THE GOSPEL STORY

From Genesis through Revelation, the Bible speaks with a divine authority which calls every man, woman, and child into accountability to their Creator. Man has never been free to do his own will. God’s command to Adam not to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil marked the beginning of man’s responsibility to submit to His Sovereignty: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16, 17). Unfortunately, Adam did not comply with the Lord’s command and his rebellion brought immediate and long-term consequences: “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:23,24). Paradise was lost for the pleasure of a moment and a desire which could never be realized--the desire to be like God (Genesis 3:5). This was the greatest lie of Satan, the Archenemy of God, and the New Age religions of our day perpetuate this delusion. As for the once-perfect environment known as Eden (Genesis 2:8), it was cursed: “And unto Adam he (God) said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee” (Genesis 3:17-19). New Testament revelation confirms the present state of the natural order: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). The hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods and fires which create so much property damage and claim human lives bear witness that all is not well on Planet Earth.

As the progressive revelation of God’s Word unfolded, students of Scripture can easily discern that all suffering, sickness, violence, pain, and death experienced in life throughout human history finds its source in Adam’s sin: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Who could ever have imagined such dreadful consequences for a single sin? Would you and I have fared any better? Would we have chosen God’s will over our own? I think not. And now, as the descendants of Adam, we follow in his footsteps; we are sinners by nature and sinners by choice. David brought this to light when he said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). King Solomon agreed: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Biblical theology affirms that the human condition is one of alienation from God, just as Adam tried to hide from the Lord: “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). Sinners must be sought out by God before they can be converted, just as the Lord called to Adam to confront him with his sin (Genesis 3:9). Feeling the sting of a guilty conscience (Romans 2:15), Adam and Eve covered themselves with garments fashioned out of leaves: “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” (Genesis 3:7). How foolish they were to think that garments made with human hands would be adequate. Only God can provide that which is necessary for sinful men, and so we read, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Behind the garments that God made for Adam and Eve is the reality of sacrifice and death. An innocent animal had to die. This clearly pointed to a sacrifice that must be made for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16) which the Lord had spoken of a few verses earlier in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This was the first gospel proclamation that foreshadowed Christ’s victory over Satan and the forces of evil on the cross of Calvary. Without the proper sacrifice for sin, the ultimate penalty imposed on humanity is death: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). This death affects not only the physical body, but also the eternal existence of man. The Scripture speaks of a second death, which is separation from God to hell, a place of everlasting suffering for the unrepentant sinner: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). What more shall I say of the doctrine of hell but that modern man, even the professing Christian, finds it offensive? Sinners who are being coddled by popular preachers seek comfort in their sin, not the condemnation of their sin. Repentance is considered a word best left to a bygone age when people were believed to be less educated and more gullible. However, no amount of wishful or positive thinking can alter the judgment that awaits those who know not God and His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:27).

Dark as the prospect of eternal judgment may be, all is not hopeless. God’s answer for mankind’s spiritual need is found in Jesus Christ. Born of the Virgin Mary, He came to earth to die as a Divine substitute for sinners, in order to satisfy the judgment on sin demanded by a Holy God: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). Whereas Adam sinned and brought about death both physically and spiritually, Jesus died and conquered death, offering salvation to Adam’s descendants-- not by their own efforts (good works)-- but as a free gift: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The fact that biblical salvation is a gift from God is seen also in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”(Ephesians 2:8,9) . If the consequences of a single sin, that of Adam, seems unimaginable, how much more the blessing of Christ’s act of obedience in dying on the cross: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). What does all this mean to you? It means that the gift of eternal life is available to anyone who, being convinced of his sin by the Holy Spirit, calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus for forgiveness: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). God desires that every man born in the likeness of Adam comes to the knowledge of the truth in Christ (1 Timothy 2:4-6). This is the gospel story, the good news for all mankind. The invitation issued by the prophet Isaiah still stands: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6, 7). What a promise! God not only pardons, He abundantly pardons. Not only does He abundantly pardon, but abundant are His promises toward those who believe: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). I pray that this is your destiny. It can be! Examine your heart and seek to determine, with the aid of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), if you are trusting alone in Christ’s death on the cross for your salvation or in some inadequate human substitute--the fig leaves of your own righteousness. God is willing to clothe you with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ through faith in the blood He shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). If you look to Jesus, He will not turn you away, for He has solemnly promised, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Further assurance to this effect is offered in the promise, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). This is the guarantee of life without end in the presence of the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). This is what God is willing to give to you if you will give your life to Him and ask Him to take away the debt and burden of your sin for Jesus’ sake.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

Jesus is the way; without Him there is no going.
Jesus is the truth; without Him there is no knowing.
Jesus is the life; without him there is no living.
- Anon.

May God give you wisdom and the joy of knowing Jesus Christ,

Pastor Tom

A HOPE AND A FUTURE

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). This verse was a great comfort and assurance to me during a very uncertain time in the early years of my Christian life. Faced with a difficult situation I had never experienced before, the words of Jeremiah the prophet were spoken to me just days apart by two different people as a means of assuring me of God’s presence and the wisdom of His ways. Twenty-five years later, I have never forgotten them. The words at the end of the verse, “to give you an expected end,” are best understood to mean a hope and a future. As believers, we know that all of our tomorrows are in God’s hand, but the circumstances of life often cloud our vision of His gracious love, and we begin to feel forsaken by God. Brethren, I can assure you, on the full testimony of Holy Scripture, that the Lord does know the paths we take, because He has planned the course of our lives for His glory: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23,24).

Take for example the patriarch Job: Here was a righteous man who experienced trials, the likes of which no mortal man has ever encountered, to the extent that many do not believe in the historical reality of the book which bears his name. They deem it impossible for any one man to experience such horrific things. But the inspired statement of James, the brother of the Lord, dispels this idea: “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:10,11).

Although we cannot say with absolute certainty when and where Job lived, we know that he is not a character of fiction. We have heard about the “patience of Job” because Scripture records his story, and “God is not a man, that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19a). In a very short period of time, Job lost his earthly possessions, his servants, his children, and his health. To say that Job’s future looked bleak would be a gross understatement. Anguish upon anguish fell upon him, seemingly without purpose. Yet, in the midst of it all, Job did not succumb to his wife’s advice, “Curse God, and die” (2:9). To the contrary, Job rebuked her and exclaimed, “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (2:10b).

How could this be? Job endured because he understood that in a fallen world, sorrows come upon the just and the unjust -- no man is exempt from heartbreaking loss. Suffering and death are the norm in this life, not the exception (Genesis 3:16-19): “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a); “Through the offence of one many be dead” (Romans 5:15b). This is the law of cause and effect. Job had his theology right in this regard, but his theology was more than head-knowledge. Job’s consolation in his trial of faith was the firm belief in his heart that God makes no mistakes; nothing is without purpose or plan: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:8-10) .

If only we could grasp this, brothers and sisters, we would look beyond the darkness of the night, knowing that the sun will rise again in the morning because God is faithful. He does know what we are going through and accompanies us on our journey (Hebrews 13:5). Suffice it to say that the Christian always has a hope and a future because his hope is in the God who made the heavens and the earth and who sustains everything by the Word of His power (Colossians 1:17). If the universe cannot be shaken free of the hand of God, neither can we be, no matter what we may be facing. Our trials may be long and hard, but we, too, will “come forth as gold” because the Divine goldsmith is using them to purify the dross from his children, or as in the case of Job, to showcase their faith: “ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6,7). This truth reminds us that part of the journey of the Christian involves not only the uncertainty of the moment, but also the assurance of a glorious end.

Dear reader, are you presently in “heaviness through manifold temptations [trials]”? Do not despair; remember that in every situation in life, God is at work in us and will continue that good work until the day of our complete redemption, when we will be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Perhaps it will be sooner than we think, and what a day of rejoicing it we will be when we will be like Him: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

May I suggest, in closing, that you reflect upon the truth that God’s ultimate plan for you is one of peace and not of evil, to give you the brightest tomorrow? I am convinced that this is true for all God’s children without exception, and when that plan is fulfilled in our lives, we will say with the saints on high that it was exactly what we would have chosen if we had the infinite knowledge of God. He is preparing a people for eternity with Him. That, my friends, is long-range planning and far beyond our ability to understand. May we, like Job, find our rest and comfort in the Almighty, whom no man can instruct nor reprove (Job 40:2).

One short life for watching with the Saviour,
Eternal years to walk with Him in white,
One short life to bravely meet the disaster,
Eternal years to reign with Him in light,
One brief life for weary toils and trials,
Eternal years for calm and peaceful rest,
One brief life for patient self-denials,
Eternal years for life, where life is best.

- Anonymous

In His name,

Pastor Tom

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS

How often have you been sidetracked on a project which you began in earnest but failed to complete? This was the story of the children of Israel, who returned from captivity in Babylon in 538 B.C. Their numerous sins had led to their exodus from the land for seventy years, but God had graciously kept His word to bring them to their homeland: “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:10, 11). After the death of King Nebuchadnezzar in 562, the Babylonian empire began to crumble from within and was eventually conquered by the Persians under King Cyrus, God’s anointed (Isaiah 44:28), in 539 B.C. Cyrus was hailed by many of the Jews as a liberator. One year later, he issued a decree allowing the Jews to return home. With newly born hope in their hearts, the first group returned under the leadership of Zerubabbel, the governor, and Jeshua, the high priest. They were charged with the task of building the temple that lay in ruins. The work progressed for two years until the foundation was completed. This was a time of mixed emotions: “And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy” (Ezra 3:11b,12).

When opposition to the building arose (Ezra 4), apathy set in and the work ceased (Ezra 4:24). For the next sixteen years, the people directed their efforts toward making their own lives more comfortable. They began to rationalize their sin, as recorded in Haggai 1:2: “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.”

I must confess that I also am guilty at times of such rationalization, both with sins of commission and omission. One can only imagine what thoughts crossed the people’s minds when, day after day, they looked upon the abandoned temple left to the destructive elements of nature. Human nature being what it is, they eventually became accustomed to living without the house of the Lord as the center of their religious life. How could this be? Alec Motyer reminds us, "To refuse to build the Lord's house was at best saying that it did not matter whether the Lord was present with them. At worst it was presuming on divine grace, that the Lord would live with his people even though they willfully refused to fulfill the condition of his indwelling that he had laid down." The lesson here is that a Christian can get quite accustomed to life in the world. Stay away from church, fellowship, or ministry for a period of time, and you will adjust to life without those things. Life in Jerusalem continued as normal, or so the people thought, until two of God’s prophets arose and sounded out the Word of the Lord. Their names were Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1). This seems to be the way of the Lord when he addresses the indifference of his people. They go about their day-to-day affairs until God, without any advance notice, calls upon them to “consider their ways.” This was the focus of Haggai, a virtually unknown man of God, whom God used as his mouthpiece: “Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:3-5). Calvin commented, “He [God] condemned the sloth of the people; for, being intent on their own advantages, they all neglected the building of the Temple; and he shows that they were deservedly suffering punishment for their ingratitude; for they despised God their Deliverer, or at least honored him less than they ought to have done, and deprived him of the worship due him.”

Dear friend, does this sound like you? Have you become slothful in your Christian duties, honoring God less by putting self first? Take heed! Haggai told the people that serving self before God is not the path to blessing. As you read his message, you find that it puts emphasis on four things: First is the rebuke and call to solemn reflection (1:1-7). Next, Haggai points out that sin is the reason for their lack of prosperity (1:6 and 9-11); this is followed by a call to repentance (1:8). Finally, there is a word of encouragement: “Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD” (1:13).

Every preacher’s desire is a positive response to the preaching of God’s Word. This is exactly what happened with Haggai: “And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God” (14). Repentance is turning from disobedience to obedience, from self-will to doing God’s will.

One of the hidden blessings in this revelation of God’s grace working in the hearts of the people is found in chapter 2 of Haggai. Ironically, although this second temple was outwardly inferior to the temple built by Solomon, God said: “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts” (2:9). What comfort and assurance it is to know that God is not like man, whose vision and knowledge is limited: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). With great practical wisdom, Dr. J. Vernon Mc Gee reminds us that “God was encouraging the discouraged builders of Haggai’s day to see their temple in the
perspective of the ultimate purpose of God. Oh, that you and I might see our present circumstances in that same way! We need to look at them in the light of eternity and to look at them in the light of God’s purpose for us.” As children in whom God delights, we build more than we see if our desire is for God’s glory. But we do not build without difficulties. The enemies of Israel discouraged the returning exiles from doing what God wanted them to do. They constantly hindered them in their goal (Ezra 4:4). For all of us who know God, this is the reality of life. Numerous trials and spiritual foes will come our way which can frustrate us and discourage us from the tasks God has given us to do. In addition, the desire to take care of our own affairs to the exclusion of building up the Kingdom of God is ever present. However, as those redeemed from the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13), we must always remain vigilant and stay passionate for the glory of the Lord. Don’t grow weary, because there is no going back to Babylon. Babylon is the world and there is no joy in Babylon. We must press on in faith, without wavering or doubting when the hills of life are steep, the valleys low, and the storms severe. The God who brought Israel back to the land of promise is our God. We can be confident that He will guide and provide for all our needs through “the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:8) . Don’t forget what you set out to do for the one who did so much for you (John 3:16). Keep your eye on the prize and finish the work!

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

May the Lord be glorified in our lives,

Pastor Tom

SPIRITUAL INFANCY

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1). This was Paul’s bleak assessment of the spiritual state of the Christians in the church of Corinth. They were suffering from a case of arrested spiritual development. Much to his disappointment, he could not speak of them as Christians advancing in the knowledge of God and in holy living. They were struggling in spiritual infancy, despite the abundant measure of God’s grace which they had received (1 Corinthians 1:4-7). What was prohibiting them from feeding on the solid meat of God’s Word? We learn from his letter to them that pride was a big factor. Their “name dropping” about their spiritual instructors was fostering division in the church (1 Corinthians 3:4), and they were puffed up about their spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 4:7). In some ways, they resembled the church of Laodicea, whom Jesus rebuked: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17) . In addition to their boasting, the Corinthians failed to separate themselves from some of the sinful pursuits of their past way of life. In a word, they were carnal, or sarkinos, which means “minding the flesh” (1 Corinthians 3:3,4). In the battle between the flesh and the spirit, the flesh was winning. A Christian dominated by the flesh will always want his own way; he will not seek the things of God.

It is expected that new believers will be carnal for a time because nobody is born mature. However, Paul had labored among the Corinthians to ground them in truth: “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11). The Lord had given them “the best of the best” in theological instruction, and they were without excuse. So, in this age, is every Christian who has all the more access to gifted teachers, books, and a rich heritage in the faith. How about you? If you lay claim to being a Christian, are you a growing Christian? Or are you still in the church nursery? Perhaps you are out of the nursery but still far behind where you ought to be. You may be saved, but as Alan Redpath wrote: “The carnal Christian is a child of God, born again, and on his way to heaven, but he is traveling third class.” Is it time for you to join the first-class passengers and pursue the deeper things of God’s Word? “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).

How do carnal Christians get from a lower plane to higher ground? There are no mystical practices to follow, no spiritual vitamins to consume. The spiritual nourishment of God’s Word, prayer, preaching, and the fellowship of the saints is sufficient. These are the ordinary means of grace for daily living as the Christian seeks to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). But even all of these blessings will be of no help if the desire to grow is lacking: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). The desire must be followed by action. People can admit they have a weight problem, they can talk about dieting and buy books on the subject, but if they don’t discipline themselves to change their poor eating habits, the pounds won’t magically come off. Just as the latest diet fads don’t work in the long run, the latest Christian fads won’t work. The spiritual disciplines we practice day after day will make the difference (1 Timothy 4:7). This begins with setting our minds “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Jack Crabtree wrote: “The lack of spirituality in our culture is really a very simple problem. We are a people who stubbornly refuse to confront the truth and do business with it; we are a people who refuse to acknowledge the truth as truth and embrace it with all our soul. The solution, therefore, is simple: we must repent! We must change our minds and make a different choice. We must decide to pursue truth (and the best and most direct way to do that is by pursuing an understanding of the Bible), and we must decide to embrace it with our whole being and to live our lives in the light of that truth. Nothing more and nothing less is needed. May God help us all to make that very choice for ourselves.”

Just remember, there is no neutral ground when it comes to your spiritual life. Either you are making progress, or you are slipping backwards. I trust you are not in reverse, and I pray that all God’s children will endeavor with all their hearts to be mature disciples of Jesus, so they can help others to grow into His image. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2; 1, 2).

May the Lord keep you strong and maturing in Christ,

Pastor Tom

THE LIGHT OF LIFE

Genesis is the first book of the Bible, and the Holy Scripture concludes with the Revelation to John. I find it interesting and theologically significant that the first words of Genesis are, “In the beginning,” and that Revelation concludes with John’s prayer, “Come Lord Jesus” (22:20). From the beginning to the end, the Word of God points to the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:8). Our Lord’s own testimony to the disciples on the Emmaus road confirm that Moses and the prophets spoke concerning Him (Luke 24:27). If these holy men of God wrote about Jesus, what did they want us to know? Just as darkness was upon the face of the deep (Genesis 1:2), so it was with man’s spiritual condition: Sin is darkness! This darkness abode among humanity until the Light of God illuminated it: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16). One of the great “I am” declarations of Christ is found in John’s Gospel, Chapter Eight: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). This is the essential truth that the Old Testament prophetic writers were inspired to reveal, although they only knew in part and presented heavenly knowledge in veiled form until the day of full disclosure. Peter says, “The Spirit of Christ which was in them... testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:11). The day of full disclosure was the dawn of the Age of Grace, the Gospel Era: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Jesus was “the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). Biblical scholar F.F. Bruce wrote: “Whatever measure of truth (i.e. light) men and women in all ages have apprehended has been derived from this source.” Thus, I can confidently assert that all the religions of man combined have not, cannot, and never will bring a man to the knowledge of the truth. Salvation can be found only in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). This is why Satan so vehemently opposes the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), and every religious institution and system he has devised was designed to keep men in spiritual darkness, separated from the light of life. Thus, it is not surprising that his ministers disguise their true intentions: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15). Buyer beware is the watchword for this hour. What appears to be truth can be a lie; what appears to wholesome can be spiritual poison; what appears to be angelic can be demonic; what appears to be a message of hope can be the path to eternal destruction. Any man who has not trusted in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior abides in darkness. But the good news is that Jesus, who opened the eyes of those who were physically blind, can open the eyes of the spiritually blind, set them free from the grip of the prince of darkness, and translate them into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). What a cause for rejoicing this is, even among the angels of Heaven: “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).

My brethren, I pray that you will also rejoice in the blessing you possess--the light of life--and continue to walk in it, enjoying blessed fellowship with one another and with the Lord Jesus. I also pray that you will be faithful in sharing the gospel as you have opportunity: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4). This is what Jesus has called us to do until He comes to take us to be with Him, where “the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).

May God richly bless you,

Pastor Tom

THE APPLE OF GOD'S EYE

What comes to your mind when you think of God's mighty works among the children of Israel? Moses, the great prophet and deliverer who led his people out of bondage in Egypt, described his nation as “the apple of God’s eye”: "For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye”(Deuteronomy 32:9-10). Hundreds of years later this sentiment was uttered again by the visionary prophet Zechariah: “for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8).

The apple of the eye is the pupil of the eye, which is very delicate and sensitive to any movement in its direction. The eye shuts instantly to keep it from harm. Because it is so indispensable, the pupil represents something that is cherished and protected. Thus, when we speak of someone as “the apple of our eye” we are speaking of someone who is very dear to us.

Careful students of the Bible recognize that as the apple of God’s eye, the descendants of Abraham are the focus of God’s covenant promises and providential care. It is the Jews who obtained favored nation status: "Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15). This was done so that, through Israel, God’s plan of redemption would be carried out and all the world blessed with the knowledge of salvation: “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6).

The survival of the Jewish people throughout their long history of warfare and persecution testifies to the fact that they exist under the shadow of God’s wings. What other nation could boast of God’s faithfulness, as does Israel, in spite of her disobedience to God’s law and rejection of her Messiah? Not surprisingly, the nations of the world to a large degree have been hostile toward Israel. Sinful men love what God hates and hate what God loves. What is perplexing, however, is the Christian opposition to the apple of God’s eye that has been part of the dark history of the Church and led to dire consequences for Jews.1 I speak of a theology that has justifiably earned the labels “theological anti-Semitism”, “Replacement Theology” and “Supersessionism”. This is the belief held by many evangelicals that the Church has become the true Israel of God because the Jews rejected Jesus. Consequently, they believe national Israel has forfeited God’s promised blessings but gets to keep the curses. Herman Ridderbos, a Reformed theologian, goes so far as to say, “The church, then, as the people of the New Covenant, has taken the place of Israel, and national Israel is nothing more than the empty shell (emphasis mine) from which the pearl has been removed and which has lost its function in the history of redemption.” 2 This is a remarkable statement, coming from someone with academic credentials. How can it be that the apple of God’s eye is now nothing more than a shell without a pearl, cast aside by God with no present or future redemptive purpose? Credentials notwithstanding, this is theology run amuck-- inherited from the early church fathers, the anti-Judaism legacy of Aurelious Augustine (354-430 A.D.) and unfortunately continued by many in the Reformed tradition, including John Calvin and Martin Luther. Such divisive and inflammatory rhetoric ignores the control of good hermeneutics, requiring that much of the Old Testament be allegorized. It also fails to see the self-attesting record of divine history regarding the Jews. As Ronald Diprose wrote: “Israel’s sin can no more thwart God’s future purposes for the nation than can the heavens be measured and all the secrets of the earth be known.”3 This thought pertains to the promise of Jeremiah the prophet: “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew” (Romans 11:1-2). Let us always remember that God’s love is a steadfast love (Psalm 107:1). He is the Good Shepherd who never forsakes his sheep: “Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock” (Jeremiah 31:10).

Dear friends, you can rest assured that “God is not man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). The Lord has a glorious future in store for national Israel when Jesus returns during the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). At that hour Israel will not only receive salvation but will dwell and prosper in the land that God has granted to her in the biblical covenants. This roots the issue under discussion firmly in the integrity of God’s character. The Jews may have missed Jesus the first time, but they surely will not miss Him when He returns: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Romans 11:26,27). In his theological analysis of Christian literature, linguistics, and the Bible, Christian scholar Andy Cheung affirms: “when Romans 11:26 states that all Israel will be saved, it is best understood that ethnic Israel as a whole will receive salvation even if the promise is not extended to every single Jew.”4

What a comforting thought it is to all of us to know that God is faithful in all that He has promised. The offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the apple of God’s eye, will one day experience the true knowledge of God through the revelation of the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the mean time we are to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6) and labor to seek the salvation of the Jew: “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). For both Jew and Gentile salvation comes only one way: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). This is the gospel of grace available to all men.

Brethren, let me add one final thought before closing. You need not feel slighted in the least when the Scripture speaks of God’s zeal and love for Israel. As God’s children and the spiritual seed of Abraham, the Lord Jehovah “hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Our eternal glory has been assured and we shall receive an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and will never pass away (1 Peter 1:3-4). Praise God! Keep looking up, for our redemption draweth near. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Shalom,

Pastor Tom



1 "Replacement theology has been the fuel that has energized medieval anti-Semitism, Eastern European pogroms, the Holocaust and contemporary disdain for the modern state of Israel”. See Thomas Ice:” What is Replacement Theology”? www.pre-trib.org (articles page).
2 Quoted by Horner, Barry: FUTURE ISRAEL: WHY CHRISTIAN ANTI-JUDAISM MUST BE CHALLENGED. (Nashville: B&H Academic, n.d.) p.xx
3 Diprose, Ronald: ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH; THE ORIGIN AND EFFECTS OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY. (WAYNESBORO: AUTHENTIC MEDIA, 2000.) p.12
4 THE JEWS, MODERN ISRAEL and the NEW SUPERCESSIONISM: Ed. Calvin Smith. (United Kingdom: King’s Divinity Press, 2009.) p.23

WORLDLINESS

“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”(James 4:4).
I began my spiritual walk as a Christian in the mid 70’s, in a church that preached a very clear message of separation from the world. Sunday mornings were never short on sermons that focused on abstaining from sinful practices that were contrary to Scripture. The preaching often aimed at social drinking, dancing, immodest dress, rock music, and movies that would probably carry the label “PG” by today’s standards. I was taught that every Christian must earnestly endeavor to separate himself from the world and avoid even the “appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). “We are in the world, but not of the world” were words familiar to my ears and diligently pressed home to my heart. Now, after nearly 40 years of living out my faith in this world, I know that the battle against worldliness still rages, and that it is far greater than a list of what not to do. I am all the more convinced that Satan is indeed “the prince of this world” (John 14:30), “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

The adversary of God is waging war in the center of the battlefield of men’s hearts and minds. Not being content with tempting Christians to compromise in some area of their lives, he desires their complete destruction: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Knowing this to be the case, as a shepherd of God’s flock I am very concerned when I see my fellow brethren gravitating toward the fleeting pleasures the world has to offer (Hebrews 11:25). Tolerance for what was once called sin has become a 21st century virtue.

Hand in hand with this new theology of acceptance is the rapid erosion of biblical truth and rejection of the “Elijahs” of the Lord God: the pulpit prophets who boldly proclaim “Thus saith the Lord” (see 2 Chronicles 21). Surely those among us with even a mustard seed of spiritual discernment can see that something is wrong. As the American culture disintegrates before our eyes and slides faster and faster toward Sodom, so it is with holiness in the church. More and more, the modern Christian is living his life on the playground of carnal desire. This should not surprise us, for it will be characteristic of the end-times delusion: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1,2).

Part and parcel with the deception of false teaching is the delusion that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) can bring lasting satisfaction and happiness. Jude warned of those who would turn “the grace of God into lasciviousness” (Jude 4). This is the abuse of grace which completely ignores the true work of grace: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1,2).

God’s word never grants liberty to sin nor license to deviate from the straight and narrow path of holiness. Tryone Edwards wrote: “A holy life is not an ascetic, or gloomy, or solitary life, but a life regulated by divine truth and faithful in Christian duty. It is living above the world while we are still in it”. Unfortunately, the church has tried to win the world by becoming more like the world, but Scripture says: “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15). Pastors and other Christian leaders must examine their own hearts in this matter and repent. In this dark hour of history we stand in need of genuine revival among the saints of God — a revival of heart and mind that constitutes genuine worship. “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 (act of worship). 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). Nothing less than this will be sufficient to withstand the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Simply put, those who have been washed from their sins by the blood of Jesus Christ must fall out of love with the world and go back to their first love (Revelation 2:4).

Charles Wesley wrote:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray:
I woke- the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

I pray that God’s people who have been taken captive by the world will throw off those chains of darkness, rise up as a mighty army, and follow Jesus.

Pastor Tom

DAY HIKING IN PROVERBS

If you’re someone who enjoys day hikes in the outdoors, you probably don’t like to carry a heavy pack. One good option to cut down on weight is to look for maximum nutrition in the smallest possible size. Fortunately, many such compact meals can be readily found. While I do enjoy God’s beautiful creation when I can, I am a regular day hiker -–indoors. The trail I take is called the Proverbs, and you can find it in the Bible. Proverbs was written by King Solomon, a man very experienced in the paths of life. As a matter of fact, he makes an excellent trail guide because he was renowned for his great wisdom. Ecclesiastes 12:9 states, “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.” All told, Solomon wrote three thousand proverbs, but not all of them were included in Scripture.

In the English Bible, Proverbs contains thirty-one chapters. This makes it a convenient day hike. My practice is to read one chapter a day throughout the month, making adjustments for months shorter than thirty-one days. Not only does this make for a great spiritual exercise, but you will discover something unique while you hike your way through the book: it provides optimal spiritual meals in bite-sized form to nourish your soul along the way. Many of the sayings found in Proverbs are both weighty and easy to remember. They engage our minds and invite reflection. This is a feature of the book that I have come to value highly. Who could soon forget such notable words as: “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion” (Prov. 11:22), or “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed” (Prov.26:14). This is a book of great practical wisdom -- perhaps the greatest “how to” book ever written -- covering such topics as money, work, morality, friends, business, child training, discipline, wealth, poverty, and a lot more in a very readable format. While it is vast in scope, its main message is clear and easy enough to understand: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Prov.4:7). Pause for a moment and think about this admonition. How many personal tragedies could be prevented by the acquisition of biblical wisdom for the decisions of life and personal conduct? How many nature hikes could prepare you to live life skillfully, which is what the wisdom found in Proverbs does? Day hiking on this path is certainly a worthwhile use of your time. Pull up a chair, pray before starting out, and enjoy the adventure. You can ask someone to come along or go solo without fear of losing your way. Rather, you will find your way, for “the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23). I have profited much from my day hikes in Proverbs and I know that you will also. We have God’s promise: “For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold” (Prov.3:14). Translation: If you seek for wisdom as you would for hidden treasures, you will discover it in Solomon’s gold mine –- the book of Proverbs.

So my dear friends, enjoy your hikes in Proverbs and gather all the silver and gold that you can! Perhaps we will meet along the way and discuss what we saw, heard, and learned.


Pastor Tom

THE TERROR OF THE NIGHT

What is normal to an adult is often very frightening to a child. Costumed characters like those at Disneyland do not always bring smiles to the faces of little ones. Likewise, going to bed in a dark room can bring an array of fears before them. Ordinary shadows and sounds become sinister forces threatening to do harm as their imaginations run wild.

Thankfully, children outgrow these fears, but other terrors of the night are not as easily overcome. Many adults, Christians among them, also find the nighttime disturbing, as worries about tomorrow and an uncertain future invade their minds like monsters in a child’s room. Rather than facing the imaginary villains of a child’s overactive imagination, they confront fears and anxieties that are very real, robbing them of the peace and rest which is the believer’s portion. The terrors of the night wear many masks. Perhaps it is a great burden for a lost loved one, a health or financial concern, a son or daughter going astray, or a job loss that keeps you awake in the night season.

Where will you turn in such an hour? Looking at Psalm 91 we discover that the author found comfort and assurance in the presence of the Almighty (verses 1, 2). He sought refuge in the shadow of His wings and was secure under the watchful eye of the Omniscient God: “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). What a blessed thought! If this be true, then there is no reason to faint or lose heart when the terror of the night comes your way, because darkness is not dark to Him who dwells in inaccessible light (1 Timothy 6:16). God’s promise to the believer is sure, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:7). This also is the promise revealed in the 91st Psalm: “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation” (verses 5-9).

What a comfort it is to know that all our moments, as well as our tomorrows, are in the hand of the Lord, Who will not fail to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Whether it is midnight or noonday, the Lord is with us. Grab hold of this precious truth, dear child of God; don’t resist or doubt it- God is with us. Satan will try to shake your confidence in the Lord, but God delights to make His presence known in the darkest hours. Lay down your troubled heart on the pillow of His divine love and take your needed rest. When the morning comes, God’s faithfulness will shine as the sun that rises in the East and settles in the West. Day unto day, night unto night, His mercies never cease. What shall we then say to these things? “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).


"Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
Thou art He, Who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be."

Praying and trusting,

Pastor Tom

LIFE’S UNEXPECTED STORMS

Where do you go when you are facing a trial that seems to press in from every side? At such a time there is nowhere to flee. Perhaps you have been there, dear Christian, so you already know the answer: Your only hiding place is the omnipresent God (Psalm 32:7).He alone is our refuge, our surest port when the fierce storms of life come our way. We sing songs and hymns and read Scriptures that remind us of the assurance of the Lord’s presence, and it is well that we do; but only in the midst of the tempest can we know the reality of it.

The disciples of Jesus experienced such an event when they set out one night on the Sea of Galilee, a familiar experience for seasoned fishermen (Mark 4:35). However, they quickly learned that this trip across the sea would be unlike any other they had taken. We read in Mark’s gospel: “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (4:37). This was not a storm that their sailing vessel could “ride out”; this was a crisis which threatened their lives. The ill-fitted boat was no match for the angry waves of the sea. As fear engulfed them, they went to Jesus in desperation. They seemed outraged at His indifference. So we read, “And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (4:38).

How often have I cried out to my Savior in similar fashion? Such times are too numerous for me to mention. My faith has been as weak as that of the disciples that night, facing the most intense storm of their lives- an unexpected storm. I too have wondered silently, “Does Jesus care?” It is much easier to trust the Lord when the sun is shining and life’s seas are calm; it is hard to do so in the dark of the night when the sea billows roll. Brethren, this is the lot of men of flesh. We are weak by nature and prone to doubt the Lord we love and profess. But thankfully He does not abandon us in the hour of need, for the Scripture says: “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” How could a “great storm of wind” (verse 37) suddenly become “a great calm” (verse 39)? The disciples pondered this very question, “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”(verse 41). They had failed to see the One they had with them that night in the boat, and fear took hold of them. Proverbs 30:4 speaks of Him: “Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth?” This One is Jesus. Terrified by the storm just moments before, they were suddenly gripped with a greater fear of God’s sovereign power when Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea.

Mark’s story of the storm at sea should be seen in light of Psalm 107 to truly appreciate what occurred that evening in the lives of the disciples: “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven” (verses 23-32).

Dear child of God, will your anchor hold when the storms of life come in, when the clouds unfold their winds of strife? Let us always remember that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us in such an hour (Hebrews 13:5). Continue to praise Him in the worst of times when fear and doubt prevail, and you will catch a greater glimpse of His infinite glory and majesty. Moreover, you can be assured that in His time He will lead you to a place of quiet rest. He will one day bring you to your desired haven in that land which is “fairer than day.” This is the promise of the Master of the sea: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). The best days are yet to come!

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Trusting in His Care,

Pastor Tom

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

It is the Christian's nature to sing of the grace which God has bestowed upon him. "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:3) . The chorus above is one which all Christians should sing frequently with great joy in their hearts.

• If you know Jesus as your Savior, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If sin no longer has dominion over you like it once did, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you are no longer walking according to the course of this world, with all its pitfalls and sorrows, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If your affections are on the glorious things above and not on the unfulfilling and fading pleasures of this life, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you have a new heart filled with praise to God rather than filled with complaints, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you enjoy fellowship with like-minded brothers & sisters in Christ rather than walking in the counsel of the ungodly, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you can read or hear God’s Word every day, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you can pray in faith, knowing God is always near, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If your outer man is perishing but your inner man is being renewed day by day, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you have a mind to know the things of God, a heart to love Him, and hands to serve Him, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.

Brethren, how many more blessings can we list? Take time to reflect on them every day. You will be amazed at what the Lord has done and continues to do in our behalf. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19). The Lord never fails to provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). He never fails to protect us from spiritual harm (Ephesians 6:10-18). He never fails in His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). He never fails to promote our spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:3). He never fails to sustain us (Psalm 55:22). He never fails to guide us (Psalm 48:14). He never fails to cheer us (John 16:33). He never fails to comfort us (Psalm 119:50). He never fails to give us peace (Philippians 4:7). He never fails to forgive us (1 John 1:9). He never fails in His love toward us, because “God is love” (I John 4:8).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Trust in the Lord and give thanks,

Pastor Tom

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING

Mark Twain once said, “Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it." Certainly, many of us would agree with Twain’s advice in theory, but in practice we often find ourselves drowning in a sea of anxiety prompted by circumstances over which we have no control. Why does the “inner peace” which is the Christian’s birthright so often elude us? Is it really possible for the Christian to be anxiety- free? The Scripture commands, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6,7). As I examined this exhortation I was immediately impacted by the notion that nothing is to take hold of the Christian’s mind which would keep him from enjoying God’s peace. Knowing that His gracious supply is all-sufficient, the children of God must never begin to doubt the wonderful truth of God’s provision in Christ for all their needs. Our heavenly Father will never promise what He cannot deliver. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

But how does this help when the dark clouds of life gather above your backyard and the hard rain begins to fall? What are you to make of your worries and fears? Are you sinning in worrying? First, we must understand that God knows the weakness of human flesh: “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). I take this to mean that the Creator’s knowledge of the creature is comprehensive. This includes intimate knowledge of our spiritual, physical, and emotional state at every point in time. Moreover, God attends to our sorrows as well as our joys. Thus, we should not be surprised that the verse preceding God’s knowledge of His children speaks of His benevolent compassion on His sons and daughters in the faith: “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). To some extent, to be human is to worry, which means that Christians will worry at times without sin. The key lies in the word extent. The idea expressed in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful [anxious] for nothing,” is best understood to mean that the child of God must not allow his mind to continually be held captive by thoughts which undermine his faith in God’s care for him. This is one of Satan’s greatest tactics. He assaults the Christian’s mind with every possible worst- case scenario about the future outcome of the trials he may be facing. The prince of darkness is equally the prince of doubt. He calls into question the goodness, love, and faithfulness of God. The Christian’s “bulwark never failing” under such a wicked assault is what we find in Philippians 4:6: “ ... prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” Prayer (proseuche) is bowing the heart in the presence of God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is the Divine Comforter (John 14:26). Supplication (deesis) is the mighty utterance of a mighty need to a mighty God. Thanksgiving (eucharistia) is a form of praise which sees the source of all goodness and blessing in God alone. These spiritual weapons will keep a frail mind from dwelling upon circumstances which can rob it of the joy of the Lord, wherein lies the believer’s strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Charles Spurgeon said, “The believer who is in a spiritually healthy state rejoices mainly in God himself; he is happy because there is a God, and because God is in his person and character what he is.” Brethren, I think this is the secret of victory over worry. If we set our hearts on the perfection of God’s character and petition Him on that basis, we will not wander the dark halls in the castle of despair. Let us never forget that “... the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6). Even in the most troublesome times we can be certain that the promise of Scripture is true: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Turning to Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” we discover the blessed truth of the certainty of incomprehensible tranquility for those who earnestly seek communion with God and offer up the sacrifice of praise. They are assured that the Prince of Peace will bestow His peace upon them, and it will guard their hearts and minds. The word guard means to keep close watch over. In military terminology it describes a sentry on duty who is vigilant, always watching out for the enemy. In context, the enemy would be the negative and fearful thoughts that lead to a state of anxiety. The Old Testament parallel truth is found in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” This must not be reduced to a mere human endeavor. Trying to overcome our thoughts by sheer will power does not work. God comes alongside those who turn to Him in faith. He is the “lifter up” of our heads (Psalm 3:3). We have a friend in Jesus who will all our burdens bear: He does not want you to carry them alone. The hymn writer had it correct: “In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.”

Brethren, I would never pretend that the battle for a victorious thought life is easy, but it is winnable. The abundant resources of God are at our disposal. In addition to prayer and praise, we have the power of Scripture and the fellowship of the other believers to comfort us, counsel us, and encourage us. Never go it alone. If you are struggling in this area, find a trusted brother or sister in Christ and share your burdens (Galatians 6:2). There are those within the body of Christ with the God-given spiritual gifts of faith and exhortation. Others can help by way of life experience. They can be found in the local church, but you must be there when the church gathers. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). This is great news. No matter how difficult the testing, we can all praise God that the day of the Lord’s return is approaching. We are inching closer and closer to it. In the twinkling of an eye, the darkness of the night will give way to the glorious light of eternity in the presence of the Lord: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Wow! What an encouragement to lift up the downtrodden. On that joyful morn, “life’s trials will seem so small,” so never give up. “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,” and let us not forget that His reward is with Him (Revelation 22:12)!

May His Strength be your portion,

Pastor Tom

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

TIME ALONE WITH GOD

The Bible has much to say about time. Certain significant numerical references in the form of days, months, and years make for interesting Scriptural studies. The Word of God mentions the creation of the heavens and the earth and all living things in six days (Genesis 1:31). Noah preached righteousness for one hundred and twenty years in the antedeluvian world (Genesis 6:3; 2 Peter 2:5). We are also told that the average life span of men on earth is limited to around seven decades: “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:9-10). In light of that stark reality, the Christian’s responsibility as a good steward is to redeem the time for the glory of God (Ephesians 5:16), diligently praying for the Savior’s return and the establishment of His Kingdom on earth, the time of which no man knows the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

We could advance many more ideas about the relevance of time to the Christian, but none are as important in this life as personal time in fellowship with God. For some, the very thought of time alone with God is an intrusion into an already busy schedule. The life of the worldly-minded Christian runs at a fast pace: Day follows day with little room for even the most basic spiritual activity, let alone the lofty pursuit of knowing God more intimately. It may not be that such ones are cold-hearted toward God; they simply cannot, in their thinking, prioritize communion with someone so distant and seemingly uninvolved in their daily affairs. Time for God is reserved for Sunday, if they manage to make it to church. What they fail to understand is that their very lack of desire for God is the cause of the great gulf between them and God, for He will not draw near on man’s terms: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). A.W. Tozer said, “We Christians must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity. Modern civilization is so complex as to make devotional life all but impossible.” Many of us know that Tozer’s insight is true. We scurry around like little mice in a maze, pursuing things which add nothing of lasting value to our lives. Few resist the current of the day, which takes them further and further away from God. We admire those godly saints who do seek after God but seldom emulate them. Brethren, the time for such indifference must end. Let us make the pursuit of God our greatest pleasure and reap the rewards. Prayer is the path that takes us into His presence. Do not forsake it any longer. You will never find time to pray; you must make time to pray! “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone” (Matthew 14:22, 23).

Set aside all your excuses and enter into the court of His Majesty. There you will find rest for your weary soul, strength for every trial, and “bright hope for tomorrow.” Surely, if the Christian’s hope is in God alone, then to God alone we must go. The challenge may seem daunting, but do not let it deter you. Call to mind the familiar saying, "Begin small but start promptly.” Impossible goals usually end in failure. With your Bible in hand, find a quiet place, a quiet time, and God will meet with you there. That is His promise. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15, 16). May your fellowship with the Lord be as sweet as honey and as delightful as manna from heaven.


Seek the Lord all ye saints,

Pastor Tom

RELIGIOUS BELIEF IN AMERICA AND THE COMING APOSTASY

No one should be surprised that in a country founded upon the principles of individual liberties, tolerance for a diversity of religious traditions would find fertile soil. What may come as a surprise to some is the extent to which Americans now embrace a faith without dogmatism.[1] Just as moral absolutes have fallen by the wayside in the land of the free, so have theological absolutes. This is the finding of a recent survey of 35,000 adults conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. In the words of Rice University sociologist D. Michael Lindsay: “Religion in America is 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep.” Paul’s words to Timothy ring more clearly today than when they were first written: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). The faith Paul spoke of was the body of Christian truth, including the gospel of Christ, revealed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16) to holy men of God (2 Peter 1:21). As predicted, the body of Christian truth has come under persistent satanic attack throughout the course of church history.

What is most startling about the findings of the Pew Forum survey is the degree to which Americans now dismiss even the fundamental teachings of their own brand of Christianity. Fifty-seven percent of evangelicals now deny Christ’s claim that He is the only Savior and way to eternal life (John 14:6), and twenty-five percent of Catholics and Protestants surveyed expressed doubts about the existence of God. It is no wonder that the Democratic presidential nominee, Barak Obama, can say out of one side of his mouth, “I’m rooted in the Christian tradition,” while out of the other side of his mouth come the words, “I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people.” The truth is that Barak Obama may be connected to the religious inclusivists of our day, but he is not connected in any way with the teachings of the historic creeds that define the Christian faith. His view, like that of many other Americans, demands a radically new interpretation of Scripture[2] that disdains dogmatism and presents “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4) and “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6). I cite the example of Barak Obama’s version of Christianity only because the media refuses to question him on the particulars of what he believess and because he is representative of an all-embracing religious pluralism that dominates America’s spiritual landscape.

What does this all mean? It means that we are living in days of great apostasy and religious deception. It means that the label Christian has lost its real meaning. We read in the first history book of the Christian church: “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The word Christian was originally used as a term of derision to identify the early disciples of Christ. A disciple is, by definition, someone who follows the teachings of his master; he doesn’t redefine them. In this case the master teacher was Jesus, the One who was God manifest in the flesh, the one and only Savior crucified on the cross for sinners, raised from the dead on the third day, and coming again to rule and reign over all the earth. Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior, the only path to eternal life. This is the central truth of the Christian faith in its undiluted form. Christianity in America has become a spiritually diluted, toxic brew. Roger Oldham of the Southern Baptist Convention is right on target in his analysis of religion in America: “If by tolerance we mean we’re willing to engage or embrace a multitude of ways to salvation, that is no longer evangelical belief.”

To where does all this lead? The answer to this question is found in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, in which he spoke of a time when the greatest religious deception of all time would be inaugurated, culminating in the revelation of the antichrist: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Know for certain that not only America, but all the nations of the world are well on their way to accepting the ultimate deception. Much more could be said about the climate of religious tolerance in our country, but even worse is the climate of tolerance to which the professing church has succumbed. This has been thoroughly documented in exposés of pseudo-Christian cults and popular movements such as the Signs and Wonders movement, the Emergent Church movement,[3] and the Ecumenical movement, which seeks unification with Roman Catholicism. It can also be seen in Rick Warren’s Global Peace Plan, which he calls “a new reformation,” while others label it as nothing more than the New Age blueprint. A Bible-loving Christian must be a discerning Christian.

What should Christians do? Brethren, no one knows the day of Lord’s appearing, but one generation of Christians will be end-time pilgrims. We know for a fact that every day brings us closer to that reality. As America continues in its unprecedented acceptance of religious pluralism under the influence of satanic deception, and as the professing church slides more and more toward apostasy, the true believer must stand firm in the truth, pray without ceasing, and be about his Master’s business before “the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Do not grow weary, do not grow complacent, and above all, do not give in to the spirits of the age who promote ungodly living and spiritual lies.


In His Holy Name,

Pastor Tom

[1] A clearly defined set of beliefs.
[2] An interpretation that allows for homosexual marriage and a woman’s right to murder her
unborn child.
[3] The Emergent church embraces mystical practices and redefines Christianity in a post-
modern context.