Repent, Pray, Seek Him

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, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.  (27)  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.  (28)  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.  (29)  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.  (30)  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have 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, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

            Reading these 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 The Mountain” is also “The God In The Valley.”  He continually asks The LORD to help him.

            The Psalmist tells us, “I have chosen the way of truth,” and in that “truth” he has found God.  He asked the LORD to “quicken thou me,” “teach me,” “Make me to understand,” “strengthen thou me,” “Remove from me,” “put me not to shame,” and “when thou shalt enlarge my heart,” (all asking God, begging God for help.)

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

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

            If we are claiming Christianity, we have “chosen the way of truth,” Jesus the Christ.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, 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, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

One God, The Father, One Lord, Jesus Christ.  (Pull out your “Holy Master Card.”) Humble yourself, 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 wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Repent, Ask for His forgiveness, and Plead from your heart for His Will.  Remember, “The God On The Mountain” is also the same “God In The Valley.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

A Stranger In The Earth

3 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:17-24  GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.  (18)  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  (19)  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.  (20)  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.  (21)  Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  (22)  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  (23)  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.  (24)  Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

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

            His wife told me He was a Deacon in their Church, and had been a praying man since his youth.  That day out of the archives of his mind came a song that told he knew he was about to “move on,” and God called him home sometime later.

            We as Christians seem to forget that we are a “stranger in the earth.”  We are biding time, waiting for the Lord to call 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 go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  (9)  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  (10)  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

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

John 14:1-2  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were 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.

            If you 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 his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God loves “each and every” person, regardless of how good or evil we are.  He has never loved the 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 that any 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 have done nothing to accept Jesus, your choice by default is Hell.  God wants to give you a personal gift, Everlasting Life.  All He asks from you is to accept His 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 the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Confess your belief that God has raised Jesus from the grave.  By that confession, God will give you that Gift of Eternal Life.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

My Whole Heart

2a of 22 from Psalm 119

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

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

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

                       

(v 10) tells us that “With my whole heart have I sought thee.”  Our verse in Hebrews 10:22 tells us that our “heart” must be “true.”  This faith must not only be “true,” but also with “full assurance of faith.”  This “full assurance” is a faith without doubt, a faith that says I believe, regardless of the discourse thrown before us.

            Within our “heart,” we must also purge out all evil thoughts.  “How can we go to God with hatred and bitterness 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, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Let God teach you, and in that teaching allow these precepts 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 placed before you.  The devil does not make you do it.)

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

           

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

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

            For us 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 through The Holy Spirit.

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

            Some of us claim Jesus, only because “He loves us.”  We know God loves us, however, in that love we are to follow as He guides.  Seek God with “my whole heart.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

According To Thy Word

2 of 22 from Psalm 119

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

            The first question (v 1) begins with “Wherewithal.”  My “^©The DEFINED  King James Bible” defines “Wherewithal” as to mean “with what.”  So, how or with what shall a person cleanse himself?  We know it is not good works or by any effort on our part because:

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

The cleansing of our mind, (the washing away of our sins) can only be done through the “blood of Jesus Christ.” Anything else is for naught (nothing.)

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

We must walk in His light, and in order to walk in His light, we must “be born again.”

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

Nicodemus asked in  John 3:4  “How can a man be born when he is old?  can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?”  (Nicodemus was a spiritual leader.  He was a spiritually educated man, and a Pharisee.)  In (v 5) Jesus tells us, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit.”  To “be born again” God tells us we must believe.  The next question is “What must we believe?”

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

God tells us, we must believe God raised His Son Jesus from the grave.  In sincere belief we must tell others about Jesus and what we now believe.  With that convicted belief, God will save us from our sins and give us The Gift of Eternal Life.

            We must know that God has never asked anyone to be fully educated, (from a religious perspective.)  However, in order for us to know Jesus, and be willing to allow the conviction of the Holy Spirit to move us to accept Christ, we must have some knowledge.

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

In order for us to “meditate in thy precepts,” there needs to be time under the Word of God.  We “learn and grow” in the Lord Jesus by attending Church.  The best place to learn is at a Bible preaching, teaching Church.  Hear the Word, read the Word, and respond to the urging of the Holy Spirit.  Accept Him with the knowledge and belief you have gained.  (Salvation is granted and a place for you in Heaven is created.)

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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A Repentant Christian

1 of 22 from Psalm 119

Psalms 119:1-8  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  (2)  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.  (3)  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.  (4)  Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.  (5)  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!  (6)  Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.  (7)  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.  (8)  I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

            In (vv 1-2) we see that God blesses those who walk in His Ways, but we see our blessings have a requirement, (vv 3-5) that we must turn away from sin.  In (vv 6-8) we see that the Christian realizes he must humble himself before the Lord.  This Psalm portion is aimed at Judaism.  (It was written for the Jews; however, we as Christians can apply this to our lives.)

1 Peter 5:5-6  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  (6)  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Peter begins by speaking to young people, but, the “Yea” includes all Christians.

            During my former Pastorate, everyone wanted the Blessings of God, yet many were not willing to drop to their knees and beg God for help.  They wanted to be on the prayer list, (but were more like a “lifetime welfare recipient” who expected “stuff” without qualification.)

            As men of God, we have accepted professions of Salvation without any obvious fruit.  (We have reduced Salvation to a simple acknowledgement of Jesus, with a Salvation Prayer.  We then pronounce Salvation without a single sign of repentance.)  This is all done to increase attendance in Sunday School and the Preaching Service, (with the intent of an increased tithe.)  There is no apparent “concern” that the person might not be saved.

            Another Old Testament verse that was stated for the Nation of Israel is 2 Chronicles 7:14.  However, I am using it here for the local New Testament Church (Christians.)

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

Our Churches need to practice what we preach.  (Many of our congregations “look like” we are a Godly group.)  We must humbly repent, beg God for help, and in that repentant attitude turn from our wicked ways.

            “I can hear some now.”  “Bro John, I have never been wicked.  I am a good person.”  “Have you ever used company owned products for personal use?  If so, this is theft and that makes you a thief.  Men, have you ever looked at a woman (also ladies the men) with improper thoughts?  If so you have sinned.  Now, we have established you are a sinner and a thief, and both are wicked in Gods eyes.”

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

This is why we must humble ourselves and seek God’s face, because of what we are, sinners.  There is no one who is exempt.  The verse states, “For all have sinned” which includes the most holy person you know.  (Preacher included.)

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

Jesus tells us (without reservation) regardless of what you have done, or what you are, God loves you and wants to give you Everlasting Life.  Belief is all that He asks, but it must be with conviction in your heart, a conviction that desires you repent with a sincere heart.

            “Reader: Today, This Moment, Accept Jesus.  Desire His Gift of Eternal Life.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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Serve God

Matthew 6:19-21  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

            Reading through these verses reminds me of my life prior to my Salvation.  Money and the “things” money could buy were my gods.  My effort each year was to earn as much as possible, regardless of the consequences.

James 4:13-15  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:  (14)  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  (15)  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

James 4:13-14 defined my life.  I was only accountable to myself.  (I had no concern [didn’t know] that my life was in jeopardy.)   I have since learned that my life is to center and focus only on God’s Will.

            Therefore, when we consider “the world” and Christianity, (they ought to be incomparable) where do we fall concerning God’s Will?  Do we as Christians line up with the enmity of God, or are we as close to God as we can get?  Where are our treasures being laid up?  (Could they be in the same room that we have locked the Ten Commandments down in Georgia?)

            (A Christian ought to know where he should lay up his treasures.)  Yet, it appears we Christians have a problem getting past “The Jones’.”  (They are only looking for their concerns day by day with no concern for their eternity.)

            I read today on “facebook, ™ ” “If you want to know where your heart is, look to where your mind goes when it wanders.”  (Our treasures are wherever our heart resides.)  If we reside in the Lord and work to stay within His arms, our treasures are with Him, safe and secure.  As Christians, we do not have a fear of not going to Heaven, but some Christians seem aloof as to their rewards that Jesus is holding for them.

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

            We Christians will not be judged in the sense of punishment as the un-saved.  However, we will have to hear about the good and the bad that we have done since our Salvation.  If we have mega treasures laid up, we will have a loss in volume because of those times we turned away from the Holy Spirit and refused to do God’s Will.

            (On the other hand, if we have only meager treasures, how well will we do on that day?)   God expects us to follow, God demands we follow. 

            Have you accepted Jesus the Christ as your Saviour and secured a place in Heaven with Him and His Father?  Do you have a Church?  Are you going to Church and placing your willing tithe in the plate?  What have you done to help your Pastor, and the widows of your Church? 

            Today is the day.  Check yourself.  Find out where your treasures are, and then reinforce all that you have done. 

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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Not Of Us

2 Corinthians 4:1-7  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  (2)  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  (3)  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  (5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  (6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  (7)  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

            There are moments when I would like to be able to put the broadside of my boot against my backside.  I know if I don’t, eventually God will.  Last evening I was talking to my Pastor concerning the writing of these devotions.  I later realized I was taking credit for an ability God has given me.  It is not of me, for without God and His Son Jesus, I would be wallowing in a burning Hell.

            Our verses above teach us to renounce “hidden things of dishonesty.” (Pride is likely our most dishonest attribute.)  We are warned to “not walking [walk] in craftiness,” (wherein possibly our minds walk.)  God also warns us not to “handling [handle] the word of God deceitfully.”  If we quote a verse, God expects us to know the context of that verse, (how it is used, the extent of its usage, and for whom it is intended.)

            (We can see we have been warned.)  Now, we must see the task God has given us.  God tells us, “if our gospel be hid,” it is hid to those who haven’t heard the Gospel at all.  As Christians, we must be certain we are not putting the Gospel in “our inner closet” (for safekeeping so we will not lose it.) 

            The Gospel is like an early “facebook™.”  Its intention is to be shared with friends and acquaintances.  Otherwise, how will they know “the light of the glorious gospel of Christ?”  As Christians, our light from Jesus should shine towards others and light our way to them.

Psalm 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

God’s light MUST shine through us regarding our walk and our talk.  (Our Bible refers to our “conversation” as our lives, worldly and spiritually,) [because we live here, not because we are within it.]   

            The “god of this world” [Satan] has blinded “unsaved eyes” to the Gospel of Christ.  We must strive within ourselves to NOT let Satan “blind our eyes” to his people.  If God’s Gospel is hidden, it is   us (Christians) who are hiding it (by allowing Satan to direct us away from his world.)

            We need to be as brash with the Gospel at “Wal Mart™” as we are on “facebook.™”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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Fundamental Thoughts: Them That Love God

Fundamental Thoughts: Them That Love God: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpo...

Them That Love God

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

            I have heard this verse misquoted and misused more than any other Bible verse.  The portion stating, “to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” is left off.  Consequently, this verse’s application, “for anybody in any situation” is incorrect.   

            Romans 8:28 is a verse of assurance that God has given Christian Believers.  (It is only for those who have accepted Jesus the Christ as their personal Saviour. Yet, the primary misuse of this verse is by Christians.)  We see “a situation” and we chop off the end and try to assure the unbelievers that things will get better.  Instead of attempting to lead them to the One who could help them through their problems, we coddle them with a verse that is not intended for them.

            It always comes down to our choices.  (Our choices as a Christian are limited.  If sin is in view, our choice is to rebuke the tempter and turn away.   Our only correct choice is to always select the right way, the truth.)

            Regarding unbelievers: our choice is to assure them, through the Gospel, that they repent and find they “are the called according to his purpose.”  We then can quote the complete verse and assure them that regardless of the trials in their lives, everything will eventually “work together for good to them that love God.”

            As a Christian, I know we all intend good.  Yet, in our pursuits to satisfy God there are times we fail.  We need to look at our lives and do a personal checkup as to our Salvation.

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

If we truly want and desire to “draw near” to God, we must meet His Requirements.  It must be with a “true heart,” a sincere honest heart.  We must also have an assurance that we are doing His Will in Faith, a Faith that states “I believe without doubt.”  We also must rid ourselves of that evilness we harbor, (bitterness, hatred, anger...etc., within our hearts and mind,) this being done as if we had washed our minds of all the filth with pure water.  

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

            We will fail, however, we must not use this knowledge to keep us from trying, because “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” and our efforts are “a good thing.”  To use an “over used” shoe commercial, “Just Do It.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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Jesus’ Love

John 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

            There is a beautiful old song, “Jesus Loves Me.”  The first verse states, “Jesus Loves Me This I Know, For The Bible Tells Me So.”  Man has never written sweeter or truer words.  Yet, our problem is we have many thousands of people who “rest their eternity” on phrases that men have written.  They have no evidence of their Hope in Christ, but just in a cute little song.

            Jesus tells us that His Love is intended to be reciprocal.  It is a two-way street with a merging in our hearts.  I know that after 50+ years of marriage, love grows and matures.  (It is the same with our love for Jesus.)  How can we wait until the very last moments of our time and claim a reciprocal love that may only have just ignited, or may not exist at all?  Some men preach how Jesus loves us (and He does) and that is all that matters.

            Jesus’ love is defined by His willingness to die on the Cross.  In so doing, He displayed His love for each of us.

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

            Along with this Reciprocal Love is another Commandment given that is: “he [we] will keep my words.”  Jesus tells us in addition to our verse:

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

            This is a requirement that goes beyond our love, and it is because of our love, that we will “keep my [His] commandments.”  In keeping His “commandments,” we are displaying to others that we are loved by Jesus and that we love Him.  We are displaying “The Reciprocal Love” we have within our hearts.

            Yes, our Bible does tell us that Jesus loves us, but are you telling Jesus you love Him, by “keep[ing] my [His] commandments?”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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Have You Heard?

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

            Due to my paradigm, [the limits of my mind], I sometimes have a problem visualizing the concept of “everlasting life.”  I know by faith it is a true concept, but with the finiteness of my mind, it is a hard thought.  As a retired Pastor, I know it is a “concept problem” for others also.  The answer to this problem is contained within the above verse.  The answer is the word “believeth,”  but “believeth” can be another conceptual problem.  If we look at the Biblical definition, we find that to “Believe” is a word with a compound definition.  To Believe is to have “The Knowledge plus Faith.”

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

We, (at least most of us), believe the chair we “plop down” on will support us.  We have the familiarity with the chair, (knowledge to believe it will support us.)  It is belief because of “the evidence of things not seen,” not knowing “How” it works.  (We “Hope” without knowing or even seeing.  We “Believe with Faith.”)

            Consequently, those of us who have heard God’s Word have a choice to make.  (It is to take the information that has been received, and by Faith accept Jesus the Christ as our Saviour.)  Paul relates to us in Romans:

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

God tells us if we will confess our belief (that God has raised His Son from the grave) to others, God will save us eternally.  Our second choice is to disregard God’s Word and just walk down our worldly path without any concern of our eternity.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

            Those who refuse Jesus as their Personal Saviour are facing an eternal condemnation.  But there is time.  Accept Him now “in full assurance of faith” knowing you will now live eternally in the presence of God Almighty and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ.

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

            Accept Jesus now.  Place yourself within God’s Wings, within His Strength, and with all His Love.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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Whosoever You

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

            I recently preached a message using John 3:16 as my verse.  I used three words, Begotten, Believe, and Everlasting.  The intent of the message was to define the extent of those three words and to show how some people change their definitions to suit their way of thinking.  They remove the Bible context, recreate an opinion context, and eventually create a cult based on their heresy.

            In these verses, there are other words just as important, and misaligned by those who change God’s Word.  The one word I want to reflect on is “whosoever.”  In these three verses, “whosoever” is used twice.  This use reflects importance.  

            When I first began preaching, “whosoever” was a word that wasn’t clearly defined in my mind.  A simple definition is: it is in reference to “anybody.”  However, in Biblical terms it needs a clearer more definitive definition.

            Jesus came for one purpose:

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

So within His purpose, our definition could be “anybody regardless of their sin.”  I have personally envisioned a great book with all names, yet the alphabetizing is only using the letter “W.”  Within this Book, my name would be “Whosoever, Chastain, John R. E” which would be the way all names including Adam and Eve would be displayed.  Again, the listing would be regardless of the sin, the race, the ethnicity, the religion.  All last names would be “Whosoever” as one family.  It would include all people regardless of their personal depravity.  (I am referencing The Book of Life described in The Book of Revelation.)

Revelation 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(Now whether our names are listed as I described, I honestly have no idea.  This is for illustration only.)

            What I have tried to relay is that regardless of your situation in life, and regardless of your sin, Jesus loves you and is willing to accept you.  All He has asked is that you Believe He is the only Begotten Son of God, and God will give you everlasting life.  (Everlasting = Forevermore = Eternally, nothing less.)

            With you sincerely calling on His name, Salvation is freely given with no strings attached.  Is your name still written in “The Book of Life?”  Or has your name been blotted out?

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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