Lessons from the Life of Lot And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)II Peter 2:7-8 What happened in the life of Lot? This is a very legitimate question. One day he is on spiritual conquest with Abraham, but a few years later his life is seen ending in failure. 1. Lot evidenced a devotional problem: (12:8; 13:4; 13:18)Lot Lacked in his personal devotion in relationship with the Lord. He was never seen building altars like his uncle Abraham. a. It can be said that we fail in private long before we fail in public. It is easy to call people to public devotion to the Lord-private devotion is woefully neglected. b. Lot was not able to stand for God in public, because He first neglected to walk with God in private! c. Spurgeon, “I am more and [...]

If...One of the most profound words in the entire Bible Many words stand out in the Word of God as paramount: Salvation, Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, Redemption, Reconciliation, Propitiation, Longsuffering, Patience, Kindness, Love. These words are generally all seen originating from God’s point of view. They are from Heaven looking towards the earth. One of the most profound words from man’s perspective found in the Word of God is If. This perspective is because he is confronted with the if and is thus given a choice with resulting ramifications. The ramifications are from God but the choice stems from the heart of man. An If was given to Cain to cause him to turn in obedience to the Lord. (Genesis4:7) Lot was given an If to choose which direction he would go and land he would inhabit. (Genesis 13:9) The Hebrew midwives were given an If when they were commanded to kill the Hebrews’ baby boys.[i] (Exodus 1:16) Pharaoh was given ten Ifs when he was [...]

Teachable Spirit: Many times throughout the Psalms, King David prayed to the Lord for His Divine teaching. This should be the posture of every believer. We have not the right knowledge in our intellect to live to the glory of God. Oh that we each would posses this year a teachable spirit. This is a position of humility and willingness, ready to receive direction and doctrine from the Lord. As we wade into this new year, let us reply with David, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Teach me Lord the way to go, teach me what to say, Teach me how to live for Thee!   Boundaries of God’s Word: Even in a perfect world, God still gave boundaries to Adam and Eve. They had the free-will to choose if they would obey God’s commands or step across the line. Today, every believer has the boundaries of the Word of God. [...]

One of the great things about the seasons of Fall and Winter is the cool weather. Along with this weather comes the startup of the woodstove. I love the smell of burning wood on a crisp Fall day. There is nothing like it. The dry warmth that it produces in the house is quite cozy. One of the challenges with a woodstove is not allowing the fire to go out. Once it goes out, the heat stops, and it becomes again a challenge to get the fire started again. God set up the Old Testament Tabernacle and He did not want the fire to go out. As a matter of fact, the fire was to be burning all of the time and was never allowed to go out. This called for constant vigil by the priests, and diligence throughout all hours of the day. Leviticus chapter six records this principle: “And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; is shall not be [...]

Leadership in the Home: “And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.” Genesis 33:13-14 “For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.” Proverbs 4:3 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Colossians 3:21 It is the man’s responsibility to lead his home. God has granted and commanded this authority. This home is the very institution of the Lord-He designed it. The man [...]

Trees for God’s Glory Psalm 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; The Scriptures mention trees hundreds of times throughout the Word of God. The Bible mentions: Palm, Willow, Lign-Aloe, Cedar, Olive, Fig, Pomegranate, Mulberry, Fir, Almug, Sycomore, Juniper, Apple, Frankincense, Myrrh, Teil, Oak, Shittah, Myrtle, Pine, Box, Cypress, Ash, Almond, and the Chestnut. Here in this Psalm the trees are said to be full of sap. The Lord created trees as living creatures upon the face of the earth. These trees were created for the benefit of mankind. They provide shade, shelter, heat, and food for man. Moses records the importance of the tree to man in Deuteronomy, “When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the [...]

STAYING PURE IN AN IMPURE WORLD From the desk of Pastor David A. Smith Demonstrating Moral Courage for Personal Purity! It is obvious that the environment of this wicked world is active and pervasive in contaminating and corrupting human minds and hearts. It takes conviction and courage for a believer to remain pure before the Lord. • The Pastoral Epistles give some strong counsel on the importance and priority of personal purity in our lives: “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” I Tim. 5:22-25 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the [...]

“For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:9-10 My mother penned these verses on the inside cover of a Bible she gave me upon my graduation from high school. I am certainly thankful for “the good hand of (my) God upon (me!)” While I often fail the Lord in faithlessness, I want it to be known that it is my heart’s desire to “prepare (my) heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach…statutes and judgments.” The Lord has been so merciful and gracious to Amanda and I, and we are so humbled to think that He would choose to use [...]

Blessings upon the Upright Proverbs 11 Many examples in the Scriptures show forth a righteous life. Joseph the earthly father of Jesus, was such a man. Matthew 1   God is looking for the man who has a heart that is right with Him. This man will reap the blessings from the Lord upon his life. On the contrary the person who does not live right will miss out upon the blessings of the Lord.   One must have the right character before the Lord before he can expect God’s blessings upon his life.   Honesty—vs. 1 A life characterized by truthfulness in life and lips(Honesty starts in the heart) I won’t tell I lie from my lips if the truth is in my heart! The faulty balance was built by a deceitful heart. The deceitful heart is known by its treachery or transgressing—vs. 3 Humility—vs. 2 Pride invites shame upon my own life. If I am too proud to admit my own faults and [...]