Once Upon A Time

Titus 1:15-16  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  (16)  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

            I remember many years ago, (prior to my salvation,) watching NBC News with Tom Brokaw.   He was upset that Dr. Jack Kevorkian was involved in assisted suicides.  (Mr. Brokaw was apparently appalled that a physician would do something that would violate The Hippocratic Oath.)  The next story showed Christians picketing an Abortion Clinic.  (Mr. Brokaw didn’t seem to be appalled, yet both physicians were doing EXACTLY the same thing, with one major difference.  The person who asked for help in ending his life made the choice.  The baby that was murdered had no choice.  (Prior to that newscast, I had NO opinion concerning abortion nor assisted suicide.)  I changed news channels and never went back.  Whatever status Mr. Brokaw had (in my mind,) was tarnished.

            Recently, our Texas Legislature has been working on a bill that will limit abortion.  (I am not sure of all the contents.)  I know that those who protested had a Senate Member Filibuster during the first attempt, with grievous protests interrupting the Legislative process.  Later, Governor Perry called a special session to grapple with this bill one more time.   (The protestors against the bill gathered along with Christians who were for the passage of this bill.)  The Christian group began singing, “Amazing Grace” and the “Pro-Choice” protestors chanted, “Hail Satan.”  (At least we know now affirmatively the “Pro-Choice” group is of Satan.  They called on their god, just like the people in The Democratic Convention booed God The Almighty.

            Think about Elijah.  (He called on God and fire came down.  He had the ability to kill all the Baal worshippers.  Now, I am not asking for that.  However, “Once Upon A Time” God judged severely those who called out a false god.)  Since the Roe v. Wade decision, we as a Nation have murdered more babies in the name of contraception than the number of Jews murdered by Hitler.

            It seems we have encouraged our daughters to become whores, our sons to become whoremongers. When the natural result of back seat copulation happens, a baby dies.  (Then our “children” can go back to doing what they desire.  It wasn’t a baby, it was just a fetus.)  Today a girl can even get a “Plan B” pill and perform her own murder.

            “Isn’t it amazing how the same people can “unload on gun owners” for potential deaths, but agree on killing more babies than have been killed (by all guns) since The Revolutionary War, maybe since the invention of guns?”  (I made that statistic up, just like those that oppose Americans their Second Amendment rights.)

            We as Christians must remember those who are for abortions and those who are performing abortions: “are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”  They “profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

            “God never allows nor ever gives permission for any kind of abortion.  Christian, it is murder.  It is infanticide.  It is offering babies to false gods.  Abortion at any level MUST STOP.

            As I write, we are celebrating our 237^th Anniversary of our Nations Independence.  When we sit back and look at our leadership, Our President, Our Judicial, and Our Congress, we find they have all failed our Nation morally and financially.  Then we wonder, what has happened to our economy, where are the jobs, where are our solid Churches that we had “Once Upon A Time?”

            We as Christians must get back to our First Love, Jesus The Christ.  We are walking more like the world, more like the Satanists who are proclaiming his name.  Our Nation must get back to the roots laid down, (with direction of God,) by our forefathers.  In order for our Nation to be spared, we the people of The Nation must change.

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.

As Christians, we must begin acting and sounding like we did “Once Upon A Time.”  We have the information we need.  We must “Just Do It.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Baptist Pastor

Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

The Carnal Christian

1 Corinthians 3:1-4  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  (2)  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  (3)  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  (4)  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

            The title in which I have chosen for this devotional is a relatively new phrase to me.  I have known of the context, (what the topic is,) just had never heard the phrase.  Many of you will liken this to the term “backslidden.”  However, they could be synonymous, but in the context of these verses, they are not.

            The actual definition from The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is: “1. Pertaining to flesh; fleshly; sensual; opposed to spiritual; as carnal pleasure. 2. Being in the natural state; unregenerate.  3. Lecherous; lustful; libidinous; given to sensual indulgence.” 

            We as Christians generally define carnal as The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.  However, most Christians divide sin into many categories:  (It is just a white lie, a little lie.)  Yet, it is still a lie.  Carnality, in our minds, is as divided as our judicial system’s range of murders.  (Murder unintentional or intentional is still murder.  This is NOT a treatise against self-defense, or against the police officer, or soldier.)  God has never allowed varying degrees of punishment. We are the ones who want “Kings” to preside instead of God.

            Carnality is ANYTHING that you put between yourself and God with no intention of changing (repentance, unregenerate.)  Whatever is keeping you away from God isn’t necessarily sin.  For example, boating, fishing, or any other activity (in itself is not necessarily sinful) that keeps you from worshipping God, (but knowing what it is doing without any intention of changing,) is the problem.  (It is the location, which is the problem.)  Again, it is anything that you allow to get between you and God.  Consequently, you are a Carnal Christian.

            In pondering these things, it came to my mind that ALL Christians are Carnal.  There has been only One non-Carnal Christian on earth and that was Jesus The Christ.

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

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

(These verses tell us the truth.)  All Churches are carnal as all members within are “The Church,” and every member is carnal, some more, some less. 

            In the Parable of The Sower, Jesus defines the make-up of our average Church.    As a soul-winning Christian, (vv 3, 14) (“sower”) we present God’s Word: 

Mark 4:3  Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 

Mark 4:14  The sower soweth the word. 

As we preach, knock on doors, and hand out tracts, we will reach these four groups. The majority we meet are possibly those described below in (vv 4, 15.)   They are “by the way side” and are, (for the most part,) courteous, respectful, not saved nor concerned, a carnal worldly person, but not a Christian.

Mark 4:4  And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 

Mark 4:15  And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 

The “stony ground” group (vv 5-6, 16-17) are those who gladly receive God’s Word.  They believe for a while, but later realizing the cost: of their tithe, their time, and teaching/learning, they become offended and leave.

Mark 4:5-6  And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:  (6)  But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 

Mark 4:16-17  And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;  (17)  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 

The third group are those (vv 7-8, 18-19) who “fell among thorns,” hear God’s Word, but too much is going on in their lives to concern themselves with eternity.

Mark 4:7-8  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 

Mark 4:18-19  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,  (19)  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 

The last group (vv 8, 20) that “fell on good ground” is the core of our Churches.  They are the tithers, soul-winners, musicians, and/or workers who keep the Church working under Pastoral leadership. 

Mark 4:8  And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Mark 4:20)  And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

The first three groups described may be a part of our congregation, and for a period of time a member of our Church, but they are not necessarily Christians.  They may have professed, (as I did when I was nineteen,) but never had a personal relationship with Christ, just the head knowledge. 

            We must keep in mind as Christians:  we are all carnal to some degree, some more than others.  This knowledge must not be used as an excuse to walk in our iniquities.  

Romans 6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

            My attempt in this brief dissertation is to get every Christian to look at his individual walk, and determine what he has placed between him and God.

Romans 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

We must strive to remove the roadblocks so we can receive God’s blessings and answers to our prayers.  We might even find fewer trials in our lives.  Jesus tells us:

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

“We as Christians have The Commandments of Christ Jesus within His Word, The King James Bible.  We claim Jesus as our Saviour, as our King.  So, what keeps us out of Church, out of reading our King James Bible, from tithing, helping, soul winning?” 

            I know the answer Christian, just as Paul knew, and as you know.  It is sin.    It is whatever you consider more important than God.

            Paul teaches in our verses (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) that we must continue to grow.  We grow from babes to children, and then to adults in The Lord Jesus. 

            “Where are you?  Do you still require the milk and Pablum™  (H. J. Heinz Company), or can you grow with the meat of God’s Word?”

Bro John R. E Chastain,  Evangelist

Wylie, Texas

Fundamental Thoughts   fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com

Pass Through The Fire

Leviticus 18:21  And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

            Moses, the author of Leviticus, witnessed so many merciless atrocities that it may have become “old hat.”  Today, the merciless murder of millions no longer seems to concern us.  

            I recently visited The Holocaust Museum in Dallas, Texas, and witnessed horror (via film and photographs) of the extermination of the Jews.  Adolf Hitler and his progressive political party murdered approximately 12 Million in Germany.

            A Museum will be required soon to remember The Holocaust of Abortion.   As we do not have bodies stacked in piles, (estimates of 600 million to one billion unborn infants murdered) and we cannot dig up the communal graves, it will be “less moving” and likely “old hat.” 

Amos 1:13-15  Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:  (14)  But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:  (15)  And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

            The phrase, “For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four” has been a problem for me.  (I kept attempting to count the four transgressions.)  However, after much study and reading, I believe it relates to many transgressions, (maybe hundreds, thousands, or even millions.)   This phrase is used seven more times in Chapters 1 and 2.   In all these instances, “four” was added to account for the multiple atrocities that had occurred.   One atrocity in these verses was “because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead.”   (The “women …of Gilead” were descendants of Jacob, and their ancestors walked in the Exodus with Moses.  They not only killed Mothers and Children, but also Mothers with Child.)

            In this dissertation, I am paralleling the murdering of innocent unborn children with our current practice of “legalized” abortion.  Regarding “living in a day,” our real problem in either holocaust lies at the feet of Christians, Jews, and other religions who profess sanctity of life.  (We have not raised our voices in protest.  We will discuss this either with Jesus, or at the Great White Throne.)

            As was Damascus, Gaza, Tyrus, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Israel and Judah, God will judge our nation as He judged Ammon for allowing this ongoing perpetual mass murder.  (We as individuals must raise our voices and change our ballots to stop this horror.)    

            God tells us in The Book of Amos, Chapter Four.  “Amos 4:6 …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.”   The United States of America as a nation was founded, (as was Israel,) on Godly Christian principles.  God laid out the precepts, but “Progressivism” reared its ugly head around the turn of The Twentieth Century.    Since that time, our Governing body and our Churches have been turning their backs on God.   Our Churches have failed to speak up and define a “fetus” as a living child of God. “Amos 4:6  …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” (Our last Democratic Convention even booed God.)

            In Chapter Four, verse 12, God, through Amos tells us to “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God…”  (We must be prepared to meet God.  I have a hard time imagining it will be a wonderful, totally blessed meeting.)

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.

(It will be either a “good or bad” meeting.)  I have never walked into that type of secular meeting, and walked away encouraged.  This meeting is for Christians and Christians alone, those who are “in the book of life.” 

            (If you have not accepted Christ, your meeting will be at the Great White Throne.)

Revelation 20:11-15  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

            However, God, within this small epistle from The Prophet Amos, has given us the answer.

Amos 5:4  For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:

Amos 5:6  Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

God is telling us in (vv 4, 6) that we will live if we repent and change our ways.  We as voting citizens, professing Christians, and other religious groups must take a stand and demand that we quit offering “thy seed [children] pass through the fire to Molech.”  (Molech is a false god that requires human sacrifice.) 

            We must “prepare to meet thy God.”  “Christian, are you ready?  Have you called your Congressmen and your Representatives and told them what you believe?  When are you going to do it?  Get prepared for The Meeting In The Sky.  It is coming.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

<www.fundamentalthoughts@gmail.com>

Walking In His Truth

3 John 2-8  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  (5)  Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;  (6)  Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:  (7)  Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.  (8)  We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

                       

             This Letter was written by “John The Revelator” to a man named Gaius.  John believed Gaius “walked a walk” that displayed not only his personal Faith, but also “charity” (a love that reflects the love (with the intensity) that Jesus loves us.)

            Jesus tells us that He is The Truth.

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.

Therefore, what is the base definition of the word “truth?”  True, truth is words, which are absolutes.  (Black is the total Presence of ALL color, as white is the Absence of ALL color.)  Truth is the essence of truth alone.  There is no lie, no untruth, no error, and no blemish in truth.  Truth is a state of perfection without sin, without any hint of blemish.  Consequently, our writer John is exhorting a fellow believer for being a person who “walkest in the truth.”   Does that mean Gauis walked in perfection? No, he didn’t and neither did John, but they walked as they “testified of the truth” their LORD and Saviour Jesus The Christ.  They were doing “faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;” as best they could.  They were serving “the truth” to the best of their abilities.  In so doing, they were faithful.

            The question continually comes to my mind, “Am I being faithful to The Truth, my Lord Jesus?”  I do know I am not serving at 100% ability nor capacity.  I know I could do more, yet, can I do it with perfection and a honest Truth?  No, I cannot because I am not “the truth.”  (Yet God knows I have fallen short.)  My concern is that I do not use this knowledge, (that God knows,) and I will intentionally fall short.  That would be an obvious sin.

            Reader, can you say, I “walkest in the truth?”  (All who have honestly professed Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour are.)  Can we be “the truth?”  No, but we can follow Jesus to the best of our ability, and do as we should. 

            When we discover (and sometimes we do discover) sin in our lives, we must realize our walk isn’t as close to “the truth” as it could or should be.  We must repent and “loose” ourselves from that sin.  Then our walk will pull us in a bit closer.  Our daily walk in “the truth” should always point toward Jesus.  We must always attempt to be The Truth in the purest sense.  (Without blemish.)

            If you are a Christian, do you walk in the truth?  We become Christians only because of God’s “Amazing Grace.”   He bled on that cross so we can call ourselves a Christian.  Have you considered repenting of “discovered” sin in your life? 

            Today, this hour, this moment is the time to evaluate what you have been.  Then do something about it.  Do it now and walk a closer walk with God and His Son Jesus The Christ.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

Whosoever

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.

            These three verses are so important to The Gospel of Christ (as is all of God’s Word).  We can get so much doctrinal definition from them.  It is clear that Salvation is based on belief, and in that belief we gain eternal, everlasting life.  Jesus tells us He came to earth for a reason: “that the world through him might be saved.”  He also tells us to whom this applies.  It is “whosoever.”         

            Who is a “whosoever?”  A plausible definition could be “anybody regardless.”  I have personally envisioned The “book of life” (mentioned in Revelation) containing all our names, but the alphabetizing is only the letter “W.”  (My name would be “Whosoever, Chastain, John R. E”.)  This would be the way all names are displayed including Adam and Eve.  The listing would be regardless of race, ethnicity, sin, religion, or any other definable parameter.  All last names would be “Whosoever” as one family.  It would include all people regardless. 

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.

(I honestly have no idea whether the list of our names will be as I described.  This is for illustration only, and a figment of my imagination.) 

            What I have tried to relay is that regardless of whom you are, Jesus loves you, and is willing to accept you.  He climbed willingly on that Cross.  He was willingly nailed to that Cross to die for your sins.  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.)

            When you sincerely call on His name, Salvation is freely given.  Your name is it still written in “The Book of Life?”  Are you an overcomer, or has your name been blotted out?

Revelation 3:5  He that overcometh, … I will not blot out his name out of the book of life…

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

Many Deceivers

2 John 1:7-11  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8)  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things, which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10)  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  (11)  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

                       

            I had to look up the word “deceivers” to be sure I wasn’t thinking “outa the box.”  I had the correct concept.  A “deceiver” is a liar.  (The lies may not be bold “up front lies,” but hidden contextual, sneaky lies.)  We must also note that the use of “antichrist” (in this text) is not a reference to “the antichrist” of the “Tribulation” period.  It is a more complete definition of “deceiver” in that a “deceiver” is a liar and is against Christ Jesus.  (Now we know a “deceiver” is a liar and he is against Christianity.)

            So, where do we look for these “deceivers?”  If we are a “born again” believer, and we walk within our belief as a Christian, then we do not have to look very far.

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.

            First, “Look within your own Church.  Has there been compromise on The Word of God?  Has there been compromise on the music? Has there been compromise on dress?  Has there been compromise on repentance?  Has there been compromise on sin?  Is the preaching salvation by faith, or by works?”

            I honestly could go on with this line of questions, but this also relates to you. 

Second, “Look to see where you stand.  Have you become a “deceiver” to yourself, to your heart and to your family?”  We periodically must just stop and give ourselves a “spiritual checkup.”  “Are you saved?  Do you have eternal life with Jesus and our Father in Heaven?   If you died today, this very moment, would heaven be your home?  If you cannot answer this question with a resounding “YES,” God wants you to know where your eternal home will be.”

1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

God wants you to know that you can know you will have “eternal life.”   If we know Jesus, and have accepted Him as our personal Savior, we will have “eternal life” with Jesus.

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 to others that you do believe that God has raised His Son Jesus from the grave, and God will have saved you.

However, “If you have accepted the “deceivers” doctrine, (his teaching, and not the Bible’s) where and how do you give yourself that “spiritual checkup?” 

The answer is found in The King James Bible.  In order for you to “KNOW” your Bible, you must be the ONE that “READS” your Bible.  “[D]eceivers” thrive on our ignorance.  (Ignorance = lack of knowledge of a subject.)  “If you don’t read and study your King James Bible, your “ignorance” makes you a likely candidate for the “deceivers.”  “Cults” love ignorant people.  They thrive as their followers die and burn in Hell because of your lack of knowledge concerning The Bible.

            Another “deceiver” to take a hard look at is the “healer.”  There is no question in my mind God heals.  When He heals, He does the healing, not men.  If we take a honest, realistic look at these “faith healers” and realize if they were of God and God was healing through them, “Why do we have Doctors, Nursing Homes (full of the infirmed), and hospitals.  It would behoove our Federal Government to put these men on staff and pay them an outrageous wage to heal our physically ill.  (ObamaCare could be eliminated as could MediCare.  There would be no need for hospitals, just emergency care to hold us until a healer could lay his hand on us.) 

I know this might be a bit of a stretch, but all that “deceivers” do is a mighty stretch also.   They rely on our ignorance of The Bible.

            Another “deceiver” that has changed God’s Salvation Plan is known as “speaking in tongues.”  The Apostles spoke in their own language and the congregation heard the message in their native language.  The “speaking of tongues” was a hearing experience.

Acts 2:11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

            I know I have not given a complete exegesis (a critical explanation or interpretation of a text) on the subject of “deceivers.”  That would be near impossible as they pick new lies, (new twists on the same subjects,) to keep those who are ignorant of The Bible confused. 

Take your King James Bible to church.  Look up the verses given, read along, and write them down and go home and read them, study them.  If what was said from the pulpit and what The Bible says is different, The Bible is your authority.  Then find a Bible (King James Bible) preaching Church, and study to show yourself approved of God.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Do it now, don’t wait, don’t hesitate.  Move away from the “deceivers.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

Our Walk

2 John 1:4-6  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.  (5)  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.  (6)  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

              

            In my writings, I have used the phrase “Our Walk” many times.  “Walk,” by my usage means, “how we live our lives.”  In The Epistle of 2 John, these scripture verses use “walking” to mean the same thing.

Galatians 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

“Our Walk” and “our life style,” (the way we live) defines us to others that we are a Christian.  Another requirement is that we walk “in truth,” (a commandment from our Father in Heaven.)  We can define “in truth” as being faithful, and sincere to The God of Heaven and His Son Jesus The Christ.

            However, in our walk it must to be as He commands.  In (v 6) He commands “that we walk after his commandments.” Jesus also states in:

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

Therefore, our “walk” should always be as close as possible to what God wants for us.  (Many Christians perceive this more as a suggestion from God.)  But when we read and literally accept what has been stated, our “walk” is a command.  There are NO suggestions, and there are no other interpretations or perceptions.

            Our Walk is the definition of what we claim to be.  Many who know us, (though they tell us not to judge them) will judge us in “Our Walk.”  Bro D. L. Moody stated:  “Out of one hundred men, one will read the Bible, the other ninety-nine will read the Christian.”   As Christians, we are The Bible for so many.  It is so important that “Our Talk” match “Our Walk.”  “Our Walk” must match what God expects of us.

            Part of that expectation is that “we love one another,” and in that love “keep my commandments.”  In this “love [for] one another,” we are to be concerned about their souls.   As a Christian, we are allowed to judge others’ sins, and counsel them concerning their involvement in sin.  We are to “love” the individual (regardless of their sin.)  However, we are NOT to “love” their sin.  We may come across as being a self-righteous person, and/or with an angry attitude.  This is why “Our Walk” is so important.  Those we approach must see Jesus’ Love in us by our compassion and concern.

            We must remember that there was a day that we were where they are now.  “So, do you love Jesus?  Do you keep His commandments?”

            One last commandment:

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

“Go ye” into your neighborhood, (your city) and ask the question, “If you died today, would Heaven be your home?”  Show them in The Bible that they can know that an eternal life awaits them with God.  Show them.

(1 John 5:13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

The World Today

(Philippians 4:7 KJB) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Our Government and the news media are always up in arms concerning peace. We have a President, a Congress, and a Press who believe they can sit down and “talk peace” with the Saddam Hussein’s, the Adolf Hitler’s and the Genghis Khan’s of the world and get peace.

We have seen in recent months where Bernie Madoff, made–off with billions of dollars from family, friends, and business associates. As far as those who lost their fortunes through Bernie, they would put him in the class of those who are willing to talk but not change.

The problem is they do not know the Peace of God. All they know is me, myself and I. It doesn’t matter what happens to you so long as I get what I want. This is where our World is today. It is a me, myself, and I world. Just so you understand, it has always been that kind of world, because the prince of the world is in control.

(Ephesians 2:2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

This prince is in control of our President, our Congress, and a good per cent of our news media. He is in control of our education system, our social lives, and all that consumes our thoughts.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then this prince will no longer have control of your life. The problem we Christians have is we keep looking over our shoulder, peeking back, and in some cases longing for the old times, when sin and the prince of the air controlled our lives.

Instead of looking back, we need to look at our President and our Congress, and remind them who they work for, and that abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, and marriage other than one man and one woman is contrary to the Word of God. The taking of lives, and the ruination of marriage as God created is beyond the Peace of God.

Our real problem is a great falling away of the Principles on which this country was founded. We are falling away from the Principles God set in place. The Ten Commandments have been hidden behind locked doors in a basement of a court house. Some are wanting to remove God’s name from our Pledge of Allegiance and our currency. It won’t be long and we will change our National Anthem to some rap song.

Our country is in dire straits. We as a nation need to get back to the Lord. Remember Him, and pray for His mercy.

(2 Chronicles 7:14 KJB) 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 are diminishing in size. Christians are walking away from Bible teaching churches, and some are even returning to their wicked ways. We must get back to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Evangelist Retired Pastor

<fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com>

NOTE: This was first published in the Wellington Leader, Wellington, Texas, April, 2009.  The introduction is a bit outdated, but the article is timely.

Behold, The Days Come

Amos 8:11-12  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:  (12)  And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

            I began writing this devotion the same day that someone stole my ’87 Chevy Silverado Pick Up.  As I mulled this scripture regarding the thieves (thief), “their day” will come.  (I have prayed that their souls will repent and ask Jesus into their hearts.)  “That day” (for the thieves) is not what God is referring to in this set of scriptures.

            To what “days” is it that God is referring?  Amos was not speaking of a literal, physical famine as the scripture states.  (There had been a 400 year silence after the Book of Malachi until the Birth of John The Baptist.  It was a famine of God’s Word.)  Israel had been scattered and they wanted to hear from God.  We don’t know if Amos was referring to that particular “famine in the land” or an upcoming “famine.”

            If we look at our surroundings today, (our nation and the entire world,) we can see a negativeness concerning God and His Son Jesus.  Our Churches are being swayed by worldliness, (not concerning themselves on honouring God,) but doing worldly things to bring in “the world.”  We see cults demeaning The Word of God, (changing The Word, God’s Bible, [The King James Bible,] and the sermon [message] to allow sinners to feel more comfortable in Church.)

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            In a previous life, (before I was saved) I cut gemstones as a hobby.  If the stone is cut well, 90% of its brilliance will come through the very top of the stone.  If you place the stone top up in clay or mud, the stone will still be brilliant.   (That is what we as Christians ought to be.  “Let your light so shine before men” as a brilliant light in a sea of mud.)  If the stone is mounted properly, all of its brilliance will be seen.  In our brilliance, we can now “glorify your [our] Father which is in heaven” with our all. 

            “Are you letting your full light shine through?”

            At times, we become side tracked from the commands that Jesus has given us.

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Bible tells us numerous times, “Go ye.”  This doesn’t always mean going to a foreign land.

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Our town, “our” region, is our “Jerusalem,” our “Judaea” is our state, and our “Samaria” is our nation. The “uttermost part of the earth” can be anywhere that God has called us to go.  We are commanded to “Teach[…] them to observe all things” whatsoever He has commanded.  We see the commands, yet we can be side tracked to other focuses.

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Many Churches today are ignoring Jesus’ commands. (This should be our single focus.)  Timothy repeats God’s Word from The Book of Amos, “For the time will come.”  As I look around throughout our “Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” it should be obvious that not only has the “time…come” as Amos prophesied using God’s Word “the days come.” 

            (Our main task is to lead souls to Christ.)  Yet, many Churches have turned away from the preaching of God’s Word (to hand out balm for their “itching ears.”)  (The “truth” of The Word of God is our solid foundation.   The fables and men’s opinions are the wiles of the devil.)

Ephesians 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

            After I first came to The Lord, my comfort level was low.  (I learned from the preaching about my sins.   I learned, as a new Christian what I was supposed to do.)  I am certain my feet were bloody from the stomping on my toes (figuratively) from Brother Huntress.

            When God called me to Pastor, my personal charge was to always follow Jesus’ commands.  The Book of Mark told me:

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

And I went as God called. 

            Another set of verses I used in my personal charge are taken from The Book of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 33:7-9  So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.  (8)  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  (9)  Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

To wrap my personal charge into my words:  As a Pastor, and now as an Evangelist, I am required to lead people to The Lord.  I am also required to warn them of their final destination if they refuse Christ.   (Part of that warning is to define the devil, and what he is all about.)

            If we define “Prophet” clearly, it is one who foretells the future.  Webster’s 1828 defines it as:

“PROPH'ET, n. [L. propheta.]  1. One that foretells future events; a predicter; a foreteller.  2. In Scripture, a person illuminated, inspired or instructed by God to announce future events; as Moses, Elijah, David, Isaiah, etc.”

For clarification, I know of NO ONE who has met the standard of the men mentioned in this definition.  However, all who have been called of God to preach are:  foretellers of the future, prophets if they preach Christ’s Gospel, His Redemption, His Repentance, His Heaven, and the hell created for Satan and his followers.  These prophets are foretelling our future.

            God is warning us through Amos and Timothy of this coming day.  My fear is that day of falling away has come.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

It is hard to say “that day” is here, but it certainly appears to be.  (So what are we to do?)  Lead someone to Christ, and tell them of their future Home in Glory.  Seek the lost.  Go about God’s work.   Let us not tarry in our watch.  We must “Work Till Jesus Comes.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Baptist Evangelist

Wylie, Texas             

www.johnchastain.com

www.fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com