“Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Timothy 4:12).
“I’m reminded of the words of the 19th-century Scottish preacher, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, commenting on the importance of his example as a minister. He wrote: “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.”
“Two hundred years later, the force of those words still rings true. Our people need us to be godly. They need us not only to preach the truth but also to practice it day in and day out.
“The New Testament standard for a minister’s character and conduct is very clear. We are to be pure in doctrine, pure in action, pure in mind, and pure in speech. To live otherwise is to undermine the very message we proclaim.
“That’s why the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “In speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example to those who believe.” He gave similar instruction to Titus. “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, and sound in speech which is beyond reproach.”
Sadly, some ministers today are more concerned with being cool than with being holy. The trend in some circles is to push the line of propriety as far as possible, even in the pulpit. Such antics may get cheap laughs, but they do not honor the Lord. Nor do they set an appropriate example for those in the congregation to follow.
“Faithful preachers, by contrast, conduct themselves in a way that is honorable and above reproach. They watch their life and doctrine closely. As a result, they bring glory to God by modeling godliness for those under their care.
“May the Lord make us all holy instruments in His service!”
(John MacArthur – Adapted)
The above words of advice, written by a preacher to preachers, is good for all of us, since we are all priests and ministers to God (I Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). We as Christians are all charged with living in such a godly and holy way as to give legitimacy to the Gospel we profess, setting before other believers, our children, and the world about us a good example! When we live like the heathen, dress in the immoral fashion of the world, act the fool in dignified places, and speak the nonsense of the gutter, are we truly honoring the Lord and building up His people?
A word fitly spoken will profit those who heed it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
September 21, 09 The "A.C.L.U." Exposed
By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.
The A.C.L.U. (American Civil Liberties Union • 125 Broad Street • New York, NY 10004-2400 • Web page: www.aclu.org • Email: aclu@aclu.org) has been thought to be on the side of U.S.A. citizens. But note those of us who hold to conservative views and the Bible as necessary for “true freedom” perceive the organization differently. It is certainly strange that our nation’s “Founding Fathers” and many outstanding national leaders thought that the Bible was needed to guide this young nation.
The ACLU is targeting our faith and families in the following ways:
1) ACLU works to strip the “Ten Commandments” or any other faith-based images, from public display in our communities.
2) ACLU attacks students’ rights to express their faith openly, even advocating “Prayer Police” in our schools to monitor religious expression.
3) ACLU undermines the rights of families in favor of the government establishing family policies.
4) ACLU fights to eliminate any mention of faith from city and state seals and mottos, stripping away our religious heritage.
5) ACLU advocated drug legalization.
6) ACLU promotes homosexual marriage and the radical gay agenda, which includes the right to adopt children.
7) ACLU advocates abortion rights.
8) Perhaps most threatening of all, the ACLU actively targets those who oppose its agenda, using the threat of legal action to bully citizens into silence.
(KYOWVA has a sixty-minute video in its free lending library, “ACLU (LEGACY OF)” produced by “Wall Builders”. It exposes the ACLU for what it really is. If your Bible Class or Church has not viewed this DVD – they should contact us ASAP.)
(Hoyt Allen is Director of K.Y.O.W.V.A.
(Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia)
Evangelist Association. Willie Purdee, former
Edgewood Youth Minister serves on KYOWVA’s
Board of Directors)
The A.C.L.U. (American Civil Liberties Union • 125 Broad Street • New York, NY 10004-2400 • Web page: www.aclu.org • Email: aclu@aclu.org) has been thought to be on the side of U.S.A. citizens. But note those of us who hold to conservative views and the Bible as necessary for “true freedom” perceive the organization differently. It is certainly strange that our nation’s “Founding Fathers” and many outstanding national leaders thought that the Bible was needed to guide this young nation.
The ACLU is targeting our faith and families in the following ways:
1) ACLU works to strip the “Ten Commandments” or any other faith-based images, from public display in our communities.
2) ACLU attacks students’ rights to express their faith openly, even advocating “Prayer Police” in our schools to monitor religious expression.
3) ACLU undermines the rights of families in favor of the government establishing family policies.
4) ACLU fights to eliminate any mention of faith from city and state seals and mottos, stripping away our religious heritage.
5) ACLU advocated drug legalization.
6) ACLU promotes homosexual marriage and the radical gay agenda, which includes the right to adopt children.
7) ACLU advocates abortion rights.
8) Perhaps most threatening of all, the ACLU actively targets those who oppose its agenda, using the threat of legal action to bully citizens into silence.
(KYOWVA has a sixty-minute video in its free lending library, “ACLU (LEGACY OF)” produced by “Wall Builders”. It exposes the ACLU for what it really is. If your Bible Class or Church has not viewed this DVD – they should contact us ASAP.)
(Hoyt Allen is Director of K.Y.O.W.V.A.
(Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia)
Evangelist Association. Willie Purdee, former
Edgewood Youth Minister serves on KYOWVA’s
Board of Directors)
Monday, September 14, 2009
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 "WHATEVER WE DO!"
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men!” (Col. 3:23)
“WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR HAND?”
Shamgar had an ox-goad, Rahab had a string, Gideon had a trumpet David had a sling, Samson had a jaw bone, Moses had a rod, Dorcas had a needle – All were used for God!
“NOT OTHERS, BUT YOU!”
No matter what others are doing, my friend, Or what they are leaving undone, God’s counting on you to keep on with the job, ‘Til the very last battle is won!
He’s counting on you to be faithful; He’s counting on you to be true. Yes, others may work, or others may shirk, But remember – God’s counting on you!
(Author Unknown)
“WHY NOT ME?”
I asked, “Why doesn’t someone do something?” Then I realized that I was someone!
(Willie W. White – Adapted)
We live in a time of such “specialization” – in medicine, dentistry, education, science, industry, politics, yes, even Christian ministry and church work! – that the average Christian is reluctant to do anything at all for the Lord! We think we lack skill, expertise, qualifications, technical know-how, and that most church tasks require professionals!
But the truth is every believer is a minister of Christ and the thing He wants us to do most is live our lives for Him, where we are, with whatever is “in our hands”, at whatever daily job or task we are engaged in!
Let us re-think the subject! Let us begin where we are and do everything – at home, at work, at school, in the store, on the playing field - “as to the Lord!” If God wants us to do more, to do something different, to specialize in some particular service, He will surely open a door and call us to it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR HAND?”
Shamgar had an ox-goad, Rahab had a string, Gideon had a trumpet David had a sling, Samson had a jaw bone, Moses had a rod, Dorcas had a needle – All were used for God!
“NOT OTHERS, BUT YOU!”
No matter what others are doing, my friend, Or what they are leaving undone, God’s counting on you to keep on with the job, ‘Til the very last battle is won!
He’s counting on you to be faithful; He’s counting on you to be true. Yes, others may work, or others may shirk, But remember – God’s counting on you!
(Author Unknown)
“WHY NOT ME?”
I asked, “Why doesn’t someone do something?” Then I realized that I was someone!
(Willie W. White – Adapted)
We live in a time of such “specialization” – in medicine, dentistry, education, science, industry, politics, yes, even Christian ministry and church work! – that the average Christian is reluctant to do anything at all for the Lord! We think we lack skill, expertise, qualifications, technical know-how, and that most church tasks require professionals!
But the truth is every believer is a minister of Christ and the thing He wants us to do most is live our lives for Him, where we are, with whatever is “in our hands”, at whatever daily job or task we are engaged in!
Let us re-think the subject! Let us begin where we are and do everything – at home, at work, at school, in the store, on the playing field - “as to the Lord!” If God wants us to do more, to do something different, to specialize in some particular service, He will surely open a door and call us to it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
"THE JOY SET BEFORE US!" September 9, 2009
“THE JOY SET BEFORE US!”
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2).
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4: 16-18).
“Beyond question we do not live enough in the inspiration of the compensations and balancing of Heaven… We must turn our thoughts more toward the future, toward the heavenly rest, the heavenly activities and the eternal joys which are there.”
(C. I. Scofield)
As earthly creatures we experience the inherent weaknesses, infirmities, and deteriorations of body, soul and mind – “our outward man is perishing.” Our yielding to and participation in sin aggravates and hastens the process as we reap the bitter fruits of the seeds we have sown. Even when we have fled to Christ for pardon and redemption we discover that in following Him suffering, persecutions, and trials, come upon us.
Should such things make the Christian miserable and unhappy? Have we a right to complain of earth’s pains and problems or grow discouraged under the things suffered at the hands of Satan and the world for serving Jesus?
No! We need but focus more upon “the compensations and balancing of Heaven”, the blessings, glory, joy, and peace awaiting the Lord’s people at the end of the journey! There shall we rest at last, suffering all finished, pain gone, death a distant memory! God will more than make up to us anything we have been slighted on earth, more than compensate us for the losses suffered!
Jesus was joyful in doing God’s will! Jesus was joyful in doing for others what they could not do for themselves! Jesus was joyful because He anticipated the Father’s recompense for His earthly sufferings!
Let us be joyful, too!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2).
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4: 16-18).
“Beyond question we do not live enough in the inspiration of the compensations and balancing of Heaven… We must turn our thoughts more toward the future, toward the heavenly rest, the heavenly activities and the eternal joys which are there.”
(C. I. Scofield)
As earthly creatures we experience the inherent weaknesses, infirmities, and deteriorations of body, soul and mind – “our outward man is perishing.” Our yielding to and participation in sin aggravates and hastens the process as we reap the bitter fruits of the seeds we have sown. Even when we have fled to Christ for pardon and redemption we discover that in following Him suffering, persecutions, and trials, come upon us.
Should such things make the Christian miserable and unhappy? Have we a right to complain of earth’s pains and problems or grow discouraged under the things suffered at the hands of Satan and the world for serving Jesus?
No! We need but focus more upon “the compensations and balancing of Heaven”, the blessings, glory, joy, and peace awaiting the Lord’s people at the end of the journey! There shall we rest at last, suffering all finished, pain gone, death a distant memory! God will more than make up to us anything we have been slighted on earth, more than compensate us for the losses suffered!
Jesus was joyful in doing God’s will! Jesus was joyful in doing for others what they could not do for themselves! Jesus was joyful because He anticipated the Father’s recompense for His earthly sufferings!
Let us be joyful, too!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
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