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In This Issue:
It Can Happen to Anyone!
Would You Dare
The Hand of God Was Against Them
What Inspired William Booth

Volume: 976    October 7, 2024
Theme: Judging

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It Can Happen to Anyone!
Bill Brinkworth

Sometimes, we can be very judgmental of a person.  We are reluctant to show mercy when one sins or makes a mistake.  However, we should remember no one is exempt from making a wrong decision.

Anyone of us could make a mistake and get involved in thievery, dishonesty, immorality, or any other sin.  It is only God’s grace and our character that separates us from those that get involved in sin.  

Peter was a prime example of unexpected, ungodly behavior.  Peter boasted to Jesus that he loved Jesus so much that he would never turn against Him.  The apostle was determined that he would lay down his life for the Saviour.  Prophetically, Jesus responded, revealing that He knew Peter would deny Him three times (John 13:37-38, Mat. 26:34) before the rooster crowed.

After an angry mob took Jesus away, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled.  When a woman opened the door and accused Peter of being one of the ones with Jesus, Peter denied that he was even associated with Christ (John 18:17).

Another damsel asked Peter if he was one of those who was with Jesus as he warmed himself at a fire (John 18:25, Mat.26:71).  He flatly denied any association with Jesus.  Later, another servant asked the disciple if he was one of those with Jesus.  Peter denied even knowing the Lord (John 18:26) for the third time.  A rooster then crowed. Peter, I am sure, “Gulped!” He had done what he thought he would never do.

Sin can happen to any one of us.  We can never put down our guard and think that sin cannot control or overtake us.  Do you think you are so spiritual that you will never fall?  Be careful; a rooster may be getting ready to crow for you at any minute.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”   I Peter 5:8

Would You Dare?
Bill Brinkworth

One of man’s natural tendencies is to judge others by his measuring stick, usually himself.  Paul, in Romans 2, powerfully addresses that weakness.
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same thing… 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3

Many times, when we judge others, we have or have had the same problem ourselves.  Those who have had or are still having the biggest issues seem to complain the loudest of another’s weaknesses.

It is often the ex-smoker who criticizes the loudest about another’s smoke he is inhaling.  An older man grumbles to a son about his child’s late hours coming home, forgetting how his father used to rebuke him in his younger, cohorting days.  One who recently lied on his income tax form somehow is not convicted when he judges a worker who just lied to him.  On and on our hypocritical judging goes.

God, however, knows the truth, and He remembers (Rom. 3:3).  For the born-again child of God, there is no judgment for sins.  All one’s sins are paid for and no longer remembered (Hebrews 10:17).

All Christians, however, will be judged (Mat. 12:36, Gal. 6:7, Eph. 6:8, Col. 3:24) for what they did or did not do for the Lord.  It is called the Judgment Seat of Christ (II Cor. 5:10), and it will involve reward or loss of rewards (Rev. 22:12).

Sadly, the unsaved person’s judgment will be at the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).  That fearful condemnation will be at the end of Christ’s 1,000-year reign on Earth.  At that judgment, the lost will be judged for their sins (Rev. 20:14).

In light of our future day of judgment before an Almighty God who knows everything about us (including real intents for doing something, what we did when no one else saw us, and all other dark secrets), our judgment of others seems so insignificant and embarrassing on our part.  We certainly want our mistakes and sins overlooked when we stand before our Judge.  Can we stop judging others and leave that to the One who knows all?

“Reputation is what man thinks of us.  Character is what God knows us to be.”

The Hand of God Was Against Them
C. Buck, 1871

Many say it is a presumption to pronounce the calamities of sinners as particular judgments of God.  A study was made of many cruel, persecuting tyrants who delighted in tormenting their fellow creatures.

The study revealed that they died not the common deaths of most men.  They suffered plagues and fatalities that were horrible and strange.  Even a skeptic would be moved by the evidence and would be apt to suspect that the hand of God was in their demise.  Here are some biblical-related examples:

• Herod the Great attempted to destroy the baby Jesus Christ by ordering the deaths of all the male children that were in and near Bethlehem.  The historian Josephus reported that Herod had a long and grievous fever, a voracious appetite, difficulty breathing, swelling of his limbs, loathsome ulcers, violent torments, and convulsions, so much that he endeavored to kill himself.  The Jews thought his evils to be Divine judgments upon him for his wickedness.
• Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist and treated Christ contemptuously when He was brought before him.  Aretas, an Arabian king, defeated Herod, and his dominions were taken from him.  He was sent into banishment, along with his infamous wife, Herodias.
• Herod Agrippa killed James, the brother of John, and put Peter in prison.  The angel of the Lord soon smote him, and he was eaten of worms and died.
• Judas, who betrayed our Lord, died by his own hands.
• Pontius Pilate, who condemned Jesus to death was, not long afterward, deposed from his office, banished from his country, and died by his hand.
• The wicked high priest, Caiaphas, condemned Christ for fear of disobliging the Romans.  He was turned out of his office by the Roman governor, whom he had sought to oblige.
• Ananias was the high priest who persecuted Paul and ordered him to be smitten on the mouth (Acts 23:2, 24:1).  He was slain, together with his brother, by his son.
• Domitian persecuted the Christians and was said to be the one who threw John into a cauldron of boiling oil.  The man was later banished to the isle of Patmos and murdered by his people.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

What Inspired William Booth
Walter Knight

Many Christians say they believe in the day of accountability.  However, they are as silent as the sphinx when warning others to flee from the wrath to come.

The words that had much to do with William Booth’s being a “fiery” Salvation Army preacher was the indicting, taunting statement from an infidel.  The man said, “If I believed what you Christians say you believe about the coming judgment, day of reckoning, and the eternal lostness of impenitent Christ-rejecters, I would crawl on my bare knees on crushed glass all over London, England, night and day, telling men and women to flee the wrath to come!”

In This Issue:
Tell Them about Jesus!
Soul Winning
Talking Business  Suppose

Volume: 957     May 13, 2024
Theme: Soul Winning

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 Tell Them about Jesus!
Bill Brinkworth

One of the blessings of reading the Bible is learning how biblical characters solved problems, got through hardships, and lived godly lives.  Peter is one of those personalities that can be a good Christian example to pattern ourselves after.

After Jesus left to return to His heavenly home, Peter, although sad and grieving, pushed forward to live for God.  After his humbling experience of denying Jesus three times (John 18), it seems Peter learned an important lesson from that trial.  From that time forward, the Bible shows that Peter had a single-minded purpose.  That purpose was to take any opportunity to tell others about Jesus.

In Acts 4, after being used to heal a lame man, the religious people were angered at what Peter had done.  Soon, they were questioning and grilling Peter.  Instead of getting down to their level and having a debate that accomplished little, he preached a subject he knew could have a positive influence.  He preached about Jesus and how He was the only way to Heaven.

Acts 3 found Peter among a crowd who wanted to get closer to him after God had used him to heal a lame man.  Instead of taking any credit for the miracle, Peter took the opportunity to tell the crowd about Jesus.

Earlier in Acts 2, after having been used by the Holy Ghost to heal a man, some had accused Peter and the others of having been drunk.  Instead of entering into a big discussion to defend himself, he again told the onlookers about Jesus.

In many circumstances Peter found himself, he told others about Jesus.  We, too, should model his heart to speak to others about the Saviour and how Jesus can change lives.  The great commission (Mark 16:15) God gave to every believer is to go and tell.

Every day, each one of us comes into contact with people.  If we would use those opportunities to point them to the One who has all of life’s answers, this world would certainly be a different place.

Our opinions are not always wanted and rarely change anything.  Many of the world’s solutions also do not always work.  However, when one gets saved, they will have been born into the family of God.  Their heavenly Father can then help them with any problems they face if they go to Him.

Be like Peter, take every opportunity you can to point as many as you can to Jesus.  He is the solution to every problem or trial anyone faces.

“Jesus saves.  Tell someone today!”

Soul Winning
Bill Brinkworth

When a person is saved, all his sins are forgiven.  Although God will not remind us of our iniquities at our time of judgment, the believer will be rewarded for what he did for Christ after he was saved.  Every Christian is expected to tell others the biblical way to Heaven.  Although it is the commandment most neglected by Christians, it is the one most important!  

Here is some of what the Bible says about our personally winning a soul to Heaven:

• It is the primary way a lost person will hear about God’s way to Heaven.  “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? … Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Acts 8:30 -35  How will the spiritually lost be saved unless a child of God tells them how?  Most of us who are saved were led to the Lord by someone else telling us either by their mouth or written word.
• It will rescue a soul from spending an eternity in Hell.
  “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.” James 5:20
• It should be done in every house, as did the early church.  Door-to-door witnessing is still the way we are expected to witness.  It is how the early church grew, and it is how today’s church will grow.
  “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42   Also: Acts 2:46-47.
• It should be done by EVERYONE, not just the disciples, missionaries, pastors, and deacons!
  “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19  Also: John 20:21, Luke 24:47
• It is some of the Christian “fruit” a born-again believer should produce.
  “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:36  Also: John 15:16, 20:21.
• The lost need to be “compelled”, as were the visitors in the parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24).  “Compelling” is done one-on-one!
  “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23
• God commands it!
  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20
• It is the wise thing to do.
  “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”  Proverbs 11:30 
• Many commentators teach that believers will receive a crown of rejoicing for witnessing and winning a lost soul to Christ.
  “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3
  “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” I Thessalonians 2:19

God chose us to win as many to Heaven as we can.  What a shame it would be for a Christian to live a full life on Earth and never, or rarely, have won a soul to Heaven.

“Well, I just can’t do it,” or “I am too shy to talk to anyone” are not excuses that biblically excuse anyone from their God-commanded duty to witness.  I never met a person who thought that it was easy to witness to strangers in the beginning.  However, God always helped them when they showed they were willing to obey His commandments.

I am sure it was hard for the early church members to win souls to Christ, but because they obeyed God, their church grew.  After they witnessed to others, God blessed their church.

There are too many bound for Hell (Mark 7:13).  Do not be a selfish Christian and not share the way to eternity with the Lord with anyone.  Someone probably shared it with you.  If they did not, you would most likely not be Heaven-bound. 

Soul winning is the biblical way to get the message of salvation to others.  It still works today!  Have you witnessed to anyone this week?

“It has been estimated that probably 95% of all church members have never
led anyone to Christ!”

Talking Business
Author Unknown

A pastor was passing a big department store and followed a sudden impulse to go in and talk to the proprietor about his salvation.  Finding the owner, the preacher asked, “Mr. T., I’ve talked beds, carpets, and bookcases with you but never talked my business to you.  Would you give me a few minutes to do so?”

Being led to a private office, the pastor took out his New Testament and showed the man passage after passage about his duty to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour.  Finally, the tears began to roll down the man’s cheeks, and he said to the preacher, “I’m 70 years of age.  I was born in this city, and more than a hundred ministers and more than 500 hundred church officers have known me as you have in doing business with me.  You are the only one who ever spoke to me about my soul in all these years.”

What a sad commentary to the many who talked with that businessman.  Yet, many who have crossed our paths have never heard the Gospel from anyone, including us.

“Many Christians complain of the condition of the world today.  If they believed what they confessed, they would lead the lost to Christ, and then the world would be different!”

Suppose
“Suppose”, A tract from the Great Commission Prayer League

Suppose someone were to offer me a thousand dollars for every soul I might earnestly try to lead to Christ.  Would I endeavor to lead more souls to Him than I am endeavoring to do now for the money?  Is my love of money stronger than my love of God or souls…?

“I cared not where or how I lived or what hardships I went through so that I could gain souls to Christ.  While I was asleep, I dreamed of these things, and when I awoke, the first thing I thought of was this great work.  All my desire was for the conversion of the heathen, and all my hope was in God.” — David Brainerd, Missionary to Native Americans (Early 1700s)

In This Issue:
He Made It All
Three Heavens
Back to Step One

Volume: 956     May 6, 2024
Theme: Creation

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He Made It All
Bill Brinkworth

Genesis, the book of beginnings, started with an answer to a question most have.  The popular queries are, “How did life start?  How did all the first plants and animals get here?  Where did we come from?”

Many try to explain the Earth and its origins with their logic.  The explanations go from “a star blew up, and that is how it all started.”  Others offer, “Chemicals got together and over millenniums changed the form accidentally to a more complicated lifeform, then over billions of years developed into the plants, animals, and people we have today.

In 1806, Professor Lyell claimed that 80 geological theories were “hostile” to the Scripture account at the time.  There are far more today.

All the opinions have no proof to explain the theories.  Scrutinizing those explanations soon reveals no credibility for any of those suppositions.  A lot of speculation and assumptions fill the gaps where proof is non-existent.

God knew we would wonder about our origin and ensured that mankind would have accurate answers to our questions.  All that is on the Earth was not here by millions of accidents.  Simple life forms did not evolve into more complex beings.  God created it all!

The Bible documents the beginning of Earth and all that resides on it.  One can read how God created all that we are and see.  He did it all in six days, not billions of years that current “science” claims.  Genesis One explains it all:

Day One: In the beginning, the Earth was dark and without shape.  By God’s words, the dark and shapeless mass was lit up.  Although He created day and night at this point, there was no sun or moon to give that light.  (Genesis 1:2-5)

Day Two: The Earth was surrounded by water.  On that day, God separated the Earth from the waters.  He called the dividing space a firmament (the heaven where birds, clouds… are found).   (Gen.  1:6-8)

Day Three: On that day, God separated the waters under the sky further.  That division revealed dry land whereplant life He created thrived.  (Gen.  1:9-13)

Day Four: In the heavens, God created the sun to give light in the day and the moon to provide light at night.  It was on this day He also made the stars.  (Gen.  1:14:-19)

Day Five: On the fifth day, God created life in the waters, including the whales and all birds.(Gen.  1:20-23)

Day Six: Now, Earth was able to support animal and humanlife by the sixth day.  There was water, breathable air, and food to support the animals and man He created.  (Gen.  1:24-31)

Although there are numerous theories about how Earth and all on it came into existence, all the ideas boil down to two ideas.  J. Vernon McGee defined them as speculation and creation.

”Speculation” encompasses all the theories, none of which have solid proof.  How can people know how it all began?  They were not there.  Besides, the theories change from day to day, person to person, and few agree with each other.

Even inventions that supposedly measure vast amounts of time can not be trusted, as no one knows for sure how accurate they are.  How old would man’s machine declare a rock on the first day it was made?  It takes faith in mankind to believe what is claimed to have occurred, which is not very reassuring and reliable.

Creation also takes faith to believe.  However, that trust is in what God had Moses pen.  Our Creator was there at the beginning and He knows better than man’s speculations. 

A whole world of understanding becomes clear and makes sense with simple faith in what God says happened.  God said it, so believe it!

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.  3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Heb 11:1-3

Three Heavens
J. Vernon McGee

God called the firmament Heaven.  This is not heaven as you and I think of it.  Actually, three heavens are mentioned in Scripture.

The Lord Jesus spoke of the birds of heaven, which I think is the heaven mentioned in Genesis 1:8.  Then, there are the stars of heaven, meaning the second heaven.  The third heaven is where God dwells.  So, the first layer up there is the deck where the clouds are and where the birds fly.

Back to Step One
Bill Brinkworth

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis.  1:1

STEP ONE: “Let me understand, you believe that all living things on Earth started when two chemicals somehow got together and changed into something more advanced?  That life changed or evolved into something more complex and developed?”

“Yes, basically, that is what happened over millions of years?”

“Hmm.  So, these chemicals got together after many accidents and failures and finally became an advanced combination of some more developed type?  Then how did it duplicate itself?”

“Well, it had to start all over again.”

STEP TWO: “So after, say 100,000 years of ‘accidents’ and returning to STEP ONE, these chemicals finally produced, by chance, a more advanced compound that duplicated itself.  Then the next step would be for this ‘duplicating chemical’ to create another advancement like the ability to sense something that may be a danger to itself, like direct sunlight that could dry it out, or heat that could kill it.”

“Something like that.  It makes sense.”

“So, let’s think this out logically.  After failing to develop a system in this chemical to protect itself, it had to keep returning to STEP TWO for 100’s of thousands of years before this ‘chemical’ finally got it right by accident.  Finally, there was a chemical that could duplicate itself and protect itself from something before something in its environment killed it.  Perhaps this developing chemical had to start all over and return to STEP ONE.

“So now to develop into something more advanced, say a motion like rolling or swimming, it would take a whole bunch of 100’s of thousands of years for this duplicating, self-protecting compound, after returning to STEP THREE, to be able to move.”

“Well, those 100’s of thousands of years may have been millions of years, they say.”

“Oh, I see, so it was probably much longer to get to STEP THREE.  I just used 100’s of thousands to make the number smaller so I could somehow grasp your theory.  By the way, is there any proof of these improvements or transitions?”

“No, I don’t believe there are any.  There are just intelligent people’s suppositions and theories.”

“Hmm.  This basic starting block had to have more developments, like feeding itself, recognition, and senses.  So conservatively, that is three more important functions, chemical changes, and a lot of returning to STEP FOUR, FIVE, SIX, and maybe even back to STEP ONE.  So, using conservative numbering, we’re up to about one million years.  Then this ‘accidental’ chemical would eventually progress into a living organism with 100’s of thousands of cells, bodily, and chemical functions added to it.  That would put us conservatively at 11,000,000 years, again using my 100,000 years as a base.

“Then if this creature, by chance and a whole lot of ‘visits’ to STEPs ONE through 100,000 were to develop into a more advanced creature, it would have more bodily functions such as cell reproduction, nerves, white cells to fight infection, chemical transportation of hundreds of chemicals, more senses, maybe some organs and glands, reproduction of tissues and all chemicals/hormones involved, brain development with its millions of cells and functions, memorization, blood and all its functions, ability to break down and disperse food to the body, and an ability to reproduce this organism that is actually like itself.   This creature would conservatively have 100’s of thousands more functions.  So after 100,000 ‘trips’ back to at least STEP 1000, plus all the original returns to previous STEPS, that would perhaps put it at 11,012,000,000 (11 billion+) years to develop.

“Then this species would supposedly change into other forms.  I don’t think anybody knows how many intermediary steps there would have to be with at least 100,000 improvements.  Say it were only five steps until it developed into a man.  That would put man’s evolving to around 50 billion)years.

“Now the human body has easily 100’s of thousands of other functions including hair growth, thousands of enzymes that control chemical and other functions, cell growth and reproduction, advanced organs, memory, sight, hearing, taste, muscles, billions of cells, millions of nerves, food consumption, fighting off more diseases, glands, layers of skins, healing abilities for most parts of the body, ability to reproduce with a male or female, …..  So that human ‘step’ would easily be another 10 billion years.  That would put us at 60 billion years — roughly.

“Oh, my word.  And if something went wrong, a disease, or accidental death, or inability to handle something in the environments development of man would have to go back to STEP ONE again and start all over for another 60 billion years.”

“Well, there’s no real proof of all these steps you said, but it makes sense.”

“And there is no proof for evolutionists’ assumptions or theories?  Hmm.  But officially, they claim man is between 2.4 and 7 million years old, of which there is no actual proof of any chemical, tissue, bodily developments of the human body and other transitionary phases (except for a few fragments of bone and certainly not even a complete skull or skeleton).  Let’s not forget that mutations of an organism, which is what they are saying have happened to the different parts of the body, have never been known to reproduce themselves. 

Also, trusting that all this happened to develop into man denies many scientific laws, such as the First and Second Law of Thermodynamics.  The Theory of Evolution is man’s idea, and not too many of these ‘scientists’ can agree with each other’s theories of how we got here without God’s intervention.  In addition, there is no proof of all these ideas.

“Man alive.  Sooo, if anyone believes any of this, they have to have a lot of faith in men’s notions.  One that believes this ‘Theory of Evolution’ laughs in the face of real science and must have more faith to believe this fairy tale than anyone I have ever met!”

My “scientific,” evolution-believing acquaintance got very quiet and had a very glazed look.

“Believing God’s explanation of His creation makes more sense, answers thousands of man’s questions, and is more scientific than man’s “science.”

In This Issue:
Listening for the Trumpet
“Hold the Fort for I am Coming!”
Fault Finding
The Christian’s Ruby Ring

Volume: 955     April 29, 2024
Theme: Assorted

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Listening for the Trumpet
Bill Brinkworth

“… 14 For if we believe Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord….” I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Hundreds of biblical prophecies have been fulfilled.  In I Thessalonians 4, there is one mentioned that will be the next to be fulfilled.  In the last two thousand years, millions have awaited that event (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).  It is the great catching up of the dead in Christ and the living Christians (I Thessalonians 4:16- 17).

The Greek word for “caught up” (I Thessalonians 4:17) is “harpazō,” and it means “to catch away, to seize, pluck, pull, and take by force” (Noah Webster, 1828).  It is very similar to the English word “rapture,” which means “transport, seizing away.” Although “rapture” is not used in the preserved King James text, this futuristic happening is often referred to by that name.

When the Lord shouts, the archangel’s voice is sounded, God’s trumpet will be blown, and the rapture will occur (I Thessalonians 4:16).  The first to ascend will be the dead in Christ.  Those that have trusted Christ as Saviour and died will be called up.  Their souls are already joined with him (II Corinthians. 5:8, Ecclesiastes. 12:7) as a soul never dies, but the body sleeps (I Thessalonians 4:14), awaiting its wake-up call by the rapture’s heavenly summoning.

The second group to meet the Lord in the air will be living Christians.  Before the tribulation’s terrible events occur, somewhere after Revelation 4:1, many Christians will be called up without dying.  No one knows when this catching away will occur (Matthew. 24:36).  It could be today.  It could be tomorrow or twenty years from now, but it will happen; God promised!

If the heavenly trumpet were blown to call the living saved from this world, are you sure you would be called home to Heaven?  It will be a terrible time when many well-intentioned, good-deeders and many religious-but-lost discover the heavenly call did not summon them.  It will be too late for those that have already heard God’s message and have rejected it.  What a frightful time it will be when the prophesied wrath of God is finally poured out on Earth to give those that have never heard the Gospel message a chance to turn to Christ for salvation.

If you are not sure you will go up during the catching away, make sure of your transport “ticket” today.  Admit your sinnership, and trust Christ’s death on the cross as the only payment for your sins.  If you do, then you may be one of many that will hear the heavenly trumpet sound its victory call to Christians one day soon.

“Hold the Fort, for I am Coming!”
D. L. Moody

I am told that when General Sherman went through Atlanta towards the sea, he left a few men in the fort at the Kennesaw Mountains to guard some rations that he brought there.  General Hood got into the outer rear and attacked the fort, driving the men in from the outer works into the inner works.  For a long time, the battle raged fearfully.

Half of the men were either killed or wounded.  The general, who was in command, was wounded seven different times.  When they were about ready to run up the white flag and surrender the fort, Sherman got within fifteen miles.  Through the signal corps on the mountain, he sent the message, “Hold the fort; I am coming.  W. T. Sherman.”   That message fired up their hearts, and they held the fort until reinforcements came, and the fort did not go into the hands of their enemies.

Mr. Bliss wrote a hymn entitled “Hold the Fort for I am coming.”  We must hold our “fort” and not give up serving the Lord.  Our Saviour is in command, and He is coming.

Ho!  My comrades, see the signal
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing.
Victory is nigh!
Chorus: “Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”

See the mighty hosts advancing,
Satan leading on;
Mighty men around us falling.
Courage almost gone.
Chorus: “Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”

See the glorious banner waving.
Hear the bugle blow.
In our Leader’s name we’ll triumph
Over every foe.
Chours: “Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”

Fierce and long the battle rages,
But our Help is near;
Onward comes our Great Commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!
Chours: “Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”

“Don’t shoot the rescuers if you are on a sinking ship!”  — Author Unknown

Fault Finding
J. West

Napoleon said that the man who never makes a mistake makes war.  Those who content themselves with standing aloof from revival and temperance work and devote their energies to pointing out the errors and blunders of those in the struggle are making themselves the greatest blunders.  Nothing is easier than fault-finding.  No talent, self-denial, brains, or character are required to set up in that grumbling business.

“In judging and criticizing our brethren, we meddle with that which does not belong to us.  We have enough work to do at home, and if we must judge, let us exercise our faculty upon our own hearts and ways.  —  Henry

The Christian’s Ruby Ring
Spurgeon

A king once gave a ring to his favorite subject.  He said to him, “I know that tomorrow, a charge of heresy will be brought against you.  Answer them if you will when you come in, but you need be in no fear.  If you are in trouble, simply show them the ring, and they will go no further.  The accusation will be dropped.”

It is even so with us.  The Lord has given us the precious blood of Christ to be like a ruby ring upon our finger.  When accusations bother our conscience or guilt is laid on us by Satan, we have only to remember that Christ’s sacrifice covers all our sins.  Our accusations should then be behind us.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

“Trust Christ, and you shall live.  The bloody sacrifice of Calvary is the only hope of sinners.”  — C. H. Spurgeon

In This Issue:
Devoted Workers Needed!
So Gread A Heritage

Volume: 952     April 8, 2024
Theme: Stand and Serve

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Devoted Workers Needed!
Bill Brinkworth

It has been a challenging, exciting 43+ years of being saved and serving the Lord.  During that time, there were many battles and sacrifices to preserve righteousness, souls saved from Hell, and society had some protection from many sinful influences.

Men and women quit high-paying jobs to teach the youth in Christian schools.  Often, many worked at the schools for minimum pay or nothing.  Christian education and to keep many from worldly false teachings were important in the minds of those believers.

Many who pioneered the Christian school movement went to jail rather than close their ministry.  Hosts of young people were saved in those outreaches, and worldly, godless philosophies were kept from our precious future, our youth.  Despite the world’s attempts to stop the schools, many grew and saturated their communities with God’s truths.  Lives were changed, and some areas dealt with less violence and sin that scarred many neighborhoods.

Preachers stood boldly behind pulpits and exposed false religious doctrines and preached God’s Word truths.  They stood bravely against sin, which so many were involved in, and were a tremendous influence to many. 

Many rebelled against those church leaders and did all they could to stop biblical teachings and those exposing unrighteousness.  However, those who endured criticism and challenges often saw miraculous changes in many lives.

Ministries grew to reach as many as possible.  Some outreached into dangerous neighborhoods and put themselves and their families in unpleasant situations so that the needy sinners could hear the saving words from God.  Multitudes turned their lives over to Him, resulting in them being changed and improved citizens.

Some surrendered all to go to foreign and domestic mission fields.  Most faced tremendous opposition.  Many faced dangers, diseases, and even death,  Still, those unsung heroes went and stayed and made great improvements in so many lives.!

Others got involved in their local government to stop the spread of ungodly practices.  They, too, faced great opposition and chastisement.  Still, they kept on despite the trials they endured.

Many of those who sacrificed what this world had to offer for what God would have them do are now fading off the scene.  Disease and age are silencing their great voices that once changed lives, helped those who had little hope, rebuilt families and relationships, and taught godly principles.

However, as their voices are no longer heard and many are going to their heavenly reward, I wonder who will pick up the burdens of those who no longer can?  Where are those who will carry the torch that will illuminate the future world with godly, biblical messages and proper lifestyles?  Who will fill the voids left by those that no longer can serve?

Some still obey their convictions and endure opposition so that others can hear God’s message.  However, their numbers are dwindling.  Even fewer are those who know what God’s Word commands and fewer are those who do not obey what they are shown to be His way.

Many church leaders who should stand for God’s Word, ways, and truths are not.  The populace’s cry to halt convicting messages, to stop preaching against sin, not to go door-to-door soul-winning, and to do what everyone else is doing sways them from standing against unrighteousness. 

Their message may be comfortable to sinners’ ears, but God’s truths are no longer pounded from many pulpits.  Biblical truths and practices are often ridiculed and taught to be false and unnecessary today.  Thus, few convictions against unrighteousness are experienced among churchgoers.  Outreaches are limited.  Workers are fewer, and communites succumb to the wiles and ways of ungodly, unbridled behavior.

Rarer are those ministries that see the damage done by worldly public school education and support or create Christian schools.  Many, including church leaders, send their children to public schools falsely believing that “I will teach them what is right at home, and they will know better than falling for the worldly teachings in the government schools.”

Children are saturated with propaganda about threatening global destruction, how they have rights to do whatever they want, and that “right” is whatever they think it should be.  Few hear how there is a God that can change any situation, loves them, and has great plans for them if they will only trust, obey, and follow His way.

Few surrender to serve and live for the Lord.  Worldly excuses justify their not filling in the gaps from aged, ailing servants of God.

“Why,  I need more money than the ministry offers.  It must not be God’s will for me to work in the ministry full time.”  The faith to trust God’s provision is missing in their life.  God met the needs of ministry predecessors.  He can do it today if people will only trust Him.

“I can’t teach that Sunday school class.  The kids are so rowdy.”  Those people, too, are not relying on the power God gives to those who do His will.

“Go soul-winning.  No way.  I don’t know what to say, and it could be dangerous going into some neighborhoods and homes.”  All have had to battle the same fear of speaking to strangers about salvation and God’s will and way.  However, they went, and God’s grace and protection were sufficient as they will be for those who will go now!

“Ride a Sunday school bus to bring children to church?  Not me.  I work all week and need to have some time to myself.” The bus workers of the past also had to sacrifice their time, but because of their volunteering, millions came to churches and were saved.

This world desperately needs another generation of convicted, concerned, and courageous believers.  Who will step to the front and stand for God’s righteousness?  Whoever you are, please start now.  The world must hear God’s Word’s saving and life-altering news today.  Who will go and tell?
“And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?  And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” Acts 8:31

“What about all the lost souls around you?  They have an eternity.  Please show them how to go to Heaven!  You may be their only hope in knowing God’s way!”  — Bill Brinkworth

So Great A Heritage
Bill Brinkworth

Christians today, both in America and worldwide, have so much for which to be grateful.  Our faith, Bible, doctrines, and freedoms were obtained at high prices paid by our Christian predecessors.  It cost many their lives and much suffering, yet we take for granted what believers of the past had to pay dearly for and place little value on our godly heritage.

Believers should not be surprised if they face persecution, as their namesake, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, also received much.  His righteousness and exposing of false teachings were so grievous to the followers of man-made worship that they ensured our Saviour was beaten, ridiculed, mocked, and eventually nailed to a cross.  If God allowed His Son not to escape the world’s wrath and hatred for the things of God, Christians should also expect it.
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you….” John 15:19-20

We get upset if someone jokes about our faith or scoffs at us.  Most of us today have little understanding of what Christians before us suffered for their beliefs.  Here are some reminders of the sacrifices and suffering early Christians faced for their faith and godly lifestyles:

Millions of men, women, and children died for their faith in the past.  The walls of Rome’s catacombs and other hidden places reveal how many lived and died in fear of being caught and tortured for their beliefs.  Many had to worship in secret places for fear of being killed or imprisoned for attending a church service.  

Landmark Baptist College’s (Haines City, FL) collection of ancient Bibles has a Bible with fire-scorched pages.  It was plucked out of the flames that burned its owner.  A saint of the past refused to denounce his faith in Christ and His Word, and the man was burnt to death.  Today, his Bible is preserved as a reminder of what Christ and His Word meant to some and how many died for reading or living God’s way.

With the freedom that most have today, many professing Christians do not live for Christ, let alone die for Him.  It is easy to attend a nearby church, yet countless excuses are given by those not attending. 

Most households contain at least one copy of the Word of God.  However, few have bothered to read it.  Baptistries are now heated and always available, yet few follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.  Although we are quickly losing our religious freedoms in the United States, it is still possible for a believer to obey the Lord’s command and tell others how to go to Heaven, yet few do.

What does your faith in Christ mean to you?  Does God’s Word mean so much that you read it faithfully and would not sway from its teaching?  Is the price Christ paid on the cross for our salvation so precious to you that you are determined to live for Him, no matter the cost, socially or monetarily?  Are the Bible’s truths so important to you that you share them with others no matter the cost in time, money, or others’ opinions?

We are nearing an era’s end when many lived their faith in Christ and shared it with others without paying a high price.  However, because many have not stood up for their beliefs and freedoms, the ungodly are taking away those liberties.

For most of us, compared to what our predecessors have paid for their religious convictions, the cost to us has been minimal.  That fact may change shortly. 

Will you be willing to pay the price for your faith, no matter what it is?  Many say they will die for their faith, but for most of us, God only requires that we live for Him. Are you living boldly for Him today?

“If Christians do not tell the lost how to be saved from a tormenting eternity, who will?”  It is the responsibility of believers to tell others how to be saved!
                                                                                                                           — Bill Brinkworth

In This Issue:
Stay in the Henhouse
A Worldly Christian
Safe in the Ark
Get Far from Evil
The Danger of the World

Volume: 906   May 1, 2023
Theme: Separation

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Stay in the Henhouse  
Bill Brinkworth

I have endeavored to raise chickens to raise as much food as possible.  After hearing the locals tell of coyotes and seeing evidence of a fox, coupled with the knowledge of nearby black snakes, I knew that the pen and the henhouse must resist those predators.

When building their coop, I accommodated for all those dangers in the design.  Their outside run was wrapped with strong chicken wire.  Even the floor was laid with the fence material in case one of the raiders tried to gain entrance by digging in.  The wire was doubled stapled so no creature could gain entry by tearing off the covering.  Even the roof was partly covered with wire and sheet metal to keep out airborne enemies like hawks.

The house was sheathed in strong material, with even the smallest gaps eliminated, so an egg-hungry snake could not slither in.  Windows were covered with heavy screening that would keep them out and was higher than any ground predator could reach.  When finished, the house was safe for all the fowl that lived within.

Afterward, the squeaking and squawking chicks were brought into their new living quarters.  Their daily needs were met.  They got their daily food, water, and occasional kitchen waste that they devoured.  Soon, they grew and were nearing the age that they would produce eggs.

However, their behavior began to change.  They no longer fear me as I come to feed, water, and clean their living quarters.  At times, they were a bit hostile to me as I tried to feed them. 

As I left their pen or henhouse, they kept following me to get outside their protected environment.  Sometimes, as I went, they attempted to dart out to the unprotected outside.  Usually, they could be herded back into their safe environment and were discouraged from escaping. 

One morning, however, one hen managed to get out.  Fortunately, before she got too far, I was able to catch her and put her back in the safe area I had created for her.

I realize their discontentment with their secure environment and curiosity to go “outside” was very much what too many Christians spend their lives trying to do.  Instead of following God’s commandments, as preserved in the Bible, they take every opportunity to go outside God’s protection. 

The rules that they ignore, disobey, and often dislike are there for their protection.  A life within those guidelines will be safe and guarantee a closer walk with God.  A life lived outside those guidelines will be one without God’s protection and guidance and may result in hardship, unhappiness, and even destruction.  

God knows what waits “outside.”  He knows all about the luring temptations, the strangling grip of sin, and the devouring Devil that can ruin any man, woman, or child once they are outside His protection.

Man may learn God’s commandments and what God warns him not to do, but he often looks “outside.”  He sees most of the world doing things he knows he should not do. 

Often he observes that it appears that nothing happens when the world commits sin or even gets close to it.  It seems that they get away with it. 

He considers that the biblical warnings are wrong or for a different time and that now they must be okay to do, as so many appear to get away with iniquity.  (If man could follow those people’s lives and learn of all the details, he would find they did not get away with it after all!).

Mankind often lurches outside the protection God has provided.  For a short time, doing what everyone else is doing is fun.  There are no repercussions for sin or getting too close to it.

However, his life changes so slowly that he often does not see the changes that happen.  His desire to please God and obey Him is usually the first thing that is eroded, along with the fear of the consequences of getting involved in sin. 

Lack of concern for others also disappears.  What remains is a self-centered individual bent on satisfying one’s selfish desires. 

Often involvement in sin does physical damage or changes.  Again, the sinner never sees the damage exposure to the “outside” has done.

No one gets away with sin.  That is why God commands us not to get close to it, so it can never get a hold of a person.  There is a wage to iniquity’s commission.  Stay inside God’s boundaries, and you can escape the dangers that lurk “outside.”

“If we could look steadily at the world and see it as it is in the eyes of God, many of our estimates would be amazingly changed.”   — Edward Gareshe

A Worldly Christian
C. H. Spurgeon

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mat.  6:24

No man can serve God and mammon because there is not enough life in the heart to serve the two.  Alas!  Many people try this, and they fail both ways.

I have known a man who has tried to let some of his heart run into the world and another part he allowed to drip into the church.  The effect was that he was suspected of hypocrisy when he came into the church.

“Why,” they said, “if he were truly obeying the Lord, could he have done yesterday what he did and then come and profess so much today?”  Other believers look upon him suspiciously, or if he deceives them, they feel he cannot be trusted because he has not given all his heart to the Lord.

What is the effect of his conduct to the world?  Why, his religion is a constraint to him there.  Any mention of God or His commandments, especially any expression of guilt, makes the world uncomfortable around him, and they also do not trust him.

The world will not have him, and other Christians will not have him.  He wants to go between the two, and both avoid him.

“If you can get along with the world, then you are out of step with God.”
— Dr. Harold Sightler

Safe in the Ark
D. L. Moody

When the voice came down from Heaven to Noah, “… Come thou and all thy house into the ark, for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation,” there was a minute when Noah was outside the ark and another when he was inside.  By being inside, he was saved.  As long as he was outside the ark, he was exposed to the wrath of God just like the rest of the people.  

If he had stayed out and remained with the others, he would have been swept away, as they were.  It was not his righteousness.  It was not his faith or works that saved him; it was the ark.  

God has provided an ark for us (His Word), and the question is, “Are you inside or outside this ark?”  If you are inside, you are safe; if you are outside, you are not.

Get Far from Evil
Adam Clark

Abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thes. 5:22).  Sin not and avoid even the appearance of it.  Do not drive your morality so near the bounds of evil as to lead even weak persons to believe you touch, taste, or handle it.  Let not the form of it appear with or among you. 

Ye are called to holiness.  Be ye holy, for God is holy.

 “If you are saved, you are on the winning side.  Why would you want to look or act like the losing side that is headed for Hell?”

The Danger of the World
J. Mason

Beware of the world.  It has slain its millions!
What ruined Lot’s wife?  The world.
What ruined Achan?  The world.
What ruined Haman?  The world.
What ruined Judas?  The world.
What ruined Demas?  The world.
What will ruin you?  The world.
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mat.  16:26