 1950′s, the movie about Davy Crockett came out.  Fess Parker played the part of Davy Crockett.  He had a saying that has stuck with me all these years:
A man is as good as his word.
As good as his word is he.
And if he’s as good as his word,
He’s good enough for me.
This is a type of lying we often neglect.  God gives us specific instructions about our word.  For example, in Matthew 5:34-36, we are taught that swearing our word is true is a sin.  It should be enough to merely say what we want to say.  It should not be necessary to “swear” that we are not lying.  Check out the next verse, Matthew 5:37…But let your speech be Yea, yea, and Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.  Do you see that?  If it is necessary for us to add something to swear by when we make a statement, then we are not acting as Christians, but are moved by Satan!  James teaches us in James 5:12…But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgement.  Again, we must be tellers of only the truth, so that people know we speak the truth and do not need false vows or oaths to reinforce what we say. 

Finally, as Christians, we all must strive to be more like Jesus Christ and His Father, God.  We are taught in Titus 1:2 that God cannot lie.  If we are to be more like God, then any lie of any type (white or black) cannot no longer be a part of our life.  We MUST guard what we say so that every word out of our mouths is pure, kind, and most of all, true.

What say ye?

Posted on January 12th, 2012 by doc
Filed under: "In" not "of", Christian Example | Comments Off

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In the past, we have discussed the three ways God tells us to do something…direct command, necessary inference, and approved example.  If you read I Peter 3:15, you will find it to be a direct command:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: being ready always to give an answer to any man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear…

We all understand that we are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts.  We are to take God’s Word and make it a part of us, so that it changes our lives from that of active sin to that of trying to become more like Christ.  But do we obey the rest of the verse?

Are you ready, right this very minute, to give an answer should someone ask you why you believe you are saved?  Or what they need to do to be saved?

It is obvious that not everyone can be a preacher.  Not everyone can teach a Bible class.  Not everyone can go on a mission trip.  However, this verse is a direct command to everyone that God expects us to be able to tell others the Good News…why we believe we are saved and how they can, also, be saved.  This was not a gentle suggestion.  Make no mistake:  God expects His children to be able to tell others about Him.

There is no excuse.  God never requires us to do what we cannot do.  For example, in II Corinthians 8:12, we read: For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.  This verse is specifically concerned with giving, and Paul is telling the Corinthians that they are not to worry about what they do not have, but to be concerned with what they do have.  God does not expect one to give $1000.00 if all he has is $10.00.  But God does expect us to give what we have to give.  While this is specifically directed toward giving of one means (or money), the lesson also applies to giving of one’s time and one’s self.  It also applies in the spread of the Gospel.  If you cannot preach, teach a class, or go on a mission trip, fine.  But everyone of us can tell a friend or a relative about God.

While it would be a great thing if you memorized what you need to tell others, it is not really an absolute necessity.  Remember in school that some kids had a “cheat sheet” to remind them of the subject?  Well, I am going to give you a Bible “cheat sheet” that you can copy, cut out and keep in your billfold or purse, so that you will always have with you the means to answer anyone who asks you how to become a Christian:

Now, it is obvious to all that these verses are not a complete summary of the Bible, nor do they convey ALL that one must do to please God.  However, they do provide the basics of becoming a Christian.  They provide enough that anyone can tell them to the friend or neighbor or relative who asks about becoming a Christian.  The rest can be studied after these steps are accomplished.  I urge you to copy these if you are hesitant or not sure of your memory.  They might help you go to Heaven with a friend alongside.

What say ye?

Posted on January 5th, 2012 by doc
Filed under: Bible study, Christian life, Confidence, Evangelism, Prepardness | 2 Comments »

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I know we are to love God (Deuteronomy 6:5),  our neighbors (Leviticus 19:18), and one another ( I John 3:11); but the Bible?

The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:97-99, “O, how I love your Law.”  Why?  It was what he meditated on day and night.  It taught him what God wanted him to know.   It made him wiser.  Don’t you want to be wiser?  I do.

Don’t you hate to be lied to?  I do.  Jesus said that God’s Word is truth.  (John 17:17)  People can tell us all kinds of strange things the Bible teaches, but if it is not exactly what the Bible teaches, then it is error.

The Holy Spirit considers people who search God’s Word for truth to be “noble.”  (Acts 17:11)  Wouldn’t you like to be complimented by God?

Also, don’t we love to hear from members of our family?  Then surely we would want to hear from our Heavenly Father, and learn His message for us.

Then, there is one of the most frightening Scriptures about the Bible, the truth of God.  (II Thessalonians 2:10-12)  This Scripture states that if we don’t love the truth— the Bible, God’s Word—God will make sure that something comes along that teaches error  so that we can do what we have pleasure doing.

Did you ever wonder why so many sects and cults exist?  And why some are very successful (i.e., Mormons, Scientology)?  God will allow you to follow anything if you don’t believe and follow His Word.

Think about this.  To love God’s Word is to examine it carefully and to believe what It says above what any man says.  God’s Word—the Bible—is God’s way of telling us what we must know and do in order to please Him, and we must please God if we want to live with Him in Heaven.  In that case, why would we not love the Bible?

Posted on December 29th, 2011 by trp
Filed under: Authority of Scripture, Bible study | Comments Off

Related posts:

1. The Bible: Dead or Alive?
2. Can We Understand the Bible?
3. Is the Bible Alive?

Well, Christmas is coming this next Sunday, and then it is only one week to the New Year.  Of course, first we have to have New Year’s Eve and its requisite parties.  We need to be reminded what God has said concerning the beverages we imbibe on New Year’s Eve.

Proverbs 20:1   Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever  erreth thereby is not wise.  Wine has become a popular drink in America.  Very few parties occur where it is not present.  Yet the wine spoken f here, and elsewhere in the Bible, is not the wine of today.  This wine was not fortified as is our wine today.  That is, is had a much lower alcohol content, and was not as likely to quickly overtake the drinker.  In fact, the wine of King Solomon’s day was less alcoholic than most beers today.  Nevertheless, men were warned to avoid it.  Solomon continues his warning in Proverbs 23:29-35:  Who hath woe?  Who hath sorrow?  Who hath contentions?  Who hath complaining?  Who hath wounds without cause?  Who hath redness of eyes?  They that tarry long at wine; they that go to seek out mixed wine.  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkleth in the cup, when it goeth down smoothly;  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.  Thine eyes shall behold strange things, and thy heart shall utter perverse things.  Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of the mast.  They have stricken me, thou shalt say, and I was not hurt; they have beaten me, and I felt it not:  When I awaken I will seek it yet again.

That series of comments from over 3000 years ago sounds suspiciously like it was written yesterday, doesn’t it?  But, then, the Word of God is  always true, isn’t it?  It never fails to address whatever It addresses in words that contain lessons fresh for today as when they were written.

But what about the New Testament?  What does the New Testament teach concerning alcoholic beverages?  First of all, read II Thessalonians 2:11 :  And for this cause, God shall sent them a strong delusion that they shall believe a lie.  We see this daily in ads, both in print and on TV.  Ads tell us that alcohol insures fun and a good time, happy parties and the best of life…but the ads never show the aftermath of a broken family or death by a drunken motorist, or even the pain of a hangover.  Besides, if you can’t remember what you did the night before, how do you know you had such a good time?

Look at these verses:

Romans 14:21  It is good not to eat flesh nor to wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth;
Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;
I Peter 4:3  For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winwbibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:

Strong verses!  But a simple lesson they teach:  God’s children will not indulge in drinking alcohol during New Year’s Eve parties.  God’s children will be satisfied with water, tea, or soda pop.  They will awaken Sunday morning with a clear mind and a willing heart to go to church and to worship the God Who has given them a wonderful life in the old year and promises good things in the new to all who obey Him.

What say ye?

Posted on December 22nd, 2011 by doc
Filed under: "In" not "of", Christian Example, Drunkenness, Strong drink | 4 Comments »

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Yes, it is that time of year again. Advertizing firms tells us that it is the time of year to be “jolly,” and to think of ways to spend money on gifts for family and others. Many people will think of Christ only at this time of year. And, finally, there are those who oppose Christmas because they know that December 25 is not the date of the birth of Christ. Well, as usual, I have something to say.

First of all, the last group is correct. December 25 is a day agreed upon by some who professed to be religious, but were not actually centered on the Bible, but rather on their traditions. They thought that their traditions were just as important as the Bible, or maybe more so. If they said that December 25 was the birthday of Jesus, then that just had to be right. Well, I cannot agree with that. The keeping of things religious based wholly on tradition is condemned in the New Testament. (Matthew15:3, Mark 7:8, Mark 7:13, Colossians 2:8) In fact, Jesus said that holding or keeping tradition above the Scriptures constituted “vain worship.” (Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7) Therefore, those who celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Christ are not Following New Testament teaching, but the tradition of some man long dead.

I hesitate to downplay anything that causes people to think of God. However, thinking of God for the wrong reason is not really productive. There is nowhere in the Bible that we are commanded to celebrate the birth of Christ: neither by commandment, approved example, or necessary inference. If this season of the year is the only time we encourage others to think of Jesus, that is a sad commentary both on the world and on those of us who should know better. Yes, I want people to think of God, and to know more about Him and Jesus. But if my efforts are only for a certain season of each year, I am just wasting time.

I would certainly be remiss not to mention the ad agencies, also. Of course, they are paid millions of dollars to think up ways to get us to spend money at this time of year, aren’t they? Christians are told to be good stewards, being careful of what we spend, for all belongs to the Lord Who gave it. Personally, I see nothing wrong with giving gifts to others. However, I deplore the amount of money that is wasted at Christmas when we give exorbitant gifts to children that are neither needed nor appreciated. Yes, I gave Christmas gifts to my children, and likewise to my grandchildren, but not above my budget and/or ability to give and pay for.

I guess it all boils down to this: Personally, I have nothing against Santa Claus. I do not think it is wrong for kids to celebrate Christmas as Santa season. I do not think it wrong for them to get up on December 25 and have presents under a tree. However, I do not think it is a good thing to indoctrinate our children that they are celebrating Christ’s birthday. I think we should be teaching them all year to celebrate the life of Christ, and to know what is His plan for their lives.

What say ye?

Posted on December 15th, 2011 by doc
Filed under: "In" not "of" | Comments Off

Related posts:

1. A Christmas Letter

There are many ways to get from here to there…depending on where here is and where there is, right?  For example, if I want to go from Virginia to California, I can go on any Interstate Highway…I 10 to I 90, knowing I have to drop southward from several of these.  Or I can just fly.  No problem.  But if my objective is to get from this life to Heaven, well then, there is only one way.  In spite of what any religious group may teach, my Lord Jesus said that, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).”  No one gets to Heaven unless he is going by way of Jesus.  There are many ways in which Jesus is The Way.  Let us examine a few.

Jesus is the Way to a better life. Did He not tell us that Himself?  In John 10:10, Jesus said that He came to give us a more abundant life.  He promised all we would need was in Him.  (Matthew 6:31-33)  The Apostle Peter said that our life in Jesus contains joy unspeakable.  (I Peter 1:6)

Jesus is the Way to forgiveness of sins. We are saved through His blood (Ephesians 1:7), which He shed on the cross for us (I Peter 2:24).  If not for Jesus we would die in our sins (Luke 24:46-47).  Of course, this is offered to all, but we must be obedient to Jesus to receive this blessing.

Jesus is the Way to God. We have been reconciled to God through Jesus (II Corinthians 5:19).  And, as was stated in the first paragraph, Jesus said that no one reached God except through Him.  ((John 14:6)

Jesus is the Way out of religious confusion. I Corinthians 14:33 assures us that God is not the author of confusion.  In fact, I Timothy 4:1 teaches that any doctrine not expressly found in the New Testament is the doctrine of demons.  Since the doctrines of many religious bodies are not identical to the doctrine taught in the New Testament, they are not the doctrines of God, but of demons.  Therefore, if we obey the doctrines of God, there would be no confusion in the religious world.

Jesus is the Way to Heaven. There is no such thing as reincarnation, for we are taught in Hebrews 9:27 that there is only one time to die, and then the judgment.  If we do not die in Jesus, there is no second chance and we will die and go to Hell.  Revelation 14:13 teaches us that, to go to Heaven, we must die in the Lord, which means that we must belong to Jesus when we die.

There are other senses in which Jesus is the Way.  However, if you will think on these things given above, you will see that the only way to get to Heaven is to use Jesus as your guide, be obedient to Him, and let Him lead you home.

What say ye?

Posted on December 8th, 2011 by doc
Filed under: Christian life, Jesus, Obedience, The Way | Comments Off

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Have you ever been confused?  I have, many times.  Sometimes, it was what to say in a delicate situation.  Sometimes, where to go or how to get there.  In school, I often had tests (multiple choice) where I could not decide which answer was correct.  I was confused.  Why?  Because I had not studied, or read the map, or had never thought about the right thing to  say in the situation before me.

The religious world today is very confusing.  There are literally hundreds of denominations, sects, and groups that claim to be from God and teach that their way is the way to Heaven.  How did this come about?  Because of men’s ideas, desires and preferences.

Jesus didn’t think very highly of men’s ideas in religion.  In fact, He said in Matthew 15:9, ” In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.”

The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 14:33 that “God is not the author of confusion.”  How can we now what is correct?  Just as in school, we go to the textbooks or when traveling, we go to the roadmap (or now, GPS).  Jesus said, in John 17:17, that God’s Word is truth.  Thus, we have a sure guide.  Jesus promised His  Apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13).  Peter said that He had done so in II Peter 1:3.  Here, Peter said that God had given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

This shows us that we do not need men’s ideas, doctrines, new revelations, or anything else.  To eliminate confusion, all we need is God’s Word and honest hearts when we study It.

Posted on December 1st, 2011 by trp
Filed under: Authority of Scripture, New Testament, Obedience | Comments Off

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