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21
on: August 11, 2018, 04:41:50 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society
Free Email Subscription
For Questions Or Comments: berean@execpc.com
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Demon Possession
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
The modern revival of E.S.P., fortune telling, astrology, magic, the Ouija board, the spirit seance and a score of other occult practices have caused many to wonder whether human beings may be possessed or controlled by evil spirits.
Many Christian people recall the cases of demon possession recorded in the Bible in connection with our Lord’s earthly ministry.
There is indeed much evidence that there was a great outbreak of demon activity when Christ was on earth. This outbreak seems to have abated soon after the Lord’s ascension to heaven, but many are asking: Has another such epidemic broken out?
Whatever the answer to this question, the Scriptures clearly indicate that the best defense against the activity of Satan and his hosts is sincere faith in Christ, of whom we read that, “having vanquished” the powers of evil at Calvary, “He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). It is on the basis of Christ’s finished work of redemption that St. Paul joins believers in…
“Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet [fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Col. 1:12,13).
Not only is the true believer in Christ “delivered… from the power of darkness,” but upon believing he becomes “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” a living shrine where Christ is worshipped. Thus St. Paul says again: “What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (I Cor. 6:19). How then could the Christian’s body also be the dwelling place of an evil spirit? |
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22
on: August 11, 2018, 04:39:37 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________
They hope that they shall not have two Hells!
(Thomas Case, "The Rod and the Word, A Treatise on Afflictions" 1653)
Because men suffer in this world--they assume they shall be freed from sufferings in the world to come.
Because they have a Hell here--they imagine that they shall escape Hell hereafter.
They hope that they shall not have two Hells!
Poor, deluded soul! You may and must have two Hells. Cain, and Judas, and millions of reprobate men and women, have two Hells--one in this life, in torments of body--and another in the life to come, in unquenchable fire.
You may have a prison on earth--and a dungeon in Hell.
You may now lack a crumb of bread--and hereafter lack a drop of water.
You may now be the reproach of men--and hereafter the scorn of God Himself.
Affliction alone is not enough to evidence a man to be a saved man. Blows may sooner break the neck, than the heart! Afflictions are in themselves, the fruit of divine wrath--and therefore cannot possibly of themselves make the least argument of God's love to the soul.
God forbid that a man should take that for his security from Hell--which may be but the foretaste of Hell! Present afflictions, may be the pledge of endless misery.
In many cases it is to be feared that the cup of affliction, is a vial of wrath--and that the plagues of this life, are but some drops of that coming storm of fire and brimstone, wherein impenitent sinners shall be scorched and tormented forever! |
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23
on: August 11, 2018, 09:06:59 AM
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Started by Soldier4Christ - Last post by Soldier4Christ
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Things to Flee
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)
There are times to stand and there are times to flee. There are some things so fearful and deadly that it is foolish to try to face them at all. The only rational course, when confronted by them, is to flee!
The most obvious of all such enemies is the wrath of God, for His judgment is terrible and eternal. Therefore, His message to all unsaved men and women is to “flee from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:7—the first occurrence of “flee” in the New Testament) by receiving Christ as Savior.
It is wise to refrain from all kinds of sin, but certain sins have such deadly consequences, even in this present life, that the Scriptures warn us to flee from them. “But thou, O man of God, flee these things” (1 Timothy 6:11). In context, the apostle Paul is here warning against “the love of money” (v. 10) and those who suppose “that gain is godliness” (v. 5). Those who desire to be rich, he says, “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (v. 9). Therefore, flee from this temptation!
He also warns us to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14)—that is, from worshipping and serving any part of the creation “more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). This warning is especially appropriate today when there is such a wide resurgence of evolutionary pantheism.
Also, we must “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18). This is a deadly danger to the Christian in this day of amorality. Finally, as our text says, young believers (and old believers need this admonition, too!) should “flee also youthful lusts,” if we are to be able to “call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” HMM
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24
on: August 10, 2018, 05:24:28 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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_______________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society
Free Email Subscription
For Questions Or Comments: berean@execpc.com
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Does The Word Of God Contradict Itself?
by Pastor Paul M. Sadler
Satan has sought to undermine the authority of the Word of God since the beginning. He whispered to Eve, “Yea, hath God said,” suggesting God was withholding something from our first parents. But more often than not his attacks are far more subtle. The liberal, for example, would have us believe the Scriptures contradict themselves; therefore they cannot be trusted. This is nothing more than an attempt to cast a shadow of doubt upon the veracity of God’s Word.
Despite the claims of the liberal, God never contradicts Himself. He’s omniscient! He knows the end from the beginning; how could He possibly contradict Himself? When we’re confronted with an alleged contradiction, the problem isn’t with the Word of God; rather, it’s with our understanding of the Scriptures. Most times there is a simple solution to the problem.
The account of Judas’ death is often appealed to as a glaring contradiction:
“And he [Judas] cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself” (Matt. 27:5).
“Now this man [Judas] purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” (Acts 1:18).
We believe the Acts record is merely an augmentation of Matthew’s account of Judas’ dishonorable end. After Judas hanged himself, either the limb or rope broke, and since the top part of the body is heavier than the lower extremity, he fell headlong to the bottom of the ravine where his body burst open upon striking the jagged rocks.
Another supposed contradiction is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:
“Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand” (I Cor. 10:8).
“And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand” (Num. 25:9).
Once again, Paul’s account of the plague is simply a fuller description of what actually transpired during the wilderness wanderings. The key is found in the apostle’s words, “and fell in one day.” Paul reveals 23,000 died in this judgment on the same day, but according to Numbers, the total number of Israelites that perished, which included the days that followed, was 24,000. The apostle was merely emphasizing the seriousness of committing fornication, by showing how many fell in one day.
While these two purported contradictions are easily resolved, this is not always necessarily the case. In those areas where we are unable to adequately address a discrepancy, we must patiently wait upon the Lord for additional light, which may not be given until eternity. |
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25
on: August 10, 2018, 05:22:10 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________
That Man of sorrows, is the Savior of the world!
(Gardiner Spring)
O! Who was it that suffered? What did He suffer? For whom did He suffer?
Think of Him--the Father's fellow, and the church's Beloved.
Think of the Garden and the Cross, and see how they demonstrate on the one hand, the enormity of our guilt; and on the other, the force of His almighty love.
Think of the debased and abject character of those for whom He died--depraved men, and the enemies of God!
That Man of sorrows, is the Savior of the world!
That naked, bleeding victim--is the mighty Conqueror of death and Hell!
O what triumphs of love and of holiness were there, when . . .
the earth trembled;
and the sun grew dark;
and the veil of the temple was rent in twain;
and the rocks broke asunder;
and the graves gave up their dead;
and Hell itself was moved with terror;
and the Great Redeemer exclaimed, "It is finished!"
Christ is precious to all who believe!
Abraham "rejoiced to see Christ's day, and he saw it and was glad."
Moses esteemed Him more precious than all the treasures of Egypt.
David esteemed Him "fairer than the children of men."
The Church in her divine songs speaks of Him . . .
as the "rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys;"
as "the chief among ten thousand and the altogether lovely One;"
and as the One whom "her soul loves."
The wise men of the East adored Him.
Simeon took Him up in his arms, and said, "Now Lord, let you your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation!"
And to holy men wherever found, Jesus is precious!
"The upright love You!"
"Whom having not seen, you love."
"To you who believe, He is precious!"
In all your duties and trials--He will be precious.
When the world loses its charms--He will become more glorious and lovely than ever.
When death invades--He will become its mighty conqueror.
When you sleep beneath the clods of the valley--He will be the resurrection and the life.
When the books shall be opened, and small and great shall stand before God, and the precious Savior shall come in the clouds, and you shall go to be forever with the Lord--He shall be doubly precious, and more and more precious through interminable ages!
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12 |
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26
on: August 10, 2018, 08:35:30 AM
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Started by Soldier4Christ - Last post by Soldier4Christ
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Vessels of Honor
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)
There are several metaphors used by the New Testament writers to help us understand aspects of God’s Kingdom. “Fowls” make a home in the mustard seed “tree” (Matthew 13:31-32). “Tares” grow up with the “wheat” (Matthew 13:25). A “house” represents the church of God (1 Timothy 3:15), in which are both honorable and dishonorable “vessels” (2 Timothy 2:20).
The first step in becoming an honorable vessel is to “purge” oneself from that which is dishonorable. The Greek term ekkathairo and its derivatives all are connected to active cleansing from falsehoods and defilements, as well as separation from those who tolerate ungodliness. “Purge out therefore the old leaven,” Paul insists, “that ye may be a new lump” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Those who are the twice-born are to “possess” their “vessel” in honor (1 Thessalonians 4:4). Some, like Paul, are “chosen vessels” (Acts 9:15).
All who would seek “honorable” service must be sanctified (set apart) for the Master’s use. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). An honorable vessel must be prepared (ready) for good works.
Honorable and effective service in the house of God requires that such vessels must be willing to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15). There is no greater honor than being counted “sanctified, and meet for the master’s use.” HMM III
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27
on: August 09, 2018, 12:40:43 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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_______________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society
Free Email Subscription
For Questions Or Comments: berean@execpc.com
_______________________________________________
Ashamed
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Some time ago, we noticed in the fly-leaf of a young man’s Bible, a list of autographs of “great” preachers. At the top of the page, one had been scratched out with a penknife. Our curiosity aroused, we asked him what had happened.
“That was Pastor J. C. O’Hair’s signature,” he answered.
“And you scratched it out!”
“Yes,” he replied, “these other men would never sign with his name there!”
This young man’s heart had once been thrilled with the gospel of the grace of God and the truth of the mystery, but before a few “great” preachers, he had become ashamed of the one whom God had used to open these truths to him.
Popular opinion! What a powerful enemy to the truth!
Little wonder that some faint-hearted Christians should be ashamed of those who boldly proclaim the mystery when we realize there was danger that even godly young Timothy might be ashamed of Paul! Let us who mean to be faithful, however, remember that the words of Paul to Timothy are also the Word of God to us:
“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (II Tim. 1:8). |
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28
on: August 09, 2018, 12:38:18 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________
We would be forever contented with the garlic and flesh-pots of Egypt!
(Thomas Case, "The Rod and the Word, A Treatise on Afflictions" 1653)
One lesson which God teaches us in the school of affliction, is how to prize and long for Heaven. In our prosperity, "when we wash our steps in butter, and the rock pours us out rivers of oil" (Job 29:6)--we could sit down with the present world, and say, "It is good for us to be here; let us build dwellings here."
While life is sweet--then death is bitter.
Heaven itself is no enticement--while the world gives us her alluring baits.
But when poverty and imprisonment, reproach and persecution, sickness and sore diseases--pinch and vex our hearts with a variety of afflictions--then we are not so fond of the creature, and are pleased to parley with death, and take Heaven into our consideration.
God by putting us into the school of affliction, takes off our hearts by degrees from this present world, and makes us look homeward. Being burdened, we groan--and with the dove we return to the ark, when the world is sinking round about us.
We would be forever contented with the garlic and flesh-pots of Egypt--if God did not set cruel taskmasters over us to double our burdens. And when God thus lessens our esteem of the world--He reveals to us the excellency of heavenly comforts, and draws out the desires of the soul to Himself:
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" Psalm 42:1-2
"Even so, come Lord Jesus!" Revelation 22:20
Afflictions make Heaven appear as Heaven indeed!
To the weary, Heaven is rest;
to the banished, it is home;
to the scorned and reproached, it is glory;
to the captive, it is liberty;
to the soldier, it is victory;
to the hungry, it is hidden manna;
to the thirsty, it is the fountain of life;
to the grieved, it is fullness of joy; and
to the mourner, it is pleasures forevermore.
In a word, to those who have lain upon the dunghill of affliction, and walked in holiness--Heaven is the throne on which they shall sit and reign with Christ forever and ever! |
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29
on: August 09, 2018, 09:41:25 AM
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Started by Soldier4Christ - Last post by Soldier4Christ
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Walking in Truth
“I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.” (2 John 1:4)
This beautiful metaphor, “walking in truth,” is found only in the two one-chapter epistles of John—here in our text, and in 3 John 1:3 and 4. This principle should indeed characterize our daily lives, since our Lord and Savior is Himself “the truth” (John 14:6), the Word of God that we believe is “truth” (John 17:17), and the Holy Spirit who indwells our bodies is the very “Spirit of truth” (John 15:26).
The New Testament also uses other characteristics of the Christian life under this figure of walking. When a person is born again through faith in Christ and testifies of this by following the Lord in baptism, he or she is said to be raised to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Then, since the Holy Spirit has come to indwell our bodies, to comfort, guide, and constrain us as needed, we are exhorted to “walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Furthermore, we are commanded to “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us” (Ephesians 5:2). This is not erotic love, of course, or even brotherly love, but unselfish agape love that sacrifices its own interests for the needs of others.
There are still more such exhortations. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). Furthermore, we are to “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7).
All of these and other similar admonitions can be summarized as simply following the example of Christ. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6). “He that followeth me,” said Jesus our Lord, “shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). HMM
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30
on: August 08, 2018, 04:02:28 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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__________________________________________
From Grace Gems - Free and Public Domain:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
FREE E-mail Subscription:
http://www.gracegems.org/
___________________________________________
The family disease!
(J.C. Ryle)
"He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves, that they were righteous." Luke 18:9
The sin which our Lord here denounces, is "self-righteousness."
We are all naturally self-righteous. It is the family disease of all the children of Adam. From the highest to the lowest--we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. We secretly flatter ourselves that we are not as bad as some, and that we have something to merit the favor of God.
We forget the plain testimony of Scripture:
"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins."
"What is man, that he could be pure; or one born of woman, that he could be righteous?"
"There is no one righteous, not even one!"
The true cure for self-righteousness, is self-knowledge. Once let the eyes of our understanding be opened by the Spirit--and we shall talk no more of our own goodness. Once let us see what sin there is in our own hearts, and what the holy law of God requires--and self-conceit will die. We shall lay our hand on our mouths, and cry with the leper, "Unclean, unclean!" Leviticus 13:45
"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32
"Christ died for the ungodly!" Romans 5:6 |
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