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Bethlehem Baptist Church, Warthen, GA.
Tag Archives: faith
You’re Never Too Old!
It Is Well! Thank You, Jesus!
When Horatio Spafford looked out across the place where his daughters drowned in a ship wreck, can you even imagine the emotions flooding over him?
What pain! What horrible, sickening emptiness! What incomparable sorrow!
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com
Yet, no doubt trembling, with tears wetting his cheeks, he was warmed by the peace that passes understanding and composed the words to one of the Christian world’s most beloved hymns… “It Is Well With My Soul.”
This morning, a friend on Facebook forwarded me a link to some Nashville studio vocalists and their unbelievable rendition of “It Is Well,” all done on their cell phones!
Let me tell you, like some old preachers used to say, “If that doesn’t light your fire, your wood is wet!”
I couldn’t keep still, couldn’t stay seated, and couldn’t keep quiet. It became a hanky-waving, hand-clapping, “thank you Jesus” time.
Now, why don’t you watch and listen and see if your fire will light … unless your wood is too wet 😉
Just click on the link, below. It will take you to the News4 story and video.
It’s Been A Year…I’m Still Alive!
1st Stent-iversary!
Today is a very big day for me, even though it will pass by with little to no fanfare. Today marks one year since two stents were placed in my heart!
A year ago, yesterday, my wife and I had driven down here to Warthen for a face-to-face interview with the search committee at Bethlehem Baptist. Just a few hours later I was in the local hospital with odd chest pains.
A short while after that I was being transported by ambulance to Macon, Georgia where I was admitted and prepped for heart surgery.
You can read how it all unfolded – the rest of the story – by clicking here.
One year ago I almost died from a heart attack. Now, a year later, I could end up dying from a virus!
You Never Know
I’m glad to be alive (even though Heaven would be great). I’m thankful to God for sparing my life and answering the question, “What’s a person supposed to do if they have a heart attack in this town?”
But, seriously, none of us know what tomorrow holds, do we? One day everything could be perfectly fine, normal, no problems, and then the next day your world could be turned upside down.
What started out as a Chinese thing has now infected most of the world. Literally, just one hour ago (as of this writing), I was told by a Sheriff’s Deputy that our rural county had its first confirmed case of Coronavirus and that the Mayor had declared a state of emergency. Then, not even 15 minutes after that, my wife informed me that her cousin’s wife, Amber, tested positive for the virus.
Again, one never knows from one moment to the next what tomorrow holds. It could be a heart attack, a virus, an accident, or even cancer – you just don’t know.
But God knows.
That is why He says “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
An Invitation
The Lord is calling YOU. Are you going to answer?
We are living in a very dangerous time, and it’s only getting worse. Add to that the already uncertainty of life, what confidence do you have that you’ll be around a year from now? Even a month from now? It’s impossible to know!
Therefore, if you are in the least bit unsure of where you would spend eternity, PLEASE take a moment and read this simple explanation of the gospel and how to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ. And if you do, please let me know!
My heart attack was a wake-up call. This virus, I believe, is God’s wake-up call to the world.
While YOU are still alive, take advantage of the opportunity to live forever.
Filed under salvation
Bedtime Prayer of the Saved by Grace
“Now I lay me down to sleep.
I KNOW the Lord my soul will keep.
And if I should die before I wake,
Then, HALLELUJAH! That would take the cake!
Thank you Jesus! Amen! Praise God!”
“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” – Romans 15:33
Filed under Christianity, Faith, grace, iPosts, Life/Death, salvation
I’ve Got a Mighty, Mighty Friend
Tough Times
All of us are living in tough and troubling times. For some of you, the road you’re on has far more bumps and potholes than the roads of others. Yet, all of us will agree that, wherever we are, the world is not getting any better.
Times are tough, and they’re only getting tougher.
But…
But, I have a Mighty Friend who is not affected by the whims of men or the winds of time. As a matter of fact, my Friend is the One who created man and started time.
Several years ago (2007) I wrote a song for my little girls to sing. Not long ago, while doing some stuff at church, I listened to a recording of the song …and shouted…literally, I kicked up my heels, pumped my fists, waved my hands, and shouted “Praise GOD!”
Maybe you need some encouragement? Just read the lyrics I have included below, and if God is your friend, don’t worry (Matthew 6:30-34).
Mighty Friend
Well I may not be as tall as a building or strong as a big ol train I may not be as smart as a scientist doing things I can’t explain But I know the One who made the tallest mountain and can whip up a hurricane And the very One who invented gravity says He even knows my name. Well I may not know what’s comin’ in the mornin’, or what the day may bring Good or bad, I’m not gonna worry, ‘cause Jesus knows everything. So I’ll do the best with what God has given me as long as there is time ‘Cause the One that got the clocks a-tick’n told me it’ll all be fine. When the devil acts like a bully, putting on a scary show Before you run away and hide in a corner there’s something you need to know The One who spoke the world into existence is standing by your side And if you look close the devil’s knees are shakin’ cause he knows he’ll lose the fight Chorus: Cause I’ve got a Mighty, Mighty Friend who watches over me And He’s the Mighty, Mighty Savior who died to set me free Well I may not be the greatest at anything, but this one thing is so The God that is the greatest at everything loves me, this I know.© 2007, Anthony C. Baker (BMI)
Katie is going to hate me for doing this…
…but I am going to include the recording I was talking about. This was recorded back when she (Katie, the one on the far left) was only 10 or 11 years-old. It’s not Nashville quality, but it’s precious. So, as so many people say before they sing in church, “Don’t listen to how we sing, just listen to the words.”
“Mighty Friend”
Katie, Valerie, Alicia, and Haley
Filed under Faith, God, music, Relationships and Family
A Doctrine from Eden Repackaged (Faith In Words)
The Beginning
In order to put things in perspective, we must start with the beginning. And when I say beginning, I mean THE beginning. Please consider the following verses, for they are critical:
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
It should be obvious, according to the above verses, that not only did God create the universe, but that the Word which He spoke was none other than Jesus Christ. The doctrine that Jesus is the “express image” of God the Father, even God Himself (Hebrews 1:3), is at the core of orthodox Christianity.
Jesus was not just a good man or prophet, and neither were the words of God at creation just words spoken in faith.
Did you get that last part? That’s the part I want to address.
Faith in Words
There is a teaching still being taught that essentially says: “If you have faith in your words, as God had faith when He spoke the worlds into being, you can also create a miracle, your own reality. You can be like God, if you have the faith of God.”
Excuse me? God had faith? Really? If so, in what?
Well, if you’re like Kenneth Copeland, you’ll believe God had faith in His own words when He “spoke to the Spirit” on the day He created man…
“[We] can see that man’s body was formed from dust, but he became a living spirit when God spoke to Himself and breathed life into his physical body. … In short, we must always remember that unlike any other creature, man was both formed from dust and created with words of faith.” (Source)
Or then there’s this:
“God used words when He created the heaven and the earth….Each time God spoke, He released His faith — the creative power to bring His words to pass.”
Kenneth Copeland, The Power of the Tongue (Fort Worth: KCP Publications, 1980), 4.
First, stop and think about this! Do you realize that God is the Giver and Author of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2), not One who puts His faith in something or someone? There is something fundamentally wrong with the idea that Omnipotence would have any reason to have faith, for the very definition of faith requires a sense of dependence on a power outside yourself.
When God speaks, things happen; not because of His faith, but because He’s God!
Secondly, ask yourself: “If God had faith in His Word, then would that make Him the first Christian?” How silly does that sound? But in reality, if we are to believe that God had faith in His words, which brought about creation, then would it not stand to reason, – if John 1:1 is correct – that God the Father put His faith in Jesus? Was not Jesus the Word by which all things were created?
Crazy, right?
Then, there is the worst part…
Words of the Serpent
Do you remember how Satan tempted eve in the garden of Eden? Remember how he tried to convince her that by eating the fruit, she could “be as gods?” How similar, then, is the promise, “If you have faith in your words, as God had faith in His words, you can create like God did?”
If you think I’m making this stuff up, my friends, consider the following statements by one of the foremost teachers of this false doctrine (and you can find more on YouTube):
“You have the same creative faith and ability on the inside of you that God used when he created the heavens and the earth.”
Kenneth Copeland, ‘Inner Image of the Covenant,’ side 2.“On the cross, Jesus won the right for believers to be born again back into the god-class. Adam was created, not subordinate to God, but as a god; he lost it, and in Christ we are taken back to the god-class.” ~ Kenneth Copeland (AZQuotes.com)
“I say this with all respect so that it don’t upset you too bad, but I say it anyway. When I read in the Bible where he [Jesus] says, ‘I Am,’ I just smile and say, ‘Yes, I Am, too!'” ~ Kenneth Copeland (AZQuotes.com)
It may anger some of you, my readers, but please don’t be offended. Do as Paul told Timothy, “take heed unto thyself, and to [thy] doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Please understand, to claim one has the power to create, as God created, is heresy! Faith in our words, outside of faith in God, especially in order to bring about our will, as opposed to, or in spite of God’s will, is nothing less than witchcraft.
Even more, it is the doctrine of Eden reborn: “you shall be as gods.”
Filed under Christian Maturity, cults, God, ministry, Theology
Jesus Is More than a Crutch!
Last night I was sifting through boxes of stuff in my office and I came across several notebooks in which I’d maintained somewhat of a diary.
I’ll be honest with you, it’s been a pretty difficult time around here, lately. Not only has my faith been tested on an hourly basis, but my own brokenness has been made clear over and over again. When I took a few minutes to flip through the pages of those old notebooks, all from over a decade ago, the truth that my broken condition is chronic became obvious.
But there was one page I found where I had written some encouraging words. However, they weren’t words of affirmation meant to build up my ego or make me feel better about myself; they were attestations to the fact that Jesus is more, so much more, than a crutch to me.
Below is a copy of the text…
You say you don’t need Jesus because you don’t need a crutch. If you don’t think you need him, then maybe you’re crippled to high for crutches.
Jesus is more than a crutch!
Throw away Jesus and take the Devil, but I choose Jesus.
Just think about it:
The Devil tries to burden me down
-Jesus says, “Cast your cares on me.”“Forgiven” by Thomas Blackshear
The Devil wants me to sin.
-Jesus bore my sin.Satan will try to weaken me.
-Jesus is my strength.When Satan fires his arrows at me,
-Jesus is my Shield.In the midst of the storm
-Jesus hides me in his hand.Satan would see me defeated.
-Jesus fights my battles.Satan would have me fall into despair.
-Jesus lifts me from the pit.Satan would harm me.
-Jesus will heal me.When darkness is all around and Satan would blind me,
-Jesus is my Light.When Satan says, “There is no way,”
-Jesus says, “I AM THE WAY”When Satan says I’m guilty,
-Jesus paid my debt.When the Devil would lead me astray,
-Jesus is my Shepherd.When the Devil would watch me fall,
-Jesus carries me.
“Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, help me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.” – Thomas A. Dorsey
He leads; He goes before; He walks beside; He holds me; He carries me; He helps me to stand; He gives me a race to run: He’s so much more than a “crutch” to me.
Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, Depression, Faith, Jesus, worship, writing
I’m Going to Offend Somebody
Offended Anyone?
Have you ever offended anyone? I bet you have. Sooner or later, all of us will. We may say something we don’t mean, act carelessly, or speak the truth without love. Offenses happen.
However, there are times when simple words and phrases will set people off. For example, if you want to rile people up into a tizzy, just get on Facebook or Twitter and post any of the following words (your opinion doesn’t matter):
-
Yes, that’s me in the center kneeling. My dad beside me. We raced Fords. (1987)
Grits, okra, and turnip greens
- Roll Tide! / Go Vols!
- “Only two genders”
- “It’s only a translation.”
- Rapture
- First On Race Day (Ford)
- Second Amendment
- “My kids will never do that.”
- “only between a man and a woman”
- Donald Trump
Seriously, use any of those words and it won’t take 10 minutes before people are arguing and fighting, calling each other names, questioning each other’s religion, and saying things like, “DON’T JUDGE ME!”
Nevertheless, we should do our best to “live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). It should never be our intent to hurt feelings or make people angry. The apostle Paul instructed us to “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19). So, as much as is possible, we should watch what we say, choose our words carefully, and do our best not to offend.
And, when necessary, we should apologize.
The Rock of Offense
On the other hand, there are times when we MUST offend. Sometimes speaking the truth is the only loving thing to do; anything less is an offense to God.
For example, the following words will not make many friends but are guaranteed to generate hate-filled comments from around the troll-dwelling universe. Yet, they must be said!
- Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man can come unto the Father but by Him (John 14:6).
As a blogger, my words are read all over the world by people who hate the name of Jesus, and when I mention Him they go ballistic. I hate it for them, but how can I remain silent?
Jesus told the followers of John the Baptist,
“…Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.“ – Luke 7:22-23
I don’t like offending people, but here’s the thing: if we let the fear of offending silence the Truth, how then can we “follow after the things which make for peace?” There can be no real peace without the Prince of Peace.
So, I guess I’m going to offend somebody.
A Daddy’s Prayer
Dear Lord,
She’s no longer the baby I could hold in my arms. If I hold her these days, it’s a quick hug, a slight embrace. Gone are the days when she would put her head on my chest and fall to sleep, completely trusting in me to protect and provide.
But now I pray she’d seek your embrace, your protection, provision, and peace in Your rest.
An evil lurks around each corner, in the valley where death hides in the shadows. No longer there, I can’t be her guide. If You are not her Shepherd, the shadows will prevail.
Watch over her as only You can do. Guide her, with pain, if necessary, to the prize at the end of her race. I’ll be in the stands cheering.
Amen
