Fundamental Thoughts

Has He Restored Your Soul?

2012-02-10T03:45:00.000-08:00

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

AsChristians, all that we are is: “for his name's sake.” Jesus died on that cruel old tree to acceptALL 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, thatwhosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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

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

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

“But BrotherJohn, 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 andHis Son Jesus The Christ. It was never“what they were.” It was always “whatyou can be.”

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

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

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

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

We made this decision based on belief. In this verse, God asks us to “believein thine heart” that He (God) did “raise…him[Jesus] fromthe dead.” In our “belief,” God willsave us eternally.

“Reader,accept Jesus today. Allow theconviction 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?

2012-02-08T04:21:00.000-08:00

1John 2:3-6 And hereby we do know that weknow 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 inhim ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

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

Romans3:23 For all have sinned, and come shortof the glory of God;

(God knows we will fall short.) If you have read yourBible and heard a few sermons, you also know you will fall short. However, you are the only one (outside ofGod) who knows your heart. The problemwith many Christians is that we use this (falling short) as an excuse for NOTkeeping “his commandments.”

Thisexcuse makes each of us “a liar.” God tells us “thetruth is not in him.” So when wemake excuses, (what have we become and what are we?)

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

Iknow, I can hear it now, “Brother John, aren’t you being a bit legalistic?” The problem is I do read my Bible, and (withinthe 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 “theintent of a man’s heart” to obey God. (Wemust strive to obey.)

1Samuel15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings andsacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better thansacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

We as Christians are not free to do just as weplease. (We are free to do what wedesire within God’s Word.) (When youaccepted 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, andhave 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 TheHoly Spirit within us,) but he can ruin our testimonies.

1Peter5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because youradversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he maydevour:

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

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

John8:44 Ye are of your father thedevil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from thebeginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenhe speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father ofit.

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

John3:3 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. AcceptHim today.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

Ye Shall Know Them

2012-02-06T09:47:00.001-08:00

Matthew7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shallknow them.

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

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

Acts9:6 And he trembling and astonishedsaid, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? ...

Saulrealized that Jesus was The Christ indeed, (as he lay in that dust talking withThe Messiah Himself.)

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

But for many Christians, justknowing that they “are saved” is the “end of the road.” Whether they becomeCEO’s (Christmas and Easter Only,) or attend Church on a regular basis, manyfeel nothing more is expected of them. (Godexpects more from us who claim His Son.)

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, [Christian] bythe mercies of God, that ye [you] present your [you] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptableunto God, which is your [you] reasonable service. 2 Andbe 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, andacceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Noticethat this verse references “any and ALL Christians.” (This verse isn’t just for your Pastor orthose who “work” at the Church.) If youhave called on God’s Name, this verse is for YOU.

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

Isaiah6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord,saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here amI; send me.

Noticethat Isaiah accepted without exception. (Hedidn’t put limits on what he would do, or where he would go.) At Church we sing, “I Surrender All.” The lyricsstate: “I [will] surrender all”to God. (Many Christians sing with theirhearts, “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 allthy 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 bysaying, “Here am I; send me?” If you haven’t,and if you aren’t reading your Bible, not attending Church, nor praying, “Howdo you know you are a Christian?” “Whereare your “fruits” of labor for Him?”

God tells us:

Romans10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess withthy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raisedhim from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth untorighteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Weas individuals must decide to accept Jesus as our Saviour. (It must be “a personal heart felt”consideration.) Once we have resolvedwithin our heart to say “yes,” we must accept Jesus “in belief.” Our next step is to “confesswith 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 “withthe heart,” meaning sincerely.

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

“Reader, what are you going todo? Accept Him today, for tomorrow nevercomes.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

I Was Blind, Now I See

2012-02-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

Habakkuk 3:15-19 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through theheap of great waters. (16) When I heard, my belly trembled; my lipsquivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled inmyself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto thepeople, he will invade them with his troops. (17) Although the fig tree shallnot blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour ofthe olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall becut 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 mysalvation. (19) The LORD God is my strength, and hewill make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk uponmine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

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

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

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

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

LikeHabakkuk we must remember that The “LORD God ismy strength.” In thatknowledge, 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, andpray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear fromheaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Our task as Christians is to do The Will of TheLord. 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. (Weglorify Him by turning from our “wicked ways.”) “Change” will not come from The President, norfrom our Government. It must come from ourChurches. In order to “heal [our] land,” we mustbe the Christians we claim to be.

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

Some pushaside 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 toinclude The Christian Church.)

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

“Reader,what are you going to do? Are you goingto 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 makeour “belly tremble…,” and our hearts beat faster. There should be a fear of “what’s next,” and “whenis the next shoe gonna drop?”

God’sWrath may be on its way. It may be asevere chastisement, or it may be The “Rapture.”

Jesus Christ The Righteous

2012-02-01T04:30:00.000-08:00

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

Thoseof us who know and understand the concept of existing sinfulness know that tosin is an abomination towards God. (Withinthe idea of this being an abomination, we become an enemy of God. Those of us who walk in the world (flesh) areenemies of God.)

Romans8:6-8 For to be carnally minded isdeath; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is notsubject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 Sothen they that are in the flesh cannot please God

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

Ezekiel33:6 But if the watchman [Any Christian] see the sword come, and blownot the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take anyperson from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity[sin]; buthis blood will I require at the watchman's [Christian’s] hand.

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

Jesusdied on the cross for you and I. He diedfor our sins. He is The Mighty “watchman,” and Hehas warned. Because of that admonition, thosewho have accepted Him are free from The Wrath of God.

John3:36 He that believeth on the Son hatheverlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but thewrath of God abideth on him.

Our God in Heaven, and His Son Jesus are both Righteousand Holy. (How can we ever expect to bein their presence?) They are both withoutsin. They never sinned, and never willallow sin within Their realm.

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

Romans3:23 For all have sinned, and come shortof the glory of God;

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

Romans10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thymouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised himfrom the dead, thou shalt be saved.

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

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

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

Believe. Ask Jesus Today.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

I Chose God

2012-01-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

22 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:169-176 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, OLORD: give me understanding according to thy word. (170) Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thyword. (171) My lips shall utter praise, when thou hasttaught me thy statutes. (172) My tongue shall speak of thy word: for allthy commandments are righteousness. (173) Let thine hand help me; forI have chosen thy precepts. (174) I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; andthy law is my delight. (175) Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;and let thy judgments help me. (176) I have gone astray like alost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

As westudy the last segment in Psalm 119, the phrase that comes to my mind is, “Ihave chosen thy precepts.” King Davidhad “chosen” God’s law (precepts,) astatement of Faith by choosing God. King David, as a secular man, was a failure. However, spiritually he was God’s Man.

Youand I, as we walk in this life, may find that “within the world” we arefailures. The “world” knows about ourspiritual life, but has no knowledge about “our relationship with God.”

InSunday School, we recently sang a song entitled, “This Little Light of Mine.” Oneverse suggests we might hide “our light” under a bushel, another that the windmight blow it out, and another that the devil “might” attempt to blow it out.

AsChristians, we are a peculiar people. Weare to let “This Little Light of Mine”shine for “all” the world to see. We maybe the only Bible non-Christians will ever read.

Sowhat version of the Bible are you portraying? Are you, “It Has Been A Long Time Since I Read It,” “Actually I HaveOnly Read Parts,” or “I Have Never Read It, But When I Go To Church I ListenReal Good.” “What kind of light are youportraying? If you have not read yourBible, and if you are not attending Church, how do you KNOW you are aChristian?”

As a peculiarpeople our “light” must be God’s Light, His Truth, His Righteousness, and aboveall, His Holiness.

KingDavid, in all his failures, chose God. The“world” saw his failures, but they also saw that he was a Man of God. King David’s “This Little Light of Mine” might have flickered a time or two; butwhen he realized his failure, he always fell to his knees in repentance. He realized that to get closer to God:

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse yourhands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.

Repentance is a means of “purify [ing]” and“Cleanse [ing]” our hearts and our hands. King David couldn’t wash himself clean. It allhad to be done “with the heart,” in repentance, with a sincere heart before God.

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

“Christian, is your light faltering? Are you running out of fuel? Is your “LittleLight” as bright as it should be? Haveyou “Chosen God?”

“Reader,today is the day to accept Jesus and light your “Little Light” for Jesus.” Doit today. Choose God.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

The Seven Deadly Sins

2012-01-27T07:10:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are anabomination unto him: (17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands thatshed innocent blood, (18) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness thatspeaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

KingSolomon wasn’t pampering his listeners. He was laying out God’s concerns for His people. In my days of Pastoring (and since then) I haveseen too much of these abominations within our Churches.

To alarge percentage of Church people (and the secular world,) these sevenabominations are no longer God’s concern. (All we have to do is “forgive” others, spread the “love” of Jesus, and allthese abominations will vanish.)

As ayouth growing up in the world, I was taught to be proud and do things thatwould have made my Father proud of me. (MyFather died when I was very young.) Ilived with that well into my adult life.

Atsome point, I finally realized I should concern myself with my Mother. She was the one who worked with me. She was the one who prodded me into beingsomething other than a High School drop-out.

As achild, all of these “Seven Deadly Sins” were taught against with two exceptions. The first was the “proudlook.” I don’t believe this sin was everaddressed. I remember we were instructedto be proud. (I am not including the“pride” of the accomplishments of our children, but the “pride” of “Me, Myself,and I.)

Istop and consider all the resumes I have written, and applying “alying tongue” to those documents. (When I was asked to write a resume for my last Pastorate, it was verydifficult to NOT slip back into the “old mold” and “embellish” the facts more thanI should.) (That last resume was anhonest and truthful document.)

The secondof the “Seven Deadly Sins” was “wicked imaginations.” (As achild, I was never taught to imagine wicked things, yet I was taught that Ishould always broaden my imagination.)

If welooked at our “imaginations” as God does, “how ashamed would we be?” What does our “imaginations” tell God (and“the world?”) Most “imaginations” areprivate. However, I know some broadcasttheir attempts at casting dispersions on God.

Livingin the world, and as Christians, we must examine our hearts. All seven sins listed above have the samevalue. (God hates them all. One is nogreater than the other.) Consequently,if we are guilty of one, (it doesn’t matter which one,) we are guilty and willbe punished for that sin. Our walk andour talk as a Christian must not include any of these sins.

“Reader,what is our task that has been set before us? If you have never accepted Jesus The Christ as your Personal Saviour, beginhere. Call on His name and He willreceive you.”

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the nameof the Lord shall be saved.

Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the nameof the LORD shall be delivered: ...

“It is your decision. Once you have called on His name, beg forforgiveness and seek God’s help in opening your heart to those sins you havecommitted. Then repent (change) and walkaway from your sins.”

“Christian,you must go before God in prayer. Askfor forgiveness, and repent of your sins.” (Repenting may be a daily task.)

Change,Repent, and Walk with God.

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

The decision is YOURS.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

The Big Deception

2012-01-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth isnot in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful andjust to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we makehim a liar, and his word is not in us.

When I stop and consider my life prior to Jesus, Ifind I was a liar. (I didn’t go about “tellinglies,” but I was “living a lie.”) My formerlife could have been entitled, “The Big Deception.” I thought I was a “somebody,” and being a“somebody,” I was important. (In termsof my family, I was important as the primary “breadwinner.” Yet, in terms ofJesus The Christ, I was nothing.)

When we walk along “life’s highway” we make decisionsas to what we are doing, and where we are going. Some of these choices (at least for me) werebad choices. Others weren’t so bad, (probablybordering on the good. We may not evenbe able to discern those “bad” choices, or that they are “bad” choices.)

Our scripture tells us, “If we[will] confessour sins” He will “forgiveus our sins.” Our firstconsideration is: “What does God mean byus “confess[ing] our sins?” This confession is NOT for anyone who claimsa spiritual relationship with God. (Thisconfession is to God, directly from your heart.) (I have always said, “Don’t tell me yoursins. I am likely to sin and judge you, butask me to pray for your unspoken need.)” (Don’t involve man in your confession.)

God wants YOU on your knees. Kneel with a humble,broken heart (because of your sin.) Begfor His forgiveness.

If we accept Jesus by our faith, He forgives us, and wewill be given an eternity with Jesus (in the presence of God The Father.) Jesus’blood has “cleanse[d] us from all unrighteousness.” We now belong to Jesus and God The Father.

Today: STOP“The Big Deception.” Realize: “claiming” you “haveno sin” makes God “a liar.”

1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heardof him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness atall.

God knows NO Sin. He is The Truth. Only He is The Truth and The Light. Accept Jesus now.

Asthe footwear “people” tell us, “Just Do It.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

My Way

2012-01-23T16:28:00.000-08:00

21 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalm 119:161-168SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in aweof thy word. 162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. 164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.165 Great peace have they which love thylaw: and nothing shall offend them. 166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. 167 Mysoul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. 168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies:for all my ways are before thee.

Thereare many times when I have allowed my pride to place offerings before God. (My intention was never to place them before Him.) Yet, in my pride, I have done just that. (Itmay take me minutes, or days to realize what I have done.) God knows my intent. He also knows my pride. (That is where we as Christians fail.) We know (without a doubt) He sees our everymove, yet in our pride, we “go about our business” as if He doesn’t know.

Wecan get our meals, our homes, our clothing, etc., prepared “My Way.” (We “think” in terms of “My Way.” We conjure our “needs,” and then “work” toachieve those needs “My Way.”

However,Christianity isn’t (nor has it ever been) “My Way.” God teaches us that it is His Way and His Wayonly.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no mancometh unto the Father, but by me.

God sent His Only Begotten Son to give us everlastinglife. He (Jesus) died on that “OldRugged Cross” for our sins. It was fromthat “Old Rugged Cross” He forgave us.

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

I don’t have to shed my blood, nor do I have tosacrifice myself on a cross (for myself, or for anyone else.) It has been done “oncefor all” with Jesus’ blood from His Cross.

Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offeringof the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Godhas provided “His Way” through His Son. Jesus accepted God’s Will. Thisincluded The Beatings, being Nailed to that Cross, and allowing that Spear topierce His side. He did all this andmore, just to spill His Blood for my Salvation, and grant me Hisforgiveness. (What a Saviour, myJesus. He has done for me what I can notdo for myself.)

“Reader,He did it for me. But He also did it foryou. Look at your heart. Humble yourself. Bow down and accept His Sacrifice for youreternity.”

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

God asks that you “believe” that Heraised His Son from the grave. Believe,tell others what you “believe,” and God will save you.

Do ittoday. Remember that old truism,“Tomorrow Never Comes.” We never know what tomorrow will bring.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

The Message

2012-01-17T10:05:00.000-08:00

1 John 1:5-7 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare untoyou, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) Ifwe say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and donot the truth: (7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in thelight, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ hisSon cleanseth us from all sin.

John 12:46 I am come a lightinto the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Are we aware of God’s presence, His safety and Hismercy in our daily walk with Jesus? God“light[s]” our way. His “light” wards off impending doom,and allows Him to see our need. (Hismercy always lights our way. He neverleads us into “darkness” because He has “nodarkness at all.”)

Jesus tells us: if we as Christians are flirting with thedarkness of the world (sin) we, regardless of our testimony, are not of Him.

I can hear you now. “Brother John, you said The Bible teaches, “Oncesaved always saved.” I will continue to saythe same. If a person has professedJesus as His Saviour, and is doing his best to walk that narrow path, he will(as I have) make a few mistakes. (He is stillsaved and will go to Heaven and live eternally with The Lord Jesus.) However, if a person makes a confession, and thencontinues blatantly in his sin, God calls him a liar, “andwalk in darkness, we lie.”

Matthew_6:24 No man can servetwo masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else hewill hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

If welove God, how can we walk on other paths? (We cannot do both.) To getaround this dilemma, we re-identify those sins “as less than darkness, sortatwilight.” That way they have “some”light. But our scripture tells us “inhim is no darkness at all.” “TheMessage” is: “Godis light” and that “in him is no darkness at all.” If we call Jesus our Lord, but continuewithout repentance, (walking in the darkness of sin,) we are liars.

“Reader,if you find within your heart a lack of repentance, and that the “narrow roadof Christ” is not a part of your life: repent now. Call upon The Lord. Beg Him to accept you. Allow The “bloodof Jesus Christ his Son” to cleanse you of your sins. Change your mind. Repent of your sins, and put them away.”

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by themercies 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 yetransformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is thatgood, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

“The Message” is: “What is your “reasonableservice?” In order to achieve what Godwants, we as Christians must renew “[y]our mind.” This change must be our desire, the desire tobe “transformed,” and found “acceptable unto God.” “Reader, what are you going to do, continuein your sin, or repent and follow Jesus?”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Our Trust In God

2012-01-09T13:50:00.001-08:00

Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside thestill waters.

KingDavid depicts for us a serene, idyllic scenery, (a pastoral view that many ofus living within a city cannot comprehend. We might even decide this wonderful view does not even exist.) If we could take the opportunity and go tothe country for a few hours (in an attempt to find this serenity,) our fears(not locking the door behind us, and being left “in the open” at the whims ofmarauding bandits) might be overwhelming.

WhenI began preaching, we lived on a small acreage, with many trees, (some of whichwere “clumps” of mature Dogwood Trees.) Almost daily, I walked up a hill to one particular clump of Dogwoods toread my Bible and pray. (On occasion, Ieven laid down on the ground and napped under that clump of trees.) When I left the house, our dog, Mei Zen, andour two cats, Bert and Ernie always followed me. When they had “secured the area,” I satdown. (I knew there weren’t anycopperheads or other critters to cause me problems.) I relied on my animals to protect me, yet, Ibelieve I was relying on God to protect me in that pasture. (I was allowing God to use the animals for myprotection. My cats kept the smallcritters at bay, and my dog (a Shar Pei) definitely hindered the larger ones.)

However,the scene David gives us is “a painting of his heart.” It is his love of God, and his trust in Godthat he reveals his heart to us in this verse. If we trusted God as David trusted Him, howmuch greener could our pastures, our valleys, and those mountaintops be? We can gain that trust, and The Love of Godby delving into God’s Word, and by kneeling and submitting ourselves in prayerto Him.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Allthat we are, and all that we can be is by allowing God to lead us by those “stillwaters.” Those waters reflectserenity, but they can be “deep waters” with treacherous sub-surface currents(sin.) Sin pulls us away from theserenity that God gives us.

Jesus,our Lord and Saviour guides us beside those “still waters.” He never takes us into those currents that willpull us away. He protects us through TheHoly Spirit.

“Reader,have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour? He is The Only Way. There is no other Way to secure a heavenlyabode. There is only one Way to God, andthat is through Jesus via The Holy Spirit.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no mancometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus tells us through Paul that if we will believethat God has raised Him (Jesus) from the grave, and if we will tell others (confess)what we believe, God will save us.

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

Believe and know Heaven is your home.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Our Wickedness

2012-01-09T13:43:00.001-08:00

20 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:153-160 RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliverme: for I do not forget thy law. (154) Plead my cause, and deliverme: quicken me according to thy word. (155) Salvation is farfrom the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. (156) Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thyjudgments. (157) Many are my persecutors and mineenemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. (158) I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thyword. (159) Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me,O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. (160) Thy word is true fromthe beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.

Our Psalmist,King David, understands who the “wicked,” peopleare. In today’s world, we have become so“politically correct” in our definition of the word “wicked,” that todefine the word we must use a term like “terrorist.” “Terrorist”might not have been a word King David ever used or even knew, yet “terrorist”is included within the confines of the word “wicked.”

Whatwould be the definition if we define “wicked” on thesame terms King David used? We mightbegin with (v 155) quoted above, and say that those who do not know God, (don’tgo to Church and don’t read God’s Word are “wicked.”) In secular terms, we could include “pedophile,”“murderer,” “terrorist,” and “rapist.” Ourlist could go on and on.

Let us lookat some Biblical terms for the definition of “wicked.” We can begin alphabetically: “adultery,” “bestiality,” “beguilers (liars),”“brawlers,” “fornicators,” “sodomites,” and “whores.” (This list is brief and incomplete.) Within the secular world, this list of wordsno longer exists. Most are deemed offensive,and have been replaced with soft, nice, pleasing to the ear sounding words.

Romans 1:20-24 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world areclearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even hiseternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolishheart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they becamefools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptibleGod into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfootedbeasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up touncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their ownbodies between themselves:

Regardless of the wordswe use to define adulterers, fornicators, or whores, they are still “wicked.” Liars, brawlers and cheaters are also “wicked,” as arethose who partake in bestiality and sodomy. By God’s definition: ANYTHINGthat does not Honour God is blasphemy and is “wicked.”

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied inthy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done manywonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I neverknew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Consequently,those who call on God’s name by claiming His Son, but are “only doing it forshow or to declare an association with a religious group,” are just as “wicked” as thosewho blatantly defile God’s Name.

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

“Reader,where do you stand within the “Biblical Definition” of “wicked?” Are you defining some of these terms with apersonal bias? (If it applies to me, weignore it. If it applies to someone else, we judge them softly (if we like them.) Otherwise, they deserve what they get.)

Nowis the time to get your mind set.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and lovethe other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannotserve God and mammon.

Mammon is a word for “money,” “money of the world,” oras the “world is.” You cannot live asthe “world is” and “serve God.” You must decide, are you “God’s servant,” or “are you the wicked servantof the world?”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Our Joy To The World

2012-01-05T18:12:00.001-08:00

1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we haveseen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, ofthe Word of life; (2) (For the life was manifested, and we haveseen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, whichwas with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) (3) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also mayhave fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father,and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4) And these things write we unto you, that yourjoy may be full.

Inthis letter, John the Apostle writes about his personal, physical contact with OurLord Jesus. He teaches we are to have a “joyful”experience with The Lord Jesus, “the Word of life.” Yet, within that “joy” lies anarrow road on which we must travel. By travelingthis narrow road with Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, our “joy” will be eternallyfulfilled.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad isthe way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Becausestrait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth untolife, and few there be that find it.

The day we accepted Jesus as our Saviour was the daywe found the “strait gate.” We are now on the “narrow… way” and have removed ourselves from the “broad…way.” We can now seek His/our “joy” and walk withJesus knowing we will be with Him forever and ever.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no mancometh unto the Father, but by me.

Nowwe understand that “Joy To The World” is “fellowship…with theFather.” In this “fellowship” we find the“joy” that is the wonderful calm.

Howdid we come to have this fellowship? Itis explained in The Book of John.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld hisglory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace andtruth.

God sent His Son, His Only Begotten Son Jesus, (bornof a Virgin) to earth to show us The Way to Him/Our Joy. Jesus lives to see the Lost come to Him.

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

Jesus died on that “Old Rugged Cross” to secure Hisposition as our “Passover Lamb.” ThroughHis blood, we are secure and eternally His. Jesus became “Our Joy To TheWorld.”

“Reader,can you say you know (without a doubt) that your “Joy” is being fulfilled? Do you have that peace/calm God gives when weare secure in Him? Do you know without adoubt if you died today that Heaven would be your eternal home? You can know. Open your heart and mind, and seek God throughHis Son Jesus. Seek Him and know. Let Him be your fulfilled Joy.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

The LORD is…

2012-01-05T10:04:00.001-08:00

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

We asChristians have submitted ourselves to Jesus. We have Chosen Him as our Saviour, and our Shepherd.

Inthis verse, King David relinquishes his secular Kingship and Authority toGod. He acknowledges God as hisAuthority, and his Shepherd.

AsChristians, Jesus The Christ is our Personal Saviour, and our Shepherd. We (Christians) have (for the most part)allowed Jesus to be our Saviour only on those days we are in Church, and in thosetimes of crisis. (We then look for Hisintervention.) Jesus tells us:

John 10:8-11 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep didnot hear them. (9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, heshall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: Iam come that they might have life, and that they might have it moreabundantly. (11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherdgiveth his life for the sheep.

We don’t seem to know when “the wolf” is at our doorbecause we “did not hear them.” Only Jesus can protect us, as He is protecting “our door.”

Insteadof allowing Jesus to “Shepherd” us, we rely on psychology, (a secular wisdomcreated by a known sexual pervert.) Weexpect the world’s wisdom to solve our problems. (Not only can we not “hearthem”we let them into the fold.)

Jesusis standing ready and willing to protect us, yet we are unwilling to submit toHim, but willingly accept “the world’s guardian angel.”

In(John 10:8, quoted above) Jesus tells us that all who have come before us (fromthe world) are “thieves and robbers.” They are after our livelihood, our testimony, and anything else thatdefines us as a Christian.

Jesustells us, “if” we will accept Him as our Shepherd, He will stand “at the doorof the fold and protect us eternally.” The “wiles of the devil” can no longer enter within our Shepherdeddomain. With Jesus’ protection, “Ishall not want.”

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in gloryby Christ Jesus.

KingDavid tells us, “The LORD is my shepherd” and he asa man meant it.

“Is “TheLORD”your Shepherd? Have you accepted Him? Do you submit to Him daily? Is He truly your Shepherd, not just on Churchdays, but every day? Is He The God ofyour valleys, (the crisis times) and The God who lifts you to the mountain tops,(the good times)? If not, today is theday to accept Him. Relinquish yourself to Him.”

Note: “You”must be the one to change. God ourShepherd will protect you. Make it happentoday.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Oh So Close

2012-01-05T09:55:00.001-08:00

19 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:145-152 KOPH. I cried with my whole heart;hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. (146) I cried unto thee; save me,and I shall keep thy testimonies. (147) I prevented the dawning of the morning, andcried: I hoped in thy word. (148) Mine eyes prevent the night watches,that I might meditate in thy word. (149) Hear my voice accordingunto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. (150) They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thylaw. (151) Thou art near, O LORD; and all thycommandments are truth. (152) Concerning thy testimonies,I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

OurPsalmist, King David, is concerned that those who oppose him are “compassinghim” and getting very close. He knowsthose who are opposing him are also against God. (My fear is that we may be re-living KingDavid’s day.)

We arefinding that we have not only a President, but also a Congress and a Judicial Systemthat oppose God and His Son, our Beloved Jesus. Everywhere we turn, we find the ranks are “draw[ing] nigh.” (Any emblem we as Christians wear (contraryto the secular point of view) is automatically declared unsuitable for publicdisplay.)

Wefind that secularism is encompassing “The Christian Family,” and moving (in thedirection) to tighten “Oh So Close” and isolate “The Christian” into a closedsociety.

Psalm 17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, whocompass me about.

The world, which compasses us is and always has been awicked world. Yet, we find ourgovernment, which was set up as a Christian government, has turned its back onthe very precepts from which it was formed. It has moved “far from thy law” and is now allowing sin to be anacceptable lifestyle. What was anabomination to God (and still is) has become “normal.” “What can we as Christians do?”

First,follow King David’s lead. Believe thatGod is our shield.

Psalm 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

Look to God for protection and stand “your ground” byfollowing His Precepts.

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faithand love which is in Christ Jesus.

We as a people are to “Holdfast… in faith and love” (and as the world closes its ranks around us,) we by“faith and love” are to stand fast regardless of the consequences.

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: thatwhether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, thatye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith ofthe gospel;

We are not to allow “the cares” of this world “driveus” to extremes. We are to “standfast in one spirit, with one mind” working together as true Christians for the “faithof the gospel.”

“Reader,are you part of “The Group” compassing “The Christians,” and relishing in thefreedom of your sin? On the other hand,are you within the circle of the “faith[ful in]…thegospel?” Are you the problem forChristians, or are you the problem for the world?”

We asChristians must know Jesus is returning to collect His Faithful. Look to the sky, and watch for His return.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with thevoice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shallrise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remainshall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in theair: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort oneanother with these words.

“Christian,look up and “comfort one another” because He is “Oh So Close.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

God’s Word Is Pure

2012-01-03T12:50:00.001-08:00

18 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:137-144 TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD,and upright are thy judgments. (138) Thy testimonies thatthou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. (139) My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thywords. (140) Thy word is very pure: therefore thyservant loveth it. (141) I am small and despised: yet donot I forget thy precepts. (142) Thy righteousness is an everlastingrighteousness, and thy law is the truth. (143) Trouble and anguish havetaken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. (144) The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give meunderstanding, and I shall live.

OurPsalmist, King David tells us in (v 144) that his God, The God of Israel, is an EverlastingGod, and begs for the necessaryunderstanding he needs to allow him to live. King David knows that God’s Word is “very pure,” and continues to expound that he loves God’sWord.

(Thisbrings me to my concern.) Our King JamesBible (God’s Word) teaches us through The Parable of the Sower, (Matthew 13:3-9and 18-23) that seventy-five per cent of the people we encounter in ourChurches are non-believers. Consequently, we can surmise they have never read God’s Word, nor do theycherish it as did King David. (In some Christian circles, our Bible hasbecome “just another book.”)

AsChristians, many of us have lost the “zeal” we hadwhen we first accepted Jesus. We have “droppedout” of Church or “moved” to a Church that entertains rather than exhorting TheWord of God.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will notendure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselvesteachers, having itching ears;

Many of us are running “to and fro” to “find a church”where love and forgiveness is all that is preached. We don’t want to hear about the sin we arein, (and as a hypocrite) we don’t want to attend Church and sit by ahypocrite. Yet, we go where hypocritessit and never consider our sin or our eternity.

Romans 3:10, 23 As it is written, There is none righteous,no, not one:…23 For all have sinned, andcome short of the glory of God;

Everyone that calls himself a Christian should knowthat Jesus does love us, and He has forgiven us. He loved us so much that He died on that “OldRugged Cross,” and while on that Cross, He accepted our sins, (which was placedon Him) and from that Cross, He forgave us.

If wehave accepted Him, (but have failed to follow His teaching,) where do we standwithin His “love and forgiveness?”

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

We are taught that “faith cometh byhearing” and that it is from “the word of God.”

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, andhearing by the word of God.

“If you don’t read God’s Word, attend a Church that onlycalms “itching ears” and refuses to discuss your sin, or your eternity, doyou love The One that loves you and has forgiven you? How do you show it? Have you repented of your sins and yourhypocrisy? Have you realized that your sin of pride hasenveloped your life?”

“Callon Jesus, ask for forgiveness, and repent of your sins. (You have more than you know!) Now begin reading His Word. Learn to love Him as He loves you! Let Him be your Guide eternally.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Christian, What Are You Doing?

2011-12-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee,saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand,and when ye turn to the left.

Haveyou ever had that “voice,” an ever so “soft voice” that said “yes,” or possibly“no?” I have heard that “voice” say, “no”more times than I want to admit, and way too many times, I have disobeyed that “voice”.

Whatbrought this message to my mind was watching drivers here in Texas. I see so many drivers making right or left turns by crossing over manylanes of traffic using the “whole” road as “their personal driving space.” (Now I know “Texans” will tell me that it isall those “Yankees” and their bad driving habits that they brought with them.” Having driven in a lot of our country, Icannot tell much difference in driving habits, in the north or south.)

SoBrother John, how are “these turns” related to our scripture? “If” we are as true a follower of Jesus as wesay we are, we signal (pray) and ask for guidance when we make a turn. Guided, we do turn, and will stay in thecorrect lane. When we need to change lanes,we will signal (pray) (and only then) follow our Guide. (A person who purposely walks with God will (should)purpose in his life to walk a proper path as some of the lanes before us arelanes of sin and strife. Sometimes wemust cross those paths of sin and strife. In so doing we must signal, (pray for protection) while we are in those “horrifyinglanes.” )

Thissimile is for those drivers who turn [live a lifestyle of their own choosing] oftheir own free will and move about as if they owned the road, (are moving fromone sin to another and each becoming less gratifying than the last.) They finally will make u-turn after u-turnonly to find “the vertigo of the turns and the lane changes” arecaptivating. (Not “captivating” in thesense of the thrill of sin, but “captivating” in the sense of imprisonment.)

Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain Godin their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do thosethings which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness,fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection,implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that theywhich commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but havepleasure in them that do them.

God will eventually give them “overto a reprobate mind.”

Ourtask, as a Christian, is to remind them of their sin and attempt to lead themaway from sin and toward God’s Way. Weare to love the individual, but hate their sin. We are to show them that there is “aword behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.”

Wemust try to direct them to God, before He gives “themover to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” What a horrifying thought: someone “so lost” that they are not retrievable. Someone lost to eternal damnation in theeternal lake of fire.

“Christian,what are you doing? We must get on our knees and “signal” to Godwe need help, help to lead a loved one, a friend, or an associate to Him.” Desire His help. Know He will help.

Alwayssignal and turn “into the correct lane.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Christian, What Is Your Testimony?

2011-12-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

17 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalm 119:129-136 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful:therefore doth my soul keep them. 130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for Ilonged for thy commandments. 132 Lookthou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that lovethy name. 133 Order my steps in thyword: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: sowill I keep thy precepts. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; andteach me thy statutes. 136 Rivers ofwaters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

OurPsalmist begins by praising God’s Testimony. He tells us how God has helped him and how God will give understandingto all that desire His Love. At times, weknow that King David’s testimony was not what we would call “good.” Yet, through it all, King David was “a manafter mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised upunto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, Ihave found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, whichshall fulfil all my will.

As King David found, we can find that the core of ourstrength is God’s Love. In that strength,our testimony (our walk, our talk) ought to reflect The Love of God in ourheart. Many will tell me they can bejust like King David, and walk a walk with the world. (That is not so, because every time David “steppedout of line,” he and/or The Nation of Israel were punished.)

God’sWill for “each and every one” of us is that we accept His Son Jesus as our PersonalSaviour.

John 17:1-8 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up hiseyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thySon also may glorify thee: (2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh,that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (4) I have glorified thee on theearth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. (5) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glorywhich I had with thee before the world was. (6) I have manifested thy nameunto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thougavest them me; and they have kept thy word. (7) Now they have known that allthings whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. (8) For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they havereceived them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and theyhave believed that thou didst send me.

God gave His Son The Power over each of us. We as Christians need to use that “power” tolead others to God through His Son Jesus. Our walk ought to exemplify our Lord and Saviour. Many are criticizing football player, “Tim Tebow”for his praising God during his games. (Ifwe would only do half as much within our Christian walks, “Amazing Godly Things”would follow our paths.)

“Reader,where do you stand within your daily walk? Are you after “[God’s] own heart” and doothers “know” who you are following? Areyou another “Tim Tebow,” or are you one who mocks what he does?”

“Christian,where do you stand? If you cannot relateto King David’s position (or for that matter “Tim Tebow’s,”) where in the“world” do you stand? Stand for Godthrough His Son Jesus. Let others knowwhat you are about. Have a worthwhiletestimony. Start today.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

According Unto Thy Mercy

2011-12-12T12:29:00.000-08:00

16 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalm 119:121-128 AIN. I have done judgment andjustice: leave me not to mine oppressors. 122 Besurety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. 123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. 124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thystatutes. 125 I am thy servant; give meunderstanding, that I may know thy testimonies. 126 Itis time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thylaw. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all thingsto be right; and I hate every false way.

OurPsalmist begins by begging God that he fears failing “tomine oppressors.” He admits hehas failed God and he begs for God’s Mercy.

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

Christian,you and I are “in the same boat” as our Psalmist. We each fear failing: failing financially; failing morally; failingin our job; and failing God and His Son Jesus. (I might have carried that rant a bit too far.) “Do you fear failing God?” If you already have eternal salvation, (whichis also everlasting and forevermore,) “do you feel there is no need to bother?”

Oneproblem we have in our understanding “Faith” is the believer’s eternalsecurity. Eternal salvation is not a lie. (It is a Biblical truth in our scripture.) However, once a person accepts Jesus as hispersonal Saviour, (and then learns he cannot lose his salvation,) he may go onhis way, (as before,) with no repentant heart. “I was baptized, now I am saved.” (Some even believe that the baptism was themode of Salvation.)

(Ifyou have NOT become a “new creature” and your old life style has NOT “passedaway,”you may not have what you have been led to believe.)

2 Corinthians_5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

A person, who has accepted Jesus with a repentantheart, (with God’s Mercy) will change. Aperson changes because of The Holy Spirit’s conviction. (The “new creature” will wantto “become new.”) If you responded to the conviction of The Holy Spirit, salvation isyours to keep. I have heard some who havestated, “You Baptist, knowing your Salvation is complete, you can do anythingyou want.” To this I have answered, “Yes,that is right. However, my “want to’s”have changed. I don’t want to do what Iused to want to do.” My salvation iscomplete in that I am secure eternally, yet I must grow within that salvation.

KingDavid tells us that all he really wants is to be given “thymercy.” Isn’t that what all of us want?

Romans 12:1-2 Ibeseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present yourbodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is yourreasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be yetransformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is thatgood, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Paulteaches us that “the mercies of God” are real and present. To receive God’s Mercy, we must begin byaccepting Jesus The Christ as our personal Saviour. Once we have accepted Jesus, our task is to livea life of sacrifice, by God’s standards, (not the worlds,) being deemed asacceptably Holy. This is called our “reasonableservice.”

Paulcontinues to teach us that we must make a decision “in our new walk.” That decision is we must be “transformedby the renewing of your [our] mind.” Therefore, with God’s power through The HolyGhost, (and our decision,) we are changed.

“SeekGod’s mercy. Call on Jesus’ name. Beg for the forgiveness you do notdeserve. Repent of your sins. Do purpose in your heart to be a changed, “transformed” person ofGod. What are you waiting for? Get to it!”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Vanity of Vanities

2011-12-05T16:49:00.001-08:00

15 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:113-120 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thylaw do I love. (114) Thou art my hiding place and myshield: I hope in thy word. (115) Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keepthe commandments of my God. (116) Uphold me according unto thy word, that I maylive: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. (117) Hold thou me up, and Ishall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. (118) Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for theirdeceit is falsehood. (119) Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earthlike dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. (120) My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

OurPsalmist begins with the statement, “I hate vain thoughts.” He follows with God IS his hiding place.

Psalms 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: Iwill trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

Our Psalmist trusts the safety of God’s Arms(wings.) He reminisces about his Hope inGod’s Word, and asks God to uphold him that he might live. He begs God to help him from doubtsconcerning his belief in God.

Yet,the subject of this portion of Psalm 119 shows how much King David hates “vainthoughts.” (David’s son Solomon came tothe end of his life saying all he had accomplished was vanity.)

(Definition of vanity is: emptiness, untruth.)

Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

So,the Son failed where the Father excelled. This brings up the question, “What are vain thoughts?” “Have you ever spent time where you wereactually “twiddling” your thumbs?” Yourmind was essentially blank, no thoughts worth discussing. We might exclaim, “I am bored.” (Those are times we sit watching a show on TVthat we have seen more times than we want to count.) These times are “vainthoughts. ”

Anothertime we experience “vain thoughts” are thosetimes that “our mouth gets out of gear,” and blasphemy of God’s Name soars tonew heights by uttering those cuss words.

Deuteronomy 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thyGod in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh hisname in vain.

Yet, cussing isn’t the only way we take God’s Name invain. An example: our amazement, (good or bad,) we speakexcitedly and utter one of His Names. That, regardless of opinion, is using “thename of the LORD thy God in vain.” We see inthe same verse that God “will not hold him guiltless thattaketh his name in vain.” (So, it isvery important to agree with King David and “hate vainthoughts.”)

Allof God’s Names should ALWAYS be in Reverence, with Worship and Holiness. Our conversation should never, never includeGod’s / Jesus’ Names in common “street language.”

So“Reader, has vanity gotten control of your life?” Satan loves keeping you in vain thoughtsthereby separating you from God. Gaincontrol, eliminate, and hate those vain thoughts.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Christian, What Are We Doing?

2011-12-05T13:42:00.001-08:00

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shallhumble 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 theirland.

Lastevening, while watching Bill O’Reilly on the “Factor,” he mentioned a new bumper sticker which stated, “Restore The USA.” To me this is a good thing. A few days earlier, my wife and I weredriving around our new city,and I saw another familiar sign, which stated, “America Needs Prayer.” It referenced our verse, and thisis good. However, there has been much left out.

Whilemany have no notion of the spirituality that is required, I expected the worldknew it wasn’t JUST prayer. In general, it appears that Christians haveno knowledge of what must be done. (It must be noted I do believeprayer is what is needed to “Restore TheUSA” and no doubt “America NeedsPrayer.”)

Ourscripture verse indicates that those who “are calledby my name” are to “humble themselves” and “seek my face.” Weas Christians are not to be like the Pharisees of the past who offered to prayfor coin. We are to look inward (deep within ourselves) and seek Godin repentance. This only comes by prayer, and in prayer a Christian mustseek God through His Son Jesus The Christ. That portion, (which isour humbling,) must be done with a desire to be humble before God. Otherwise,we are likely wasting our prayer and our time. We need to seek Him witha heart that desires Him. The Choice is ours.

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

Our desire must be with a “true heart,”a heart that is sincere and free of any contrary thoughts, or evilness. Our scripture continues by telling us: inaddition to humbling ourselves and seeking God, we are to “turn from their [OUR] wickedways.” “Hey, Bro Chastain, Iam a Christian, and my ways are not wicked.” I for one am not your Judge, however, ourscripture tells us:

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

I do believe the word “all” doesinclude everyone. Consequently then, “all” of us aresinners and we “all” entertain wickedness in some form or fashion.

Sonow we know that in order for the United States of America to be restored,American Christians must change first, and get back to God. In order for this to happen, a lot of people, anda lot of Churches must get themselves back to their first love.

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat againstthee, because thou hast left thy first love.

This is where we stand as a Nation, as a Church, andas a Christian. (We are looking more tothe world and less to God and His Son Jesus.) “Christian, fall to your knees in repentance. Church, turn away from the worldly music, theworldly bibles, turn to The Saviour, and then and only then will God “…heal their [Our] land.” Start today,not tomorrow, today to “Restore The USA.” Just do it.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

The Lamp of God, Our Holy Bible

2011-12-01T20:15:00.001-08:00

14 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:105-112 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,and a light unto my path. (106) I have sworn, and I will perform it,that I will keep thy righteous judgments. (107) I am afflicted very much:quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. (108) Accept, I beseech thee, thefreewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. (109) My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thylaw. (110) The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet Ierred not from thy precepts. (111) Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritagefor ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. (112) I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even untothe end.

Psalm119:105 has only been a guiding force for me in recent years. (I had never heard this verse before mySalvation. I had NEVER read TheBible.) God has given us this verse sowe can obtain the light required to walk in this wicked and sorely evil world.

OurPsalmist testifies to the snares (temptations) that were constantly laid beforehim. If we are cognizant of ourenvironment, we must also be aware of anything that is laid before us that willkeep us from our walk with the Lord. (Theworld is working to extinguish our light. The world wants us so busy we do not have time to read God’s Word, andconsequently dimming The Light of God.)

Doesour Psalmist give us a solution? He showsus by his “freewill offerings of my mouth,” (Hisprayers are how he learns God’s Judgment.) His prayers are not forced, memorized, nor read. They are from his heart and freely spoken toour Lord. He begs God to “Accept,I beseech thee” with freewill prayers. (Now we have a concept of what God also wantsfrom us.)

Historically,it is presumed that King David penned these words and he is our Psalmist. King David was a man “aftermine own heart,” and even as a sinner, we should be quoted as being “aftermine own heart.”

1 Samuel 13:14 …the LORD hath sought him a man after his ownheart...

Psalms 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holyoil have I anointed him:

Reader,the question now is, “Are you after God’s heart? Can you say I have “errednot from thy precepts,” God’s laws, God’s commands?” (To the best of my ability, I cannot. I have walked a very narrow road, but thatroad hasn’t been narrow enough.) Godwill provide the protection, but it is our job to define that road. It is our task to follow God’s Commands. He isn’t standing beside the road to correctus. He has given us The Holy Spirit toguide us. We must listen to Him, and bewilling to follow His guide.

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

To a Christian, this verse should be very familiar. Our problem is that we use it as our excuse,our crutch, and we fail to repent and have God’s Word as “alamp unto my feet.”

As youponder this devotion, consider where you stand within God’s Will. Ask yourself, Am I using “Thyword is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path?”

“Christian,this is the day and the time. Repent ofyour walk, and narrow your path. SeekGod through His Son Jesus The Christ. Askfor His forgiveness and His help to narrow your way.”

Asthe shoe company states, “Just Do It.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Oh How Sweet

2011-11-28T19:31:00.001-08:00

13 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:97-104 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is mymeditation all the day. (98) Thou through thy commandments hast made mewiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. (99) Ihave more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are mymeditation. (100) I understand more than the ancients, becauseI keep thy precepts. (101) I have refrained my feet from every evil way,that I might keep thy word. (102) I have not departed from thy judgments: forthou hast taught me. (103) How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea,sweeter than honey to my mouth! (104) Through thy precepts I getunderstanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Inreading scripture there are times that it is difficult for me to say God’s Wordis sweet. When God is chastising me (andHe does,) I regret what I have done that causes the need for chastisement. King David also knew of God’s chastisement. In every case, we find King David sorrowfullyrepentant. (It is those times when Irecognize my sin displayed before me that I have a problem discerning “Howsweet are thy words.”)

Yet,as we delve into God’s Word looking for His Wisdom and His Direction, (with ourseeking heart,) we find “How sweet are thy words.” God never wants us to be alone, separatedfrom Him. That is why He has given usThe Holy Bible, God’s inerrant, infallible Word. As we read and study His Word, we can findthat God will give us “more understanding than all my teachers” and inthat understanding, we will grow in His Wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the worldby wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to savethem that believe.

Before we accepted Jesus The Christ as our personal Saviour,our wisdom was “the wisdom of the world.” By hearing God’s Word preached, and through individual study, we gainGod’s Wisdom.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, andhearing by the word of God.

Our individual growth in the Lord depends on faithfulattendance in Sunday School and Church. How else can we grow? Neither younor I can learn it on our own. It canonly be learned with the power of The Holy Spirit unto God. Christ gave us The Holy Spirit for this verypurpose, teaching us what He would want us to know. (The Holy Spirit will not always convict usof our direction if we are not faithfully under His Word.)

OurPsalmist (believed to be King David) through “my [his] meditation” was ableto walk more closely to God. He was ableto fend off the ones who would give false testimony and temptations before him.

We asChristians must endeavor to do as our Psalmist, and seek God’s Ways, seek HisWisdom. In doing this, we will have amuch better testimony and a much better walk. Our “worldly wisdom” will grow toward “Godly Wisdom.”

“Reader,are you faithfully attending “Church,” a Church that Preaches God’s Word? Are you hearing the preaching with yourheart? Do you read your Holy Bible withthe same fervor you would read a Novel? Is your heart open to God’s Will in yourlife?”

“Ifyou are not sure, repent of your failings today. Ask Jesus to forgive you. Then, (only after repenting, and prayer) getbusy for the Lord. Do His bidding, andsee how mighty in His Word and Wisdom you will grow.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Unto All Generations

2011-11-14T11:51:00.001-08:00

12 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:89-96 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settledin heaven. (90) Thy faithfulness is unto allgenerations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. (91) They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all arethy servants. (92) Unless thy law had been my delights, Ishould then have perished in mine affliction. (93) I will never forget thyprecepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. (94) I am thine, save me;for I have sought thy precepts. (95) The wicked have waited forme to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. (96) Ihave seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment isexceeding broad.

Lookingat the phrase, “unto all generations,” I thought of Jonah and what he preachedto the City of Nineveh. Our Bible tells us: “fromthe greatest of them even to the least” believed God.

Jonah 3:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast,and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

Jonah’s message from God was short and to the point.

Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city aday's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

His message was: either get with God’s “program,” orbe destroyed. (It is amazing how God usesThe Holy Spirit to lay conviction on the heart of man.) Nineveh(at that time) was saved from destruction.

Ourtext also tells us that God’s Salvation is “unto all generations” (not justthe generation that is spared.) Nineveh failed to follow “theirSalvation.” (Their next generations neverheard about Salvation, consequently, Nineveh was eventually destroyed.)

Christian,there is a lesson in this for us today. If we are honest, we may see we are not “passing our Salvation” on to ournext generation. We may be more interestedin “a growing church and a pretty building.” (And with an increased revenue and a decreased debt.) It seems we may not be interested inGlorifying God, just in glorifying ourselves. Christian, I am not speaking about all Churches. However, I am not excluding your Church.

As Christians,we need to look at our nation as a Nineveh.(Again, with an honest heart.) I knowmany believe “our Nation is okay.” However, we need “a Jonah” to preach to our Nation, (to get us back towhere God has guided us.

We asChristians stand back and watch “the minorities” destroy not only our Bible,but also our Nation. We must be the oneswho repeat Jonah’s message. We must be certainthat our family, our neighbors, our co-workers, and all we meet have heard themessage Jesus preached, His Gospel.

Christian,it is our task to get ourselves back in God’s Will. We must pray for our Church, and for ourNation.

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 wickedways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will healtheir land.

This verse is for believers, no one else. It states, “If my people, whichare called by my name.” If ourChurch is becoming more liberal, (as is our nation,) we must do as the peopleof Nineveh. We must accept God’s Will, and send “our”Salvation “unto all generations.” We must put aside our pride, get to our knees, and pray. We must pray believing that God will respondto our heartfelt prayer. Seek Him with arepentant heart, (a heart that has turned “from their wicked ways.”)

Wecan be assured, (if all Christians will follow 2 Chronicles 7:14,) God will respond in the manner weexpect.

Haveyou put away your pride? Are you on yourknees begging God to help your Church, your Pastor, and our Nation’sneeds? Are you seeking God? Are you in a Worship Service on a regular,faithful basis?

Christian,have you turned from your evil ways? Nowis the day, the hour. It is time to beon your knees.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

God On The Mountain

2011-11-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

11 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:81-88 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: butI hope in thy word. (82) Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, Whenwilt thou comfort me? (83) For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yetdo I not forget thy statutes. (84) How many are the days of thy servant?when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? (85) The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thylaw. (86) All thy commandments are faithful:they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. (87) They had almost consumed meupon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. (88) Quicken me after thylovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

Onoccasion, I can find King David while reading this Psalm. My King James Study Bible did not define theauthor. I then searched the web andsought Jewish Theologians to find out who they considered the author to be. All that I read came to one conclusion, thePsalm was written by King David. Basedon this conclusion, (I will presume that this Psalm was written by King David.)

Inthis writing, we see a period of time that King David was apparentlydepressed. I have tried to determinewhen this was written. There are severalinstances in King David’s life that it could have been. My thought is some time just after Absalom (KingDavid’s son) was killed (while King David was traveling back to his throne.) King David was failing in health and he was athis weakest point. Yet, through it all,his faith remained. He begged God for areprieve on the grief that was consuming his mind.

Thereis a song that is entitled, “God On The Mountain.” Within its lyrics we are told that the “God onthe mountain is the same God down in the valley.” King David was down in that valley, the valleyof doubt. He was fearful that God hadleft him as God had left King Saul. Yet,King David knew within his heart that God would never leave him.

Howmany times a year, a month, a week, or a day do we find ourselves wallowing inthat valley of doubt, that valley of despair, that valley of self pity? I can say, at least to this hour, (since Iwas assured of my eternal salvation,) that I have never concerned myself thatGod would leave me. There have beentimes I was down and thought God was punishing me. In some of those times I am sure I wasreceiving His chastisement. Yet, when Ilook back and think about those times, I find that I was the one who “put me”in that valley.

In myChristian walk I have found that I am the sole source of most, (if not all,) myproblems. I am the one who “steps off”that mountain. I am the one who responds(or doesn’t respond) to the temptations set before me. It is Me, Myself, and I. I am MY main and worst problem (enemy.)

Weallow our minds to consume our thoughts. Yet, Jesus tells us He will give us “rest.”

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour andare heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

We can look at this “rest” as peaceof mind. Most of us Christians pray and askGod through His Son Jesus to absolve all our problems, and He does. Yet, instead of letting Him take control, we beginmeddling in what we just gave away. (Wethen find we are still where we put ourselves, somewhere in that valley.) How do we as Christians get that rest?

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,and he shall lift you up.

We must first humble ourselves before the Lord. We don’t want Him to humble us. (Thatis truly not what God wants nor do any of us want.) This is our personal commitment to drawnearer to Him, but it must be with a true, (sincere) heart.

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

Our heart must desire, (crave) to become nearer (infaith) knowing we are growing nearer to our Saviour.

Job 22:29 When men are cast down, then thoushalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

Job shows us “the mountain and the valley.” We also can see the chastisement resulting fromJob’s pride. Yet, through it all Jobremained faithful, and became a humble man. We never want “a Job experience,” but we must realize there is always thatpossibility. (God humbled Job.) God asks us to humble ourselves, remove evilfrom our lives, pray, and seek Him.

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 wickedways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will healtheir land.

“Christian,what are you going to do? Are you goingto wait for “that Job experience,” or are you going to get to your knees?” God is waiting to clear your mind and giveyou the “rest” or peace you desire, peace of mind.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

The Light Of GOD

2011-11-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

10 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:73-80 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me:give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. (74) They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hopedin thy word. (75) I know, O LORD, that thy judgments areright, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (76) Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according tothy word unto thy servant. (77) Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that Imay live: for thy law is my delight. (78) Let the proud be ashamed;for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditatein thy precepts. (79) Let those that fear thee turn unto me, andthose that have known thy testimonies. (80) Let my heart be sound in thystatutes; that I be not ashamed.

As wecome to know our Psalmist, we get a better insight into his heart. He knew he was an example of imperfection, (asall Christians are,) and he knew he had failed God. (Most likely on an hourly basis.)

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

Our Psalmist begged God for the necessary understandingand wisdom he needed “to be a light” for God in this dark and dreary world.

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, anda light unto my path.

Our Psalmist understood that God had known him forever. (Jeremiah, years later also learned thisfrom God.)

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knewthee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, andI ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

We asChristians need to comprehend “the heart” of our Psalmist. He knew he wasn’t perfect. He knew he had “comeshort”and was repentant of his situation. Hisgreatest fear was not being “sound in thy statutes.” He didn’t want to be “found out” and ashamedin the Sight of God, nor in the sight of the world.

(Ican relate to the Psalmist’s “fear.”) However,my “greater fear” is that today’s Christians no longer know “shame” or that “tobe ashamed” exists. Today, if a personshows “shame,” it is because he was finally “found out.” (He was caught.)

Today’sChristians no longer respect God with their best attire at Church. It is just a “come as you are”mentality. There is no “fear” (respect)of God. (We want the prettiestbuildings, the plushest interiors; yet, “jeans and a tee shirt” are the best wecan do.)

“Thedivorce rate” among Christians is nearly as high as the “world’s divorce rate.” (A large number of these divorces involveadultery.) Whatever happened to “till death do we part?” Where is our pride in God? (We should be Glorifying Him.)

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine outof darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of theknowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Let us as Christians get back to allowing God’s Light toshine through us. Let us remember“shame” and “embarrassment.” Let us ask(beg) God to remind us of “His Way.” Letus repent, get ourselves back to God, and refresh ourselves in The Holy Spiritand our Lord and Saviour Jesus The Christ.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

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

He came todestroy “the works of the devil. ”

1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; forthe devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God wasmanifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Wemust decide following our own desires is futile. We must search our hearts, and beg for God’sforgiveness. In that forgiveness, (humblingourselves before Him,) we must decide, with conviction, to repent of our waysand begin walking (as seriously and as fervently as possible) toward God’sWill.

HisWill for you and I is that we be under The Word of God, and not forsake “theassembling of the brethren.” So,Christian, “Have I described you? Whatare you going to do about it?” Repent. Change Today. Walk in His Light.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Where Are They?

2011-11-02T08:28:00.001-07:00

9 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:65-72 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,O LORD, according unto thy word. (66) Teach me good judgment andknowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. (67) Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (68) Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. (69) The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thyprecepts with my whole heart. (70) Their heart is as fat asgrease; but I delight in thy law. (71) It is good for methat I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (72) The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold andsilver.

Haveyou ever had a day when absolutely nothing went wrong? A day that you knew God had blessed you mightily. A day the blessings flowed like“warm butter on a hot biscuit.” Ibelieve our Psalmist was telling us how God’s Blessings never stoppedrolling. (From my viewpoint, thePsalmist was notably “happy.”) He wasPraising God for all He had done. Itdidn’t stop with Praise. He continuallyasked God to “Teach me good judgment and knowledge… teach methy statutes…” so he “might learn thy statutes.”

Thething we as Christians must understand, yes I said understand is that the Psalmistdidn’t have a King James Bible sitting unread on his coffee table. (The Psalmist was one of many writing TheWord of God for us. He was writing inFaith.) He didn’t have The Books ofMatthew, Mark, Luke, or John to reference. He didn’t build his Faith “on his daily reading.” He wrote from his heart as God led him.

Todaywe have a plethora of “Christian” churches all teaching “some person’s point ofview.” Supposedly, they have validated “theirpoint” from some obscure verse in the Bible. If they couldn’t find it their way, they created and wrote their ownbible, or modified The King James Bible to agree with them.

Whereare our Psalmists’ who are praying and praising God, and even begging to betaught? Our Bible Churches, (Churches whichteach the Gospel of Christ, plus nothing, minus nothing,) are struggling withmembership because it is “easier” to go to an “Oprah” church where sin is notdiscussed, and there are “millions” of ways to go to Heaven.

OurGod Loves All. He tells us this over andover with Compassion and Love.

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

Yet, many people who call themselves “Christian” (afterChrist’s Name) refuse to honour Him with Church attendance. Heaven forbid they would go to Sunday Schooland be taught God’s Word. (Where are the“multitudes” calling on His name?) Manysleep in on Sunday. Some are out on theGolf Course (weather permitting.) Someare out doing anything (important stuff) to keep from honouring God. Some are working. I know we need income, yet there are too manywho use this as their excuse to stay away.

Whereare they (the ones) that want to Praise God with their presence, their tithe,their offering, and their support of missions? Where are they?

Readers,“If I am speaking to you, today, this hour, determine in your heart to turnfrom your backsliding, and repent. Youhave offended God by ignoring Him. Determine today with a sincere heart, a true heart. Get back to the Church that teaches from TheHoly Bible, the one which praises God with its heart. Don’t go just to be entertained. Go to Worship God, and be a willinglearner.”

Readers,if you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, know He Loves You, andthe last thing He wants is for you to go into Eternity lost.

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

All God is asking is that You accept His Son bybelieving God has raised Him from the grave. He also asks that you confess that belief to another person. If you do this with a sincere, truthful heart,God will save you. You will live eternally with God, His Son Jesus, and TheHoly Spirit. Today is the day, nottomorrow, today. We have no guarantee of“a tomorrow.” All we have is the “Now,”and it is “Now.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

The Eyes of Lot

2011-10-31T12:45:00.001-07:00

2 Peter 2:4-10 For if God spared not the angels that sinned,but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains ofdarkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noahthe eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the floodupon the world of the ungodly; (6) And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrhainto ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them anensample unto those that after should live ungodly; (7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of thewicked: (8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them,in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with theirunlawful deeds;) (9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly outof temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to bepunished: (10) But chiefly them that walk after the flesh inthe lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they,selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Lastevening, during our Sunday Evening ChurchService, my Pastor used these verses as a means of illustrating a point, and mymind digressed to the concept of “TheEyes of Lot.” I apologize to myPastor for my inattentiveness, and in the future, I will listen to the message.

Mythoughts considered Lot, a man who is referredto as “just.” In Biblical terms, he wassaved, and at God’s appointed time, he would finally arrive in Heaven. Yet, here is a man, “a Christian” who turnedhis eye away from the immorality of the world, and saw it “as normal.”

Today,the world is redefining morality, and removing sin from our vocabulary. (We as Christians are to do the right thing: separateourselves from the world, and stand firm on our Christian convictions.) However, we are not standing firm. We have so many Christians that are living insin, (outside of marriage being involved in fornication, alcohol, drugs, sodomy,and adultery.) Our eyes have become the “eyesof just Lot.” We see, and we know it is wrong, yet, we still “approve.” We also “approve” of killing babies (abortion)and try to think of it as a form of contraception. We “approve” of our daughters’ bastardchildren, and place no shame on them for their sin.

“Christian,what have we become? Where are we going?” We scream and yell at our President and our Congressfor their lack of morality and their lack of following The Constitution. Yet, are we encouraging our Leaders to domore by not removing sin from our lives as “eyes of Lot?”

We,as Christians must get back to the basics, (back to “our” Constitution,) TheHoly Bible. God’s Word directs us. It guides us through our myriad of temptationsand our immorality in which God disapproves. Our Bible speaks to us saying:

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 wickedways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will healtheir land.

As a Christian, review where you stand. Compare it to “The Way” God wants you to stand. With a humble heart, repent, seek God inprayer, and beg for the forgiveness you need. With that humble repentant heart, we must turnfrom the immorality that we have allowed in our lives. Repent, repent, and beg for His Mercy. Not tomorrow, do it now. Not later, now.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

God’s Mercy

2011-10-31T12:38:00.001-07:00

8 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:57-64 CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: Ihave said that I would keep thy words. (58) I intreated thy favour with mywhole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. (59) Ithought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. (60) Imade haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. (61) The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgottenthy law. (62) At midnight I will rise to give thanks untothee because of thy righteous judgments. (63) I am a companion ofall them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. (64) The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

God’sMercy is likely His most “taken for granted” attribute. We assume that because we are Christians thatGod’s Mercy will be forth coming and abundant regardless of the condition ofour heart.

OurPsalmist reflected: “Ihave said that I would keep thy words.” He continues that he “intreated [begged] thyfavour with my whole heart.” Later, (inreflection) he realized where he had been, his past indiscretions and said, “Ithought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.”

We asChristians must repent and “get ourselves right” with the Lord Jesus. We as a group have changed our thinking fromGod’s Way to the world’s way. “Withinthe Christian family,” our morals have slidden so far that we allow our sons todress as illiterate thugs, and our daughters to dress like the whores ofHollywood. (Not only dress like them, “expect”they will become the whores they emulate. They “shack up” with every man or “woman” that comes into their lives. Chastity of the Bride or the Groom is nolonger expected. )

If weas Christians expect God’s Mercies, we as Christians must tighten “the belt onour thoughts.” (Reflect Biblically as to where we have been, and where we arenow.) Then with “a heart” that knows theNeeds of God’s Mercies, we must get on our knees and repent. (Repentance isn’t simply asking forgiveness. It is mindfully changing our ways.) We must look in another direction, maybe adirection we have never taken before.

If welove Jesus, and we love those Mercies of God, then why do we not follow Hiscommands?

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

“Where do you stand Christian in terms of Jesus andHis commandments? Is it time for you torepent?”

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by themercies 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 therenewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, andacceptable, and perfect, will of God.

As welook upon our life, we must at some point “in our Christian walk,” determinethe “will of God” and find out what is our “reasonableservice.” We can wait for God to tell us,(He will not, if we are not in His will.) We must strive to perfect our walk and our talk and do the rightthing. We must get ourselves right. Then we must work to get our spouse to followChrist, and then our children. We canonly accomplish this with a humble heart, a heart that has repented of thepast, and Glories in the Future Mercies of God. Strive today for God’s Mercy, not tomorrow, but today.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

I Kept Thy Precepts

2011-10-27T09:28:00.001-07:00

7 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:49-56 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant,upon which thou hast caused me to hope. (50) This is my comfort in my affliction:for thy word hath quickened me. (51) The proud have had me greatly in derision: yethave I not declined from thy law. (52) I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD;and have comforted myself. (53) Horror hath taken hold upon me because of thewicked that forsake thy law. (54) Thy statutes have been my songs in the houseof my pilgrimage. (55) I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in thenight, and have kept thy law. (56) This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

In myprevious writing, we delved into “TrustingIn God’s Word.” In this dissertation,we will look at the advantages of keeping the “precepts” laid outfor us in our Holy Bible.

OurSalvation is an everlasting, eternal, and forevermore Salvation. God has told us many times we are givenSalvation as a gift: consequently, it is forever.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but thegift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The “gift of God” is “eternallife through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

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

Nowwe see both “eternal life” and “everlastinglife.”(These words are synonymous.) We know byFaith that God has given us an eternal, everlasting gift. It is something we cannot lose, because it iseternal and everlasting. So, (now weknow what we have.) “Why are we requiredto keep “thy precepts?” It isn’t to keep from losing our Salvation. It is for us to “Grow” within our Salvation.

Welearn in God’s Word that “our home” is not here on earth (anymore.) “Our home” is with the Lord Jesus and HisFather in Heaven. (We are just waitingfor Jesus to come get us.)

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of thistabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made withhands, eternal in the heavens.

Our “tabernacle” is “ourbody.” “Once it quits” (dies) our saved spiritimmediately goes to Heaven to be with The Lord. When we, “Our Spirit” can no longer live within this body (tabernacle,) we are “absent” from ourbody and “present” with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willingrather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Wealso learn through the study of God’s Word that we will receive a reward inHeaven.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgmentseat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in hisbody, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

This “appear[ing]” isfor Jesus’ determination (of the value) of “the things” we have doneon earth after our Salvation. Jesus remindsus:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

So, “Reader, do you love Him?” If you can answer with an affirmative “yes,” realizethat to follow His precepts is not a choice. It is a command.

Howwill your “Works” for the Lord fare when you stand before Him? Do you realize that you will stand before Him,regardless?

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saiththe Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Trusting God’s Word

2011-10-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

6 a of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:41-48 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, OLORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. (42) So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trustin thy word. (43) And take not the word of truth utterly out ofmy mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. (44) So shall I keep thy lawcontinually for ever and ever. (45) And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thyprecepts. (46) I will speak of thy testimonies also beforekings, and will not be ashamed. (47) And I will delight myself inthy commandments, which I have loved. (48) My hands also will I lift upunto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Lookingat these verses again, we can see where we must place our trust. Our Psalmist states, “…for Itrust in thy word.” (We placeour Trust in God’s “word.”) It is not only the Cross on which Jesus died,nor the grave in which He was placed. Theseare definitely significant in the Gospel, (The Bible teaches these things.) However, our Trust and our Faith is placedsolely in God’s Word, Jesus.

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Wordwas with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginningwith God. (3) All things were made by him; and without himwas not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the lifewas the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and thedarkness comprehended it not.

“The Word of God” Is His Son Jesus. Jesus Is The Christ, Our Lord, and Saviour, TheSon of The Almighty God in Heaven. So,our “trust in thy word” is a reference to our Saviour Jesus. He Is The “Word, and the Word waswith God, and the Word was God.” We are alsotold: “(3) All things were made byhim; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” With this now in mind, we now know that The Pre-incarnateJesus was who walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden.

JesusIs Our Saviour. Through Him Salvation hasbeen imparted to millions, including myself. Salvation is given to those who ask (beg) for His Salvation, (those who willinglyseek Him and drop to their knees with a repentant and humble heart.)

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

Within our hearts, (within our seeking Him) we must believethat Jesus is who God has told us He is. Salvation isn’t one choice, whereby we may chose our path to God. We are told in God’s Word, (that Word we areto trust in,) that our path to God is through Jesus His Son, and only through JesusHis Son.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth usthe victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I gained my “victory” becauseJesus willingly went to the Cross, His Cross to die for my sins. “Reader, He also died for your sins.” He came to give Salvation to the lost, (thosewho do not know Him or His Father.)

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

“Doyou know Him?” We are told in RomansChapter 10:

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

God tells us (through Paul) that if we will BelieveGod has raised His Son Jesus from the grave, and in that belief/knowledge, wewill Confess our Belief to others, God will give us the Gift of Salvation.

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

“Reader,it is “the gift of God” given to you because you accepted Jesus by faith, (Notof works,[or doing good deeds]) but what you believe.” Call on His name now, in belief and by faith inyour heart.

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

Just do it.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Christianity, An Exclusionary Faith?

2011-10-23T14:54:00.001-07:00

6 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:41-48 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, OLORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. (42) So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trustin thy word. (43) And take not the word of truth utterly out ofmy mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. (44) So shall I keep thy lawcontinually for ever and ever. (45) And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. (46) Iwill speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. (47) And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. (48) My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved;and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Reader,as we began this study, I had been mulling a “reproach” I had receivedregarding an article I wrote entitled, “WhoAre We?” The complete article is located at (http://fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com/2010/11/who-are-we.html).(It was written a few years ago for a local newspaper.) Within our text above,God has given us a means “to answer him that reproacheth me.”

Withinthe article, I asked the following question, “Who is a trueChristian?” Based onthat question, I was initially asked if the “modifier, True” needed tobe added to “Christian?” I was then askedanother question, “What purpose does it [True] serve except to try to exclude?”

Theneat part about Jesus and His Father, God, is that They have never excludedanyone. They have never been the reasonanyone has ever gone to Hell. (God andHis Son Jesus love us with a love that is beyond our comprehension.)

Inall this, there are things that must be done in a person’s life in order “to becalled” a Christian. God has told uscertainly that good works will not do the task of earning us the title ofChristian.

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

We must know that Salvation is a gift, (anon-returnable gift,) given to those who profess God’s Son as their Savior. Consequently, my Salvation came from the Graceof God, which allowed me by Faith to accept God’s “Amazing Grace,” Jesus, byFaith and Faith alone. I believe, (byFaith, that Jesus is the Son of the Most High God, and He is God Himself.)

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Wordwas with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made thatwas made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the lightof men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and thedarkness comprehended it not.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongus, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.

So,why would someone ask, “Why is Christianity exclusionary?” To some it might seem that way. A Pastor’s first task is to protect the flock(the Congregation). That includes anyoneentering “the fold” and falling into blatant sin. (That sin can never be acceptable within the Church.) Those person/persons must be excluded fromthe flock until they repent and move themselves back under the Grace of God. (The Pastor cannot let a person known to bein sin within the fold. God will neverlet one into Heaven.)

OurChurches today are beset by the secularism of the world (to mollify ourpreaching and let anyone in.) Our Bibleteaches us that until repentance, and accepting Jesus in belief and with Faith,we cannot become a Christian. We cannotbe “born into Christianity.” Someonecannot “make us a Christian.” We become a Christian (true Christian) by accepting JesusThe Christ as our Personal Savior.

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

By our accepting, (by our drawing nearer to God,) wemust be drawn with a true sincere heart, but always by Faith. We must also repent, “havingour hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.” It cannot be my way. It must alwaysbe God’s Way.

Thosewho refuse, (and may even go to Church,) yet refuse to accept Jesus are notChristians. They may professChristianity, but The Bible tells us:

Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Fatherwhich is in heaven. (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? andin thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knewyou: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Yet, they may have done “many wonderful works.”

Romans 1:21-22 Because that, when they knew God, theyglorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain intheir imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Regardless “of their works,” God’s wrath will comeupon them. Always know that God doeslove us. However, He requires that we come to Him with a humble and repentedheart.

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain Godin their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do thosethings which are not convenient;

They,(those who refuse Jesus,) will be given over to God’s wrath by their own doing. (God expects more than some are willingto give. If sin is our first love, togive that up is not acceptable to many.)

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

We are told time and time again that the “Love of God”is a reciprocal love. We show our loveto God by accepting His Son as God. Ourlove is depicted by following Jesus’ precepts (as sinless a life as we can.) Otherwise, we at some point will have to dealwith God’s Wrath.

John 3:15-18 That whosoever believeth in him should notperish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave hisonly begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but haveeverlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world tocondemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) Hethat believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemnedalready, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son ofGod.

Being a condemned man or woman is a woeful situation. If you are not a “TRUE Christian,” you are acondemned person.

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

That condemnation cited in John 3:18: the everlasting “wrath of God abidethon him” (you.) This isn’t “the Preacher”just making up stuff. It is the preceptslaid down by God Himself, in His Holy Bible.

Ifyou want to be “a true Christian,” acceptJesus as God directs, and repent in your heart of your sinning ways. Bow down on your knees and accept Himnow. Salvation is yours by calling onHis name.

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

He is waiting for you this very moment.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Revive Me

2011-10-21T18:28:00.001-07:00

Revive Me

5 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:33-40 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thystatutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. (34) Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe itwith my whole heart. (35) Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;for therein do I delight. (36) Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, andnot to covetousness. (37) Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; andquicken thou me in thy way. (38) Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who isdevoted to thy fear. (39) Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thyjudgments are good. (40) Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quickenme in thy righteousness.

Reader,as we start this study, I have a need to define three words used within thistext. The first is “vanity” which means,“anythingworthless, of no value.” The nextword is “quicken” which means, “to restore orrevive to a former condition.” The lastword is “fear.” We have two usages and two definitions. The usage in (v 37) means “to reverencemorally.” The otherusage of “fear” used in (v 39) means “to fear, tobe afraid.” With thesedefinitions in mind, the context of this Devotion can be settled.

Inall these verses, our Psalmist is begging God to change him. He wants to be as he once had been. (Now he is asking for Revival.) My notion is that the Psalmist may havedetermined he had backslidden to some degree and was desirous of returning(being revived) to his previous way.

Whatwe need to comprehend is that neither God nor His Son Jesus will make us change. By The Cross, God has provided a way toHim for each man, woman, and child. (Hesent His Son to The Cross, to bleed and die for the sins of ALL humanity.)

Yet,many seem to apply a notion that “if they are good,” and “do many good works inHis name,” salvation will be given.

God teaches through His “[E]Stablish[ed] Word,” The KingJames Bible, that we as individuals must decide through conviction that we aredesirous of being a Christian. He willhelp us, but in order to be a Christian we and we alone must decide He is what wewant.

Somany of us use the old saying coined by Flip Wilson many years ago, “The Devil Made Me DoIt.” No, the devil didn’t. You and I make the decision to sin. (I cannot say God made me become a Christian,yet I know when I finally decided to accept Him, He readily accepted me, (thiswretched old fool, into His Loving Arms.)

Jesuscame to earth as a man for only one purpose, and that was to save the lostsinner from his sin and an inevitable hell.

Luke 19:9-10 And Jesus said unto him, This day issalvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. (10) Forthe Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

In order to “Revive” in a spiritual sense, we musthave been “Vive[d]” at one time. (Vive = lively,in the Lord, to have previously known.)

Inyour lifetime, if you cannot say, “I have accepted Jesus Christ as my PersonalSaviour,” you are not a candidate for “Revival.” We must believe He (Jesus) is the Son of God,and that God has raised Him from the grave. Without that belief, at some point you willhear, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth theLord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from thedead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth untorighteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not beashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jewand the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call uponhim. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of theLord shall be saved.

AcceptHim today in simple, honest, sincere belief.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

Repent, Pray, Seek Him

2011-10-21T07:54:00.001-07:00

Repent, Pray, Seek Him

4 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:25-32 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust:quicken thou me according to thy word. (26) I have declared my ways, andthou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. (27) Make me to understand the wayof thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. (28) My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thyword. (29) Remove from me the way of lying: and grant methy law graciously. (30) I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgmentshave I laid before me. (31) I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD,put me not to shame. (32) I will run the way of thy commandments, whenthou shalt enlarge my heart.

Readingthese verses remind me of the song, “God On The Mountain.” The Psalmist tells us how low he had become,yet he is aware that “The God On TheMountain” is also “The God In TheValley.” He continually asks TheLORD to help him.

ThePsalmist tells us, “I have chosen the way of truth,” and inthat “truth” he has found God. He asked the LORD to “quicken thou me,” “teachme,”“Make me to understand,” “strengthen thou me,” “Removefrom me,” “put me not to shame,” and “whenthou shalt enlarge my heart,” (all asking God, begging God for help.)

We asChristians have forgotten to beg, to plead to God for help. Too many times, “we use the world’s answer,” (TheMasterCard^©) to solve all our problems. We never pray, we never consult God for thehelp we need. We fail to remember thatGod IS our “Master Card.” (He is The Onewe need to turn to when financial problems arise.) When a medical problem crops its ugly head inour lives, (or our family’s lives,) our primary concern is “healing the body.” Our honest concern should be salvation forthat person’s soul, (our eternal life in the presence of God and His Son Jesus TheChrist).

Likethis Psalmist, we must humble ourselves, go to God in prayer, and beg for HisWill in our lives. We must never go to God and “Tell Him” what should be done.

If weare claiming Christianity, we have “chosen the way of truth,” Jesus theChrist.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, thetruth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

You cannot go to God unless you go through Jesus. Regardless of Oprah’s opinion, Jesus is The Way. He is The Only Way. There are not Many Ways, nor are their Millions of Ways. (God tells us there is Only One Way.)

1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, theFather, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord JesusChrist, by whom are all things, and we by him.

One God, The Father, One Lord, Jesus Christ. (Pull out your “Holy Master Card.”) Humbleyourself, Pray, Seek His Face, and Turn from your sin.

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 wickedways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will healtheir land.

Repent, Ask for His forgiveness, and Plead from yourheart for His Will. Remember, “The God On The Mountain” is also thesame “God In The Valley.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

A Stranger In The Earth

2011-10-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

3 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:17-24 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, thatI may live, and keep thy word. (18) Open thou mine eyes, that I may beholdwondrous things out of thy law. (19) I am a stranger in the earth: hide notthy commandments from me. (20) My soul breaketh for the longing that ithath unto thy judgments at all times. (21) Thou hast rebuked the proud thatare cursed, which do err from thy commandments. (22) Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thytestimonies. (23) Princes also did sit and speak againstme: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. (24) Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

WhenI began Preaching back in 1997, one person that attended the services was anelderly black man. His arms showed hehad worked hard. He still had goodmuscle tone, and his hands showed the callous of a working man’s hands. (At this time, he was wheelchair bound anddidn’t seem to know anyone. A lot hadbeen taken away from him.) One daysomething awakened him and he wanted to sing for Jesus. The song he sang was, “I’m Traveling On.”

Hiswife told me He was a Deacon in their Church, and had been a praying man sincehis youth. That day out of the archivesof his mind came a song that told he knew he was about to “move on,” and Godcalled him home sometime later.

We asChristians seem to forget that we are a “stranger in the earth.” We are biding time, waiting for the Lord tocall us home. Just as Abraham sojourned (traveled)to places which were unfamiliar to him.

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to goout into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; andhe went out, not knowing whither he went. (9) By faith he sojourned in theland of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles withIsaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: (10) For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and makeris God.

We are travelers too. Our task is to abide here, (Glorify God in all we do,) refrain from thestrangers and their gods by which we are compassed. Abraham walked in Faith, just as we are towalk in Faith.

John 14:1-2 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe inGod, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if itwere not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Jesus, from the grave has gone to Heaven before us. He went to prepare a place for us. Our home is with Him, in Heaven.

Ifyou have not secured a place in Heaven, now is the time to do it. Jesus tells us in John 3:16:

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

God loves “each and every” person, regardless of howgood or evil we are. He has never lovedthe sin we subscribe to, yet, He loves us each one dearly. He wants none to reside in Hell. He wants all to join Him in Heaven.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing thatany should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God is patient and He will wait for you. However, when “your hour comes” and you havedone nothing to accept Jesus, your choice by default is Hell. God wants to give you a personal gift, EverlastingLife. All He asks from you is to acceptHis Son Jesus. Accept Him by your repentance,(by changing your life,) by looking away from your former life with the world.

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

Confess your belief that God has raised Jesus from thegrave. By that confession, God will giveyou that Gift of Eternal Life.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts

My Whole Heart

2011-10-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

2a of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:9-16 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleansehis way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (10) With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thycommandments. (11) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that Imight not sin against thee. (12) Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thystatutes. (13) With my lips have I declared all thejudgments of thy mouth. (14) I have rejoiced in the way of thytestimonies, as much as in all riches. (15) I will meditate in thyprecepts, and have respect unto thy ways. (16) I will delight myself in thystatutes: I will not forget thy word.

In the“last post,” the word “Wherewithal,” and the phrase, how “shalla young man cleanse his way” were defined. In “this post,” we will consider “where all thatwe do” comes from.

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

(v 10) tells us that “Withmy whole heart have I sought thee.” Our verse inHebrews 10:22 tells us that our “heart” must be “true.” This faith must not only be “true,” but alsowith “full assurance of faith.” This “fullassurance” is a faith without doubt, a faith that says I believe, regardless ofthe discourse thrown before us.

Withinour “heart,” we must also purge out all evil thoughts. “How can we go to God with hatred andbitterness in our heart, and ask Him to bless us?” If you want (and) desire to get closer to God,your character must change. (In our salvation,we became new creatures.)

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, heis a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things arebecome new.

Let God teach you, and in that teaching allow theseprecepts to be hidden within your heart. You will be less likely to follow the world,consequently not allowing yourselves to fall into sin. (You are the one that accepts the temptation placedbefore you. The devil does not make youdo it.)

Withour “assurance of faith,” note we are to speak to others about God.

Mark 16:15 And he [Jesus] saidunto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Iknow most apply this verse only to the Preacher, the Pastor, and/or the Missionary. However, Jesus is speaking toChristians. As members of a local New Testament Church, you are “TheMissionary” to your locality. (“Well BroJohn, I live twelve miles from our Church.” “Then the path from your house to the Churchis your Mission field.”)

Forus to fail in our study of His Word, (failure to do our work as a Missionary)is a sin against God and it puts us at enmity [being an enemy] with God. Seek Him, and follow Him as He guides throughThe Holy Spirit.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Some ofus claim Jesus, only because “He loves us.” We know God loves us, however, in that love weare to follow as He guides. Seek Godwith “my whole heart.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com FundamentalThoughts