Welcome back everyone and we continue with part 2 of our series. This bible study is one many are confused on and I believe it is due to a lack of simple study of The Word of God. So I urge you, as Paul said many times, to study The Word as it is written and not take man's point of view.


"{13} But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The only things that they had that would continue on after the complete thing is faith, hope and love. Love is the greatest because it will never be replaced. When Jesus returns to restore all things hope and faith will be replaced. As Paul says in Rom 8:24 "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?" So it is certain the complete thing is not the 2ND coming. But love will last throughout eternity.

(1 Cor 14) "Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy."
They had been prideful over unimportant things. Paul admonishes them to desire the better gifts. It seems the gift of tongues was pretty common and many of them had this gift, but Paul is about to begin letting them know that tongues did not make them all that special and they had nothing to boast about.
{2} "For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries."
This is not what tongues were for, this is how they were using the gift. In other words, they were speaking in tongues but no one was interpreting and it was a mystery. The only one who knew what was being said was God Himself. This was wrong as will be pointed out later.
{3} "But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. {4} One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. {5} Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying."
All gifts were to edify the Church. They were trying to use the gift of tongues selfishly, for their own glory.
{6} "But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?"
Their gift of tongues was of no profit because no one was understanding, so Paul uses the analogies of vv. 7 & 8.
{7} "Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? {8} For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? {9} So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air."
If no one interprets tongues, no one knows what's being said, which is the same as speaking to the air. Once again, he is not telling them what to do, he is scolding them for what they were already doing.
{10} "There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. {11} If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. {12} So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church."
The word "glossa" means "tongue" or "language." The word that has been translated as tongues throughout this passage is the same word translated as languages in v. 10. Tongues, his point is, were to be translated and for edification. THAT is what they should be seeking for. Not their own pride.
{13} 'Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. {14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful."
They were "showing off" their gift of tongues by using it to pray with. Again, he is not telling them what to do, he is scolding them for what they were already doing. If you would pray in a tongue, you may be using your spiritual gift but you don't know what you're saying, i.e., the spirit prays but the mind is unfruitful.

We will end today's lesson and pick up here next week. God bless until we meet again.

snowme1955@gmail.com

A Short Exegesis of I Corinthians 13:8-14:40

Good day to everyone and I do hope this writing finds each of you doing well. I want to let you all know that I am really under the weather here and ask for your prayers on my behalf. I have not felt up to the challenge of much study or writing so I am once again going to take advantage of some others who have written some great articles that I believe we all need to see and learn so we can help others in return. This one is from my friend J. Scott Sheridan and I have broken it up into four sections due to space. I do not want to give you too much to try to devour in one setting. So read it, and read it again and know what God's Word says. I will have part two next week. I have had requests for this subject anyway, and this is a good place to start. So God bless and enjoy.



A Short Exegesis of I Corinthians 13:8-14:40
By J. Scott Sheridan


"Following is an exegesis of I Corinthians. 13:8-14:40 using the NASB translation. To understand the "tongues" discussion in chapter 14 you must start back in chapter 13, and also understand the situation at Corinth. Paul had been there and had bestowed many with spiritual gifts (by the way, the only way ANYONE obtained spiritual gifts was to have an apostle lay hands upon them, including tongues). The Church at Corinth became very arrogant and puffed up thinking their gifts made them better than other Christians, and it, caused factions (see chap 1) within the Church. Paul wrote this letter to scold them for everything they were doing wrong. Corinth is not the Church we want to look to for orthodoxy. My comments will be in bold.
The one thing the Corinthians were not doing was loving one another.
(1 Corinthians 13:8-13) "Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, will be done away."

Paul has emphasized love. Love is more important than the spiritual gifts, which he will now elaborate. Love never fails BUT prophecy and knowledge will be "done away" and tongues shall just "Cease." The KJV and NIV are both very inconsistent in this verse. The Greek word Paul uses that means "done away" has the connotation of "to be replaced." It is the same word he uses in verse 11 (did away). It means it will be replaced with something better, just as Paul "did away" with childish things and replaced them with adult things. Tongues however, would simply cease. The Greek word is “pauo" and means to stop, cease. Tongues would not be replaced, just stopped.

When he speaks of prophecy, he does not mean foretelling the future. A prophet was someone who spoke in God's behalf. Only occasionally did that mean future telling. Prophecy would be replaced. Knowledge would also be replaced. He does not mean everybody will be stupid, he is referring to directly revealed knowledge. These would be replaced when "the perfect comes" (v. 10).
{9} For we know in part and we prophesy in part; {10} but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. Knowledge and prophecy was incomplete. It was only given in specific places to individual Churches, which meant (1) no Church had a complete revelation and (2) the revelations given were not widely distributed, even with their best efforts. However, when this perfect comes that will replace the incomplete stuff. The word "perfect" is the Greek word "teleon" which more accurately means "complete." It is also neuter in gender, so it is not referring to a person. A better translation would be "when the complete thing comes, the partial shall be done away."

{11} When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

Paul now uses an illustration to show that this process of replacing incomplete things is only natural
{12} For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Mirrors in ancient times were not exactly the best at reflecting. They were usually a polished metal and the images were usually somewhat distorted. He says that now, i.e., the time he is writing, revelation was like looking in a mirror in a poor light. But when the complete thing comes it will be like looking at someone's face rather than a poor reflection. At the time of his writing, he only knew in parts, but when the complete thing comes it will be like having someone there to tell all there is."

This concludes part one. God bless until our next time. snowme1955@gmail.com

'WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION'.

Welcome back everyone and I do hope this series of lessons has been and will continue to be of benefit to many. We conclude our series today and I will have something new for you next week. Thank you again for your prayers on my behalf and I pray for each of you as you continue to serve our Great God. So here we go with the conclusion of;

'WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION'.
"Around the turn of the 19Th century, there arose, simultaneously, in different places around the world,
under the direction of different men, an effort to unite all professed Christians by restoring this true and
only church of Christ, in doctrine, life, and practice. Those making up this movement identified
themselves with the church of Christ (nondenominational) by following the New Testament pattern
without human additions or subtractions, without denominational names, organizations, creeds, or
practices. The growth of those taking this position has been astounding."

"It is true that in the last half-century some who professed this position have been unfaithful to it, and have tried to form another denomination around the movement by crystallizing the name “Disciples of Christ” into a sectarian name, by making an organization known as the United Christian Missionary Society (and its successor) the governing body over Christian congregations, by formulating human rules for the
church and for the Christian ministry, and by subtracting from the ordinances of the church revealed in the
New Testament by denying the necessity of immersion for baptism. Those who desire to remain
Christians only, and abhor unscriptural denominationalism, endeavor to escape these errors which lead
back to the morass of human divisions."

"It is this undenominational position alone which will bring about Christian unity, for professed Christians can never be united on man-made schemes and plans on which all will not, and cannot, agree. But the church revealed in the New Testament is simple enough to be followed and to unite all professed
Christians. According to God’s Word (John 17:21) it will only be when this unity is attained that the
world can be won to Christ."

"We exhort those who have been clinging to and supporting denominational names, practices, disciplines, and organizations to forsake these human foibles, and adopt the name of Christian only, and practice the commands of the New Testament alone in obedience to the authority of Christ, instead of the authority of the creeds and organizations of men. Let those who claim to hold this position be zealous in advocating it, scripturally qualified to defend it, and spiritually consecrated to making it appealing."

May God bless until we meet again.

"WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION" (PART TWO)

Hi everyone and I pray you are all doing well as we approach the holiday season. God has been good to each of us in so many ways and I pray you count your blessings and see what HE has done in your life. We continue today with part two of our devotional time together. May God bless as you read and know HIM just a little better and HIS desire for man from HIS Word. Here we go and I hope you learn something new.

"WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION" (PART TWO)

"None of these practices, which denominate or separate into peculiar groups of professed followers of Christ, are sanctioned by those desiring to restore the church of the New Testament. We have no
particular denominational name. We are known simply as Christians. See Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter
4:16, for the use of this God-given name by the apostles in the New Testament. The use of any other name
is sinful, because it divides or denominates. We are members of the church of Christ, which was
established by Christ through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit inspired apostles on the day of
Pentecost. Certainly this church was not a denomination, since to denominate means to divide, and the
church then was one body."

"WE HAVE NO RULE OF DISCIPLINE over us except the New Testament. We have no creed except
faith in Christ as God’s Son and our Savior, the Founder and Foundation of the one true church. It is true
that tracts, articles, and books have been written explaining this position of undenominational
Christianity, just as I am writing this tract, but these are not authorized disciplines, being made tests of
fellowship over any congregation. We have no ecclesiastical organization over any church or
congregation. Every local congregation is free under the authority of Christ and His Word. WE HAVE
NOT ADDED or subtracted any practice, teaching, or ordinance to that of the New Testament Church.
We desire to restore the church founded by Christ and His apostles, as recorded in the New Testament. To
do this we approach the New Testament historically, rather than theologically. That is, we do not impose
theological views or opinion upon passages from the Scriptures, but simply attempt to do what the
divinely inspired apostles did. Although man may differ over the meaning or interpretation of a passage of
Scripture, or a practice, it is easy to ascertain what the apostles actually did. The universal mind of
scholars is agreed on what these practices were. Thus we know that they preached Christ as God’s Son,
who died to effect men’s salvation, that He arose, and that He ascended into heaven. They commanded
people to believe this message and, believing, to repent, or change their way of life. They demanded of
those desiring entrance into the church a confession of faith, and they baptized these by immersion. Thus,
when individuals believed, repented, confessed, and were baptized, God added them to His Church. No
man or group of men voted people into His church, neither did they set down the requirements for
entrance into the church. These requirements were given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For church life
the apostles practiced prayer and the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians
11:17-34), which was a simple spiritual remembrance of Christ’s death by eating unleavened bread and
drinking of the fruit of the vine."

"They urged people to live according to the teachings of Christ and to support the work of the church. For these historical records read the book of Acts, especially Acts 2 and Acts 8. We endeavor to imitate these practices. Our motto in this respect is, “In essentials, unity; in non essentials, liberty; in all things, love.” Or, “No creed but Christ; no book but the Bible; no ordinances but those of the New Testament; no name but the name Christian.”

"One can readily see that there were no denominations in the New Testament. There was one true church of Christ, His body, made up of penitent believers who were baptized into Him (Ga. 3:21). Through the years divisions, sects, and denominations arose over human opinions, doctrinal corruptions, and the pride of men who built denominations around themselves."

This is the end of part two and I will finish this off next week. Digest this and "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"
(2 Timothy 2:15). God bless until our next time together.

"Why the Churches of Christ Are Not A Denomination"

Hello once again and welcome back to another devotional thought from God's Word. I want to begin sharing with you an article from one of my favorite professors from college. He was my Greek Professor at Kentucky Christian and I hold this man in high respect for his knowledge and love for The Lord. I am going to break it up into three parts due to its length. So get ready to grow one more time as you read and know God's Word just a little bit better. I urge each one who reads this to compare it only to God's Word and not to any man-made ideas or philosophies. God bless as you know HIM more.

"Why the Churches of Christ Are Not A Denomination"
By Donald A. Nash


"When just a lad in high school, I was in a class in which the teacher questioned all the students concerning their religious faith, whether they were Catholic or Protestant, and as to what denomination they belonged if Protestant. I had just heard a great gospel preacher discourse on the theme of this tract, so when she came to me, I said simply, “Christian,” in reply to her question.
“Yes, I know,” she said, “but are you Protestant or Catholic?” “Neither,” I replied. “But you have to be one or the other,” she exclaimed, becoming very aggravated. After she could not move me on this declaration, she attempted to discover to what denomination I belonged, and again I insisted that I belonged to none and was simply a Christian. This position astounded her, and I believe she simply credited it to my ignorance from the subsequent grades I received.

However, the incident was illuminative of the ignorance on the part of the majority of denominational
people in regard to the position of the churches of Christ. The cause for this ignorance stems in the lack of
understanding by the membership of the churches themselves who do not understand the
undenominational position of the Christian church. To the end of educating those who profess to be
Christians only, and to lead denominational people to the simple New Testament church, this tract is
written.
The historical position of the members of the Churches of Christ, or Christian churches, has been un- or
non-denominational. We are not inter-denominational as some sects, movements, and organizations claim
to be. There is a difference! Inter-denominational organizations condone sectarianism, simply being
cooperative agencies of various denominations. We, however, believe denominationalism and
sectarianism to be sinful. See 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 and 3:1-5, where Paul criticizes the divisions of the
church at Corinth. See also John 17, where Christ prays for the unity of His followers. Denominationalism destroys this unity and hence is sinful. See also the 4th chapter of Ephesians, where Paul exalts the unity of the church.

Now, a denomination is a group of professed followers of Christ which divides itself from other professed Christians by adopting procedures over and above those found in the Scriptures, thus dividing the church universal. This separation may come through any of the following ways:

1st: By taking a name other than a scriptural one. Thus, a Methodist, a Presbyterian, a Lutheran, or a
Baptist, by taking a human name, separates or denominates himself as different from the others.

2nd: By taking another rule of discipline above the New Testament. Thus, the Presbyterians, who
accept the Westminster Confession of Faith; the Episcopalians, who accept the Thirty-nine Articles of
Faith; or the Baptists, who accept the Philadelphia Confession of Faith, all separate themselves from each
other by denominating their groups through these disciplines and creeds.

3rd: By adding any doctrine to the practice of the New Testament church. Thus, the Methodists,
Presbyterians, and Lutherans, who add infant baptism and affusion to the accepted and acknowledged
practice of the immersion of the penitent believer in the New Testament church, separate themselves from
those who adhere strictly to the apostolic pattern.

4th: By establishing a governing organization over themselves which is over them only, and which
supercedes the simple autonomous authority of the local congregation under Christ. Thus, the
Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Lutherans, and every great evangelical group have councils, synods,
conferences, and officials ruling their particular denominations."

We will end our first part here at this point and allow you to read and digest and study the Word in regards to what has been mentioned today. This is in no way meant to offend but only to make HIS truth known in a world of so much confusion. God bless until our next time.

"GOD IS FAITHFUL"

Good day to all and I do hope this writing finds everyone doing well. I want to let you all know that I say a prayer before I send out each of these devotions. My prayer is that each writing will be an encouragement or a help in some way to at least one person who reads them. If they have been in any way a lift to your life please encourage me in return and let me know. I thank you in advance and pray you keep "The Faith".

As we begin today, I want to ask you a question. When is the last time you read the book of Lamentations? For me it was some time ago until this last week. It is a very sad book. And it only seems to get more and more sad as it goes on. The devastation and disaster because of sin and disobedience to God is seen here as a reality that is very difficult to bear when understood. Mankind, you and me, are sinful creatures and our disobedience to God is always before us. We sin daily and need to recognize that. And how it must hurt HIM and how detrimental it is to our lives and the lives of others around us as well. We are an unfaithful people; but, hold on, there is good news.

Right in the middle of this book of Lamentations we find a glimmer of hope. In spite of "US", we find something wonderful, something beautiful. Look with me at chapter 3 and verses 22 and 23.

"The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

When you woke up this morning, in spite of all the things you would have to face in your life and deal with, did this cross your mind? I hope so. No matter what your life has in store, no matter what may be in your yesterdays, GOD IS FAITHFUL!! HE may discipline, HE may chastise, HE may allow troubles to come our way and for our benefit, but in the end, if we are true to HIM, HE IS FAITHFUL!!

"Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see."

What a great song to have on our lips as we approach every new day that God blesses for us to serve HIM! May HE bless you as you continue to bless and serve HIM.

Until our next time....... snowme1955@gmail.com

"GOD IS FAITHFUL"

Good day to all and I do hope this writing finds everyone doing well. I want to let you all know that I say a prayer before I send out each of these devotions. My prayer is that each writing will be an encouragement or a help in some way to at least one person who reads them. If they have been in any way a lift to your life please encourage me in return and let me know. I thank you in advance and pray you keep "The Faith".

As we begin today, I want to ask you a question. When is the last time you read the book of Lamentations? For me it was some time ago until this last week. It is a very sad book. And it only seems to get more and more sad as it goes on. The devastation and disaster because of sin and disobedience to God is seen here as a reality that is very difficult to bear when understood. Mankind, you and me, are sinful creatures and our disobedience to God is always before us. We sin daily and need to recognize that. And how it must hurt HIM and how detrimental it is to our lives and the lives of others around us as well. We are an unfaithful people; but, hold on, there is good news.

Right in the middle of this book of Lamentations we find a glimmer of hope. In spite of "US", we find something wonderful, something beautiful. Look with me at chapter 3 and verses 22 and 23.

"The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

When you woke up this morning, in spite of all the things you would have to face in your life and deal with, did this cross your mind? I hope so. No matter what your life has in store, no matter what may be in your yesterdays, GOD IS FAITHFUL!! HE may discipline, HE may chastise, HE may allow troubles to come our way and for our benefit, but in the end, if we are true to HIM, HE IS FAITHFUL!!

"Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see."

What a great song to have on our lips as we approach every new day that God blesses for us to serve HIM! May HE bless you as you continue to bless and serve HIM.

Until our next time.......

"INTIMACY IN OUR WORSHIP"

As we begin today I want to let you all know that the following writing is to be my communion thoughts around The Lord's Table this coming Lord's day. Feel free to use it and pass on to others.
As we come together each Lord's Day to worship, it should not be a time to look for something in that service to make "ME" feel good. It is, according to scripture, a time to give and look to the needs of others and not ourselves. The Lord's Table is a time of intimacy to draw close and worship as God so well deserves. In the New testament the word for worship is a beautiful word when understood in its meaning. And I will get to that in a moment.
For those of you who are sports fans, if you were offered free tickets to your favorite team's next game, how excited would you be? As some of you think about the idea right now your mouth is watering already. Suppose those tickets were right down on the front row. Now you are more excited, right. You could reach out and give a "High Five" to your favorite player after he makes that winning point. Two players clash in a thunder of trying to reach that goal and you feel their sweat splash on you. You can go home and brag a bit, or a lot, about how intimate it was for you at that particular game. You could relive that moment and that day and share it with everyone who was willing to listen to you, even some who could care less. That is intimacy. You could not brag so much if you were in the nose bleed section with a pair of binoculars. But because you were close and intimate, you have something to talk about and something important to tell.
Worship, in the original Greek (Proskuneo), means to bow towards and kiss. To bow towards and kiss. When we worship here in this setting on any given Lord's Day, do we not want to worship in that truest sense? Do we not want to bow before the One who gave Himself for us and took on Himself the wrath of God that each one of us deserve? I know I do.
Jesus told us in His Word, as together He and His Disciples celebrated the Passover, "Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matthew 26). This is intimacy in our worship because He is here today is His Kingdom, The Church, as we worship. This is each one of us individually and all of us corporately sitting right there up front and sharing in something greater than any sporting event you could ever witness. As we partake each Lord's Day, let's do it with the attitude of bowing before God and Christ, and doing all we can to show our love to Him, and our togetherness as His family. He deserves our worship, and we need to remember Him and what He has done for us.
God bless until our next time........

"HOW ARE WE TO LIVE?"

As each new week comes our way, we all have the blessed opportunity to start over, to live better, to begin afresh. Whether you had a weekend to relax and simply get away from the regular work schedule, or you left that worship service and the church family after being encouraged through praising God and hearing HIS Word, your life continues on. The question I put before you today is "How Are We To Live?" As we learn more through our life and experiences and understand people and see the needs around us, as Christians or not, are we not responsible to one another in some way? Or do we just do what "I" think is right in "my" own eyes?

Anyone with half a brain would say no to that. If that were the case, think of the chaos we would have to deal with each day. God has spoken on this matter and some of the most basic "laws" we have today have been given to prevent just such chaos from taking place. One of those basics is that when we become God's child we no longer live as we did before. We have a new way of life, thinking and purpose. Paul the apostle mentions this fact in many areas of his writings and we will mention three here.

"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord" (Romans 14:8).

"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:15).

"BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

and do not give the devil an opportunity.

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma" (Ephesians 4:26-5:2).

When you became a child of God by HIS terms, Christ became Lord of your life. HE is the reason you live and do all it is you do and for HIS glory. So to answer the question "How Are We To Live?" the best answer is to live as God teaches in HIS Word. Paul told Timothy, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth"(2 Timothy 2:15).
God Bless until our next time.

"ARE WE GROWING NEW WOOD?"

Christian growth; do we think of it as often as we should? Probably not, though we should. From the day we became a child of God, we were in a growing state that should never cease until our death. Too often, however, it seems to stop and become stagnant. When does growth stop? It would be well for us to say that it never stops as long as God gives us life, but too often growth does stop and decay sets in. But why?

When Longfellow was well along in his years, his head was as white as snow, but his cheeks were said to be as red as a rose. One of his long time admirers asked him how it was that he was able to stay so vigorous and still write so beautifully. Longfellow was said to point to a nearby apple tree that was in full bloom, and replied:

"That apple tree is very old, but I never saw prettier blossoms upon it than those it now bears. The tree grows a little new wood every year, and I suppose it is out of that new wood that those blossoms come. Like the apple tree, I try to grow a little new wood every year."

It seems to me that what Longfellow said about his continuing to grow should be the attitude of every child of God. It is only when we stop growing a little new wood that death and decay begins to set in (spiritually). "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Yet how different is that one who does not grow new wood so as to produce the necessary blossoms for new fruit. Hebrews 5 and 6 speak to us concerning this matter. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of God's Word...It is impossible to restore again to repentance... who have tasted the heavenly gift...if they commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God...and hold Him up to contempt" (Hebrews 5:12; 6:4,6). I know that what was just said refers to the individual child of God, but the same can be said of the congregation of the Lord's people. What happens when the congregation fails to "grow new wood?" As Revelation 3:1 tells us, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead."

In Psalm 1:3 and 4, David graphically describes the difference between continued growth and failure to continue in growth. "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season...he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff (the dead stocks of grain) which the wind drives away." Are you ready to grow new wood for the cause of Christ and future generations? Our children and grandchildren need the best example of good fruit and we should not expect the world or anything but God's truth to get that job done. Grow some new wood and produce something good for the cause of Christ.

God bless until our next time together.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

I remember as a young boy being dragged to church. At least that is how my young mind perceived it. Maybe some of you reading this can relate. If you are like me, you look back on it now and realize it was only the tough love of a parent or two that saw beyond my wants to what really was best for me and my siblings. Because someone cared enough to do the best thing, the right thing, I now have a passion for the only thing in all of eternity that really matters.

I have had jobs in my life that paid very well with the best of benefits. I have had relationships that have been too wonderful for words. I have seen a good bit of the world from my time spent in the U.S. Navy. I have experienced many things, some I will never forget and others I sure would like to. I have buried people I dearly loved. I have been there as some have taken their first breath on this planet and celebrated with the parents on that joyous occasion.

I have seen some folks leave this planet not ready to meet their maker and shed tears for their loss. I have also watched as some dear fellow saints have been faithful to the Word of God and departed this earth only to enter the joys of heaven.

I have disappointed many people in my life. And I have been disappointed by people as well. Though broken, discouraged, shattered, hurt, disappointed and sinful, oh yes, sinful; I thank my God that I am healed and alive and encouraged and put back together because of someones concern and love for those who fail.

Look at your life right now. Are you well off? Are you in need of physical things to make you happy? Do you have friends who care? Is your health good or are you ailing from something? Are you young or are you getting to the point of those young folks seeing the wrinkles come through? Maybe you have been hurt or are the one who has hurt others and those relationships are stressed.

I believe we as humans spend too much time looking over our shoulder at what happened, wishing I had done it differently, when we should be looking forward at what is yet possible. To bring it to a point, in all the things in our lives that take place, good or not so good, WHAT REALLY MATTERS? When it comes right down to the bottom line of life, what is it that counts in the END?

It is not whether or not your child wins that next sporting event. It is not how much or how little money you made last year or this year. It is not the price of gas for your vehicle or the type of vehicle you drive. What really matters is your relationship with the One we will all face at the end of our lives. "Were you obedient to His Word and His Son, Jesus Christ?"

Whatever is on your mind as you read this devotion today, let me encourage you, do not let it consume you to the point of missing out on "WHAT REALLY MATTERS!" Listen to God in His Word as He has already spoken and become His child and remain faithful to Him as life approaches its end.

God Bless.......

Objections To Biblical Baptism (2)

There are several ways to baptize: There are at least three baptisms mentioned in the New Testament: John’s baptism, Holy Spirit baptism, and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Yet Ephesians 4:5 says there is only one baptism. That would indicate that two of these three baptisms are no longer valid. John’s baptism is mentioned in Acts 19. Paul met 12 men from Ephesus. He thought they were Christians and wanted to bestow on them the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, so he asked them,

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul asked, “Into what then were you baptized?” Notice he did not ask if they had been baptized. It was assumed by Paul that they had been. But they were ignorant of the Holy Spirit, which according to Acts 2:38, they should have already known about Him. And they said, “Into John's baptism.” Verses 4 & 5 tell us why John’s baptism is not valid: “Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”


The baptism of the Holy Spirit, as far as Scripture is concerned, only happened twice. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was an event in which the Holy Spirit came on someone. Not into, but upon. In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit fell on the Apostles and ten years later He fell on the household of Cornelius. We know that this baptism was not a common event because when Peter went back to Jerusalem to tell the Church there about what happened, notice what he said, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.” (Acts 11:15). Notice “at the beginning” meaning the Day of Pentecost. This was not an everyday occurrence.

What’s left is baptism, in water, for the forgiveness of sin. In the book of Acts, there is not a single conversion account that does not include baptism. In Acts 8 all it says is that “Philip preached Jesus” to the Ethiopian Eunuch. But then the Eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (Verse 36). It’s obvious to anyone without preconceived notions (or professional help) that preaching Jesus includes being baptized (immersed) in water. Romans 6 teaches us that at baptism we are “buried” into Christ’s death. This is the “one baptism” Paul is referring to in Ephesians 4:5.

According to Acts 2:38, baptism does two things. It brings about forgiveness of sin. It also gives the one being baptized the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in the life of the believer. We see in the Old Testament that before the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies and stand before the presence of God’s Spirit that rested upon the ark of the covenant, he had to offer a sacrifice, be cleansed, and put on the priestly garments (Lev. 16). Sin had to be removed completely in order to stand before God.

In the New Covenant, Jesus is our sacrifice. When a believer is baptized, his sins are cleansed and washed away (“Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” Acts 22:16). At baptism we put on our garments (“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Gal. 3:27). And at baptism we receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Sin must be removed before we can be in the presence of God. Without baptism there cannot be an indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:16: “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” The use of this verse to object to the Biblical doctrine of baptism goes like this: Since Jesus did not say “he who has disbelieved and not been baptized shall be condemned” it is obvious that belief is what saves and baptism is not needed. This is truly grasping at straws. Consider this: If Johnny applies and pays the registration fees he will attend Bible College; but if he does not apply he will have to stay at home. Does the failure to mention the registration fees make them any less a part of applying for college? No. But if you don’t apply, the fees are not needed. If a person believes and is baptized he shall be saved. But if he does not believe, failure to mention baptism does not mean it is not needed. This objection, as with most listed here, is a desperate attempt to try and get around the clear meaning of Scripture.

Water Regeneration: We who hold to the Biblical doctrine of Baptism have often been accused of being water regenerationists, i.e., that somehow the water makes us a new creature. Those usually making that accusation themselves believe in Calvin’s miraculous regeneration, which is like King Kong telling Godzilla he’s ugly. But the fact is, they are either mistaken or else deliberately misrepresenting the position. What if Abraham, when God called him out of Ur, had believed God but didn’t go? Would Abraham have been the great model of faith? No. What if Joshua had been given the plan to march around Jericho and he told God, “I believe it will work,” but didn’t carry out the plan? They probably would have been defeated.

What these men did was just as important as what they believed. Their obedience to God was as much a part of their faith as was their acknowledgment of God. Abraham was never righteous enough for God on his own. The Bible says “Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). God chose to view Abraham as being righteous.

Why? Because of his faith - His true obedient faith. Baptism is a part of our faith. Baptism without faith is a dunking. Faith without baptism is empty. The water does not regenerate. God makes us new. Romans 6:4, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Christians have a new life because God has reckoned or declared us that way. He has chosen to
view the Christian as a new creation, without sin - because of our faith, which includes baptism.

Think about all that takes place at baptism: Salvation (Mk 16:16); New birth (John. 3:5); forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38); washing away of sin (Acts 22:16); burial into Christ’s death (Romans 6:3); clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:37); Spiritual circumcision (Col. 2:11), et al.
If baptism is the point in time that sins are forgiven, which the Scriptures teach is so; and if baptism is the place in which we enter into a covenant relationship with Jesus, then it would make sense that the devil would do whatever he could to get people and religious groups to belittle baptism’s importance. It would make sense that he would not care if people came close as long as they stayed away from the Biblical doctrine of baptism. If I had died before saying, “I do” at my wedding, I would not have been married – even if we were in the Church building and Here Comes the Bride was in the midst of playing. In another context Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” Close doesn’t count. If you claim to have faith in God, do things the way HE says and trust Him for the result He promised.

Thank you all for the time we have to share in this devotion. Please feel free to send comments or questions. May God bless until our next time together.

Common Objections Raised Against the Biblical Doctrine of Baptism

There are many people, mostly from the denominational realm, that object to the doctrine of the necessity of baptism for a person’s salvation. The doctrine is so clearly taught in Scripture that, as my old professor used to say, “You need professional help to miss it.” Of course, regrettably, there is a lot of that kind of "help" out there in the religious world. The rejection of the doctrine of baptism stems mainly from the teachings of John Calvin, not from Scripture. Calvin taught that God has absolute total control over the universe and predestined everything before creation ever took place. Every single thing that takes place He predestined to occur: all wars, all friendships, all stubbed toes, and every sin. He created man totally depraved. So much so that nothing he can do is good. Man cannot even want to do good on his own.

Now, please pay attention here. Since this is so (according to Calvin), if a man is to follow God, God must miraculously regenerate him and make him something new. Man, since he is so evil, cannot choose God on his own. Instead, God must, by an unconditional election, choose who is to be one of the saved and who is not. Nothing the man did played any role in God’s decision. Since nothing man did had anything to do with his salvation, then there is certainly nothing he can do to lose his salvation, hence Calvin’s doctrine of “eternal security,” aka, “once saved, always saved.” (For more detail on Calvinism, see my study entitled, “Theological Gardening: The Problem with TULIPs”, which we may present here in the near future.)

Another problem that some have in dealing with the Biblical view of baptism is that they do not understand the difference between Old and New Covenants. The people that lived during the life of Jesus and before all lived under a covenant that was replaced with the New Covenant of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. People of the Old Covenant looked ahead, by faith, to what Jesus would do on the cross. The sacrifices and ceremonies they performed were nothing but a “type” or “foreshadowing” of what Jesus would do in His sacrifice (Read Hebrews 10:1-18).

With these considerations in mind, let’s now deal with the objections that some have against the Biblical doctrine of baptism. The Thief on the Cross was never baptized: This is one of the most often heard objections. The thief lived under the Old Covenant. The terms of the New Covenant were not given until Peter preached his sermon on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:38). Jesus had the authority (and still does) to forgive anyone He desires. He did so during His life on earth: Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:5-11; Luke 7:47. But when the Church was established the New Covenant was ushered in. It is the terms of the New Covenant we must meet in order to have salvation. The thief lived under the Old and prior to the New.

Next, you are saved by Faith Alone. This is an interesting objection. Technically it is correct. But what most people mean when they say it is that there is nothing we must "do" to attain salvation except acknowledge a belief in Jesus. The Biblical position is that faith involves belief, repentance, confession, baptism and living as a new person in Christ. It is much more than a simple acknowledgment of Jesus. The only place in the entire Bible where the words “faith” and “alone” ever appear together is in James 2:24, which says, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

James was trying to teach that faith involves more than simple acceptance of Who Jesus is. It involves our entire life and work. James even points out “the demons also believe, and shudder.” (James 2:19). The same Greek word for believe is used in both cases; are the demons saved, then, because they believe?

The concept of “faith alone” comes from Calvin. If a person believes in Jesus, then God must have chosen him to be one of the saved, or else the person could not believe.
The objection that goes hand in hand with this one is the next.

Baptism is a Work: By this, those who reject the Biblical doctrine of baptism make the accusation that if we teach that a person must DO something to have salvation, we are teaching salvation by works instead of salvation by grace. What they fail to see is that everything a person must do is a work of some sort. We must believe. That is a work. We must confess Christ as Lord. That is a work. We must repent. If you have ever truly repented you know that it is, or can be, a work. And yes, we must be baptized. That is a work. But none of these works allow us to earn our salvation. They are works in order to meet the conditions God has made for salvation. And besides, it’s not the person being baptized that is doing the work.

Look at Colossians 2:9-12, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
God is the One Who works in baptism as we trust HIM and follow through in our obedience to Him. An old illustration of this is to suppose a banker calls “Joe” and says there is a check on his desk for a million dollars from some rich person. If he gets to the bank before five, it’s his. Joe has never worked for this person nor has he ever met him. But all Joe has to do is meet the conditions: get there before five and endorse the check. Did Joe earn the check simply for going to pick it up? Of course not.

God has placed conditions that we must meet in order to obtain salvation. This, by no stretch of the imagination, means that a person earns it. We are saved by the grace of God, through faith.
Once again, this objection comes mainly as a result of the influence of Calvin. In Calvinism there is nothing to do to obtain salvation, for God must choose a person to be one of the saved BEFORE he can believe. Calvinism twists countless Scriptures to try and make it work. The Bible says that faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Calvinism says that faith comes because God forces you to have it. Jesus said, “Believe and be baptized (immersed) and you shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Calvinism says, “You are saved therefore you will believe and should be baptized.”

Next; Jesus spiritually baptizes: There are people who will object to “water” baptism but agree that baptism is necessary for salvation, but, here’s the catch: Jesus spiritually baptizes people the moment they believe, therefore it has nothing to do with water.

There are several ways of dealing with this objection. The simplest thing to do is to go to God's Word. Let's look in Acts chapter 10. Here we have the household of Cornelius being baptized by the Holy Spirit. This is truly what anyone would call being spiritually baptized. But notice what Peter says after witnessing this spiritual baptism:

“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.” (Acts 10:47, 48). Here is an example of spiritual baptism and Peter still ordered them to be baptized in water. Why? It is because they had not met the terms of the New Covenant yet.

I am going to end our time together for today and pick this up again in our next study for this devotion. I want to encourage anyone and everyone to look at what Jesus said and look beyond what any man or organization has set up. Jesus is coming back soon and we will all stand before HIM, Christ, and be accountable for how we were obedient to His Word. I want to thank my friend and Brother in Christ, Scott Sheridan for the bulk of this and the next writing. God bless until our next time together.

"MAN THINKING STILL"

I pray these writings are of benefit to many as you read them. Let's begin. Question #1; What is it that separates man from God? What is it that keeps us from being in Christ? Only one thing; SIN!! Sin is, according to the Greek language, an offence or wrong of man against God and what He spoke. Sin, or rejection of God and Christ, is what separates us, and the removal of that sin will get us in the relationship we need and desire with Christ. Question #2; How is this sin removed or taken out of the way so we can honestly, biblically say we are in Christ? According to the Word as it is written, there is only one way that sin is removed, forgiven, taken out of the way by God for those initially outside of Christ. This is our topic of study for the lesson today.

According to the Holy Word of God, sin is removed, remitted or forgiven to the non-Christian when they are obedient in baptism or immersion by faith. In Colossians 2:12 the Holy Spirit speaks through Paul and says, "in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." (ASV)

All my life I have heard it said by some that baptism is a work. As I read this verse in Colossians, I see that it truly is, but it is a work of God and not man. When man is obedient and submissive to the teaching of Christ and God here, God does the most important operation for the one outside of Christ. HE removes or forgives that one thing that separates man from God; sin.
Let's notice something together in the scriptures that many do not see. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 the apostle Paul says, "For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Think about that. God made, "declared" in the Greek, that Christ was ALL sin. HE became every horrible sin we can think of and even the ones we cannot. This is why God turned away from Christ as He was on the cross. Then, as we all know, He was taken from the cross and His body was buried. Then three days later He was resurrected to a new life. Most of us believe and trust that this took place.

The third question I ask is this; After Christ rose from the grave, where was the sin that was placed on HIM as He hung on that cross? It was no longer on Him. God had removed it. This is the picture Paul paints in Romans 6 for us to see so clearly. When we are obedient to Christ and are buried with Him by faith in baptism (immersion), God removes it from us. That is His promise by our faith in Him. By faith we are buried and trust Him to remove or forgive our sin or rejection of Him, and by that same faith we are resurrected trusting Him in that operation to give new life as we are faithful to His Word for our lives. We need a clear conscience toward God in our obedience. 1 Peter 3:21 says, " The like figure where unto even baptism (immersion) doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Many believe and trust something that is nowhere found in the Holy Word of God. Many believe that all a person needs to do to be saved is to pray a prayer and 'ask Jesus into their heart." This is not founded in scripture. Jesus, however, stated very clearly that for a person to be "saved from sin", he must be a trusting believer and one who dies to sin and self, and then are immersed (buried) into Christ to put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Sin is forgiven in the mind of God, not in the mind of man when man feels something special. As we are obedient to God's Word, by our faith in HIM, He does what no man made teaching could ever do, HE FORGIVES AND REMOVES THE SIN THAT SEPARATES US FROM HIM.

For those who have a problem with baptism or immersion for the proper and bible reason, I believe they do not have a problem with baptism at all. I see that it actually goes back to their belief in what Christ said to do in the first place. It is a faith or trust issue. Jesus said, "He that believes and, then, is baptised..." Believe first that what God and Christ have already stated in Their Word and simply do by faith what is written. God is so much wiser than man and his thinking. Man's standards will never replace the standards set down by God. I want to encourage you to listen to God, read His Word and do not listen to any teaching of man that contrary to what God has already spoken.

Believe on His Word completely, trust what He said to be absolutely true and right, repent of the sin of rejection of His teachings and commands, confess Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, die to those sins by repenting, and be buried with Christ in baptism trusting God to wash those sins away, and then rise with Christ to live a life of serving, growing and producing fruit for His kingdom.

God Bless until our next time together. Mark

" MAN THINKING; AGAIN"

Good day to all and I want to welcome you to this devotion on the subject of standards. There are so many subjects we could consider in the area of standards and study together. Today, however, we are going to begin to look at one of the most important standards set down in God's Word that man for decades has changed. Even worse, it has been accepted by the masses without much concern for study of what God said in His Word. If man wants to know how to get right with God, should he not go to God and find out HIS answer? What a novel idea.

If you happened to own any make of vehicle and you had a problem with it mechanically, you would never consider taking it to the local bakery to get it fixed. It may sound a bit ridiculous but is that not what man is doing when he steps in and changes the standard God has set already for THE CHURCH? He is the one who designed it and it should not be tampered with to make man feel better. This brings me to our subject for this devotion. Here we go.

Salvation, what a wonderful gift God has blessed all of humanity with in sending His Son to die and resurrect from the grave. Before Jesus left this earth, He gave what many call "The Great Commission". Let's read that together.
In Mark 16:15 & 16 Jesus, God's Son, the one who has 'all the authority' (Matthew 28:18), said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptised (buried, immersed) will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (RSV)

Remember, God and Christ are the Ones who designed The Church. They are the Ones who set everything down in black and white for us to read and study. So when They speak, and They have, all we should do is trust and obey and not make exception because of our man-made ideas. Jesus, The Son of God, spoke there in Mark 16 and said some important things we should not overlook. Let's look at them together.
First of all He said, "He" that believes...... It is an individual choice and not something you have because of family background or being born into a certain country. "He" that believes. This also would remove the idea or concept of infants being "baptised". They cannot believe and should not be expected to. This brings us to the second area. Let's go on.

Jesus says, "He that 'believes'". The word believe in the Greek language here means, "to put trust in". He who believes, puts his trust in the gospel of God and Christ and all they have said in The Word as written....... We either believe,trust, in God and His Word completely, or we do not. A person cannot and should not come to the Bible like to a smorgasbord and pick and choose only what they want to believe. It is either all true or all a lie. "He that believes", I doubt too many have a problem at this point but remember Jesus is not done speaking here. He goes on and says, "He that believes AND is baptised... It is not a choice of the first one and not the second or the second without the first. It is a combination of at least these two. "He that believes and is baptised shall be saved." According to Jesus Christ, who is The Authority, He says a person is saved from sin, that which separates us from God, when they "believe" and are "baptised". It is this salvation that all of us need and it is only by the way set by Christ that makes it happen. Man needs to be saved from sin and there is only one way that takes place according to God and Jesus Christ.

For man to disregard this teaching of Christ and claim his own way in his own mind to be saved, this in no way changes the mind of God. We are not in a saved relationship with God when we decide, but only when God says it takes place. I would rather do what God says in His Holy Word even if it goes against all men, than to go with the flow of man's teaching and be wrong in God's eyes. I am going to end our thoughts for today but next time we will take up more on this subject as The Word of God teaches.

My question for each one as we close is this; Do you trust what God has already said in HIS Holy Word and are you willing to obey HIM rather than the rationing of man and his thinking? God bless until we meet again.

MAN THINKING

I left you last time with a couple of verses to look at and ponder. These will be the springboard for our continuing thoughts on the thinking of man and his traditions.

As we begin today I want us to look at these verses very closely. This is very important as we need to know what the writer had in mind as he penned these words. In Philippians 1:27 and Ephesians 4:5 there are two great statements made by The Holy Spirit through Paul that are too often overlooked or not taken as importantly as they should.

First, Paul says in Philippians 1:27, " Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel," (RSV).

Second, He speaks in Ephesians 4:4-5, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (RSV)

This brings up a subject we have all probably had come our way at one time or other. "To what "faith" do you belong?" When asked this question people are generally wanting to know what denomination a person follows. Denomination!? I was reading one of Ed Bousman's sermons on his website a few days ago and he made a great point. He said that if a person living in the first century were to go into a city looking for a place to worship and ask for the local Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic or any other denomination, the locals would be at a loss as to what they wanted. There were no denominations until hundreds of years later beginning with the catholic denomination in A.D. 606. All the other denominations came as a result of disagreements over doctrine or one group following one man over another. In the first century, when the Church was established by Christ and His apostles, there was only one Church body though different cities, one faith, one Lord and all Christians believed the same thing.

In our world today we have come so far from what the Lord originally set up as HIS Church. His Word, as written, is still true today and in the verses we listed above it is very clear if we are only willing to see. There is ONE Lord, ONE Faith, ONE Baptism (IMMERSION), not many from which to choose. The Greek language of the New Testament speaks so clearly on this and does not offer differing "faiths" depending on where a person goes to worship. There is only One Gospel which is the death, burial, and resurrection of the one accepted sacrifice, Jesus Christ. When a person says they are of a particular denomination, they are stating their claim to a certain set of doctrinal practices that are so often not based on God's Word but man's ideology.

Picture the Church as a piece of beat up old furniture, say a dresser. You find it, you buy it, and you want to repair it. Now, do you reform it to be a something different like a tool chest and use it in a way different than it was originally intended? Or do you restore it to be as much like the craftsman meant for it to be in the first place. When it comes to Christ's church, it does not need to be reformed into something HE never intended, but rather restored to what the master craftsman, God and Christ, meant for it to be originally. He still knows today what The Church needs and HE has already set down in HIS Word what HE desires for HIS Church. Man should never step in and try to improve or change God's design. History shows us time and time again where this concept does not work. The Church as seen in the first century is THE STANDARD set down by God.

God is the architect of The Church and man should never try to redesign HIS structure. I would encourage everyone to put aside all doctrine of man and look to the Bible for the guidance we need as individuals and as the Church.

Thanks for the opportunity to share and I pray God will bless each one as you continue to read and study. As I close today, read Acts 17:11 and "see if these things be true."

Feel free to send questions or comments if you have any concerns or appreciation. God Bless until our next time.

"MAN THINKING"

Good day to all and I hope today finds everyone growing in Christ. We have been looking at standards in the last two writings and I want to continue with that thought today.

One standard that most of you reading here today recognize, is also one that is becoming less and less important as more and more people make their way to this country and bring their religious traditions and ideas, and also as our society constantly moves further away from the Holy Word of God. That standard is that Jesus Christ is The One Way for man to reach heaven and no other "god" will do. With different and varying teachings from different "faiths", many have the idea that it makes no difference what a person believes as long as they have a faith.

This is not the teaching of Christ at all. We have probably heard folks say something like, "We are all going to the same place, we just believe different things." This idea is never taught in the scriptures by Christ or His apostles. Christ did just the opposite as He condemned the religious leaders of His day for their man made traditions and worship. He did not tolerate false teaching or accept it as just another way to reach God.

If it makes no difference what a person believes, then we would have to accept Mormonism, Buddhism, even the Muslims who desire to destroy all infidels who believe differently than themselves. These are all false religions that have no interests in the things as written in the Holy Word of The Almighty. God's Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is the only true way anyone becomes acceptable to God and His standard as written.

These are man made religions and I believe it is time the true Christian stood up and spoke up for those things God holds as true and standard as based in His Word. God's people for too

long have given in to standards that are in no way what God intended for His church.
Over time some of these have become traditions that are not Bible based at all. The church of every generation needs to have the same faith that Jesus Christ had while on this earth.

This brings us to another standard that I will talk about in our next time together. I will, however, give you at least two scriptures to study in preparation for next time. Maybe as you read these and other passages you will see where we are going in our next lesson.

In Philippians 1:27 the apostle Paul by God's Holy Spirit says, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;"
In Ephesians 4:4-6 Paul tells us, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all."

God Bless and I do pray these writings are a help to all who read. Send comments or questions to a new email address as I have moved. I can be reached at....... snowme1955@gmail.com


Just to let everyone know, I am currently working on a new project with Standout Studios.Net, an online Christian Studio that puts out a weekly broadcast on the Net. You can hear me and soon others preaching by, subscribing, downloading or just playing right there from the website. Go to www.standoutstudios.net to listen, read, comment and much more.

"MAN THINKING!!"

Good day to each one and praise The Lord!! We continue our study on The Thinking of Man and as we do, I pray it is encouraging as it is never meant to demean or offend anyone but always to tell the truth as God's Word portrays.From the very beginning of creation God has set standards in many areas. It is also true that as man developed over time and grew, he would almost always interfere with any one of those standards. For instance, as we look throughout the scriptures it is clear that God never intended for man to be involved in homosexual relationships yet man from early on has tried to change God's design. It is very clear from many passages in the Old and New Testaments alike that God does not tolerate this type of behavior but rather says those who engage in such activities shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Rev. 21 and Rom. 1).For those who hold to the fact of the Bible only being God's Word, there should be no variation from what HE has spoken by HIS Holy Spirit. The thinking of man does not change the mind of God as it is written.There is one more standard I want to mention in this writing that many people of our world would debate. That is the fact that God states very clearly that HE is The Only True God. In Matthew 4:10 it is The Lord Jesus Christ who speaks these words, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." (KJV)

In the book of Hosea we see the very words of God Himself as He says, "Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no Saviour beside me" (Hosea 13:4). This same thought is expressed many times throughout the Word of God. God is THE ONLY God, there is no other. This means that all, ALL, other religions and their "gods" are nothing but false and will stand one day and give an account to The Almighty.
So at this point, as we look at standards, we conclude that there are standards set by God that were never meant to be messed with or changed or there will be consequences as a result. As this writer has said before, the Bible as God's Word is either true from "In the beginning" to "Amen", or it is the biggest lie ever brought before man. I believe it is God's Word as He meant for us to have it and we should not try to make it fit our lifestyle, but change our lifestyles to fit God's standard.
As God speaks through Paul in Philippians 2:9-11, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (KJV).
We will not bow to Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad or any other false religion set up by man. Rather they will bow one day before the Almighty God of creation. God bless until our next time together. Feel free to contact me at the email provided. snowme1955@yahoo.com

"WHAT WAS MAN THINKING?"

Today we are going to at least begin a look at the idea of standards in our world. In every culture and country of the world standards are maintained across the board. Whether that be for the language of a country, that alphabet is maintained. If it is for mathematics, then the number system remains constant. There is no variation by even the smallest amount that would be accepted.

For instance, if you had a child or grandchild come home from school and they told you they had a new teacher in class teaching something different or new, you would be interested if not concerned. As that child begins to tell you that there is a new math being taught would you not be curious and ask about it. If they told you that this new teacher was saying that one plus one equals two and one sixteenth, would your ears not perk up a bit? I would hope so. No matter how reasonable or logical that teacher made it sound, it just would not fit with the standard that had already been set. Even if a new standard were to be accepted by some, it would in no way replace or even slightly change the one originally set in motion.

I recently heard of a new program in some schools around the country that are accepting "close enough" for some of their students. In the long run this kind of idea does no good for anyone. If a particular child has a difficult time with a certain subject in school, in order to help that child pass to the next level, "close enough" will get them by. As someone used to say when I was a child, "Close does not count except in horseshoes and hand grenades."

The point I am trying to make in all of this is that there is a standard that is accepted and used and not changed over the many centuries. But why is it that man has been accepting and still accepts variations to the standard of what God put down for man to follow? In the next study time or two I want us to look at some of the standards of God and see where man and his ideas have been slowly accepted in place of what is written in HIS Holy Word.

There is a definite difference in how tradition in organizations calling themselves "CHURCHES" have over-ridden the Bible and many within do not realize it. Pray about this and I look forward to our next time. God bless.

Problems In Life

In Romans 5:3 we read these words "And not only that, but let us also exult in our troubles;" (TCNT).

All too often in these days of "easy believing" and the false "peace and prosperity" teaching, we hear someone say, "Once you become a Christian, all your difficulties and troubles will be behind you." It is doubtful that anyone really believes such a statement, much less experiences it. As we look in scripture even the Israelites who had been miraculously delivered by God from bondage didn't experience peace or prosperity.

Of course, this concept is not even Biblical. In fact, the Bible teaches quite the opposite. Christ promised, "and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." (RSV) (Matthew 10:22).

Jesus, Himself, would have many problems in His own life. He was not the most popular person and He makes it clear when He tells us, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (RSV)(John 15:18). Later, after experiencing many problems in his own life, John wrote, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (I John 3:13).

These problems which we all experience take the form of general troubles which come from living in this sinful, cursed world. There are also specific afflictions and trials, which God allows in your life and mine to bring about His purpose or discipline, as well as direct persecution from members of society and even our own family. Do not be surprised when this takes place

While troubles will come, we should not give up, but be glad that God sees us as strong enough to carry the weight and He also trusts us to accomplish the task He has in mind. Christ promised, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John16:33). Through Him we have the strength to meet every difficulty of this life with peace, a good attitude, and victory. Through Him we also receive the promise that throughout eternity "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain: for the
former things are passed away"(Revelation 21:4).

I do hope this devotion encourages each of you to continue on, even when it gets tough. May God be praised and go to the Church of His Choice.

God bless until our next time.

Lord I Want It All #6

Today we are going to conclude our series, "Lord I Want It All!" I do hope this series has been as much a blessing for you as it has for me. This week our subject thought is, "With Happiness or Joy In Life, I want Peace In Death."

Someone made the statement one time that we will not get out of this life alive. In other words we are all going to die someday and stand before God's judgement throne. That being true, since we can have the joy in life that we talked about last time, should we not have peace when death comes our way? God's Word tells us this can be the case for us. Paul wrote to the Philippians when he was in some very dark and difficult times in his own life, and he made some great statements. He spoke in Philippians 1 :21 and said," For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (NIV)

If I stay here on planet earth, it is good as I continue to serve the Lord in whatever way He gives me strength. If, however, I go to be with the Lord, it is also a good thing because it is the reward of life from God and Christ. This world can ultimately do nothing to me that will not in some way glorify my God through my life.

Jesus looked at His small handful of faithful disciples just hours before He was crucified and promised absolute victory , the ultimate conquering of death itself. He said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (NIV)

The words of Christ Himself should mean more to us than all the difficulties in life that we can experience. The first century Christians had a standard greeting when they met on the street or in their homes to worship; Maranatha. This has always been a difficult phrase to translate. The closest we can come in our English language is this; "Lord, come quickly." The Christian is not to be a person who fears things to come, even if that means death. We need to live with the confidence of a people waiting for the Lord to come and bring us greater glory than we could ever imagine. If you are reading this devotion today and you are not an heir to that promise, you can claim it today by obeying the Words of Christ Himself. "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised (immersed) will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16) (NIV)

If you are an heir and it does belong to you, it is time to tell it to others who need it before they stand at the judgement. Hebrews 9:27 states, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement," (NIV). Find peace in death as you have joy in living for Christ.

God bless until our next time.

Lord I Want It All #5

Good day to all and I pray this writing finds everyone happy and joyful in the Lord. We are continuing today with our series, "Lord, I Want It All! " Today I want us to look at a subject that is difficult at times for all of us. It is one that is sometimes hard to do as we are going through periods of suffering. The subject is, "With Suffering, I Want the Joy ." Suffering in our lives is not, many times, a happy time by any means. But know this, we are not talking about happiness here, but Joy. There is a difference. We should not settle for the suffering that comes our way without the joy that is, and should be, attached to it. In Hebrews 12:2 the writer said these words; "looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (ASV)

Think about something with me; what was it that motivated Jesus to do what He did? What is it that would cause the Son of God to leave the glories of heaven, knowing the pain He would suffer, the abuse of even those who were His own, and ultimately die the horrible and excruciating death that He died? I do not think any of us would say He enjoyed being in pain or suffering just to suffer. The Hebrew writer tells us the reason. Jesus was motivated by joy. The sheer joy of what He had to offer to you and me is what motivated Him to endure the cross. That, my friend, is what should motivate us to share it with the lost.

Each of us knows the reality of this in our own lives. When we have news, good news, to share with others, we many times cannot wait to share that news with those we love. It is compelling to us and we have no choice. When our children were born, or grandchildren, we did not wait a few days until we had the extra time to tell everyone. We did not write a letter or drop a post card. No, we were excited and rushed from that hospital to spread the news to anyone and everyone who was within ear-shot. We picked up that phone and made calls to all we could think of until our fingers were worn out. The news we had to share was too good to keep to ourselves.

The greatest motivation for us to evangelize today is for each of us to experience the joy of Jesus Christ. When the "good news" of Jesus Christ becomes good news to us, may we share it with all the enthusiasm we can muster. We talk about so many things and often our aches and pains in life. Look beyond your 'not so good news' to the very reason we exist as Christians. Paul said, "The love of Christ compels us." Literally that reads, "The love of Christ leaves us no choice." May we all share what we have because what we have inside us is truly too good to keep to ourselves.
Jesus looked beyond the cross and all it contained, and looked to being with His Father in heaven and all those who would respond to His "Gospel". May each of us look beyond our 'cross' in life and look with joy to those who need to hear the greatest news man will ever tell or hear.

May God bless until we meet again. Thanks again for these opportunities to share with each of you.

Lord I Want It All #4

Here we are one more time as God has given us another opportunity to be encouraged and blessed by His Word. I do hope this writing finds those who read this devotion doing well and recognizing how great our God truly is in each of our lives. May God continue to bless as we continue to be faithful to His Holy Word as it is written.

Today we continue with our "Lord, I Want It All" series. Today we are going to look at the subject, "With the Bridegroom, I Want the Bride. "

Too often there is a misconception that a person can be just as much a Christian at home without the benefit of being involved with a group who congregate together in what is known as the "Church". Once again we must take a look at one important element here; what does God say about this subject? Does HIS Word speak to this thought for our lives today? The answer is an overwhelming "YES". The question I want to ask anyone who says they ~ be an 'at home' Christian without the rest of the 'body' is this; by what process do you go about doing that at home by yourself and what scripture authorizes it? They usually will hem haw and have no clear answer at all because the truth is they do nothing in the way of honest, biblical worship to God. It is many times only an excuse for not understanding God's teaching on this matter and to avoid, as they say, the hypocrites in the church.

As the apostle Paul wrote in Hebrews 10:23-25, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

The bottom line here is that we need each other. I need you and you need me. There very well may be hypocrites in any worship service. But are they not also at the grocery store, the work place, and in our families? We do not, or should not, avoid any of these places because of the hypocrites, but rather our presence and Godly lifestyle may be the one thing that encourages them to do right. God desires your worship and He desires mine. Those who are there at the same time may see your actions and be swayed one way or the other. Let each of us attend worship with the attitude that others need to be lifted up and encouraged. We may have the Bridegroom, that is Christ, but we also need to be the best we can be for the sake of others who may be weak. We are to be working encouraging members, of the body, the Bride, HIS CHURCH. I encourage you to obey God as He invites us to praise and worship HIM this coming Lord's Day.

God Bless until our next time together .

Lord I Want It All #3

Good day to all and I pray you are being blessed by these writings. We are continuing our study on the subject of, "Lord I Want It All." Today our basic point is one that continues from last week's study. "With Receiving The Word, I Want To Give It."

No Christian should settle for taking the truth of God's Word without the understanding and desire of giving it to others who need it just as much as they. There is no process in our Christian life that is more important or more significant than sharing and teaching God's Word to others. No position in God's Army is more valuable than those who are teachers of the Bible and the commands of our Heavenly father .

While the Lord Jesus Christ was on this earth physically, he taught us a lot of wonderful things as He began transitioning the world from the Old Testament principles to that of the New Testament principles or God's New Covenant with man. In the Lord's final statement He wanted to sum it all up for those disciples closest to Him. He seemed to want to tell them one last time of what it was that He expected of them and all future disciples. Jesus' final words were these: “19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:19-20) (ASV).

The following story is told of one of our past leaders. President Eisenhower is said to have personally invited author James Michener to a dinner at the White House. History has it that Mr. Michener declined to come; he was one of the few persons in history to ever turn down an invitation to the White House. He wrote a letter to President Eisenhower with his regrets and gave the explanation as to why: "Dear Mr .President: I received your invitation three days after I had agreed to speak a few words at a dinner honouring a wonderful teacher from my childhood. I know you will not miss me at your dinner, but she might at hers."

President Eisenhower was said to be deeply moved and wrote back to Mr .
Michener the following letter: "Dear Mr. Michener: In his lifetime a man lives under fifteen or sixteen Presidents, but a really fine teacher comes into his life but rarely."

Maybe as you read this devotion you are reminded of a teacher who made a big difference in your life; whether as a child or an adult. When it comes to your life in Christ, think about this: who was it that took the time to share with you the TRUTH of God's Word and thereby pull your soul from the fire of eternal hell? Each of us today is the result of those first disciples fulfilling the command of Christ in Matthew 28. We are the result of that same chain of events not being interrupted. Some one loved you enough and cared for your soul enough put the world aside for a few moments and tell you the most wonderful story man would ever hear .We need to pray that God raise up more teachers who are willing to not only take the Word of God, but also willing to give it to others lost and on their way to hell. I guess we could say, "If you can read this, do not only thank a teacher, become one."

God bless until our next time.

Lord I Want It All #2

Welcome back and I pray each of you are growing stronger in The Lord each day. I want to say first how much I appreciate the opportunity to write and encourage you all. I enjoy receiving the emails expressing thanks for these devotions and telling me how much they are appreciated. It warms my heart to be able to serve our great God any way He makes available. So I say thanks to each of you for this blessed opportunity .

Now let's begin our continuing study. Lord, I want it all; I do not want some of it. My basic point today is this; WITH SALVATION, I WANT THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE IT. The Apostle John, that most beloved disciple of Christ, wrote some of the most powerful pieces of the Word of God as he was inspired of The Holy Spirit. In 1 John 5:13, John gives to us the very bottom line as to why he was writing and teaching the things he did. In that verse John said, “These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God. in order that you may know that You have eternal life.”

I believe it is a good thing once in a while for the Christian to take inventory. What I mean is we need to stop for a few moments in our private time and realize what we have in the area of being in Christ. I do think we can so easily forget and take it for granted. As we read God's Holy Word it should cause us to have that sense of awe in regards to what Christ and God have done to bring us salvation. God's Word is the only place in the world where we find what is necessary for this salvation to occur. If it is not God's Word it is not the truth. In Romans 3:4 the Apostle Paul wrote, “Let God be found true and every man a liar.”

There are many people when asked if they are going to heaven when this life ends will often respond by saying, “I hope so.” This is exactly what John was writing about in his letter. If a person has done something to supposedly “gain salvation” by any other means than what God has already said in His Word, that person can only HOPE FOR THE BEST with no scriptural basis behind their faith or belief. But we can have the assurance, through the written Word of God Himself, that we have this salvation. We can point to book, chapter and many verses where God tells us that salvation is now ours.

Remember again what John said in the verse we quoted, “These things were WRITTEN that you may know that you have eternal life.” It is only from the written word of God that we know for sure that salvation has come. Our obedient faith in His word and His grace given to us causes this to take place. It is not something a person FEELS in the pit of their stomach. God tells us all of every generation the very same thing. He does not tell one group one thing and another group another thing. Make sure in your life that you have been faithfully obedient to THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.

As much as the world needs to know and understand that they are lost in sin and need Christ, the church also needs to know and recognize what it is that we have available to us because of Christ and His sacrifice. Know for sure through the Word of God that His salvation is yours because you have obeyed His Truths in His Word.

God Bless until our next time together.