Juries like good stories. They don’t always just listen for the truth.”
–Mel Odom (The Pecos Undertaker)
“Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.”
–Deuteronomy 7:12(NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
I recall one of the cartoons from the old comic strip “Pogo”. In that particular strip he came up with the conclusion, “We have met the enemy and they are us.” Too much, in fact, most of the time we fight ourselves. There is a war between the spirit and the flesh (see Romans 7). By now from our studies you should realize that we are only pilgrims traveling through this old world. The problem is that often we give into the pleasures that world has to offer and thus we take on the cares of the world, the anxieties of the world, and if not real careful, the character of the world.
Most attacks are upon the written Word and the living Word–Jesus Christ. In saying that I would ask where is your focus? Is it upon the world and what it has to offer, or is it upon Jesus Christ? Is your focus on things materialistic, but on the spiritual? Is it upon what the world has to offer in this life or is it upon heaven and the kingdom of God?
Christianity is not a mystical feeling or experience. It is not getting in touch with the “Unseen,” or the “Force,” or the “heart of the Universe.” It is repenting of one’s sins and accepting Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Savior. Christianity is not just saying that Jesus was a good teacher, or that He has wonderful ideas. Why, the demons recognize and confess that. This is why theology and doctrine is important–we cannot be ignorant of the Scriptures. Remember John said that the “antichrists” came out from among them.
“By this you know the Spirit of God: every Spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.”
–1 John 4:2-3 (NASB)
Often these “antichrists” do not deny Christ, however, they misrepresent Christ. Beware of what you hear and then check it out by the Bible. Again, I must emphasize, know your Bible! Read it, contemplate upon it! Practice it!
Look around you. Do you not see the spirit of the antichrist at work? Chaos, confusion, disorder, hatred, terror, immorality, are these not the marks of someone who is antichrist? It is for us, the light, to go through this world knowing and proclaiming Christ. “Let us therefore declare His death, His resurrection, and His all-sufficiency until He comes again.” (Lloyd-Jones)
Take heart–we are not of the world. Get that, know that, hold on to that and don’t be swayed by what the world says and has to offer.
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and they world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
–1 John 4:4-6 (NASB)
Paul warns us not to listen to the voices of the world no matter how good they may sound. Be careful of opinions and again I would say know the Word of God. I always take notes on the Pastor’s sermon and have often joked saying, “that’s to make sure you’re not preaching heresy.” It is a joke, but again, it is not. I will put question marks on areas I need to ponder and go back to the Scripture to confirm. Watch out for heresy, for false doctrine, for outright lies.
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”
–Galatians 1:8 (NASB)
Author: Ira Paine
The Saga of Miles Forrest
The rush was over except for three miners sitting over in the corner, and two of Thompson’s punchers who were in town to pick up some supplies for his ranch. I had been talking with them, telling them to tell Thompson that Upton Shaw was now deceased.
Molly and Marta were sitting at my table along with Doc Jones and his wife Edith. Lucas had even joined us. Molly tried to get Emelda out of the kitchen to join us for a few minutes, but she shied away. Her English was not very good and I think she was somewhat embarrassed to sit with a group of people, though at times she had joined when it was just Marta, Molly and myself.
“So you think that’s all it will take–this Masterson fellow?” questioned Doc regarding the information I gave him about Bat Masterson becoming the new marshal of Silverton.
Most folk have heard of Masterson, the truth and the myth, of his character and deeds. He had earned some of his reputation, but some of it had been made up by those sitting around a table in a saloon, or by the lies of those wanting to make a dollar or two.
“Doc,” I responded, “Bat will get the job done. I know the man.”
Well, I did know him. I can’t say he was a personal friend, but our paths had crossed several times back in Denver. We knew each other well enough to converse and also to respect each other. I tried to always make myself known to ride clearly on the side of the law, while Bat sometimes lived in that gray area.
“Hmpf,” grunted Doc. “He’ll last ’til someone shoots him from ambush.”
A little gasp came from Marta. She had joined us but was sullen and hadn’t said nary a word. Molly noticed it as well.
“I talked with him for quite a spell until the train left the next day. Charlie filled him in on the situation in Silverton and Bat also agreed to keep Shy Williams on as deputy,” I informed the group then I added. “I don’t think he’ll stay around long. In fact, I told him I was surprised he came with winter coming. All I received was a chuckle and a smile.”
“When will Charlie be home?” asked Marta abruptly.
I watched Molly place her hand on Marta’s arm. “Anytime now. He could come in today or tomorrow. With Bat there he won’t need to stay around as long.”
“Good, then he can get rid of that badge!” she exclaimed, moving her arm away from Molly’s hand.
It was silent for quite a spell with eyes searching each other. “You don’t mean that Marta,” said Edith. “The county needs Charlie. He’s a good sheriff.”
Marta’s lip curled as she spoke. “It’s not good for me. I plan for us to move, maybe down toward Taos…somewhere away. Charlie, Lucas, and I will start a new life along with our baby.”
“I won’t be going,” stated Lucas quietly but firmly.
His reply startled Marta. “You must, I am your guardian,” she answered sharply.
“I’m seventeen, I have a job. I won’t be leaving with you,” he affirmed.
Doc was scratching his ear and the side of his head, Edith had lowered her head seemingly ashamed at having brought up the subject. Molly turned in her chair. “Marta, have you been praying about this?”
Marta wouldn’t look at her, but Molly wouldn’t let her get away. “Marta, look at me and listen. Charlie is good at his job. You really need to pray about this. It is dangerous to force a man to back away from what the Lord has provided for him,” she said then pleading she added. “Don’t make him choose between his work and you.”
“So I should be self-sacrificing! Why not him? Why not him giving up something? Why should I be forced to worry whether or not he’ll come back from one of his trips?”
“Marta, I know it’s hard,” said Molly softly. “I had to work through it myself. It took time, prayer, and trust in the Lord.” She looked my direction. “I had to come to the realization that Miles was in God’s hands as well as our lives.”
I finally spoke up. “Marta, when Charlie comes home listen to him–not with your emotions, but with your heart.” Then I added something stupid, “I’ll look after Lucas if you decide to leave.”
Standing up she thrust her chair back knocking it over. When it crashed the few people left in the diner all looked in our direction. “All this is your fault to begin with!” she yelled then tromped off toward the kitchen. A moment later we heard the back door slam.
Molly started to get up but I grabbed her by the arm shaking my head. “She needs to work this out. You know that.”
“Senor Miles, I’m sorry to always cause you troubles,” spoke up Lucas. “I will go with Marta if she leaves.”
“You’re no trouble,” I replied. “It’s your decision, but as Molly told Marta, make it with your heart and much prayer.”
Echoes From the Campfire
When one has lived in the wilderness one acquires a quality of stillness, and one learns to listen.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Broken Gun)
“Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.”
–Isaiah 51:1 (NKJV)
“Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.”
–Isaiah 51:1 (NKJV)
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It seems like it’s been a month of Sundays since we looked at the Psalms. I want to finish some thoughts on Psalm 65 before I take off again on another little trip. The second portion of this Psalm shows the sustaining power, goodness, and faithfulness of God. We serve a good and great God. He has given us a wonderful world and yet so much of the time we worry about the weather, whether we should go out with a mask or not, making us a prisoner of our own homes.
Too often we are in awe with the spectacular things that happen. A storm, a catastrophe will catch our attention and we watch and we wonder what is going to happen. We forget to look at the wonder of the day-to-day things. Just think of how God has blessed you this day, how He has kept you, how He has given you grace and mercy, how He is faithful. Look at the leaves on the trees and how they are changing color and beginning to fall. Awesome, spectacular, not really, but they were made to do this by the Creator.
6 — Who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power;
7 — You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves.
8 — They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.
9 — You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it.
10 — You water its ridges abundantly; You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth.
11 — You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
12 — They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 — The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing. (NKJV)
This is a good Psalm to read if you are going through troubles and trials. There may be difficulties, but God is always there and He reminds us when we look at His creation. We read this Psalm and we celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God. He is the God of nature, of the universe, and He is also the God of our personal lives. He controls nature, He controls the nations, so there should be little doubt that He can rule over the difficulties in your life. I think of the words of that great hymn:
“Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”
–T.O. Chisholm
We may have famine in our lives. We may face the storms and tempests of life. There may be pestilence and terror around us, but we know–we know that God is faithful. We know that He cares for us no matter the situation that may come our way. Rejoice in the sunrise of a new day that He has given you. Rejoice in the sunset of a day completed knowing that God was there with you each moment.
“The joy of the Lord is the strength for life’s trials,
And lifts the crushed heart above sorrow and care.
Like the nightingale’s notes, it can sing in the darkness,
And rejoice when the fig tree is fruitless and bare.”
–A.B. Simpson
It seems like it’s been a month of Sundays since we looked at the Psalms. I want to finish some thoughts on Psalm 65 before I take off again on another little trip. The second portion of this Psalm shows the sustaining power, goodness, and faithfulness of God. We serve a good and great God. He has given us a wonderful world and yet so much of the time we worry about the weather, whether we should go out with a mask or not, making us a prisoner of our own homes.
Too often we are in awe with the spectacular things that happen. A storm, a catastrophe will catch our attention and we watch and we wonder what is going to happen. We forget to look at the wonder of the day-to-day things. Just think of how God has blessed you this day, how He has kept you, how He has given you grace and mercy, how He is faithful. Look at the leaves on the trees and how they are changing color and beginning to fall. Awesome, spectacular, not really, but they were made to do this by the Creator.
6 — Who established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power;
7 — You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves.
8 — They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.
9 — You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it.
10 — You water its ridges abundantly; You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth.
11 — You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.
12 — They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 — The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing. (NKJV)
This is a good Psalm to read if you are going through troubles and trials. There may be difficulties, but God is always there and He reminds us when we look at His creation. We read this Psalm and we celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God. He is the God of nature, of the universe, and He is also the God of our personal lives. He controls nature, He controls the nations, so there should be little doubt that He can rule over the difficulties in your life. I think of the words of that great hymn:
“Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”
–T.O. Chisholm
We may have famine in our lives. We may face the storms and tempests of life. There may be pestilence and terror around us, but we know–we know that God is faithful. We know that He cares for us no matter the situation that may come our way. Rejoice in the sunrise of a new day that He has given you. Rejoice in the sunset of a day completed knowing that God was there with you each moment.
“The joy of the Lord is the strength for life’s trials,
And lifts the crushed heart above sorrow and care.
Like the nightingale’s notes, it can sing in the darkness,
And rejoice when the fig tree is fruitless and bare.”
–A.B. Simpson
Coffee Percs
It had to be better than what the Coosie made on the trail. His brew dissolved my spoon.”
–Duane Boehm (Sun Over the Mountains)
“Well, come along boys, and listen to my tale. I’ll tell yuh of muh troubles…” Pard! Yuh done snuck up on me. I was just singin’ along, havin’ me a good ol’ time watchin’ the coffee brew and waitin’ for yuh to show up. Sit yurself right down here, I’ll be gettin’ yuh a cup. Nah, don’t yuh be worryin’ none. Here, take a look at my spoon–all in one piece. My coffee’ll fix up yur innards, get yuh ready for the day an’ any troubles that may come along the way.
Don’t want to be goin’ on long about the mess we’re findin’ ourselves in. The “wokes” sure are doin’ this country in. They think they’re smart, why ptui. Heard a ol’ feller talkin’ to a couple of them brilliant, enlightened people they call “IT”. Whatever that means, something to do with this newfangled technology. But he was tellin’ them that in the olden days when they shipped cows to market they’d count them by makin’ knots in a rope. He’s right, I’ve seen it done myself. One of them smart-alek youngsters went an’ smarted off sayin’ today they use cow-culators. Phooey.
I see yur smilin’. That’s some serious coffee, ahh, soothes yuh right down to yur toenails. But Pard, seriously, that ol’ boy Daniel, yuh know the prophet. He told of a time right after he was told to seal up the book of his visions until the end. Pard, I’m thinkin’ that we’re at the end, and that ain’t all–he said that folk would be runnin’ to and fro and that knowledge will increase. My mercy Pard, all a person has to do today is use that Google or YouTube and they think they know it all. Phooey–they don’t know the half of it, and most don’t know nothin’ when it comes right down to it. That other fella, Paul went and told them straight out that they would think they were somethin’ special, know-it-alls, but in reality they would become fools. Well let me tell yuh that right now, this very moment, the country is full of them there fools!
Pard, there’s a little left in the pot. What say we finish it up an’ then yuh can be on yur way. But before yuh go guzzlin’ that last swaller or two let me tell yuh something true and for a fact. You and me are smarter than the bunch of them. We know the Lord, an’ we’re expectin’ Him to be showin’ up any day now. We just keep pluggin’ along, tryin’ not to hurt our heads from shakin’ it too much at them woke folk. We do the chores of the day, and when we mount up we check our cinch, we keep our guns clean, and read our Bible. Now, that’s bein’ smart.
Vaya con Dios.