You can talk directly to the Lord any time you want to. He’s always listenin’.”
–Elmer Kelton (Badger Boy)
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.'”
–1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)
———————–
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 want to discuss the idea of doctrine/theology a little more. We cannot face the evils of this world without a strong theological base. Our doctrine must be sound; it must be biblical. Today, people do not relish the thought of theology or the preaching of doctrine. There are two basic reasons for this: 1) it requires that we think; 2) it makes us responsible. That is one of the reasons why hymns are rarely sung–they teach doctrine and the knowledge of doctrine makes a person responsible. In fact, “You cannot speak about Christianity…without being doctrinal.” (Lloyd-Jones)
To be honest, there is no such thing as an irreligious person. Even an atheist has a doctrine. The Christian states, “In the beginning God…” while the atheist says, “In the beginning no God…” That is a statement of theology. To refute doctrine is to refuse to believe in the teachings of the New Testament–it is insulting to God. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones states, “My sense of obedience to God compels me to discover as far as I can what He means by them [doctrines].” Remember, and this is absolutely true, “If your doctrine is wrong, your life will be wrong.” (Lloyd-Jones)
It is important that we first discover truth and understand what the Scriptures have to say. People clamor, “do” but on what basis, I ask? If practical theology precedes doctrinal theology then doctrines will be introduced to match practice that do not necessarily line up with God’s Word.
In saying the above, we must keep in mind that doctrine is not passive. There is the need to be involved in life with the proper knowledge of the Scripture. We need to be careful of false doctrines, of heresy, and currently the theology of universalism.
We are to live life; we are to live the life. The application of living is always the outcome of doctrine. For example, which is the river? The water or the source? Do we know things about God, or do we know Him? There should be a personal acquaintance with Him for we are in Him, and He is in us (and this is not pantheism). Test your experiences for not all experiences are true. The real test of life is not experiences, though they may have their purpose, but how you live your life! Keep His commandments! “Love always manifests itself by doing what the object of its love desires.” (Lloyd-Jones)
Failure? It happens, but then turn to 1 John 1:9 and 1 John 2:1-2. We have an Advocate. In fact, we could not even begin to approach God without Christ. Jesus understands our infirmities; He is the propitiation for He is both the high priest and the offering.
“He is not only the propitiating sacrifice, but the propitiation itself; everything that is necessary to reconcile the sinner with God is in Jesus Christ. He is prophet, He is priest, He is king. He is sacrifice; it is His blood that has been shed and presented, and He has purified the heavenly tabernacle; it is all in Him.”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
So when you see the evil around you know that Jesus is there to take care of you for He is your Advocate and He became your propitiation. We can be well-pleasing in His sight. Go out and live.
Author: Ira Paine
The Saga of Miles Forrest
Stepping into in the door of the courtroom I faced the black-eyed bore of a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson. I knew that Queens carried a fancy gun of .38 caliber but it’s different viewing it when the action end is pointing at you. Queens was sitting behind the Judge’s bench. My attention then went to the prosecutor’s desk where Stanley Offut was on top of it on his hands and knees; Judge Klaser was standing on top of him with a rope around his neck.
This was not a good situation. Offut was already wobbling, and the Judge was a rather well-rounded man; I didn’t know how much longer before Offut collapsed.
“Queens, it doesn’t have to be this way,” I pleaded.
A laugh came from him; a laugh I had heard many times before. It was the laughter from Hades itself, the mocking laugh of the Pale Rider. “My party, my way, and I welcome you friend, Miles.”
“First of all, I ain’t your friend! Second, you won’t get out of this building alive!” I exclaimed moving so that Offut and the Judge were not blocking my view of Queens.
He was waving his gun around, when he said, “I get two of you this way,” he paused, then continued, “Offut just got in the way, plus I heard he was backing you.” His face turned angry, “I’m not giving up this badge. This is going to be my town. As soon as I get rid of you and the Judge, I’ll take care of that Sheriff.”
My mind was whirling, and I was silently praying that the Lord would show me a way. I tried not to show my nervousness, but it was hard not to. I wanted to try for my gun and it seemed that Queens was taunting me into trying.
In a shaky voice Offut cried out, “Miles, do something! I can’t hold out much longer.”
Not a sound had come from the Judge. The rope was tight around his neck and was up around the rafter and tied to the door of the Judge’s chamber. If I didn’t do something quick he might strangle before Offut collapsed and he was hung. I moved another step to my right and turned my body slightly.
Queens was smiling and humming some tune I didn’t recognize. “Tell me the name of that song and we’ll sing it at your burial,” I remarked.
His face went stone sober, no expression whatsoever. He stood then sneered. “All right, Mr. High-and-Mighty, I’ll give you a chance!”
He holstered his gun, and I didn’t hesitate. I drew my gun and shot. I knew that he had pulled his and that I was falling.
My eyes opened and I was laying on the other desk in the courtroom. Doc Jones was bandaging up my head. I tried to move my hand and felt that it was gripped tight; I looked to see who was holding it and found Molly standing there a grim look on her face that now turned to a smile.
I tried to shake my head but Doc grabbed me by the chin, “Stay still!” he ordered. I planned on doing just that for even that little movement make my head hurt.
“The Judge?” I asked feebly.
A voice answered from not too far away. “I’m fine, so is Stanley.”
“Whew, that was close,” came the words from Charlie Gold. “As soon as I heard the shots, I came running and broke through the window,” he paused. “I saw Queens lying on the floor, blood pouring from him. The shot must have scared Stanley for he collapsed, and I saw the Judge hanging. When I saw the rope tied to the door, I opened it and it gave enough slack for the Judge to fall on Stanley. Miles, it was close.”
“Help me sit him up,” commanded Doc Jones. “Faint? Dizzy?” he prodded. “Well, say something!”
“Doc, give me a chance,” I said then looked toward where Queens had been standing. Parker was already there with some men to remove Queens’ body. “What happened to him?”
Paul Parker, the undertaker, came by me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Your bullet caught him right in the jugular notch above the breastbone. He didn’t last long.”
“Hmpf, long enough to almost kill you,” muttered Doc. “His bullet plowed a nice groove alongside your head. A fraction of an inch and your brains would have been splattered. All I can say is that you won’t be wearing a hat for a spell.”
“Doc,” I replied, “a fraction of an inch the other way and he would have missed altogether.”
“Hmpf…”
Echoes From the Campfire
The incidents of his life kept repeating themselves, move for move, fight for fight, scar for scar.”
–Ernest Haycox (Sundown Jim)
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
–Exodus 14:14 (NKJV)
—————————-
Troublesome times are all around us. Terror, riots, shootings and threats. How can we possibly keep stress and fear out of our lives in today’s world. David had Saul and his army looking for him wanting to kill him. When Saul’s spies found where he was hiding he called out to God. Psalm 54 is a psalm of faith and gratitude. So often these two attributes go hand in hand: faithfulness and thankfulness.
1 – Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength.
2 – Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 – For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah
4 – Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life.
5 – He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth.
6 – I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 – For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies. (NKJV)
Life is not fair. Get used to it. When things happen; when people attack us, our response should not be vengeance but a cry for the Lord to help. God intervened in the situation that David was facing by having the Philistines attack and Saul had to leave his pursuit of David to fight. There was a time when Saul was seeking David that Abishai slipped into Saul’s encampment taking his spear and water jug.
Many of our hurts come from other people, from the spitting forth of hurtful words to the actual taking of a life. Why are people so inconsiderate, so evil. People can be ruthless and they definitely do not portray the character of God. Notice that David saw his problem, those who were against him, those who were trying to kill him. However, look closely and notice that part of his focus is on God.
Remember, it is not wrong to be angry; it is wrong to sin. “Anger is appropriate. It is God’s built-in defense mechanism to rouse us from getting run over… David places his anger in the safest place possible–God’s hands.” (George O. Wood)
“Holy God, we praise your name,
Lord of all, we bow before you;
All on earth your scepter claim,
All in heaven above adore you;
Infinite your vast domain, everlasting is your reign.”
–Ignace Franz
Do not remove your eyes from your problems, that is not realistic. We must face the difficulties and obstacles of life. However, also focus your eyes upon the Lord. Recognize and believe that God is your helper. He is the one who sustains us, who keeps us alive, who takes up our fight. Trust in Him, believe in Him, have faith in Him, and be thankful for what He has done for you and is doing for you.
Coffee Percs
Going back in I picked up the coffeepot; reckoned I might as well make a fresh pot.”
–D.C. Adkisson (Redemption)
Greetings Pard, come in I’ve got some Kona blend brewing. Yuh know, I figured out what they mean when they say “Kona blend”; it means there is at least one Kona bean in the bag. There may be more, but guarantee of one. But gives it a taste–not bad.
Pard, I know the world is in a dither. Things that were once true, the “woke folk” say that it is no longer true. Why just the other day I saw where soap dispensers are now racist. Is it just confusion, or plain stupidity, or is there somethin’ more sinister going on? Some of it is so ridiculous you want to laugh and then realize that the “woke folk” mean what they’re sayin’. We need more like ol’ Phil. He said somethin’ the other day that this country should take to heart, “What in the world happened to America’s manhood and its boldness? Can’t even stand a black cup of coffee these days. Now, ain’t that the truth–them “woke folk” want that frothy, sweet stuff.
Now, that’s a fresh pot of coffee, I want yuh to know. I remember Grandma would keep a pot goin’ on the stove in case visitors came by, but often she’d say, “let me make a fresh pot.” So I got to figurin’ that whenever possible I’ll put a fresh pot on when company comes an’ that includes you, Pard.
I was a-readin’ the other day about those that do not obey the Lord. There are many things found in Deuteronomy 28, but one verse stuck in my mind since we are livin’ in such chaotic and confusin’ times. Ponder this for a while, “The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart.” (Deuteronomy 28:28, NKJV) In fact, it would be good to ponder the whole chapter; say, make that yur weekly project.
Pard, let me tell yuh that “they” are after yuh, so yuh ride wary and alert. Keep yur weapons handy, that Bible and yur .45. Yuh notice that I carry a Greener with me when departin’ the home place. Evil is out there just a-lurkin’ to snatch you.
Yuh’ve been checkin’ that cinch haven’t yuh. Guess so, since there’s no new lumps on yur head.
Vaya con Dios.