November 10, 2024

Has anyone ever told you that you were born with a God sized hole in your heart? The hole is the void left over when sin first separated man from God. This isn’t a birth defect, and no doctor can cure it for you. There is danger in seeking treatment for this condition in the wrong places. Recently, everywhere we turned there were people screaming about the election as they so often do in an election cycle. This person is that, that person is this. Everyone claimed the other side was bad or worse and the name calling between the sides has gotten progressively worse as time goes on. The rhetoric of community division and hatred of one another has reached a sickening level.

There is one theme, however that people on both sides embrace: My candidate is the savior. Of what? Democracy, personal liberty, health, reproductive rights, civil rights, happiness, humanity are a few examples everyone throws around. Let’s rewind those sentiments. My candidate is the savior? We the people put our hopes and dreams in the outcome of an election? That sounds an awful lot like hero worship. It is putting God second. It is filling that God size hole with something other than God.

When Jesus said render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s he was referring to a coin with Caesar’s face on it but it doesn’t stop there. If Caesar wants it Caesar can have it if he can take it. Caesar can even take physical life but he doesn’t have the power to take an eternal soul. No one, not even Satan himself can take a soul because souls can’t be taken. Souls can only be given. An eternal soul can’t be given to Caesar because Caesar is not eternal. He may think he is from time to time but death comes for us all including Caesar.

If Caesar can’t take our soul then how can he save it?

If we can’t fill the God size hole in our hearts with Caesar then how about drugs? Alcohol? Celebrity? Sex? Cars? Gossip? Food? I know Baptists love a good pot-luck but neither food nor fellowship can fill a hole that big either. Sometimes that hole can feel small but if it’s not filled with God and instead filled by something else it will grow and still not be filled completely up. If you use drugs to fill that hole there will never be enough drugs. Nor will there be enough sex, food or salacious gossip.

The only thing big enough to fill that hole is God. This is because when that hole grows and needs more there is always more God to fill it. The beautiful thing about filling that hole with God is that no matter how big that hole gets there is always more God to fill it. That’s how you know it is a God size hole. No matter how big that hole gets it is always filled to the brim and overflowing with God.

September 29, 2024

How many who walk among us proclaim that they are Christians because they believe in God? Hundreds? Millions? Billions?
I tell you that God isn’t something you believe in. Satan himself will tell you that he believes in God. That doesn’t mean that he will enter eternity in Heaven. We can’t conceptualize and build our faith in something as shallow as the simple belief that God exists.

Christ died on the cross for the lost which is everyone everywhere for all time. The big step toward salvation is the acceptance that Christ died on the cross as a Holy sacrifice to take the burden of all sin upon himself. To accept that sacrifice on our behalf is the foundation of salvation. I ask you, is that enough? We can refer to the example of the thief on the cross and say, yes. However, we must also remember that in Matthew 7 Christ himself says “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Belief isn’t the statement I believe in God.  That statement can get in the way. True belief and what that actually means is the most difficult commitment one can make. It is dying to yourself and the world in order to be born again in Christ. It means the bearing of the cross. To not just believe in God but to henceforth dedicate your life to service in the image put forth by Christ.

September 8, 2024

Key Bible Verses About Blasphemy

And the Israelite women’s son blasphemed the Name and Cursed. Then they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, of the tribe of Dan. (Leviticus 24:11)
Then they secretly sought men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” (Acts 6:11)
And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, (Matthew 12:32)
But whomever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin (Mark 3:29)

Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost refers to stating Christ’s miracles, performed by the Holy Spirit, to be of Satan. It means to accuse Jesus of being demon-posessed.

September 2, 2024

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.
Colossians 3:23-24

September 1, 2024

The truth about Satan.
He has fallen.
He is always a liar.
He is controlled and limited by the powers of God.
He is already doomed for eternity.

September 2024
Encourager

Challenge:

Memorize the following two passages this month!

Psalm 100
Hebrews 1:1-3

August 18, 2024

Beware he who has all of the answers.

We live in a world full of experts. When we see bugs in the house we call someone. When our car is broken there is someone to take it to. What ever illness may plague us there is a specialist doctor for that too. Being these kinds of experts takes training and experience and we feel comfortable trusting their knowledge and hoping everything to turn out ok.

We are so used to turning to experts that it is easy to turn everything over to an expert. How then do you know who to turn something over to? Lawyers and doctors have degrees. Mechanics have certifications. Exterminators have licenses. Does that mean they know everything there is to know in their field? Most definitely not. You can trust that they know enough to do their job but you can’t trust them to know everything that is possible to be known. Only a fool will think they know everything. I know a really good mechanic but I wouldn’t trust him to perform heart surgery. I know a good carpenter but would I call him to represent me in court? Well, it depends on which carpenter and what court.

Turn on your TV or open up your phone and you can’t escape the sea of politicians and pundits pretending that they are experts on everything worth being an expert on. They say they should be trusted because they are on TV or some website and their motto is trust me. I don’t know about you but I would trust these people the least. There are no high held degrees, certifications or licenses to be found to tell you what quality of service you are going to get. About the only one you can trust will will be the one to say to a question they truly don’t know the answer, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out and get back to you about it.” No one is going to say that because it would be career suicide even if by saying it they prove to be the most honest and trustworthy in the room.

The sad truth is that we can’t trust anyone who has all the answers; and we shouldn’t. Except maybe that one carpenter in that one courtroom.

August 18, 2024

2 Corinthians 4:18
Why the Jews did not believe in Christ the Messiah.
He did not complete all prophecies of the Messiah.
He did not deal with their enemies in Wrath.
He did not follow traditions like the Sabbath.
He did not love God by saying He was God.
He did not appear as a Messiah.
They looked for a rich, powerful beautiful Messiah.
He did not exalt the Temple properly for a Messiah.

August, 2024
Encourager

Biblical Descriptions of Hell
Hell is:

• A lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)
• A Devouring fire. (Isaiah 33:14)
• A bottomless pit. (Revelation 20:1)
• Everlasting burning. (Isaiah 33:14)
• A furnace of fire. (Matthew 12:41-42)
• A place of torment. (Luke 16:23)
• A place of filthiness. (Revelation 22:11)
• A place where they can never repent. (Matthew 12:32)
• A place of everlasting punishment. (Matthew 25:45)
• A place they do not want their loved ones to go. (Luke 16:28)
• A place of murderers and liars. (Revelation 21:8)

July 28, 2024

Beware the Parasite

A parasite can be defined as someone or something that lives in or on a host and steals the nourishment from that host. They attach to something that is living giving no thought or effort to how their presence will damage that which allows them to live. Instead, parasites often absorb so much from the host that the host dies and the parasite can continue to live on the corpse until all benefit is used up.

We see this in nature from the ticks and worms that invade our pets to blites that kill our gardens and trees. We see this in institutions like education and governments where through greed or personal fulfillment the parasite will coopt resources, turn the goals and values of the organization against itself and celebrate in the destruction they cause. We see this in Churches where leaders fail their flocks with bad example. Where the preached word from the pulpits undermines the message of Christ and leads the congregation away from the straight and narrow.

As Christians we face a minefield of parasitical activity in the Church. Luther stood against corruption in the Roman Catholic Church primarily concerned with the abuse of the practice of indulgences where one could buy additional favor for themselves or their loved ones both living and dead by purchasing trinkets or time with holy relics which were declared to ease guilt and punishment for worldly transgressions. Luther argued that if Christ would reduce the burden of guilt through monetary donation and works like prayer and good deeds why wouldn’t he do it out of love for his followers alone.

In practice, the message became an expectation for contributions to the Church. Favor in the eyes of Christ could be purchased for something of value and the grift of the Church gave priority to this favor over true conversion and repentance called for by the teachings of Christ. This was not a phenomenon isolated to the Middle Ages when Luther came to play a key role in the Protestant Reformation but plagues churches the world over today where obedience is the method to favor and not the result of gratitude.

From pulpits across the land declarations are made that only lead the lost further astray. As Christians, we are called to be disciples of Christ, mini-Christs among a fallen world. We work in ministry, contributing time, money and effort to further these causes because we are called to be obedient in gratitude for the sacrifice Christ made for us on the Cross. The teachings of Christ are simple and straightforward. We must be as vigilant in guarding against the corrupt teachings of parasites in the Church, in other institutions, in our animals and gardens because good fruits only grow from healthy organisms.

July 21, 2024

Faithful:

Polycarp mentor of the apostle John faced a mob of Atheists crying for his death. With a sigh he looked up toward heaven. He said, away with the Atheists! They pressed harder, take an oath and revile Christ. Polycarp answered, 86 years I have served Christ and He has never done me wrong; how, can I deny Him now my King and my Savior. They took him and burned him to death, in which he praised Jesus all the while.

July 14, 2024

You can’t take a short flip through the pages and channels featuring current events and not be flooded with messages from all sides channeling hatred for others be they strangers, cousins, brothers and sisters or husbands and wives. The simple and clear message seems to be hate everyone.

This country was founded on Christian principles in hopes of a brighter and more prosperous future for anyone willing to seek it. It was founded and defended by those who would see the best in people. Who would look past faults and find common ground in uncommon times. Those with courage to stand together when the great divider tries to break the foundations of what has been and will be built.

Hope and love are two guiding principles which it seems are lacking in popular narrative. Today we stand at the edge of the abyss. It is said as a cautionary proverb to not stare into that abyss because the abyss stares back. When we allow ourselves to inch closer and collectively peek over the edge all manner of evil is waiting for an allowance of entry into our soul.

It is only with the strength of the Lord that we can find the courage and ability to stand against the evil of the abyss. The individual is strong, two are stronger than one. A dozen are stronger still. How about thousands? Millions?

Imagine a world where millions of people can stand together in hope and love as brothers and sisters who can put away petty differences and unite in strength.

In these turbulent times we pray for calm and goodness. We pray for the best in people, in humanity and in hope and love for one another.

We pray these things because we are called to stand strong against the crashing of the violent seas. If we fill out hearts and our minds with hope and love for ourselves and each other there will be no room found for evil when it seeks to enter.

I pray for the Lord’s peace to be upon us all and that we may have hope in the days to come. Hope that brings love. Love that brings peace.

July 4, 2024

July, 2024
Encourager

God’s Solution to Freedom
Justification: Totally forgiven and free. Totally pleasing to God and fearless.
Reconciliation: Totally received by God. No fear of rejection (put downs, shaming, criticism have no power.)
Propitiation: Totally loved by God whose son took all our punishment. (Because of that truth now we practice not punishing others.)
Regeneration: Totally new in Christ. Totally pain and shame free. Joy fills our hearts and peace fill our minds.

 

June 23, 2024

Are you a part of the in crowd? Are you an outcast? Are you adrift and seeking comfort and rest? Are you sure footed and stable in your daily walk?

In 1883 Poet Emma Lazarus wrote The New Colossus which was cast into bronze and attached to the Statue of Liberty. It reads:

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Many look to the hope in opportunity of freedoms promised. The inscription may be aligned with the foundation of this great nation but just as we pledge one nation under God let it not be lost that the words of that poem also align with the spirit of relationship with God. The church is not a place but a community of all who are brought together by the truth that as we accept the sacrifice of Christ we become brothers and sisters; children of the one and only God.

God’s family is built exclusively from the fallen. In Romans 3 beginning in verse 10 Paul reminds us that no one is above anyone else because we have all fallen short of the expectations of God. Our only redemption is that we are made equal through the blood of Christ the Savior. That salvation extends to everyone who accepts that sacrifice.

In Micah 4:6-7 it is said that God will gather together His people and will lift them up as one.

“In that day,” declares the Lord,
“I will assemble the lame
And gather the outcasts,
Even those whom I have afflicted.
I will make the lame a remnant
And the outcasts a strong nation,
And the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion
From now on and forever.”

Throughout the world and throughout history Satan uses a big lie to drive wedges between anyone who would come to God. That lie is that there is someone called “other.” If you can “other” someone it opens the door to hate. Hate through this process is the vehicle for all types of  evil. Never forget this is just a lie. There is no separation in the community of Christ as it is said in Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

There is only one divide: The lost and the found. There are those whom God has welcomed into his family and those he wishes would come so they can be welcomed too. There is no room there for “others” because one decision, one act is all that stands between the people we are and the people we were. Only one thing stands between who we are and who we can be. Only one thing that stands between the lost and the found: the acceptance of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul in 1 John 4:7 pleads with us: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” Paul goes on in verse 10: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

The takeaway is this: That all are welcome in the community of Christ. All who accept the sacrifice of Christ’s blood are cleansed and are made equal. God loves His children and there is no room in His kingdom for hate. We are called to act as Christians to be little Christs and act in his image. The image of love.

June 9, 2024

As the seasons change a new stage of life upon us. The flowers are blooming from the rains that nourish the earth, the critters are emerging from their rest and looking to the future with bright eyes and hope for a productive season. So too, many among us are entering into their own new stage of life. They are going into the future bright with prospect and hope of a blessed new season.

It can be easy to overlook the change in season as only an end. Yet, every season that ends brings a new beginning. New beginnings of challenges, of struggles and of hope and peace. As time moves forward so must we. I pray that through God you find strength in your difficulties and comfort in your hopes and dreams. Never stop looking to the Light for the Light will guide you always.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:14-20)

Congratulations to the graduates of 2024:

Sydney Drinkard
Saige Tipton
Kayla Romine
Carley Drinkard
Meagan Forck
Somer Jacobs
Justin Pearre

June 2, 2024

False Teachers:
Stress religious works over grace.
Hold to secret codes and meetings.
Deny that Jesus was God.
Boast about hidden knowledge.
Undermine faith in Christ alone.
Teach of God as distance and impersonal.
That Jesus failed and needs help.

Be mindful of cults. They don’t want you to think for yourself. They want you to do what you’re told. Or else!

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
Colossians 2:8-14

How many have fallen in step in times of trouble? If we listen to foolishness of this world we will be led astray by false teachers. In Matthew 7 Jesus says that not everyone who calls out Lord, Lord will be called worthy. Verses 22 and 23 say that even though they may go around engaged in prophecy and doing various works they are still workers of lawlessness.  False teachers afflicted with evil pride stride around proclaiming me, me and I, I instead of drawing power from and giving praise to the Lord Jesus who alone holds the keys of death and hell.

The Bible says that the Pharisees go around to the nations and bring more to the kingdom of hell. Don’t be held hostage by false teachers. Examine your heart. God knows your heart perfectly. Disciples don’t believe what they are told. They go home and study it. In doing so they aren’t led astray. They rest in the promise that even though they go against those who act like fools they will be restored by the Lord Jesus.

June 2024
Encourager

Is it okay to call children gifts?

Mark 9, Jesus makes a clear statement on their value. Our eyes may need to be opened by the Spirit on little ones, but they are never seen as unwanted by God or Jesus. Jesus had a child brought in the middle of a group of grownups and Jesus placed a spotlight on what a true greatness a child is.

IBC, we must protect our great children from our less than great evil world. This is the Word of Jesus. Treasure them and protect the weak ones.

May 27, 2024

Today, we remember the courageous service members who gave their lives for our nation. Join us in expressing our gratitude.

May 12, 2024

1 Peter 3:4 and 4:8 say, “You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

What is behind a great woman? A great man; the Lord Jesus Christ!
Great women hope in God which gives greatness in and through them, and they will be holy. They are given great assurance because Jesus did exactly what he said he would do. God is faithful to all who believe in him and accept the sacrifice of His Son, Lord Jesus Christ. To those who believe he is sovereign, in the eyes of God we are seen as great, pure, as sons and daughters of God. Anyone who wants to have hope and love in their life can gain those things through the promises of Jesus.

May 2024
Encourager

The purposed power of the Holy Spirit believers:
The Spirit is dynamic and explosive.
The Spirit is the breath of energy of life eternal.
The Spirit is fully dwelling in the believer.
The Spirit is the accurate guide we follow.
The Spirit is the Person who enables us to do God’s Will.

…in Me you will have peace… I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

April 2024
Encourager

Right now it is impossible to see God. We must be purified to see God. In the teachings of the ‘Beatitudes’ a certain group would see God.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
None are pure in this world to see God. Why? We have a heart problem, sin and impurity. Only after being purified and made holy in Heaven will we have the ability to see God face-to-face.

April 7, 2024

God is awesome. Amen
Have you ever stopped and wondered what God has done in your life that you are not aware of?
He healed you before you were sick. Perhaps He saved you from a fatal car crash taht never happened. I believe God has protected us more times than we can count. He has rescued us when unaware of dangers.
Thank Him for His providential care over you.
Realize the spiritual is happening all around.

March 31, 2024

Six gifts: 1 Corinthians 15: 12-20
V. 14: Since Christ has been raised, our preaching is true, right, Heaven’s Good News.
V.14: Since Christ has been raised, our faith in Jesus is our Eternal Victory of New Life.
V.15: Since Christ has been raised, we are God’s witnesses about all God’s kept Promises.
V.17: Since Christ has been raised, we are Free from sin’s power, presence & punishment.
V.18: Since Christ has been raised, those who died in Christ are Alive Forevermore!
V.19: Since Christ has been raised, we are not to be pitied only Envied, we Belong to God.

March 24, 2024

If you put your faith in Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord;
All your sins will be wiped clean and never remembered-
You will be given a free gift the Spirit of Jesus within you-
God will double-lock you in His everlasting love-
And God will serve through you for His glory-
Come to Jesus!

March 10, 2024

Psalm 119 terms of Covenant Relationship
Law – Mosaic instruction
Word – what God has spoken
Precepts – what God has set to be done
Commandments – what God has ordered
Statutes – What the Divine Lawgiver has laid out
Rules – what the Divine Judge has ruled is right
Testimonies – God Solemnly testifying of His Will

March 2024
Encourager

Hades is a place of torment and agony… the judgement and Hell will be more tolerable for some than for others. The fact that Hell will not be the same for everybody in no way implies that it will be a good place for anybody. People in Hell will be separated from God and all that is good forever. As much as I dislike the idea, I do believe that the lake of fire (Hell) is a real, literal place.
Charles Stanley

February 18, 2024

Presumptuous sin: The venom of rebellion away from God. To take someone for granted, like God’s good. Willful wrongdoing, testing God’s laws.

Keep back Your Servant (David-Jesus) from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over Me.
Psalm 19:13

As we have entered the events of the way to the Cross, the Miracle resurrection and many glorious truths. Begin your own Bible reading journey of these eternal hopes. You can read of them, watch them on some media and listen to many powerful broadcasts throughout the day. Determine to make these weeks up to Easter Resurrection Sunday, your own memorable pilgrimage.

February 18, 2024

Presumptuous sin: The venom of rebellion away from God. To take someone for granted, like God’s good. Willful wrongdoing, testing God’s laws.

Keep back Your Servant (David-Jesus) from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over Me.
Psalm 19:13

As we have entered the events of the way to the Cross, the Miracle resurrection and many glorious truths. Begin your own Bible reading journey of these eternal hopes. You can read of them, watch them on some media and listen to many powerful broadcasts throughout the day. Determine to make these weeks up to Easter Resurrection Sunday, your own memorable pilgrimage.

February 4, 2024

A few Laws of the Supernatural

The Lord will not give a miracle when a believer can provide.
The Lord will not give a miracle for His personal wants.
No miracle is given unless it is done for the sake of mercy.
No Miracle will be given if it confuses or stops belief.

February 2024
Encourager

Love of God

Sin turns all into people of dark.
God’s love turns us to light.
Sin enslaves all to sin.
God’s love breaks the chains to be free, to do right.

Sin makes us hide from the Lord like Adam.
God’s love seeks us and finds us.

God is love. There is no darkness, no slavery, no hiding place or anything else that can separate God’s love from you, if that love is from the Holy Spirit and is in you.

January 2024
Encourager

Matthew 24:44
Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.

Prepared!

The wise ants prepare in summer for winter. The good wife prepares constantly for her loved ones. Our heavenly Father instructs His children to be ready. With 2024 here, with the days as they are, with the predictions for an unusual 2024, we would be wise, as the ant, the wife and as a Christian, to obey our Father.
Get your soul prepared. Today is the day of salvation. Get your house in order. Tell all your dear ones of Jesus. Get your mind set on things above! Let every believer in Christ be ready!