Is God The Author Of Confusion?

Let us suppose that an evangelist comes to our community to conduct a religious meeting and proceeds as follows:

At the first service, he preaches that salvation is by faith only; but at the next he contends that it is by faith exercised in obedience to the gospel, rather than by faith alone.

At the third service he tells people that they ought to baptize their babies; but at the fourth service, he says that penitent believers are the only scriptural subjects for baptism.

At the fifth service, he preaches once in grace, always in grace, but at the sixth, he tells the people it is possible for them to fall from grace, that some have fallen, and that the Bible tells them how to keep from falling.

At the seventh service he teaches it is all right to have human creeds; but at the eighth he declares that we should take the Bible as our only guide in religion.

No thoughtful person would continue to listen to one preacher preaching like that, but the majority of people are perfectly willing for eight different preachers to preach these conflicting ideas. They say that if one man should preach that way, he would contradict himself and be inconsistent. But what kind of God do they suppose we have if He endorses all these conflicting doctrines and has sent out these preachers to present them?

- by Leslie G. Thomas

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A New Year, A time for change

A New Year. A Time For Change

We are told in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season, and a
time to every purpose under the heaven." In other words, things change,
sometimes when they need to, sometimes not, sometimes to our liking,
sometimes not.

Somewhere in the late 90's I began to write and sent out my Messages From
The Heart Articles. I began sharing them with friends, who shared them with
other friends who passed them on to others. Request came to me via email to
add them to my list of folks who would receive my writings. It has never
been a big mailing list, only a couple thousand people, but I like to think
(from the feed back I receive) that it has blessed some who have read my
thoughts. So for somewhere around 15 years I have been sitting in front of
my keyboard and letting God lead me in my writing of around 1,000 articles.

About a year ago I ask any who would like to continue receiving my writings
to sign up for my blog post as I was considering stopping my email posting.
A total of 14 people signed up. Once again I have struggled with the ongoing
expense and time required to maintain my mailing list and have determined to
stop sending out Messages From The Heart via email. I will continue to write
and post my thoughts on my blog. (By the way, when you subscribe it still
comes to your email address, it just doesn't cost me anything.)

So thank each of you who have written to encourage me through the years, you
have been a blessing to me with your kind words. I intend for this to be my
last Messages From The heart mailing. You can subscribe to my blog by
signing into: http://messages-from.blogspot.com and there is a link on the
page to sign up. It's free, just like now, just in a different format.

May God Bless each of you in the coming year with all good things which come
from Him.

Russ Lawson

God spoke to me

The Lord Spoke to Me

At one time the word of God was found in human vessels, inspired men, the apostles and prophets of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:1; 4:6-7; Ephesians 3:1-5). The Holy Spirit revealed to them God's thoughts and God's words (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). The holy apostles and prophets worked mighty signs, wonders, and miracles to confirm the divine message they brought (Mark 16:17-20; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:1-4).

But these same apostles and prophets wrote down these inspired - God-breathed - words in books (Ephesians 3:1-5). These books were gathered together in one, the New Testament, which, along with the Old Testament compose the Scriptures, the writings from God commonly called the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 5:18; 2 Peter 3:14-16). Now the word of God is found in an inspired book, the Bible, which is completely sufficient to supply all our spiritual needs (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

When someone claims, "God spoke to me," he is claiming the gift of prophecy. But that gift has ceased, and all divine truth for men has been revealed, confirmed, and recorded in the Scriptures. If you're having a hard time making a difficult decision, look for guidance from the Scriptures and pray for wisdom to do what's best (James 1:5). But don't confuse your opinions or feelings for divine revelation. Divine truth doesn't come from a human mind; it's found in an inspired book. Your feelings are just your feelings, and all they prove is that you feel that way.

This reminds me of a true story Robert F. Turner used to tell. A woman came to him asking him to perform her wedding ceremony. Upon discussion he found she was unscripturally divorced. He said he couldn't perform the ceremony. She left but later returned and announced, "Brother Turner, God spoke to me and said it's OK, you can perform my wedding ceremony." Unfazed, he inquired, "Well, did He write it down for you?" "No," she replied. "Well," Brother Turner announced, "God spoke to me too. But He wrote it down for me." And He read to her Matthew 19:9. If God didn't write it down for you, He didn't speak to you.

- by Keith Sharp

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Doctor Ephraim McDowell

A Painful Operation

In 1809, Dr. Ephraim McDowell’s examination of a patient revealed that she had an abdominal tumor which would soon kill her.  Though abdominal surgery was unheard of in those days, the woman finally persuaded the doctor to operate.

            The surgery lasted for twenty-six minutes and the twenty-two pound tumor was successfully removed.  Since there were no anesthetics back then, the pain involved was almost unbearable.  Why, then, would this woman so forcefully insist that the doctor inflict such agony on her?  Quite simply, because she preferred the pain to its alternative - death.

            One of the most painful examinations that any sincere seeker of truth must experience is the self examination which God requires of all men (II Cor. 13:5). 

            Our goal should be to examine our life with the same objectivity that God uses in evaluating our character.  Since He knows about us (Heb. 4:13), and since His “gauge” is the only accurate one, we should relish any proper correction in our life that is necessary.  If the exam reveals a flaw in my character, and if I want to avoid spiritual death, I will gladly accept the correction.  If I want to die, I can simply ignore the warnings or refuse to take the examination.  It’s that simple.    

– by Rick Duggin

 

Contentment

Have you ever noticed how the world promotes dissatisfaction? We are constantly bombarded with something newer and better that will make our lives complete once we buy it. If we listen to the world, we will always be comparing the lifestyles and possessions of others with our own, and we will always be dissatisfied. Paul had enjoyed the benefits and pleasures of life, yet he could give them all up and still be filled with the joy of the Lord. His contentment did not depend on his environment but on his obedience to Christ (Philippians 4:11). Contentment frees you to enjoy every the good God has given you (James 1:17). Work hard to be grateful for all that God has given you.

- by Kyle Campbell

 

Six Questions For Young People

1. What kind of son or daughter will I be? The world says, “You are only young once, so enjoy it in every way you can.” This is easy for most to accept because they want freedom from restraints. However, young people should be obedient to God and to their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3; Proverbs 10:1; 13:1).

2. What kind of character shall I develop? It takes no planting, watering, or cultivating to grow weeds, nor does it take effort to grow worthless character.  Careful attention and diligent effort are required for noble character (Ecclesiastes 7:1; 1 Timothy 4:12).

3. Who will I choose as my friends? Good friends promote good morals and vice versa (1 Corinthians 15:33). Avoid the crowd that drinks, dances, uses profanity, and ridicules people who serve God.

4. What will be my occupation? In far too many instances, too much emphasis is placed on money (Matthew 16:26). Furthermore, one must be careful to choose an occupation that is honorable and legitimate. Dishonest gains and get-rich schemes must be avoided (Proverbs 16:8).

5. Who will I marry? If there is ever a place for clear minds and true ideas, it is in marriage. God’s laws must be understood, respected, and heeded (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Marriage is for life (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39). Marry someone who will encourage you in the way of salvation.

6. What will I do with my life? If you have never obeyed the gospel, you should answer, “I will be a Christian” (Luke 9:26). If you are already a Christian, you should answer, “I will be faithful” (Matthew 24:12-13).

- by David Riggs

 

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America"

 

Last Tuesday marked a momentous occasion for our nation in the annals of politics.  Next Tuesday, November 11th, marks another momentous occasion for our nation too.  I think that it's now time to leave the realm of politics and take our editorial time to pay honor to those who actually deserve that honor and recognition.  Far more so than any politician.  I'm speaking, of course, about our military veterans from all the wars in which our country has been engaged.  

 

I know that there are many people who never served in the military and I do not fault them for that.  However, I do believe that those who did share something between them that the non-servers can never feel and that's a comradeship forged by those who were in the arena together.  Way better than I can say it is some words offered by an unknown commander and I'll repeat them for you here.  He said......

 

"I know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite.  Not to tell stories or look at old pictures.  Not to laugh or weep.  Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped of their humanity.  I did not pick these men.  They were delivered by fate and the military.  But I know them in a way I know no other men.  I have never given anyone such trust.  They were willing to guard something more precious than my life.  They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me.  It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.  As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day.  I am sure when I leave this world my last thought will be of my family and comrades....Such good men."

 

I can assimilate with those words plus, I had the reward of again sharing those emotions with my fellow policemen in my civilian career.  There is a like bond between the police who serve on society's front lines, so to speak, and the military men and women.  It's a bond that can only be understood by someone who's "been there."

 

I also have another editorial thought regarding veterans that I'd like to make mention of.  Some of you may have seen an article in a recent edition of our local newspaper about a lady whom most people never knew about - Pamela Murphy.  But, I can assure you that many veteran's either know her or know of her.  I recall an article about her from back in 2010 and I'd like to share a few things about her life with you today.

 

Pamela was the widow of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WW2.  Most of us recall that he went on to become a movie star and that he died in an airplane crash in 1971.  What most don't know though is that, at the time of his death, he had squandered millions of dollars on gambling, bad investments, and sad to say, other women.

 

Upon her husband's death Pamela had to move from their spacious ranch home into a small two-bedroom apartment where she raised their two boys.  Because of having to pay off her husband's debts, she took a job as a clerk at the Veteran's Hospital in Sepulveda.  She spent the next 35 years there working full-time.  She retired in 2007 at the age of 87.

 

It was said of her that "Nobody could cut through VA red tape faster than Mrs. Murphy."  They also said that she never called a veteran by his first name.  They were always referred to as "Mister" because of her respect for them.  Reportedly she was reprimanded on a few occasions for shepherding a veteran into a doctor's office because they had been waiting longer than she thought they should have.  But, that didn't matter to Pamela.  Only her boys mattered and to them, she was "their angel."

 

The reporter who wrote the article in 2010 said that he once asked her to be the focus of a Veteran's Day column for all of her work at the hospital.  He said that she just "Shook her head" and said "No, honor them, not me" as she pointed to a group of veterans waiting in the hallway.  "They're the ones who deserve it."

 

In 2002 something interesting happened that speaks to the respect and esteem in which "her boys" held her.  Her job was to be eliminated due to budget cuts as she was considered "excess staff."  The veteran's certainly did not consider her job of helping them get service as being "excess staff" so they held a giant rally at the hospital gates for her and what do you know?  The VA administration decided that her job was necessary and not "excess."

 

Even after retiring, she couldn't give up on "her boys."  She showed up at a conference regarding "homeless veterans" because she wanted to see if there was something she could do for them, too.  She died peacefully at her home on April 8, 2010 at the age of 90 years.

 

Well, what spiritual lessons can we gain from considering our military veterans, the words of the unknown commander and Pamela Murphy?  I can think of a few, and I imagine you can do likewise.  Anyway, here's mine.

 

I once read the following that is said to be the definition of a veteran: "A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America." Brethren, that is a great example of earthly type honor.  But, let's look at this word "honor" as seen in some Bible passages.  I think that you'll easily see the connection between earthly honor and spiritual honor.

 

First, let's notice the words found in Prov. 22:4 "The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life."  (ESV)   And, spiritually speaking, the righteous, those who "fear God and keep His commandments" know which "life" they'll be honored with.  I particularly like the last part of John 12:26 where Jesus says, "If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."  (ESV)

 

Romans 13:7 tells us that we are to give "honor to whom honor is owed" (ESV) and that makes me think that if we owe "honor" to our veterans for our earthly lives, how much more "honor" do we owe Jesus Christ and The Father for our eternal lives.  So, we "honor" those due it in our earthly life, but we understand that our greatest amount of "honor" is due God.   Paul probable said it best with these words: "To the King of ages immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen!  (1Tim. 1:17)

 

In the words of the commander, I'm brought to these thoughts: soldiers and policemen trust their earthly lives to each others keeping and that's no small thing.  But Christians trust their eternal lives and souls to God's keeping and that's the ultimate thing.  And, if reunions of veterans are considered great events, how much greater will be the reunion in heaven with all of our "family" and those faithful children of God from all ages.

 

As to thoughts from Pamela Murphy, she is the earthly epitome of Rom. 13:7 in that she always gave "respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."  In the practical sense, as shown in the proverbs of Solomon, I think her life epitomizes what we read in Prov. 21:21 "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor."

 

If you have the opportunity next Tuesday and you know a veteran, just simply tell them "Thank You."  They deserve at least that from all of us.

 

Ron Covey