The True Meaning of Pentecost Part 5

Many are confused about what took place on the day of Pentecost. They have either built entire denominations on speaking in tongues or they have said that all believers receive the experience at salvation. The truth is that you can't understand Pentecost until you understand what took place at Mount Sinai. In Part 5, Pastor Jenkins reviews the traits of those Paul called "spiritual."

Why Governor Sanford Did What He Did

By now, most of us have heard about the Governor Mark Sanford's disappearance and affair. The question is asked, "why a man that professes morals and godliness would do such a thing?" The answer is not that complicated. We can look to William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army for an explanation.

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was once asked the secret of his success. General Booth hesitated a moment, then with tears streaming down his cheeks he replied, "I'll tell you the secret; God had all of me there was to have. From the day I got the poor on my heart and a vision of what Christ could do, I made up my mind that God would have all there was of William Booth -- God had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will and all the influence of my life."

The birth of the Salvation Army came about through a man who offered his life as a sacrifice to God.

Governor Sanford, like most evangelical Christians in America, resist the Scriptural command to be holy. Holiness is not an option. The Word tells us that "without holiness, no one will see the Lord." The need to consecrate ones all to the Lord Jesus Christ is clearly spelled out in Scripture. The false division of law and grace has led to what Dietrich Bonhoeffer labelled as "cheap grace." This type of "grace" says you can come to Jesus and do what you want. That is not grace, that is license; a license that leads to the pit of hell. Friend, if you have not given your all in full submission to Jesus Christ, you are in danger of the fires of hell. If this does not concern you as a possibility, then you have already slipped. Gov. Sanford had slipped a long time ago to commit the sin of adultery. Simply put, Governor Sanford did what he did because his commitment to Jesus Christ was an empty one. Pray that he repents and makes restitution to his wife and children.

The Death of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson

HOW FLEETING is LIFE
-by Andrew Strom.

Most of you will have heard the sad news of the passing of two
pop icons in one day yesterday. Farrah Fawcett was 63 and died
after a long battle with cancer. Michael Jackson the "prince of pop",
aged only 50, died in even sadder circumstances. How tragic that
even the vast machinery of fame cannot shield its many lost sons
from a lonely, miserable existence and an unhappy end.

No doubt Farrah Fawcett could look back on the glory years when
young women around the world imitated her hairstyle and her "look".
I can remember as a kid watching "Charlie's Angels", though I have
to admit far preferring "The Six Million Dollar Man" as a 10-year-old.
She will be remembered as a battler to the end, an icon of her era.
But oh, how fleeting is life. And oh, how empty is fame. And oh,
how pointless is earthly success when eternity stretches before all.

Michael Jackson could have looked back on years of pop glory
and superstar fame - when his dance moves dazzled the whole
world. But then came the surgeries, the bizarre behaviour, the ugly
allegations, the court cases, the hundreds of million$ of debt.

Like another famous "prince" of pop (actually - his father in law -
Elvis Presley), he seemingly died unhappy and alone, his
"comeback" unrealized, his fame a chain around his neck, his
death a shock in one still so young. Elvis died at 42, and now his
son-in-law Michael at 50. Fame seemingly does not take good care
of its own when they pass their "use-by" date. And so the ephemeral
idols of our shallow culture continue crashing down.

"For what is your life?" asks the apostle James. "It is a vapor that
appears for a little time, and then vanishes away."

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher of Ecclesiastes, "All is
vanity... All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to
dust again."

If it is one thing we can learn from the life and death of every 'icon'
on this planet, it is that we all must live with eternity in view, not
the fleeting charade of this present world. As Leonard Ravenhill so
eloquently asked, "Are the things you're living for worth Christ dying for?"

A sad day.

The Torah and the Associated Press

Researchers in Israel, after subjecting the first five books of the Bible to exhaustive computer analysis, came to a different conclusion than expected. The Torah, or Books of Moses, had long been assumed by skeptics to be the work of multiple authors. But Scripture scholar Moshe Katz and computer expert Menachem Wiener of the Israel Institute of Technology analyzed the book's material through sophisticated computer analysis. They discovered an intricate pattern of significant words concealed in the canon, spelled by letters separated at fixed intervals. Mr. Katz says that the statistical possibilities of such patterns happening by chance would be one to three million. The material suggests a single, inspired author. In fact, it could not have been put together by human capabilities at all. Adds Mr. Wiener, "So we need a nonrational explanation. Ours is that the (Torah) was written by God through the hand of Moses." -- Associated Press

The Bible Is Absolutely Trustworthy

In September, 1938, a man who lived on Long Island was able one day to satisfy a lifelong ambition by purchasing for himself a very fine barometer. When the instrument arrived at his home, he was extremely disappointed to find that the indicating needle appeared to be stuck, pointing to the sector marked "Hurricane."

After shaking the barometer very vigorously several times, its new owner sat down and wrote a scorching letter to the store from which he had purchased the instrument, and on the following morning, on his way to his office in New York, he mailed the letter. That evening he returned to Long Island, to find not only the barometer missing, but his house also. The barometer's needle had been right. There was a hurricane!

What the Bible points out is always true. People may think there is something wrong with what the Bible says, and they may write scorching letters to the faithful preachers of God's Word. Still, the indications and predictions of the Bible will come to pass. Many of those who are angered by the truth will one day discover their grievous error. The storm of God's final Judgment will strike, and all that they have will be swept into eternal destruction! -- Duane V. Maxey

How do you view the Bible? Is it a history book or the written Word of God brought alive by the power of the Holy Spirit? Dead formality is an indication of a heart problem. If the Bible is just another book to you, you have a serious issue that needs attention.

Do You Have a Compass?

We live in difficult times. We need a compass to guide us through these dark days. Do you have a compass that will take you through the night. The following story makes the point:

A man started out through a forest so thickly covered with trees that one day he could not see the sun or sky. After traveling for a long time he knew it was getting night time, so started for what he thought was home. He was so certain that his direction was right that he did not look at his compass. But when he did look at it, he was surprised to find that he was going west when he thought he was going east. He was so sure he was right that he started to throw his compass away. Then he thought, "You have never told me an untruth, and I'll trust you now." He followed the compass and came out right. We, too, have a compass that will never tell us an untruth. It in God's Word -- the Bible. If we always follow it we will be safe, even though we think we are right. If it tells us some thing different, then let us follow what it says, for that is the only safe thing. -- Gospel Herald

When "Christians" struggle with issues like war, abortion, or homosexuality, the difficulties disappear when the Holy Bible becomes the compass. It will direct your paths and provide light for your current location. Someone asked me to prove to a non-believer the merits of the Bible. My response was that I could not; the only way to understand the supernatural influence of the Bible is to submit your self to its authority and obey it. Then, its power will be made clear. Until then, it is just a history book.

God Doesn't Forget His Promises

A 91-year-old woman wrote, "I spend about one hour each day with my Lord, reading my Bible and Christian literature. When people ask what good all my reading does if I can't remember what I've read, my answer is always the same. I'm in pretty good health, have a roof over my head, and have plenty of food to eat... I also have two sons and one grandson who love me dearly. My cup runneth over. I am not concerned about my memory. I just do my reading and God does the remembering."

Does the way look dark? Keep reading God's Word. if you can no longer read, listen to it on tapes or CDs. Thank the Lord daily for meeting your physical needs. Draw on the support of other Christians.

Even if you forget God's promises, you'll discover that He never forgets them. He'll strengthen you and stand with you.

The True Meaning of Pentecost Part 4

Many are confused about what took place on the day of Pentecost. They have either built entire denominations on speaking in tongues or they have said that all believers receive the experience at salvation. The truth is that you can't understand Pentecost until you understand what took place at Mount Sinai. In Part 4, Pastor Jenkins reviews the three types of people: natural, spiritual, and carnal. In addition, traits of carnality are explained and illustrated.

The Modern "Gospel"

In the video clip below, Paul Washer "mocks the modern gospel." On this issue he speaks plainly and truthfully to expose the errors of the day. If you are in a church that promotes this type of "gospel," get out today.

Shall We Continue In Sin?

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? -- Romans 6:1, 2.

The following quote comes from an 1800's book entitled Daily Holiness Textbook:

A question is the strongest kind of an affirmation. St. Paul affirms that God forbids our abuse of his grace to continue in sin. Grace is intended to save us from all sin. Then, by that question " How?'' He as positively and emphatically affirms that it is absolutely impossible that those who are dead to sin should live any longer therein. There can be no stronger word than "dead."

After looking at the video posted yesterday and seeing the effects of "modern Christianity," I can safely assert that we need to go back to the preaching of the narrow way. The way that leads to destruction is broad, but narrow is the way that leads to life. The woman in the video yesterday is on the broad path. We must do our part to reach them with the truth of the Gospel. May we be faithful.

The Fruit of a Christianity Without Repentance

The below video clip demonstrates the type of "Christian" you get without repentance. According to the Jewish rabbinical teachings of Jesus' day, repentance included three parts:
1. Acknowledging the sin;
2. Doing what you can to make the situation right (old timers called this restitution);
3. Resolving never to commit the sin again.
The saddest part is that this woman probably believes she is on her way to heaven.

The Testimony of Martin Wells Knapp

My oldest son graduated from the Bible School founded by Martin Wells Knapp. Below is Knapp's testimony of being filled with the Holy Spirit:

"Fourteen years have I passed since I crossed the Red Sea, and I have never for a moment felt like returning to Egyptian bondage. Glory to God in the highest for such wonderful deliverance!

"For nine years I tarried in the Sinai Wilderness experience. I was converted, and knew it, loved God and His people, worked for Him as well as I could, saw many souls converted, and grew in knowledge and experience; but my temper, which was quick often made me conscious that I was not possessed with all the mind of Christ. I was hampered with selfish ambitions, joking and teasing tendencies, and the movements of the carnal mind. Inbred sin sought to expel the holy power that bound it, and there were frequent struggles within between the two contending principles. I needed the blessing mentioned in the following song-prayer of a well-known poet:

"Savior of the sin-sick soul,
Give me grace to make me whole;
Finish Thy great work of grace,
Cut it short in righteousness.

Speak the second time, 'Be clean;'
Take away my inbred sin;
Every stumbling-block remove,
Cast it out by perfect love."

I had read much on the subject of heart-purity, but never heard a sermon on it. I knew that the Bible clearly taught cleansing from inbred sin and the fullness of the Spirit as the privilege of every believer. I reasoned: "God does not do things by halves. I know that He converted me and that I am His child; therefore I must be saved from inbred sin." The fact, however, that it was in my heart, and that I often was painfully conscious of it, was stronger than my argument, and confused me. I said, "I'll keep it down;" but instead of that, it kept me down. Then I said, "It must be a growth; I'll grow into it." I did grow into the knowledge of self and Christian privilege, but made little progress in the grace of perfect love. How it pains me that in my dullness I tarried so long in the shallow waters, but the great deep of God's love was continually inviting!

In November, 1882, I permitted the Lord to lead me to Kadesh-Barnea, on the borders of the promised land. By His grace I then and there entered the land, receiving the blessed baptism of the Spirit that cleanses from inbred sin and fills with perfect love. In June I had appointed a three days' special service for myself and people to seek this longed-for experience. Rev. William Taylor and wife, two noble workers who had the fullness of the Spirit, were invited. It was a time of heart-searching. Their testimonies and teachings were clear and given in all humility, and convinced me all the deeper of my great need and privilege. I received great help at that time, but not the consciousness that the great work; was wrought.

In November the crisis came. I had been preaching full salvation, but could lead my people no further than I had gone myself. I set apart a time to settle the matter. God met me and gave me the promise: "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." The blessed Holy Spirit explained it to my heart, and helped me to take hold of it right then and there. He suggested, "Why not believe on the authority of His Word that God is doing just what He agrees to do just now?" I was conscious that the conditions upon which the promise was based were being met, and could see no reason why I should not, and replied, "Lord, I do." In an instant I was made conscious of my cleansing. The giants fled, the "walled towns" crumbled, and Canaan, through Christ, was possessed. To God be all the glory!

The "fullness" soon followed. I saw then where my trouble had been. I had not dared to venture on the promise and trust in the present tense. I thanked God for the victory given, and asked that, in order with greater confidence I might publicly proclaim and urge the experience, that He would give me still further unmistakable evidence of its reality. I retired looking for something more. I was not disappointed. Instead of some thing, some One came -- the One altogether lovely, even Christ Himself. I had slept about an hour when I was suddenly awakened by what sounded like three distinct knocks on the front door. In an instant I was made just as conscious of the Divine presence as ever man was of the company of an earthly friend. I felt the presence of a gentle, unseen power upon my head. Then a wave of Divine power and love, causing a sensation something like an electric shock, only inexpressibly pleasurable, rolled over my entire being. Then three impressions were made just as vividly as if uttered by an audible voice:

1. "This is the added evidence you prayed for."

2. "You are healed of your disease."

3. "A definite call to especial evangelistic work."

A few days after my wife received a call to the same work. Since then she has triumphantly passed to brighter realms above.

For years I have been sufferings from the effects of a sunstroke. It had taken me from my studies, and threatened to prostrate me completely. Every year of my preaching, some had thought, would be my last. Physicians said my only hope was to stop and rest. The physical cure wrought was perfect. Both the spiritual and physical blessings stand the test of toil and time. Great and gratifying as the physical healing is, I count it a mere shadow compared with the spiritual uplift then received. My wife says I have been a changed man. My members said there was a marked improvement in my preaching. Teasing, foolish jesting, and selfishness, by the Divine Plowman, were rooted out, and the Spirit's graces implanted in their stead...

Another Testimony

Today, we look at the testimony of Charles Cowman. Many people are familiar with the popular devotional, Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman, Charles Cowman's wife. This particular devotional takes those that are experiencing difficult times and guides them to the fresh water needed to survive in the desert of this world's existence. The lessons presented are no doubt greatly influenced by the deep walk possessed by Charles Cowman. His testimony is below:

We now come to another important experience in Charles Cowman's life. He had lived as a Christian for a year, and among the members of Grace Methodist church none were more zealous for souls than he ... as he never had lost the thrill of his first love ... he saw no need of being sanctified. But something happened in his office one night and the calm, quiet, self-possessed man became impatient and spoke harshly to one of his men. Quickly he asked the man's forgiveness, but peace left his heart and he continued in this state of mind for almost a week.

He sent for George Simister who came and said, "Brother Cowman, you need to have your heart cleansed from all sin." In the simplest manner he explained to him that after conversion, "the old man" of sin still remains and the only remedy is cleansing through the precious Blood.

...Charles Cowman seized the opportunity. He regarded nothing as important as having his heart cleansed from all sin, and he began to seek it with a full purpose of soul....

[He wrote] "I was profoundly impressed and powerfully sustained, almost absorbed by the Word, 'This is the will of God, even your sanctification.'...In Charles Cowman's notes were these brief lines:

"I have committed myself and my all into God's hands, and He has accepted the offering. Life henceforth can never be the same."

The fact that it made his ministry what it was, is equally certain, and those who knew him before and after this experience could not question that he had found a new secret of power for his own life and work.

He came into a fresh experience, a second definite work of grace, -- a crisis as radical and revolutionary as the crisis of regeneration. A new union began with his Saviour, new victories enriched his life, and a new power marked his service from that day...Multitudes will praise God, in that sweet Morning-land, that Charles Cowman sought and obtained the blessing of "Full Salvation," but not one fraction of the result will be known until that glorious morning.

Testimonies: How They Entered Canaan

"Canaan" is symbolic for living a holy life under the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. I intend to provide several testimonies from well known Christians that experienced this deeper walk with God. Today, we hear from Samuel Logan Brengle:

In seeking to be sanctified wholly, Samuel Logan Brengle saw the contrast between himself in his carnal condition and the Lord in His immaculate purity:
"I saw the humility of Jesus, and my pride; the meekness of Jesus, and my temper; the lowliness of Jesus, and my ambition; the purity of Jesus, and my unclean heart; the faithfulness of Jesus, and the deceitfulness of my heart; the unselfishness of Jesus, and my selfishness; the trust and faith of Jesus, and my doubts and unbelief; the holiness of Jesus, and my unholiness. I got my eyes off every body but Jesus and myself, and I came to loathe myself."

Brengle had to die to his carnal ambition to be a great, eloquent preacher, a powerful orator. He was Divinely humbled before he was Divinely empowered: "I was willing to appear a big blunder and a complete failure if only He would cleanse me and dwell in me!"

When the humbling process was complete, the Spirit applied First John 1:9 to his heart: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." He became personally conscious of being cleansed from all unrighteousness, and the Divinely wrought change registered noticeably on his countenance. Twenty minutes after this personal experience, a fellow student looked upon him and remarked: ""Sam what is the matter? You look so different!" Two mornings later, the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ filled and flooded his soul:

"I awoke that morning hungering and thirsting just to live this life of fellowship with God, never again to sin in thought or word or deed against Him, with an unmeasurable desire to be a holy man, acceptable unto God. Getting out of bed about six o'clock with that desire, I opened my Bible and, while reading some of the words of Jesus, He gave me such a blessing as I never had dreamed a man could have this side of heaven. It was an unutterable revelation. It was a heaven of love that came into my heart. My soul melted like wax before fire. I sobbed and sobbed. I loathed myself that I had ever sinned against Him or doubted Him or lived for myself and not for His glory. Every ambition for self was now gone. The pure flame of love burned it like a blazing fire would burn a moth."

Do You Appreciate the Bible?

Too often, Christians do not appreciate the Bible. The treasures contained in the Holy Book are to be sought like one might dig for gold. Never let a day pass without spending time in a search that reflects your true appreciation for the Word. The following story makes the point.

History tells us that when Crowfoot, the chief of the Blackfoot nation in southern Alberta, gave the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to lay track from Medicine Hat to Calgary, he was given in exchange a lifetime railroad pass. Reportedly, Crowfoot put the pass in a leather pouch and wore it around his neck for the rest of his life -- but he never once availed himself of the rights and privileges it spelled out. What a tragedy it is when Christians do the same thing with the Word of God, using it as a decorative badge of Christianity, but never availing themselves of the wealth of access to God's thoughts it affords.

Being Misunderstood

If you have ever been misunderstood, the following story should bring a degree of comfort. Many times in this life our good intentions are seen in a dark light. The same was true for "The Miser of Marseilles."

Have you ever heard about "The Miser of Marseilles?" About twenty-three years ago, he was a figure on the streets of that town. He lived for nothing but money. He gripped, and he grabbed, and he kept. A miser, a money grub, and very wealthy he was known to be. He was the object of derision throughout the whole of Marseilles, and the South of France. When he appeared in the streets, the boys hooted at him. When he was mentioned among his business associates, they jeered at him, the old skinflint, the miserable old wretch, heaping up money, storing it up. Ah, he was contented thus to live, and thus to die; and his body was carried to the grave without a single attendant. There was not a soul in Marseilles but gave a kind of sneer, and a kind of curse, as he passed the body of the miser on the way to the grave.

Ah, yes, but when his will was read, what is this that brings mourning and lamentation to the whole city: It is this: "From my infancy, I noticed that the poor of Marseilles had great difficulty in getting water. I noticed that water, the gift of God, was very dear, and very difficult to obtain in this city, pure and sweet: and I vowed before God that I would live but for one purpose, for one end. I would save money, money, money; and now I give it to the city, on one condition, that an aqueduct be made from yonder lake on the hills to Marseilles."

As they drink the sweet, luscious, fresh water of that city, I believe the poor say, "Ah, when he lived we misunderstood him, but he did it for us." The bubbling fountain in Marseilles was the gift of the man who was misunderstood and jeered at.

Do you catch it? Jesus was there on the Cross, and the priests said: "If you be the Son of God, come down from the cross," and they all mocked Him, and jeered at Him. Yet, it is from this despised One, this Christ, that the souls, needy and thirsty and despairing, are drinking tonight the water of life. -- John Robertson

The Miser of Marseilles (an illustration of how Christ's ministry and sacrificial death were maligned and misunderstood by his contemporaries) A man of the name of Guyo lived and died in the town of Marseilles, in France. He amassed a large fortune by laborious industry and severe habits of abstinence and privation. His neighbors considered him a miser, and thought that he was hoarding up money from mean and avaricious motives. The populace pursued him, whenever he appeared, with hootings and execrations, and the boys sometimes threw stones at him. He at length died, and in his will were found the following words: "Having observed from my infancy that the poor of Marseilles were ill supplied with water, which can only be purchased at a great price, I have cheerfully labored the whole of my life to procure for them the great blessing; and I direct that the whole of my property shall be laid out in building an aqueduct for their use."

The True Meaning of Pentecost Part 3

Many are confused about what took place on the day of Pentecost. They have either built entire denominations on speaking in tongues or they have said that all believers receive the experience at salvation. The truth is that you can't understand Pentecost until you understand what took place at Mount Sinai. In Part 3, Pastor Jenkins answers the question, "What were the Bible results of Pentecost?"

Benevolence

Many years ago two young men were working their way through Stanford University. At one point their money was almost gone, so they decided to engage the great pianist Paderewski for a concert and use the profits for board and tuition. Paderewski's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The students worked hard to promote the concert, but they came up $400 short. After the performance, they went to the musician, gave him all the money they had raised, and promised to pay the $400 as soon as they could. It appeared that their college days were over.

"No, boys, that won't do," said the pianist, "take out of this $1,600 all your expenses, and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work. Let me have the rest."

Years passed. Paderewski became premier of Poland following World War I. Thousands of his countrymen were starving. Only one man could help, the head of the U. S. Food and Relief Bureau. Paderewski's appeal to him brought thousands of tons of food. Later he met the American statesman to thank him. "That's all right," replied Herbert Hoover. "Besides, you don't remember, but you helped me once when I was a student in college."

One of the three pillars of the Jewish faith is the giving of alms. God has a special place in His heart for the poor. There are many promises for those who care for the poor. Today, look for one of His downtrodden and lend a hand; you will be blessed.

Don't Step On Jesus

Disheartened by the extraordinary dangers and difficulties of their enterprise, a Roman army lost courage, and resolved on a retreat. The general reasoned with his soldiers. Expostulating with them, he appealed to their love of country, to their honor, and to their oaths. By all that could revive a fainting heart he sought to animate their courage and shake their resolution. Much they trusted, they admired, they loved him, but his appeals were all in vain. They were not to be moved; and carried away, as by panic, they faced round to retreat.

At this juncture they were forcing a mountain pass, and had just cleared a gorge where the road, between two stupendous rocks on one side and the foaming river on the other, was but a footpath, broad enough for the step of a single man. As a last resort he laid himself down there, saying, "If you will retreat, it is over this body you go, tramping me to death beneath your feet." No foot advanced. The flight was arrested. His soldiers could face the foe, but could not mangle beneath their feet one who loved them, and had often led their ranks to victory, sharing like a common soldier all the hardships of the campaign, and ever foremost in the fight. The sight was one to inspire them with decision. Hesitating no longer to advance, they wheeled round to resume their march, deeming it better to meet sufferings, and endure even death itself, than trample under foot their devoted and patriot leader. Their hearts recoiled from such an outrage.

A more touching spectacle bars our return. Jesus, as it were, lays Himself down on our path; nor can any become backslidden, and return to the practice and pleasure of sin, without trampling Him under their feet. These, Paul's very words call up a spectacle from which every lover of Christ should recoil with horror: "He," says that apostle, "who despised Moses' Law died without mercy...of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God.." -- Dr. Guthrie

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right

Once, in an inquiry-meeting, a gentleman was weeping very bitterly, and said, "What is the matter with you? " "Matter enough. I am a member of the Baptist church, and two years ago the trustees got me to do a piece of work on the church, and when they settled with me I thought they did not treat me exactly as they ought to, and I said, "I won't have anything more to do with this church -- won't go to communion here again." So I went off; and there is that dear daughter" (a young lady sat there, weeping as if her heart would break); "she was converted and baptized into the church just before that. Now she is backslidden, and my wife is backslidden, and my home is broken, and I have no family altar, and all is sad."

The listening man said, "My dear sir, have you found out that two wrongs don't make a right?" "Yes," said he, "I see it now." You know, there are a great many people who think, if somebody does a little wrong, that if they do a little wrong, it will make it right. There are not many gray hairs in my head, but there will be a great many more than there are today before you make me believe that two wrongs make a right." "No, no!" Said I, "What are you going to do about it?" "I am going back to the church to make a confession, and the trustees can do as they please. I am going to be right in my heart toward God and man."

If this lesson would be applied to all relationships, especially in marriages, it would prevent a mountain of pain and hurt. Two wrongs never make a right, even if for a moment it brings some small degree of satisfaction.

"DE-BAPTISM" GAINS A FOLLOWING IN BRITAIN

The following is part of the apostasy of the "Christian" church. When the church ceases to preach a salvation from all sin and allows compromise with the world, the below is inevitable.

More than 100,000 former Christians have downloaded "certificates of de-baptism" in a bid to publicly renounce the faith, according to the London-based National Secular Society (NSS).

Terry Sanderson, the society's president, says the group started the online de-baptism initiative five years ago to mock the practice of baptizing infants too young to consent to religious rites. Their web site invites visitors to "Liberate yourself from the Original Mumbo-Jumbo that liberated you from the Original Sin you never had" and allows them to print out a paper certificate that uses quasi-formal language to "reject baptism's creeds and other such superstitions." But in recent months, as tens of thousands began to download the certificate, organizers realized that they had struck a chord with atheists and once-devout church members who are leaving churches they see as increasingly out-of-tune with modern life. "Churches have become so reactionary, so politically active that people actually want to make a protest against them now," Sanderson says. "They're not just indifferent anymore. They're actively hostile."

In October last year, Italy's Union of Rationalist Atheist and Agnostics sponsored the country's first-ever "De-baptism Day," when the no-longer faithful attended protests and passed out de-baptism forms to areligious people who didn't have internet connections to download them. More recently, on March 2, atheists and feminists in Argentina teamed up to launch the "Not in my Name" Internet campaign which encourages Roman Catholics to notify their local bishops of their desire to officially leave the church. So far more than 1,800 have joined their Facebook group or signed the petition on their website www.apostasiacolectiva.org.

According to Argentine campaigner Ariel Bellino, a former Catholic: "The church counts all those who've been baptized as Catholic and lobbies for legislation based on that number, so we're trying to convey the importance of people expressing they no longer belong to the church." Campaigners say that's particularly important in Argentina, where liberal social values frequently clash with Roman Catholic doctrine related to issues such as birth control, abstinence before marriage and homosexuality; in 2003, Buenos Aries became the first city in South America to legalize gay civil unions.

Back in Britain, Michael Evans, an atheist and former journalist who downloaded the de-baptism certificate in March, believes the Church of England claims more members than it actually has in order to shore up its influence in the secular world. "It claims to speak for the majority of people in Britain," he says. Official estimates are that fewer than one million Britons regularly attend Sunday services, but there are currently 26 Church of England bishops sitting in the House of Lords. "With churches, everybody checks in, but nobody checks out," says Evans, who was baptized as an infant. "There's no exit strategy except the funeral."

www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1891230,00.html

Backsliding

As I listen to Christian radio and surf the Internet, there is a subject that I rarely hear mentioned: backsliding. Backsliding from the faith appears to be a real problem in the church, especially in America. Hearts are cold and indifferent; there is more concern for the things of the world than the things of God. Listen to the conversation both before and after a church service and you will soon understand my point. Where has the fire gone? The answer is that the fire has left because backsliding has emerged. We must watch and pray as Jesus instructed because backsliding can occur to any child of God.

Robert Robinson had been saved out of a tempestuous life of sin through George Whitefield's ministry in England. Shortly after that, at the age of twenty-three, Robinson wrote the hymn "Come, Thou Fount." Sadly, Robinson wandered far and, like the Prodigal Son, journeyed into the distant country of carnality. Until one day he was traveling by stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed in her book. She ran across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked him what he thought of it. "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love." Bursting into tears, Robinson said, "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then." -- Kenneth W. Osbeck

A Proper Christian Attitude

It seems that many that profess Christianity only maintain a Godly attitude when things go their way. However, at the first sign of difficulty carnal anger flies up and one could hardly tell the difference between the worst infidel and the deacon. These things ought not to be! A Christian with God's Laws written upon their hearts should approach difficulties with a calm confidence in God above to deliver them no matter what the circumstances. The following story illustrates this point.

One measure of our spiritual maturity is the way we respond to our circumstances when things go wrong. If we go into a depression, doubt God's existence, or strike out at some innocent person, we have some growing up to do. Explorer Thomas Hearne and his party had just set out on a rigorous expedition in northern Canada to find the mouth of the Coppermine River. A few days after they left, thieves stole most of their supplies. Hearne's response to the apparent misfortune can inspire us all, for he wrote, "The weight of our baggage being lightened, our next day's journey was more swift and pleasant."

Three Testimonies From Atheists

The following are three testimonies concerning atheists. If you are an atheist, please read of the despair of your previous brethren. Know for certainty, that your life will be empty and without true meaning. Only God brings true contentment.

Nineteenth-century atheist Robert Ingersoll was famous for his public attacks on religion. He was also politically active, being appointed attorney general of Illinois. Ingersoll became a serious contender for the Democratic nomination for governor, but his determination to trumpet his anti-religious views scuttled his political hopes. Once asked by a reporter how much his extensive library had cost him, Ingersoll looked at the rows of shelves and replied, "These books cost me the governorship of Illinois, and maybe the presidency of the United States as well." Clearly, Robert Ingersoll's insistence on taking the wrong spiritual path also cost him dearly in other areas of life.

Writers H.G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw were brilliant men, yet they rejected the message of Scripture. They placed their trust in their own systems of belief, which were based on human reason. Yet they could not find lasting inner peace, and they slowly lost confidence in what they believed. Wells' final literary work, for example, has been aptly called "a scream of despair." And shortly before Shaw died in 1950, he wrote, "The science to which I pinned my faith is bankrupt. Its counsels, which should have established the millennium, have led directly to the suicide of Europe. I believed them once. In their name I helped to destroy the faith of millions. And now they look at me and witness the great tragedy of an atheist who has lost his faith."

One day Voltaire said to a friend, "It took twelve ignorant fishermen to establish Christianity; I will show the world how one Frenchman can destroy it." Setting to his task, he openly ridiculed Sir Isaac Newton. One day Newton made a prophecy based on Dan. 12:4 and Nahum 2:4 when he said, "Man will some day be able to travel at the tremendous speed of 40 miles an hour." Voltaire replied with, "See what a fool Christianity makes of an otherwise brilliant man, such as Sir Isaac Newton! Doesn't he know that if man traveled 40 miles an hour, he would suffocate and his heart would stop?" Twenty-five years after Voltaire died, his home was purchased by the Geneva Bible Society and became a Bible storage building, and his printing press was used to print an entire edition of the Bible. -- Sunday School Times

The Hypocrite Infidel

Many people use the excuse of hypocrites in the church to keep them from attending. The old saying is, "if a hypocrite stands between you and God, then he is closer to God then you are." The following apparently true story makes the point well:

An infidel lecturer addressed an audience with great earnestness, denying God and immortality and uttering the most horrid blasphemies. When he was done, a man of middle age arose and said: "My friends I have a word to speak to you tonight. I am not about to refute any of the arguments of the orator. I shall not criticize his style. I shall say nothing of what I believe to be the blasphemies he has uttered, but I shall simply relate to you a fact and after I have done that you shall draw your own conclusions.

Yesterday I walked by the side of yonder river. I saw on its floods a young man in a boat. The boat was unmanageable; it was going fast toward the rapids. He could not use the oars and I saw that he was not capable of bringing the boat to the shore. I saw that young man wring his hands in agony. By and by he gave up the attempt to save his life, kneeled down and cried with desperate earnestness, 'O God, save my soul. If my body can not be saved, save my soul!' I heard him confess he had been a blasphemer. I heard him vow that if his life were spared he would never be such again. I heard him implore the mercy of heaven for Jesus Christ's sake, and earnestly plead that he might be washed in his blood. These arms saved that young man from the flood. I plunged in, brought the boat to shore, and saved his life. That same young man has just now addressed you, and cursed his Maker. What say you to this, sirs?"

The speaker sat down. A shudder ran through the young man himself, and the audience saw that while it was a fine thing to act the bravado against almighty God on dry land, when danger was distant, it was not the same near the edge of the grave. -- Foster's Cyclopedia

The True Meaning of Pentecost Part 2

Many are confused about what took place on the day of Pentecost. They have either built entire denominations on speaking in tongues or they have said that all believers receive the experience at salvation. The truth is that you can't understand Pentecost until you understand what took place at Mount Sinai. In Part 2, Pastor Jenkins answers the question, "Were the disciples converted before Pentecost?"

The Power of Creation

Sir Isaac Newton had among his acquaintances a philosopher who was an atheist. It is well known that the illustrious man, who takes the first rank as a mathematician, natural philosopher, and astronomer, was at the same time a Christian. He had in his study a celestial globe, on which was an excellent representation of the constellations and the stars which compose them. His atheist friend, having come to visit him one day, was struck with the beauty of the globe. He approached it, examined it, and, admiring the work, he turned to Newton and said to him, "Who made it?" " No one! " replied the celebrated philosopher." The atheist understood, and was silent. -- Christian Age

Some time ago there appeared in the American Magazine an article by a manufacturer, with the following paragraph: "It takes a girl in our factory about two days to learn to put the seventeen parts of a meat chopper together. It may be that these millions of worlds, all balanced so wonderfully in space just happened; it may be by a billion years of tumbling about they finally arranged themselves. I don't know. I am merely a plain manufacturer of cutlery. But this I do know: that you can shake the seventeen parts of a meat chopper around in a washtub for the next seventeen billion years and you'll never make a meat chopper!"

Creation proves the existence of God.

The Agnostic's Claim

An agnostic claims that there is not enough information to determine whether God exists. The word comes from the root meaning not knowing. Here is the funny thing about agnostics; as soon as you tell them that they are right, they generally get offended. The following story makes the point:

A keen student of human nature gives this definition of an agnostic: "An agnostic is a man who loudly declares that he knows nothing, and gets mad and abuses you if you tell him that you believe him. He says that he doesn't know anything, but really believes he knows everything."

President Roosevelt's D-Day Prayer

The following is the prayer offered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 6, 1944, commonly called "D-Day." This transcends politics; many good men died for our freedoms on that day. Let us never forget their sacrifice and the prayers offered on their behalf by our President. Today, the ACLU would have been screaming.

My Fellow Americans: “Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far. “And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer: “Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. “Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. “They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. “They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war. “For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. “Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. “And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them -- help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. “Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts. “Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces. “And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. “And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment -- let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose. “With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. “Thy will be done, Almighty God. “Amen.”

The Fairy Tale of Jesus Christ

Hebrews 13:8 says: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (KJV) This message will challenge your beliefs about this verse. You may say you believe this verse, but do your actions support the mental assent. Pastor Jenkins' retelling of miracles in the local church will inspire you and encourage you to walk in the truth of Hebrews 13:8.

(Volume is low--Need to use earphones!)

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

We have all heard the old adage, "don't judge a book by its cover." The following story illustrates the danger of doing so.

In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their desire to fund a memorial, Eliot impatiently said, "Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship."

"We were thinking of something more substantial than that... perhaps a building," the woman replied. In a patronizing tone, Eliot brushed aside the idea as being too expensive and the couple departed.

The next year, Eliot learned that this plain pair had gone elsewhere and established a $26 million memorial named Leland Stanford Junior University, better known today as Stanford!

This is another good example of how wrong it can be to judge people by their appearance. -- Moody

What Became Of The Apostles

Many are familiar with what happened to the apostles; however, in a day and age of extreme compromise in the church, it is good to remember their commitment. Do you think that yours should be any less?

All of the apostles were insulted by the enemies of their Master. They were called to seal their doctrines with their blood and nobly did they bear the trial. According to traditional statements, the following is what became of the apostles:

Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword at a distant city of Ethiopia. Mark expired at Alexandria, after being cruelly dragged through the streets of that city. Luke was hanged upon an olive tree in the classic land of Greece. John was put in a caldron of boiling oil, but escaped death in a miraculous manner, and was afterward branded at Patmos. Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downward. James, the Greater, was beheaded at Jerusalem. James, the Less, was thrown from a lofty pinnacle of the temple, and then beaten to death with a fuller's club.

Bartholomew was flayed alive. Andrew was bound to a cross, whence he preached to his persecutors until he died. Thomas was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel in the East Indies. Jude was shot to death with arrows. Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded. Barnabas of the Gentiles was stoned to death at Salonica. Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was at length beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.

The True Meaning of Pentecost

Many are confused about what took place on the day of Pentecost. They have either built entire denominations on speaking in tongues or they have said that all believers receive the experience at salvation. The truth is that you can't understand Pentecost until you understand what took place at Mount Sinai. In Part 1, Pastor Jenkins lays the foundation for a true Pentecostal experience.

A Story About Karl Marx

Since under the current government, we are fast becoming a communist nation, I thought a short story about Karl Marx was in order. God help us.

At the request of his father, Karl Marx was baptized at 6 years old into the Evangelical Established Church. Marx's adolescent writings exhibited a spirit of Christian devotion and longing for self-sacrifice on behalf of humanity.

Later at the University of Berlin, he fell under the influence of a young lecturer in theology named Bruno Bauer who was developing the idea that the Christian gospels were a record not of history but of human fantasies arising from men's emotional needs and that Jesus had not been an historical person. Marx also enrolled in a course of lectures given by Bauer on the prophet Isaiah. Bauer taught that a new social catastrophe "more tremendous" than that of the advent of Christianity was in making. He would eventually call religion the opiate of the masses.

When Marx wrote his book Das Kapital, he wanted to dedicate it to Charles Darwin. Darwin also was once a theology student and eventually repudiated the Bible and became an agnostic.

Just as these men abandoned their faith, our nation has abandoned our Christian heritage. God's judgment has started and nothing but repentance can possibly stop it. Christian, trust in God because He alone is our salvation, deliverer, and shield.

America Can Learn From Great Britain

America can learn much from Great Britain. No, I am not talking about economics, politics, or medicine. I am referring to Great Britain's apostasy from the true and living God. Consider the following illustration:

John Wycliffe, John Knox, David Livingstone, Hudson Taylor, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, G. Campbell Morgan -- what a notable list of Christian leaders from Great Britain! They established vital churches, publishing houses, and mission societies. In spite of this godly heritage, a recent edition of the London Times stated, "Britain emerges as one of the most irreligious countries in the Western world from the latest survey by the British Social Attitudes team."

What happened? The emotional scars of two World Wars, the loss of a world empire, and the weakening effects of liberal clergy could all be cited as causes. But there is a deeper, spiritual reason for the decline of any nation. Its citizens lose interest in God. They don't believe He makes any difference in their lives, so they make gods out of their own accomplishments. -- David Burnham

America is rapidly losing interest in God; the savior of the people is becoming the government. The government now owns the banks and auto industry. Where will it all end? It may end when God's people unite in prayer and begin to walk in holiness, true holiness and not some man made version. Holiness means to be separated unto God to serve Him. When we all begin to live consecrated lives, things can change. America, learn from Great Britain.

Are the 10 Commandments Binding?

Are you bound to obey the Ten Commandments even if you profess to be a Christian and not of the Jewish faith? Do you believe that Christ, who came not to destroy the Law but fulfill it, somehow eliminated the requirements of obedience to the Torah, i.e. the Law or instruction from God? If you do, please stay away from my house, business, family, and friends. Why, you may ask. It is because you cannot be trusted. If you believe that you may murder, steal, lie, and covet and be in right relationship with God, then I can't trust you with those who I care about. The following story makes the point:

One of those commonly called Antinomians one day called on Rowland Hill to call him to account for his too severe and legal gospel. "Do you, sir," asked Rowland, "hold the Ten Commandments to be a rule of life to Christians?" "Certainly not," replied the visitor. The minister rang the bell, and on the servant making his appearance he quietly said, "John, show that man to the door, and keep your eye on him until he is beyond the reach of every article of wearing apparel and of other property in the hall!" -- Clerical Anecdotes

Dr. George Tiller Is Dead

According to Vision Forum: "Tiller the Killer” is dead. Who will mourn for this man? Perhaps the bigger question is this: Who will mourn for the more than 60,000 babies that Dr. George Tiller brutally murdered in the most horrific manner imaginable over his lengthy career as America’s most notorious provider of late-term abortions?

What should be the Christian's response? First, we should not condone murder. God has commanded us not to murder, so this act of killing should be denounced as wrong. Second, we should proclaim the Gospel in its entirety. The Bible tells us that no murderer will inherit the Kingdom of God. Dr. Tiller killed approximately 60,000 innocent babies. He is now in the flames of hell and deservedly so. Nothing can change that; he is receiving the judgment of God. Third, we should rejoice that God's judgment is true and righteous. Sending Dr. Tiller to hell is a righteous act. We rejoice not that a soul was lost, but that God has acted according to His holy nature. Pray for his family as well as all those that believe that it is acceptable to kill innocent babies.

Start Small

A man dreamed that when he died he was taken by the angels to a beautiful temple. After admiring it for a time, he discovered that one stone was missing. All was finished but just one little stone that was left out. He said to the angel, "What is this stone left out for?" The angel replied, "That was left out for you, but you were waiting to do great things and so this was never finished." He was startled and woke, and resolved that he would become a faithful worker for God in little things. -- D. L. Moody

Too many want to wait for a big opportunity to do something for the Kingdom of God. They just keep waiting and waiting and wonder why God does not use their talents in some way. Many times the answer is simply that God wants us to start small and show our faithfulness. Thereafter, larger opportunities may present themselves. The main point is to be faithful in whatever He trusts you to do.

It Is Time To Stand

It is time to make a stand against sin and worldliness. The church is to be a light to the world, but it will not fulfill that calling when it is mired by sin. This will be a difficult fight; however, God will empower us as we walk in obedience to His Word. The following illustrates the importance of standing against difficulty.

Margot Asquith tells how she once met a tramp and asked him how he decided which way he would tramp, and his answer was, "I always turn my back to the wind." That was what made him a tramp. He never had the courage to breast the wind and go courageously on in its teeth, or he would have ceased to be a tramp and have become a man. Alas! many people with plenty of money in their pockets are only tramps who always turn their backs to the wind and thus lose the real joy and achievement of life. It was not so with Paul and Barnabas. -- Homiletic Review

Good or Bad Ambition

What are you working to achieve? What holds your heart captive? Where is your treasure? The Christian should have God's will as his goal; it is God we are to serve, and His will is to become ours. The following story will encourage you to take an examination of what others already see. Sometimes, we are the last to know what is readily apparent to others.

A student of Amherst College, soon after entering, put over the door of his dormitory room the letter V. Because of it he endured all sorts of ridicule and withstood questioning. But he paid no attention to either, nor would he disclose the secret of the letter. When his four years were over, and graduation day came, that student was appointed to deliver the valedictory. Then the mystery of that letter V was revealed. It stood for valedictory. That letter on the door held before him during his four years the ideal that he had set for himself.

Not every boy puts a letter over the door of his college room or over the door of his house. But nevertheless, somewhere, if only in his mind, there is a letter that he pastes there and that holds before him an ideal. Some put up the letter M that stands for money. Others put up F, for fame. Others put up S, which may stand either for self or for service. It is a good idea once in a while to step outside your door and look at the letter you have put there. It may be that when you realize what it is you will want to change it. -- Moody Monthly