Body of Christ

The Apostle Paul is the only one who uses the term “Body of Christ” to refer to the “Church” in the New Testament, 1 Cor. 12:27; Rom. 12:5; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:15-16. Did you know that? Check it out... you won’t find it anywhere else. The word “church” in the Greek New Testament is ekklesia. It does not mean the building on Main Street. It means an assembly of called out people. Israel in the wilderness under Moses is referred to by Stephen in Acts 7:38 as “the church in the wilderness” ...a people CALLED OUT of Egypt (the world).

The Doctrine of Original Sin

The doctrine of original sin is a humbling truth revealed in scripture. It declares that every human being, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, enters the world in a state of sin inherited from Adam, our first father. This is not merely a matter of copying Adam's example, but of sharing in his corrupted nature from the moment of our conception.

Vessels of Wrath

In case you don’t know the scope of change the radical left wants to impose on us, here is a short but fatal list:
Eliminate the Supreme Court; Trash the Electoral College; Do away with the U.S. Senate.
The list is much longer, which includes banning Christianity, but I don’t want to impose on anyone who doesn’t care, so, we won't get into that one.

The Inevitable

So many people are nervous and apprehensive about the upcoming elections and, indeed, fearful of the collapse of this nation. Perhaps we should prepare for the inevitable!? 

Feeding The Sheep, or Amusing The Goats?

 ~Archibald Brown 

“A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon

An evil is in the “professed” camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most short-sighted Christian can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years this evil has developed at an alarming rate. It has worked like leaven, until the whole lump ferments!

The Gospel

What is the Gospel?
The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Rom. 1:16
...and I am not ashamed.

Gracious Speech

Gracious speech is a concept deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the importance of speaking with kindness, wisdom, and love. The Bible frequently addresses the power of words and the impact they can have on both the speaker and the listener. Gracious speech is characterized by its ability to edify, encourage, and reflect the character of Christ.

Let Your Light Shine

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16 






Many of us read that verse and zero in on “good works.” We want to see “good works” from them (the holier than thou people) but a studious breakdown of the verse reveals much more.

Spiritual – Eternal – Carnal – Temporal

Four concepts contrast the fleeting, physical nature of earthly life with the unending, divine nature of the soul. Together, they form a framework to guide believers in prioritizing lasting spiritual growth over temporary physical desires. The distinctions break down into two main pairs:

We Live Unto The Lord?

We live unto the Lord, Rom. 14:8

“If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, He might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once.

The Great God Entertainment

The only power God recognizes in His Church, is the power of His Spirit. Whereas the only power actually recognized today by the majority of evangelicals, is the power of man. God does His work by the operation of the Spirit; while Christian leaders attempt to do theirs, by the power of entertainment. Bright personality has taken the place of the Spirit's influence. But only what is done through the Holy Spirit will abide eternally.

A Christian’s Perspective on Christmas

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is GIVEN (John 3:16); and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

And Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.”

Christ the Word

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word...
We could spend, at least, the rest of the day on this very short first part of this verse.
“Word” here, Logos, is from the Greek, and in a few words means: thought (or reason), and (expressed) word. Think of it as that which is not seen (being thought or mind), and that which is manifest (as in, spoken or revealed)... God Who is Spirit manifest in Jesus in the flesh. (which we read later in verse 14, the Word was  made flesh.) It is what “incarnate” means; “made flesh, or embody with flesh.” The word incarnate is not, to my knowledge, found in scripture.

Water for the Thirsty

In my morning email of devotions, I received this from out of the Spurgeon Library...
"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." Isaiah 44:3

The rule of establishing “context” compels me to read surrounding text, passages, and/or the entire chapter (at least). This is what verses 1-6 say...

Corinthian Letter

Why is the letter to the Corinthian church important for us today?

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is a critical letter for us today in that we, the corporate church like the Corinthians, are carnal and worldly. Whereas we should be growing up into Christ (maturing), most have remained “babes” to the extent that we can’t even “walk” right yet as we should. After years of church attendance, Bible reading, conferences, and retreats... we still need the “milk” because we can’t handle the “meat.” Without the “meat” we do not grow strong. Living on just the “milk” we remain part of a vast nursery. (https://ourdivineportion.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-vast-nursery.html)

Why Is It?

 Why Is it?
~Arthur Pink, 1886-1952

Psalm 36:1, "An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes!"

Why is it, that today the masses are so utterly unconcerned about spiritual and eternal things, and that they are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God? Why is it that defiance of God is becoming more open, more blatant, more daring? The answer is, because "There is no fear of God before their eyes!" Romans 3:18

G O D

The WHOLE Bible is about GOD! Many, many Christians, down through time, have become “Jesus” worshippers to the exclusion of God the Father, especially during and after the “hippie” era. I lived through it. Some would say, “Yes, but they generated interest in Jesus.” Yes they did... some good, but a lot bad. Bad because it was from a wrong perspective and motive. The “Jesus” movement took away from God. But that’s another sermon.

Sound Doctrine

(J.C. Ryle, 1879) published by Grace Gems 

1 Timothy 6:3, "The doctrine which is according to godliness . . ." 

Sound doctrine is useless--if it is not accompanied by a holy life! It is my firm impression that we need a thorough revival of Scriptural holiness. I have had a deep conviction for many years, that practical holiness and consecration to God are not sufficiently attended to by modern Christians. Worldliness has eaten out the heart of vital piety in too many of us. The subject of personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background. The standard of Christian living has become painfully low in many quarters.

A Fundamental Problem

Through a recent exchange of “semantics” I believe I have just had a revelation of a fundamental problem within the Christian church as a whole. It is that we do NOT submit to the Truth of the Word of God. Duh!
Why not?

Lord and God

A reality of the Old Testament was God’s dealings with the Hebrews. Beginning with calling out one man, Abraham who was called out of the race of men, since there was not yet a “race” of Jews. God worked to bring about a righteous holy people for Himself who would (should) evangelize the world. We’ve all heard the phrase “the best laid plans of mice and men” and in this case God too... “do often go astray.” Yes, indeed! But God is not surprised or foiled... all part of the plan.