Who Are You Imitating?

 

Ephesians 5:1  "Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children:"       Isn't it amusing when kids copy their parents?  If you ever see my sons, Wilson or Weston, you cannot help but know to whom they belong.  Why is that?  Because they look and act just like me!  On purpose or by default, my kids imitate me.   Ephesians 5:1 tells us that we are to be imitators ("followers") of our Heavenly Father.  When we "walk in love," as Christ loved us, we imitate God and He is pleased (verse 2).  However, if you were honest, there are some people that God loves that you do not love, right?  Are there people that you do not even like?  I can tell you that there is no way to remedy that!  That is human nature; but God's nature is to love.  The only way to love people is for God to love them through you.   If I am imitating God, who sacrificially gave Himself for me, I will be long-suffering, not short-tempered.  If I am imitating God, I will be humble, not puffed up.  Loving people is doing right by people.  I may not always like everybody, but I am commanded to always do right by everybody.   How I feel about someone is fickle and can change at the drop of a hat.  We usually like or dislike someone based on how they treat us, what things we have in common, and how we feel about them.  Can you see how easily those things can change?  In contrast, doing right by people is always right, regardless of how they treat us, how we feel, etc.   Will Rogers use to say, "I never met a man I didn't like."  I guess I have met more people than that!  I may not like everybody, but by God's power I am to love people.  That means I am to love even those people that are hard to love.  Furthermore, the best place to start loving people is in your own home.  It would be wrong to talk about loving all the people in the world and not do right by those who are closest to you!  Today, allow the Spirit of God to work through you as you imitate the Father.     Prayer Requests: 1. Services tonight in Paducah, KY (2) and Bloomington, IL 2. Ranch evangelists preaching this weekend in Kings Mills, OH; Centralia, IL; and Pittsburg, TX   Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

SAMSON’S PRESCRIPTION FOR FAILURE

JUDGES 14-16

Pastor Rick Jackson*

If you wanted a prescription for failure you would not think Samson would be the best pharmacist- uniquely gifted of God, he like many others before and since, squandered the chances given to him. Perhaps if we examine his life again we will learn the prescription for failure and never get it filled.

The first great mistake he made was that:

I. HE ASSUMED HIS ENEMY WAS NOT HIS ENEMY [14:1-3, 7]

John 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
-James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

II. HE CATERED TO HIS WEAKNESS [15:20-16:5]

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

III. HE TOOK THE SOURCE OF HIS STRENGTH LIGHTLY [13:5, 24-25, Num. 6:1-8]

Deuteronomy 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
Joshua 10:25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
1 Chronicles 22:13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
Zechariah 8:9 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
Zechariah 8:13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.
Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

IV. HE ASSUMED THAT EVERYTHING WOULD ALWAYS BE THE SAME [16:20ff]

Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

*adapted from notes by Dr. J. R. Faulkner

POEM OF THE WEEK

"I had walked life's pathway with easy tread,
Had followed where comfort and pleasure led;
And then it chanced, in a quiet place,
I met my Master, face to face.

I had built my castles and built them high,
With towers that pierced the blue of the sky;
I had sworn to rule with an iron mace,
Then I met my Master, face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see
That His eyes, full of sorrow, were fixed on me,
And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,
While my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vanished, but in their place
I saw naught else but my Master's face.
And I cried aloud, "0, make me meet
To follow the marks of Thy nail-scarred feet."

My thoughts are now for the SOULS OF MEN,
I've lost my life to find it again.
Ever since, alone in that holy place,
I met my Master, face to face."

Quoted from the Gospel Tract Harvester Newsletter, June 2007, page 15

Preaching the Word

Preaching the Word November 8, 2010   "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." (Acts 8:4)   Every believer has been called to preach God's Word, not just pastors of churches. When Christ gave the Great Commission to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), it was clear that this could be accomplished only if every Christian would actually preach the gospel!   This was practiced first by the members of the church at Jerusalem. Then, when the believers were "all scattered abroad . . . except the apostles" (Acts 8:1), these "laymen" went everywhere preaching the Word. One of the "deacons" selected to relieve the apostles of the "business" affairs of the church was Philip, and he "went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them" (Acts 8:5), speaking to great crowds and winning many to Christ. Then shortly afterward, the Lord called him down to Gaza where he met an Ethiopian eunuch, and he "preached unto him Jesus" (Acts 8:35). This teaches plainly that one can preach to a large congregation, but he or she can also preach to one person. It is not the size of the congregation but the theme of the message that makes one a preacher of the Word!   Furthermore, it is not only by word of mouth that Christ is preached; Paul says that "the gospel . . . was preached to every creature |literally, 'in every creation'| which is under heaven" (Colossians 1:23). "And how shall they hear without a preacher? . . . But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Romans 10:14, 18). One can preach verbally to a congregation or to an unseen audience through radio or in writing to a reader, and even a godly lifestyle can "preach" effectively (although not specifically) of the saving work of Christ. Even the heavens declare His glory, and every believer must preach the Word! HMM   Print this article | More Days of Praise articles     Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

 

What Brand Are You?

 

Galatians 6:17  "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."   What Brand Are You?   Here on the Bill Rice Ranch, we have over fifty head of horses.  Back in the early days of the Ranch, we would brand each horse so it was obvious who owned the horse.  Isn't it fascinating how consumed we are with brands?  Brands of clothes, brands of cars, and probably scores of other brands of things-brands mean more to us than we would care to admit!   What brand are you looking for this morning?  What mark makes a person an accredited servant of God?  Paul said, "For I bear in my body the marks [literally, "the brand"] of the Lord Jesus."  We can often deal with people in the same way that we deal with brands.  We make judgments based upon the brands we identify with, like Ford cars, a name brand shirt, or sports equipment; likewise, we often identify servants of God with our brands instead of His.   In any given church (or week at camp), a variety of colleges and backgrounds are represented.  If you are not careful, you will look for the mark you would stamp on a person, not the mark that comes from serving Christ.  There is more that could be said about right versus wrong, worldly versus godly; but the point is, we can put stock in the "brand" we like or identify with instead of the mark God has "stamped" on someone.   Paul's marks were both physical marks (scars) from shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment, as well as spiritual marks of his ministry.  The mark that brands a servant of God is the act of serving God!  A servant of God will not glory in himself and will be crucified to the world (verse 14).  Regardless of what other brand (your college, your church, your ministry) you wear, the most important brand is the brand that God stamps!  That will mean serving in humility and being dead to the world.   The mark we should be looking for in a servant of Christ is the attribute of serving Christ!  Serving Christ means serving people and serving under the authorities He has placed in your life.  Is your "brand" one that is glorying in Christ, crucified to the world, and a picture of the "new creature" you are?  What "brand" most marks you?  Don't look for the brand of your school, your interests, or your ministry; look for the one brand that matters most-a servant of Christ serves Christ! Prayer Requests: - Services tonight in Paducah, KY and Bloomington, IL   Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

WHEN EMPTINESS MEETS FAITH

JOB 25-27

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. BILDAD’S BLUSTER BURIED [25]

1. God is All-Powerful [v. 1-3] a point Job never denied

2. God is Transcendent [v. 4-6]

3. Universal Truths which he only applied to Job

II. JOB’S OBSERVATIONS [26]

1. His Answer to His Accusers [v. 1-4]

2. His Awe of God’s Wisdom [v. 5-6]

3. His Awe of God’s Power [v. 7-14]

III. JOB’S PRONOUNCEMENT [27]

1. An Unwise Oath [v. 1-2]

Matthew 5:33-37 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

2. An Unflinching Refusal [v. 3-6]

3. An Unexpected Warning [v. 7-23]

HOW AN ORDINARY MAN LIVED AN EXTRA-ORDINARY LIFE

Pastor Rick Jackson

Andrew is mentioned by name 13 times in the NT. 8 of those times he is referred to as Simon Peter’s brother, 3 of those times he is mentioned in a group of the disciples, and the other 2 he is named with Philip. There are several things about Andrew that commend him to us and are worthy of being in our own lives. He was an ordinary man like us, he lived an extra-ordinary life and so can we.

I. HE WAS NOT A SELF-RIGHTEOUS MAN

1. He Heard of the Person of Christ [Jn. 1:30-36]

2. He Heard of the Power of Christ [Jn. 1:29, 33, 36]

3. He Hearkened to the Invitation of Christ [Jn. 1:37-40]

II. HE WAS WILLING TO PLAY A SMALLER ROLE [Rm. 12:1-16]

Tom Rahner said, There are no small parts, there are only small actors.” Likewise, in God’s will there is no such thing as second fiddle. Joshua, Aaron, Elisha, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and John the Baptist himself are all proof of that. R.A. Torrey, D.. Moody and Dr. James M. Gray illustrate that truth well.

-you have to be “big” on the inside

-you have to be satisfied living in the shadows

III. HE DID GOD’S WORK GOD’S WAY [Phil. 4:13, 19]

-that is, he never tried to be anyone but himself.

-could a man like Peter have led Peter to the Lord?

IV. HE DIDN’T LET LITTLE THINGS BOTHER HIM

“Some Christians live on the corner of Bitterness Lane and Despondency Blvd.” - Dr. Bob Kelley

Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother and co-workers with James & John but they were in the inner circle and Andrew wasn’t. There is no hint that he was offended by it, hurt, or even jealous.

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

V. HE KNEW WHAT WAS REALLY BIG IN LIFE - BRINGING FOLKS TO JESUS!

-Peter [Jn. 1:41] -boy [Jn. 6:8-9] Greeks [Jn.

Question of the Week: Were things falling apart before the Fall?

 

answersingenesis.org | newsletter archives | contact us November 6, 2010 a weekly look at answersingenesis.org
In this issue . . . Q&A: Were things falling apart before the Fall? Video On Demand: Why 66, Part 66 (Sidebar) Ken's Blog (Sidebar) News to Note Quick Look Biblical Authority Devotionals Answers ... with Ken Ham After Eden Network with Us! Job Opportunities at Answers in Genesis (Sidebar) Q: Were things falling apart before the Fall? A: Some Christians state quite categorically that the second law of thermodynamics began at the Fall. After all, it is obvious that things would not "run down" in a perfect environment, right? How could there be disorder in a world that God pronounced "very good"? There are several important aspects of the second law of thermodynamics that must be considered in discussing this issue. The most commonly cited issue is that of "disorder." The term used to describe this disorder is entropy. The second law states that closed systems tend towards increased entropy—an increase in disorder. Another way to look at this is that the amount of energy available for work in a closed system is decreasing. The law allows for increasing the amount of order in a given system, so when applying the law, the system being discussed must be carefully defined. So if things are "running down," does it follow that this would not have begun until man sinned and brought about the effects of the Curse? Actually, this statement does not hold up under closer examination. Continue reading to learn how entropy before the Fall is consistent with Scripture. News to Note Quick Look Martian life—the fossils still say no: It's no secret that fossils play a prominent role in the debate over the history of life on Earth. But will we soon be arguing over the meaning of Martian fossils? Read more. Still in the dark: Creationists often critique evolutionary theory as lacking a plausible mechanism for increasing organisms' genetic information. But will University of Californiaâ€"Irvine research "shed light" in the void? Read more. Also: They knew what they were doing Born of a virgin? Have we found Krypton? And Don't Miss . . . Biblical Authority Devotionals How Is God's Holiness Not Our Way? How Are God's Thoughts Different Than Our Thoughts? Did God Really Say Savage Wolves Will Attack the Flock? What Is Our Foundational Calling in Protecting the Church from False Doctrine? What Is Our Responsibility in the Spiritual War? Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program Grand Canyon'a tale of two worldviews? Secular humanism—it's a religion? Sea cucumbers—they turn inside out! Adam—he was a vegetarian! Living mammoths—alive in Nepal? After Eden Network with Us! Answers in Genesis Answers in Genesis Creation Museum Creation Museum Answers Magazine   Answers VBS   Note: Facebook and Twitter are both social networking sites with user-contributed content. Children should not visit the sites without parental supervision.  Free app for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad	This Week . . . Feedback: Modified Gap Theory (Nov 5) Section 7 of The Pilgrim's Progress (Nov 4) Order in the Fossil Record (Nov 3) The Second Law of Thermodynamics Began at the Fall (Nov 2) InSite, November 2010 (Nov 1) Is It Really a Beautiful World? (Oct 31) Video On Demand Why 66, Part 4 Watch Video Ken's Blog Typical Distortion Intolerant People Opposing an AiG-backed Billboard Do Old Earthers and Young Earthers Agree on Anything? Respected Theologian Speaks to the Staff Imagine If Creationists Did This! Previous entries Prayer Requests View the current prayer requests to keep track of and pray for current ministry needs. Resources 2011 Creation Calendar Answers Magazine Subscription: United States Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions More current bestsellers Upcoming Events West Virginia Sunday Speaking, November 7 Georgia Answers in Genesis Conference, November 14–15 Kansas Answers in Genesis Conference, January 16–17 Wisconsin Answers in Genesis Conference, January 30–31 More events Job Opportunities Armed Public Safety Officer A/V Technician Constituent Data Administrator (CDA) Cook Food Service Assistant Manager Graphic Designer Senior Database Administrator (Senior DBA) Video Editor/Animator/VFX Warehouse Specialist Zoo Keeper
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Everything You Need

 

Romans 8:31-32  "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"     Romans 8:31-39 is an amazing passage of Scripture!  It reminds us that when you have God, you have everything you need.  You may not have a plush salary, easy hours, or easy people with whom to work; but with God you have everything you need!   The Bible asks rhetorically, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?"  Satan, the "accuser of the brethren," would love nothing more than to dredge up everything wrong you have ever done and fling that before God and in your face.  When the Devil does that, God is our defense!  "It is God that justifieth."  If God justifies me, who could possibly condemn me?  That is a wonderful truth!   Haven't you had days when you wondered if God was still there?  God's people have always encountered hard times, sometimes precisely because they were His.  The truth is, when you follow God's plan for your life, sometimes you encounter trouble that you would not have otherwise.  In those times, it is important to ask yourself the question of verse 35: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"  Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, for "If God be for us, who can be against us?"   What did you do to deserve Heaven?  Nothing-not one thing!  Well, if God would give His Son (verse 32), is there any need you have that He could not or would not provide?  We are "more than conquerors," not because of who we are, but because of who God is.  When you have God, you have all you need!  Aren't you glad for the truth of Romans 8:31-39?   Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

Ezekiel--Son of Man

Ezekiel--Son of Man October 13, 2010   "And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee." (Ezekiel 2:1)   This is the first of more than 90 times in which the prophet Ezekiel is addressed by God as "Son of man." This seems quite remarkable, as this title also was Christ's favorite title (using it 80 times), always applying it to Himself.   In Christ's case, of course, it means "representative man," "perfect man," "heir of man, all God's promises to man," "man as God intended man to be." As Son of man, Jesus as perfect man could take all the sins of sinful man upon Himself and redeem man.   David was the first to use the term when he asked: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4). That this was revealed to him in a Messianic sense becomes clear when it is quoted in the New Testament (Hebrews 2:6-9) and applied strictly to the Lord Jesus. The prophet Daniel also used the title in a Messianic sense when he saw "one like the Son of man," who came to "the Ancient of days" to receive "everlasting dominion" over all men (Daniel 7:13-14).   Evidently the title as given by God to Ezekiel must also have been intended somehow in a Messianic sense, so that Ezekiel is, in effect, a type of the coming Savior. Ezekiel was a godly priest and scribe, but the Lord Jesus Christ is our "great high priest, that is passed into the heavens"—in fact, He is our "high priest for ever" (Hebrews 4:14; 6:20) and is "the Word of God" to the world (John 1:1, 14; Revelation 19:13). It is significant that to Ezekiel was revealed more about the primeval fall of Satan (Ezekiel 28:11-19) and the glories of the coming kingdom (Ezekiel 40-48) than to any of the other Old Testament prophets. Truly, God "spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," but now, He has "spoken unto us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). HMM   Print this article | More Days of Praise articles     Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

JUDGES 14-16

Pastor Rick Jackson

Samson was the strongest man in the world in the physical sense of the term but sin made him weak. He had power to conquer others but he couldn’t conquer his own lust. Samson could kill a lion with his bare hands but he couldn’t kill his sin nature.

I. THE CAUSE OF SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

1. The Choices He Made

-the wrong girlfriends [14:1-3, 16:1, 4]

-the wrong view of standards [14:8-9]

-the wrong view of strength [16:5-16]

he didn’t flee temptations- he flirted with them! “I can handle it… I know she’s out to get me but…

2. The Things He Did - Samson played games with holy things and lost!

- our bodies are holy [I Cor. 6:19-20]

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

- our Bibles are holy [II Cor. 4:2]

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

- our behavior is holy [Col. 1:10]

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

1. Lost his power [16:20] sin befuddles

2. Lost his eyes [16:21] sin blinds

3. Lost his freedom [16:21] sin binds

4. Lost his testimony [16:24] sin brands - lost the chance to be a blessing to others

5. Lost his life [16:30] sin’s wages

6. Lost his opportunity to obey and serve God [16:30, 1 Corinthians 11:30]

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

III. THE CURE OF SAMSON’S PROBLEMS

1. Starve the Flesh [Proverbs 4:14-15]

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away

2. Feed the Spirit [Proverbs 27:7]

The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Many want the thrill of feeling right but don’t want the inconvenience of being right.

3. Keep Short Accounts with God [ I Jn. 1:9, Proverbs 28:13] He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

The Blessing of Prophecy

The Blessing of Prophecy November 3, 2010   "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Revelation 1:3)   There seems to be an increasing interest in biblical prophecy in recent years, but the great majority of professing Christians (especially in the so-called mainline denominations) continue to reject or ignore the great portions of the Bible dealing with the prophetic future. This is most unfortunate because there is genuine blessing in the study of these prophecies. It is significant that only the book of Revelation makes a specific promise to this effect. Not only in its opening verses as above, but also in its final chapter is such a blessing promised: "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth (i.e., 'guardeth') the sayings of the prophecy of this book" (Revelation 22:7).   Note also the exhortation in Peter's final epistle, just before his martyrdom. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).   For those who ignore these prophecies concerning the Second Coming, Christ's rebuke to certain disciples who had failed to believe the prophecies concerning His first coming may well come to be appropriate again: "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Luke 24:25). The book of Revelation ends with an even more serious warning: "If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy (note, not just the concepts, but the words!), God shall take away his part out of the book of life" (Revelation 22:19). It is clearly very important that Christians read, understand, believe, and obey the divinely inspired prophecies, as well as all the other revelations of the Holy Scriptures. HMM   Print this article | More Days of Praise articles     Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

You Are Contagious!

 

II Corinthians 7:13  "Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all."   You Are Contagious!   Have you ever had a cold?  The only thing worse than having a cold is getting a cold from someone else!  Like a cold, your attitudes and actions are contagious.  What are you spreading?  What is your family's attitude?  Even a family can have a dominant attitude as a group!   Our attitudes will spread like a contagious cold.  If you notice that you do not like the attitudes you find around you, stop looking around you and look in you!  If you don't like the attitude you find floating around, change it!   It really is true that attitudes are caught, not taught.  That can either be positive or negative, depending on what you are spreading.  Just look at Paul and the believers in Corinth: the joy and comfort they received were a product of the joy and comfort they were catching and spreading to each other!    If people in your workplace, your home, or your school catch what you have, what will they "come down with" today?  Will they catch comfort and joy, or will it be something else that is wrong?  We ought to be a conduit to spread what is right, good, and godly to others.  The next time your family passes around a cold, think about what else you are spreading to those around you!  Prayer Requests: 1. Services tonight in Elizabeth City, NC and Thomasville, GA 2. BRR Sign Language School this week in Margate, FL 3. BRR Men's Retreat this weekend (11.5-6)   Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

Watchful Sobriety

Watchful Sobriety November 1, 2010   "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)   Several words are used in Scripture to imply spiritual watchfulness, and each has a slightly different meaning. Only as we compare and combine these words do we get the full force of the Scripture exhortations to watchfulness.   One such word is the Greek word agrupneo, translated "watch." In Mark 13:33 we read, "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." The word literally means to be sleepless and comes from two Greek words meaning "to chase" and "sleep." It implies a purposeful and active state of awareness.   More commonly used is gregoreo. It is a stronger word, meaning to arouse oneself and shake off lethargy, implying activity as on the part of one who is fully awake. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith" (1 Corinthians 16:13), and "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2). "Watch ye, therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh" (Mark 13:35).   A third word is nepho, which literally means to abstain from drink which would produce stupor, as well as sleep, and therefore conveys the additional idea of sobriety. By combining the teaching of these three words, we are instructed not only to keep awake but to keep active and to avoid the intoxication of this world's seductive pleasures.   In our text, we see that we are not only to be sober (nepho) and vigilant (gregoreo), but we also see the reason why. Our "adversary the devil" is a vicious opponent. He stalks us both day and night with brutal cunning. We dare not underestimate him by figuratively closing our eyes in sleep or dulling our senses with intoxicants. "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober" (1 Peter 1:13). JDM   Print this article | More Days of Praise articles     Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

Taking Aim at the Eternal

 

II Corinthians 4:18  "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."       What makes more sense, investing in something temporary or investing in something permanent?  You can spend money remodeling your home or developing a property, and you can expect a return on your investment.  On the other hand, I've heard people talk about "investing" in an R.V. or fifth-wheel trailer.  I can tell you from personal experience that a fifth-wheel is not an investment!  It may serve your needs well, but a trailer never appreciates in value.  Parts wear out and things break, and you never recoup the money you've put into it!    You may not aspire to own a "home on wheels," but just think about all the time and money we "invest" in things like food, clothes, and personal items.  On top of that, they all go into maintaining our bodies which will not last!  A pantry full of food will be empty in a heartbeat (ask a parent of a teen guy); clothes will wear out and go out of fashion; and toothpaste, soap, and deodorant are a daily need!  None of these things are bad, but none of them will last.   What you and I have right now is like a tent--it is temporary.  What we have awaiting us in heaven is like a building--it is eternal!  Each day we ought to take aim at what is eternal.  Most of us fret our lives away on what is urgent instead of what is important.  There is a difference between living in light of the important and living in light of the urgent.   II Corinthians 4:18 says, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."  How do you look at things which are not seen?  You "take aim" at them.  You have an opportunity every day to take aim at eternal matters or focus solely on the here and now.   It is not wrong to have a job, a car, a house, or for your kids to play soccer, take tuba lessons, or any number of things; what is wrong is to be so caught up with keeping up with the neighbors or the latest trends that you forsake what is eternally important for what is only temporary.  Investing in the eternal may require investing in temporary things, but that should never take the focus off of the ultimate goal.  What are you aiming at this morning?  Is your life busy with temporary things or eternal things?  To focus on eternal things requires vision and wisdom that can only come from God.  May it be true of my life and your life today that we are taking aim at eternal things. Prayer Requests: 1. Service tonight in Elizabeth City, NC 2. BRR Sign Language School this week in Margate, FL 3. BRR Men's Retreat this weekend (11.5-6)   Browse our fall events schedule on our website: billriceranch.org

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128