The Good Reporters

THE PROGRESSION OF REJECTION

2008-10-18T20:35:00.000-05:00

Acts 19:9 “But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.”

Paul had revisited Ephesus and spent more than two years there. As was his custom, Paul initially went into the synagogue and preached the Word of God. All did not enthusiastically receive his message. As our text declares, he met considerable resistance from some. As we read this Scripture, we can see how the rejection of truth develops. You will notice that those who heard Paul’s words “believed not.” They did not accept the Gospel message as truth. When a person refuses to believe the truth, the only thing left for him to believe is a lie. Then we see that they “were hardened.” Their hearts were hardened as they resisted the Word of God. The next thing we see is that they “spake evil of that way before the multitude.” Because they refused to believe the Bible, their hearts became more calloused to the truth. They began to slander the way of Christianity. We can see an obvious progression in this passage of Scripture. There are severe consequences associated with the rejection of truth. Some of the hardest people are those who have heard the Word of God and have rejected it. We have been dismayed by the vicious words and critical attitudes of people who at one time listened to the preaching of truth. How does a person go from an apparent listener to a contentious opponent of truth? Sometimes it occurs as our text discloses. They close their minds to some matter of Biblical principle, refusing to submit to the authority of the Scripture. As they continue to resist the truth, they become more adamant. The harder they are, the easier it is for them to contradict and criticize. After all, if one is not going to obey the truth, it is only natural to try to save face and make the message or the messenger look wrong. It is absolutely essential that we make a conscious and consistent decision to respect and follow the Word of God. The way we respond to truth will greatly influence our continued Christian growth. Sometimes the Bible requires us to adjust our way of thinking or surrender our opinions. When we hear the truth, we can either believe and accept it, or resist it with lasting and harmful repercussions.

For Atheists Only

2008-07-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

I would like to ask a big favor. Forget (for a moment) about whether or not God exists, and give me your serious thoughts on the few verses below. Please read them carefully:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:24-29).

Here's the build-up to my question: Some say Jesus of Nazareth was a great teacher. Others say that He was crazy, while others (a few) think that He didn’t exist at all.

I think that "great" teachers don’t say the sort of weird things He said (believe His words and you have everlasting life, that His voice would raise the billions of the dead human race, etc.), and if He didn’t exist, who said these amazing words? So, I think that there are only two reasonable options. He was either a crazy liar, or He was the Son of God. Am I wrong?

By Ray Comfort

"But Dad, Which One is God's Word?"

2008-07-04T19:20:00.000-05:00

(I read this at Chick Publications and thought it was good.)

"Please turn in your Bibles to..." The pastor began his sermon. One could hear pages turning all over the building. One father watched his son, barely 9 years old, proudly open his Bible. His father had told him, "Make a habit of knowing God's Word for yourself. Never take man's word for what it says. Read it yourself."

The Words Didn't Match

But as the pastor began reading, something was very wrong! The youngster checked to be sure he had the right verse. Yes, that's the one. But the words didn't match! The pastor was reading from a new translation and, to those with limited reading ability, it sounded like another book! The boy glanced at his father, made a helpless gesture and closed his Bible. The father stared at his Bible but he wasn't following either. In his mind he was on the way home trying to answer a little boy's questions without destroying his respect for his pastor or the Word of God. "Which words were really God's words, after all?" he wondered.

All over the auditorium, Bibles could be heard closing. The Word, for which so many had died, would go unread by the people. Instead, they would receive it from the lips of the "holy man," who understood which words were really God's. An overreaction? Maybe. That is, if one accepts the notion that the professional clergy know best about spiritual matters, and are the only ones who can be trusted to find "truth."

As more and more Bible translations are published, fewer people preach the Word with confidence. One says it one way. Another says, "I like mine better. It says..." But what does God say? Can we really choose a Bible which says what we want it to say, and still take it seriously as the Word of God? Modern translations rely upon a Greek text which rests largely on two Catholic manuscripts. One of them is so pathetically marked up with corrections it finally ended up in the trash, where it was found.

Most Agree Beautifully

The other disagrees with the first, and is missing most of chapters 9 through 13 of Hebrews. How convenient that this manuscript neglects to mention we have no further need of priests! However, the vast majority of old manuscripts agree beautifully with each other, are quoted extensively by early church leaders, and are obviously from the text accepted by the early church as correct. These manuscripts combine to form the text from which the King James Bible was translated.

The importance of the King James lies mainly in the fact that it was translated from the true text, and therefore gives us the true and error-free Word of God. Pastors need to recognize that using many translations in the church undermines the people's confidence in the written Word, and thus undermines the whole church. They need one standard text. And it would certainly help to get the right one!

FOXY PEOPLE

2008-07-04T16:06:00.000-05:00

"…the little foxes, that spoil the vines…" Song of Solomon 2:15

The "little foxes" that spoil the vine may be so little that only the eagles' eye can detect them. Regardless, they gnaw away at the vine of character and of trustworthiness.

Jacob was plagued with these "little foxes," prior to his wrestling match with God. His every thought and action had a personal agenda which profited him in some way. He had to win all the arguments, have the last word, and be at the front of the line, regardless of where it was going.

A person plagued with these "little foxes" may not be aware of them. They might not tell an out-and-out lie but they will embellish the story, misstate the facts and omit information, which does not promote them. Their little fits of temper, their tendency to place blame on others, and their superficial attempt to "out fox" you by promoting themselves betray them. These people are too draining to indulge, too clever to be trusted and too dangerous to ignore. They too need a wrestling match with Jacob's God in order to rid themselves of these "little foxes"

By Ken Blue

Casual Christians

2008-05-14T23:23:00.000-05:00

We have too many casual Christians who dabble in everything but are not committed to anything. They have a nodding acquaintance with a score of subjects but are sold on nothing. “Of course I’m interested in church—but with my club and my lodge and my golf and my bridge and my stamp collecting and my ceramics and my African violets, I just can’t get too excited about religion.” Our Lord had no place in His program for casual disciples. It was all or nothing.

Vance Havner

Dangers of Drifting

2008-04-05T20:54:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."

Laws of the Drift:

You always drift down stream.

You can drift without realizing you are doing so.

It takes no effort to drift. When we stop battling we often start drifting.

Drifting cost you plenty. Sin takes you father than you want to go; keeps you longer than you will want to stay and will cost you more than you want to pay.

Drifting puts others in danger as well.

The closer to the “falls” you get the faster the current.

If you fail to stop drifting the trip will end in disaster.

How to know when you are drifting.

When you find you are reading Bible less than you once did.

When you find you are praying less than you once did.

When you find you are attending church less than you once did.

When you find you are sharing the gospel less than you once did.

When you find you are reading Bible less than you once did.

When you desire for worldly things is growing stronger.

When sin hold on you is increasing.

How to stop drifting!

Get out of the water until you are stronger.

Stop doing what you were doing when you started to drift.

Paddle once again against the tide.

Separate yourself from those who are drifting with you.

Enlist the help of those who are going the right direction.

Refocus on where you want to go.

Be sure you are anchored in Christ.

By Jim Preston

The Blonde Mortician

2008-03-20T22:04:00.000-05:00

A man who just died is delivered to a local mortuary wearing an
expensive, expertly tailored black suit.

The Blonde mortician asks the deceased's wife how she would
like the body dressed. She points out that the man does look good
in the black suit he is already wearing.

The widow, however, says that she always thought her husband
looked his best in blue, and that she wants him in a blue suit. She
gives the Blonde mortician a blank check and says, "I don't care what
it costs, but please have my husband in a blue suit for the viewing."

The woman returns the next day for the wake. To her delight, she
finds her husband dressed in a gorgeous blue suit with a subtle chalk
stripe; the suit fits him perfectly.

She says to the mortician, "Whatever this cost, I'm very satisfied.
You did an excellent job and I'm very grateful. How much did you
spend?"

To her astonishment, the blonde mortician presents her with the
blank check. "There's no charge," she says.

"No, really, I must compensate you for the cost of that exquisite
blue suit!" she says.

"Honestly, ma'am," the blonde says, "it cost nothing. You see, a
deceased gentleman of about your husband's size was brought in
shortly after you left yesterday, and he was wearing an attractive blue
suit.

I asked his wife if she minded him going to his grave wearing a
black suit instead, and she said it made n o difference as long as he
looked nice."

"So I just switched the heads."

What the Bible Says About Television

2008-03-13T21:57:00.000-05:00

(The version of Psalm 23 believed by most Christians today)

The TV is my shepherd, I shall not want,

It makes me lie down on the sofa; it leads me away from the faith.

It destroys my soul; it leads me in the paths of fornication and violence for the sponsor’s sake.

Yea though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities there will be no interruption, for the TV is with me, its cable and remote they comfort me.

It prepares a commercial for me in the presence of all my worldliness, it anoints my head with humanism and consumerism, my coveting runneth over.

Surely insignificance and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house watching TV forever.

True Christian Living

2008-03-02T22:43:00.000-05:00

Titus 2:12,13 "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"

1. True Christian Living denies ungodliness and worldly lust.

2. True Christian Living, lives Godly, soberly, righteously in this present world.

3. True Christian Living, lives with the 2nd Coming of Jesus in mind every day.

By Jim Preston

I DO BELIEVE IT'S A COMIN'!!!

2008-02-25T20:49:00.000-05:00

Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in Bozeman, Montana, while awaiting their respective flights.

One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show & the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East

Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim who has a famous relative in America. The conversation falls into an uneasy lull.

The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face.

The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping; but still no airplane comes.

Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, 'At one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few.'

The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, 'Once my people were few here,' he sneers, 'and now we
are many. Why do you suppose that is?'

The Montana cowboy shifts his toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl . .

'That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but I do believe it's a-comin'.'

Little Is Much When God Is In It

2008-02-23T22:18:00.000-05:00

“One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” John 6:8–11

Thousands of hungry people surrounded Him. There wasn’t enough money to buy food for everyone, so Christ sent His disciples out to find food among the people. No one could find anything except for Andrew who found a little boy with a lunch that consisted of five loaves of bread and two fishes. This boy was willing to give his lunch to Jesus.

From Andrew’s perspective, this wasn’t very much. He had searched and found what he could in his own strength, and he offered it to Christ, not knowing what the Lord was going to do with it. He told God, “This isn’t much, but You asked for us to find food, so this is what I found. You can have it.”

Sometimes Christians can think they don’t have much to offer Christ. You may not be the most eloquent speaker, the most gifted singer, or the boldest witness, but don’t fail to see the bigger picture. It isn’t about what talent you have or what you can do alone; it’s about what God wants to do through you. God doesn’t require a certain talent; He only requires your willingness to be used by Him.

When you do your part, God will do His part. This young boy was willing to do His best for God. He gave his lunch—all that he had. But notice that a wonderful thing took place! John 6:11 says, “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” Notice the phrase “as much as they would.” Jesus kept distributing the bread until the entire crowd had been fed "as much as they would." This was a complete work, for no one was going to go home hungry.

Aren’t you glad that God delights in blessing the simple things of this life? In 1986, when my wife and I moved to Lancaster and I preached that first message to roughly twenty people in a downtown building, you would not have had to remind us that we weren’t much. We didn’t have any talent or many material possessions, but we did have faith in God and belief in His Word. And over the years we have seen that little is much when God is in it.

First Corinthians 1:27 says, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” When you give your life to God, no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve been through, He will use it for His glory. You will be amazed at how God will bless and use you as His servant. All you need is faith and a willingness to serve God.

Does God have your life today? Maybe you dedicated your life to Him many years ago, but are you still living by faith in Him? It doesn’t matter what you have in the way of material possessions or special talent. All God wants from you is your all. Let God have full control of every aspect of your life. Offer what you have to Him just like the little lad did with the lunch, and remember that little is much when God is in it.

By Dr. Paul Chappell

Blonde Joke

2008-02-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the
tail of her cat who was hiding in the grass. She rushed her cat along
with the tail over to Walmart!

Why Walmart? Walmart is the largest retailer in the world!

Clever Monkey

2008-02-21T21:52:00.000-05:00

National Geographic are at it once again. It seems that ratings are more important to them than the truth. Apparently, they have exclusive videotape showing a chimp actually making a spear. In a documentary called “Ape Genius,” the narrator says, “Never before has any non-human species been known to routinely make and use deadly weapons.” Wow. That is amazing. It looks like more evidence to back up Darwin.

Jill Pruetz is one of the National Geographic explorers who spent four years following the monkeys around in their natural habitat. When an NBC interviewer asked her the question, “When you saw a chimp actually fashioning a weapon, were you amazed?” she replied, “I am still amazed. In fact, I saw it a week ago before I came here, and Bilbo [the chimp] was nice enough to make a spear. He wasn’t successful, but I'm still amazed by it.” Whoa! What did she say? “He wasn’t successful…” In other words, he didn’t make a spear. All he did was bite off the end of a stick and use it to poke into a tree limb. It was typical evolutionary mumbo jumbo, and it will no doubt continue to “deceive the hearts of the simple.”

By Ray Comfort

One Home Under God

2008-02-10T22:48:00.000-05:00

The Pathway to a Better Day

In 1607 one hundred and five settlers landed in Jamestown and ALL OF THEM WERE MEN. From the founding of our nation to 1820 men were the leaders, providers, and protectors of their families. These men were self-reliant and self-sufficient. Men of that era lived off the land, built their own houses, and grew their own food. The average family had seven children who were an integral part of the family economy.

The Industrial Revolution took place from 1840-1940. During this period, fathers left the homesteads to work in cities. The influence of men in home and society began to gradually decrease. Women assumed the moral leadership of home, school, church, and social reform. The reason matriarchal influence became dominant was because men had abandoned their roles. An ongoing erosion of manhood has been under way in our nation for the last two hundred years. Strong male leadership has not been the defining feature for many decades.

Most men are so busy today that few have taken an objective look as to where we are and how we got here. We used to sing about “Home, Home on the Range,” but the buffalo quit roaming long ago. Here are some updated words for that well known tune. Home, Home on the Run, Where family members are seeking their fun. Where seldom is heard an authoritative word, And the house is empty all day. Few would deny family life has fallen on hard times, but One Home Under God is a goal to which every man should aspire.

The Marines are not the only ones looking for a few good men — God is too! On his deathbed, David said to Solomon, “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man” (I Kings 4:2). Today, there is a crying need for men who are masculine, mature, and have moral character. Every home needs a Prophet, Priest, and Patriarch.

Prophet

In the Old Testament, prophets were the watchmen on the wall. They were men who discerned danger and spoke with clarity. They measured every trend by the plumb line of God’s Word. They were the voice of God in their generation — God’s emergency men!

Every home needs a prophet to guard the family. America’s credo is “unity in diversity.” Sadly our nation continues to slide toward “unity in per-versity!” Gender confusion, role reversals, and the loss of the moral compass mandate the need for an authoritative voice. Mothers are going off into combat while men are staying home to care for children. Godly order has been turned on its head. People of European descent fail to reproduce themselves. Scores of DINK’S (Double Income No Kids) don’t want offspring, while homosexuals are fighting for the right to adopt children. Societies do not repudiate God’s blueprint for the home without incurring serious consequences.

A survey was conducted in a Christian School on the topic What Constitutes Success? The top answers were: win the lottery, become a Rock Star, become a famous actor, get into professional sports, get into the stock market, and think of a great product and sell a million of them. These answers are identical to what you would expect from children raised in atheistic homes.

We live in a generation where most of us have had to mentor ourselves. For a number of reasons, we have grown up with disciplinary and directional deficits. Precious few have been privileged to have fathers who were vitally involved in their lives. Detached parents are little better than absentee parents. Too many children are left to themselves which ultimately leads to shame (Proverbs 29:15).

Like Mordecai told Esther, you and I are come to the kingdom for such a time as this. It is important to comprehend history, but we cannot afford to limit the future by focusing on the past. What’s done is done, but what we do now will determine what happens in the future. Quit looking in the rear view mirror and get your eyes on the goal. Things CAN be different for the next generation. Our God is the God of possibilities!

God calls men to act as prophets in their families. I am not talking about the foolish extremes which alienate and poison families, but I am saying that God’s plan is for men to rule their homes for God.

You are responsible for the media and music that comes into your home. The London School of Economics says that nine out of ten children who go online to do homework stumble across hardcore pornography. Fifty percent of kids who enter chat rooms have given out personal information to complete strangers. The Kaiser Family Foundation Report reveals that 68% of children now have a television in their bedroom. MTV is the number one viewing choice of teenage girls . . . . Scores of “youth ministries” are emulating the MTV format. The number one music genre for today’s youth is the often verbally pornographic and violent rap and hip-hop. The average child in our culture consumes six and one half hours of media every day. Then there are video games like Grand Theft Auto where the player becomes a character who steals cars, rapes women, has sex with a prostitute, and then clubs her to death.

God has given men the responsibility to guard their homes. It doesn’t take an act of Congress to take back your home. You must patiently and lovingly confront bad attitudes and behaviors. You alone are accountable to God for teaching Bible principles and applying them to your family. Countless thieves are attempting to steal the hearts of your children, but you are the watchman on the wall for your home.

Priest

Israel’s destiny was intrinsically linked to the priesthood. You have heard the slogan, “Like priest, like people.” The character of Israel’s priests trickled down to the people. When the priests went corrupt, the people followed. Similarly, godly priests tended to rally the people toward godliness. Leadership always sets the moral tone.

The father’s choices during the Passover in Egypt had dire consequences for the family. Faithful fathers took their responsibility seriously. Just as God commanded, they selected a spotless lamb, drained its blood, and splattered it on the doorway of their houses. If the father failed to act it meant the sure destruction of his home — the first-born would be killed. The father’s action, or inaction, was the key to his family’s well being. The choices we make as modern men will determine whether judgment passes over, or rests on our homes.

Every man is ordained by God as a priest to guide his home. We live in a day of pragmatism, pollution, and perversion. Direction in the home, just like the ministry, is not determined merely by what is taught, but by what is tolerated. Men must be groomed to establish godly convictions and remove destructive influences from their homes. There is a crying need to train faithful men who are able to teach others also.

God commissioned Jewish fathers to shepherd their homes. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 we read, And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. These fathers were ordained as the primary communicators of truth to their households. They understood God’s charge to teach the Word of God to their families. By applying truth to the everyday circumstances of life they were instilling character in the souls of their families.

Today’s children have too many choices and too few guides. Many fathers and mothers are attempting to be “pals” instead of “parents.” The perilous times in which we live demand an “on the job” Dad who is actively watching over the souls under his care. What fathers do, or don’t do, tremendously impacts the home.

Patriarch

Abraham was a man who earned the respect and admiration of his family. His wife referred to him as “lord” and Isaac trusted his father implicitly, even in the face of death. In speaking of Abraham God said, For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment (Gen. 18:19). God calls men not merely to dole out orders, but to command the esteem of those who know him best.

Sir, you should aspire to become a Patriarch. One of your chief goals as a man should be to govern your home for the glory of God. R.G. Lee said, “Parental authority has not disappeared, it has just changed hands. The children have taken it over!” Child-centered parenting is a colossal failure. Now is the time to stand up, not clam up.

In Isaiah chapter three we read how God judged Israel by removing the mighty man, the prophet, the prudent, and the honorable man. Children behaved proudly against the aged (no respect for elders). Further, God said the men would become so weak that children would oppress [tyrannize] them and women would rule [dominate] them. One sure sign of a deteriorating culture is when the men become woman-like and the women become man-like. The idolatry of socialism (making a god out of government) continues to strip men of initiative and responsibility. Emasculated men become increasingly passive and act like a bunch of neutered wimps. The psychologists have been telling us we need to get in touch with our “feminine side,” but the Bible tells us to act like men (1 Cor. 16:13)!

God has an order in the home. Adam was first created and from his side came Eve as his completer. The scripture is clear that the man is the head of the home. For the last several decades boys have been primarily raised and taught by women. Scores of young men never had a father, or any other strong male figure, during their upbringing.

The lack of example in the home and the dearth of instruction on biblical manhood have left a vacuum which must be filled . The average church has numerous ministries to youth, children, and women; but very little targeted ministry to men. Brethren, the time has come to break with our feminized culture and with God’s help bring back the Patriarchy!

Yes, every Christian home desperately needs a Prophet to Guard, a Priest to Guide, and a Patriarch to Govern. Men need illustration, instruction, and inspiration. We must rebuild the foundations for future generations. If Noah got his family on the Ark with all the wickedness in his day, so can we! Vision, prayer, work, obedience, and faith are the stepping stones to a better day. The atheists may succeed at removing any reference to the Lord from the Pledge of Allegiance, but you can strive for One Home Under God. For Jesus’ sake, BE A MAN!

By Evangelist Harold Vaughan

PREPARING FOR WINTER

2008-02-05T19:47:00.000-05:00

"There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;" Proverbs 30:24-25.

Ants are considered wise because they plan during the summer months for the coming winter. Since ants cannot read, this passage must have been written for our sakes. The message is simple; wise men prepare for the winter.

Fortunate is the pastor who has leaders in his church that are farsighted and will implement some form of retirement for him. Neither the pastor's health nor his ministry will endure forever. The time will come when you will be forced to retire. (That time has come for me.) You must ask yourself the question, "Will my wife and I be able to live on Social Security?" You probably cannot.

I suggest the pastor purchase his own home and have it put in his name. The church is also permitted to give him a housing allowance with which to make the payments. This allowance is also tax free. In addition, a retirement fund should be set up immediately. It may be a small amount at first, depending on the ability of the church. However, it can be increased as funds increase. I do believe Jesus is coming again, but that theology need not interfere with practical wisdom. It is not selfish to prepare for winter. According to Scripture, it is wise to do so. Besides, you should be as wise as an ant.

By Ken Blue

The dying Preacher's last request!!!

2008-02-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

The old preacher lay dying in the hospital. For years, he had faithfully
served the people of the nation's capital in Washington D.C. He motioned
for his nurse to come near.

"Yes, preacher?" said the nurse.

"I would really like to see President Bill and Senator Hillary Clinton
before I die," whispered the preacher.

"I'll see what I can do, preacher." replied the nurse.

The nurse sent the request to the Senate and waited for a response. Soon
the word arrived; the Clintons would be delighted to visit the preacher.
As they went to the hospital, Hillary commented to Bill, "I don't know
why the old preacher wants to see us, but it certainly will help our
images and might even get me elected President. After all, I'm IN IT TO
WIN IT." Bill agreed--it was a very good thing for her campaign once
they put out a press release about it.

When they arrived at the preacher's room, the old preacher took
Bill's hand in his right hand and Hillary's hand in his left. There was
silence and a look of serenity on the old preacher's face. Finally Bill
spoke. "Preacher, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you
choose us to be with you as you near the end?"

The old preacher slowly replied, "I have always tried to pattern my life
after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
"Amen," said Bill.
"Amen," said Hillary.

The old preacher continued,
"He died between two lying thieves. I would like to do the same."

LIMPING ALONG

2008-01-27T21:57:00.000-05:00

"The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools." Proverbs 26:7. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..." Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.

Some people limp because they are winners; others limp because they are losers. Balance in interpretation and living is the sign of stability and maturity. Balance is the evidence that we are growing in our relationship with Christ.

Bible knowledge without grace makes one a self-righteous, critical Pharisee. Grace without Bible knowledge leaves one gullible and susceptible to false doctrine. We must have both, grace and sound doctrine in our lives, if we expect to walk as Jesus walked. Knowledge puffs up; grace builds up. A liberal, who ignores sound doctrine is not in step with Christ, nor is the fundamentalist who fails to display Christ's grace toward others. Spurgeon said, "We must have a backbone to hold up our head; it must be able to bend or we will bump our head on the beam." Hopefully, our legs are equal and we won't go limping through life.

By Ken Blue

HILLARY'S FIRST NIGHT AS PRESIDENT...

2008-01-22T07:23:00.000-05:00

(I received this via email and thought some of you would enjoy it.)

In January 2009

Hillary Clinton gets elected President and is spending her first night in the White House. She has waited so long..........

The ghost of George Washington appears, and Hillary says, "How can I best serve my country?"

Washington says, "Never tell a lie."
"Ouch!" Says Hillary, "I don't know about that."

The next night, the ghost of Thomas Jefferson appears... Hillary says, "How can I best serve my country?" Jefferson says,

"Listen to the people."
"Ohhh! I really don't want to do that."

On the third night, the ghost of Abe Lincoln appears..
Hillary says, "How can I best serve my country?"
Lincoln says, .......

"Go to the theater."

THERE IS STILL A FEW AROUND

2008-01-21T21:47:00.000-05:00

Jeremiah 42:1-2 "Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)"

I. THAT LOVES THE BOOK - Psalm 119:97 "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Jeremiah 15:16 "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts."

A. It is for our instruction.
B. It is to inform us.
C. It inspires us.

II. THAT LEANS ON THE PROMISES OF GOD.

III. THAT’S LOYAL TO THE HOUSE OF GOD.

IV. THAT LONGS FOR REVIVAL

V. THAT LABORS FOR SOULS

VI. THAT LONGS FOR CHRIST

By Jimmy Jones

Is Evolution Science?

2008-01-19T16:07:00.000-05:00

When most people hear the word science, they think in terms of all the wonderful technology we have today: computers, jet planes, cell phones, and so on. And certainly, scientists have accumulated much knowledge about this world and the laws which govern the universe. This has enabled us to build the wonderful technology we use today—the technology that sent you this email.

But when most people hear the word evolution, they think in terms of Darwin’s ideas concerning the supposed evolution of animals and man. Darwinian evolution teaches that life evolved from non-life millions of years ago and that over millions of years, one kind of animal changed into another. Finally, man arose from some ape-like ancestor.

Studying evolution is very different from studying present-day processes that have led to many amazing technologies. Molecules-to-man evolution is a belief concerning what supposedly happened in the past, but no one was there to see it happen. Thus, evolutionists are free to postulate stories about abiogenesis (non-living chemicals evolving into life), stellar evolution, or ape-men without direct observation. Such scenarios are merely belief statements.

The ideas Darwin espoused were his beliefs concerning the past. They are not science in the sense of scientists being able to observe these things actually happening.

However, we do not have to depend on mere guesses about the origin of the universe and life. We can thankfully refer back to the eye-witness account—the Bible.

Taken from "Answers in Genesis"

My Dog Ate It

2008-01-19T16:03:00.000-05:00

A minister delivered a sermon in ten minutes one Sunday morning. That was
about half the usual length of his sermons.

He explained, "I regret to inform you that my dog, who is very fond of
eating paper, ate that portion of my sermon which I was unable to deliver
this morning."

After the service, a visitor from another church shook hands with the
preacher as he was leaving, and said,

"Sir, if that dog of yours has any pups, I sure would like to get one to
give to my minister!"

By Mike Walls

QUALITY OR QUANTITY

2008-01-18T23:39:00.001-05:00

We hear some pastors justify their lack of evangelism by boasting that they are more concerned with quality than quantity. This may sound pious and accurate, but in the real world, no one believes it; not even those who say it.

I have five children. Let's suppose they all get lost in the nearby mountains. We gather a search party, spread out and begin our search. About four hours into the hunt, someone yells, "I found one over here!" My wife and I run to see who it was found. We discover it is our "quality" child. I spread the word that we can now call off the search. We found the best of the five.

Of course, some will scoff at this illustration, but the argument is the same. God does care about numbers, and He cares about those who are weak and inferior. The parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son make that abundantly clear.

Let us first worry about the quantity of lost people we can win to Christ and then labor to make them quality Christians. There is no conflict between the two. It does not have to be one or the other.

By Ken Blue

On the Lighter Side...

2008-01-15T15:28:00.000-05:00

Gas Prices

When the family car developed a slight knock, the husband asked his wife if she had bought regular or premium gas, but she couldn't remember. "You probably got the cheaper gas," he said. "That could account for the engine running so rough." "No, the gas wasn't cheaper!" she replied indignantly. "Well, how much did it cost?" he asked. "It cost the same as always," she replied. "I bought the usual ten dollars worth."

Plans

"I want my children to have all the things I never could afford - then I want to move in with them."

Relatively Speaking

"What are you so happy about?" a woman asked the 98-year-old man. "I broke a mirror," he replied. "But that means 7 years of bad luck." "I know," he said, beaming. "Isn't it wonderful?"

Lost Phone

My girlfriend called me as she was driving to an appointment. She arrived, and I could tell from her voice that she was getting frustrated. Finally she said, "I know I had my cell phone with me. And now I can't find it!" I replied, "Aren't you talking on it!?" There was a lengthy period of stunned silence as the reality of the situation sank in - followed by, "You are NOT going to tell anybody about this!"

15 Exercises We'd Be Better Off Without In 2008...

~ Jumping on the bandwagon
~ Wading through paperwork
~ Running around in circles
~ Pushing your luck
~ Spinning your wheels
~ Adding fuel to the fire
~ Beating your head against the wall
~ Climbing the walls
~ Beating your own drum
~ Dragging your heels
~ Jumping to conclusions
~ Grasping at straws
~ Fishing for compliments
~ Throwing your weight around
~ Passing the buck

By Art Dunham

EIGHT EVILS OF PRIDE

2008-01-15T11:04:00.000-05:00

1. Brings strife - Proverbs 13:10 "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."

2. Hardens the mind - Daniel 5:20 "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:"

3. Produces spiritual decay - Hosea 7:9-10 "Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this."

4. Keeps from real progress - Proverbs 26:12 "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him."

5. Hinders coming to the Lord - Psalm 10:4 "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."

6. Issues in self-deception - Jeremiah 49:16 "Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD."

7. Makes men reject God’s word - Jeremiah 43:2 "Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:"

8. Leads to ruin - Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

By Mike Walls

Why Have a Bus Ministry?

2008-01-14T09:16:00.000-05:00

Me (Josh) with some bus kids

Taken from a message preached by Dr. Bobby Roberson at the National Bus & Sunday School Convention at Clays Mill Road Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky, October 6, 2005.

I love the bus ministry. We have been in the bus ministry for about 37 years, and I will tell you in a minute how we got started. If I wasn’t pastoring, I would get a bus route. A bus captain will win more people to Christ in his lifetime than the average church will.

Notice James 5:20, "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." That is the job for you and me. We are to let him know that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way — gets it changed — will save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. James had been talking about some Christians that have backslidden, but I think you can use this just as it says here. If we can get people converted, we can save them from the error of their ways.

Bro. Roloff used to say, "God, I want to see you do something so great that people will have to say that God did it — man just couldn’t do it." We’ve got enough of this "patting-men-on-the-back" stuff. If there is any good thing, God does it! If it wasn’t for God, the devil would tear our church all to pieces. He is the One that keeps it going!

Without a vision, the people perish. I’m sure that every one of you that has a bus ministry got a vision of the need. I want to share this with you. Back in 1967, I had no intention of having a bus ministry. I had never even thought of one. One Sunday morning during the summertime, we had a death in our church family. I went before church to try to comfort the family who lived about 8 or 10 miles from our church. I was on my way back to church that morning and about four or five miles from church I passed a mobile home park with about 75 mobile homes. I will never forget this, and I don’t ever want to lose what God showed me that day. I looked out and there were probably between 25 and 40 little boys and girls there in that trailer park. It was a beautiful sunny day, and they were all gathered as neighbors. They were playing together. God didn’t speak in an audible voice, but just about. He seemed to say, "Bobby, I want you to do something. Get those little boys and girls to church to hear about Jesus. They will go to Hell and never hear about it."

I found out that when God is in something He will put it together. I think it must have been two or three months, and I didn’t know what to do. I just couldn’t get it off my mind. I was preaching in Maryland in a church running about 100 in Sunday school. I had preached there several times. The pastor and I were riding down the highway, and I told him that I couldn’t get those kids off my mind. He said, "If you are interested in some old school buses, we can keep going on this highway and a man must have 200 down here in the field. He sells them."

I said, "Keep on driving." We went down there, and I didn’t have in mind anything but to get one bus. But, I found four little 1959 Ford 48-passenger buses. They were all just alike. The man said he would like $900 apiece. He said, "If you want the four, I will give them to you for $3,500." I never have bought anything for the first price. I didn’t know the man was Jewish, and I said, "Couldn’t I jew you down a little bit?" I will never forget that! He let me know right away that he didn’t care if I got his buses! I said, "I am very sorry about that." I went back to Gospel Light and called my deacon board together. I shared with them about that Sunday morning. They voted and said, "Let’s get the buses." I had never driven a school bus before in my life, and four of us went to get the buses. The fellow that sold us the buses picked us up at the airport and took us to where the buses were. We got started at four o’clock on Monday afternoon and headed to North Carolina. When we got it, we parked the buses behind our church.

I didn’t preach about it every Sunday, but I would throw out a thought every once in awhile. Bobby Willard is one of the finest men, but he is just as blunt as he could be. He will tell you what he thinks of you right quick. He came down the aisle one Sunday morning, and I thought, "Oh, boy." (You know, God uses people that you don’t think He will use.) I said, "Bobby, what do you want?" and this is what he said, "These buses you have been preaching about — I’m going over to the south side of town to get those youngin’s you have been talking about." He didn’t know one thing about a bus.

I said, "There you are. Go over there on Saturday and visit them," and he did. I can remember it just as if it were yesterday. The sixth week he came up to me and said, "I got to have another bus or something; I had 92 this morning!" That is the way our bus ministry got started.

I got a fellow who had worked with Dr. Beebe to come, and he worked us for a few weeks and got us organized. He is the man that God used to get that ministry going at Gospel Light.

Dr. Jim Vineyard said that you ought to have division leaders. We have never hired a bus director, so I got four of my laymen together and made them the division leaders — north, east, south, and west. I said years ago, "We need to hire a bus director." They said, "You are our boss. If you hire a director, we are quitting." So we have never had a bus director. I am the bus director. That is not the best way to run it, but it runs.

I love the bus ministry. There are a lot of heart-aches and headaches, but we have had literally thousands of people saved in the bus ministry down through the years. We will average 20 saved each week from just the bus ministry. We have men pastoring churches who got saved in our bus ministry.

A few years ago a man wanted me to come preach for him. Before I got up to preach, he started to introduce me. He kept bragging about the Gospel Light bus ministry. I thought, "Let me preach." He said, "I knew a little girl about 10 years old that had a sister that lived in a home where the parents were wicked and ungodly. One morning someone knocked on her door from Gospel Light and asked if they had any children. They got saved. Those two little sisters came for years. I will always love you for that." Then he said, "Honey, stand up. One of those is my wife!" I would like to have come unglued then!

Let me tell you something. When you lose your vision, you will quit. If you had a vision to help start a route one time, and you have kind of cooled off, the people are in need worse than when you started. The problem is that you have lost your vision and let something come in.

Why should you have a bus ministry?

To help keep people out of Hell.

It seems that we have lost a glimpse that there is a burning Hell for everyone that rejects Jesus Christ. Everybody I look at, and everybody you look at, is either going to Heaven or Hell. The bus ministry is a great tool to help people stay out of Hell. That is our job. We are to go after them. The Lord never did tell lost men to come to church. But God tells us over and over to go get them. There are a lot of houses where no one has ever knocked on their door. There are more lost people than ever. We have some good churches in the Winston-Salem area. I thank God for them. But there are more lost people than all of us could get! I can start out Saturday and knock on four or five doors, and there are a lot people who have never had anyone knock on their door. The bus ministry gets you out among the people. I don’t care if it is a Volkswagen ministry. Get out there and get them! I led a man to the Lord a few years ago three miles from our church. It was summertime, and he was sitting in the shade in front of his house. I went up there and started talking to him. He was 94 years old. I talked to him a little while and I said, "Do know that you are going to Heaven when you leave this world?"

He said, "No, I don’t."

I said, "Has anybody ever told you how you can go to Heaven and know it?" I am not talking about Africa; this was three miles from our church.

He said, "No, sir."

I showed him the plan of salvation and led him to Christ. Six months later I conducted his funeral. You will not find many people knocking on doors! You don’t have to go to college to run a bus route. You just get out there and tell them what Jesus has done for you! That is the way we keep people out of Hell!

A bus ministry helps salvage some homes.

You see, you may pick up the kids first, but the kids can get a lot of the parents. A lot of homes may be broken up, but you would be surprised how God would use that kid in that home.

Some years ago, one of my men said, "Preacher, can I take that extra bus and go to Greensboro? I got some folks there, and I can’t get them in church there, but I can get their kids." He went down there and got eight his first Sunday. He got six the second week. This happened several times. I thought, "I believe I will just tell him that he ought to drop that thing." He picked up two little girls. He went back the next Saturday, and the parents came to the door and asked where the church was. The parents said they were going with the kids. The husband and wife had been talking, and they thought they ought to be in church too. They wouldn’t ride the bus; they followed the bus everywhere the bus captain went and followed the bus to church! That bus worker brought the couple to the couples’ class I had at the time and introduced them to me. About five or six weeks later, they got saved. That has been 30 years ago, and they never miss a Sunday morning, Sunday night, or Wednesday night! Those girls have grown up and have families of their own! I could tell you story after story. If we will work the bus ministry, we might help some families from breaking up. You would be surprised how God can take a little child and reach their parents and help salvage a home.

It is a good way to help salvage our nation.

It can’t happen in the White House, but it can happen when people get saved. You would be surprised how God could use our churches to win souls. God changes people when they get saved, and that will change a nation! I am not talking about our nation becoming Heaven on earth. We will never win the nation, but maybe we can win many of them to the Lord through the bus ministry!

It will help stall the wrath of God.

Do you remember Lot in Genesis 19? Do you remember that God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness? Abraham said, "Will you spare it for 50?" He got down to 10 righteous. God said that He would spare that city if He could see 10 righteous people. You know that if Lot would have gone down there and knocked on some doors and lived right; if he had stayed out of the society of Sodom; if he had won souls, there could have been thousands that would not have been destroyed and gone to Hell. God can use the bus ministry to stall the wrath of God for a while — even in America.

It is great way to bring a little sunshine in peoples’ lives.

You and I could spread a little sunshine in a life. The only thing some kids have to look forward to each week is Mr. Bus-man coming by. You will never know until you go out there on Saturday and take a little bubble gum. They live in a fighting, cussing, and drinking world. Just to have someone come in there and tell them that they love them can mean the world to them. Spread a little sunshine. I like to go out to the bus barn and give a handful of them a hug. You can tell that they are dying for someone to care. We need to go after them.

Our world is in a mess. If we have ever needed the bus ministry, we need it now. I don’t believe there has ever been a time in the history of the United States where people just need somebody to love them. We need, as churches, to let them know that somebody cares — somebody loves them. Whether you are in the bus ministry or not, compassion makes the difference. Let’s ask God to help us be compassionate.

I don’t know any other tool that reaches as many people here in America as the bus ministry does. It is one of the greatest missionary works in the world.