The Comforter

                In John 16:12-15, quoted below we know that it is Jesus speaking.  (This is just prior to Chapter 17 where we read, “The Lord’s Prayer.”)  In this portion of Chapter 16, Jesus is speaking of the forth coming of the “Comforter,” The Holy Spirit.

              We as Christians tend to overlook the existence of The Holy Spirit.  For the most part, we have given Him over to the people who claim He performs miracles.  (He doesn’t perform miracles.  They seem to place more importance on Him, than on Jesus.) 

              Yet, we are taught He is the silent one of the Trinity.  As an Abider within us, He teaches and directs our thoughts, and transmits our prayers to the Lord Jesus. 

              We as Christians must know He is what keeps us on the right track.  He guides us down the “right beaten path.”  He shows us the way to the “strait gate.” 

Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

              He is the “spirit of Truth.”  Moreover, as “The Holy Spirit” He leads us unto new life and He leads us to our eternity. 

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

He never pushes our emotions “into frenzy.”  He is our Teacher, our Guide.  He allows us to accept the teachings of Christ, and through “our memory” reminds us of things that we have been taught.

              Once the Salvation of God has been accepted, we receive the Holy Spirit.  Once we have received Him, He will abide within us until we are called home.  Once we attained Him, He is eternally with us. 

              How many times have you heard someone say, “When I walked into that Church building, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in there.”  (The Holy Spirit resides within a human Tabernacle, so “when we walk in,” The Holy Spirit goes in too.  Consequently, the person making that statement is probably admitting that The Holy Spirit is overjoyed that “they” finally went to Church, His Father’s House.

              If you haven’t accepted Jesus, do it now, and receive the Holy Spirit with joy.  Knowing, through Christ, He will help you.       

Bro. John R. E Chastain

John 16:12-15  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  (13)  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  (14)  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.  (15)  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Let Us Put On The Armour Of Light

                In Romans 13:12-14, quoted below we find our title, “…let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light …”   This title brings to my mind:  Ephesians 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Both verses from Romans and Ephesians are discussing the “…wiles of the devil …” Yet, we as Christians put “new titles” on some of these sins, so they will not be so devastating in our minds.  If we walk honestly with the Lord, none of these: “…rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying…” should ever be on our minds.

              So what are these?  “[R]ioting and drunkenness” is “Reveling; indulging in excessive feasting drinking of alcohol.”   It would be referred to as “Partying” in our days.   (We wouldn’t want anyone to know we were rioting.)  Another word we see is “chambering” which means “Wanton, lewd, immodest behavior.”  Wanton is “Wandering or roving in gaiety,” Lewd is “addicted to fornication or adultery.” 

              “Oh, but we have made those “lifestyle” choices.  Times have changed, and so has God.  He understands.”  God understands alright, He knows these as blasphemy to Him.

              We encourage our children to dress like chambering, wanton, lewd people who are noticed because of their choices.  As far as the world is concerned, it is their choice, (a wrong one, but it is theirs.)  

              Think about the young men and young women who have fought and died so we can lead our children to live a life without the “armour of light” and the “whole armour of God.”  However, as a Christian we are not entitled to those choices.  Our choice is to walk with the Lord modestly without allowing the lust of our flesh to be seen or shown.  Being rebels against the Lord is not good.  Being a rebel to the world (only in the sense of not following the world) is also not good.

              We as Christians are to put on Jesus Christ and follow Him.  We are to be honest in our walk, and in our talk.  We as Disciples of Christ must walk within the circles of the world.  While within these circles, we must be seen as honest, true to them, and to our Lord. 

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.

This verse defines a Christian’s walk.  Live up to it.  Be what Christ expects from you.  Live Him.                                            

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Romans 13:12-14  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  (13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  (14)  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Let The LORD Be Glorified

(Isaiah 66:4-5)  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.  5  Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

                        

              In the verses above Isaiah 66:4-5, a lot is stated.  The first thing I want define “evil.”  

(Isaiah 3:9)  The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

We find that Isaiah shows sin and evil as being synonymous, in other words “they mean the same thing.”

              We as Christians need to “Hear the word of the LORD…” If we actually heard God speak, we would tremble.  We have cast our “fear of the LORD” away to the point we don’t even look back to see if He is watching.  We don’t care.  We have driven ourselves so far from God that it will be a miracle if we can ever find our way back.  In our text, God is talking about His chosen people, believers.  

              This devotional is to believers. We as believers have allowed the world and our government to control our lives.  We never concern ourselves with God, but we will sure consider Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and all the other elected officials.

              Our problem is, I believe, we have forgotten how to Glorify God.  Maybe some never knew how, but for most who call themselves Christians, we have forgotten because there was never a reason to continue.

              Our scripture tells us “…Let the LORD be Glorified…”  The “Let” tells us we must do something for the LORD to be Glorified.

(Romans 12:2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We as individual Christians must be transformed back to what we were before. We are the only one who can change our mind.  God will help, but we must have that willing mind.  This is the only way we can ever approach and enter into the “…will of God.”

              Consider doing the best you can.  Consider calling on God, and ask Him to help you back to the center of His love, to the center of His will.  Now that you have considered, now just do it.                            

Bro John R. E Chastain

If It Had Not Been The LORD

(Psalms 124:1-8)  If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;   2  If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:  3  Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:  4  Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:  5  Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.  6  Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7  Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.  8  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.  

                        

              In Psalm 124 above, we find the title of this devotional in the second verse.  Do understand that David’s context was Israel.  However, we as Christians can receive a lesson from this Psalm.  

              When I look back on my life since my college days, and consider where I was and look at where I am, I know “If it had not been the LORD” no telling where I would be today.  I could be burning an eternal burn in the pits of hell.  On the other hand, I could be lying in a drunken stupor somewhere.

              We all may be able to look back and see where we were headed if it hadn’t been for the Holy Spirit guiding us away from the gates of hell.  “If it had notbeen the LORD” all of us would be without hope.  We each would be stumbling around, struggling, and attempting to work (to better ourselves for not.)

              I thank God for what He has done for my wife, our family, and me.  I stop and think about the people of our town, and how so many appear to be going nowhere, and it appears they are on the same road I traveled.

              I read where Barna Research Group tells us, “If a person does not accept Jesus Christ as Savior before the age of 14, the likelihood of ever doing so is slim.”  This is why juvenile Sunday School, Discovery Clubs, and programs to reach those prior to the seventh grade are so important.  We must teach them in their formative years.  

              The liberalization of the public school curriculum will turn their hearts away from the narrow road to the broad way.

(Matthew 7:13-4)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

They will only be taught the secular way, and Christianity will be debunked as another mythical tale that men have created.  The devil has already changed people’s eyes to view another version of a perverted bible.

              There was a time God’s Word was sanctified, honoured, and given precedence over law.  Only in the fundamental circles is that still true.

              We need to protect God’s children, teach them about God and His Holy Son Jesus, and then lead them to the Lord.  Encircle them with not only our love, but also the love of God.  Protect them from the horrifying flames of hell.  We cannot protect them from sin and its horrors; however, we can lead them away from hell.                                            

Bro John R. E Chastain

The Stimulus Package

(John 3:16 KJB)  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.

            Our news media is all in a “tizzy” over the Congressional Stimulus Package, a group of spending bills, tax cuts, and mostly wild hog and a forever debt.  Our government has forgotten its first love, which is God.  We are a nation founded under God, as a republic, a nation of laws for the people, by the principles God set down.

            Regardless of what the United States Government is doing, I want to relate to you another “Stimulus Package.”  God gave His only Son, hung Him on that “Old Rugged Cross,” allowed Him to die, and on the third day God lifted Him up from the grave.

(Romans 10:9 KJB)  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 has told us “If” and “whosoever” will believe, He will give them everlasting life, a life with Jesus and His Father, our God in Heaven.  The only stipulation God has made is that we believe with our heart, a sincere heart, a heart that says I do believe without a doubt that God has raised His Son Jesus from the grave. 

(Hebrews 10:22 KJB)  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.

Understand when we have made that decision, God has entered our heart for eternity, never to leave.  With that decision, God and His Son has given us a Mansion that is built with love and Jesus’ blood, His sacrifice for us.

                 

(John 14:2 KJB)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it werenot so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

            Guess what?  With this mansion, there is no mortgage, no monthly payments, no Barney Frank to overlook the finances, a home of no debt, a home purchased by the blood of our Saviour, the One who died for our sins by a cruel hard death.

(Ephesians 2:8 KJB)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

            It isn’t a home you can purchase, nor can you earn it.  God will give it to anyone who will sincerely claim His Son Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour.  We are told that “Whosoever” believes.  The word “Whosoever” tells us God is not looking for just clean, wholesome, righteous people.  He is looking for all people to join Him and His Son Jesus. 

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

God doesn’t care what you have been.  He isn’t concerning Himself with what you are, or even what you are doing or thinking about doing this minute.  He does not approve of what it is you have been, but He wants you to humble yourself and ask His Son into your heart.  He wants us just as we are.

            God’s Stimulus Package doesn’t come with fine print or a lot of strings attached.  In return for our belief in His Son, He will give us an eternal, everlasting, forever and forever and forevermore home with Him and His Son in Heaven. 

Accept God’s Plan and secure your home in Heaven, a home without Government intervention, a home of rest and glory with Jesus.

            Trust and your heart, a sincere true heart, and accept Him today without delay.  Trust what God can do for you.

  

Bro John R. E Chastain

Our Healthcare

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

            When I read these verses above, many avenues came to my mind as to how to use these verses.  What application can I get without stretching the points so far that the concept is more secular than spiritual?

            So, with that in mind, I want to discuss “Our Healthcare.”  Some of us “old timers” remember our American History, that this country was founded on Christian principles by men who were Christians.  They followed God’s lead and His direction.  I imagine if the founders and the men and women who died to create this land under God’s view could come back and see this sickly nation, their hearts would grieve.  

            We have a Congress that is so bent on serving themselves, and not the people whom they represent.  They have gotten off “the narrow way” and moved to the “broadway,” just as Israel has done so many times in the past.  We as a nation do need Healthcare Reform, but not for the people, but for our government.  Our Government is sick and it needs a spiritual transfusion. 

(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.

We are quickly becoming a nation that requires “gifts” from the government and our government thinks they have that power.  We no longer look to God for our provision, we look to Uncle Sam.  The problem with that is when we look in the morning mirror we should see “Uncle Sam.”  Those who don’t see him are blind to the truth.

            We as Christians need to spend more time with God, and more time on our knees asking God to intervene into the “goings on” in Washington.  We need God’s help there, but we need God in our individual lives first.  If God is not the leader of our thoughts, it might be that we are on the “wrong road.”  The “broadway” leads to destruction, the direction our country is headed.  But some of us, who claim salvation through Jesus Christ, have not left the “broadway.”   We are still hanging onto our old ways and just claiming Jesus for “security.”

            Jesus gave us:

(John 3:16 KJB)  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.

In John 3:16 a sincere heart is implied and we know this implication by reading the verses before and after it.   

            Do you have a true heart, a heart that wants to follow Jesus, and a heart that wants the Saviour leading your life?  Without that sincerity, what road are you on?  Are you relying on God to carry you through life’s trials, or are you expecting our secularized government to take care of you?  If you seek secular help, your road may be the “wrong road.”  

            Ask Jesus to come into your heart.  Call on Him and allow the Holy Spirit within.  Allow the changes God will make in your life.  You as an individual must be the one to make the decision.  It is not a light decision.   It is so important. Accept Jesus.  Believe now.  He will not turn you away.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Sing Praises Unto My God

                In Psalm 146:1-6, quoted below is the verse, “…I will sing praises unto my God…” This quote reminded me of A. W. Tozer, (a Protestant Preacher,) who said, “Christians don’t tell lies, they just go to church and sing them.”

              I started thinking about the songs in which he might be referring.  The first song I thought of was, “I Surrender All.”  That very first verse states, “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give.”  This might be a song we sing with a heart that says, “All to Jesus I surrender some, All to Him, I freely give almost all.”  Can we call this a lie when our heart should be “[singing] praises to my [our] God?”

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 desire to grow closer to God, (and we all need to,) we must begin with a “true heart.”  In other words, a sincere heart, a heart that is honest, and a heart that seeks repentance.  You and I will never be sin free, nor will we be free from our tongue and its lies.  However, we as Christians must seek from the Lord the help that is needed to repent to be a stronger Christian, (we must strive to be a Christian with a full assurance of faith, a faith that understands the need to “surrender all” and to freely give.) Moreover, we must be desirous to walk away from our personal evilness.

              How many other songs can we list?  Read and listen to the words we are singing to God as we lift our voices up to Him.  How many songs do not reflect our life when we are away from the Church?

              Our Psalmist states, “O my soul” what can we do?  First, knowing we have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour, we must go back to our own heart, and seek what we are.  Are we the Christian who can state without doubt, “I am sincere and truthful as I can be, yet, I know as the Lord knows, I am a sinner incapable of being totally truthful.” 

              Ask the Lord to help you, and beg Him to forgive your weakness.  He will help you.  Seek Him.  Consider your praises, and set within your heart to praise Him worthily.  “O my soul…I will sing praises unto my God…”

                                                                           

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Psalms 146:1-6  Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  (2)  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.  (3)  Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.  (4)  His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.  (5)  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:  (6)  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

“And Again…”

(Hebrews 2:10-13)  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,  12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.  

              In Hebrews 2:10-13 above, we find a Christian renewing his vows before God.  He declares, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church I sing praise unto thee.  And again, I will put my trust in him.”

              Where do we stand in regard to our volunteering our trust in God?  We all stand and sing when directed; otherwise, we just sit.  Is there no honour from our heart for God’s Word, and the song declaring His Word?  How anxious are we to have allowed the message to touch our hearts to the point of bringing us down to the altar?  (Begging God to accept us back, begging God to forgive us of our sins.)

              Our scripture speaks of “And again…” which should define every person reading this devotional.  Who among us is without sin?  Who among us has remained sin free this week?  Who among us is not in need of “And again…” and “And again…”

              I listen to national preachers who wail at the failure of the “Man in the Pulpit” to preach against sin and preach repentance.  I believe this failure comes because of the faint hearts in the pews.  The Pastor is afraid of losing those who give (not always from their heart), of their tithe.  We seem to be afraid of the “numbers game.” As the congregation dwindles, because sin and repentance is preached, apparently the offerings dwindle.  Numbers again, yet we have seen in our verses “And again, I will put my trust in him.” Where is the trust, where is the faith?   

              Ah, trust and faith is still a matter of obeying.  We will declare Jesus Christ here in Church.  Actually, except in the preaching and teaching, His name is rarely mentioned.  We discuss the crops, the rain, a car accident, football games, or something going on down at the Ritz Theater.  When is Jesus heard?  

              We as Christians need to listen to ourselves, our conversation, our life, what are we showing to the world, our family, and our brethren?  In many of our situations, seldom are the discussions about Jesus.

              We (you and I) need to get our thoughts and our lives back on track and get our faith renewed, put our trust back in the Lord “…again…”

              This is the day.  This is the hour for you to drop to your knees and do it.

Bro John R. E Chastain