As we close the first decade of the 21^st century we should be reminded of God's warning in Psalm 2:12 “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” This decade started with some trusting in failed computers, barrels of rice, Y2K bugs and hanging chads. God said only trust His Son. On 9/11 the Arab god of Islam came to our shores; your crazy to trust in him. You can't trust the CIA with WMD information nor in an un-preemptive military invasion. Hamas foiled the 'in voting machines we trust' logo but America still trusts them to convert Iraq. We rallied with “God Bless America” but God already said “Blessed are all they that put their trust in His only begotten Son.” Don't trust your job or IRA, your Fannie Mae or GM bail out. Copenhagen scientists say “The Sky Is Falling!” and we ended the decade with our trust in a liberal progressive 'messiah' who taught us to pronounce 'trillion'. He took the Nobel Peace Prize to war and told us to trust our economy, and now our health care!, to his trillion dollar printing machine. All the while Jehovah God who founded and grounded this country says “Trust only in My only begotten Son.” This “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” (Ps 9:10) Trust only in Him in the upcoming decade, and have a Happy New Year.

Msg #1002 Called And Without Excuse

The Bible says “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke12:48) and “Moreover it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1Cor4:2) Israel was a chosen nation and a well beloved people of God, called to provide the Messiah to the world, (Genesis12:1-3) called to provide the oracles of God to the world, (Romans3:1-2) and called to teach the world that “The LORD our God (plural) is one LORD (singular).” (Deut6:1-4) The 69 books of the Christian's Old Testament reveal the major successes and failures of that calling and commission. Isaiah 5:1-7 is a prophets song about God's frustration with his well beloved people. Born again Christians are now the well beloved called ones; called to proclaim the Messiah to the world, (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15) called to proclaim the oracles of God to the world, (Acts 1:8) and called to teach the world “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.” (John 3:16, 20:21) That song of frustration lists the things that God did for Israel, His called and commissioned people. But for us he has done so much more: He has converted, justified, quickened, indwelt and baptized us into the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. When much is given, much is required. This year I make my prayer “Lord, I pray you will not recite a song of frustration about my calling.” If you are born again your are now called and commissioned “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-48) “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (1Peter 1:10)

Msg #1003 Faithful Stewards

Luke 12 records a lecture of Jesus exhorting us to keep our focus on His heavenly things and He will then take care of all the physical things Half way through the lecture Peter raises his hand and says “Excuse me Lord, is this lecture for us disciples or should we just teach it to everyone else?” It is so easy for us to take the teachings of our Lord and apply them to what someone else should be doing in their life that God records Peter's response “What? Are you talking to me?” It is our nature to put all our focus on the physical circumstances that surround us and be blind to the fact that God wants some great thing done in this situation. We are impervious to the idea that He wants it done through me and not through someone else. Jesus did not cuff Peter up side the head but says “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, who his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” (Luke12:42) Clarifying Peter's question Jesus says “I am actually talking to my good and faithful stewards.” If you are a born again believer you are to be a steward of all the affairs of His kingdom in your neighborhood. Do not pass it off to someone else and do not put your focus on what you will eat, where you will serve and what you will wear. God wants some great things done and he leaves you in charge of doing them. Get into your neighborhood and be about your Fathers business. It is an awesome task to be a steward in God's kingdom.

Msg #1004 Stewards of The Mind

Three times Jesus emphasized the first and greatest of all commandments to be “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind.” The latter of these can be subjected to an objective measurement; i.e. how much time, in a 24 hour day, is your mind focused on things of God. Man strives to keep God's 10 commandments but in reality the first commandment, with this type of measure, finds us very lacking in the use of our mind. God wants our mind meditate in his law day and night; to teach His words diligently when we sit in our house, when we walk in the way, when we lay down and when we raise up. God wants our talks to Him to be prayer without ceasing. He ponders “the imaginations of the thoughts” and He wants to find our minds stayed on Him.” Let's say that you read your Bible through every year at 3 chapters per day, (30 min) pray before 3 meals a day (6 min), meditate on him during your vascular exercises, (20 min) and talk about him to somebody you meet. (4 min) You just had your mind stayed on him for 6.25% or your coherent day. That leaves your mind someplace else for 93.75% of your day. The average American spends 50% of their coherent day watching television, 8 hours per day! The average Christian needs to work on Jesus' first and greatest commandment and then “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom 12:2) We could all better love the Lord our God with all our mind.

Msg #1005 All Thy Strength

Sampson thought his real strength came from his hair, when in reality it came from his God. (Judges 16:17) The first commandment stated succinctly says “I am the LORD thy God, ... Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exod 20) but Jesus' expanded form of the first commandment is “Hear, O Israel: The lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:29) Sampson's greatest asset was all his strength but he did not use it to love the Lord his God. What is your strength, and how can you love the Lord your God with it? Consider that our strength is what causes you to stand when others are falling, what causes you to hold on and trust, when others are letting go and giving up, and what causes you to endure and remain. Is it strength of character, personality, or intestinal fortitude that is endowed on a select few? For a Christian the answer is certain, “The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26) “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.” (Psalm 140:7) When you, as a Christian, love the Lord your God with all your strength, it is good to know that the Lord your God is your strength. No matter what trials we go through, when God is the strength of our life, we can stand, we can hold on, and we can endure.

Msg #1006 Will God Bless America?

In Jeremiah chapter 17 God sends his prophet to the gates of Jerusalem to offer the people of Judah one last ditch offer to avoid their annihilation. Judah had already watched her sister, Israel, turn to idolatry, worship the creature more than the Creator, and suffer annihilation under Assyrian invasion. Babylonians had now pilfered the streets of Jerusalem and ransacked the conquered Promised Land. They were without excuse for understanding that Jehovah God would destroy his people when they turn their back on their God. God's ultimatum involved only one law; keep it and live, disregard Him and perish. Wow. The one law portrayed Jehovah God as their Creator, who made the universe in 6 days and rested on the seventh. The one law would involve only 1/7^th of their lives and a trivial physical change in how they were to do things. 'If you will at least obey this one law concerning my Sabbath rest, I will leave you in the land and the city shall remain forever.' Verse 21 recites their unbelievable response: “But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.” What God did to His chosen nations, first Israel, then Judah, stands as a stark reality to what happens to a people who deny the authority of their Creator. All my life America's schooling has taught that I have no Creator, but two rocks rubbing together in a primeval sea created a life form that 'evolved' into a tree and a chimp. And the latter then changed into human beings. 'Acknowledge Me as your 6 day Creator and you will stay in the land and be blessed.' Again, Wow. God will bless America,... when she turns her stiff neck back to her Creator.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1007 TIC-TAC-TOE Relationships

Your relationship with your Lord and Saviour and your relationship with your sweetheart should be like a tic-tac-toe board with nine 'X's and no 'O's. In the first column you should have a spiritual, emotional and physical LOVE like Christ does expressed in Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16 and SoS 1. Write those 3 references in those 3 squares. In the second column your spouse, and your Saviour should find an overwhelming SIGNIFICANCE in all of your life, even as you are SO significant to God. Your spiritual, emotional and physical significance to Him are expressed in Eph 5:22-33, John 15:15, and Acts 1:8. Fill that column with these references. In the last column your spouse should find a perfect SECURITY in your love, even as we find a perfect security in His love for us. His perfect security is expressed spiritually, emotionally and physically in John 3:36, Heb 13:5 and Luke 12:24. People are body, soul and spirit and our relationships are complicated. You cannot separate our physical, mental/emotional and spirituality as the secularists try to do. But in order to love with all our heart, soul and mind our relationships need to have an absoluteness in security, a genuineness in significance, and a purity in love. Look up each of these 9 references and know that God's wooing to us is with this 9 dimensional perfect love. Now put an 'X' in each square where your relationship with your spouse is properly developing. It is an excellent report card for scoring our relationships with both our Lord and with our sweetheart. May your true love find a spiritual, emotional and physical ... love, significance and security in every area of your relationship. Happy Valentines Day.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1008 An Ideal Wife

The Bible teaches more by narration than by lecture, and the narrations we find about relationships in the home leave no room for our making up our own little systems and rules. First Samuel chapter 25 portrays an ideal wife, and all of us could learn something from the behavior of Abigail, “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.” Her perceptive insight while ministering to the home of Nabal, a churlish, evil jerk, is of the highest caliber. Her haste and genius to intervene and prevent David's vindictive sin was as equally serving to him as it was the welfare of her own household. Her submissive articulate address and offering to David equally rebuked and honored him. A woman able to effectively communicate with men that are temporarily bent toward error, as David was, or permanently twisted in life, as Nabal was, is a very precious thing. Her honesty with her husband and submission to his authority in their dysfunctional home is exemplary. Overshadowing all these commendable traits is Abigail's superb knowledge of God and His intentions for David even throughout this situation. Abigail knew the heart and mind of God for her life, her home, and even for David, the man after God's own heart. When God destroyed Abigail's incorrigible husband, Nabal, David quickly married this gem of good understanding. Unfortunately it was not his first or last marriage, and the ongoing narrative from David's life teaches us that the way you lean is the way your children will fall. Recall that his son Solomon took 1,000 wives. Abigail was indeed a gem. All of us could glean some attributes from Abigail that would keep our homes from leaning away from God's clear plan.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1009 Rearing God's Way

It is not just my interpretation when your Bible says “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6) Fathers provoke children to wrath by not loving them right. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” (Prov13:24) Fathers provoke to wrath by giving little Johnny mommy's progressive 'time out' instead of the whippings that put character into his grandpa. God clearly tells fathers to spank them with a rod. “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” (Prov19:18) The world's effeminate little 'time outs' have children stewing in rebellion, stewing in bitterness, plotting new disobedience, and deep seating anger issues. It is not a 'syndrome' needing 'riddlin.' Fathers provoke children to wrath by not chastening them 'betimes.' That means spank them early in life, early in disobedience (no counting), and early in rebellion. “The rod and reproof giveth wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Prov29:15) “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.” (Prov23:13) Only half our homes even have fathers in attendance. One dare not guess how few fathers are obedient to teach God's Word “diligently unto thy children, ... when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deut 6) to raise their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6) God says to fathers “Correct they son and he shall give thee rest; yea he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Failure here provokes the deep seated anger issues prevalent in our society.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1010 Got Charity?

We love him because he first loved us, but His love easily contains the 13 perfect qualities of charity, while ours often struggles to attain to them. God starts 1 Corinthians 13 by exposing the loveless orator, the incompassionate Bible scholar and even the charity worker lacking charity, and ends with charity exalted as His greatest virtue. Having all 13 qualities of charity sandwiched between make an important report card for all our relationships in life. Does your love contain these qualities of selflessness that clash with our own nature's selfishness. Charity suffereth long, and is kind. The word 'charity' is more selfless and focusing on others than the word 'love' used in the modernist's bibles. Jesus said “Suffer the little children.” The word 'suffer' does not mean pain, but implies allowance, in the since that God is 'long-suffering' towards us. Sometimes we grit our teeth and give a loved one allowance but not with kindness. Striving for these 13 qualities in our marriage, home, and parenting promises great blessing. Charity is not puffed up, seeketh not her own and is unprovokable. It rejoiceth in truth, not in iniquity. Charity 'beareth all', 'believeth all', 'hopeth all' and 'endureth all' things. Seeking these qualities of charity in our lives, our church, and our workplace will add a quality to our lives which enriches every aspect of our existence, and those around us. Getting these selfless qualities of pure charity into our relationships will require something within us which is far greater than a strong will power. The Lord Jesus Christ indwells the born again Christian and allows them to exhibit this kind of love that Christ has, all 13 qualities, showing up in all circumstances. Godly charity never faileth. How is yours doing?.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1011 Pillar and Ground of Truth

The called out body of believers assembled and united together in a local church has always been a minority amongst the big denominations but it has always been the pillar and ground of truth described by Paul writing to Timothy. A pillar is stable, unshakable and not blown to and fro with every wind of doctrine,... or every ecumenical modernist bible version. Christ's church needs to be a pillar for verbal, plenary, inspiration of Scripture. Bible Societies turn a profit by making over 60 thousand major deviations to get their copyrights approved. Their's is not a pillar of truth. The truth of salvation says there is only one way into the kingdom of God; not by works, nor sacraments, nor by baptisms, nor confirmation classes. The truth is salvation is by grace through faith, and that faith is not of yourself, it is a gift of God. If you were not “converted” and “born again” no matter how much 'church' you do, Jesus will one day say, “depart from me I never knew you.” Paul told Galacia, 'if they preach another gospel let them be accursed'. A church should also be an unshakable pillar for the fundamentals of the faith. Denominations so readily drift from the faith that last century five fundamentals of the faith were documented as pillars of Christianity. Is yours a fundamentalist church? Twenty centuries ago God set out seven first principles of the faith and listed them in Hebrews 6. If your church is not a pillar of truth on the five fundamentals, and on those seven doctrines, you should get into a Bible Believing, Bible Preaching Church of the Living God. It will likely have 'Independent Fundamental Baptist' on their sign; you see, Baptist's are not a denomination, nor are they Protestants.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1012 Back to Basics

The propensity for any growing body is that it becomes more diverse and more dilute but Christ put safeguards in His Church so that it should not. Any Church that goes back to the fundamentals of its founder would do well. Even Protestant Churches would be better off standing where their founders stood, but to go all the way back to the true Church founder one would need take a path through the 5 fundamentals of fundamentalism and the 8 distinctives of Baptists. Fundamentals of 1) the trinity, 2) the authority and accuracy of Scriptures, 3) five doctrines of Christ, 4) personal new birth conversion for salvation and 5) the reality of Christ's second coming, heaven and eternal hell, are doctrines nailed to the church door at the turn of the last century because of cultists like Charles Taze Russel (JW), Joseph Smith (LDS), Ellen White (SDA), and Mary Baker Glover Eddy (CS). Today even non-cult, pretend Christian Churches need to re-affirm the Christian Fundamentals. The 'B' for the B-A-P-T-I-S-T-S distinctives, that I was taught in Sunday School in the 1960s, stands for Bible. Baptist's have always held to the verbal, plenary inspiration of an inerrant, infallible and holy preserved Bible. Today that would entail no trust in some ecumenical counsel translating a new modern one that spells out what they think God meant to say within the confines of their copyright restrictions. As people of the Book, which determines all their faith and practice, Baptists use an old one that was translated by those who dogmatically held to the second fundamental and the 'B' in the Baptist distinctives, and we believe all true Christians should. Modernists despise our old book and would take it from thee. Thou shalt not trust them.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1013 Chosen For You

On the tenth day of the old Hebrew month Abib the lamb for the passover sacrifice was selected and separated from the rest of the flock. (Ex12:3) The 14^th day of that 1^st month in their new year was Passover and towards the close of that day they would slay the passover lamb. The feast of unleavened bread started at sunset and was a sabbath day even if it was on Friday, (Lev23:6-7) The Hebrew passover day lands on various week days over the years but the Christian Easter Sunday is carefully arranged in the year to be the Sunday nearest the Passover where the Christ was crucified. Consequently the Sunday before easter is the Sunday nearest the 10^th of Abib, wherein the Lamb that taketh away the sin of the world was selected, and separated from the rest of the flock on what is called Palm Sunday. “Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” they cried, not realizing that in 4 days the nails would be driven into the hands and feet of their Messiah, the perfect passover lamb. God the Father oversaw the selection of the perfect lamb and His 4 day examination in the temple before the cruel hands of man put him to death. God alone knew what was really happening as Christ was escorted into Jerusalem riding on the colt, the foal of an ass. Come Palm Sunday this week it is sad that so few Christians study the Hebrew calendar enough to Know what happened that day. The Lord Jesus Christ, the passover sacrifice who's blood must be applied to the door posts of our heart, was selected on the 10^th and slain on the 14^th. He was chosen to take your place.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1014 Easter

You can not come to Easter Sunday without passing by the cross of Calvary which 3 days earlier held the Lord and Creator of this world, the Passover Lamb. And you cannot approach Easter with proper awe until you have approached that cross with fear, tear, and trembling. “Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain, free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary's mountain.” Partaking of Calvary's healing stream changes your approach to the empty tomb. The born again Christian takes his love for that Old Rugged Cross through the 3 days and 3 nights that his Lord and Christ lay in the tomb. He sees in this resurrection celebration, that he is also “a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are new.” (1Cor 5:17) The convert to Christ laid all his burden of sin at the foot of that blood stained cross and grasps the Bible verse: “Behold I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” (1Cor 15:51) The believer who has been quickened by the Lord Jesus Christ has a new life born into them, even as Christ is the “first fruit” of our resurrection. Easter is situated on our calendar 3 days after the passover which marks Messiah's crucifixion. The Sunday resurrection of Christ occurred on “the marrow after sabbath.” For the first fruits offering, observed in this Hebrew month, the priest “Shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the marrow after the sabbath.” (Lev23:11) This week is precious to a Bible believing Christian who understands the Hebrew feasts which amply portray Messiah's perfect sacrifice, because every calendar date and week day is brought to bear on their Saviour's perfect sacrifice. Truly ... “It is finished.”

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1015 Resurrection

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is the rich verification of John 5:21 “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the son quickeneth whom he will.” Such truth imposes the worship of Jesus as Lord. His certified victory over death itself asserts his arguments: “I am the Son of God, vr25, and I am the Son of man, vr27; I am the Bread of Life, 6:35; I am the Door, 10:9; I am the Good Shepherd, 10:11; I am the True Vine, 15:1. A Christian will not just venerate his resurrected Christ, he will worship Him as one with the Father. “For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the son to have life in himself.” (vr26) The resurrected Christ made our pursuit for everlasting life reality: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (5:24) The Christian worships the Son and is quickened by faith in Him. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the son of God hath not life.” (1Jn5:12) Jesus “will quicken who he will,” and “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (3:16) A born again Christian is quickened by Christ and wants every one to be. Thus Jesus commissioned us: “as my Father sent me, even so send I you (20:21) “and ye shall be wittinesses” (Acts1:8) “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel ...” (Mark16:15). “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. (Luke24:47) Be quickened by Him. Tell someone else about it.

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1016 Born Again Saved

When examining the clear distinctives of B-A-P-T-I-S-T-S the inner 'S' stands for 'Saved.' Jesus clarified it for Nicodemus that “Except a man be born again, (i.e. born a second time) he cannot see the kingdom of God ... he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus is emphatic that this second birth has nothing to do with water; holy water, baptismal water, sprinkled water, or other water! It is a spiritual birth, “even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” This is a Baptist distinctive, not a Baptist exclusive, i.e. you can be saved and not a Baptist; you cannot be a Baptist and not be saved. Even as there are pretend Christians, there are pretend Baptists, and mislabeled Baptists. Salvation is still their marked distinctive. Since the time that Jesus taught it there have been those, called by many a name, who held that salvation is by grace through faith. In the 1500s the label shifted from Anabaptist, Donatist, Arnoldist or Montanists to the long standing label 'Baptists' but the distinctive that a soul must, in a moment, be 1) converted, 2) Quickened by God, 3) Indwelt by His Spirit, 4) Baptized into Christ, and 5) Justified by God for ever, has been a Baptist distinctive and a relatively foreign doctrine to every 'Christian Denomination' that fell out of Romanism. That all 5 of these things are an instantaneous act of God is the miracle of new birth that saves us from eternal wrath and secures us in eternal life. Been Saved? The Bible is clear: “Except ye be converted, ... ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1017 Baptist Autonomy

Eight of the Bibles 27 New Testament books are addressed to individual, independent, self governing, local, Bible believing, immersion baptizing Churches because that is what Christ intended his Churches be. The 'A' in the 8 B-A-P-T-I-S-T-S distinctives stands for 'Autonomy.' Baptist are not a denomination, are not Protestants, and have operated individual, independent, self governing, local, Bible believing, immersion baptizing Churches since the 1st century. A denomination, on the other hand, is a group of separated congregations united under a single administrative and legal hierarchy. Baptist Churches have always been autonomous (i.e. self governing, self determining) congregationalists. In the 4th century the first denomination issued an order that all infants be baptized and the autonomous New Testament Churches that refused their edict were often labelled ana-baptist and were always visited by the Roman Emperor's sword. After more than a thousand years of this, in 1517, Martin Luther finally protested against the Roman 'Catholic' denomination and up popped 300 Protestant denominations, all fighting about who the real church is. Not they have concluded that the real church is 'invisible!' It isn't. It is an independent, autonomous,local called out body of believers meeting somewhere in your town. It will not be perfect, but it will be autonomous. Which denomination is right? None. Christ's design for his saints is the individual, independent, self governing, local, Bible believing, immersion baptizing Church, with no modernist Bible in the pew and a man of God preaching from the pulpit. Some call it old fashioned. God calls it His old paths. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jer 6:16)

Posted at www.GSBaptistChurch.com In paper back at http://stores.lulu.com/GSBaptistChurch

Msg #1018 A Royal Priesthood

The 'P' in the 8 B-A-P-T-I-S-T-S distinctives stands for our priesthood. In 382 AD Jerome mistranslated the Greek word 'presbyter', (in English 'elder') throughout the Latin Vulgate as 'priest'. It was a dis-honest mistake and priest-craft was imported into the apostate Roman church, grew with the Roman sword and today people unwittingly trust their children to a man dressed in a black robe and promising to be celibate. That is not Christian, nor is priest-craft. In the Bible every born again, blood washed, Christ quickened believer is a holy priest. All should stay well away from the black dressed incense waving pretenders, to often predators. As a New Testament priest every born again believer should know the Scripture inside and out, frontward and backward, as the Old Testament priesthood was required. They were the teachers of the Words of God, so should we be. They organized, kept in order, and maintained the place of worship and we should do no less. They were to abstain from strong drink, keep themselves pure, separated from the world, and holy to the Lord. Peter writes to us “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” They interceded for others, ministered to people, cared for the needy, taught in the synagogues. In the New Testament Church that Jesus built every believer is to be a priest and none called clergy. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1Pet 2:9-10) Don't participate in priest-craft, it is Roman and pagan, be a Bible believer and the royal priesthood that Christ has called them to be.

Msg #1019 On Mothers Day

A Merriam-Webster word of the day this week was 'Matrix', Latin 'mater', meaning mother. Originally and specifically it meant 'uterus' and thus came to mean the situation or set of conditions in which something develops or forms. God specifically designed the female body, soul, spirit, mind, and emotion for this task of mothering. Despite modernist progressive rhetoric there is no duty in life that can be as fulfilling for a woman. A mother's task is daunting, we enter this world as such selfish little ingrates, and mom sets about living and teaching us selflessness. God designed them so well that they still tell their grown sons “Tuck in your shirt and sit up straight dear.” Man made in the image of God but desiring disobedient independence from Him, fell into a rebellious, selfish, depraved independence. All of man is now tainted by sin, and appointed to death. But mothers, being created as they were, meet the situations and set the conditions whereby we can develop and form in an environment where we learn to wash behind our ears, and sit up straight. And so we honor our mothers. Not with all the honor that is their due, but with a day, a flower, and a fine meal. God has no other creation so equip to teach us to to love and to be loved, to trust and to be trusted, to lean and to be leaned upon, to live and to let live. When you honor your mom this Sunday, let her know that the flower is just a token for the honor that is due her. And know too that as quickly as that flower wilts and vanishes from this world, so to do our moms. Happy Mothers Day.

Msg #1020 A Mom's Seven Teachings

Since my days as a youth pastor mothers day highlights an outline in Proverbs chapter 31 showing the seven things Lemuel's mother taught him. Verse one opens with her teaching the 'thus saith the LORD' of the Holy Scriptures. Prophecy is not about telling the future, it is about telling the message of the Lord. Verse two deals with Lemuel's identity; I am your mother, I brought you into this world, I have taken the “until death do us part” vows that provide the stable home where you belong. How unfortunate that our society no longer emphasizes the latter of these, but the Christian home sure needs to. Mom's third instruction to her son is to not be a 'womanizer.' Solomon's downfall was his womanizing. (1Kings 11:1-6) Verse 4 says “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine.” Mom follows this one up with 7 reasons why one drinks booze and why total abstinence is the only answer for a king. If you're a born again Christian, who is appointed as a “king and priest”, as in Rev1:6, and are promised that you will never perish, as in John3:16, God's instruction is total abstinence from booze. If you are ready to perish, then drink up, and forget your misery, forget your poverty. If you are no king, then booze it up, kill those brain cells, forget His law, and pervert your judgment. “It is not for kings.” Verse 8 and 9 instruct Lemuel to “Open thy mouth.” Be one who intercedes for others and “judges righteously” while others mock saying “Judge not lest ye be judged.” Open your mouth! Lastly, the chapter closes with a mom's instruction to a son to 'marry well!' What an awesome close to Solomon's book of wisdom.

Alcohol Abstinence Response to Msg #1020

Will you please send Bible references regarding total abstinence of alcohol. Thank you

Thanks for asking. For a believer struggling with alcohol dependence I start with Prov. 20:1 coupled with John 8:34-36. I have them write these verses in a notebook, by hand, daily or regularly, and also carry them with them hand written on a 3x5 card for a week. Every time they see a beer truck, beer add, bar or tavern I suggest that they get out the card and read aloud God's word. I then have them write Proverbs 23:29-35 on half their page and a short commentary on each verse on the other half. (One once said they could deal with verse 31 by drinking with their eyes closed, I responded that many 'Christians' do just that.) Lastly I similarly use the verses I mentioned below from Proverbs 31 (vr 4-7) with the same reasoning Lemuel's mom used, and then deal with them concerning the question, "Has Christ made you a king and priest?" (Rev 1:1-8, 1Pet 2:9-10) I am not a methodist but I used this method effectively for my years as a youth pastor and found it as applicable for adults in my pastorate. A vice that has been acquired over years does not dissipate in hours. My military career has well aquainted me with vice as sin. That alcohol is a vice should be understood apriori.

Ref Msg #1020 Excerpt cf. Prov 31 Verse 4 says “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine.” Mom follows this one up with 7 reasons why one drinks booze and why total abstinence is the only answer for a king. If you're a born again Christian, who is appointed as a “king and priest”, as in Rev1:6, and are promised that you will never perish, as in John3:16, God's instruction is total abstinence from booze. If you are ready to perish, then drink up, and forget your misery, forget your poverty. If you are no king, then booze it up, kill those brain cells, forget His law, and pervert your judgment. “It is not for kings.”

Msg #1021 Whosoever Will May Come

The ' I ' in the eight BAPTIST distinctives stands for 'Individual Soul Liberty.' The Church that Jesus built always recognized faith in Christ available to 'whosoever will.' While catholics compelled their 'christianity' on the masses with a magistrate's Roman sword, and Protestants restricted it to ones perceived as 'the elect' to receive it, Jesus Christ said “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, Mt10:32Lu12:8” or “whosoever shall not be offended in me Mt11:6Lu7:23” or “whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, Mt12:50Mr3:35” or “whosoever will save his life, Mt16:25” or “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself, Mt18:4” or “Whosoever will come after me, Mr8:34” or “whosoever shall receive me, Mr9:37Lu9:48” or “Whosoever cometh to me, Lu6:47” or “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, Joh4:14” or “whosoever liveth and believeth in me Joh11:26” or “through his name whosoever believeth in him Ac10:43Joh3:15” or “whosoever believeth on him Ro9:33” or “ whosoever believeth on me Joh12:46” or “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom10:13” or “whosoever believeth in him Joh3:16.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ro10:13.” “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart ..., thou shalt be saved.” Rom10:9 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Ro10:11 ...... Salvation cannot be compelled with a law, a sword, or infant baptism, nor can it be restricted to a few 'elect', it is freely available to “whosoever will may come.” In any of these 'whosoever' offers you can substitute your name, your child's name or your grandchild's name. Individual soul liberty is an important distinctive which makes the offer of Christ frely available to the whole world; but still an offer.

Msg #1022 Pastors Are 1^st Husbands, not 1^st Ladies

The two 'T's in the 8 BAPTISTS distinctives stand for 'Two' ordinances and 'Two' offices. The local, Bible believing, believer baptizing Church that Jesus built has a 'Bishop-Pastor-Elder' and 'Deacons-Ministers-Elders' which the Holy Bible clearly dictates in the Epistles to Timothy, written “that thou mayest know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God.” The Pastor (shepherd) is an Elder (mature) and the Bishop (overseer) of the flock, the local Church. The Deacons are Elders who minister among the flock. The Holy Bible unapologetically requires the Bishop-Pastor, who oversees the flock, and the ministers, ordained as deacons, to be “the husband of one wife, ... one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?)” The rebellion against God's rules that is so rampant in society today, is just as rampant in the churches who are rebelling against this Scripture. When God, spelling out rules so that we may know how to behave ourselves in His Church, says “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” it's not just a suggestion. It's NOT made by a god who was ignorant of how much mankind would evolve to levels above these rules. Rebellion is ugly no matter how society tries to civilize it. God says thou shalt not kill, sinful mankind says 'unless the child is inconvenient', God says a man and woman rearing obedient children, rebellious mankind says 'two men can do it', God says a bishop must be the husband of one wife, and usurp authority in His Church ... What does your Pastor say?

Msg #1023 Reflection on Soldiers

While we honor our soldiers who are driven by extraordinary levels of loyalty, honor, and duty, it behooves Christians to recall the Bible's charge to young Timothy to “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2Tim 2) The loyalty that we respect in our soldiers sinks its roots ever deeper into their soul as they train and are built into a unit with a unity. Christians are told “Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” The honor that binds the heart of our soldiers to the duty that may well take their life is captured in their code: “I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. I will never surrender of my own free will.” We justly honor and respect our soldiers and memorialize their fallen comrades, who gave their life four our freedoms. And as we do, Christians should reflect on their extraordinary loyalty to “Duty, Honor, and Country” and then reflect the same as Christ's good soldiers. For “No man that warreth entangleth himself the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” As a soldier who spoke the six articles of the “Armed Forces Code of Conduct” for 23 years I will honor our soldiers. I am serving now in a greater army with a greater King, and you and I need to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Loyal to death, driven by Duty, Honor, and Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Be a soldier. If you are not a born again Christian you should join His army, it has eternal benefits.

Msg #1024 Two Ordinances of Christ

The two 'T's in the 8 BAPTISTS distinctives stand for two offices, and two ordinances. The simplest clearest teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ are that baptism and communion are ordinances i.e. commanded physical observances which symbolically portray spiritual realities, and NOT sacraments, i.e. religiously practiced physical activities that invoke a mystical, magical spiritual endowment of grace on the participants. There are no sacraments in the Holy Bible. In the 5^th century when Jerome translated the Latin Vulgate with the bad theology of Saint Augustine of Hippo, he errantly inserted this Latin 'magic' or 'sacrament' into God's Holy Word on 8 occasions, Eph 1:9, 3:3, 9, 5:32, Col 1:27, 1Tim 3:16, Rev 1:20, and 17:7. The proper translation was, and still is, 'mystery' as used in the real Bible. Jerome and Augustine inserted 'do penance' for “repent”; 'priest' for “ordained elder” and 'magic sacrament' for God's revealed “mysteries.” Care should be taken in who translates a Bible, their bad doctrine is always inserted. Thus for 1700 years now 'Christianity' has been saddled with the horrid misnomer that a 'Holy Water' baptism, and a 'Holy Eucharist' can magically wash sin away or magically unite us to Christ. The Bible has always expounded the two ordinances as physical pictures with no magic, and no mysticism. Protestants carried these horrid translation errors into their doctrines and practices, but Baptists, so named for their refusal to compromise on the exactness of what the Holy Bible says about them, have been true to the exact wording of Scripture for these 2000 years. Many are now trusting the new international and new American ecumenical translation societies that are again changing the Words of God. Sacraments are part of a man made religion, never occurring in an accurate rendition of God's carefully preserved, inerrant, verbally inspired Scripture.

Original Autographa Response to Msg #1024

Hello: I cannot help but respond to your Msg #1024 and what appears to be your comparison of the Latin Vulgate with the NIV and NASB. Perhaps you did not intend to imply that these modern translations have followed the Latin Vulgate, but my reading of your article led me to believe that both the NIV and the NASB use these "catholic" words in their translations. Such is not the case. Your wording would lead a person that is uninformed of the texts of these translations to think that, like the LV, the NIV and NASB have changed the Word of God. Disagree with the modernity of the translations. Disagree with the choice of Hebrew and Greek MSS used in their translations. Believe that the KJV is without error--if you can truly believe that a translation by fallible men can be without error (that assertion sounds more Catholic than Baptist). But do not insinuate that a modern translation--because it is modern--is of necessity a corrupt translation. There has only ever been one perfect manuscript and that would be the original autographa, which no person has. What we have today, and even the translators of the KJV 1611 would agree, is a good translation of a good copy of a word perfect original. That which makes a translation good is if it is accurately translated from both the Hebrew and Greek MSS that the translators have before them and from which they work to produce an accurate translation of the Bible into modern or contemporary language.

I thank you for the feedback and I agree with you on the Latin Vulgate issue. I did not mean to imply that the Latin Vulgate was slipped into the modernist ecumenical international bibles, only that the bad doctrine of the modernist ecumenicals was slipped into their bibles. I stand corrected.

I am interested in additional clarification from you, if you may find the time, on the other issue you herein address. Modernists have long denied the verbal, plenary, inerrant, infallible, inspiration of God's Word, and lead into that denial with the very arguments that you herein present. There is no, and there never has been a set of 'original autographs', therefore, in extending that flawed logic, there is no, and never has been, and never will be, a verbally inspired Holy Bible. In reading your argument for there being no such thing as an inerrant Bible, I am curious where you might draw your lines to take some position on the verbal, plenary, inerrant, infallible, inspiration of God's Word. Each of these adjectives has been intertwined in Bible doctrine since Adam; is it your intent to just rip out inerrancy and keep the others intact? Or to fray the whole doctrine of Bible inspiration? To me that is the crux of the dilemma. I stand by my assertion that the KJV translators had a firm handle on the verbal, plenary, inerrant, infallible, inspiration of God's Word and there are no modern translation teams, ergo no modern bible translations, which hold to that doctrine. You?

I am still exploring and documenting this later thesis and would honestly appreciate hearing your convictions.

Msg #1025 The Hebrew's Book

The Holy Bible wherein God our Creator reveals Himself to mankind was provided to us in its entirety by the Hebrews. In the genealogy of Mary, the mother of Jesus, recorded in Genesis by Moses, the prophet, in Chronicles by Ezra, the ready scribe, and in Luke 3 by Dr. Luke, preaching companion of the Apostle Paul, there is a decedent called Heber, and his descendants were were called Hebrews. God spoke to one of those Hebrews and called him to leave his family and passover to a land which God would shew him. Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. The name 'Hebrew' now came to mean 'one which passes over' and 'sojourner in a land', and Abraham's obedience to God caused that he was a blessing to ALL people. Over the next 2,000 years 40 holy men of God, Hebrews, recorded 66 inerrant, infallible books “as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Abraham's grandson Jacob, had his name changed to Israel and his 12 sons formed the 12 tribes of Israel. The only tribe to remain intact was the tribe of Judah and so the Hebrews are today dwelling in their promised land of Israel and are called Jews, but Christianity still owes everything to this chosen nation of God who gave us the 39 books of the Old Testament which, told of the coming Messiah, the Christ child born in Bethlehem in Israel, and who gave us the 27 books of the New Testament written “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church, of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth.” Guard your copy from the ecumenical modernists who think they can modernize and fix His Holy Bible.

Msg #1026 Depend on a Father

When a father named Jairus brought the deadly plight of his only daughter before the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus was thronged by others who prevented him from doing what Jairus wanted; his only daughter, of 12 years, died before Jesus could get away from the crowds. There is no 'one thing' in life which moves a man from his rebellious independence and selfish nature more than looking into the eyes of his offspring and seeing their complete dependence on him. There is no 'one thing' that causes man to recognize our complete dependence on our heavenly father and see his great love for us, than rearing a child who strives to walk in our foot steps. The Bible says “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” One learns to rely and trust his Heavenly Father like he did his earthly father. When Jairus heard the most horrid news that ever fell on a fathers ears, it is no small thing that Jesus was there and he heard it too. Jesus said “Fear not believe only, and she shall be made whole.” The precious and deeply touching verses which close Luke chapter 8 demonstrate that Jesus is not raising the dead as a crowd convincing show, he is doing it because “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Fathers take a note, 'God wants you trusting and dependent on Him like that little one did on you. Our society is in rebellion to that truth, but the stable home founded on God's commandment will prevail in the long run and it alone can bring peace to a fathers child.

Msg #1027 Belief Then Baptism

The acts of the Apostles should be principle study material for a Christian and the Apostle Paul's preaching companion, Dr. Luke, has infallibly documented these acts in his book by that title. Three epochs are presented: the gospel received by Hebrews, the gospel received by Gentiles, and the growth of the gospel in the churches, particularly at Ephesus. These epochs are separated by 9 years, documented in 9 chapters, and the last one holds our attention with the greatest application to today. In Acts chapter 19 Paul comes to Ephesus and finds disciples knowing only the baptism of John and not knowing the indwelling of Christ. Theirs was a baptism of recognition not of reception, one of preparation, not presentation. The one identified who Christ was, the other identifies one with Christ. At the muddy Jordan River John's Baptism identified that Jesus was the Messiah indeed. At the muddy Ford's Pond in Gang Mills NY I was identified with Him because I had personally received Him as my Lord and Saviour and Christ. Apollos and these 12 disciples, baptized with a baptism of repentance for preparing the way for the Messiah, believed everything that was to believe about the Christ, but had not personally received him and confessed him as their Lord and Saviour. When they did there was a great change in their life and in their eternal destiny. They could now be baptized with a believers baptism, which pictures immersion into and identification with the Lord Jesus Christ. It has been likened to missing heaven by 18 inches, the distance between you head and your heart. SO which baptism have you received? Don't miss heaven by 18 inches. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom 10:10)

Msg #1028 Independence and Separation

The 'S' in the 8 BAPTISTS distinctives stands for the 'Separation of Church and State.' That this is a Baptist hallmark is heralded at the Leland – Madison Memorial Park historical marker which reads “1754-1841 Elder John Leland, courageous leader of the Baptist doctrine, Ardent advocate of the principles of democracy, vindicator of separation of Church and State. Near this spot in 1788 John Leland and James Madison, the Father of the American Constitution, held a significant interview which resulted in the adoption of the constitution by Virginia. Then Madison, a member of Congress from Orange presented the first amendment to the constitution guaranteeing religious liberty, free speech, and a free press. This satisfied Leland and his Baptist followers. Presented by Eugene Bucklin Bowen, President Berkshire County Massachusetts Chapter Sons of the American Revolution.” Our current president, desiring that this not be a Christian country, should visit this marker 4 mi. from Orange Va. on Highway 20. He should also rehearse “A History of First Baptist Church, of the City of New York,” a document that states “While in camp Newburgh, General Washington requested Pastor Gano to baptize him according to the Scriptures. He did so Immersing him in believers baptism, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” You see, Washington's boyhood home became the first place in Virginia where Baptist ministers were imprisoned over matters of conscience. In 1776 General Washington requested authorities of his denomination to discontinue customary prayers for the success of England; they would not; he refused to kneel in the Church or receive their communion. General Washington made John Gano, Pastor of First Baptist Church of NYC, his personal Army Chaplain, and received his instruction about religious liberty. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. The LORD has blessed America.

Msg #1029 The Words of the Kingdom

In the 19^th year of the New Covenant, recorded in the 19^th chapter of Acts, Paul takes two years to start a local Church in Ephesus. With 12 very learned new converts he spends “3 months disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God ” in the synagogue and local school house. The synagogues congregated on the Sabbath and Paul disputed with them when and where they met, but Christians have always congregated and worshiped on the first day of the week, the day their Christ rose from the dead, and not on the Sabbath day, the last day of the week. The 'things' that Paul disputed and persuaded was 'the Word of the Lord Jesus' about the kingdom; namely a) Except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God, John 3, b) Except your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and pharisees you cannot enter the kingdom, Matt 5, c) Like the most vile of humanity, “I tell you Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” Luke 13, d) Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple, Luke 15, and e) Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven,” Matt 18. After only 3 months in Ephesus, and 184 years of independence in America, they kicked the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ out of their school system. Precious few Ephesians grasped the “things concerning the kingdom of God,” but as believers, they formed the little local Church in Ephesus which Jesus addressed in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Praise God if you are one of those precious few in America, and you are still congregating with other believers on the Lord's Day.

Msg #1030 Signs, Wonders, and False Teachers

Signs and wonders with angelic and demonic activity always mark the transition periods of God's dispensations but none more than His ushering in the new covenant that placed us in this dispensation of grace. The formation of the little church in Ephesus, documented in Acts 19, is so marked by these because it is a first in the formation of the Gentile churches. Only in Acts 2, 10 and 19 did believers speak with tongues and these are transitions where the gospel first came to the Jews, the Gentiles, and these disciples at Ephesus. “And God wrought special miracles by the hand of Paul” ... in Ephesus diseases and evil spirits departed. Vagabond tele-evangelists, like the seven sons of Sceva, like to cash in and attract crowds with tongues, signs, wonders, handkerchiefs and exorcisms, but these false teachers were quickly exposed in Ephesus, ... almost comically. (vr. 13-16) Modernists want to rip Mark 16 out of the Bible because it was ripped out of the Egyptian version they adore, but it says “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (vr 17-18) In the transition into this age of grace these signs did follow them that believed. The New Testament record is emphatic, but the vagabonds and 'seven sons of one Sceva' who today try to replicate these 'signs and wonders' need to be reprimanded and identified as the false teachers that Christ continually warns us about. Today the signs and wonders that prove Christ are printed in a book. Wonder at it, not the tele-evangelists.

Please freely print this weeks Penny Pulpit Column in your papers, bulletins, emails, bloggs and twitters . Thank you for this consideration.
Pastor Ed Rice, Good Samaritan Baptist Church, Dresden NY 14441