Not Forsaking the Assembly

In Hebrews 10:25, the writer warns us not to forsake our own assembling together as the custom of some is. The the writer continues to tell us why being in the assembly is vital: exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day drawing nigh. Dear brother, do you know so much that you do not need the exhortation and encouragement of your brethren? Then you absolutely NEED to be in the assembly, because I desperately need for you to be there to exhort and encourage me!

In Colossians 3:5, Paul gives warning of at least five things for which cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. He says that covetousness is idolatry. Idolatry is soundly condemned in the New Testament (I Corinthians 10:14; Galatians 5:20; Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 10:7). These references make it quite clear that anyone practicing idol worship will not enjoy the benefits of Heaven.

Okay, so what does idolatry have to do with the assembly of the saints, or, as we usually call it, the church service? Just this…Anything you put before your service to God is, to you, an idol. If watching football on Sunday night is more important than the assembly, then football is your idol. I love to watch football…but I love God more. If you feel justified in not attending on Wednesday night because you are tired, then your own self is your idol. If you fail to attend because you just don’t like the teacher or you don’t get anything out of the way he teaches, then your feelings are your idol. It is always possible to get something out of the teaching of God’s Word, even if all you do is sit there and think about what is being said and how it could be improved upon. Dear friend, don’t let petty idolatry keep you out of Heaven!

Another reason for being in every assembly…every time the doors open, as we used to say…is that that is where God expects you to be. We have no idea when our Lord Jesus Christ will return. We only know that each minute brings the time closer. Think about this: If God comes at 6:15 PM on Sunday night or at 7:23 PM on Wednesday night, would you rather be in the assembly of the saints or having to explain to Jesus why you were not there?

When we meet in the assembly, we sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). This is another reason not to miss, even if you think you are a poor singer. Songs are offered as praise to God, but they are also a method of teaching and encouraging each other. I know many men (and women) who are well versed in the Bible, but I know not one single person who does not need to be encouraged and taught more!

Finally, I encourage you to look carefully at Matthew 10:32-33. Again, you ask, what does this have to do with not attending the assembly? If someone in a position of power whom you admire were to invite you to a party, would you go? Of course, you would! Well, Jesus has invited you to attend the services of His church, and has promised that He will be there (Matthew 18:20). Are you ashamed to be seen with the Lord? When you neglect the assembly of the saints, you are telling the world that you do not care to be seen with those who love Jesus, that you have more important things to do than to gather with those who are worshiping the Lord. That is the same as saying you are ashamed of Jesus. To be a true follower of Jesus, you must be proud that you are a Christian, and that you have the opportunity to meet with other Christians to worship, fellowship, and exhort each other.

So, in closing, I say to you: Do not forsake any assembly of the church. Jesus is there and He expects you to be there, also. Do not let Satan persuade you to put anything before your love of the Lord. It is far better to miss whatever you have been doing instead of attending Sunday night and Wednesday night that to have only that to keep you company if it causes you to miss Heaven.

What say ye?

Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Authority of Scripture, Christian life, Salvation, Security, Spiritual Warfare, Worship | No Comments »

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Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh”

I have heard some really strange ideas on this topic…ranging from uncontrollable temper through fleshly desires and on to profound mental depression…any of which would be more than I would welcome. However, the inspired Scriptures do not exactly pinpoint what was Paul’s thorn in the flesh. So, I decided to examine the context and some other verses to see if I could draw an “educated guess.” I don’t claim that this is the final word on the subject; I may change my mind at a later date. But, examining the context, I think this is as good an answer as any, and I think it is right.

And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. Concerning this thing, I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ (II Corinthians 12:7-9)

In the context, Paul had received a vision, or something like one, regarding Heaven. Being human, it was possible that Paul could begin to think too highly of himself for receiving this honor. To prevent Paul from this sin of pride and self-importance, he was given the “thorn in the flesh,” a “messenger of Satan to buffet” him and to remind him that he was just, after all, a mere man. A blessed and useful man, to be sure, but still a man. The thorn, in Greek, skolops from skalopizoo, means to impale or to crucify, and it was driven into his flesh by an agent of Satan. It must have been exceedingly painful, because Paul prayed three times that it be removed from him. The Lord knew that Paul would, in the end, receive a greater blessing with the thorn than without it, so He did not answer Paul’s prayer as Paul wanted. Instead, the Lord told Paul the truth Paul needed: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s consciousness of weakness served only to provide occasion for the strength of the Lord to be exercised in him, and, therefore, Paul’s real strength was made possible because of his own inherent weakness.

While we cannot know the exact nature of Paul’s problem, a careful study of the Scriptures can lead us to a most probable solution:

  • Paul had a serious and acute physical infirmity. (Galatians 4:13; II Corinthians 10:10; II Corinthians 11:23; II Corinthians 12:10)
  • The Galatians did not find Paul physically objectionable, which implies that some may have. (Galatians 4:14)
  • The Galatians would have “plucked out” their own eyes, and given them to Paul.
  • Paul had seen the great bright light and been at least temporarily blinded on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:1-9)
  • Paul wrote with “large letters.” (Galatians 6:11)
  • He sometimes failed to recognize people. (Acts 23:1-5)
  • When his sight was restored, after the incident on the road to Damascus, something “as if it were scales” fell from his eyes. (Acts 9:18)

It would seem, to me at least, that, judging from these verses above, the most likely “thorn in the flesh” that Paul was given was, indeed, some form of ophthalmia, some affliction of the eyes. The next question is WHY did Paul receive this affliction? We do not know that either, but we can surmise that it was to remind Paul of who he was, where he had come from and where he wanted to be headed.

So what does this tell us today? Romans 15:4 assures us that every sentence in the Bible is there for our learning. This study of Paul teaches me that, if I am striving to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, I may be afflicted with earthly problems and afflictions, but, if I trust in God and remain obedient, He can use my problems to further the Kingdom as well as to help me achieve my presence in Heaven in the hereafter.

Posted on August 26th, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Grace, Word study, satan | 2 Comments »

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Search the Scriptures

We all know we should spend more time in God’s Word. But why? Do we ever think about how we should study the Bible? I have a few thoughts on the subject that I would like to share with you.

  • We should search them reverently. Psalm 19:8-11 teaches us that the Scriptures are just simply right, and we need to know more about them in order to be right with God.
  • We should search them intently. Proverbs 2:2 teaches us that we not only need to study, but to apply what we have read.
  • We should search them diligently. Psalm 1:2 tells us to delight in the law of the Lord. We cannot delight in that which we have not intently searched and made our own.
  • We should search them systematically. II Timothy 2:15 teaches us that, if we wish to be master workmen for God, we must know the Word. The best way to know the Word is to study it .
  • We should search them prayerfully. Psalm 119:18 teaches us that, with prayer, we can know the glories of God’s Word.
  • We should search them understandingly. In Acts 8:30-31, Luke tells us that we can understand the Scriptures, because that is what Philip asked the eunuch. The eunuch’s response indicates that we may need help at times, but the Scriptures can be understood.
  • We should search them believingly. John teaches us in John 20:31 that what he had written was written that we might believe in Jesus and the only begotten Son of God. All of the Bible is written for us to believe.
  • We should search them retentively. Psalm 119:11 teaches us that the Word of God must be so familiar to us that it is as if we had hidden it in our hearts. That is to keep it ever with us and to strengthen us from sinning.
  • We should search them daily. Acts 17:11 teaches us that daily Bible study is a necessity to make us noble in God’s sight.
  • We should search them to be saved. Acts 20:32 teaches us that the Word of God can save us…but only if it is our hearts and our actions.

I encourage each of you to open your Bible today, search the Scriptures, and begin to hide the Word of God in your heart, talking it out when needed, and applying it daily to your life. That is the way to please God…and that is the answer to getting to Heaven, isn’t it?

What say ye?

Posted on August 19th, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Bible study, Prayer | 2 Comments »

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Christian Calendar

Do you ever wonder what to do with each day the Lord has given to you?  Do you ever need a few hints on how to conduct a Christin day-to-day life?  This post article is not full of Scripture, but it is full of ideas to help us all be closer to Jesus.

Monday Wash Day  
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday  Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday The Lord’s Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Whay say ye?

Posted on August 12th, 2010 by doc
Filed under: "In" not "of", Prayer | No Comments »

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Friends

We are told that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived.  I suppose that goes forward in time as well as backward.  Therefore, we ought to be able to gain something from Solomon’s writings.  Let us look at what he says about friends:

He that maketh many firends doethit to his own destruction, but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

Agan, in Proverbs 27:9, weread:

Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend that cometh from a hearty counsel.

We all have friends, or we should.  A friend is someone we can confide in, knowing they will never betray our trust.  We can talk to a friend when we are happy, and we can talk to a friend when we are sad, confused, lonely, or in trouble.  A true friend is always there to listen, isn’t he?

But have you considered our best Friend?  Who could that be?  On this earth, if you are married, it should be your spouse.  But there is still a greater friend.  You know who I mean.  Jesus, of course.

In John 15:14-15, Jesus, Himself, tells us:  Ye are my friends if ye do the things which I command you.  No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known unto you.  I don’t know your heart, but to me, that is pretty powerful.  Let’s think about it.

Jesus is the Son of God.  Jesus is part of the godhead.  Jesus is deity…that is, He is also God.  And he counts me as a friend!  Wow!  That is hard for me to take in.  I am a friend of God!  But Jesus added something else, didn’t He?  He also said, “If you do the things I command you.”  Therefore, in order to be a friend of Jesus, to enjoy that blessed state, I must be odenient.  Okay, how do I know how to be obedient to my Friend?

Well, Jesus told us that, too.  He said we are friends because  He has told us everything He heard from God the Father.  This tells me that Jesus related to us, through the Apostles, “everything that pertains to life and godliness.” (II Peter 1:3)  Now, we know that ‘faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”   (Romans 10:17)   We are told many times that we are to live by the faith we have learned (Romans 1:17; II Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38), and that faith we gained from the Bible, the Word of God.

It all boils down to this…Jesus is the best friend we can possibly have, because He is the only Friend that will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), that will never disappoint us, and that will always have the only advice that we need to get to Heaven.  The only thing we have to do to have this friendship with Jesus is to be obedient to His Word.  I hope you will start TODAY, and read your Bible DAILY, that you may know what Jesus wants you to do so that He will be your best friend.

Whay say ye?

Posted on August 5th, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Authority of Scripture, Friendship, Jesus | No Comments »

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Escaping Temptation

We have all known people who thought that they were great.  That is, they thought they were really nice people and that they were saved.  They thought they were obedient to God.  They thought they would be in Heaven.   They thought…well, what does it matter what they thought?  In reality, it matters not at all.  What really matters is what GOD thinks.  God has warned us about thinking, on our own, that we are right in His sight, for He has said, in I Corinthians 10:12:  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

In the context of I Corinthians 10:12 and the verses surrounding it, the Bible is referring to falling specifically because of temptation, because the warning goes on to mention that there is a way of escape for every temptation.  That makes sense.  If you are tempted to drink, don’t go into bars.  If you are tempted to shop-lift, keep your empty hands in your pockets.  If you are tempted to lie, think about Jesus, who never told a  lie.  I could go on and on, but you get the point.  Whatever tempts us, God can help us overcome and thus avoid sin.

However, there is another kind of sin that we need help to avoid or overcome, and God has given us the perfect escape for that, too.  What sin is that, you ask?  Simple.  That is the sin of taking a preacher’s word for what the Biblesays, and then following that preacher instead of the Bible.  You think this does not happen?  Look around you at the various demoninations, and then compare them to the Bible. 

God has warned us: …whatsoever is not of faith is sin  Romans 14:23).  And how do we get faith?  God has said, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).”  Note that faith is not dependent upon the word of any human, including me, but rather upon the Word of God.  Any human can make a mistake; whether it is intended or not is not the question.  Any human can be sincerely mistaken, and so teach others.  Our salvation depends upon the Word of God, not the words of any other human.

The title of this article may have thrown you off.  The greatest temptation of man is to take the easiest way out.  To listen to the preacher, because he has had many classes in Bible and knows what the Bible says.  Right?  Maybe.  Or maybe not.  Some preachers have been known to say, “Yeah, well, I know the Bible says that, but this is now, and that does not apply.”  That is why some churches have mechanical  music, others have homosexual preachers, and others have female preachers.  That is why some churches have hierarchies that are not delineated in the Bible.  That is why some churches do not follow directions expressly commanded or exemplified in the New Testament.  The temptation is always to follow what someone else has told us rather than taking the time and trouble to investigate for ourselves.  That, dear reader, is the way of escape.  If you truly love the Lord and truly want to please Him more than self, the way to escape the world and its false teachings is to open your Bible, read the New Testament, and, with a seeking mind and sincere heart, see what God has told you to do.  If your denomination does not coincide with the New Testament teaching, you have a choice of escape:  either change your denomination, or seek a church that YOU ARE  SURE is following the New Testament because YOU have  compared God’s Word with what that church is doing, and YOU KNOW that that church is following God.

What say ye?

Posted on July 29th, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Authority of Scripture, Church, Obedience, Security | No Comments »

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Railing

But Michael, the Archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke thee.”  But these rail at whatsoever things they know not; and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.  (Jude 9,10)

These two verses are very powewrful, but we seldom examine them.  First of all, how powerful is the Archangel?    Angels are for another study, but suffice it to say that we can know that,  having been created before man, angels are more powerful than man, and are constantly in the presence of God.    Although most believe that Gabriel is also an Archangel, that name is specifically applied only to Michael.  As the Archangel, or the chief angel, Michael is a very powerful being, perhaps second only to the Godhead, although he is certainly in subjection to the Godhead.  Webster defines “rail” as “to complain violently.”  Since Satan is the leader of the fallen angels, he is now lower than man.  So, if the most powerful created being did not dare to “complain violently” against the lowest of created beings, how dare we, as men, dare to complain violently against one another?

Jude goes on to say that evil men have no such compunction; they rail out at whatsoever they please, and think nothing about it.  But God does think about this type of action, and He has warned us, through Jude, that “railing” will destroy us.

I urge you to think about this.  I doubt there is any among us who has not, at some point in his life, had the urge to  yell at someone else.  I know I have had the urge, and have, to my shame, carried through on the urge and yelled at another.  It makes no difference who was at fault and who is in the right.  Certainly, we can be sure that Michael was right and Satan was wrong…but Michael did not dare to rail at Satan.  My good friends, take care how you react to another, whatever the provocation.  God will not hold him blameless who deliberately sins and fails to control his temper.  We are warned repeatedly to be blameless before God.  (I Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 2:15)  God has promised to avenge all our hurts and insults.  (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30) 

The vengeance of God is far more powerful than anything we can imagine.  Refraining from railing does two things: it keeps us from sinning, and it allows for the vengeance of God.  If we seek our own vengeance, then  God’s vengeance is toward us and not toward those who have wronged us.  Therefore, we need strive daily to  refrain from railing, whether mentally or verbally.  Friends, we need to learn to control the tongue (James 3:5-8).

What say ye?

Posted on July 22nd, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Christian life, Word study | No Comments »

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Christian Vigilance

What does it mean to be vigilant?  Does the Bible have any advice on vigilance?  This is a subject we ought to look carefully upon, and meditate upon, because it will play a part in where we spend eternity.  The American Standard version gives I Corinthians 16:13 as follows:

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong.

That is what it means to be vigilant.  But what must we watch?

  • Christians must watch their thoughts (Matthew 15:19-20).  If our deeds proceed from our thoughts, then our thoughts must be guarded so that they are pure and reflect the Word of God.
  • Christians must watch their words (Matthew 12:37).  If we are to be either justified or condemned by our words, we cannot fail to be ever watchfulhthey are pure and wholesome.
  • Christians must watch their conduct.  Surely, if our thoughts and words can condemn us, then what we do is also to be brought before us in Judgment.

Well, then, why should we be watchful?

  • The Christian must be watchful because Satan is subtle (II Corinthians 11:2).  We have been espoused to God and purified.  Satan will probably not present us with blatant sin, but rather lead us gently and slowly into sin if we do not keep vigilance always.
  • Christians should keep watch because our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).  A previous article explained that we cannot rely on our conscience because it will only tell us we are wrong if we violate what we have taught the conscience.  It is not an infallible guide.  We must constantly spend time in God’s Word, and let that direct our lives.

Above all, a Christian must stand fast in the faith, but how?

  • By the Word of God, which is the standard of faith (Colossians 3:16).  If the Word dwells in us, we can find the strength to defeat temptation.
  • By standing with Christ, the foundation of faith (I Corinthians 3:11).  There is nothing else upon which to base our faith than the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
  • By the works of faith (Romans 16:26) which we do, not to be saved, but because we have been saved and desire to please Him Who has saved us.

Yes, we need to be constanty vigilant because we are, as Christians, constantly under attack by Satan, the world, and our own inward desires.  Only by constant vigilance can we recognize temptation and avoid it.

What say ye?


Posted on July 15th, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Christian life, Obedience, Security, Spiritual Warfare | No Comments »

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Moments in Life

Occasionally, it does no harm to have a “visiting author.” This was sent to me by a friend, Henry Davenport, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

There are times in this life when one of these 9 statements applies to each of us. So let them now be reminders that minister to us…

“Moments in Life”

  1. There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! So cherish them while they are with you.
  2. When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one, which has been opened for us.
  3. Don’t go for looks; they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
  4. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. Just be sure that what you envision is in keeping with God’s will.
  5. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
  6. The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
  7. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
  8. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. So live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
  9. Don’t count the years — count the memories………Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!
    Amen.

In HIS Service,
Henry Davenport , President
CMA-HEAVEN’S THUNDER 955
 In GOD We Trust

What say ye?

Posted on July 8th, 2010 by doc
Filed under: "In" not "of" | No Comments »

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Are You Lonesome?

You know, it really is surprising when and where you can get inspiration for a blog article. I was thinking of an old Elvis Presley song the other day, and a devotional by my friend, Henry, brought to mind just the thing I wanted to say to you this week. The lyrics of the Elvis song are:

Are you lonesome tonight?
Do you miss me tonight?
Are you sorry we drifted apart?
…
Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?
Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?

I know this was really a human love song, but when I thought about it in conjunction with the devotional Henry had sent me, it really made me stop and think. Henry used a passage from Hebrews for his devotional:

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Now put those two together. Our God has promised that He will always be with us. Not just collectively, as in the church, but us individually, as in you individually and me individually. Think about that. God has promised…and God cannot lie (Titus 1:2)…that He will always be with us and will never desert us or leave us alone. God has said, “The just shall live by faith.” (Hebrews 10:38) And we know that “without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Putting these together, I find a most wonderful promise. I cannot be lonely, for God has promised to be with me!

But what if I do feel lonely? That is a problem of mine. God has promised me that He will never leave me and He has promised me a peace that surpasses all my ability to understand (Philippians 4:7). One part of the fruit of the Spirit is peace (Galatians 5:22). I cannot have true peace if I feel that I am alone in this world, can I? So, back to the song. If I feel alone, it is because I have drifted away from God. He has not left me. He promised not to do that. But, because He loves me and has given me free-will, I can choose to drift away from Him.

All of us have seen the picture of Jesus standing at the door, knocking. This reminds us of Revelation 3:20. Jesus is always waiting for us to “open up” and allow Him to enter our hearts.

When my heart is lonesome, and filled with pain, that is when I need Christ, my Savior, the most. That is when I need to remember that I have drifted away. I need to remember that I am never really alone unless I so choose. Jesus will be my constant companion, and yours, also, if we will just open up our hearts and allow Him to come in.

Can a Christian be lonesome? Sure, if he has forgotten the promises of his God. However, when we begin to feel lonesome, and we all do, we need to remember that it is our fault. Think of Paul in his troubles. Few of us really have the problems Paul had. But Paul remembered. He kept Jesus in his heart, and so Paul, regardless of his travails, was never really alone. You, too, can have that peace, that comfort. Just remember that. Just remember that, whenever you begin to feel lonesome, Jesus is waiting on the doorstep, and all you have to do is open the door of your heart and let Him in. That is a promise to all Christians.

What say ye?

Posted on July 1st, 2010 by doc
Filed under: Faith, Love, Peace | No Comments »

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