Q: Which Charles are we celebrating?
A: The works of Charles Spurgeon have inspired millions of Christians around the world for over a hundred years. His wisdom and insight into God’s Word and world have helped others discover the richness of Scripture. However, as with any work after a century, Spurgeon’s language can be a barrier for the modern-day world, and this makes his work seemingly less accessible or even “outdated.”
Answers in Genesis and Larry Pierce—who’s behind the Online Bible software, the translation of James Ussher’s The Annals of the World into modern English, and the upcoming translation of Isaac Newton’s works—along with his wife, Marion, want to give Spurgeon’s sermons new life. Thanks to the Electronic Bible Society (EBS) in Texas, Larry was able to update these sermons, not to change the meaning, but to make them more easily understood by modern readers.
Learn more about the effort to update Spurgeon’s sermons—and how you can read them—at Charles Spurgeon—Reloaded.
News to Note Quick Look
Darwin in the news: We’re less than two weeks away from Darwin’s birthday, and the news media isn’t forgetting. Read more.
All agree it wasn’t the sponge: This just in: sea sponges are not the oldest animal around, according to a recent evolutionary analysis. Read more.
Also: a fishy riddle, hobbits in the news, wasps and medicine, viruses and medicine, and don’t miss . . . . Read more.
Prayer Requests
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Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program
Feathers on T-Rex—what’s the story?
Mammoths and pharaohs—what a surprise!
King of beasts—or king of brains?
The killer asteroid—or was it?
Young people—they need answers!
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After Eden
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Evidence of the Spirit's Filling
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)
This classic verse on the filling of the Holy Spirit can be rendered as follows: "And don't begin to be drunk with wine, which involves profligacy, but be continually being filled with the Spirit." That is, one cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit (which implies complete control by the Holy Spirit) if he has come to even the slightest degree under the control of wine (or anything else, for that matter).
Being fully controlled and guided by the Spirit is not just a one-time experience. It should be a continual experience--a moment-by-moment control of one's thoughts and actions by God. In practice, however, it is at best a repeated experience, whereas most Christians experience it quite rarely, if at all.
But how does one have such an experience? And what is the evidence that it is the real thing? To be controlled by the Holy Spirit, one must yield control to Him, and not let himself be controlled by anything or anyone else. In practice, this means believing and obeying the Word which He inspired, consciously yielding one's self as often as necessary. Jesus promised that "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
It should be noted that the filling of the Spirit is not necessarily marked by any particular feeling or ecstatic experience. The real proof is in the life, manifested by such characteristics as are described in the context of the passages referring to the Spirit's filling. In our text, it is obvious that such a filling is accompanied by redeeming one's time (v. 16), understanding God's will (v. 17), a happy and Bible-centered conversation (v. 19), a continuously thankful heart (v. 20), and a right attitude and relationship with one's spouse (vv. 22-25). It is also evidenced by boldness in witnessing and in standing up for God's truth (Acts 4:31, 13:9-10). HMM
Print this article More Days of Praise articles
Institute for Creation Research 1806 Royal Lane Dallas TX 75229
This classic verse on the filling of the Holy Spirit can be rendered as follows: "And don't begin to be drunk with wine, which involves profligacy, but be continually being filled with the Spirit." That is, one cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit (which implies complete control by the Holy Spirit) if he has come to even the slightest degree under the control of wine (or anything else, for that matter).
Being fully controlled and guided by the Spirit is not just a one-time experience. It should be a continual experience--a moment-by-moment control of one's thoughts and actions by God. In practice, however, it is at best a repeated experience, whereas most Christians experience it quite rarely, if at all.
But how does one have such an experience? And what is the evidence that it is the real thing? To be controlled by the Holy Spirit, one must yield control to Him, and not let himself be controlled by anything or anyone else. In practice, this means believing and obeying the Word which He inspired, consciously yielding one's self as often as necessary. Jesus promised that "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
It should be noted that the filling of the Spirit is not necessarily marked by any particular feeling or ecstatic experience. The real proof is in the life, manifested by such characteristics as are described in the context of the passages referring to the Spirit's filling. In our text, it is obvious that such a filling is accompanied by redeeming one's time (v. 16), understanding God's will (v. 17), a happy and Bible-centered conversation (v. 19), a continuously thankful heart (v. 20), and a right attitude and relationship with one's spouse (vv. 22-25). It is also evidenced by boldness in witnessing and in standing up for God's truth (Acts 4:31, 13:9-10). HMM
Print this article More Days of Praise articles
Institute for Creation Research 1806 Royal Lane Dallas TX 75229
Thursday, January 29, 2009
SOON TO BE EXTINCT IN AMERICA
A friend of mine sent me these in an email. I don't know how accurate they are but some seem pretty likely.
Common Sense and some research indicate that there are:
24 THINGS ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA
24. Yellow Pages
This year will be pivotal for the global Yellow Pages industry. Much like newspapers, print Yellow Pages will continue to bleed dollars to their various digital counterparts, from Internet Yellow Pages (IYPs), to local search engines and combination search/listing services like Reach Local and Yodel Factors like an acceleration of the print 'fade rate' and the looming recession will contribute to the onslaught. One research firm predicts the falloff in usage of newspapers and print Yellow Pages could even reach 10% this year -- much higher than the 2%-3% fade rate seen in past years.
23. Classified Ads
The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that could signal the end of civilization as we know it. The argument is that if newspaper classifieds are replaced by free online listings at sites like Craigslist.org and Google Base, then newspapers are not far behind them.
22. Movie Rental Stores
While Netflix is looking up at the moment, Blockbuster keeps closing store locations by the hundreds. It still has about 6,000 left across the world, but those keep dwindling and the stock is down considerably in 2008, especially since the company gave up a quest of Circuit City. Movie Gallery, which owned the Hollywood Video brand, closed up shop earlier this year. Countless small video chains and mom-and-pop stores have given up the ghost already.
21. Dial-up Internet Access
Dial-up connections have fallen from 40% in 2001 to 10% in 2008. The combination of an infrastructure to accommodate affordable high speed Internet connections and the disappearing home phone have all but pounded the final nail in the coffin of dial-up Internet access.
20. Phone Landlines
According to a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics, at the end of 2007, nearly one in six homes was cell-only and, of those homes that had landlines, one in eight only received calls on their cells.
19. Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs
Maryland's icon, the blue crab, has been fading away in Chesapeake Bay. Last year Maryland saw the lowest harvest (22 million pounds) since 1945. Just four decades ago the bay produced 96 million pounds. The population is down 70% since 1990, when they first did a formal count. There are only about 120 million crabs in the bay and they think they need 200 million for a sustainable population. Over-fishing, pollution, invasive species and global warming get the blame.
18. VCRs
For the better part of three decades, the VCR was a best-seller and staple in every American household until being completely decimated by the DVD, and now the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In fact, the only remnants of the VHS age at your local Wal-Mart or Radio Shack are blank VHS tapes these days. Pre-recorded VHS tapes are largely gone and VHS decks are practically nowhere to be found. They served us so well.
17. Ash Trees
In the late 1990s, a pretty, iridescent green species of beetle, now known as the emerald ash borer, hitched a ride to North America with ash wood products imported from eastern Asia. In less than a decade, its larvae have killed millions of trees in the Midwest, and continue to spread. They've killed more than 30 million ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, with tens of millions more lost in Ohio and Indiana. More than 7.5 billion ash trees are currently at risk.
16. Ham Radio
Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. However, proliferation of the Internet and its popularity among youth has caused the decline of amateur radio. In the past five years alone, the number of people holding active ham radio licenses has dropped by 50,000, even though Morse Code is no longer a requirement.
15. The Swimming Hole
Thanks to our litigious society, swimming holes are becoming a thing of the past. '20/20' reports that swimming hole owners, like Robert Every in High Falls, NY, are shutting them down out of worry that if someone gets hurt they'll sue. And that's exactly what happened in Seattle. The city of Bellingham was sued by Katie Hofstetter who was paralyzed in a fall at a popular swimming hole in Whatcom Falls Park. As injuries occur and lawsuits follow, expect more swimming holes to post 'Keep out!' signs.
14. Answering Machines
The increasing disappearance of answering machines is directly tied to No 20 our list -- the decline of landlines. According to USA Today, the number of homes that only use cell phones jumped 159% between 2004 and 2007. It has been particularly bad in New York; since 2000, landline usage has dropped 55%. It's logical that as cell phones rise, many of them replacing traditional landlines, that there will be fewer answering machines.
13. Cameras That Use Film
It doesn't require a statistician to prove the rapid disappearance of the film camera in America. Just look to companies like Nikon, the professional's choice for quality camera equipment. In 2006, it announced that it would stop making film cameras, pointing to the shrinking market -- only 3% of its sales in 2005, compared to 75% of sales from digital cameras and equipment.
12. Incandescent Bulbs
Before a few years ago, the standard 60-watt (or, yikes, 100-watt) bulb was the mainstay of every U.S. home. With the green movement and all-things-sustainable-energy crowd, the Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb (CFL) is largely replacing the older, Edison-era incandescent bulb. The EPA reports that 2007 sales for Energy Star CFLs nearly doubled from 2006, and these sales accounted for approximately 20 percent of the U.S. light bulb market. And according to USA Today, a new energy bill plans to phase out incandescent bulbs in the next four to 12 years.
11. Stand-Alone Bowling Alleys
BowlingBalls. US claims there are still 60 million Americans who bowl at least once a year, but many are not bowling in stand-alone bowling alleys. Today most new bowling alleys are part of facilities for all types or recreation including laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, video game arcades, climbing walls and glow miniature golf. Bowling lanes also have been added to many non-traditional venues such as adult communities, hotels and resorts, and gambling casinos.
10. The Milkman
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 1950, over half of the milk delivered was to the home in quart bottles, by 1963, it was about a third and by 2001, it represented only 0.4% percent. Nowadays most milk is sold through supermarkets in gallon jugs. The steady decline in home-delivered milk is blamed, of course, on the rise of the supermarket, better home refrigeration and longer-lasting milk. Although some milkmen still make the rounds in pockets of the U.S., they are certainly a dying breed.
9. Hand-Written Letters
In 2006, the Radicati Group estimated that, worldwide, 183 billion e-mails were sent each day. Two million each second. By November of 2007, an estimated 3.3 billion Earthlings owned cell phones, and 80% of the world's population had access to cell phone coverage. In 2004, half-a-trillion text messages were sent, and the number has no doubt increased exponentially since then. So where amongst this gorge of gabble is there room for the elegant, polite hand-written letter?
8. Wild Horses
It is estimated that 100 years ago, as many as two million horses were roaming free within the United States. In 2001, National Geographic News estimated that the wild horse population had decreased to about 50,000 head. Currently, the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory board states that there are 32,000 free roaming horses in ten Western states, with half of them residing in Nevada. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking to reduce the total number of free range horses to 27,000, possibly by selective euthanasia.
7. Personal Checks
According to an American Bankers Assoc. report, a net 23% of consumers plan to decrease their use of checks over the next two years, while a net 14% plan to increase their use of PIN debit. Bill payment remains the last stronghold of paper-based payments -- for the time being. Checks continue to be the most commonly used bill payment method, with 71% of consumers paying at least one recurring bill per month by writing a check. However, on a bill-by-bill basis, checks account for only 49% of consumers' recurring bill payments (down from 72% in 2001 and 60% in 2003).
6. Drive-in Theaters
During the peak in 1958, there were more than 4,000 drive-in theaters in this country, but in 2007 only 405 drive-ins were still operating. Exactly zero new drive-ins have been built since 2005. Only one reopened in 2005 and five reopened in 2006, so there isn't much of a movement toward reviving the closed ones.
5. Mumps & Measles
Despite what's been in the news lately, the measles and mumps actually, truly are disappearing from the United States. In 1964, 212,000 cases of mumps were reported in the U.S. By 1983, this figure had dropped to 3,000, thanks to a vigorous vaccination program. Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, approximately half a million cases of measles were reported in the U.S. annually, resulting in 450 deaths. In 2005, only 66 cases were recorded.
4. Honey Bees
Perhaps nothing on our list of disappearing America is so dire; plummeting so enormously; and so necessary to the survival of our food supply as the honey bee. Very scary. 'Colony Collapse Disorder,' or CCD, has spread throughout the U.S. and Europe over the past few years, wiping out 50% to 90% of the colonies of many beekeepers -- and along with it, their livelihood.
3. News Magazines and TV News
While the TV evening newscasts haven't gone anywhere over the last several decades, their audiences have. In 1984, in a story about the diminishing returns of the evening news, the New York Times reported that all three network evening-news programs combined had only 40.9 million viewers. Fast forward to 2008, and what they have today is half that.
2. Analog TV
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 85% of homes in the U.S. get their television programming through cable or satellite providers. For the remaining 15% -- or 13 million individuals -- who are using rabbit ears or a large outdoor antenna to get their local stations, change is in the air. If you are one of these people you'll need to get a new TV or a converter box in order to get the new stations which will only be broadcast in digital.
1. The Family Farm
Since the 1930s, the number of family farms has been declining rapidly. According to the USDA, 5.3 million farms dotted the nation in 1950, but this number had declined to 2.1 million by the 2003 farm census (data from the 2007 census hasn't yet been published). Ninety-one percent of theU.S. FARMS are small Family Farms.
Both interesting and saddening, isn't it?
Common Sense and some research indicate that there are:
24 THINGS ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA
24. Yellow Pages
This year will be pivotal for the global Yellow Pages industry. Much like newspapers, print Yellow Pages will continue to bleed dollars to their various digital counterparts, from Internet Yellow Pages (IYPs), to local search engines and combination search/listing services like Reach Local and Yodel Factors like an acceleration of the print 'fade rate' and the looming recession will contribute to the onslaught. One research firm predicts the falloff in usage of newspapers and print Yellow Pages could even reach 10% this year -- much higher than the 2%-3% fade rate seen in past years.
23. Classified Ads
The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that could signal the end of civilization as we know it. The argument is that if newspaper classifieds are replaced by free online listings at sites like Craigslist.org and Google Base, then newspapers are not far behind them.
22. Movie Rental Stores
While Netflix is looking up at the moment, Blockbuster keeps closing store locations by the hundreds. It still has about 6,000 left across the world, but those keep dwindling and the stock is down considerably in 2008, especially since the company gave up a quest of Circuit City. Movie Gallery, which owned the Hollywood Video brand, closed up shop earlier this year. Countless small video chains and mom-and-pop stores have given up the ghost already.
21. Dial-up Internet Access
Dial-up connections have fallen from 40% in 2001 to 10% in 2008. The combination of an infrastructure to accommodate affordable high speed Internet connections and the disappearing home phone have all but pounded the final nail in the coffin of dial-up Internet access.
20. Phone Landlines
According to a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics, at the end of 2007, nearly one in six homes was cell-only and, of those homes that had landlines, one in eight only received calls on their cells.
19. Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs
Maryland's icon, the blue crab, has been fading away in Chesapeake Bay. Last year Maryland saw the lowest harvest (22 million pounds) since 1945. Just four decades ago the bay produced 96 million pounds. The population is down 70% since 1990, when they first did a formal count. There are only about 120 million crabs in the bay and they think they need 200 million for a sustainable population. Over-fishing, pollution, invasive species and global warming get the blame.
18. VCRs
For the better part of three decades, the VCR was a best-seller and staple in every American household until being completely decimated by the DVD, and now the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In fact, the only remnants of the VHS age at your local Wal-Mart or Radio Shack are blank VHS tapes these days. Pre-recorded VHS tapes are largely gone and VHS decks are practically nowhere to be found. They served us so well.
17. Ash Trees
In the late 1990s, a pretty, iridescent green species of beetle, now known as the emerald ash borer, hitched a ride to North America with ash wood products imported from eastern Asia. In less than a decade, its larvae have killed millions of trees in the Midwest, and continue to spread. They've killed more than 30 million ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, with tens of millions more lost in Ohio and Indiana. More than 7.5 billion ash trees are currently at risk.
16. Ham Radio
Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. However, proliferation of the Internet and its popularity among youth has caused the decline of amateur radio. In the past five years alone, the number of people holding active ham radio licenses has dropped by 50,000, even though Morse Code is no longer a requirement.
15. The Swimming Hole
Thanks to our litigious society, swimming holes are becoming a thing of the past. '20/20' reports that swimming hole owners, like Robert Every in High Falls, NY, are shutting them down out of worry that if someone gets hurt they'll sue. And that's exactly what happened in Seattle. The city of Bellingham was sued by Katie Hofstetter who was paralyzed in a fall at a popular swimming hole in Whatcom Falls Park. As injuries occur and lawsuits follow, expect more swimming holes to post 'Keep out!' signs.
14. Answering Machines
The increasing disappearance of answering machines is directly tied to No 20 our list -- the decline of landlines. According to USA Today, the number of homes that only use cell phones jumped 159% between 2004 and 2007. It has been particularly bad in New York; since 2000, landline usage has dropped 55%. It's logical that as cell phones rise, many of them replacing traditional landlines, that there will be fewer answering machines.
13. Cameras That Use Film
It doesn't require a statistician to prove the rapid disappearance of the film camera in America. Just look to companies like Nikon, the professional's choice for quality camera equipment. In 2006, it announced that it would stop making film cameras, pointing to the shrinking market -- only 3% of its sales in 2005, compared to 75% of sales from digital cameras and equipment.
12. Incandescent Bulbs
Before a few years ago, the standard 60-watt (or, yikes, 100-watt) bulb was the mainstay of every U.S. home. With the green movement and all-things-sustainable-energy crowd, the Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb (CFL) is largely replacing the older, Edison-era incandescent bulb. The EPA reports that 2007 sales for Energy Star CFLs nearly doubled from 2006, and these sales accounted for approximately 20 percent of the U.S. light bulb market. And according to USA Today, a new energy bill plans to phase out incandescent bulbs in the next four to 12 years.
11. Stand-Alone Bowling Alleys
BowlingBalls. US claims there are still 60 million Americans who bowl at least once a year, but many are not bowling in stand-alone bowling alleys. Today most new bowling alleys are part of facilities for all types or recreation including laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, video game arcades, climbing walls and glow miniature golf. Bowling lanes also have been added to many non-traditional venues such as adult communities, hotels and resorts, and gambling casinos.
10. The Milkman
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 1950, over half of the milk delivered was to the home in quart bottles, by 1963, it was about a third and by 2001, it represented only 0.4% percent. Nowadays most milk is sold through supermarkets in gallon jugs. The steady decline in home-delivered milk is blamed, of course, on the rise of the supermarket, better home refrigeration and longer-lasting milk. Although some milkmen still make the rounds in pockets of the U.S., they are certainly a dying breed.
9. Hand-Written Letters
In 2006, the Radicati Group estimated that, worldwide, 183 billion e-mails were sent each day. Two million each second. By November of 2007, an estimated 3.3 billion Earthlings owned cell phones, and 80% of the world's population had access to cell phone coverage. In 2004, half-a-trillion text messages were sent, and the number has no doubt increased exponentially since then. So where amongst this gorge of gabble is there room for the elegant, polite hand-written letter?
8. Wild Horses
It is estimated that 100 years ago, as many as two million horses were roaming free within the United States. In 2001, National Geographic News estimated that the wild horse population had decreased to about 50,000 head. Currently, the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory board states that there are 32,000 free roaming horses in ten Western states, with half of them residing in Nevada. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking to reduce the total number of free range horses to 27,000, possibly by selective euthanasia.
7. Personal Checks
According to an American Bankers Assoc. report, a net 23% of consumers plan to decrease their use of checks over the next two years, while a net 14% plan to increase their use of PIN debit. Bill payment remains the last stronghold of paper-based payments -- for the time being. Checks continue to be the most commonly used bill payment method, with 71% of consumers paying at least one recurring bill per month by writing a check. However, on a bill-by-bill basis, checks account for only 49% of consumers' recurring bill payments (down from 72% in 2001 and 60% in 2003).
6. Drive-in Theaters
During the peak in 1958, there were more than 4,000 drive-in theaters in this country, but in 2007 only 405 drive-ins were still operating. Exactly zero new drive-ins have been built since 2005. Only one reopened in 2005 and five reopened in 2006, so there isn't much of a movement toward reviving the closed ones.
5. Mumps & Measles
Despite what's been in the news lately, the measles and mumps actually, truly are disappearing from the United States. In 1964, 212,000 cases of mumps were reported in the U.S. By 1983, this figure had dropped to 3,000, thanks to a vigorous vaccination program. Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, approximately half a million cases of measles were reported in the U.S. annually, resulting in 450 deaths. In 2005, only 66 cases were recorded.
4. Honey Bees
Perhaps nothing on our list of disappearing America is so dire; plummeting so enormously; and so necessary to the survival of our food supply as the honey bee. Very scary. 'Colony Collapse Disorder,' or CCD, has spread throughout the U.S. and Europe over the past few years, wiping out 50% to 90% of the colonies of many beekeepers -- and along with it, their livelihood.
3. News Magazines and TV News
While the TV evening newscasts haven't gone anywhere over the last several decades, their audiences have. In 1984, in a story about the diminishing returns of the evening news, the New York Times reported that all three network evening-news programs combined had only 40.9 million viewers. Fast forward to 2008, and what they have today is half that.
2. Analog TV
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 85% of homes in the U.S. get their television programming through cable or satellite providers. For the remaining 15% -- or 13 million individuals -- who are using rabbit ears or a large outdoor antenna to get their local stations, change is in the air. If you are one of these people you'll need to get a new TV or a converter box in order to get the new stations which will only be broadcast in digital.
1. The Family Farm
Since the 1930s, the number of family farms has been declining rapidly. According to the USDA, 5.3 million farms dotted the nation in 1950, but this number had declined to 2.1 million by the 2003 farm census (data from the 2007 census hasn't yet been published). Ninety-one percent of theU.S. FARMS are small Family Farms.
Both interesting and saddening, isn't it?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
IF THE FOOTMEN WEARY THEE...
JEREMIAH 12
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. A SAVED MAN QUESTIONS GOD [v. 1-4]
1. WHY DO THE WICKED PROSPER? [v. 1]
2. WHY DO YOU BLESS THE HYPOCRITES? [v. 2]
3. WHY DON'T YOU JUDGE THEM NOW? [v. 3-4]
II. GOD QUESTIONS A SAVED MAN [v. 5-6]
WHAT WILL YOU DO...
1. WHEN MEN INCREASE THEIR ATTACK? [v. 5a]
2. WHEN NATURE MAKES THINGS WORSE? [v. 5b]
3. WHEN YOU REALIZE EVEN SOME FAMILY MEMBERS TURN ON YOU? [v. 6]
If your faith isn't strong enough to trust God in the bad times how can it handle the terrible times?
Vance Havner said, "God marks some days "WILL EXPLAIN LATER".
III. GOD ANSWERS A SAVED MAN [v. 7-17]
1. SIN IS THE CAUSE [v. 7-12]
2. SOWING IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY REAPING [v. 13-14]
3. SALVATION IS AVAILABLE TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE [v. 15-17]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. A SAVED MAN QUESTIONS GOD [v. 1-4]
1. WHY DO THE WICKED PROSPER? [v. 1]
2. WHY DO YOU BLESS THE HYPOCRITES? [v. 2]
3. WHY DON'T YOU JUDGE THEM NOW? [v. 3-4]
II. GOD QUESTIONS A SAVED MAN [v. 5-6]
WHAT WILL YOU DO...
1. WHEN MEN INCREASE THEIR ATTACK? [v. 5a]
2. WHEN NATURE MAKES THINGS WORSE? [v. 5b]
3. WHEN YOU REALIZE EVEN SOME FAMILY MEMBERS TURN ON YOU? [v. 6]
If your faith isn't strong enough to trust God in the bad times how can it handle the terrible times?
Vance Havner said, "God marks some days "WILL EXPLAIN LATER".
III. GOD ANSWERS A SAVED MAN [v. 7-17]
1. SIN IS THE CAUSE [v. 7-12]
2. SOWING IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY REAPING [v. 13-14]
3. SALVATION IS AVAILABLE TO BOTH JEW & GENTILE [v. 15-17]
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
PATRIOTIC THOUGHTS OF THE WEEK - THE 2ND AMENDMENT
A good friend (MVK) sent me these thoughts which I now pass on to you for your enlightenment and entertainment.
The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. (waiting for attack)
The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either.
The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.
1. Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
2. If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics stink.
3. I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.
4. When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.
5. A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'
6. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. 'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?' 'No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun.'
7. Beware the man who only has one gun. HE PROBABLY KNOWS HOW TO USE IT!!!
But wait, there's more!
I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house. I said I did. She said 'Well I certainly hope it isn't loaded!'
To which I said, of course it is loaded, can't work without bullets!'
She then asked, 'Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?'
My reply was, 'No not at all. I am not afraid of the house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around, and they are all loaded too.'
To which I'll add, having a gun in the house that isn't loaded is like having a car in the garage without gas in the tank.
Monday, January 26, 2009
QUOTES OF THE WEEK! - all by Evangelist Wil Rice
Being a witness is not something we do, it's something we are.
Are you living in response to the news or the good news?
Life is terminal. Everyone is going to die!
The world is full of people going to pieces looking for peace.
There is no good without God.
Present peace can be ours if He has forgiven our past.
Authority is ordained of God.
[Concerning Simon Peter] He stood for right with a submissive spirit.
Peter preached not of rebellion but of obedience.
You can bear witness or bear a grudge but you can't do both at the same time.
There is a difference between talking about God and living for Him.
God will forgive... let Him!
Are you living in response to the news or the good news?
Life is terminal. Everyone is going to die!
The world is full of people going to pieces looking for peace.
There is no good without God.
Present peace can be ours if He has forgiven our past.
Authority is ordained of God.
[Concerning Simon Peter] He stood for right with a submissive spirit.
Peter preached not of rebellion but of obedience.
You can bear witness or bear a grudge but you can't do both at the same time.
There is a difference between talking about God and living for Him.
God will forgive... let Him!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
IT'S NOT UP TO US & WE'RE NOT UP TO IT!
EXODUS 19
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. WHAT GOD DOES [v. 1-3]
1. GOD REDEEMS [v. 1]
2. GOD REMEMBERS [v. 2, 3:12]
3. GOD REVEALS [v. 3]
II. WHAT GOD WANTS [v. 4-6, I PETER]
1. A PURCHASED POSSESSION [v. 4]
1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
2. A PECULIAR TREASURE [v. 5]
2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
3. A PRIESTLY NATION [v. 6]
2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
III. WHAT GOD KNOWS [v. 7-25]
1. ...PEOPLE OVER-ESTIMATE THEIR ABILITIES [v. 7-8]
2. ...PEOPLE UNDER-ESTIMATE GOD'S HOLINESS [v. 9-13]
3. ...PEOPLE NEED HELP: [v. 14-25]
-TO FOCUS [v. 14-15]
-TO FEAR [v. 16-18]
-TO FOLLOW [v. 19-25]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. WHAT GOD DOES [v. 1-3]
1. GOD REDEEMS [v. 1]
2. GOD REMEMBERS [v. 2, 3:12]
3. GOD REVEALS [v. 3]
II. WHAT GOD WANTS [v. 4-6, I PETER]
1. A PURCHASED POSSESSION [v. 4]
1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
2. A PECULIAR TREASURE [v. 5]
2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
3. A PRIESTLY NATION [v. 6]
2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
III. WHAT GOD KNOWS [v. 7-25]
1. ...PEOPLE OVER-ESTIMATE THEIR ABILITIES [v. 7-8]
2. ...PEOPLE UNDER-ESTIMATE GOD'S HOLINESS [v. 9-13]
3. ...PEOPLE NEED HELP: [v. 14-25]
-TO FOCUS [v. 14-15]
-TO FEAR [v. 16-18]
-TO FOLLOW [v. 19-25]
YOU ARE CONNECTED BUT DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER CONNECTION?
Pastor Rick JacksonI. THE CONNECTION OF HISTORY [Rm. 5:12-21]
1. A MATTER OF LIFE & DEATH
Adam's life brought death, Christ's death brought life. You have 1 connection-make the other!
2. IT'S A THORNY PROBLEM
Adam's sin brought thorns into the world, Christ wore a crown of thorns to remove the thorns.
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Mark 15:17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
3. A CURSE OR A BLESSING?
Adam brought a curse upon creation, Christ became a curse to be a blessing.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
II. THE CONNECTION OF HOLINESS
1. CHRIST COMES TO YOU WHERE YOU ARE [Rm. 5:6-7]
2. CHRIST LOVES YOU AS YOU ARE [Rm. 5:8]
3. CHRIST SAVES YOU FROM WHAT YOU ARE [Rm. 5:9-11]
III. THE CONNECTION OF HERITAGE
1. FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE [I Cor. 15:20-23]
2. FROM NATURAL UNTO SPIRITUAL [I Cor. 15:44-46]
3. FROM EARTHLY UNTO HEAVENLY [I Cor. 15:47-58]
Saturday, January 24, 2009
QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - Is the Big Bang the best theory?
Q: Is the Big Bang the best theory?
A: The beliefs that humans have entertained about the universe for most of history are radically different from the views held by most scientists today. The epic discoveries of Newton on gravity, Galileo on the planets, Copernicus on the place of the earth in the solar system, Tycho Brahe on the planetary orbits, and others have revolutionized our view of cosmology. Even the knowledge discovered in the last century alone has drastically changed our worldview.
Computers, improved telescopes, and new research techniques that allow us to view more of the universe in greater detail then ever before have revealed one surprise after another.
Currently, the most widely accepted hypothesis of the universe’s origin (and everything in it) is a theory called the Big Bang. This view hypothesizes that the Big Bang was an explosion of “space itself”—a concept difficult to understand partly because most people think of an explosion as the expansion of a material substance in space. Today, instead of “explosion” the preferred term is “expansion,” although many people, including many scientists who are not astronomers, think of it as an explosion of matter only. Terminology aside, the Big Bang is the “creation myth that has dominated cosmology since the 1960s.”
In popular-science journals and scholarly papers alike, the Big Bang is almost universally spoken of as established fact, even though much controversy still exists about the theory among scientists and others.
Read the full, technical look at bias in cosmological science: A Brief History of Intolerance in Modern Cosmology, the newest paper in the Answers Research Journal.
News to Note Quick Look
Curriculum debates are back: The debate is still raging over how the science curriculum is being “messed with” in Texas. Read more.
Lizard evolution is back: Lizards are busy “evolving” again—is it more proof for Darwinism? Read more.
Also: the Caspian tiger is back; language: evolved or created?; anti-God banners are back; no “default” faith; And Don’t Miss . . . Read more.
Prayer Requests
View the current prayer requests to keep track of and pray for current ministry needs. Thank you!
Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program
Bishop Bell’s brass behemoths!
Dinosaurs—is there any mystery?
Loss of species—who’s to blame?
Fire-breathing dragons—legend or fact?
After Eden
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
A: The beliefs that humans have entertained about the universe for most of history are radically different from the views held by most scientists today. The epic discoveries of Newton on gravity, Galileo on the planets, Copernicus on the place of the earth in the solar system, Tycho Brahe on the planetary orbits, and others have revolutionized our view of cosmology. Even the knowledge discovered in the last century alone has drastically changed our worldview.
Computers, improved telescopes, and new research techniques that allow us to view more of the universe in greater detail then ever before have revealed one surprise after another.
Currently, the most widely accepted hypothesis of the universe’s origin (and everything in it) is a theory called the Big Bang. This view hypothesizes that the Big Bang was an explosion of “space itself”—a concept difficult to understand partly because most people think of an explosion as the expansion of a material substance in space. Today, instead of “explosion” the preferred term is “expansion,” although many people, including many scientists who are not astronomers, think of it as an explosion of matter only. Terminology aside, the Big Bang is the “creation myth that has dominated cosmology since the 1960s.”
In popular-science journals and scholarly papers alike, the Big Bang is almost universally spoken of as established fact, even though much controversy still exists about the theory among scientists and others.
Read the full, technical look at bias in cosmological science: A Brief History of Intolerance in Modern Cosmology, the newest paper in the Answers Research Journal.
News to Note Quick Look
Curriculum debates are back: The debate is still raging over how the science curriculum is being “messed with” in Texas. Read more.
Lizard evolution is back: Lizards are busy “evolving” again—is it more proof for Darwinism? Read more.
Also: the Caspian tiger is back; language: evolved or created?; anti-God banners are back; no “default” faith; And Don’t Miss . . . Read more.
Prayer Requests
View the current prayer requests to keep track of and pray for current ministry needs. Thank you!
Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program
Bishop Bell’s brass behemoths!
Dinosaurs—is there any mystery?
Loss of species—who’s to blame?
Fire-breathing dragons—legend or fact?
After Eden
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
GOD'S DAILY SCHEDULE
Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Pastor Rick Jackson
Years ago when I was a teacher I had a 7th grade boy whose gimmick was that he always was having a terrible day. I tried joking with him and reasoning with him but to no avail. I realized I was no better off than him with my so-called attempts at helping him see the light. I prayed about it and then I saw the light! Whenever he would complain about the day I would quote Ps. 118:24. Eventually he got to the point he no longer complained (around me anyway). I learned a lesson, this is the day the Lord hath made... we WILL rejoice and be glad in it! But what do we have to rejoice in? What is God doing this day? What is God's daily schedule like? Does God have a daily schedule? The answer is "Yes! and so should we!"
I. PART OF GOD'S DAILY SCHEDULE!
1. ADD TO THE CHURCH [Acts 2:47]
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
2. EXTEND MERCY [Lamentations 3:22-23]
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
3. EXTEND BENEFITS [Psalm 68:19]
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
II. THE BEGINNER'S SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
1. LISTEN TO CREATION & THE CREATOR [Ps. 19:1-8]
2. SETTLE SALVATION SINCERELY [II Cor. 6:2]
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3. FOCUS ON TODAY [Jm. 4:13-15]
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
III. THE INTERMEDIATE'S SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
1. PRAY [Mt. 6:9-11]
After this manner therefore pray ye: ...Give us this day our daily bread.
2. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES [Acts 17:11]
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
3. DIE TO SELF [Lk. 9:23]
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Preached at Bradford Baptist Church last Sunday (Jan. 18) but failed to post for some reason.
Pastor Rick Jackson
Years ago when I was a teacher I had a 7th grade boy whose gimmick was that he always was having a terrible day. I tried joking with him and reasoning with him but to no avail. I realized I was no better off than him with my so-called attempts at helping him see the light. I prayed about it and then I saw the light! Whenever he would complain about the day I would quote Ps. 118:24. Eventually he got to the point he no longer complained (around me anyway). I learned a lesson, this is the day the Lord hath made... we WILL rejoice and be glad in it! But what do we have to rejoice in? What is God doing this day? What is God's daily schedule like? Does God have a daily schedule? The answer is "Yes! and so should we!"
I. PART OF GOD'S DAILY SCHEDULE!
1. ADD TO THE CHURCH [Acts 2:47]
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
2. EXTEND MERCY [Lamentations 3:22-23]
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
3. EXTEND BENEFITS [Psalm 68:19]
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
II. THE BEGINNER'S SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
1. LISTEN TO CREATION & THE CREATOR [Ps. 19:1-8]
2. SETTLE SALVATION SINCERELY [II Cor. 6:2]
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3. FOCUS ON TODAY [Jm. 4:13-15]
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
III. THE INTERMEDIATE'S SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
1. PRAY [Mt. 6:9-11]
After this manner therefore pray ye: ...Give us this day our daily bread.
2. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES [Acts 17:11]
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
3. DIE TO SELF [Lk. 9:23]
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Preached at Bradford Baptist Church last Sunday (Jan. 18) but failed to post for some reason.
Friday, January 23, 2009
In A Perfect World...
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
In A Perfect World...
What would a perfect world be like? In Scripture, we get glimpses of a perfect world at the beginning in Genesis and at the end in Revelation. In Genesis, we see what the world was like at creation, before the fall of man and before the curse. In Revelation, we see what the world will be like someday when God creates a "new heaven and a new earth."
Are there any similarities between the two? Well, among others, the glaring similarity is that both perfect worlds are perfect because they remain just the way God made them! No sin, and no individuals demanding their own way over God's. And guess what? In both perfect worlds, everything runs smoothly in perfect harmony. We can summarize the whole first chapter of Genesis with eight words: "God created...it was so...it was good."
Everything that God does is "good" just the way he made it. Nothing that comes from God's hand ever needs improvement or adjustment. That may seem like an obvious truth to emphasize, yet many of us live each day as if God's plan for us needs some manipulation and improvement. We want to order our days according to what we think is important and according to what our own ideals are.
If you take a few minutes to watch the news on any given day, you will see that mankind is completely inept! We vote for candidates that we think will solve all of our problems, and then we find that nothing really changes when they take office. And every day there are plenty of other examples of mankind messing things up! Take a look at the first perfect world. What messed things up? Was it God's plan that eventually went awry? No! Things went terribly wrong when man started making decisions independently of God.
So what does this mean for you today? You should set out to order your day according to God's ideals. You should submit to God's Word today, even in the small areas today. When you truly believe that God's way is best, you will submit, even when you don't understand. Don't manipulate your life to fit your own ideals, because you won't succeed at making it turn out right.
When the day is all done, who will be pleased with your decisions? Start your day praying, "Lord, you are the Creator; I am the creation. Help me to depend upon you for all that I need, and help me to submit to your plan for me." Trust God and obey-this is the way to get a glimpse of what that perfect world will be like someday.
Prayer Requests:
1. Revival services tonight in Kent, WA
2. Ranch evangelists traveling to services this weekend in Ocala, FL; Lakeland, FL; Clermont, FL; and Crown Point, IN
3. Bill Rice Ranch Sign Language School in Asheville, NC next week
For more information about the Bill Rice Ranch visit our website: billriceranch.org
Thursday, January 22, 2009
IF JUDGMENT BEGIN...
1 Peter 4:12-19
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE JUDGMENT OF SUFFERING [v. 12-16]
1. DON'T BE SURPRISED AT SUFFERING [v. 12]
2. LEARN TO EMBRACE CHRIST'S SUFFERING [v. 13-14]
Acts 5:40-41 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
3. DON'T FAIL TO UNDERSTAND ALL SUFFERING IS NOT THE SAME [v. 15-16]
II. THE JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS [v. 17-19]
1. BELIEVERS ARE JUDGED SEPARATELY FROM UNBELIEVERS [v. 17]
Rev. 20:4-6, II Cor. 5:10-11
2. BELIEVERS JUDGMENT IS NOT BASED ON THEIR GOODNESS [v. 18, I Cor. 3:10-15]
3. BELIEVERS CAN REST IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD [v. 19, 1:3-7]
III. THE JUDGMENT OF UNBELIEVERS [v. 17-19]
1. THEIR END IS UNPLEASANT [v. 17, I Th. 1:9-10, II Th. 1:5-10]
2. THEIR END IS BEFORE GOD [v. 18, Rev. 20:11-15]
3. THEIR END IS INEVITABLE [v. 19]
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Preached in the Wednesday night service of the Bradford Baptist Church on Jan. 21, 2009
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE JUDGMENT OF SUFFERING [v. 12-16]
1. DON'T BE SURPRISED AT SUFFERING [v. 12]
2. LEARN TO EMBRACE CHRIST'S SUFFERING [v. 13-14]
Acts 5:40-41 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
3. DON'T FAIL TO UNDERSTAND ALL SUFFERING IS NOT THE SAME [v. 15-16]
II. THE JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS [v. 17-19]
1. BELIEVERS ARE JUDGED SEPARATELY FROM UNBELIEVERS [v. 17]
Rev. 20:4-6, II Cor. 5:10-11
2. BELIEVERS JUDGMENT IS NOT BASED ON THEIR GOODNESS [v. 18, I Cor. 3:10-15]
3. BELIEVERS CAN REST IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD [v. 19, 1:3-7]
III. THE JUDGMENT OF UNBELIEVERS [v. 17-19]
1. THEIR END IS UNPLEASANT [v. 17, I Th. 1:9-10, II Th. 1:5-10]
2. THEIR END IS BEFORE GOD [v. 18, Rev. 20:11-15]
3. THEIR END IS INEVITABLE [v. 19]
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Preached in the Wednesday night service of the Bradford Baptist Church on Jan. 21, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Reach Your Family
II Peter 2:4-9 "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah . . . and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes . . . making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked . . . The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:"
Reach Your Family
Believe it or not, these verses are part of one long sentence! As you read verses 4-10, remember that this sentence is an "If...then" sentence. In the first several verses, we see God's justice in Old Testament times (the fallen angels, Noah and the Flood, Lot and Sodom and Gomorrha). Bringing it all together, verse 9 says that if God did these things in the past, then He will still deliver the godly and punish the unjust. In other words, God has not changed. No matter how bleak the future looks, the wicked will still be punished, and the just will still be delivered. You can rest in that.
In reading this passage, another important truth stood out to me. Let's compare the two men named in this passage: Noah and Lot. We know that Noah was a just man-he found grace in God's sight. We also know how God miraculously spared him from judgment during the Flood. Did he succeed in convincing the world around him? Not really. Though he tried to convince society around him, they continued in their wicked ways and were destroyed in the Flood.
Did Noah convince anyone to escape the judgment of God? Yes, he convinced his family-those closest to him. I'm so glad he did, because I wouldn't be here otherwise! When you read the genealogy of Noah, read it with interest because those are your ancestors. Though he might have been a "failure" in winning the world, he won the people closest to him. And that made a huge difference in the generations to come.
Now compare Noah's legacy with Lot's. He too was considered "just" in the eyes of God. Because the Bible calls him "just," we know that Lot believed in God's coming Messiah. But Lot's daily actions did not accurately reflect his righteous standing in God's sight. Like Noah, Lot also failed to convince the world around him to turn from their sins. Just like the people in Noah's day, the people of Sodom and Gomorrha continued in their rebellion and were destroyed for it.
Did Lot convince his own family at least? No, he did not. His life did not lead the people closest to him to faith in God. Though he was "just" (in position before God-he was saved), he was not just in his testimony with his family. Because he failed to reach his family, the effects were felt for generations. Have you ever heard of the Moabites or the Ammonites? They were descendents of Lot who defied God and His people at every turn.
Though we are commissioned to reach the world with the Gospel, we must not forget to reach our own families and those closest to us! That is why our daily testimony is so important. What our families see in us should lead them to Christ.
Don't be like Lot, who got to heaven but didn't bring others with him. Let's be more like Noah, who lived in such a way that his family put their trust in God too. Reach your family-- the generations to come are depending on it!
Prayer Requests:
- Revival services tonight in Water Valley, MS and Kent, WA
For more information about the Bill Rice Ranch visit our website: billriceranch.org
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 20 - Love in Action
Love in Action
January 20, 2009
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." (1 Corinthians 13:4)
It is well known that "charity" in this famous "love chapter" is the Greek agape, which is translated "love" three times as often as it is translated "charity," even in the King James Version. Why then did the scholarly translators prefer to use "charity" in this chapter, of all places?
Possibly it is because 1 Corinthians 13 emphasizes what love does, rather than what love is. Love is described in this chapter, not with adjectives or adverbs, but with verbs! "Charity," in the Old English sense, was not merely giving to feed the poor (note v. 3), but meant agape love--an unselfish, enduring, and active concern on behalf of others.
In this passage (vv. 4-8, 13) are listed 17 actions which love, or charity, does or does not engage in. Love acts with patience and kindness; it does not envy others or seek to impress others, neither does it exhibit arrogance or conceit. Love is never rude, does not seek its own way, is slow to take offense, and bears no malice or resentment. Love does not gloat over the sins of others and is delighted when truth prevails. Love will bear up under any trial and will never lose faith; it is always hopeful and unlimited in its endurance.
Finally, genuine love will be eternal. Even faith will cease when it is replaced by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), and hope will finally be fulfilled (Romans 8:24), but love will abide forever. Love, of course, is eternal because Christ is eternal, and Christ is God, and God is love.
This classic passage, describing genuine Christian love, could in fact be read as a beautiful description of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. That is, "Christ suffereth long, and is kind," and so on, finally climaxing in the great truth, "Christ never faileth." Jesus Christ is, indeed, love in action! HMM
Print this article More Days of Praise articles
Institute for Creation Research 1806 Royal Lane Dallas TX 75229
January 20, 2009
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." (1 Corinthians 13:4)
It is well known that "charity" in this famous "love chapter" is the Greek agape, which is translated "love" three times as often as it is translated "charity," even in the King James Version. Why then did the scholarly translators prefer to use "charity" in this chapter, of all places?
Possibly it is because 1 Corinthians 13 emphasizes what love does, rather than what love is. Love is described in this chapter, not with adjectives or adverbs, but with verbs! "Charity," in the Old English sense, was not merely giving to feed the poor (note v. 3), but meant agape love--an unselfish, enduring, and active concern on behalf of others.
In this passage (vv. 4-8, 13) are listed 17 actions which love, or charity, does or does not engage in. Love acts with patience and kindness; it does not envy others or seek to impress others, neither does it exhibit arrogance or conceit. Love is never rude, does not seek its own way, is slow to take offense, and bears no malice or resentment. Love does not gloat over the sins of others and is delighted when truth prevails. Love will bear up under any trial and will never lose faith; it is always hopeful and unlimited in its endurance.
Finally, genuine love will be eternal. Even faith will cease when it is replaced by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), and hope will finally be fulfilled (Romans 8:24), but love will abide forever. Love, of course, is eternal because Christ is eternal, and Christ is God, and God is love.
This classic passage, describing genuine Christian love, could in fact be read as a beautiful description of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. That is, "Christ suffereth long, and is kind," and so on, finally climaxing in the great truth, "Christ never faileth." Jesus Christ is, indeed, love in action! HMM
Print this article More Days of Praise articles
Institute for Creation Research 1806 Royal Lane Dallas TX 75229
Monday, January 19, 2009
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
You can't fool God no matter how you think about it! - Bruce Scott, Deacon, Bradford Baptist Church
On top of the clouds the sun is always shining! Missionary Jerry Nye
Fools can ask questions that wise men can't answer. - Evangelist Bill Rice
I always knew who the fool was and who the wise man was. Evangelist Bill Rice III
The secret to the Christian life is not brilliance. It's not a matter of knowledge or ability. It is a matter of obedience. Understanding comes by obedience. If you don't understand then you obviously don't obey. Do right and you will think right. - Ibid
There are more overweight people in America than average weight people. So overweight people are now average. Which means you've met your New Year's resolution. - Jay Leno
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. - Mark Twain
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing. - Red Foxx
"Men are sometimes ‘gospel-hardened,’ yet not because they have heard the gospel too much, but because they have heeded it too little."
John A. Broadus
Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, p. 39
(Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1905)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
FAMILY REUNION
EXODUS 18
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. GODLY FAMILY TESTIMONY [v. 1-4]
1. The Testimony of God's Deliverance [v. 1-2]
2. The Testimony of God's Sanctification [v. 3]
3. The Testimony of God's Help [v. 4]
II. GODLY FAMILY DYNAMICS [v. 5-11]
1. The Dynamic of Respect [v. 5-7a]
2. The Dynamic of Caring [v. 7b]
3. The Dynamic of Communication [v. 8-11]
Note that Moses had taken time to spend with his family!
III. GODLY FAMILY INTERACTION [v. 12-27]
1. With Worship [v. 12]
2. With Work [v. 13]
3. With Wisdom [v. 14-27]
-prompted by concern [v. 14-18]
-progressed to counsel [v. 19-22]
-predicated by confirmation [v. 23-27]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. GODLY FAMILY TESTIMONY [v. 1-4]
1. The Testimony of God's Deliverance [v. 1-2]
2. The Testimony of God's Sanctification [v. 3]
3. The Testimony of God's Help [v. 4]
II. GODLY FAMILY DYNAMICS [v. 5-11]
1. The Dynamic of Respect [v. 5-7a]
2. The Dynamic of Caring [v. 7b]
3. The Dynamic of Communication [v. 8-11]
Note that Moses had taken time to spend with his family!
III. GODLY FAMILY INTERACTION [v. 12-27]
1. With Worship [v. 12]
2. With Work [v. 13]
3. With Wisdom [v. 14-27]
-prompted by concern [v. 14-18]
-progressed to counsel [v. 19-22]
-predicated by confirmation [v. 23-27]
Saturday, January 17, 2009
QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - Did Jesus contradict Himself?
Q: Did Jesus contradict Himself?
Contradiction Type: Translational Issue
Matthew 10:5–10These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”
Mark 6:8–9He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
Luke 9:1–3Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.”
In these parallel passages, Jesus issues an urgent command to His 12 students—go and preach the immediacy of the kingdom of heaven to your Jewish brethren. Our English translations contain an apparent discrepancy in what Jesus told them to take with them—were they to take a staff or not? The issue can be cleared up studying the Greek words used for provide or take in the original manuscripts.
The sense of Matthew’s provide (ktaomai) is “to get or acquire.” In this passage, Jesus seems to urge His disciples to go now, don’t take the time to find another staff, just take what you have and go. He promised that the disciples would be provided for, so they didn’t need to make elaborate preparation.
Mark uses a word with a broader meaning (airo), which indicates “lift or take up.” In this passage, Mark seems to convey the idea that Jesus wanted the disciples to take what they already have and go. Those who already had a staff were to take it but were not to acquire another staff. In the same vein, they should wear the sandals they had on but weren’t to find an additional pair. They were to wear the tunic they already had on but weren’t to get another.
Although using the same word for take as Mark, Luke’s passage conveys the same sense as Matthew’s. (Some scholars suggest that Luke probably gained his information mostly from Matthew’s book and didn’t have access to the book written by Mark.) Luke also conveys the idea that the disciples were to depart quickly and without taking lots of “things” with them. They needed to focus on preaching the kingdom of heaven and were to trust the Lord to provide for their needs.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Contradiction Type: Translational Issue
Matthew 10:5–10These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”
Mark 6:8–9He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
Luke 9:1–3Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.”
In these parallel passages, Jesus issues an urgent command to His 12 students—go and preach the immediacy of the kingdom of heaven to your Jewish brethren. Our English translations contain an apparent discrepancy in what Jesus told them to take with them—were they to take a staff or not? The issue can be cleared up studying the Greek words used for provide or take in the original manuscripts.
The sense of Matthew’s provide (ktaomai) is “to get or acquire.” In this passage, Jesus seems to urge His disciples to go now, don’t take the time to find another staff, just take what you have and go. He promised that the disciples would be provided for, so they didn’t need to make elaborate preparation.
Mark uses a word with a broader meaning (airo), which indicates “lift or take up.” In this passage, Mark seems to convey the idea that Jesus wanted the disciples to take what they already have and go. Those who already had a staff were to take it but were not to acquire another staff. In the same vein, they should wear the sandals they had on but weren’t to find an additional pair. They were to wear the tunic they already had on but weren’t to get another.
Although using the same word for take as Mark, Luke’s passage conveys the same sense as Matthew’s. (Some scholars suggest that Luke probably gained his information mostly from Matthew’s book and didn’t have access to the book written by Mark.) Luke also conveys the idea that the disciples were to depart quickly and without taking lots of “things” with them. They needed to focus on preaching the kingdom of heaven and were to trust the Lord to provide for their needs.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Soak it in, serve it out
Soak it in, serve it out
Sumner [see link]
Jan 16, 2009
Soak it in and serve it out "This book of the law (the Bible) thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein for then thou shall make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success" Josh, 1:8.
God wrote you a letter, you ought to read your mail!
Read at least three chapters a day and five on Sunday.
Read Proverbs and then read the New Testament.
Proverbs which is more valuable that all the jewels made and it will "keep you from the wicked man" Pro 2:12 ff and "keep you from the strange woman" 2:16 ff one that is not yours.
"Learn to learn" Sumner.
Learn to meditate. Soak it in. Think about what it says and what it means to you. You let God teach you truths and ideas you have never learned and you will never be the same and richer than any millionaire.
"Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart" Jer 15:16.
"I have esteemed Thy word more than my necessary food".
Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might now sin against thee"
Kind sir, dear lady, do this for God, yourself and your mate and your children. You will be a wise and "wealthy" person.
I LOVE YOU, ABC Sumner.
Go to www.sumnerwemp.com read and rejoice. Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door forever.
Sumner [see link]
Jan 16, 2009
Soak it in and serve it out "This book of the law (the Bible) thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein for then thou shall make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success" Josh, 1:8.
God wrote you a letter, you ought to read your mail!
Read at least three chapters a day and five on Sunday.
Read Proverbs and then read the New Testament.
Proverbs which is more valuable that all the jewels made and it will "keep you from the wicked man" Pro 2:12 ff and "keep you from the strange woman" 2:16 ff one that is not yours.
"Learn to learn" Sumner.
Learn to meditate. Soak it in. Think about what it says and what it means to you. You let God teach you truths and ideas you have never learned and you will never be the same and richer than any millionaire.
"Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart" Jer 15:16.
"I have esteemed Thy word more than my necessary food".
Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might now sin against thee"
Kind sir, dear lady, do this for God, yourself and your mate and your children. You will be a wise and "wealthy" person.
I LOVE YOU, ABC Sumner.
Go to www.sumnerwemp.com read and rejoice. Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door forever.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
WHAT IF THE FOUNDATIONS BE DESTROYED?
Psalm 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. FOR THIS I HAVE JESUS [v. 1-2]
1. THEY SAY "FLEE THE AREA" [v. 1b]
2. THEY SAY "FEAR THE ENEMY" [v. 2a]
3. THEY SAY "FEAR THE UNKNOWN" [v. 2b]
BUT I SAY "FOR THIS I HAVE JESUS" [v. 1a]
hox chacah, khaw-saw'; a primitive root; to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in:--have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.
II. FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION [v. 3]
1. THE FOUNDATION OF CHRIST
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2. THE FOUNDATION OF THE BIBLE
2 Timothy 2:15-19 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
3. THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH
Proverbs 10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Luke 6:48-49 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Hebrews 11:9-10 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
III. FOR THE INFIDEL THERE IS JUDGEMENT [v. 4-7]
1. GOD IS WATCHING [v. 4]
2. GOD IS WEIGHING [v. 5b-6]
3. GOD IS WORKING [v. 5a, 7]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. FOR THIS I HAVE JESUS [v. 1-2]
1. THEY SAY "FLEE THE AREA" [v. 1b]
2. THEY SAY "FEAR THE ENEMY" [v. 2a]
3. THEY SAY "FEAR THE UNKNOWN" [v. 2b]
BUT I SAY "FOR THIS I HAVE JESUS" [v. 1a]
hox chacah, khaw-saw'; a primitive root; to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in:--have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.
II. FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION [v. 3]
1. THE FOUNDATION OF CHRIST
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2. THE FOUNDATION OF THE BIBLE
2 Timothy 2:15-19 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
3. THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH
Proverbs 10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Luke 6:48-49 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Hebrews 11:9-10 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
III. FOR THE INFIDEL THERE IS JUDGEMENT [v. 4-7]
1. GOD IS WATCHING [v. 4]
2. GOD IS WEIGHING [v. 5b-6]
3. GOD IS WORKING [v. 5a, 7]
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
QUOTES FROM THE WORLD'S SMALLEST EVANGELIST
Live big, laugh often, love much. - World's Smallest Evangelist, Dr. Bobby Brindle
I am nothing without Him.
My wife calls me "Sweet & Low" but up there (Heaven) she'll have to call me "Equal".
When your knees buckle and your belt won't it must be a sign of old age.
The #1 illness in the world is the mullygrubs!
Nothing's right when you get down.
Your biggest problem is YOU!
Ladies love with their ears, men love with their eyes.
Spruce up for your husband. If a man has a Cadillac he's not going to slip out and steal a Volkswagon.
In order to have friends--- be friendly!
When you see the little preacher say a little prayer.
There is a difference in a storm caused by Satan and a storm caused by us!
The ship (in the book of Jonah) was rocking and rolling! Elvis Presley had nothing on that ship!
Monday, January 12, 2009
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. - Jesus
January 14, 1856 Missionary David Livingstone wrote in his journal concerning the above verse and his belief that Christ would accompany him everywhere:
"It is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honour, so there's an end of it!"
--------------------------------------------------------
Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty! - Corrie ten Boom
God's people are prone to engrave their trials in marble and write their blessings in the sand. - C.H. Spurgeon
I would rather put 10 men to work than do the work of 10 men. - D.L. Moody
The land of Canaan is for the seed of Abraham, and the seed of Abraham for the land of Canaan; nor can any power on earth or hell ever reverse this divine order. The eternal God has pledged His word, and the blood of the everlasting covenant has flowed to ratify that Word. Who, then, can make it void? -Charles H. Mackintosh (1862)
January 14, 1856 Missionary David Livingstone wrote in his journal concerning the above verse and his belief that Christ would accompany him everywhere:
"It is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honour, so there's an end of it!"
--------------------------------------------------------
Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty! - Corrie ten Boom
God's people are prone to engrave their trials in marble and write their blessings in the sand. - C.H. Spurgeon
I would rather put 10 men to work than do the work of 10 men. - D.L. Moody
The land of Canaan is for the seed of Abraham, and the seed of Abraham for the land of Canaan; nor can any power on earth or hell ever reverse this divine order. The eternal God has pledged His word, and the blood of the everlasting covenant has flowed to ratify that Word. Who, then, can make it void? -Charles H. Mackintosh (1862)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
LOCK & LOAD
EXODUS 17
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE ROCK OF AGES [v. 1-7]
1. Sometimes Leads us through Dry Places [v. 1]
Psalm 105:41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
Isaiah 41:17-18 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
2. Is the Source of All Blessing [v. 2-6]
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
3. Is to be Trusted Not "Tempted" [v. 7]
Deuteronomy 6:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
II. THE BATTLE WITH THE FLESH [v. 8-13]
1. The Flesh & the Spirit never Co-operate [v. 8]
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
2. The Power of God is necessary to overcome the Flesh [v. 9-11; Rm. 6:13, 16, 19]
3. The People of God should help One Another [v. 12-13, Gal. 6:1-10]
III. THE BOOK OF THE AGES [v. 14-16]
1. God Gave It! [v. 14]
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2. Man should Receive and Rehearse It! [v. 14]
Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
3. Man should Worship the God of the Book! [v. 15-16]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE ROCK OF AGES [v. 1-7]
1. Sometimes Leads us through Dry Places [v. 1]
Psalm 105:41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
Isaiah 41:17-18 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
2. Is the Source of All Blessing [v. 2-6]
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
3. Is to be Trusted Not "Tempted" [v. 7]
Deuteronomy 6:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
II. THE BATTLE WITH THE FLESH [v. 8-13]
1. The Flesh & the Spirit never Co-operate [v. 8]
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
2. The Power of God is necessary to overcome the Flesh [v. 9-11; Rm. 6:13, 16, 19]
3. The People of God should help One Another [v. 12-13, Gal. 6:1-10]
III. THE BOOK OF THE AGES [v. 14-16]
1. God Gave It! [v. 14]
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2. Man should Receive and Rehearse It! [v. 14]
Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
3. Man should Worship the God of the Book! [v. 15-16]
WHEN HOPE GOES LOOKING
MARK 9:16-29
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE DADDY'S HOPE
1. He was Hoping for Freedom [v. 17-18]
2. He was Hoping for Compassion [v. 19-22]
3. He was Hoping for Faith [v. 23-24]
II. THE DEVIL'S HOPE
1. He Hopes to Destroy Health [v. 17-18]
2. He Hopes to Destroy Homes [v. 20-22a]
3. He Hopes to Destroy Holiness [v. 22b]
III. THE ONLY HOPE
1. Christ can Help the Wavering in Faith [v. 19]
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
2. Christ can Help the Weak in Faith [v. 22-24]
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
3. Christ can Help the Walking (or Working) Faith [v. 25-29]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE DADDY'S HOPE
1. He was Hoping for Freedom [v. 17-18]
2. He was Hoping for Compassion [v. 19-22]
3. He was Hoping for Faith [v. 23-24]
II. THE DEVIL'S HOPE
1. He Hopes to Destroy Health [v. 17-18]
2. He Hopes to Destroy Homes [v. 20-22a]
3. He Hopes to Destroy Holiness [v. 22b]
III. THE ONLY HOPE
1. Christ can Help the Wavering in Faith [v. 19]
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
2. Christ can Help the Weak in Faith [v. 22-24]
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
3. Christ can Help the Walking (or Working) Faith [v. 25-29]
Saturday, January 10, 2009
QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - Why Did God Make Viruses?
Q: Why Did God Make Viruses?
A: There are some fundamental differences in how creationists and evolutionists view life. Biblical creationists believe that God created life according to their kinds with the ability to reproduce and fill the earth. This view includes the concepts that God had purpose in what He created and that it originally was very good.
In contrast, evolutionists view life as all descending from a single common ancestor by chance processes. Evolutionary arguments tend to imply that life isn’t really very complex or well designed. For example, 100 years ago a cell was promoted as being nothing more than a blob of protoplasm, implying that it wouldn’t be difficult for it to arise by chance. This proved to be wrong; cells are incredibly complex structures. At one time evolutionists argued that organs or structures with no known function actually had no function; at the time this included hundreds of organs and structures in the human body. Instead these were believed to be vestiges of evolution. This argument has become rather vestigial itself, as these organs have been found to have function.
Yet, this argument reappeared in genetics. Most of the DNA in our bodies does not code for proteins, so it was labeled “junk DNA” by evolutionists that assumed it has no function. As research continues it is becoming clear that this DNA has numerous essential functions. The evolutionary worldview has a dismal track record for anticipating the astounding complexity in life uncovered by scientific research.
If God created everything good and with a purpose, why are there disease-causing bacteria and viruses in the world? It is true that we first learned about bacteria and viruses because of the problems they cause. Bacteria have been studied in considerable detail and are now recognized to be mainly helpful and absolutely essential for life on earth; bacteria that cause disease (which occurred as a result of the Fall) are the exceptions, not the rule. But what about viruses: what purpose could they possibly have?
To learn the full, semi-technical answer, visit Dr. Jean K. Lightner’s Why Did God Make Viruses?
Don’t Miss Out!
Want to learn more about how the Bible is confirmed by the living things we see around us? Join us for a six-week study in “Creation Apologetics and Biology.” You will explore how the amazing complexity found in every cell and the structure of DNA confirm the existence of the Creator. You will also take an in-depth look at how mutations and natural selection actually work. We will also explore cultural misunderstandings of evolutionary icons. Interact with other students from around the world and with Dr. Georgia Purdom to strengthen your faith as you participate in this course.
The next session runs from January 25 through March 7. Registration closes on January 19—so don’t wait!
For more information about these learning opportunities, visit edu.answersingenesis.org.
News to Note Quick Look
Tiny diamonds, big explosion: Scientists are taking the gold standard for proof of extinction to the next level—with diamonds. Read more.
The true colors of evolution: A quarter-century ago, they might have been considered just as fantastic as pink elephants—but now pink iguanas are in the scientific spotlight. Read more.
Also: the case of the missing dust; forward or reverse, this isn’t evolution; once upon a time . . . ; the cost of skepticism?; and grief over a reef. Read more.
Prayer Requests
Events in 2009
Photo Database and Answers Magazine
New Products
Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program
The earth is young—but how do we know?
Defending the faith—now, who can do it?
Teen vandalism—what’s wrong with this generation?
The giant sea louse—an evolutionary problem!
Noah’s Ark—is it for adults also?
After Eden
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
A: There are some fundamental differences in how creationists and evolutionists view life. Biblical creationists believe that God created life according to their kinds with the ability to reproduce and fill the earth. This view includes the concepts that God had purpose in what He created and that it originally was very good.
In contrast, evolutionists view life as all descending from a single common ancestor by chance processes. Evolutionary arguments tend to imply that life isn’t really very complex or well designed. For example, 100 years ago a cell was promoted as being nothing more than a blob of protoplasm, implying that it wouldn’t be difficult for it to arise by chance. This proved to be wrong; cells are incredibly complex structures. At one time evolutionists argued that organs or structures with no known function actually had no function; at the time this included hundreds of organs and structures in the human body. Instead these were believed to be vestiges of evolution. This argument has become rather vestigial itself, as these organs have been found to have function.
Yet, this argument reappeared in genetics. Most of the DNA in our bodies does not code for proteins, so it was labeled “junk DNA” by evolutionists that assumed it has no function. As research continues it is becoming clear that this DNA has numerous essential functions. The evolutionary worldview has a dismal track record for anticipating the astounding complexity in life uncovered by scientific research.
If God created everything good and with a purpose, why are there disease-causing bacteria and viruses in the world? It is true that we first learned about bacteria and viruses because of the problems they cause. Bacteria have been studied in considerable detail and are now recognized to be mainly helpful and absolutely essential for life on earth; bacteria that cause disease (which occurred as a result of the Fall) are the exceptions, not the rule. But what about viruses: what purpose could they possibly have?
To learn the full, semi-technical answer, visit Dr. Jean K. Lightner’s Why Did God Make Viruses?
Don’t Miss Out!
Want to learn more about how the Bible is confirmed by the living things we see around us? Join us for a six-week study in “Creation Apologetics and Biology.” You will explore how the amazing complexity found in every cell and the structure of DNA confirm the existence of the Creator. You will also take an in-depth look at how mutations and natural selection actually work. We will also explore cultural misunderstandings of evolutionary icons. Interact with other students from around the world and with Dr. Georgia Purdom to strengthen your faith as you participate in this course.
The next session runs from January 25 through March 7. Registration closes on January 19—so don’t wait!
For more information about these learning opportunities, visit edu.answersingenesis.org.
News to Note Quick Look
Tiny diamonds, big explosion: Scientists are taking the gold standard for proof of extinction to the next level—with diamonds. Read more.
The true colors of evolution: A quarter-century ago, they might have been considered just as fantastic as pink elephants—but now pink iguanas are in the scientific spotlight. Read more.
Also: the case of the missing dust; forward or reverse, this isn’t evolution; once upon a time . . . ; the cost of skepticism?; and grief over a reef. Read more.
Prayer Requests
Events in 2009
Photo Database and Answers Magazine
New Products
Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program
The earth is young—but how do we know?
Defending the faith—now, who can do it?
Teen vandalism—what’s wrong with this generation?
The giant sea louse—an evolutionary problem!
Noah’s Ark—is it for adults also?
After Eden
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Friday, January 09, 2009
PICTURES OF THE WEEK
Warning... warning...!
This man was the model for many of the Doc Savage illustrations over the years.
No thanks. I can smell it from here!
Harpo Marx doing the "gookie"
Faithful with Five Dollars
Luke 16:10"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."
Faithful with Five Dollars
Have you ever found yourself making funny promises like, "If I ever win a million dollars, you can be sure that I'll give you half of it!"? It's actually quite easy to make such a promise because we don't really believe it will ever happen. It's much harder, though, to give someone half of the five dollars you already have in your pocket. If you are not willing to part with half of your five dollars, you would not be willing to part with half of your million, either.
This principle is set forth for us in Luke 16:10, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much...." The Lord tells us here that it is not the amount that really matters; it is what you do with the amount that you have. There are many factors that determine how much you have-you are not in complete control of that. But what you can control is what you do with the amount the Lord has given you.
Don't spend your life saying, "If only I had . . . I would do such and such." It doesn't matter what you would do; it matters what you do right now! There is a familiar saying about what you would do: "If wishes were diamonds, beggars would be kings." The Lord tells us that the proof of how we would handle much is in how we handle little.
The key word in this verse and the verses following is the word faithful. God is looking to see if we are faithful with what He has given us. I Corinthians 4:2 tells us, "Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful." Throughout the Bible, the Lord links the word faithful to the word steward. Being a steward is more than being a servant (though you have to be a servant to be a good steward). You see, a steward is a servant who is entrusted with what belongs to another. It is a position that holds great responsibility. We never read about Joseph's personal belongings, but we know that he was entrusted with the wealth of Potiphar's household-and ultimately the wealth of Egypt itself! He was a faithful steward.
God calls us stewards as well-stewards of what belongs to Him. None of what we have is truly ours. God has chosen to entrust His riches to us. Are you being faithful with what you have?
Look at the next verse: "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" Notice that money is not our greatest responsibility. Yes, it may be our greatest test of stewardship, but there are other things in life that are far more important. The Lord says here that if we are not faithful with money, how can the Lord entrust us with "true riches"?
The next verse asks another rhetorical question: "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?" We automatically take better care of things in which we have a vested interest-things that we would call "ours." But the Lord looks to see how we take care of those things which are not "ours." If we can learn to be faithful with these things, the Lord can entrust us with things that are far greater and dearer to us.
Notice in these verses that God is the One Who determines our stewardship. He chooses how much to give us, not only in material wealth, but also in responsibilities. Are you being faithful with what the Lord has already given you?
Don't spend your life wishing for more money or for more of something else. Spend your life being a good steward of what God has put in your hands. "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Be faithful with your five dollars!
Prayer Requests:
1. New York City Evangelistic Outreach this week (Jan. 5-9)
2. Revival services tonight in Delray Beach, FL
3. Evangelists traveling to services this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Palm Bay, FL; and Reserve, NM
For more information about the Bill Rice Ranch visit our website: billriceranch.org
Thursday, January 08, 2009
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