Are We Worthy?

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12  (11)  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:  (12)  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

            Paul, in this Epistle to the Thessalonians, relays that he (Paul) and others are in continual (always) prayer for them.

1 Timothy 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

God commands us to pray [ask] for others.  (Prayer is an “under used” privilege God has given to us through His Son Jesus The Christ.)  In Paul’s writing, he is begging (I exhort) us to pray.  We are to pray for ourselves, but we must include others. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

We are to pray often.  God knows we must work for a living, and cannot (safely) always be on our knees, (but we must be “ready” to pray always.)

            Our scriptures tell us the “Why?”  As a Christian, we need to be “count[ed] … worthy.”

2 Thessalonians 1:5  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

Being “counted worthy” is our “visible work” showing that God is in us, and we can reflect Him to others.  And “our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you.”  (Our daily walk, and our daily talk as a Christian is to Glorify God.)

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

These verses from The Book of Romans are our “roadmap” for “our walk” with Jesus.  (God shows us our “reasonable service.”  In His “mercies,” He shows us “how and where” to walk.) 

            “Is your “reasonable service” showing up at the Church (you claim membership) on Easter and Christmas, maybe also Mothers Day?  Or, do you “show up” faithfully at Church, but your wallet has never tasted “the fresh air” of the Church?”   (You refuse to tithe or support World Wide Missions.)

            “What do you believe God expects as your reasonable service?”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

We Know The Question, What Is Your Answer?

Isaiah 6:6-9  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:  7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.  8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.  9  And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

            I cannot relay to you how many times in my daily reading I have read this scripture.  This is the question I heard in my studies (not an audible voice) asking, “who will go for us?”  Eventually, one morning I gave God my answer and I submitted to His driving question.  I said, “Here am I; send me.”  (Do know my answer was more secular, and in a more modern vernacular, “Okay Lord I’ll go.”)

            Our nation is growing with those who claim Christianity, but have never submitted to the imposing statement made by Jesus The Christ, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

There are so many who claim Christianity yet have no idea about “the concept” of Salvation.  Their Momma and Daddy took them to Church.  A “preacher” sprinkled water over them and called it Baptism. He then professed they were Christians.  (Sharil and I did this very thing with our daughters.  They both have since accepted Jesus, receiving His Salvation, and were Baptized in obedience by their own “free will.”) 

            Our Bible teaches that we must “be born again” to be called a Christian.  This “must” is conditional, as certain things “must” happen.  (It is not your “good works.”  They are no more viable than the “sprinkling” you received as a baby.) 

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

“If it isn’t just being moral and good, then what is Salvation?”  It begins by you understanding that you are a sinner.  We are ALL sinners. (The life style you may have chosen:  adultery, fornication, (shacking up,) homosexuality and a complete string of sins that are defined in the Bible are still sins regardless of your opinion. You may not be involved in any of these, but you are still a sinner.) 

Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

            God has not changed, and He does not “wink” at what you are doing.  It has always been blasphemy, and it is still blasphemy. 

            We are all sinners, Christians and non-Christians.

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

            Therefore, (we are still exploring,) “How do I get saved?”  When Jesus died on that “Old Rugged Cross,” He forgave all because He loves all.  (This may be a “momentary to a several week event” to come to this understanding as it is different for every person.  This begins with conviction by The Holy Spirit and your “broken” heart.)

            Jesus tells us that we must “believeth in him” regardless of what we have been or what we have become.  We must believe in Jesus, and we must know from our heart who He is, and that He is what He says He is.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

                       

            If we are to draw near to God, it must be with belief from our contrite heart, a heart that is broken or crushed with the realization of (“…the grief experienced as a consequence of the revelation of sin…”  Herbert W. Armstrong.)  Within this contrition, we must work to clear our mind from this evil, (as if we had washed our bodies with clean pure water.)

Hebrews 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

             Now we have knowledge that our lifestyle has been a blasphemy against God, (which makes us an enemy of God.)  In this new experience, our realization about what we have become leaves us begging for God’s forgiveness.   In the new condition that we find ourselves, we remember that Jesus told us, “whosoever believeth”

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

From your “broken (contrite) heart,” call on His Name (Jesus) and salvation is yours.  You are now a Christian. Go to a Church that preaches God’s Word (Jesus,) and present yourself for Baptism, (doing what Christ commands us to do, being obedient to God.)

            Isaiah and much later Saul (Paul) submitted themselves to God.  Isaiah accepted God’s call.  He answered God’s question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” 

            Paul, on the other hand asked the question, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

Acts 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

This is the problem with “infant Baptism,” and “My family have always been Christians” thinking.  If in your heart you PERSONALLY have NEVER accepted Jesus, (regardless of the decisions made for you, and made by the “preacher”) you are NOT a Christian.

            You “must” ask yourself, “Do I believe?”  If you sincerely believe, you are a Christian. 

            Now, ask God as Saul did, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”  Wait prayerfully for His answer, and then be willing to follow Him.

            So, “What Is Your Answer?”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

Jesus Is Our Hope

Psalm 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

            Just thinking of sitting down with our enemy at a table is scary.  However, knowing that our Lord Jesus is preparing the table gives us hope beyond our wildest dreams.

1 Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  (4)  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  (5)  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Through “his abundant mercy,” we derive our “lively hope.”  This “lively hope” is an enduring “hope,” the “inheritance” of eternal life, “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”  Within this “abundant mercy,” we have no fear of sitting down in the “presence of mine enemies.”  Jesus gives us hope as His Father, our God has anointed us with His Mercy, His Love, and His Blessings.  Our “cup runneth over.”

            “Get” Jesus, who is our Hope, our Salvation, and receive The Everlasting Life He has promised us.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Just believe.  He will accept you eternally.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas   

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts            

The True Light

1 John 2:7-17  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.  (8)  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.  (9)  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.  (10)  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  (11)  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.  (12)  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.  (13)  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  (14)  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.  (15)  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

            We as Christians “must” know “The True Light” as this “light” is the basis of our Faith.  Jesus tells us who He is:

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John The Revelator refers to Jesus as The “light.”  Within these verses, we are given the contrast between “light” and “darkness.”  (“[D]arkness” is defined as being in the “world” and without The Salvation that God offers through The Blood of His Son Jesus.)

Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

            If a person “hateth his brother” and he says he is in the “light,” he “is in darkness even until now.”  (A “brother” is anyone who claims Jesus The Christ as his personal Saviour, not a non-Christian.) (In “the light” is accepting Jesus The Christ, (in sincere belief,) as our personal Redeemer and Saviour.)  If we have hate within our heart for anyone, we are not “in the light.” 

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

            “Reader, if you have never accepted Jesus The Christ as your Personal Redeemer, you are in “darkness.”  John tells us that in “darkness” we have no direction because the “darkness hath blinded his [our] eyes.”

            If we “love the world,” John tells us that we are “not of the Father,” (our God in Heaven.)  We are still of our “father the devil.”

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

            Yet, we that are of The Father in Heaven will do “the will of God” and will “abideth for ever.” 

            Today is the day to accept Jesus as your Lord, Saviour, and Redeemer.  The old saying, “Tomorrow Never Comes” is true as “tomorrow” becomes “today.” 

            Do it, accept Jesus before it is eternally too late.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

Jesus Gives Us Challenge!

Psalms 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

              This verse should both comfort and challenge Christians.  “[C]omfort” comes because we know that God is always with us.  In that “comfort” we have no fear as we know of God’s protection.

              Our greatest “challenge” is the “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”  There is a song entitled, “God Of The Mountain.” In the lyrics we are told that The God in the valley is the same God on top of the mountain.  (In “our walk through life,” many of us have already experienced many valleys and many mountaintops.) 

Psalms 27:2-5  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  (3)  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  (4)  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.  (5)  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

              In times like these, we feel there are those who want to destroy us.  They are surrounding us (morally, physically, and financially.)  We do know, or should know that “[H]e shall hide me [us] in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle.”  Our need is to desire “the LORD, that will I seek after” for His protection in “the secret of his tabernacle.”

              “Reader, are you in a valley so deep, it seems you are drowning?  Can you see a way out?”  Sometimes we get in the “valley of the shadow of death” by circumstances beyond our control, the death of a loved one, a sudden impairment, or a sudden change in the economy.  We may find (in hindsight) that we are the one who put ourselves in the valley, (adultery, alcoholism, drugs, and anger, just to name a few.)  If you are in a valley, regardless of the circumstance, you need to look up (from the valley floor) for a friend.

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God will strengthen you.  He will help you.  He will hold you up.  If you have not called on Jesus as your Saviour, this is the day.  This is the hour.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Do it now, not tomorrow.  What if God calls you into eternity tonight?  It will be too late.  You must accept Jesus prior to eternity as The Lake of Fire is “our default eternity.”  Accept Christ Now.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas   

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

Are You A Christian?

John 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

            Not all who claim Christianity are Christians.  Many will claim Jesus and claim the works they have done as their proof.

(Matthew 7:22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Yet, they have not done what is necessary to be a Christian.  Many will claim their Infant Baptism, and others will claim their Adult Baptism.  Most will include their morality along with their works and/or Baptism.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

            Our scripture is clear:  None of these “make” a person a Christian.  Jesus tells us:

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Jesus may leave us with the question:  “How are we “born again?”  It all begins with belief.  Jesus tells us:

John 3:15-17  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

To “be born again,” we must “believe” that Jesus is “[H]is [God’s] only begotten Son.”  This must be a sincere belief.  With this “belief” Salvation is granted.  (We also read that this Salvation is an “everlasting life.”) 

            Some may believe that “their past lives” will hinder them from being accepted by Jesus.  Yet, if we read John 3:16 (quoted above) we see that Jesus tells us “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish.”  Consider the word “whosoever.”  This word is “all inclusive.”  It includes the “worst of the worst,” the “best of the best,” and “everyone” in between.

            God sent Jesus to the earth to save ALL of the lost.

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The actual simplicity of Salvation is what many of us consider impossible.  Their thoughts: “I must do something to earn this Salvation.  In my past, I have been so horrible that God could or would never allow me into His realm.” 

            Our Bible is full of stories about men and women that had horrible pasts.  God not only saved them, but also used them in mighty ways.  (Rahab the Harlot, the woman at the well, King David, Saul of Tarsus, etc.)

            “Reader, have you called on Jesus’ name for your Salvation?”  If not, today is the day.  God tells us in:

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

All God asks is that you believe.  (Believe what?)  That God “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,” or “believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,” or what God tells us in His Word about His Son Jesus’ doctrine.  Then “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus.”  This is not going to a “phone booth” and telling one person.  This is confessing to all you know, and some you don’t know.  When this conviction has taken place, (and in your heart, you know that Jesus The Christ is your Saviour, and have “Confessed” it to others,) Salvation by God is yours. 

            Be obedient:  submit yourself for Baptism at a conservative Bible preaching Church.  Then attend faithfully.

            You are a Christian.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

Has He Restored Your Soul?

Psalms 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

            As Christians, all that we are is: “for his name's sake.”  Jesus died on that cruel old tree to accept ALL of our sins, (so that through His Blood, He could atone for us.)   He became our “Passover Lamb.”

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God sent His Son, (His Only Begotten Son,) to die for us so we can have “everlasting life.”  In His death on the Cross, Jesus made available a means of restoration for us.  Through His Blood, we are able to choose God.  I received The Holy Spirit (by one decision, accepting Jesus as my Saviour.)

            I had been bound for hell, (the “wrath of God.”)

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

            “But Brother John, you just don’t know what I have done.”  This is true, but Saul (Paul) said that he was the Chiefest of Sinners, and God selected him to speak for Jesus.   All of Jesus’ followers had “faith” in God and His Son Jesus The Christ.  It was never “what they were.”   It was always “what you can be.”

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

If we go back and study we find many were the “worst of the worst,” (but God accepted them,) because one day they realized their soul was depleted, and needed restoring.  Someone told them The Gospel (or they might have read a tract,) they made a choice, and chose Jesus.

            (They received a new life, a new home, and an everlasting, forevermore eternity.)  God tells us (through Paul) in The Book of Romans that once we have made “The Choice,” we need to tell others that we have accepted Jesus The Christ as our Saviour. 

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

We made this decision based on belief.  In this verse, God asks us to “believe in thine heart” that He (God) did “raise…him [Jesus] from the dead.”  In our “belief,” God will save us eternally.

            “Reader, accept Jesus today.   Allow the conviction of God’s Holy Spirit to draw you nearer to God.”

John 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Be “draw[n]” today.  Accept Him.  Now is The Appointed Time.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas   

Do We Know Him?

1 John 2:3-6  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  (4)  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (5)  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

            These verses are extremely hard for Christians.  As we look over our lives (since Salvation,) most Christians find we have miserably fallen short of God’s Will.

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

(God knows we will fall short.) If you have read your Bible and heard a few sermons, you also know you will fall short.  However, you are the only one (outside of God) who knows your heart.  The problem with many Christians is that we use this (falling short) as an excuse for NOT keeping “his commandments.”

            This excuse makes each of us “a liar.”  God tells us “the truth is not in him.”  So when we make excuses, (what have we become and what are we?)  

            Our verses tell us if we do not have “the truth” we do NOT have Salvation.  Our sins (which were paid for in full) are still with us, and we are still Hell bound.

            I know, I can hear it now, “Brother John, aren’t you being a bit legalistic?”  The problem is I do read my Bible, and (within the context of this writing,) what else could God mean?  The Bible is God’s Word, not mine.  What God says is what we need to heed.  If we liberalize the context, it would be “the intent of a man’s heart” to obey God.  (We must strive to obey.)  

1Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

We as Christians are not free to do just as we please.  (We are free to do what we desire within God’s Word.)  (When you accepted Jesus as your Saviour, your “want to’s” should have changed.  All Christians have some old “want to’s.”  I don’t “want to” do what I used to do, and have to battle to control the old “want to’s.”  Satan knows this and wants us back.)  He can’t have our souls, (as God placed The Holy Spirit within us,) but he can ruin our testimonies.

                       

1Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

(We must be vigilant in our “Christian walk.”  There are many who as a “roaring lion” will try to push us off our path with Christ.   We are “perfect[ing]” our Salvation as we walk through life, and it will be made perfect when God calls us Home.)  Until that time, we are to walk as close as we can to Jesus’ walk.

            Reader, the question is:  “Do you know Jesus The Christ” as your Lord and Saviour?”  Do you claim Jesus, but aren’t “walking the walk” that glorifies Him?   Have you come to the realization that you are a “liar” and “the truth is not in” you?   If your father is the devil, do you realize that your soul is heading directly to hell?”

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

If we are walking with the devil, we cannot also walk with Jesus.  (We cannot walk with both Truth and un-truth.)  We must choose.

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Choose, and accept Jesus.  Call on His name in belief.   Accept Him today.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

Ye Shall Know Them

Matthew 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

            As Christians, we are to be seen, but not as worldly people.  God tells us that we are to show others the “fruits” of our labor (for Him,)  but not to call attention to “our works” as a prideful person.  Others ought to be able to see “our works” by watching us as we serve God.

            Many will ask the question, “What is it that God would have me to do?”  (Saul asked that same question as he lay in the dust talking to Jesus.)

Acts 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? ...

Saul realized that Jesus was The Christ indeed, (as he lay in that dust talking with The Messiah Himself.)

When we finally realized that Jesus is our Saviour, (we probably weren’t lying in the middle of a dusty road,) but we may have been “at the end of our rope.”  (We were so relieved to know we were Heaven bound,   saved from our sins, and no longer bound for hell.)

            But for many Christians, just knowing that they “are saved” is the “end of the road.” Whether they become CEO’s (Christmas and Easter Only,) or attend Church on a regular basis, many feel nothing more is expected of them.  (God expects more from us who claim His Son.)

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, [Christian] by the mercies of God, that ye [you] present your [you]  bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your [you]  reasonable service.  2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye [you]  transformed by the renewing of your [you]  mind, that ye [you]  may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Notice that this verse references “any and ALL Christians.”  (This verse isn’t just for your Pastor or those who “work” at the Church.)  If you have called on God’s Name, this verse is for YOU.

            God (via The Holy Spirit) calls all to serve.  Our problem is that only a few “answer.”  We read in The Book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 6:8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Notice that Isaiah accepted without exception.  (He didn’t put limits on what he would do, or where he would go.)  At Church we sing, “I Surrender All.”  The lyrics state:  “I [will] surrender all” to God.  (Many Christians sing with their hearts, “I Surrender Some.”)  God wants our hearts.  He doesn’t want “just some of it.”

Mark 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Christian, have you asked God, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”  If you have, have you answered God by saying, “Here am I; send me?”  If you haven’t, and if you aren’t reading your Bible, not attending Church, nor praying, “How do you know you are a Christian?”  “Where are your “fruits” of labor for Him?”

            God tells us:

Romans 10:9-10  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

We as individuals must decide to accept Jesus as our Saviour.  (It must be “a personal heart felt” consideration.)  Once we have resolved within our heart to say “yes,” we must accept Jesus “in belief.”  Our next step is to “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,” and God will save us.  (If there is what some might call a “catch,”) it is that our “belief” and “accepting Jesus” must be “with the heart,” meaning sincerely.

            “Salvation” is a serious, personal decision. It must never be taken lightly. 

            “Reader, what are you going to do?  Accept Him today, for tomorrow never comes.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

I Was Blind, Now I See

Habakkuk 3:15-19  Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.  (16)  When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.  (17)  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  (18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

               This last Chapter in Habakkuk is a Psalm, (a prayer in song.)  (Habakkuk is prophesying the destruction of Judah.  Some historians believe that Daniel and other Sons of Israel were already in captivity.  Habakkuk saw what was coming and his “belly trembled.”  He was saw bleakness, and was dismayed at Israel’s future, his future.  He saw the calamity, Israel’s future.) 

            Habakkuk saw what we, as Christians ought to see happening here in The United States.  It isn’t general freedoms we are losing, (but we are, and at an alarming rate.)  We as Christians are losing our freedom to choose our God, and that should terrify us.  

Our society and our government is paralleling The Nation of Judah.  (I fear as a Citizen and as a Christian, we as a Nation are at a point of captivity.)

            Habakkuk realized that God had a plan and he “rejoice[d] in the LORD.”  We must also come to the realization that God is still in control.  (As Controller, God will change what He will change.  We are at The Mercy of God, just like Judah.  We must turn our hearts back to God, walk as He expects us to walk, and like Lott’s wife, don’t look back.)

            Like Habakkuk we must remember that The “LORD God is my strength.”  In that knowledge, we must gird our loins and start working for The Lord, (doing the “work” He has given.)

2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Our task as Christians is to do The Will of The Lord.  What is God’s Will?  Glorify Him in ALL we do.  We Glorify Him by calling on His “name,” by “humble[ing]” ourselves, by our “pray[ing]” to Him, and always “seek [ing]” Him.  (We glorify Him by turning from our “wicked ways.”)    “Change” will not come from The President, nor from our Government.  It must come from our Churches.  In order to “heal [our] land,” we must be the Christians we claim to be.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

               Some push aside 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a statement for Israel.  I do agree.  But Paul tells us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice.”  (Paul incorporates 2 Chronicles 7:14 to include The Christian Church.)

            Our strength (as an individual Christian, as a Church body, and as a Nation) is “God.”

            “Reader, what are you going to do?  Are you going to Glorify God, or “figure” that somebody else will do it for you?  The sad part is if you don’t do your part, nobody will.  What is coming should make our “belly tremble…,” and our hearts beat faster.  There should be a fear of “what’s next,” and “when is the next shoe gonna drop?” 

            God’s Wrath may be on its way.  It may be a severe chastisement, or it may be The “Rapture.” 

Jesus Christ The Righteous

1 John 2:1-2  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  (2)  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

            Those of us who know and understand the concept of existing sinfulness know that to sin is an abomination towards God.  (Within the idea of this being an abomination, we become an enemy of God.  Those of us who walk in the world (flesh) are enemies of God.)

Romans 8:6-8  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God

We as Christians must know that to walk in sin can shed doubt on our salvation.  (I know, here I go judging again.  If those who are always “quoting” (out of context) verses concerning judging would read and study the scriptures, they would know that I must not judge you with a different standard than I judge myself.)  God wants Christians to be able to discern (judge.)  When we see a brother in sin we should attempt to sway him away from that sin.

Ezekiel 33:6  But if the watchman  [Any Christian] see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his  iniquity [sin]; but his blood will I require at the watchman's [Christian’s] hand.

If a Christian fails (in his resolve to discern,) and walks away with no admonition, (and if that person dies in his sins,) his blood is on that Christian’s hands.

            Jesus died on the cross for you and I.  He died for our sins.  He is The Mighty “watchman,” and He has warned.  Because of that admonition, those who have accepted Him are free from The Wrath of God.

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Our God in Heaven, and His Son Jesus are both Righteous and Holy.  (How can we ever expect to be in their presence?)  They are both without sin.  They never sinned, and never will allow sin within Their realm. 

            Regardless of your personal opinion, your sin (you are a sinful person) is what keeps you from God and His Son.

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

            In Romans, Paul also shows us “the path” to that Righteousness we need.

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

When Jesus died on that “Old Rugged Cross,” He died for our sins so we can be free, (free to live in the presence of God The Father eternally. 

            If you believe that God raised Jesus from the grave, and are a “watchman” willing to confess that belief to others, God will save you from your sins and that eternal burning in Hell.

            “Reader, why are you waiting?  Have you accepted Jesus?  Are you an active “watchman?”   Do you fear that “his blood” (the sinner’s blood) will be accounted to you?” 

            Believe.  Ask Jesus Today.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas