As the presidential election approaches, the incumbent government seeks to win support with aid to churches and pastors.In many countries, politicians try to win over religious voters by highlighting areas of shared interest between their agenda and the faithful’s priorities. In Venezuela, candidates are offering pastors cash.With less than three months until Venezuela’s presidential elections, incumbent Nicolás Maduro is expanding two initiatives specifically aimed at the evangelical community, which represents 30.9 percent of the country’s population.Bono El Buen Pastor (“The Good Shepherd Bonus”), created last year, and Plan Mi Iglesia Bien Equipada (“My Well-Equipped Church Plan”) offer resources to pastors and their churches, including cash, chairs, construction materials, and expensive sound equipment—no strings attached. Mi Iglesia Bien Equipada exists under Misión Venezuela Bella, a government program that invests in recreation and arts spaces, which has remodeled nearly 3,000 churches since 2019.At the beginning of March, Maduro gathered 17,000 people in a pastors-only event in the northern city of Carabobo and announced that 20,000 additional pastors had become beneficiaries of the Bono El Buen Pastor program, which would deliver a monthly stipend of 495 bolivars (around $14 USD) to each new member. (Venezuela’s minimum legal monthly wage is 130 bolivars or $3.50.)Officially, the government says the program aims to give churchgoers dignified spaces where they can develop their faith. There are, however, those who view the state’s generosity with some suspicion.César Mermejo, president of the Evangelical Council of Venezuela and a leader of the Federación de Iglesias Mizpa de Venezuela, called these efforts by Maduro an attempt to buy the souls ...Continue reading...

In Reversing Entropy, the 95-year-old poet looks lovingly at creation.Luci Shaw is a legend in Christian literary circles. Her many volumes of poetry—named for rivers and clay, the color green, the glint of seaglass—speak to the beauty of creation and the generosity of the Creator. She has written on faith and art, the Christian imagination, and prayer, including a few books co-authored with her friend, Madeleine L’Engle. Shaw is also a beloved teacher, serving as longtime writer-in-residence at Regent College.Speaking with the poet about her latest collection Reversing Entropy (out this spring from Paraclete Press), I understood how she has served as an inspiration for generations of students and readers. She’s gentle, curious, and wise. Her way of seeing the world is wondrous—everything from lichens, to a shivering little lake, to “jewel dew” in the grass, is significant. All the world inspires praise.Reversing Entropy doesn’t just look around; it looks ahead. Luci Shaw is 95 years old, and this collection is understandably full of endings. Leaves fall; ripe apricots drop from a tree; her brother passes away. There is “the inevitable decay / the leaving and the dying.”But there’s also hope. From the collection’s final entry, a long, tumbling prose poem that Shaw says “poured out” of her “like a gift”:Give praise, now, to our God, the Quickener, the One who stirs us into such new life that we, and all creation, may wake to the sound of a fresh music, and start to sing again the songs of love, and longing, and refreshment. …Come Springtime, that most beneficent of seasons, all, everything, every thing, will be thawing, rising, joyful, laughing, tuning up for the evermore, and in every green ...Continue reading...

As the presidential election approaches, the incumbent government seeks to win support with aid to churches and pastors.In many countries, politicians try to win over religious voters by highlighting areas of shared interest between their agenda and the faithful’s priorities. In Venezuela, candidates are offering pastors cash.With less than three months until Venezuela’s presidential elections, incumbent Nicolás Maduro is expanding two initiatives specifically aimed at the evangelical community, which represents 30.9 percent of the country’s population.Bono El Buen Pastor (“The Good Shepherd Bonus”), created last year, and Plan Mi Iglesia Bien Equipada (“My Well-Equipped Church Plan”) offer resources to pastors and their churches, including cash, chairs, construction materials, and expensive sound equipment—no strings attached. Mi Iglesia Bien Equipada exists under Misión Venezuela Bella, a government program that invests in recreation and arts spaces, which has remodeled nearly 3,000 churches since 2019.At the beginning of March, Maduro gathered 17,000 people in a pastors-only event in the northern city of Carabobo and announced that 20,000 additional pastors had become beneficiaries of the Bono El Buen Pastor program, which would deliver a monthly stipend of 495 bolivars (around $14 USD) to each new member. (Venezuela’s minimum legal monthly wage is 130 bolivars or $3.50.)Officially, the government says the program aims to give churchgoers dignified spaces where they can develop their faith. There are, however, those who view the state’s generosity with some suspicion.César Mermejo, president of the Evangelical Council of Venezuela and a leader of the Federación de Iglesias Mizpa de Venezuela, called these efforts by Maduro an attempt to buy the souls ...Continue reading...

As the presidential election approaches, the incumbent government seeks to win support with aid to churches and pastors.In many countries, politicians try to win over religious voters by highlighting areas of shared interest between their agenda and the faithful’s priorities. In Venezuela, candidates are offering pastors cash.With less than three months until Venezuela’s presidential elections, incumbent Nicolás Maduro is expanding two initiatives specifically aimed at the evangelical community, which represents 30.9 percent of the country’s population.Bono El Buen Pastor (“The Good Shepherd Bonus”), created last year, and Plan Mi Iglesia Bien Equipada (“My Well-Equipped Church Plan”) offer resources to pastors and their churches, including cash, chairs, construction materials, and expensive sound equipment—no strings attached. Mi Iglesia Bien Equipada exists under Misión Venezuela Bella, a government program that invests in recreation and arts spaces, which has remodeled nearly 3,000 churches since 2019.At the beginning of March, Maduro gathered 17,000 people in a pastors-only event in the northern city of Carabobo and announced that 20,000 additional pastors had become beneficiaries of the Bono El Buen Pastor program, which would deliver a monthly stipend of 495 bolivars (around $14 USD) to each new member. (Venezuela’s minimum legal monthly wage is 130 bolivars or $3.50.)Officially, the government says the program aims to give churchgoers dignified spaces where they can develop their faith. There are, however, those who view the state’s generosity with some suspicion.César Mermejo, president of the Evangelical Council of Venezuela and a leader of the Federación de Iglesias Mizpa de Venezuela, called these efforts by Maduro an attempt to buy the souls ...Continue reading...

A late historian explores how crusade hymns told both the classic story of gospel salvation and the evolving story of evangelical worship music.Crowds of over 50,000. Famous special guests. Hundreds of cities in the US and around the world. Beloved, catchy songs. For many, these might sound like readouts from the Taylor Swift Eras Tour hype machine. But exchange the glittery girl power for the gospel in baritone, and you have one of the most successful musical touring acts in the postwar world: the Billy Graham Crusades.The first association that “Billy Graham Crusade” may evoke is not musical at all, but rather a close-up shot of the evangelist, with his penetrating, wide-eyed gaze and raised forearms, thundering, “The Bible says …” Admittedly, music was not the main focus.Yet as the late historian Edith Blumhofer shows in her final book, Songs I Love to Sing: The Billy Graham Crusades and the Shaping of Modern Worship, neither Graham’s ministry nor the late-century rise of contemporary Christian music can be understood without it. As crusade song leader Cliff Barrows pursued his main goal—“sing to save”—he and his teammates bridged stylistic, cultural, and generational divides, transforming evangelicals’ music into the harmonic blend of old and new that is familiar today.Mining rich resourcesBefore unpacking this highly original book, a few words about the author. Blumhofer is an American religious historian renowned for her empathetic biographies of hymnist Fanny J. Crosby and evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, as well as broader studies of evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. She concluded her career with this new study, sadly succumbing to a battle with cancer in the process.To finish the project, she tapped Jesus People expert Larry Eskridge, with whom she had for many years directed the Institute ...Continue reading...

Beyoncé's right. Whether listening to Cowboy Carter or reading theology, diversity is a good thing.I wasn’t planning to listen to Cowboy Carter, the eighth studio album from American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. I’ve always had a love for her music—but country has never been my thing.Plans changed when I started to read what people were writing about the record, from comments on social media to reviews in major publications. Their reactions were bitter, even cruel. “Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ isn’t a country album. It’s worse,” proclaimed one review in The Washington Post. “Beyoncé has chosen to do Dolly Parton karaoke,” writes the reviewer. “She sounds like she’s doing Wild West bedroom cosplay in outer space.”“The lefties in the entertainment industry just won’t leave any area alone, right?” asked an interviewer on a One America News program. “They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park,” responded the interviewee.It’s not that Cowboy Carter is exempt from criticism. Its genre-blending experimentation won’t be to everyone’s taste. Some listeners may have reservations about Beyoncé’s departure from her earlier pop and R & B records. That’s fine. Music, like all art forms, is subjective. Thoughtful critique can serve as a means for musicians to grow as artists, and to engage audiences in meaningful ways.But that’s different from implying that Beyoncé can’t and shouldn’t sing country music simply because of who she is: not a white man from a rural small town, but a Black woman raised in Houston. A “stay in your place” undercurrent cuts through how critics have spoken about her ...Continue reading...

How the keeper of the beat is adapting to shifts in worship music.It was a church drummer’s worst nightmare. In the middle of a service, David Wagner was playing “Heaven Invade” with his worship band when his in-ear monitors stopped working.Wagner posted a clip on Instagram of what happened. It includes the audio that should have been coming through in his monitors: a mix of the sound from the band, some added reverb, and of course, the click track—a repetitive tapping sound that keeps time, usually sounding for each beat. Halfway through the video, one of the vocalists—his wife—passes him a new pair of headphones.The role of the worship drummer has changed a lot over the past 20 years. In addition to the evolving sound of worship music—moving away from rock and toward electronic dance music— drummers have adjusted to new production setups, becoming the person on stage who makes sure that musicians and tech are fully in sync.Since the rise of contemporary worship bands during the late 1990s, many churches have adopted technologies that were once reserved for live concerts in stadiums and large auditoriums, where musicians needed in-ear monitors and click tracks due to crowd noise and echoes.For veteran church drummers, these changes are pushing them to develop new skills and to adapt their approach to the music. Some say these shifts are making drumming more boring, lower stakes, and monotonous. Others are finding that new tools allow them to be creative, to explore using their instruments in different ways, and to experience new freedom as worshipers on stage—even if they are behind a Plexiglas cage.Wagner, who has been a drummer for 12 years, moved to a church in Murray, Kentucky, that uses in-ear monitors (IEMs) about 3 years ago. ...Continue reading...

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-21-2024Psalm 119:121-128? Introduction:? A. I keep reiterating this so as to not lose our perspective on the Psalm as a whole. There is an old saying, “You can't see the forest for the trees.” When we spend many weeks in Psalm 119, we see individual passages within the Psalm but can lose the perspective of the Psalm in its entirety.? B. Psalm 119: 176 verses, 22 stanzas, 8 verses in each stanza, each verse in the Hebrew begins with the corresponding letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. An amazing example of Divine Design.? 1. In Psalm 119, we find the magnification of the Word of God.? 2. In Psalm 119, we find a reciprocal relationship.? a) The relationship of the Word of God to the believer and? b) The relationship of the Believer to the Word of God.? c) The Word of God cannot maintain a relationship with the believer who does not maintain a relationship to the Word of God.? C. AIN –? ע? -? 16th? letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.? 1. AIN is translated “eye” or “sight.” Our sight brings things into perspective. Of all the organs or senses that can be lost, I believe that our sight would be worst case scenario.? 2. Some people such as Fanny Crosby and Hellen Keller, were born blind. To never have seen a sunrise or sunset, to have never seen a beautiful flower such as the rose, to have never seen the face of mother or father or sibling or friend, is to learn to operate in total darkness.? 3. There are other people who have lost sight through accidents or physical failures. The born blind know not what they are missing, but to have seen and lost sight is a terrible thing. Macular degeneration is one of the things that has affected members of our families.? 4. To be blind to the Word of God is to change our perspective of our circumstances and surroundings.? a) First Mention of “Vision” – 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days;? there was no open vision.? b) Short sightedness caused by a lack of the Word of God or the understanding of the Word of God. “Precious” – valuable, made rare, scarce.? c) Second Mention of “Vision” – Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.? d) “No vision” is tied to not keeping the Law or the Word of God.? D. We live in days of perplexity (confusing times) and spiritual disappointment (sorrowful times). Everything that is good is now bad, right is wrong and wrong is right, and there is no quick fix in sight. Sound bad enough for you. The reason that I continue to tell you this is because of our propensity to allow these days to discourage you.? E. The Word of God, in Psalm 119:105, is called a “lamp unto my feet” and a “light unto my path.”? Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.? 1. Our Light is right but is no good to one who cannot see. Our perspective also needs to be right.? 2. A lamp and light are of no avail to one whose vision is impaired. To properly see the world and what is transpiring, there needs to be a right perspective which involves seeing it through the eyes of the Word of God.? F. Here in AIN, we find the biblical solution. Seeing things correctly through the “Lens of the Word of God!” Now, let me explain:? 1. I have impaired vision and have had it for many years. Therefore, I wear glasses that have tri-focal lenses. My vision is impaired up close, intermediately, and afar off. With my corrective glasses, I see well up close, intermediately, and afar off.? 2. The Word of God allows us to see this confusing, disappointing world through the eyes of God who knows the end from the beginning.? 3. I know that this introduction to this stanza is lengthy but feel that it is imperative that we know that, when seeing the world and circumstances through God's eyes, our perspective changes from disappointing to encouragement.? 1. Verses 121-122. The Word of God and Oppression. I have done right and am oppressed for it. For the first time in Psalm 119, we find the words “oppressors” and “oppress.” Through the lens of God's Word, we find that God is our surety, and He will not “leave” us at the mercy of those who hate us.? a. Oppressors are the wicked people who now control our nation and choose to persecute all who believe in God and are trying to live right with good citizenship. We are not their enemies, but they have become ours.? b. Oppression nowadays is an abuse of power, taking advantage of the underprivileged.? Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.? c. The Bible declares that God will take care of those who continue to do right.? 2. Verses 123-125. The Word of God and Salvation or Deliverance. Salvation for the Servant from the Sovereign. Through the lens of the Word of God, we see that God holds today and tomorrow in His hands. “I don't know about tomorrow … but I know Who holds tomorrow … and I know Who holds my hand!” Teach me and give me understanding through Thy Word.? a. We are His Servants.? b. He is our Sovereign Saviour.? c. Our lives are secure.? Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.? 3. Verses 126-128. The Lord is Righteous. Through the lens of the Word of God, we can see the end from the beginning. God allows our suffering for a reason. He could deliver us from our problems but chooses to deliver us in our problems. The Lord is Righteous, and the Lord is Just. The Righteous Judge of all the earth will both reward the just and the unjust. As one man said, “Leave God's ‘toys' to God!” He knows what He is doing and everything will turn out alright in the end.? Psalms 58:11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.? a. Verse 126. It is time for Thee to work. Lord, it is about time that You do something to help. The world has made void God's Word in their hearts but cannot make God's Word void! His Word will stand after the Satan, the world, and the wicked are no more.? b. Verse 127. We are to love the Word of God and desire it above all earthly treasures. Job said to desire it more than our necessary food.? c. Verse 128. Through the lens of God's Word, we find that it is right in all things. We can see our up close problems, our intermediate future problems, and our long range problems with clarity and trust through the Word of God.

Jody Hice joined Newsmax to discuss his new book, Sacred Trust, and why Americans must be vigilant about election integrity....

Principles for Retaining a Godly Testimony in the New YearDr. Paul ChappellTue, 01/09/2024 - 16:38 1. Avoid an uncertain sound. Don't engage in activities or associations that make your testimony for Christ unclear.“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8).2. Let not your good be evil spoken of. Be willing to limit your Christian liberty to avoid causing a stumbling block to others.“Let not then your good be evil spoken of” (Romans 14:16).3. Do not make a major decision without godly counsel. I have sought men who are my seniors to ask counsel of for significant decisions.“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).4. To change the world, you must not let the world change you. The men and women who have changed the world have been the men and women the world could not change.“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).5. Do all to the glory of God. There is no insignificant activity when it is done to the glory of God. And even seemingly insignificant activities can be done in a way that dishonors God.“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).6. Remember that what you do in moderation, the next generation often does in excess. As you weigh a decision, remember the impact it could have on your children or grandchildren, and purpose to walk in such a way that you would be glad for them to follow your example.Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) Category Christian Living

Principles for Retaining a Godly Testimony in the New YearDr. Paul ChappellTue, 01/09/2024 - 16:38 1. Avoid an uncertain sound. Don't engage in activities or associations that make your testimony for Christ unclear.“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8).2. Let not your good be evil spoken of. Be willing to limit your Christian liberty to avoid causing a stumbling block to others.“Let not then your good be evil spoken of” (Romans 14:16).3. Do not make a major decision without godly counsel. I have sought men who are my seniors to ask counsel of for significant decisions.“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).4. To change the world, you must not let the world change you. The men and women who have changed the world have been the men and women the world could not change.“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).5. Do all to the glory of God. There is no insignificant activity when it is done to the glory of God. And even seemingly insignificant activities can be done in a way that dishonors God.“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).6. Remember that what you do in moderation, the next generation often does in excess. As you weigh a decision, remember the impact it could have on your children or grandchildren, and purpose to walk in such a way that you would be glad for them to follow your example.Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) Category Christian Living

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-3-2024Psalm 119:73-80? Introduction:? One of the struggles that people have concerning the preservation of the Scriptures is that the teaching that the Bible is a man-made book and therefore is subject to additions, subtractions, and mistranslating.? 176 verses, 22 stanzas with each beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, 8 verses in each stanza with each verse in the Hebrew beginning with the same letter of the alphabet (acrostic).? What a magnificent work of God!? A.? Tonight, the 10th? stanza of Psalm 119, JOD.? “JOD” is the smallest letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and is represented by a “dot . )? ? 1.? Every one of the 22 letters of the alphabet are created by continuous dots ……………... which form the lines that form the letters as letters consist of a continuous line of dots.? ? 2.? When two consecutive JODs or dots are found, they represent the word “God” or Adonai who is an eternal, unchanging God.? Judaism considers the names of God so holy that, once they are written, should never be erased.? B.? Whereas JOD is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “iota,” which is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet. In Modern Hebrew, the phrase “tip of the YOD” refers to a small, insignificant thing.? God is meticulous!? Precise in what He says.? C.? JOD, of the Old Testament, was mentioned by our Lord Jesus when He said in Matthew 5:17-18: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.? (18)? For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”? ? Of Hebrew origin (the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet);? “iota”, the name of the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, put (figuratively) for a very small part or amount of anything: - jot.? The word “Tittle” means a “horn” and is smaller than the “jot.”? It is a horn like apex on a letter that changes the inflection of a word.? D.? Thus, our Lord said that not even the most insignificant thing in the Word will ever change or disappear.? E.? It would do us good to realize that the Doctrine of Divine Preservation is just as important as the Doctrine of Divine Inspiration.? Without continuance of preservation, inspired manuscripts become a moot point.? ? F.? The Continuity of the Word of God and its importance are found in these 8 verses of the 10th? stanza.? 1.? Verse 73.? Understanding.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our understanding.? We must continue to have the Word of God for all generations to understand how we got here, why we got here, where we are intended to go, what we are intended to do, and what it takes to suceed.? In our Bible we understand that man was created by God and for God.? ? Proverbs 4:5-8? Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.? (6)? Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.? (7)? Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.? (8)? Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.? Three branches of education are found in the Bible: Knowledge, learning facts – Wisdom, learning to use those facts – knowledge, is learning why those facts work.? Without the continuance of preservation of God's Word, we would have none of the three.? 2.? Verse 74.? Hope.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our blessed hope.? Our temporal and eternal hope is Bible based.? Through the eyes of the Word of God, we have hope in this world though it is deteriorating.? Through the eyes of the Word of God, we have an eternal hope that is nearing!? ? Romans 15:4? For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.? Titus 2:13? Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;? Without continuing preservation of God's Word, we would have neither.? 3.? Verse 75.? ? Correction.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our? correction.? Throughout the Bible, we find the righteous judgements of God that are essential to a godly, obedient walk with God and each other.? There will be times that we fail and times when we will fall but God's grace and strength will carry us through.? The Word of God teaches us to walk in the right way wherein is the good way.? Hebrews 12:5-7? And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:? (6)? For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.? (7)? If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we would not know right from wrong and the consequences thereof.? 4.? Verse 76.? Comfort.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our comfort and peace.? ? In the darkest hours of our lives, the Word is a light that shows us the way so that we do not stumble or proceed? down the wrong paths. We have the love of God to comfort us and the promises of God to encourage us.? A peace to trust and hearts to trust when we do not understand.? Romans 8:28? And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.? Romans 15:4? For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we would not have comfort in our tribulations.? ? 5. Verse 77.? Life.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our living.? ? Not merely physical life, though our physical life should be guided by the Bible, but also our life in Christ.? The Bible gives us grace, mercy, and strength for the journey.? The three remaining gifts of faith, hope, and charity are all found within the volume of the Word of God.? Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.? 2 Peter 1:3? According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we would have no parameters to keep us living a life that is right and godly.? 6.? Verse 78.? Confidence.? ? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our confidence.? Our confidence in the scriptures leads to our confidence in God which leads to our confidence in life.? The world lives unto shame, but the child of God lives unto Christ!? The enemies of Christ become the enemies of God's children, but—through the scriptures—we can walk in total confidence.? Hebrews 10:35-36? Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.? (36)? For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we can know for certain that everything both works together for good but will also turn out right in the end.? 7.? Verse 79.? Companionship.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our company that we keep.? ? The Word of God teaches that the world will turn away from us and count us as enemies.? Often, those of our own household will become our foes.? But those of like precious faith will become our friends and family.? We are exhorted to spend quality time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.? I find no greater joy than to visit with our people who are going through trying times.? Oh, what joy!? Oh, what delight!? Acts 2:46? And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,? Without the continuing of the Word of God, we would not be able to properly identify God's people much less have a place called the church where we assemble to bless and worship our wonderful lord Who gave Himself for it.? 8.? Verse 80.? Spiritual Soundness.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our spiritual soundness which leads to our spiritual boldness.? A song says, “I had rather be an old time Christian, Lord, than anything I know.”? We who are saved are not ashamed of our Lord, the brethren, or our precious local church.? John 17:22-23? And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:? (23)? I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.? Without the continuing of God's Word, our overall spiritual wellbeing would in jeopardy.? The Bible is the measuring stick by which we measure ourselves and the benchmark from which we measure everything else.? Conclusion:? JOD!? A point from which comes continuation.? Since both our physical and spiritual welfare depends upon the veracity of God's Word, there must be a continuity or continuance of preservation of said Word.? All that we need and all that we have is founded upon the Continuity of The Word of God.? Preservation is an act of God, not of man.?

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-3-2024Genesis 1:1-4? Introduction:? ? A.? I love the Book of Genesis or Beginnings.? ? 1.? “In the beginning God” is the most profound and important statement in the Bible!? Without God, man is nothing with no purpose and no hope.? ? 2.? The Bible is a “God Book” as our Lord said in both Psalms and Hebrews, “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me!”? It matters not what man says nor what man thinks.? If he contradicts the Bible, he is wrong.? B.? There is another “landmark” of the faith that I want to deal with this morning.? We have dealt with the landmarks of the Scripture, Sanctuary, Salvation, and Sovereignty, but one of the most important and neglected of all doctrines is that of Biblical Sanctification.? ? C.? The Doctrine of Biblical Sanctification is so important that the Bible mentions it first!? In Geneses, chapter 1, we see that God set the precedent of sanctification along with the definition of it.? God left no doubt or place for argument.? In verse 4, we find the Doctrine of Sanctification: “and God divided the light from the darkness!”? The light of God dispelled the darkness of this world.? Here, we find the first Biblical sanctification, is caused by division, which demands separation.? D.? In verse one, God created the first heaven, our atmosphere, and the earth.? In the beginning, we find that darkness shrouded the earth.? “Without form, and void.”? Darkness preceded light.? The darkness was upon the face of the deep.? E.? Darkness was before light but when God introduced light (notice I said introduced and not created), it dispelled the darkness.? The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.? And God said, “Let there be light!”? This was not natural light nor was it a man-made light.? It was the light of God.? ? In 1 John 1:5, the Bible declares that God is perfect light as He has no darkness at all.? 1 Timothy 6:15-16? Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;? (16)? Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.? 1 John 1:5? This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.? F.? In verse 4 of Genesis 1, We find the First Mention of the word “good.”? God declared the light to be good with the unsaid truth that darkness was not good as it obscured what God had made to be seen.? God divided light from darkness.? G.? Thus, we find Biblically that God created sanctification, separation, and division.? ? 1.? I know that this introduction is a little long, but we need to understand that God will not compromise, and it is He that brings division which brings about separation.? ? 2.? God loves sinners and hates sin.? God loves good and He hates bad.? Period!? ? 3.? Today, sanctification and division have been given a bad name by both worldly lost and religious lost.? But too often by God's children as they try to co-exist in peace with the world.? ? 4.? This cannot be done without compromise and the world does not compromise.? The world's take on sanctification is that doctrine is bad because it divides while love is good because it unifies.? ? 5.? The question now needs to be asked, “What does doctrine divide and what does love unify?”? Doctrine divides Godly from ungodly while a love without truth unifies the ungodly against the godly.? H.? Sanctification is Separation!? The word means to be set aside from something for a purpose.? Sanctification is Division!? God created both sanctification and division and in the end analysis, said that it was very good!? ? 1.? I feel that I need to make a point that the world does not like and that is compromise.? The world teaches that both side in conflict need to give somewhat.? We hear a lot about arbitration which is compromise.? 2.? Do not think for one second that God will compromise in order to bring about a peaceful solution!? Matthew 10:34-35? Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.? (35)? For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.? 3.? By the same token, God does not want His children to compromise what the Bible is clear on.? J.? Sanctification which brings division which brings separation is a Landmark that God, through the Bible has set!? It is not the believer who set the precedent, it is God, and the Bible is clear upon the subject.? Now, let us look at sanctification for a few minutes.? ? 1.? Salvation's Sanctification.? This is something that God does!? There are three distinct areas of sanctification in the life of every believer:? a.? It is Positional Sanctification - 1 Corinthians 1:30? But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:? ? 2 Corinthians 5:17? Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.? At the moment of salvation, the believer is set apart from the world positionally through Jesus Christ.? He is the believer's sanctification.? We are baptized into Christ who is both perfect and eternal and therefore remain secure!? b.? It is Perpetual or Permanent Sanctification -? 1 John 3:1-2? Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.? (2)? Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.? 2.? Personal or Practical Sanctification.? Something that we do!? ? Romans 12:1-2? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.? (2)? And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.? 1 Peter 1:15? But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.? ? a.? The Believer is the separate from the world.? 1 John 1:5-7? This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.? (6)? If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:? (7)? But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.? When we are saved, we remain just a sinner saved by the grace of God.? As we mature in the Lord and grow in our faith, we are being constantly changed by both the Spirit of God who indwells us and the Word of God that teaches and guides us.? John 17:17? Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.? b.? The Believer is to be the light of the world.? ? Matthew 5:14-16? Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.? (15)? Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.? (16)? Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.? 2 Corinthians 4:3-4? But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:? (4)? In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.? 3.? ? Doctrinal Sanctification.? Something that we do!? Romans 16:17? Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.? ? a.? We are to preach sound doctrine.? Sound means something that is not weakened or flawed.? ? 2 Timothy 4:2-3? Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.? (3)? For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;? b.? We are to practice sound doctrine. We are to remain doctrinally sound and separated.? ? Romans 16:17? Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.? 4.? Ecclesiastical Sanctification.? Something that we do!? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18? Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,? And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.? a.? Denominationalism lends itself to unbiblical unions.? Our church is not to be yoked in any manner with other churches that are liberal or apostate. You are who you hold hands with spiritually.? ? b.? One may think they are straight but if they are supporting or affiliated with liberal churches, they are liberal!? That's why Bible churches were independent and autonomous!? ? Conclusion:? Sanctification or Separation or Division of a right kind is an act of God!? The believer MUST love the sinner but not the sin and this requires (by God) Biblical Sanctification!

? Temple Baptist Church - 2-18-2024Genesis 4:1-7; Hebrews 6:1? Introduction:? A.? I have been preaching on the subject “Remove Not The Ancient Landmark, Which Thy Fathers Have Set” over the past three weeks.? ? 1.? Spiritual “landmarks” define boundaries and are points of reference from which all our doctrines are measured with the Bible being our Benchmark.? 2.? We are not as many who corrupt the Word of God by making it conform to our doctrine, but we are those few who continually mold our doctrines to the Word of God.? B.? This morning, I want to look at the “Landmark of Salvation.”? ? 1.? This may sound strange to many as we live in the Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt.? Churches all over this county, both in the cities and also the rural areas.? As you go into the crossroad settlement of Hickory Tavern, a sign greets you with the list of app. 20 local churches in that one rural area.? On every country road, at every stop sign, you will find diverse church signs pointed in all directions.? ? 2.? Yet most people here do not know how to get to heaven!? Many go to churches who preached a perverted form of salvation that will not save.? Paul spoke of this perversion of the gospel in Galatians 1 and the gospel and Jesus Christ in 2 Corinthians 11.? 2 Corinthians 11:2-4? For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.? (3)? But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.? (4)? For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.? A salvation that is by grace through faith alone with no mixture of personal merit or good works.? Good work to be saved or good works to remain saved.? Many teach a salvation that cannot secure but only place one on probation.? If you are saved and sin, you still get to go to hell.? 3.? They are dishonest!? If I remotely thought that you could be lost after you are saved, when I witnessed to someone, I would tell them that once saved, they can still be lost and go to hell.? 4.? In the Bible belt, Christianity is the best hidden truth in the Bible.? NO ONE EVER witnesses to me, hands me a Gospel Tract, or invites me to church.? I will ask you this morning, “How many of you have received the Gospel this week from someone else in the county?”? C.? Genesis 3 and 4 declare that salvation is through the coming of the “seed of the woman” and requires the shedding of blood.? Genesis 4 shows both the acceptance and rejection of a blood bought salvation.? The account of Cain and Abel is profound:? 1.? It Refutes Works for Salvation – God rejected Cain's offering!? 2.? It Refutes Ways for Salvation – God accepted only His Way!? 3.? It Refutes Self-Righteousness for Salvation – God required blood!? 4.? It Refutes Pre-destination for Salvation – God gave Cain a second chance and would have accepted him.? Cain's problem was not election, it was rejection and, therefore, a sin problem!? D.? Then there are so many people who do not have full assurance of their salvation.? The problem is ignorance of what the bible teaches and or the teaching of self-merit!? People actually get saved and then, because they still have an old nature to go along with their new nature, doubt their salvation because they still commit sin!? ? E.? ? This morning, my message will be simple because salvation is simple!? 1.? The Bible says, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”? Our Lord said that the only way to heaven is through the new birth.? ? 2.? In these last days, the New Birth is looked down upon and its recipients are maligned and mocked.? The “Landmark of Salvation” is still Repentance and Faith!? Now, let us allow the Bible to define these two terms.? F.? Salvation defined:? ? Hebrews 6:1? Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,? G.? The context of this verse is found in chapter 5, one of the 5 warning sections of the Book of Hebrews.? Let us read Hebrews 5:11-6:1.? ? 1.? These verses are not written to the unsaved but to those who saved who refuse to plant their salvation in the Word of God and go one to spiritual growth.? If you are saved but doubt your salvation, you will never be fully functionable or useable.? GET IT SETTLED AND GET IT SETTLED IN THE BIBLE, not in your feelings or emotions.? a.? In chapter 5:12, we find these words: “ye have need that one teach you again which? be? the first principles of the oracles of God.”? 1.? “Oracles” simply means utterance of what God has said.? Christ Jesus spoke a pure gospel and how to be saved in John, chapter 3.? 2.? “The principles” means foundational or fundamental with the phrase using the definite article “the” which means one and only one of a kind.? ? Precedent or? commencement, or (concrete)? chief? (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank): - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.? 3.? “First” means FIRST!? ? Coming? before all others in time or order; earliest; first.? as it establishes salvation as the one and only first step for the unsaved!? ? Foremost? in position, rank, or importance.? 4.? These saved believers chose to remain willfully ignorant as they were taught again and again the truth of salvation coupled with blessed assurance!? b.? Again, in chapter 6:1a, we find these words: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ.”? 1.? The word “Therefore” shows the continuation of context as chapter 6:1 is tied to the former verses.? 2.? “Leaving” means to walk on or to move forward; to not remain spiritual doubters.? 3.? “Principles” we have explained: the first fundamental of salvation.? Get it settled, then MOVE ON!? 4.? “Of the doctrine” means a topic,? tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.? ? A? belief or set of beliefs held and taught by? the Bible.? 5.? “Of Christ” means that these fundamentals of the faith dealing with salvation come through the Bible, the Inscribed Word of God that were taught by the Incarnate Word of God, the LORD Jesus.? 2.? Now, for the later part of Hebrews 6:1b? “leaving the principles … let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.”? a.? “Let us go on unto perfection” or spiritual maturity.? It does not mean sinless perfection because we will always, in this life, live in a sinful body and fail God.? It means get your salvation SETTLED AND GROW UP!? b.? “Not laying again the foundation” means to repeatedly try to get saved over again.? This is settled in verses 6:2-6.? Christ Jesus died once for all, and He will never be re-crucified.? He is not perpetually hanging on a cross.? He is a resurrected, ascended Saviour!? 3.? Now, look once again at the word “principles.”? The word is plural as the foundation or salvation through Christ Jesus alone is found in multiple principles which are given in these words, “the foundation of (1) repentance from dead works, AND (2) faith in God!”? 4.? I want to look at these two “principles” that make up the “foundation” upon which our salvation is established:? a.? ? Repentance FROM Dead Works.? Romans 3:28? Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.? Romans 5:1? Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:? Galatians 2:16? Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.? Ephesians 2:8-9? For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:? (9)? Not of works, lest any man should boast.? b.? ? Faith TOWARD God.? Direction – Salvation is an act of God, not of man,? and Salvation is ALL of God.? John 14:6? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4? Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;? (2)? By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.? (3)? For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;? (4)? And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:? 5.? Biblical Salvation:? a.? It Is A Singular Salvation -? Proverbs 16:25? There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.? ? Isaiah 43:11? I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.? Acts 4:12? Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.? John 10:9? I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.? John 14:6? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.? ? b.? It Is An Eternal Salvation -? John 10:27-28? My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:? And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.? John 3:14-16? And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:? That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have? eternal life.? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.? John 5:24? 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.? Romans 8:35-39? ? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,? Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,? shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.? ? 1 Peter 1:3-5? ? Blessed be the God? and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,? To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,? ? Who are kept by the power of God? through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.?

A little animal that “plays?” Strange as that fact might sound, YES INDEED! Otters, our focus for today, come in 13 species, all created by our Wise God according to Scripture. They are sea creatures, though some live in freshwater. (That “species” thing!) They are found ranging in size from 2 to 5 feet in […]

NASHVILLE, TN- Singing News Radio is thrilled to announce a special Valentine’s Day broadcast featuring the esteemed guest, ERNIE HAASE, on The Morning Show with Joseph Reed. This exclusive interview will showcase music from Ernie Haase and Signature Sound’s enchanting “Decades of Love” album, creating a captivating atmosphere of love songs and nostalgia. Scheduled to Read More

Tony Perkins joined NTD News' Capitol Report to sound the alarm on the WHO's pandemic treaty as nothing but a global power grab to be used in a future emergency....

This world can often feel like a dark place. Sometimes it's hard to see light and hope in the midst of all the suffering and pain we see around us. Constant media headlines reveal the deep struggle, the pain, and brokenness so many have known.God's promises are true and He is faithful to bring them all to pass. Every single one. Jesus gives us eternal hope, rooted in Him, the promise of heaven, and the reminder that He will come again.Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll shares these known facts from the Bible:· One out of every 30 verses in the Bible mentions the subject of Christ's return or the end of time.· Of the 216 chapters in the New Testament, there are well over 300 references to the return of Christ.· 23 of the 27 New Testament books mention Christ's return.· In the Old Testament, such well-known and reliable men of God as Job, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, as well as most of the minor prophets mention Christ's return in their writings.Instead of fearing the end times, or battling uncertainty over future events, simply knowing God's word will give us power to live out our days with the understanding and wisdom that He is still at work, even when difficult things surround us.He hasn't lost control, not ever.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/thekopmylife? Stock footage Soundstripe.com & Photo? Canva.com? Here are 12 Scriptures That Remind Us, Jesus Is Coming Again:

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Gospel music's premier quartet, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, is set to kick off the year with an impassioned new single, “We Are The Church,”? releasing Friday? from StowTown Records. In addition, the GRAMMY nominated, Dove Award-winning group's popular “Friday Night Sing” YouTube series will make its highly anticipated return February 2.? ? ? Inaugurating Ernie Haase & Signature Read More

Adds producer Roger Talley, “I have worked with Sound Street since they began singing. Jarrod Vandersliceand Ryan Bilby have always been great singers and talented communicators. Jaylie inherited the natural, God-given musical talent and is now taking an important role center stage with Sound Street.”

The newest family-friendly movie from Illumination may sound like a fictional tale, but the film's director says it's based on real-life events … sort of.

I am still in Psalm 22, the Bible Chapter that most clearly describes a man being crucified. Where Jesus in Verse 6 succinctly says, “But I am a worm, and no man.” Now does that sound like physical agony to you? I suggest not. (Though in no way am I minimizing Jesus’ bodily pain on […]

King Herod will sound familiar to anyone who's heard the Christmas story. King of Judea when Jesus of Nazareth was born, the ruler attempts to find and kill the baby after hearing that the “King of the Jews” has just...The post Was King Herod the Great really so ‘great'? What history says about the bad guy of the Christmas story appeared first on Baptist News Global.

Soul sufferings of Jesus? Yes! In Gethsemane, Jesus told His Disciples … “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.” Mark 14:34, this sure sounds like suffering to me, Anguish untold! He did NOT say “body!” Add John 12:27 … “Now is my soul troubled,” where “tarasso” at least means “disturbed, […]