Category Archives: General

Almost

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Paul had just made his defense and stood before King Agrippa. “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). Agrippa indicated he was on the edge of making the most important decision one can make, salvation through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Sadly, Scripture gives us no indication that he was ever saved, and he is likely in hell – so, so close.

“Almost” is similar to Christians who say “I was gonna” or “I plan to.” Just like “almost” they don’t involve action. Brothers, good intentions and warm thoughts, aren’t enough.

We will grow in Christ when we are making and acting on a host of right decisions. We do this, not to look good, “earn points” or make ourselves feel better. These decisions followed by actions are indicative of walking a path of obedience as we seek to please Him – not “I was gonna,” but “Yes, Lord.”

Some examples of these might be: assembling together (Heb 10:25), weekly giving (1 Cor 16:2), daily personal time in the Word (1 Peter 2:2), in prayer (Rom 12:12), leading your family in daily family Bible time (Deut 6), sharing Christ with the lost (Matt 28:19-20), holiness (2 Pet 3:11).

The Worst Words

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Imagine the end-times judgement of those who were not followers of Jesus Christ. We aren’t given many specifics, but what if the redeemed are able to observe the judgement of those who never came to Christ? If so, can you imagine with me one of your neighbors is summoned and stands before the Lord. The Lord, the Judge of all the earth is told that your neighbor’s name is not in the Book of Life. Your neighbor then hears those terrible words, “… I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23a). Your neighbor is horrified and realizes his fate is eternal hell. If only he had been told earlier. 

Then he turns toward you and points a shaking finger and SCREAMS, “YOU HYPOCRITE! YOU KNEW I WASN’T A FOLLOWER OF JESUS, AND YOU DIDN’T DO EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY COULD TO HELP ME COME TO HIM?” 

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

Brothers, how serious are you in sharing Christ with those you know, neighbors, and extended family? Might the worst hypocrite be the one who is saved and does not love his “neighbor” by telling him about salvation by the blood of Jesus?

What’s Your Goal?

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Do you have goals for raising your children? My brothers, it is important that you have a target to compare all your decisions with. You can then ask yourself: Will the result of this decision keep us on track or take us off course? A target doesn’t guarantee you will arrive “there,” but you most likely won’t if you aren’t focused on the outcome you desire. (That was the primary topic in the session we presented called Building a Vision.) 

Consider David’s prayer request in Psalms 144:12. “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” David wanted children who were grown up (Gadal H1431) in character, desires, and conduct while at a young age. That goal is not popular today as evidenced by the spiritual condition of our country. 

Do you desire boys who will become real men of God? If so, that will require purposeful parenting. You want to bring things into their lives that will achieve the goal and eliminate the chaff of the world that prevents them from maturing. 

As Spurgeon said in The Treasury of David, regarding Psalms 144:12, “that the young men are, the older men will be.” Might that explain why the average professing believer/church member is more interested in having fun and a good time than serving and sharing Christ? 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

How Committed Are You?

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Our neighbors are beginning to plant their gardens. No one plants without the hope of a harvest. How earnest they are in fertilizing, watering, and defending against weeds and pests will determine the quality of their produce. The parallels are striking between gardening and raising children.

Some (few?) Christian parents want to raise children to become dynamic followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Obviously, we can’t know any parent’s heart, but we can clearly make assumptions based on the actions and choices that are observable. This is similar to observing what a gardener does with his garden. Optimism isn’t enough. It takes making hard decisions, denial of self, and the right investment in your children. Bad choices = bad harvest.

Foolishness is bound in the heart of children (Proverbs 22:15). You don’t just start with a clean slate. Children begin as fools. Then the work must begin.

Our Lord wants us and our children to love Him and forsake the world. How our hearts yearn that this is the desire of all Christian parents. That is why we write these articles and offer our resources. Through them you have someone encouraging you to be in the Word, forsaking the love of the world and all the enticing things it offers. 

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

One Word

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Every time I read one particular word in John 20:16 I am flooded with deep emotion. Why? Mary has brought spices to Jesus’ tomb early Sunday morning and is weeping and  broken-hearted because she discovered Jesus’ body was missing. Then, she turned around and was surprised to see a man she didn’t recognize behind her. She explained to him Who she was looking for. The man spoke that one word, and it caused her to fall to the ground. The word was her name, “Mary.” 

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I live for Him Who died for me. He is the propitiation for my sins. By faith I’m brought into a relationship with God the Father. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

I plead with you, do you know Him? Not do you go to church, or merely believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but do you know Him? Do you live for Him Who died for you? 

Frankly, even more important, does He know you? He knew Mary and with the sound of His voice saying her name, she fell to the ground in love, relief, and adoration. 

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

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Everyone Has Them

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Everyone has standards by which they make their choices in life. I admit, I can’t possibly know the mind of anyone when I say that everyone has them, but I’m confident. If you are the exception and don’t have them, I would love to speak with you. 

The Christian’s rule of standard/faith is to be Scripture. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Then why is it that Christians can be worlds apart in the choices they make? Is it possible some are seeing Scripture as simply a list of commands and prohibitions and everything else not specifically mentioned is a freedom, while ignoring global verses similar to some of these? 

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14).

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).

”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

What’s Inside?

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Surprise! A present is handed to you, and you wonder what is inside. Sometimes packages are well-disguised so you can’t guess, but other times it is easy to figure out by simple observation. Did you realize how similar children can be to disguised packages? 

What is in the heart of a man, or in this case a child, is what drives him. If it is ugly, the child likely will not want others who might disapprove, particularly his parents, to know. Sometimes, he can fake righteousness that could fool them into acceptance and possible praise. However, what truly fills his heart will escape and come out in words and actions. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35). If you are observant, you can use this information, not to be paranoid or critical of your children, but so that you know how to pray and work with them. 

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What is the Difference?

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Consider two Christians who both do the exact same things:
A B
Reads his Bible and prays everyday Reads his Bible and prays everyday
Goes to church 3 times a week Goes to church 3 times a week
Doesn’t drink alcohol Doesn’t drink alcohol
Doesn’t do x, y, and z Doesn’t do x, y, and z
On and on …. On and on ….

Which one is the legalist? Since Scripture doesn’t use the term legalist, but it is commonly used among professing Christians, we ought to clarify our definition of legalism used here in context. Perhaps it would be fair to say the legalist is the one who makes those choices to look good to others and/or earn favor with God. The other man, who does the exact same things as the legalist, makes his choices out of love for his Lord Jesus and the desire to please Him. The legalist serves himself and the other his God. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts” (Proverbs 21:2). 

The difference between the two is not seen in actions but in heart motives. The Lord knows which it is because He looks at the heart of man. The legalist is self-centered while the other, who seeks to please God, is God-centered. The legalist does good things or restricts himself from the world to earn praise from God or others. Obviously, no one other than the Lord can know the motives of a man’s heart. “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:28). 

“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). Jesus said, “…follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). 

Brothers, may we follow Him to please Him, because we love Him Who died for us.

Not a Legalist!

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Have you ever had a conversation with a Christian and at some point you ask, “Do you read your Bible every day?” 

He replies, “No, I’m not a legalist about it.” What do you say in response to him?

What about you? Maybe you don’t read your Bible and pray every day because you don’t want to be a legalist. You think, “The Bible doesn’t command us to read our Bible every day. I might be a legalist if I did.” 

Give it some thought. Continued next week. 

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

Ahhh Peace and Rest

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When you want a peaceful, relaxing evening what do you do? Based on talking with others, including professing Christians, many turn to a movie or TV (and sadly some also grab a beer/alcohol). They sit down, turn on the tube, and turn off their mind. Ahhhhh. 

Where do you go for peace? Where should those who are bought and paid for by the blood of the Lord Jesus get peace? “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Notice, “not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

Might the very best “place” we could go for peace be to our Lord? What might that look like practically? The first place to start is His Word. Is your ironclad habit to have family Bible time every evening? Reading Scripture, discussing it, and praying is a peaceful, delightful and restful time. 

Maybe after family Bible time, you still have more time in your evening. Then, be enriched and challenged reading about how the Lord has worked in other lives. There are hosts of good Christian biographies that you can read to your family. 

Be sure your time is both peaceful AND edifying. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).