Teaching The Truth

Did you know that there is a way to keep from being deceived by the "many deceivers" that "are entered into the world"? The Apostle John gave us the answer in 2 John 8 when he said - "Look to yourselves." But did you know that if you "look to yourselves" in the wrong way - selfishly - you actually open the door - so to speak - to becoming a candidate for deception? Are you a candidate for deception today?

God will never, ever give you what appears to be of use but turns out to be injurious or harmful to you. He will not mock you! Many have placed their trust in another to "deliver" "bread," a "fish," or an "egg" - only to receive that which was so harmful, hurtful, and painful in the end - a "stone," "serpent," or "scorpion." As a result, they have had a hard time in trusting the Lord for the "good things" that He has for them. God is calling you to "ask" Him for great and mighty things. "Ask" big! He is your Heavenly Father - Who far surpasses even the best of earthly fathers. He will "withhold no good thing" from you!

Why is there so little wonder in the world today? In the church today? Consider these reasons - people are focused on their problems...we live in a mechanical and commercial world...everyone is so busy...and so many are settling for substitutes. Lately, have you pondered the "Wonder of Christmas"? Allow me to open up the Scriptures and show you the "wonder of Christ" in Christmas. Then allow Him to touch you and make your life wonderful because His Name is Wonderful!

More than ever - there are those who want to quench the Christmas message of - "God becoming a man." They say that they are offended by the Nativity scenes. They are offended when we say - "Merry Christmas." They are offended by the Christmas celebrations, plays, festivals, and carols. But, as New Testament saints, we cannot be silent! We cannot fail the Old Testament saints who waited and longed for the coming of Messiah! We cannot let God down Who gave us so great a salvation in His Son - JESUS! As the carol says - "Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere, that JESUS Christ is born!"

"The government shall be upon His shoulder" Did you know that most problems in life stem from not placing the "government" of your life on JESUS' shoulder? Many Christians are exhausted today from trying to repair all the broken people or messed-up situations all around them. Many are worn-out from trying to solve every one else's problems as well as their own. Then there are those who are fighting God's "government" - they are either refusing to surrender an area in their lives or their entire lives to the Lord. Consequently, they find themselves oppressed of the oppressor. You have a choice! Either surrender your all and place it on JESUS' shoulder or bear the yoke, staff, and rod of the oppressor on your own shoulder.

"God is light." That is the message. That is the substance of all that JESUS said. That is the Grand Message of the Gospel. That is the principle on which the happiness of man depends. Do you understand that "message"? Do you understand that God can never do anything but what is right? How about when you are facing seeming inequalities or when life seems so hard for you - while others seem to have it so easy? This Bible Message is sent with the intention of revealing...measuring...and energizing you.

"Assemblies that worship God in spirit and in truth are the Israel of God; assemblies that either worship false gods, or the true God in a false manner, are the synagogue of Satan: though they may profess to be the only people of God, their profession is a lie." (Matthew Henry) There is a "church of the living God" and there is a "synagogue of Satan." One is the "pillar and ground of truth" while the other is the "pillar and ground of lies" - pretense, masquerading, and counterfeit. The church has been entrusted with a business - a duty or a privilege - if you will. She is to maintain truth...defend it from assaults of error...and transmit it safe and uncorruptible from generation to generation.

Words have power! They have the power to set you on your course for life. But they also have the power to throw you off course! So many of God's people find themselves "off course" - either because of their own words or someone else's. Many have been ruined by an ungoverned tongue. Have you?

"David had learned two things concerning joy. First, there is only one source of joy. It is God Himself. Second, there is only one place where we can draw from that source. It is the altar. The altar is the place of sacrifice, the place of commitment and consecration, the place where our lives are laid down. Through the sacrifice we make at the altar, the joy that comes from God alone is released within us." (Derek Prince) Because they are facing difficult times, so many of God's people are crying out for an encounter with Him. But, He is saying in response that before they go to the "holy hill," they must first stop at the "altar" and settle the great controversy - "Whose will shall be followed here?" Have you been to the "altar" yet?