Quotes

"Whatever you do, don't do it out of obligation or because you think that service to others will help you earn a set of imaginary angel's wings. Do it because it's the way to live a genuinely successful life." Bill Strickland

"It's impossible to make another person feel good without doing the same to ourselves." Hal Urban

Today's Scripture

James says, “. . .faith without works is dead.” (2:26) A scant reading of this passage seems to indicate that a person needs to have great works in order to be saved. In verse 14 James seems to indicate that works is needed to be saved. Yet, in reading this verse we need to understand the context it is written in and the examples he uses. There are two examples that James uses to illustrate his thesis, “faith without works is dead.” He uses the illustrations or accounts of Abraham and Rahab. He tells how Abraham was justified by offering Isaac as a sacrifice (God was testing Abraham) as God had directed him to. He tells how Rahab hid the spies who had come to spy out the land. Both illustrations show the substance of what James is saying. In essence, to paraphrase James, “faith without obeying God is dead.” To simply say, “I have faith in God,” is lifeless without the accompanying life of dedication and obedience to the Lord.

James was not suggesting that a person is saved only by doing good works. A person may give millions of dollars to charity, attend church services, do benevolent work (all commendable) and, yet, not be saved. James is simply saying if a person has faith there will be works. He says, “I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (2:18) He further says that those who have faith should reach out to those who are in need. (2:15-16) If a person has genuine faith there will ba a giving spirit. It has been said, “You can give without love, but you can’t love without giving.” So, if a person has genuine faith and there is one in need, there will be works of giving because there is faith. Yet, works alone will not save a person. Will faith alone save a person?

Certainly, there are those who have been saved on their death beds. Therefore, it is not Scriptural to say that a person cannot be saved without doing some works. One thief on the cross next to Jesus was saved just a very short time before he died. Did he have works? Well, he did defend the Lord Jesus to the other thief, which is a type of works. That was before he asked the Lord to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus then welcomed the forgiven theif into paradise with Him. Perhaps this forgiven thief was bringing forth fruit for repentance. (Matthew 3:8)

Following Christ means there will be works of obedience. It is a joy to follow Him and obey Him.

Profundities From the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul went through many persecutions often from his own countrymen. In Galatians 6:17, 18 he concludes "let no man trouble me; because my body is marked with the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit, brothers. So be it." (Basic English)

The Christians in Galatia were being confronted by those who would teach circumcision as a requirement to be saved. The Apostle Paul was continually being attacked by some who would discount his ministry and create conflict among the church. This was none other than an attempt by old "slew foot" to create division, dissension and disillusion among those who had begun their Christian life by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit and their repentance and acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord. The enemy, however, does not want one to continue in Christ.

The devil does not care that people become involved in religion and he will use those who are bent on pridefully pushing their agendas to disrupt the faith of others. Paul was quick to remind them that salvation was through Christ and Christ alone. Their agenda seemed to be effective on some of the Galatians because Paul says "who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth." (KJV) These teachers were so effective that Paul includes them with those who would cast an evil spell.

Friend, there is only one way to be saved from sin and that is through Jesus Christ. Paul was not going to be hassled by these self-appointed teachers who would "add to the Gospel." He says that anyone, angel or human, who preaches another gospel should be accursed. The marks of Jesus, no doubt, were clear on the "body" of the Apostle Paul, whether physical (2 Cor. 11:24) or mental (2 Cor. 11:26).

Every true Christian will incur some "marks" of the Lord Jesus as they go through life - one way or the other. But, O thank God for the Salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank God for mercy and grace. Thank God for the freedom and liberty in Christ. It is a joy to follow Him.

What about you my friend? Is He your Savior and Lord?

Another BLOG For God

I have another BLOG that I post on as well. I started it about two years ago but didn't continue at that time. Now that I have more time, I am going to write some on it too. This gives another opportunity to witness for Christ. The BLOG is named Following Christ <--click there.

Quote

"If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy." -words engraved on a money clip from the gift company, The Spoon Sisters. From Guideposts

Fields of Wood Trip - East TN and West NC

Karen and I enjoyed the trip to the Fields of the Wood and the Easter Pageant last weekend. I have just now uploaded and posted these pictures from our trip. Pictures from Fields of the Wood are in West North Carolina (Murphy, NC). Pictures from Ocoee are from East Tennessee in and/or near Cherokee National Park/Forest.

Bishop, Wayne Allen (Fields of the Wood Caretaker/Manager), with others watching the water baptismal service.

Seven people were baptized in water, confessing publicly that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord of their life. The water was chilly but the Spirit was red hot. . .

The group, Brush Arbor, a Bluegrass Gospel group highlighted the singing program. I enjoyed the string instruments and the harmony.

Visitors in front of the replica of Golgotha (where Christ was crucified).

One side of Ten Commandment Mountain.

More Pictures of Fields of the Wood

I didn't get a picture of Bishop Paul Holt at that day. He is the Director of Heritage Ministries which includes the Fields of The Wood and Heritage Ministries.

On the mountain overlooking Ocoee river and lake.

Beautiful view. . .

There was a higher place than this but didn't get a picture.

Part of the crowd gathered around the Baptismal Service.

Sister Gena Allen. She and Bishop Wayne Allen serve as Caretakers of the Fields of the Wood.

Today's Scripture

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Knowledge and the ability to acquire knowledge has vastly increased over the past three to four decades. Radio came bringing information faster around the world. Telegraph, telephone and television brought increasing speed to the spread of knowledge. Then the Internet came multiplying the spread of knowledge.

A person can listen to news on the radio and television just about anywhere. The Internet is accessible just about anywhere. Cell telephones transmit millions of calls every minute of the 24 hour day. Text messages go out, according to one estimate, more than the population of the world. All the media are useful in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. For one, however, to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ requires much more than technical media. In fact these technical means of transmitting knowledge can be a distraction to growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Nothing takes the place of a personal ongoing relationship with Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can lead one further and further into the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Yes, there are helps that make study easier. I would not want to go back to trying to find references in large books and digging through stacks to get information when it is readily available online or on a CD or DVD.

Yet, there must be time for the Christian to get "alone" with Jesus to meditate, pray, worship and hear Him. Every Christian needs "closet" time with the Lord. My mother, who turned 79 this past March, tells me that she actually gets in her closet at different times when she prays. That may sound "old fashioned" and simplistic but if it works for her that is what matters.

Versions of the Bible other than the King James uses terms such as, inner chamber, private room, inner room to describe the private place of prayer. Wesley's notes says, "do it with as much secrecy as possible." Prayer can be offered in our hearts and minds without others knowing when, where and what we are praying. Yet, the Father knows and hears our prayers and our desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit help us continue growing in Him.

Today's Scripture

Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Yes it is tax day in the United States. Even Christ was not against "rendering unto the government what belongs to the government." Even though we are citizens of a heavenly city, we understand that we are to "render our tribute (taxes) to the government." We understand that many want the government to provide everything without putting in anything. The times we are in seem to beg the question. What is coming down the pike in our federal government?

We live in unsettled times with many running to the government to get everything they think they need. The "work ethic" of our parents and grandparents seems to be going "down the tubes" with so many thinking they are entitled to unending services and sustenance.

So here we are in 2009 with people in many cities going out to the "Tea Party" of our day. The Republic that has taken over 200 years to build is being challenged by socialism (equal everything for everyone - which is unreasonable). Here is an example I read the other day.

A professor told the class, "We are going to be socialist in this class. Everyone will get the same grade. We will take all the grades and average them and give everyone the same grade." The experiment went well on the first test. There were some A's, B's, C's, D's and of course some F's. The average came out to a B- for everyone. Those with grades lower than B- were delighted but those with grades higher were, to say the least, very upset. The next test the over all grades were lower since those who had studied hard the first time to make higher grades thought, "O well, since we all get the same grade why should I work as hard this time. The next time the grades were lower. Finally, at the end of the semester everyone had an average of D-. Since everyone agreed to the experiment the professor said, "Now does everyone want to continue with the socialist system or do we go back to working for whatever you work to get." Needless to say, the vote was to return to the "work ethic."

Don't misunderstand, this is not to say that we should not care for the poor and those who need help but it should not be a continued entitlement system based on just being a citizen of the country - no matter what. The "pie in the sky" ideology of everyone will get everything they always need all the time, whenever they need it is absolutely impossible. Someone has to work. Someone has to break the soil, plant the seed, tend the crop, harvest the crop, get the crop ready for the kitchen, prepare the meal. Eating does not come without work by somebody.

So pay your taxes and be happy about it but don't sit idly by thinking that you need not get involved in what is happening in our country. Nothing is absolutely free in the physical, temporal realm. Somebody had to work for it. Somebody had to put forth effort.

By the way, salvation is free to those who come, repenting, believing and asking. But it cost dearly. It cost God His only begotten Son. It cost Jesus total commitment and giving of His life freely. It will cost you too. You are entitled to salvation through Christ's sacrifice - by simply confessing that you are a sinner and asking Christ to save you but it will cost you your life if you are to follow Him as Lord. What about it?

Today's Scripture

Today's Scripture from the Parallel Bible and is found in Luke 15:3-10.

When we read this passage we see how great God's love is for the lost. He is so intent on finding the lost sheep (sinner) that he leaves the others safe in the "fold" and searches diligently until he finds the lost one and brings it back to the "fold."

He also compares the lost one to a coin of great value. He says if a person lost one of their ten valuable coins they would not be bothered about the nine that are in their posession.

These two passages give serious implications for those of us who are so concerned about the ninety-nine and the nine. Our focus should be on the lost ones and not so much on those who are already in the "fold" or the "pocket." Thank God , He found me. As the song says, "I'm so glad He found me, in love He bound me, put His arms around me. He led me to the shelter, now I'm one of His own. And, O the joy of knowing, with Him I'm going. . . .HALLELUJAH!

How about you my friend? He is looking diligently. . .He won't stop searching for you if you are one of the lost ones. . .He loves you. . .

Easter Pageant At Fields of The Wood

NOTICE: Each Fields of the Wood link below is a different (3 different) links, 1. The Official Site. 2. The Fields of The Wood Chapel and Pastor's site. and 3. A site with many pictures and views of the Fields of The Wood.

Enjoyed a glorious day, yesterday, at Fields of The Wood with Bishop Paul Holt , the Allens and many others. The pageant was awe inspiring. Karen and I enjoyed our time ministering too. The singing and those burgers at the cafe were out of this world.

If you are not a Heritage Ministries member - JOIN. Its $10 and it will help keep Fields of The Wood beautiful. Thousands visit every year from all over the world. I watched seven get baptized today and people get saved there seeing the message and hearing the message. $10 a year, what an investment. . .

Go here to see more pictures of Fields of the Wood.

He Is Alive! HAPPY & BLESSED EASTER. . .

Romans 6:8-11 If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, who was brought back to life, will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once and for all to sin’s power. But now he lives, and he lives for God.
So consider yourselves dead to sin’s power but living for God in the power Christ Jesus gives you. (GWV)

Mountains

Karen and I are enjoying our time visiting in the mountains of East TN and West NC. We stayed in Murphy, NC last night and will be going to the Easter Pageant at Fields of the Wood later this morning. It has been several years (back in the 1980's or early 90's I think) since I have been to the Easter Pageant and I look forward to the singing the testimonies, the message and the Easter Pageant performed by one of our sister Church of God churches (can't remember right now).

Dan Miller Dies

I have watched Dan Miller anchor the chanel 4 Nashville, TN news for, seems like, 35 years or more. I enjoyed his deep, smooth voice and his candor, straightforwardness and clarity. He was one-of-a-kind and no one in Nashville held a close second to his style and skill in being a news anchor.

He will be missed.

Profundities of the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul went through many perils in his ministry. He says, "in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." (2 Cor. 11:23-26)

One part that stands out to me in this passage is "in perils among false brethren." Ever wonder what he meant by this? He noted robbers, his own countrymen and heathen. He also says, "false brethren." This seems to mean that these false brethren were recognized in the church as leaders and had some respect in the church but were a threat to the Apostle Paul's ministry. Surely, this must have been one of the most disappointing perils that he went through. To know that these brethren are meant to be supportive and to find that they have done something to threaten the Apostle Paul is nothing less than an attempt to discourage him. Yet he does not let this get him down.

The Apostle John dealt with a similar type problem. He says, "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." (3 John 9) Diotrephes not only loved to be in charge and in control, John says he was "prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (v. 10) Sometimes those in spiritual and governmental authority have to intervene. Johns says, "Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words. . ." Later John says in verse 14 that he would see Gaius shortly and no doubt he remembered the deeds of Diotrophes.

Perhaps the prayer request of the Apostle Paul is appropriate here, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. (2 Thess. 3:1,2)

Book Review

I am reading the book, "My Story and The Christian Story: A Journey By Faith Into A Far Country" (2004 by Dr. Charles Hawkins Sr.) He writes of his conversion at age nine and his call at age 17 and his ministry over the past 60 plus years (and much more) and his work in China. Below is an excerpt. This book has much information about the Church of God of Prophecy (the church he ministers in) and the World Mission Work. The book also has historical information dealing with pertinent dates in China and other parts of the world. The book is easy to read and has a strong personal appeal. Those who are interested or have labored in mission work would enjoy this read as well as those who are involved in any ministry for the Lord.

Religion

Our own life experience teaches us that we all die, unless of course, we live in denial, and even then we die. This dismal reality has to have profoundly influenced how the inhabitants of our world deal with such a somber prospect. As mentioned before, there is a universal trait among human beings that all cultures regardless of race, language or environment look to and practice some form of worship as the answer to the problem of death, with the exception of the atheist who disbelieves the existence of any higher power. However there are numerous testimonies of capitulations in the final hour prior to death.

Consider the famed Clarence Darrow, who was perhaps one of the most famous lawyers in American history. He was a brilliant intellectual, but a rank skeptic and confirmed atheist. Clarence Darrow, the legal counsel involved in the famous Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925, was the one responsible for the theory of evolution being taught in public schools of America. It would be impossible to calculate the damage that has been done to the minds of millions of young people. He left a legacy in his writings against religion. But he, too, had an appointment to keep. Being intelligent, when he came to his hour of death, he invited three clergymen of different denominational backgrounds to come to his room. He said to them: “Gentlemen during my lifetime I have written and spoken many things against God and against churches, and now I wish I had not said them, for I realize that it is entirely possible that I was wrong, and so I would like to ask each of you one last favor, that each of you would intercede for me with the almighty.” Why would a person with such intelligence do such an about face just prior to his demise? There can be only one answer. Not until mortal man comes face to face with that hollow eyed skull called “death” can he fathom the finality that accompanies this enemy of all humanity. Death, that great equalizer, brings reality with him. This truth is born out repeatedly in the lives of many renowned atheists who lived in denial until reality appeared. When that great French statesman Talleyrand, came to his deathbed, King Louis asked him how he felt. He replied, “Sire, I am suffering the pangs of the damned.”

Scripture for The Day and Comment

Amos 5:20-24 At God's coming we face hard reality, not fantasy - a black cloud with no silver lining. "I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice - oceans of it. I want fairness - rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want." (The Message)

God, here in this passage, is not playing "mealy mouth" with Israel. Neither does He with anyone who will serve Him in true righteousness and pure holiness. Notice that God says, "when is the last time you sang to me?" WOW! Wonder how much of our singing today is "to Him?" Wonder how much justice and fairness is seen today - even in churches? Where is genuine Christianity today? Do we find it in slogans and humanistic goals? Do we find it in hyped up, secularly oriented conferences and conventions? Do we find it in religious projects and functions? Israel must have had their regular meetings, singings, slogans, goal setting, conferences, conventions and all that had to do with their religion but God said, "I'm sick of it, I've had all I can take of it." Wonder if Jesus ever says, "He is sick of our religious activity today?" Wonder if He ever says, "When was the last time you sang to me?" Wonder if he ever says, "Do you know what I want? I want justice - oceans of it. I want fairness - rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want."