The Downfall Of A Nation

Scripture

Your country has been devastated, and your cities have been burned to the ground. While you look on, foreigners take over your land and bring everything to ruin.

~Isaiah 1:7, GNT

Quote

 Righteousness makes a nation great; sin is a disgrace to any nation.

~Solomon

I began a new daily bible study in Isaiah last week and it took me two days to get by chapter one. Judah was living in rebellion against God and Isaiah was prophesying doom. I have narrowed Judah’s downfall to five things; the startling thing is that it sounds like we are talking about the United States.

1. Rebellion against God. {v.2} “The children I brought up have rebelled”…{v.4}“You are doomed”…”You have rejected the LORD, you have turned your backs on Him.” This rebellion lead to moral depravity and sin sickness making the nation unhealthy and unholy. {v.5} “Your head is wounded, your heart and mind are sick…not one healthy spot on your body.”
2. Ruin from foreign invasion. {v.7} “Foreigners taking over your land [gas stations, motels, banks, etc] and bringing everything to ruin.” {This is literally happening before our very eyes}
3. Rulers who defy God and pay no attention to His word. {v.10} Jerusalem, your rulers and your people are like those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen to what the Lord is saying to you. Pay attention to what our God is teaching you.
4. Ritualistic Religion that is vain and powerless. {v.13-17} It’s useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins. I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing. 
5. Refusal to help the helpless. {v.15-17} “When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil and learn to do right. See that justice is done—help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows.” Help the helpless and who is the most helpless in our society? The unborn and we are killing them by the millions and our courts made it legal but it is not right and God will have the last word on the matter of abortion.

• I haven’t had much extra: today is a normal schedule. If you like normal, you better enjoy it because there is nothing normal about May.
• Since we don’t do a Sunday night/Monday blog, I will go ahead and ask for your prayers. Monday is a pivotal day for us. We are not the only family in DBC going through a difficult time. It’s not right for me to hog all the prayer but your prayers are appreciated more than you know. It’s not the length of your prayers that counts, it’s the sincerely. Peter prayed a three word prayer, “Lord save me.” Very brief but very sincere.
• Our final lap is going by in a hurry. June’s last AWANA store night is this evening. Our last Mother’s Day is two weeks away. Some big decisions will probably be made the next few weeks. We need to begin praying for the transition: [1] Pray that the Lord’s church at Danville will become one in Christ. [2] Pray for a moving or stirring of the Spirit of God. “HIS kingdom come, HIS will be done in Danville just like it is in heaven.”

A Protracted Meeting

SCRIPTURE

So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

~Acts 19:9, NLT

QUOTE

The reason we don’t have REVIVAL is that we are willing to live without it.

~Leonard Ravenhill

MY THOUGHTS

A protracted meeting is one lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual. Paul preached in the lecture hall of Tyrannus daily for two years.  If my math is correct, we are talking about 730 straight days of preaching for Paul. The meeting went on until people all over Asia heard the word of God.

In my 66 years, I remember one revival that was extended. A century ago, it was not uncommon to have a protracted meeting but now a days, we do good to get people to commit to four days. I can’t think of anything we need more than REVIVAL. We need a moving of the [רוּחַ ruwach] Spirit. Ruwach is the Hebrew word for spirit but it also means wind. The wind is a powerful force when it’s moving. The wind can shake trees and buildings. We need a moving of the ruwach; a deep stirring, a phenomenal shaking, a rearranging of priorities and values.

Prayer:

Send a revival, O Christ, my Lord,
Let it go over the land and sea.
Send it according to Thy dear Word,
And let it begin in me.

EXTRA

• I can’t get my media to load. Word press is a free service but they put glitches in from time to time, trying to get you to buy.
• I think the strippers are coming today: hope so any way. The pavement looks great and we got a better deal than expected. We have a thicker surface than we contracted for. It was the contractors error. We are also have to install a new A/C unit today [Bathroom, Senior Adult Ladies side]. Thank God for Doc and Clara Martin. They are paying for it!
• We had a crowd for the GATHERING but we did not break the 100 mark. For the second week in a row we were in the 90’s but flip-flopping the PM service has not hurt our attendance, it has helped it.
• Light Schedule Sunday: No Deacons Meeting, LCBS at 9:15 and worship at 10:15 with no pm services.

 

The Old Miser Within

SCRIPTURE

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

~Matthew 6:19-20, NLT

QUOTE

Everything is safe which is committed to Christ and nothing is safe which is not.

~A.W. Tozer

Living down deep inside of all us is an old miser: a self-centered, self-preserving nature. If this is true, how can we explain generous people. The difference between the generous and miserly is that the generous recognize the old miser but they have learned that he can be crucified by giving. The way to attack greed is to give. You will never become a generous person until you understand this truth.

C.S. Lewis says, “The only thing we keep is what we give away.” Worldly logic declares this principle stupid: obviously, the more we keep for ourselves, the more we have. It would seem that way but that is not reality. Because we are merely trustees of God’s wealth, everything eventually goes back to HIM. He will reward us according to what we gave, not what we saved. Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” The secret to getting is giving. Either you overcome your greed or your greed will overcome you. Generous people attack their greed by giving. They have a deep determination that the old miser will not get his way. Remember, old misers do not have a bright future because their greed is never satisfied and in the end they lose everything.

• Went by to check on Gary Garner yesterday: he is scheduled for a pet scan today if all goes well. Pray that his sugar will be low enough for them to do the scan and put in the port. If they get these two things done today, he starts his treatment next week. He is anxious about it and so am I.
• Every offering we take at DBC is a free will offering. We challenge you to give but we don’t make anyone give. The offering this Sunday is intended to keep our general fund at an operating level. If no one gives Sunday, we can cover the expense of the parking lot but we will have nothing left. The deacons did not think this was a good idea and neither did I. If we work together, we can do more than pave the parking lot. Personally, June and I are excited. We talked about it and set our goal and the Lord has enabled us to reach that goal. I want to give. I can’t wait to give.
• I had 15 to preach to last night and I enjoyed it. Holly wants to go back to Wednesday night suppers but I don’t think it is feasible, we may do pizza once a month. I just wish our folks had a desire to GATHER but that will take a REVIVAL. I am OK with Revival, how about you?
• What about this weather? I don’t remember anything like it in August. We have not been able to take down the back fence from the BP. Too wet to drive the truck across the playing field.
• Pray for me, I have to get up at 5:30 and help JD cook B’fast for the football team. I can’t get over the physical demands of the BP and then Mandy worked the dog out of me Tuesday. I was sluggish all day yesterday. I may stay up all night and that way I want have to get up. When I get retarded, I will probably read all night and sleep all day.
• Bobby sent us another classic pic.

Hope Verses Presumption

SCRIPTURE

Finally, they cried out to the Lord for help, saying, “We have sinned against you because we have abandoned you as our God and have served the images of Baal.”

~Judges 10:10, NLT

QUOTE

In our petitions to God, let us look upon Him as a just, as well as a merciful God; and neither despair or presume upon his mercy.

~Abraham Wright

If you have studied the period of the Judges, you know that Israel was inconsistent in their faith. They would drift toward idolatry, selfish and wicked living; then come under bondage to some prevailing power. In their bondage they cried out to the LORD and again and again, He had mercy upon them. In chapter 10 there is such a prayer but God gave a quick reply: “You’ve been worshiping Baal, so why don’t you pray to Baal.”

Then the Israelites got desperate, and pleaded with the Lord, “We have sinned. Punish us as you see fit, only rescue us today from our enemies.” Still no answer from God so the Israelites decided to repent, get rid of their idols and serve Yahweh. Then God saw their misery and had mercy.

I refuse to throw in the towel and I disagree with those who say that leadership doesn’t matter. God delivered Israel by sending them a good leader. I am convinced that a good leader would help us; that leader could be Ben Carson, I don’t know. He says he will defund Planned Parenthood [Abortion Provider]. God is capable of raising up a good leader and He could bring America to her knees, in seconds, without working up a sweat. On the other hand, God could give us what we deserve.

The bottom line is: we dare not be proud or presumptuous but neither do we give in to hopeless despair.

• Another long day but God’s grace is amazingly sufficient. We got home last night about 7:00 and we have to be back at church in the morning at 7:00. The Danville area Teachers are having their in service meeting in the sanctuary this morning beginning at 8:00.
• Things continue to fall into place concerning the BLOCK PARTY. I called Ronald Asherbranner yesterday morning and he told me he was ready: fireworks are already in hand and paid for: you can’t beat that with a stick. I also talked to Bryan Drake who will be with us for BP and August 16th am worship. He is going to work the park and then come on stage at 8:00. You can bring clothes Thursday night after 5:00, all day on Friday and Saturday am…August 13-14-15.
• On my way to Huntsville to see John on Monday, I stopped at McDonalds to get an ice cream cone. I was making some calls and I went in, ordered and paid for the ice cream and then I continued my conversation and went to the car. When I started to pull out; I thought, something is not right and then it hit me: I didn’t wait for my ice cream. When I went back in, a young girl was standing behind the counter with my ice cream cone in hand. She never said a word but gave me a strange look. It was not a look of pity or sympathy: it was more like contempt.
• Josie and Mylee went with Holly and myself to the service yesterday; on the way back Holly ask me how old I would be this Saturday and I said “Sixty-Six.” Mylee said, “Granddaddy you look thirty.” I thanked her for the compliment. Then Josie said, “Holly, you look forty-five.” Then I said, “This is going to make the blog.”

Feasting On The Word

SCRIPTURE

Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.

Nehemiah 8:5, NLT

QUOTE

Freedom decays as materialism expands.

~John W. Hoover

Imagine the police or some government agency coming into your house and confiscating all your bibles and any book that had any reference to Jesus Christ. Are you thinking in your mind, “It will never happen, not in America, the land of the brave and home of the free.” When Joe David first told me about Obama being a threat as a serious candidate for president, I thought, “It will never happen.” When he ran against a good business man who may have been able to get us out of this mess and Joe David said, “Daddy, he is going to win again,” I thought, “American’s can’t be that stupid”. When Obama came out for gay marriage, I thought there is no way he can win re-election. Now we are in a battle for the sanctity of marriage and Christians are no where to be seen. We are all acting like Calvinist who are “do nothings” when it comes to moral evils like abortion and same-sex marriage. Do you know how Obama got elected, 40 million evangelical Christians did not vote in the last two elections plus the Calvinist who are growing in number daily.  I have a word for Evangelicals and Calvinist: when God’s judgment comes, it’s coming down your street and mine, no one will be spared: not you, not your children or your grandchildren. Is that what you are praying for? Not me, I am praying for REVIVAL.

If we don’t repent and change our way of thinking they will be taking our bibles in 20 years. Some folks wouldn’t know the difference. We are biblically illiterate and we don’t know how to pray. Ezra opened the scripture and all the people stood for three hours as he taught from the word of God. Then they spent three more hours confessing sin. They  wept when they heard the word of God. I’m just wondering, would we do anything if they took our bibles? Has your love for this world already taken your zeal for the word of God? “God, You are gracious and merciful: have mercy on us and send us a spiritual awakening.”

TODAY WE PRAY FOR THE WORLD

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and you might want to say a prayer for the moron’s in Washington who are about to betray Israel. If we betray Israel, our goose is cooked.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

• There is a great article in last months IMPRIMIS about the cultural war.
• Everyone needs to subscribe to DECISION MAGAZINE. Get on line and find out how you can get it sent to your home.
• A young man, who must remain anonymous due to his sensitive nature, told me last night that the two most boring things in the world are graduations and weddings. I told him, “I’ve been to both tonight.” I sat a new record, a 3 minute wedding, no one had time to get bored. Actually, there were only four present. No rehearsal, no mother-in-laws, no director, no moving furniture, no music and no problems. I am not making light of marriage: it was a moving ceremony. If you don’t believe me, ask them.
• Graduation went great, the speeches were good: I wish to goodness they would do awards at another time but I carried my lawn chair and made it fine. Mr. Chambers did speed up the presentation of diploma’s. I think this was an outstanding class.
• I am really worried about Big Mama: she has not been to Kroger’s in three days: there is something bad wrong.
• Patriotic Service this Sunday morning at 10:15. LIFE CHANGING BIBLE STUDY at 9:15. Wendy Greenhaw will be our special guest.
• Send me pictures of your family members who served in the armed forces, I will use them next Sunday morning in the service. If you know how to put them on our Facebook page, that will work or email them to me, jack@danvillebaptist.org
• May 29 Senior Adult Cook Out. BBQ chicken and ribs.
• June 6…Rally for Biblical Marriage in Montgomery. I think the time is 3:00 PM
• June 8-12…VBS and VBX

VBS-VBX JUNE 8-12

Give Me Mercy

SCRIPTURE

“I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

~2 Samuel 24:14, NLT

QUOTE

I wish that we had much more of the Spirit of Christ and a great deal less self, and less of human opinions. If we err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation and harsh dealing.

~E. G.  White

King David made a critical mistake in the latter years of his reign. His heart was lifted up in pride and he took a census without the LORD’s approval. But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.” The next morning the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, who was David’s seer. This was the message: “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’” So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose [1] three years of famine throughout your land, [2] three months of fleeing from your enemies, or [3] three days of severe plague throughout your land? Think this over and decide what answer I should give the Lord who sent me.

David knew he was in a pickle because none of the choices were good, especially for the people but David choose number three. He said to Gad, “Do not let me fall into human hands.” David knew what I know: God is more merciful than human beings. The Sanhedrin was the Supreme Court of Israel. Over 70 successful and distinguished men served on this ruling body. They were considered the elite of Israel but they showed Jesus NO mercy. They even stooped so low as to take part in the abuse and cheer at His execution. How ignoble of these supposed noble men. Man by nature is not a merciful creature. I like Ellen White’s philosophy, “If we err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation and harsh dealing.”

• TODAY we Pray for the WORLD. Pray for the Jewish folks to come to Jesus in mass. We need REVIVAL and we need their help in evangelizing the world. We need REVIVAL more than you think. Stop and pray for REVIVAL.
• Keep raising Kane up in Prayer. We have not planned our next trip to Memphis. We are trying to figure out what this weather is going to do. I know one thing: it is colder than kraut. Don’t even look at the Thursday forecast. Not even Jerry Segars will like it. I overheard Gregg say it was too cold.
• The GATHERING TONIGHT [We hope] 6:30 PM. What would happen if we all GATHERED FOR WORSHIP? REVIVAL, that’s what would happen. Why don’t we GATHER then? Because we are driven by our self-interest.
• MISSION OFFERING this Sunday goes to the Kenny Holladay Memorial House Fund. We are building houses in Guatemala where it never gets this cold. If the Guatemalan had one night like we are going to have tomorrow, they would lose millions. Their housing is not adequate for extreme weather. They will be thrilled to get the $400 home that the GRACE TEAMS build. They are more thankful for a $400 home than we are for a $400,000 home.

Awesome Epistle

SCRIPTURE

My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens.

QUOTE

God’s grace is always received, never achieved.

~Ya’akov

If you are hankering for a blessing, read I Peter in the NLT. Let me give you some examples:

• I Peter 1:4–We have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
• I Peter 1:8–You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
• I Peter 1:19–He paid for you with the precious life blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
• I Peter 1:23–Your new life did not come from your earthy parents because the life they gave you will end in death.
• I Peter 2:21–This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is our example. Follow in His steps.
• I Peter 3:7–If you don’t treat your wife as you should, your prayers will not be heard. {Wow}
• I Peter 3:12–The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers.
• I Peter 3:18–Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
• I Peter 4:9–Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
• I Peter 5:4–And when the Head Shepherd {Jesus} comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in His glory and honor.
• I Peter 5:6–So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.
• I Peter 5:7–Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

If you don’t find a verse in this list that rings your bell, your clapper is broke.

Pastors, I Peter 5:4 is for you. I cannot remember one moment of glory in my life. Perhaps I am forgetting. I know that I’ve never won a race, scored the winning TD, made the winning shot or been recognized for some outstanding achievement. I’ve never been the honoree in a ticker-tape parade but my day is coming. By His grace, I get a never ending share of Christ glory.

• We pray for STUDENTS today.
• I never think in time but I saw a beautiful sight last night. Joe David lead a prayer meeting at a ball game and it was moving. We prayed for Kane. I hope someone got a pic. I checked on Kenny after the SAFE and he was sleeping.
• The SENIOR ADULT LUNCHEON went great. If Chareles’ class had not turned out we would have been in trouble. We had 20 total but that counts the four workers but two were Seniors. We had 17 Seniors and three youth: Mandy, Floyd and Joe David. The rolls were awesome and so was the ham. Everything was delicious.
• We will be visiting today; trying to get folks to the REVIVAL Sunday. Call a friend or fellow member that hasn’t been in a while.
• SCHEDULE: Donuts, coffee and biscuits at 8:45, Deacons and wives meet at 9:00, LCBS at 9:15 and REVIVAL at 10:15 and 6:00.

Teresa Glisson and Scotty

The Brokenhearted

SCRIPTURE

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon Me, for the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

~Isaiah 61:1, NLT

QUOTE

In every pew sits a broken heart.

~Ruth Graham

Our dreams can dissolve into difficult realities. Our disappointment, grief and pain can isolate us and leave us feeling alone and misunderstood. The victim in the story of the Good Samaritan wanted help but at the same time did not want to be noticed because he was naked: the robbers stripped him and beat him.  A long came a couple of guys who were supposed to care only they did not: their indifference hurt him more than the clubs of the robbers. The robbers clubs broke bone and skin: the indifference of the Priest and Levite broke his heart.

While June and I were in Grand Bay we got acquainted with two young men with broken hearts; one lost his young bride after a few months of marriage and the other lost a son. One of them sit on the front pew the last two services. I have prayed for him everyday. We have some right here in Danville who are dealing with grief and disappointment. I was in the home of two hurting families yesterday. May God give us the grace to care so we can stand with these families and assure them they are not alone. No man’s life is useless who lightened the burden of another man.

• REVIVAL this Sunday: two services 10:15 and 6:00.
• Deacon and Wives meeting this Sunday at 9:00 [Sanctuary]
• Today we pray for TEACHERS.
• Baptism Sunday in a.m. Worship.
• Senior Adult Luncheon Friday at the Parlor, 11:30 am [Menu: Ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade rolls. Seniors your option is a vegetable or dessert]
• Kenny is very weak: He was resting peacefully when I was there around 2:00. Continue to lift he and his family up.
• No one protested so we will make FEBRUARY 22 our LCBS Party Night. We are shooting for March 15 on our mass visitation. Turn your projects into me ASAP, I want to run them in the bulletin. [Visiting the nursing homes would make a great project. You can sponsor a STUDENT to Guatemala for $900 or build a house in someone memory for $400. Try to do something that will involve the entire class]
• I didn’t hear from Craig or Michelle today but Joe David goes up tomorrow and I will probably go Thursday Lord willing. It may be next week before I get there. We are just going one day at a time. Hey, if you wanted to help the Holladay boys, you could carry them some food. I carried them some chick filet yesterday but they will eat just about anything. They have been there for their daddy and I am proud of both.
• Our little Chloe Bug is sick, she has the flu and so do 30 others that we at the doctor yesterday.
• We have had four Professions of Faith in Children’s church this past month and Teresa and Scotty are going to be with us in both Adult and Children’s service this Sunday. Teresa will be with us in Praise and Worship and then she will go to the FORTE to be with the children.

Exceptional

SCRIPTURE

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

~Galatians 2:20

QUOTE

People consumed by the inner fire of the Holy Spirit are the counterpart in human life of the smashed atom which releases cosmic forces.

~Leonard Ravenhill

The Apostle Paul was an exceptional man. He was exception in his testimony, conversion, devotion, intellect and suffering. A Christian with an experience is never at the mercy of an atheist with an argument. Chrysostom and others believed Paul was 4 and a half feet tall; what some would consider a dwarf. It does appear that he had the little man syndrome but if that be the case, God used it for His glory. The little Jew from Tarsus was a terror to the infant church but when he meet Jesus on the Damascus Road everything changed. God used him to write two thirds of the New Testament and to spread the gospel to two continents. It is mind boggling to think about all that was accomplished through this little man who had giant faith.

• I actually did the blog yesterday morning in my study time but something went wrong with either the computer or the internet and I could not post so I stayed up and redone the entire thing. I had to reboot my computer and when I did, I lost the original.
• TODAY WE PRAY FOR TEACHERS.
• REVIVAL going good, another good service last night and another decision. Two for the week PTL.
• I texted Ken and he said Kenny had a little more pain and they had to increase his medication a bit. Pray for Kenny and his boys.
• Something happened last night that I want to share but June has advised me not to: I will share the highlights. Before closing the service, Teddy boldly called a man out. He was addressing him with some authority and even pointing his finger. I thought, “What in the world is going on?” Then the man began to rebut Teddy and never stops. We could not have had a closing prayer if we had wanted to. Bro. Kerry got up and lead us in a chorus with the man still hollowing at Teddy. All I am going to say is that his name is Jason. There is something about that name. I laughed until I hurt and then Lisa’s commentary at the house put the icing on the cake but June thinks it’s best that I don’t share all the details. It will make MY STORIES someday.

God is Good

SCRIPTURE

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

~PSALM 34:8

QUOTE

God is good all the time and all the time God is Good.

~John Prater

We do praise the LORD that the old Lexus got us here. Take my advice, never trust a Lexus navigational system. The LORD gave me a little test when our nav system betrayed us and guess what? I failed the test. Got in an argument with the woman’s voice from the system. June got quite but I knew what she was thinking, “You stupid idiot,” and she is right. We are glad to be here in a very nice suite. The first thing June said was, “This is bigger than our house.” We are excited about today [Sunday, January 18]. We did have a good visit with Kenny before we left. It was almost 2:00 pm before we got on the road but we had a very good trip down. PRAY FOR REVIVAL.