No Immunity

Scripture

As the scriptures say, “There is no one who is righteous… All have turned away from God; they have all gone wrong; no one does what is right, not even one.

~Romans 3:10-12, GNT

Quote

“The depravity of man is at once the most empirically verifiable reality but at the same time the most intellectually resisted fact.”

~Malcolm Muggeridge

June and I got hooked on TNT’s The Last Ship which comes on Sunday nights at 8:00. A deadly virus broke out causing a pandemic, the entire human race was threatened until Dr. Rachel Scott came up with a vaccine. The antagonistic in the drama is a group they call the “Immunes“. Due to their rare DNA, they are immune to the virus and many of them form an alliance to rule the world. On the final episode of the 2015 season, an Immune shot and killed Dr. Scott and I am not happy about her departure.

There are no immunes when it comes to sin, we are all infected; from the poorest peasant to the richest king, we are all hopelessly depraved. We all have a self-centered rebellious nature. Our sin has been sufficiently dealt with by Jesus but to appropriate this cleansing we have to acknowledge our sin which most refuse to do. The liberals not only deny personal sin, they deny the presence of evil. It takes a fool to deny the existence of God or the presence of evil. So we have another word for the “Immunes;” it is “fool.”

• I am not going to complain about hot weather but I am going to praise the LORD for the two cooler days {Sunday and Monday}.
• I’ve decided that I will not go home in the evening until I have made four visits. My problem is that I enjoy them so much, I tend to stay way too long. I spent an hour and a half at my last stop yesterday. It seemed like 30 minutes.
• VBS evaluation: I realize things that the average DBC member does not-We are blessed with good help. Mandy and Shohn are VBS, they do all the planning, enlisting workers, props, etc. They put hours into the planning before VBS begins. You are not going to find two better employees who not only know what they are doing but enjoy doing it. It might be a good idea to appreciate them. We are also blessed at DBC to have a lot of school teachers. Although some that could have helped didn’t, still our school teachers help us. Our master teachers are superb and we have had the best refreshment crew in VBS for a number of years. As far as I know the school went great and the program and picnic was the best ever. The unsung heroes in our VBS were the nursery workers, we had 26 children in our three nurseries.

Expectancy

Scripture

For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth. But it is not just creation alone which groans; we who have the Spirit as the first of God’s gifts also groan within ourselves as we wait for God to make us his children and set our whole being free.

Romans 8:22-23, GNT

Quote

Waiting does not diminish an expectant mother.

Eugene L. Petterson

If you have been born again, you were impregnated with the imperishable seed of God which is not subject to death.{I Peter 1:23, I John 39} Paul told the Galatians, If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants {seed} of Abraham and will receive what God has promised. {Galatians 3:29} Then in chapter four of Galatians, Paul said, My dear children! Once again, just like a mother in childbirth, I feel the same kind of pain for you until Christ’s nature is formed in you. In Romans 8:10-11 reads…But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin. If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you.

Just as a baby is formed in the mother’s womb, so Christ is being formed in you. You are the expectant mother and your waiting will not diminished the seed/life within you. Today mothers know what sex their child will be but they don’t know exactly what to expect appearance wise. So we too, know that Christ is being formed in us but we wait with expectancy to see the final revelation and the glory of the life within.

Have you noticed the glory of the plant is far greater than that of the seed. We talk about beautiful flowers but we do not talk about beautiful seed. Don’t lose sleep over the appearance of the seed. The Artist is still at work and you will be a masterpiece.

• We had 295 yesterday which is 100 lest than four years ago but I had 7 in Bessemer and some were at the beach, some at the Kentucky Derby, some at decoration and some backslidden. We had a good service and Kenny is indeed a talented man. He has the gifts we need for the Block Party so I invited him back. He will be with us August 13th for Block Party and August 14th for am worship. His last album was pure country and he is sending me a disc. My intentions are to get Carol Lynn to play some of his music between now and August 13. If I were to go to Pigeon Forge, I would take in his show but I don’t think anyone here had seen him perform. He doesn’t just perform, he preaches. If you missed him, I will tell you how good he is: my entire family liked him, all generations and this happens rarely.
• Hope is doing well: actually, we are thrilled at her progress. When she checked in a couple of weeks back, she was not reading at all. Now, she is reading her cards and I carried her a new interactive bible last Thursday and hopefully, she is reading the devotions. The cards are playing a major roll in her recovery so keep sending cards. THE FOUNDRY, 1801 5th Ave. N., Bessemer, AL 35020.
• I have an Aunt just North of Athens who is suffering from cancer. She has not eaten in days and she did not wake up while I was there Sunday. She is a precious woman who epitomizes all the fruits of the Spirit.
• What about some real good news: Anthony Shaneyfelt restarted the middle Adult II Couples Class and they had 14 yesterday. Just proved what we already knew, you grow by starting classes not combining them.
• Hannah and Sylaina have the 3 year old class and they always have a room full, always. This class is never down. There is about 17 of them and they average 14 per week. All of you who oppose the play ground, sign up in the foyer. We will put you in the 3 year old class for 2 weeks and you will change your mind about a play ground.
• This Sunday the mission offering will go to the Graduates. We have a record 102 graduating this year. Just think how big Danville High would be if these land barons would share the land.

Kenny Evans returns August 13-14

The Gospel

SCRIPTURE

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

~Romans 1:16, NASB

QUOTE

The gospel is the supernatural message about a supernatural person who brings about supernatural changes in the lives of those who accept it.

~L. Nelson Bell

Of all the good news that mankind has known, none compares to the gospel. It is the best news of all because it speaks to our greatest need: forgiveness of sin and peace with God. Where would we be without the glorious gospel? There would be no churches, no Christmas, no missions of mercy and a hundred other things that we love and cherish.

• I intended to visit yesterday but Joe David got it on the way to Seminary.
• Kane goes back to Memphis today if I am not mistaken.
• My Nephew Heath goes to the doctor on Wednesday. We are fairly certain that he will have brain surgery, just don’t know when.
• VETERANS DAY WEDNESDAY. The office will be closed but we will have the GATHERING at 6:30.

Squeaky Clean, Not!

SCRIPTURE

But I, the LORD, search all hearts and I examine secret motives.

~Jeremiah 17:10, NLT

QUOTE

No one does anything from a single motive.

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

One of the things I dread about flying is going through all the security. In the old days, boarding a plane was simple and the family or friends could accompany you to the gate but no more. You have to take off your shoes, empty your pockets, and run any thing with metal through the scanner and that includes your electronic devices. After you put your stuff on the conveyer belt to be scanned, you have to walk through a scanner. If you have anything concealed, it will detect the object and you will be searched. You cannot slip anything through. They dumped one ladies suit case right in front of us: it can get humiliating.

Yesterday I read this verse in Romans 2, And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. There are five other verses in the bible that state the same truth:

• Psalms 90:8–You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all.
• Eccl. 12:14–God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
• Matthew 10:26–But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
• Mark 4:22–For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.
• Luke 8:17–For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

There is a scanner at the pearly gates and you or I will slip nothing through: every sin will be detected.  On that day, you will see the real me and you are in for a shock. Perhaps I will be shocked to see the real you but my concern right now is me. Read Romans 2 in the New Living Translation and see if you get convicted. Romans two is addressed to those who past judgment on those in Romans one; if you get my drift.

C.S. Lewis calls this judgment for Christians the Baptism of Shame. I think this baptism will accomplish at least three things

1. We will be focused on our sin and not the sins of others.
2. We will stop looking down on others.
3. We will enter heaven with great humility realizing we do not deserve to be there.

• I am getting back into the groove: Mandy updated me on the BP; everything is going good. She worked out a deal with Pepsi today. I will try to get the fireworks lined up today. Funnel Cake mix is in: so to this point, things are looking good.
• John Wydner had double knee replacement while I was gone. I visited him yesterday at Health South in Huntsville and he was in a lot of pain. He has a lot of swelling in both knees. Pray for John.
• We will be going to Athens this evening for a memorial service for my great-great-niece Charlotte Mae Deffenbaugh.
• Short story from Bob that reminds me of one of my mentors: James Martin Newby. During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, You will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her Name was Dorothy. 
• Felton told me yesterday that he read a Dear Abby that went like this…Dear Abby, I have been married to a two timing cheating jerk for 40 years. He has had multiple affairs, too many to count and 14 years ago he lost his job and I now  have to support him and his habits. On top of that, he is accusing me of being a lesbian. What should I do? Dear Abby’s response, “Dump him Hillary.”

Tis The Season To Be Jolly

SCRIPTURE

If you have the gift of giving, give with generosity; if you have the gift of leading, lead with enthusiasm; if your gift is doing acts of kindness, do them cheerfully.

~Romans 12:8, JEV

QUOTE

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

~Charles Dickens

I’ve used the Dickens’ quote before but couldn’t resist. I also like Emerson’s quote on acts of kindness…“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” I love list’s and in Romans 12, Paul gives us a list of exhortations and I have translated some into ACTS OF KINDNESS that we can do not just at Christmas but any day of the year. Look through the list and pick out at least one project to do between now and Christmas.

1. Demonstrate to someone that your love is real.
2. Be truly affectionate in showing love for one another.
3. Compete with each other in showing respect. Try to out respect them.
4. Be fired up and enthusiastic about the LORD’s work.
5. Help someone who is suffering.
6. Help someone financially. Pray for God to put a person on your heart. It could be a believer.
7. Make an extra effort to be kind to strangers.
8. Bless someone who has been ugly to you in the past year. Say nice things to them and about them.
9. Work for peace in your family or circle of friends. You may be the only person who can call a truce. Peace in your family may depend on you.
10. Do an act of kindness to a person who doesn’t like you.

It’s a tough list, is it not? It is a challenge for me. You could make a huge difference in someone life with a simple act of kindness. Why not give it shot, after all, its Christmas.

• When I was a kid, it was the children that looked forward to being out of school for Christmas, summer or anything but now days it is the teachers who get the most excited about school being closed. Elect me Governor and we will cut out some of the school business; I’ll give you more holiday’s, fewer tests and restore real food to the lunch room.
• I think Preston Roberts may get to come home today. I hope to find out more as the day progresses. Kenny had another tough day yesterday. He had two procedures at DGH but is back home. Please pray for Kenny.
• Concerning the family you helped at Huntsville Women and Children: Katie said they were thrilled with your gift. Mandy got all the other things to the proper families yesterday. I really appreciate what you did for children this year. I know we have always helped a few but you went above and beyond this year.
• Today is my baby sisters birthday. I’m not going to mention her age but I was 10 when she was born.
• After Christmas, I plan to run the top ten cartoons for 2014. If you want to vote on one, my email is jack@danvillebaptist.org. or just text me.
• I tried to preview the post at the office and it dated it as December 22 so I had to copy, paste and redo pics. Now I am tired and no telling how many mistakes you will find. Hopefully, this one will be dated right.

B’day Girl on Right

Very Red Santa

Very Red Santa

This article is not for the faint of heart…Full article can be read on JAG HUNTER

George Everett “Bud” Day

George Everett “Bud” Day (February 24, 1925 – July 27, 2013) was a United States Air Force colonel and pilot who served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, including five years and seven months as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. Day was a recipient of the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross. As of 2013, he is the only person to be awarded both medals.I got shot down over North Vietnam in 1967, a Sqdn. Commander.

Before his death, he spoke of the Presidents view on torture…

After I returned in 1973…I published 2 books that dealt a lot
With “real torture” in Hanoi . Our make-believe president is
Branding our country as a bunch of torturers when he has
No idea what torture is.

As for me, I was put through a mock execution because I would not respond..
Pistol whipped on the head….same event. Couple of days later…
Hung by my feet all day. I escaped and a couple of weeks later, I got
Shot and recaptured. Shot was OK…what happened afterwards was not.

They put me in the rope trick, trick…almost
Pulled my arms out of the sockets. Beat me on the head with a
Little wooden rod until my eyes were swelled shut, and my unshot,
Unbroken hand a pulp.

Next day hung me by the arms…rebroke my right wrist…wiped
Out the nerves in my arms that control the hands….rolled my fingers
Up into a ball. Only left the slightest movement of my left forefinger.
So I started answering with some incredible lies.
Sent me to Hanoi strapped to a barrel of gas in the back of a truck.
Hanoi ..on my knees….rope trick again. Beaten by a big fool.
Into leg irons on a bed in Heartbreak Hotel.
Much kneeling–hands up at Zoo.
Really bad beating for refusing to condemn Lyndon Johnson.
Several more kneeling events. I could see my knee bone thru
Kneeling holes.
There was an escape from the annex to the Zoo. I was the Senior
Officer of a large building… because of escape…they started a mass
Torture of all commanders.
I think it was July 7, 1969…they started beating me with a car fanbelt.
In the first 2 days I took over 300 strokes…then stopped counting
Because I never thought I would live thru it.
They continued day-night torture to get me to confess to a non-existent
Part in the escape. This went on for at least 3 days. On my knees…
Fan belting…cut open my scrotum with fan belt stroke. Opened up
Both knee holes again. My fanny looked like hamburger…I could not
Lie on my back.
They tortured me into admitting that I was in on the escape…and
That my 2 room-mates knew about it.

The next day I denied the lie.
They commenced torturing me again with 3- 6- or 9 strokes of
The fan belt every day from about July 11 or 12th..to 14 October
1969. I continued to refuse to lie about my roommates again.
Now, the point of this is that our make-believe
President has declared to the world that we (U.S..) are a bunch of
Torturers…Thus it will be OK to torture us next time when they
Catch us…because that is what the U.S. Does.
Our make-believe president is a know nothing fool who thinks
That pouring a little water on some one’s face, or hanging a pair of
women’s pants over an Arabs head is TORTURE.. He is a meathead.

I just talked to MOH holder Leo Thorsness, who was also in my squadron,
In jail…as was John McCain…and we agree that McCain does
Not speak for the POW group when he claims that Al Gharib was
Torture…or that “water boarding” is torture.

He Has Made The List-Have You Checked It Twice?

 

SCRIPTURE

They knew God, but didn’t honor Him as God or thank Him. Instead, they learned to think in useless ways, and their unwise heart grew dark.

~Romans 1:21, CT

QUOTE

The day of judgment will be a day when the skeletons come out of the closets! And each of us will be standing there to face the record.

~Adrian Rogers

I am not Santa but I am prone to make list or to spot them when I reading the bible. I am reading a new version by Nicholas Thomas Wright and yesterday I was reading in Romans 1 when I came across this very long list of the characteristics of the depraved life:

• Injustice
• Wickedness
• Greed
• Evil
• Envy
• Enmity
• Murder
• Deceit
• Craftiness
• Slander
• Christ-hating
• Arrogance
• Narcissism
• Boastful Pride
• Conniving
• Failure to honor parents
• Foolishness
• Unfaithfulness
• Insensitivity
• Indifference 

So: He has made the list and its up to us to check it twice. I am afraid that most of us have more naughty than nice. For the record, we are all depraved. When we get saved, Jesus begins the process of renewing our minds. In other words we should be moving away from all the things on the list.

• Today we pray for STUDENTS and we are blessed at DBC to have a great group of YOUTH. Not many churches get their praise band from the YOUTH. Linda and David are the only two in our group that are not teenagers.
• I’ll be on the road a lot today: Lord willing, I will be going to Huntsville and Birmingham. Joe David preaches tomorrow which is a help. It will allow me to visit today.
• SCHEDULE tomorrow: Deacon’s Meeting at 8:00, LCBS at 9:00, Worship at 10:15, CHILDREN CHRISTMAS PLAY at 5:30 and supper following. Please don’t treat the Children’s play like you do AWANA, WEE Care and VBS commencement. We need to support our children and our children’s workers. It is not a night off for those who don’t have children or grandchildren in the play. We are family, all the kids are our kids.
• Speaking of WEE Care: there Christmas Program is Sunday Evening at 2:00 pm.

LCBS LESSON PREVIEW

THE SHELTER OF GOD’S SALVATION

QUOTE

“Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement. He is a rebel who must lay down his arms.”

~C.S. Lewis

KEY QUESTION

“Can you narrow your goals down to one thing?”

SCRIPTURE

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
      so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
² When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
³ Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.

⁴ The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.
⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
    he will hide me in his sanctuary.
    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
⁶ Then I will hold my head high
    above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
    singing and praising the Lord with music.

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION

1. We all know David’s weakness, what was his strengths? {make a list}
2. Now, lets do something a little more difficult: what was his greatest strength? {Give your opinion, this is probably debatable}
3. David was not an intimidating man physically but he had great courage. Saul, David’s predecessor was intimidating physically but had a fearful heart? What made the difference?
4. David was literally surrounded by enemies that wanted to kill him. He lived in the hostile environment. How do you think we would manage if there were people all around us who wanted to kill us?
5. It takes a lot of hate to generate murder. Has anyone ever hated you to the point of wanting to kill you? {Mother-in-laws don’t count}
6. David narrowed his interest to ONE THING [verse 4] and it was to dwell in the house of the LORD. To gaze on the beauty, delight in His perfections. To study His character. To take refuge in His presence. David wanted the LORD’s presence and protection. He wanted to feel safe. How important is a sense of security to a human being?
7. How can a tent be a shelter?
8. What would you be willing to give up to gain perfect peace and a sense of security?
9. What is on your dream list? Do you know anyone who has fulfilled your list? Have you talked to them to see if they are satisfied or content?
10. List, goals are not a bad thing: those who have no goals reach no goals. I use list practically everyday and after making my list, I ask myself, what is the most important thing on the list. As we grow older, we learn to narrow our interest. What steps do you need to take to narrow your interest and pursue what matters most?

LESSON INSIGHTS

1. Fear is a problem for everyone but some manage it better than others. David relied on the LORD for his courage, Saul put in confidence in the flesh.
2. We are all surround by enemies–we just don’t see them. Paul gives us a good list in Ephesians 6. These enemies are out to destroy us and our only protection from them is CHRIST who is our ARK.
3. Make a list of circumstances or situations that make you afraid. Talk to Jesus about your list. Solicit His support. His presence with His disciples made a huge difference. Practice His presence in your life, it is the key to overcoming fear.
4. Share your faith and your fears. You might be surprised at the number of your Christian friends who struggle with the same things you do.

 

 

Evil

SCRIPTURE

As soon as day came, the elders of the people, the high priests and the scribes assembled and brought Him back before their council, and said, “Tell us if You are the Christ.”

~Luke 22:66, Williams

QUOTE

At the heart of the story stands the cross of Christ where evil did its worst and met its match.

~John W. Wenham

The cross exposes our depravity. The disciples acted in weakness and cowardice. One betrayed Christ, another denied Him and all abandoned Him.  The Jews were driven by envy, hate and murder. The Romans were cold, cruel, callous and careless. The women were the best of the lot and even they were helpless. I read Luke 22 in Williams yesterday and jotted down these characteristics of evil that we see in and around the cross.

1. Evil is persistent: The religious Jews never let up, they were determined to destroy Jesus.
2. Evil is driven by envy and hate.
3. Evil is disguised by pretense: the Jews pretended to be acting in God’s behalf.
4. Evil is diabolical, it loves the cover of darkness. They waited for daylight to pass the verdict but they did the dirty work during the night.
5. Evil is always antichrist.
6. Evil is present in us all. What sins are not evil? Is pride, prayerlessness and indifference not sins? Why do we pretend?
7. Evil is defeated in the end. The Jews thought the cross would put and end to Jesus but instead it put an end to the reign of sin, Satan and death.

• Baptism today at the conclusion of our worship celebration.
• Deacon’s meeting at 8:00, LCBS at 9:00 and worship celebration at 10:15.
• We have a very pressing schedule: prayer appreciated.
• We have them headed in all directions: to the beach, on cruises, camping and only the LORD knows where else. We’ll have church with whoever shows up. Going to be some more changes today. I know how much you love changing.
• The Sanctuary will look a little different: it is set up for the 2:00 PM memorial service for Clayton Clemons.