I once read of a pastor who announced in a sermon on sin that there were 789 different kinds. That week in opening his mail there were 94 requests from members of his church desiring a complete listing of all 789 sins! Concerning the seven deadly sins, Norwegian Lasse Tonnesson, in 1982, somehow managed to successfully commit all seven deadly sins in a record-setting 32 minutes and 19 seconds! He earned himself not only the respect of his countrymen, but also several lucrative endorsement deals and a short-lived daytime television talk show. The seven deadly sins – where did this list originate? Seven in Scripture speaks of perfection. Does that mean a sinner is only a complete, or prefect sinner if he indulges in all seven? How deadly are these sins? Maybe another appropriate question in the light of today’s culture might be, is there really any such thing as “sin” anymore? Read more »
“…what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:14
Early Sunday morning, April 18, my younger brother, Roger, entered into the presence of the Lord. A veteran of the Viet Nam war, he was part of a cargo crew that flew scores of missions in and out of enemy territory delivering supplies and picking up injured soldiers. He was buried in our local Veteran’s Home cemetery where some 5,000 others have been laid to rest. Tomorrow there will be a special service with a military gun salute and flyover honoring and naming the some 200 vets who have passed away from this area during the past year. Last evening I visited Roger’s grave to be sure that it looked nice for the family members who will be coming for the service. The Veteran’s Home has yet to place a permanent headstone there but there is a temporary marker which simply reads: Roger Belt
1946–2010
As I looked at the marker, the dash between the dates is what seemed to stand out. As I looked at the other markers in row after row, it was the same, simply dates with a dash in between. Read more »
“The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity!” –Henry Morris
From an old clipping, here is the way author Robert J. Morgan recalls the news of how the victory at Waterloo arrived in England. There were no telegrams or telephones in those days, of course, but everyone knew that Wellington was facing Napoleon in a great battle, and that the future of England was in great uncertainty. A sailing ship semaphored (signaled with coded flags) the news to the signalman on top of Winchester Cathedral. He signaled to another man on a hill, and thus news of the battle was relayed by semaphore from station to station to London and all across the land. When the ship came in, the signalman on board semaphored the first word: Wellington. The next word was Defeated, and then the fog came down and the ship could not be seen. “Wellington Defeated” was sent across England, and there was great gloom all over the country side. After two or three hours, the fog lifted, and the signal came again: “Wellington Defeated the Enemy!” Then all England rejoiced! Read more »
When I was young and enjoying the beginning days of my ministry I often recall reading Paul’s testimony in II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” I also recall hearing sermons preached on that text at Bible conferences encouraging us to “stay by the stuff.” I also remember reading a chapter from Ralph Turnbull’s book on “A Minister’s Obstacles” about resting at midday when there is still much more to be done. In those days no mountain was too high to climb, no waters too deep to swim, no obstacles too great to overcome. The fountain of youth was exhilarating! How could a faithful servant of the Lord NOT finish the race well? How could a true minister of the Word ever “rest at midday?” Read more »
“Should such a man as I flee?” Nehemiah 6:11
The above text grabbed my attention when reading one of the heart piercing chapters from V. Raymond Edman’s delightful book, “The Disciplines of Life.” You will recognize them as the words of Nehemiah who had been called of God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The enemies of Nehemiah were planning a conspiracy against him trying again and again (6:4) to tempt Nehemiah to leave his port of duty distracting him with enticing alternatives. Nehemiah was not to be diverted. Though pressed in spirit, both emotionally and physically, he remained focused on the will of God for his life. It was hard dirty work rebuilding the walls. The people he had to work with grew weary and tired. They complained and criticized and had to be pushed. He was constantly putting out “little fires” among the workmen, and then came the attractive invitation to leave his calling and join the opposers in the temple where there would be safety from the threatening enemy (6:10). After the fifth invitation (6:5) to leave the work, though weary and worn, he says, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” (6:11). Read more »
Philippians 2:5-11
Through the years I have enjoyed preaching about the Christ of Christmas from various Bible texts. Some would never consider Philippians 2:5-11, well known as the kenosis passage, as such a text but it really is. In these verses we have not only the Christmas story but so much more. Here we see the fullness of Christ’s life, from eternity past to eternity future. Here is recorded Christ’s round-trip from heaven. He came from the bosom of the Father to the womb of the virgin; from heaven’s palace to a sinful world; to the arms of the cross to the bowels of the earth, and finally, back again to the right hand of the Father in heaven! Read more »
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe–
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal.
Read more »
Saint Patrick (389-461) was the son of a British deacon captured in a raid by Irish pirates when he was sixteen and sold into slavery, where he rebelliously served a herdsman in Northern Ireland. After six years he escaped, found his way to Gaul, there entered a monastery, and as history has it, one day had a vision to return to Ireland and evangelize them. That he did, preaching Christ in open fields, planting scores of churches and baptizing over 100,000 converts. Though later canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, who claimed him as one of their own (several Protestant groups have tried to claim him also), he simply considered himself a Celtic missionary in the British Isles, before either Roman Catholicism or Protestantism, as it is known today, came into being. Though far from us in much of his theology, his writings reveal an intimate relationship with Christ the Savior, that I desperately need in my daily walk with Him. All Patrick wanted all day long was Christ! Though we do not believe in canonization, we must confess that all believers are addressed as saints in the Bible (Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1). So let me share some good advice from one saint to another as found in one of his poems. Read more »
I give thanks for my Bible, The precious Word of God.
It saves and keeps and satisfies along the path I trod.
This Book has been my Companion, Oh, the times it has comforted me.
It has encouraged my heart, and made me glad,
And from sin has set me free.
Of all the books that I have read, my Bible alone stands tall,
Though books I’ll have until I die, this Book excels them all.
So I’ll take my Bible where’re I go, It will be my constant Guide,
When friends forsake me, and life’s hopes fail me,
In this Book I will confide.
– MHB Read more »
“I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.” Job 42:2,5
Yes, Job’s best words were his last. The last words of any person before he dies are very important. Our Lord’s last words from the Cross are a prime example. But these were not Job’s last words before his death. They were simply his last words following a trail of trials almost unbelievable to man’s mind. The words of Job 42:2,5 are the words of a broken man who has been fully repentant of all his shortcomings and fully restored to fellowship with the Father. Read more »
From: The Barnabas File | July 27, 2010