THE WILL OF GOD

We must proclaim the Living God. He is the God who will judge the world in righteousness, holding each one accountable for the deeds he has done in the flesh (2 Cor. 5:10). The judgement on the last day will be based on if we did the will of God through Jesus Christ. God's will is that the Gospel be preached to all creation and that men repent and be baptized for remission of sins. God is involved in all of these things. Providentially working to open doors that the Gospel have access to more people. God is working in and through His children to accomplish His will, show His glory, and convict the world of sin. God is the living God whose will must be done. As you pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven", remember what Paul said, "It is God who is at work in you to will and to work His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). To know that God is at work in us, showing us His kindness (Rom. 2:4) and saving us by His power (Col. 2:12) and giving us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us is awe inspiring. We know it's true by faith.

With that said, we must do our part. "Not everyone that says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven. But he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter" (Mt 7:21ff). We by faith, knowing we live under the rule of the Almighty, Powerful God, must do His will. His will is that you pray to Him. Did you pray to Him today? He will not make you do it. He will work through your prayer and accomplish His will. But you must pray. Did you confess Christ this week? He will not make you confess Christ. But if you confess Christ, God will work His works through that preaching to rescue souls unto Him. By faith let us do the will of God. Let's be actively serving Him and others. We must proclaim the works of God and then watch what God accomplishes in your life.

VALUE WHAT IS VALUABLE

I remember that in youth we give up things that are a valuable because we are young and dumb. My graduation year was 1977 and I recall that my parents bought me a pretty nice gold class ring with the purple birthstone for my birth month. When I ran off at 16, almost 17, and was on my own I pawned that ring for a measly amount. We won't say why I wanted the money but let's say I was't living the Christian life.

I think it was a lack of spiritual training and youthful idiocy that explains the following: "29 When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, 'Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished,' Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, 'First sell me your birthright.' Esau said, 'Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?' 33 And Jacob said, 'First swear to me'; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright." - Gen 25

Things which we treasure and truly value we don't treat or speak of in such disregard as Esau did the birthright. It was to be his blessing from his father. Perhaps he took this all for granted as does a spoiled child, always expecting their inheritance no matter how little love and respect they give to the relationship. As parents, this shows we ought to be teaching our children from an early age the precious and eternal things that are theirs and to always value them. Don't sell your soul for a bowl of red stuff. Don't get distracted with silly things from peers who care for nothing but the carnal things they can get from you.

DON'T YOU GIVE UP ON JESUS CHRIST, DON'T YOU DARE

Don't give up. You have had thoughts of giving up. Maybe thoughts of walking away from Him and back into the carnal pursuits. Things won't get better; they will get worse, 2Pt 2:20. Maybe you have thoughts of killing yourself because you think things won't get better. A hard life is better than no life.

Don't you know the source of this temptation? It's Satan who knows where you are weak. But don't forget that God is faithful and He will work all things together for you because you love Him, Rom. 8. Don't give up.

Don't turn away from God. Don't check out of your responsibilities. Don't turn away from your family. Don't do it. Don't give up. You may hurt inside, but it's nothing but growing pains. You can come out of it stronger and happier. Pray and trust in God's answer.

Too many give up just before the day dawns. They won't wait. They won't endure a trial or challenge even though life has always had these. Don't give up. Read about Jesus Christ who didn't give up. Read about Paul and Silas who prayed and sang in prison. While in prison for preaching Jesus, Paul said, "I've learned to be content". Is your life worse than theirs?  "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whome the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground" - Heb. 11:37-38. These were great heroes of faith who endured the horrifying punishments and did not denounce their Lord. Are your troubles worse than theirs?

Don't give up because tomorrow is a new day. Paul said "rejoice, again I will say rejoice". He wouldn't say it if there wasn't good cause to. Why give up when you have Jesus Christ? Why give up when you have Christian friends who can bear your burdens? Why give up when God's salvation is for eternity? Don't give up. Believe and stand firm because God is faithful. Don't you dare give up.

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

"For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ" Phil. 3:18

The enemies of the cross of Christ set their minds on the things of the flesh. Just watch them and see that they worship their bellies, take pride in shameful things, and set their minds on earthly things" -v19. They may preach and appear religious, but they do it from carnal interest. They act religious but only as a covering for their fleshly pursuits. They look out for their own interest and a detrimental to the cause of Christ. They don't care about others. They will divide and not unite God's people. When there's a split in the church, they are present acting as if they are the ones trying to do right. They learn nothing from the selfless sacrifice of Jesus. They only give lip-service to Jesus, but Paul says, "...they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus" - Phil 2:16. They are truly enemies of the cross of Christ Jesus who work to this day.

CLAPPING IN WORSHIP TO GOD

The serious question is asked by many Christians and non-Christians if it is acceptable in Christian worship to add the clapping of hands and other noises to singing worship. Let's look at a few Biblical principles that guide us in this question.

Following the principle of not adding to what God has prescribed, I would say NO. God said not to add to or take away from His Word, (1 Cor. 4:6, Rev. 22; Pro. 30:6). Certainly these noises are an addition.

And following the principle that silence is not a license to approve of something, I would say NO to clapping. When God said to eat unleavened bread and drink fruit of the vine, He didn't say all of the things you couldn't (i.e. silence) include in the communion. Silence shouldn't be construed as a license to do something. If your boss says to be at work at 8 a.m., you can't construe that 7 a.m. is also acceptable just because he didn't exclude that time.

And following the principle that a specific command negates all others, I would say NO to clapping in the worship to God. This is similar to the principle of silence, but this is looking positively at what God commands. God said to be baptized into water. No other element but water will do for Christian baptism. When God says to "sing" (Eph. 5; Col. 3), then the Christian sees no point of doing anything else. Singing in Christian worship is clearly God's will. And playing a banjo is clearly not singing, so it is clearly not doing what God said to do.

And following the principle that EXPEDIENTS are not ADDITION, but are necessary to complete God's commands whereas additions are not, I would have to say NO to clapping in worship. This is a place where the novice gets confused by those who advance their position via confusion. So pay attention please so that I can explain it to you as best I can. A building or a songbook are ways to EXPEDITE God's command to Christians to assemble on the Lord's Day and to sing together. An EXPEDIENT helps to EXPEDITE God's commands.  A song book is not an ADDITION to the musical worship God commanded. When God commanded to sing spiritual songs to each other, He did not give the specific songs. Therefore, it's logical to conclude from the limited direction which God gave - sing spiritual songs that speak the Truth - that Christians were to compile the songs in some manner (e.g. the song book). That allowance by God is called an EXPEDIENT. Make a note of that and remember it. Another expedient is the church building. God said to assemble but He didn't say where: by the river, in someone's home, at a public biulding, etc.  When Christians purchase a building or when they meet in a home, they are not adding to  God's Word. They are doing the natural and logical necessity which fulfills the command to assemble. Again, that's an EXPEDIENT and you should remember that.  But the defenders of musical instrument do is very slyly try to lump their pianos and guitars in with such expedients which they are not. When God said to "sing", all of the instrument that is required is already present in the voice and in the heart. If you have the voice and the heart, then you can sing and fulfill the command. A piano or other mechanical instrument or clapping to produce similar sounds are an ADDITION to God's Word, and not EXPEDIENTS.

What about clapping in the general sense. Let me clarify though. All clapping is not an attempt to duplicate mechanical instruments. When clapping for someone for an achievement, the honoring of those who deserve it - as your parents do and as do many others - the applause is merely a means of expressing that honor. I don't particularly like it in the worship because it seems to promote the wrong attention for the period. However, in general, it's not a sin.

Let me further clarify. The clapping, or popping the lips, or clucking the tongue, or woofing of the armpit,... ( made that one up), or the stomping of the feet, or the blowing the trumpet lips, or the twanging the guitar lips is the vain attempt to skirt around that the Scriptures which only authorize vocal music unto God. So No is clearly the only answer to this kind of clapping. And this follows one more principle that it is IMPOSSIBLE to have unity when men justify such things.

God bless you!

BAPTISM AND CIRCUMCISION

Baptism, by believing and repenting adults, IS like circumcision of the Old Testament. Just like in the Old Testament, It's become a mere work of the flesh for many: like the crowd that supports the unbiblical practice of baptizing infants which requires no faith, and like the "faith only" crowd that says baptism IS necessary for obedience while insisting it IS NOT necessary for salvation. These make or create the idea that baptism is somehow separate from real faith. Because Circumcision required no faith by the circumcisee, like infant "baptism", being done on the 8th day when the child was believing and choosing nothing, it became, as infant baptism has become a substitute for obedience to God. "I was baptized into my church as an infant and that's good enough for me." For the "faith only" people, who go to great lengths and twists to teach that salvation comes before baptism, it's become a mere work of the flesh. Because the Scriptures clearly show Jesus commanding baptism, they don't deny it's necessity, only that it's not necessary for salvation. Please don't try too hard to understand the position of the "faith only" people because it makes about as much sense to say obedience is and it is not necessary for salvation. So the Baptism of the New Testament has become like circumcision of the Old Testament - in this sense that it has been corrupted. The Baptism of Jesus is not to be a substitute for faith.

BUT Baptism is necessary for salvation because it involves a spiritual circumcision of the heart. Colossians 2:11 says, "and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ". You must be circumcised with THIS circumcision and there's no way around it. This needs to be said. The Colossians did not submit to the physical circumcision of the Old Testament, but they were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision. If you call yourself a Christian but you have not been circumcised, then you aren't really a Christian - your sin has not been removed by the hand of God. Every sinner must be circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by the cutting away of the sinfulness in our lives, by the circumcision of Christ. WHEN does this happen?

BAPTISM is the place WHEN spiritual circumcision occurs by the power of God. Colossians 2:12 says, "having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." The "having been" is building on the point in verse 11 (see above) that you must be circumcised with a circumcision made without hands. This part always trips up the "faith alone" people who can't decide if James is New Testament or not; who must wrestle with every single passage that talks about the necessity of obedience for salvation. But the Colossians "having been" baptized into Christ by faith meant they received a very real spiritual blessing from the hand of God when they got in the water because they put their faith not in their works, but believed in God. WHEN they were baptized in faith, God by His power raised them up into new life.

The circumcision of the Old Testament was an external sign of the covenant that males received on their 8th day of life. The circumcision of the New Testament is a spiritual circumcision where sin is cut away and forgiven by God's grace WHEN a believing person repents of his/her sins and gets into the water. Have you obeyed Jesus who said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" and "make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit"?

BAPTISM WITHOUT FAITH: A WORK OF THE FLESH

It doesn't matter whether or not you are baptized if you do not believe. Baptism w/o faith - which is forced on infants and some adults too are immersed w/o faith - is a pointless work of man and of the flesh. For the Same reason, the Mormon "baptism for the dead" is a pointless and empty exercise. Because this is unquestionably true, that belief precede baptism, Mark 16:16 doesn't need to say "whoever does not believe and get baptized shall be condemned." If a person doesn't believe, baptism is a moot point.

The large portion of the denominational world argues against the necessity of Baptism (immersion) on the strength of the argument that Jesus only said unbelievers would be condemned: not that unbaptized unbelievers would be condemned. This argument would only work if the first part of Mark 16:16 did not say, "he that believes and is baptized shall be Saved." Jesus makes it clear in positive terms that Baptized believers would be Saved. This part of the verse makes it illogical to say baptism has nothing to do with salvation.

The first Baptist - early in the "reformation period" and long since passed away- believed two things: First, that immersion was for adults which put them at odds with the Lutheran & Catholic churches. Secondly, they believed & taught that baptism was for remission of sins which agreed with the baptism of the Lutheran and catholic powers. It's important to know the first Baptist believed, as churches of Christ do today, that believing Adults are Saved by God's grace AT baptism.

If you would like to be saved by grace, believe and obey Jesus by being baptized for remission of your sins. It matters if you are baptized or not. If you believe the Gospel of Jesus, then be baptized "for remission of sins."

RECEIVING CHRIST

What does it mean to "receive" Christ? Do you know if you really received Christ? Be certain that there are many who think they have, but they have not. How can we know?

Jesus teaches that receiving Him is akin to receiving a child. Mt 9:46-48 says, "An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." To receive a child isn't equal or alternative to receiving Christ. Receiving a child exemplifies, when done with love and sacrifice, what it means to receive Christ.

People do not always cherish the value of a child. They hinder them from coming to Christ. They are stumbling blocks to the children. Children are a gift or heritage from the Lord. And it takes a certain person who loves selflessly, who gives sacrificially of time and money and energy, to see a child for what it is and do whatever is possible to raise it and bring it to the Lord.

We are to "become like" the children, but we are also to receive Christ as we would a child. Mt 18:2-6 says, "2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Take note from the Matthew passage above that “becoming like children” and “receiving a child” are two different things. Both are equally important and each are great illustrations of what discipleship means. The focus on this short lesson is on the second part, the “receiving” Christ as you would receive a child.

There are many people who are too busy chasing their dreams and worldly aspirations to truly "receive" a child in the way Jesus is calling for. If "receiving" a child meant throw some crumbs at the child whenever it screams from hunger or take it to the doctor only when it's near death or cloth it only when its clothes are completely in tatters and shreds, then there would be many more disciples of Christ because that's about they mean when they "receive" Christ.

To "receive" Christ is a monumental, life altering, schedule clearing, finance evaluating, talents dedicating decision - much like "receiving" a child into your life. The question is therefore have you truly received Christ into your life?

THANK GOD FOR HIS GIFTS

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. - Jas 1:17

Imagine that! Good and perfect gifts are coming down from above, from the Father of Lights. Do Christians see these gifts? Do the lost see these gifts? Certainly. It is the goodness and kindness of God that put eternity in our souls, that is revealed in all of the creation, that is proclaimed in the Cross, that is worked in and through God's children, that is opening doors and working "all things together for good", that gives us purpose and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I wonder how many Christians will go through their day and give no thought whatsoever to the help and encouragement they received? When you pray to the Lord, remember you have many thanks to start with

THE LORD GOES BEFORE YOU TO CONQUER

1 “Hear, O Israel! You are crossing over the Jordan today to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, great cities fortified to heaven, 2 a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’ 3 Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you." - Dt 9

It's natural before going into any battle to do assessments on the nature of the fight. How difficult? What assets will be required? Are the obstacles able to be overcome or are they insurmountable? Fleshly and spiritual people do this. God's people know they have an edge in the fight.

Yahweh knew His people like Joshua and Caleb would be doing this kind of battle assessment. He knew that the Israelites would have thoughts of the Anakim, the giants, and that there would be some who doubt a positive outcome for Israel.

Before the regiment or battalion of soldiers enter a battle to engage the enemy, military jets with their bombs have softened the enemy by taking out key installations and valuable assets. The enemy is weaker before the hand to hand combat begins. In our text above, Moses rallied and gave courage to the people by reminding them that God will be first in the battle. God has gone BEFORE them to destroy and subdue the enemies. Before the swords, armor, adrenaline and testosterone have met the enemy, God was already there, softening the enemy. Do you think about that when you have battles to fight in this godless world?

Remember that later when Joshua sends the two spies into Jericho that Rahab the harlot says to them:

“For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." - Josh 2:10-11

The people of Jericho with their fortified walls and all of their might were already softened by the works of God. This is not just rumor or weakness of character in the people; this is evidence that God is at work. We cannot even begin to measure all of the ways that the powerful God, the Almighty, works in this world to aid the people who love Him and who are called according to His purpose, Rom. 8:26-28. Do you think prayer accomplishes nothing! God hears the prayers of the righteous and He surely answers them.

So when you have a battle to fight. When fleshly men say that obstacles are insurmountable, do not forget that you have someone who fights for you because He goes BEFORE you to bring victory. Faith, John said, is the victory that overcomes the world. Believe it and live it.

DEAD, IF YOU AREN'T CHRISTIAN, YOU ARE DEAD

DEADER than the scorched grass from the Texas drought. DEADER than the body that has ceased moving and will never speak or walk again. DEADER than my Snapper mower that gave up two years ago. DEADER than the deadest of languages. DEAD like the faith of the church of Sardis. DEAD. Before you believed in Jesus and obeyed His Gospel, "you were dead in your trespasses and sins," - Eph 2:1

Simon the Pharisee judged Jesus for not knowing what kind of woman washed His feet with her tears. Jesus told a parable to Simon about two people who were forgiven: one a small debt and one a large debt. Jesus asked him, "which one will love him more?" And Simon said the one who was forgiven more which was the correct answer.

Jesus said this parable to Simon to teach him something about his own love and appreciation for God. The sinful woman was more thankful for God's grace than was Simon. Simon didn't know his need for God's grace. Simon didn't feel as appreciative. He didn't know his sinfulness and so he respected less the favor of Jesus Christ.

"You have a name that you are alive, but you are DEAD" - Message to Sardis, Rev. 3:1

We are all at risk of not knowing the extent of our lostness. We may think we are more righteous than we are, like Simon. We need to know that our trespasses and sins against God have made us DEAD spiritually. And there's only one cure, Jesus Christ. And there's only one way to receive His grace is to know how desperately lost we are without Him and how much we need Him.

DEAD, without Christ, you are DEAD. Come to Christ today and He will make you alive. Listen to this verse:

12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, - Col. 2:12,13

That's right. God saves and raises you up and makes you alive. Bringing the dead to life is God's work when you put your faith in Him by repenting and obeying the Gospel. So believe Him, take Him at His word, by getting in the watery grave (the right place to lay the DEAD) and you shall be raised to walk in newness of life, Rom. 6:3-5.

BE SEPARATE AND HOLY FROM THE WORLD

1 “When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you, 2 and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. 3 Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you. 5 But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, and smash their sacred pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. 6 For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." -  Deut 7:1ff

The holy people of God have always been distinct from the world. Their beliefs, lifestyles, and worship have been according to the will of God which is opposite of the world. The church of Christ is the New Testament equivalent to Israel, the chosen people of God. Peter wrote to the church: 

9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. - 1 Peter 2:9-10

The principles Moses laid out for Israel to follow in regard to the world are the same principles the church follows today. 

1. It's warfare. "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).   "19 For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE" (1 Cor. 1:19).  12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).  This is a mindset which many Christians refuse to accept. They don't want to be at war with the ungodly world. Though Jesus said, "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword", they still want peace with the world. Don't be blind and foolish to think that the world isn't out to destroy you and your family. The world wants you to accept and approve of what it is doing. Homosexuality is just one example where this is being accomplished. Darwinistic naturalism is another. The world will undermine the authority of God if you do not accept that you are at war with the world. 

2. Do Not Covenant with the World.  "14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,  “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE" (2 Cor. 6:14ff).  God said not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers, i.e. those who are not the body of Christ. Do we maintain the clear line between the church and the world, even between us and the denominational world? If not, are we not sinning? Do we care that our daughters and sons are marrying outside of the family of God? Moses said parents are not to permit it. But parents today submit to modern conventions instead of the will of God, and they act as if they have no say in who will be married into their family. Marriage is the 2nd most important covenant you will enter, second only to covenanting with God in Christ. Covenanting with those outside of the church are a danger that will draw your children away from God. 

3. Destroy their Idols from Your Home. Moses was telling God's people how to go forward by conquering and destroy all vestiges of the pagan world. Do no bring them into your home. Do not adopt them and make them your own.  The equivalent to this in the New Testament age is the practice of the home and church. Christians, both individually and corporately, are destroying the idols they encounter. The church of Christ cannot advance the cause of Christ if it becomes enamored with the graven images and seeks to adopt them into the church. These things are Trojan Horses that once invited in set the path for more and more to enter. Soon the church will not reflect the pattern given it in the New Testament, but will instead reflect the world. When so called Christians argue to adopt things that look good, smell good, feel good, and sound good because, according to their personal wisdom, it will help to engage the world for Christ, do not follow these Christians. Moses said destroy these images, not embrace them because they wouldn't help reach the lost. Moses said destroy them from your lives because you are a holy people. The church will cease to be the church if it looks to the gold and silver and hewn idols of the world and invite them into the church. 

The world is creeping into the church and Christian home through television and movies, through sports, through school curriculum, through peers, through the  biased media that hates God, through government controls, and through many others means. Anything and everything which seeks to turn the church and our families away from God are to be opposed. 

Whose side are you on? If you are on the side of the world, then you are an enemy of God. If you are on God's side, then the world is your enemy. The world is your enemy that seeks to destroy your home. It seeks to take your children's mind and turn them against God. The world is the enemy of the church which insist that the Cross is the wisdom of God and no one comes to the God of heaven apart from Christ. Be separate from the world and draw near to all the ways of God. 

JUDGING OTHERS?

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
39 And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. 41 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. 43 “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. - Lk 6:37-45

You should not judge others....
...unless you just as readily forgive when forgiveness is called for.
    Your standard of measure will be measured to you.
...unless your heart is good. A bad heart won't produce good fruit.
...unless your see the truth clearly. The "blind" only lead the blind.
...unless you have tended to the log in your own eye.
    Then you may see clearly to help your brother.

Judging others is a snare to those who don't judge themselves. The first thing we should do whenever we see fault in others is consider our own lives. It is profitable to examine self first. Paul says that for worship to be pleasing to God, "a man must examine himself" and "if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged" (1 Cor. 11:28,31). Before I look for fault in others, I need to make sure I'm truly walking with God.

When you or I commit a trespass against God, we should not think that God or His people will overlook that sin. It will be addressed. Jesus said, "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private;..." (Mt. 18:15). When Brothers or Sisters in Christ points to your sin, be careful to listen to them and resist the temptation from Satan to justify yourself by dismissing Scripture and/or by the use of abusive ad hominem attacks: "Well! Are you saying you are perfect! You are not perfect either!"

If you are distorting Scripture, that doesn't change if the person who confronted you is a sinner. If you are committing sexual immorality, it doesn't matter if the world accepts your lifestyle. The Scriptures say that sexual activity is approved by God only in the marriage covenant. Are you lusting and engaged in fleshly pursuits? Don't cover it up or pacify your guilty feelings by telling yourself that everyone does it. It's not true.

There are some people who should not be pointing fingers because their heart isn't right with God. But when the godly man or woman confronts you about sin, it is a favor and act of love they show to you. Do not attack them because you will find yourself at enmity with God.

JUSTICE FROM HEAVEN FOR WHAT YOU SEEK

"27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him" (Pro. 11:27).  

Woe to those who resist the justice of God for they shall fail. The justice of God is rooted in the righteousness of God and it is the law of the universe. It is impossible for a man to escape the justice of God. No man is beyond or above it. Men who love truth and who seek to do good will receive a reward. But those who seek evil, they do great harm to themselves. It's unavoidable. God will not be mocked. 

The fool that says there is no God and who does whatever is right in his own eyes will not understand when the justice of God catches him. The law of God is rooted in what is right and is opposed to what is wrong. It is giving and merciful. It comes from a loving God who gives and forgives. But the law of man who rejects God is rooted in fleshly pursuits and selfish desires. It fails and destroys itself. 

When you are surfing the internet, what do you seek? When you "Google", do you search for evil or good? The justice of God applies and cannot be thwarted. The man or woman who seeks evil from the sinful world will bring evil upon himself or herself. Pray if this is an issue. Repent and pray and seek God's strength to overcome the temptations of the flesh. Seek what is good and honor God in all of your doings and you will receive the favor of the Lord. 

A man, or a family, a church, a society, or a nation, can only hope to stand if he humbly submits to the law of God. Seek good and you seek the favor of God. Seek evil and you will find evil is seeking you. 

HOW THE BREAD IS BLESSED - GET IT RIGHT

It's not blessed unless you have given thanks for it; it is blessed BY giving thanks to God for it. John 6:11 says, "Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted." This miracle is recorded in all four gospels. Compare it with the Matthew 14 account Says, "...looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food."  One account says Jesus blessed the bread and the other account says He gave thanks for it.

If you compare this thanks/bless language in the Gospel accounts with another passage in 1 Timothy 4 that says, "4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude (giving thanks); 5 for it is sanctified (i.e. made holy, blessed) by means of the word of God and prayer" and also compare with 1 Corinthians 14 that says, "16 Otherwise if you BLESS in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of THANKS, since he does not know what you are saying?", it's becomes apparent that food is blessed or sanctified by giving thanks for it in prayer.

When you lead the Lord's Supper and ask God to "bless the bread", you don't even know what you are asking. It is the eating of the bread that is blessed when you, the prayer leader, give thanks for it. Again, compare the Scripture in Mt 26:26 that says Jesus blessed the bread and the passage in Luke 22:19 that says Jesus gave thanks for the bread.  It is blessed by God when you thank Him for it.

Our Catholic friends are misled to think that the bread and cup are blessed to become literal body and blood of Christ. It's a major error without any Biblical support. And our worship leaders have adopted the language by asking God to "bless the bread and cup" and the congregation has no clue what is being asked of God. So let's get this right. Before you eat and drink the emblems, be sure to give thanks for them and the eating and drinking will be blessed by the Lord.