" WORD of TRUTH Lighthouse "

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

" Nevertheless the Foundation of GOD . . . "

Ephesians 4:11-16 "And HE gave some, Apostles; and some Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST: til we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD, unto a perfect (mature) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of CHRIST: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into HIM in all things, which is the head, even CHRIST: from WHOM the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

The truth is under attack today like never before. Not only are open denials of GOD's WORD prevalent in our society, but it seems that everywhere we turn we are bombarded with subtle remarks aimed at undermining people's faith in the Bible as the inerrant, inspired, eternal, unchangeable WORD of GOD. The vast majority of scholars, scientists, politicians, and religious liberals have rejected GOD's foundation. They do not want any absolutes whatsoever, for such would restrict their foolish imaginations. "Nevertheless the foundation of GOD stands sure" (2nd.Timothy 2:19 above) ! In these perilous times it should be a great comfort to know that we do have a sure foundation that will stand forever, no matter how stormy the seas may be or how many critics attempt to beat upon it with their pretentious words and theories. What a wonderful promise is ours today: "Nevertheless the foundation of GOD stands sure" !

It is also a great comfort to be reminded that "the LORD knows them that are HIS" and is concerned about the welfare of each of HIS children; for this very reason HE commands every one who names the name of CHRIST to "depart from iniquity" (2nd.Timothy 2:19). That is why we cannot join in fellowship with false teachers and disobedient brethren - "evil communications corrupt good manners" (1st.Corinthians 15:33 above). Let us thank GOD for HIS sure foundation, rejoice in HIS identification with HIS own, and obey HIS WORD so that we might do HIS will and receive HIS blessing. Praise GOD, HIS foundation stands sure. When we test every issue and make every decision based upon the perfect and unfailing WORD of GOD, we will never be confounded or dismayed (vv.14-15). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

" The Nations as GOD Sees Them "

Isaiah 40:9-17 "O Zion, that brings good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that brings good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, BEHOLD your GOD ! Behold, the LORD GOD will come with strong hand, and HIS arm shall rule for HIM: behold, HIS reward is with HIM, and HIS work before HIM. HE shall feed HIS flock like a shepherd: HE shall gather the lambs with HIS arm, and carry them in HIS bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of HIS hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighted the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance ? Who has directed the SPIRIT of the LORD or being HIS counselor has taught HIM ? With whom took HE counsel, and who instructed HIM, and taught HIM in the path of judgment, and taught HIM knowledge, and showed to HIM the way of understanding ? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, HE takes up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before HIM are as nothing; and they are counted to HIM less than nothing, and vanity."

As wicked nations vie for power and control and dominance, there is great instability on Earth. Alarming news flows steadily from Afghanistan, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and elsewhere. The Bible predicts a coming time of global distress that will be even more difficult: "and upon the Earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth" (Luke 21:25-26). Oh how we need to see the nations as GOD does, remembering that the GOD of Heaven rules "over all the kingdoms of the heathen" (2nd.Chronicles 20:6 above) ! HE is in total control. To HIM the nations are as "a drop of a bucket" and as "the small dust of the balance" (v.15). If a drop of water falls from a bucket or we fail to remove some dust from the scale as we weigh ourselves, who cares ? It is totally insignificant, and so are the nations to the LORD. Before GOD, the nations are as nothing; indeed, they are "less than nothing" (v.17). How can something be less than nothing ? Not only are the nations nothing, but they are worse than nothing because they are sinful. It is one thing to be nothing; it is even worse to be a sinful nothing ! At the end of this age, all the nations will be gathered against Israel and against Israel's GOD, and this will include even the United States, should it still exist (Zechariah 14:2; Psalm 2:2). The folly of sinful nations seeking to do battle against the ALMIGHTY will cause GOD to laugh (Psalm 2:4 above). As believers, when we consider the dire situation the world is in, let us not leave GOD out of the equation. HE is perfectly working out HIS program and plan, and HE does all things well. GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

Saturday, January 29, 2022

" A Figure of the True "

1st.Peter 3:19-22 "By which also HE went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of GOD waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward GOD.) by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST: WHO is gone into Heaven, and is on the right hand of GOD; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto HIM."

The believer who has been washed in the blood and is enjoying a right relationship with GOD experiences a "good conscience" (v.21). This inner witness bears testimony to our union with CHRIST. The concluding verses of chapter three remind us of GOD's faithfulness in providing a perfect salvation from GOD's certain judgment which will fall upon all who have rejected their CREATOR (vv.19-20). The enemies of the early church would eventually face judgment just as the unrighteous in Noah's day were judged by GOD. Only those who were in the ark were saved when the flood came, and only those who are in CHRIST are saved from GOD's future judgment.

Does water baptism bring about salvation ? Absolutely not ! Noah and his family were not saved by the water but from the water of judgment. Their salvation came by being inside the ark. The ark served as a "figure" or a type of the believer's salvation from judgment by being in CHRIST. In today's text, water baptism is used to illustrate the operation of GOD that occurs inwardly upon the one who believes. The "figure" (baptism) speaks of our personal identification with JESUS CHRIST. HE is our "ark," and our salvation by HIS saving grace is received by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9 above). Does a ritual save ? No ! Salvation does not come by "the putting away of the filth of the flesh" (through ceremonial washings, a reference to Old Testament customs) but by "the answer of a good conscience toward GOD," which is gained by faith in the blood of the LAMB and in HIS resurrection, thus rendering the conscience clean or "good" before GOD (Hebrews 9:14 above). Believers baptism by immersion follows saving faith (Acts 10:43-48; 15:6-11). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.feasite.org

" That I May Know HIM . . . "

"For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16

Life's greatest knowledge is to know CHRIST.

To Know HIM is to Know

We are loved.

The LORD JESUS said, "For GOD so loved the world . . ."

You are a part of this world, and GOD loves you. HE gave HIS SON for you, and HE wants you ". . .to know the love of CHRIST. . ." (Ephesians 3:19).

To Know HIM is to Know

We are of worth.

We are so dear to GOD, ". . .that HE gave HIS only begotten SON. . ."

The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23).

And sin must be paid for. "For the wages of sin is death. . ." (Romans 6:23).

But the Bible also teaches us that ". . .CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3).

GOD demonstrated HIS love for us and our worth to HIM when HE sent HIS SON to die in our place.

The Good News (the Gospel) is that the LORD JESUS paid our sin debt in full when HE died on the cross. "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us. . ." (2nd.Corinthians 5:21).

CHRIST loved us and gave HIMSELF for us as payment for our sin.

You may ask, "How can GOD forgive my sin ?" HE can because of what JESUS did. ". . .While we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us" (Romans 5:8).

To Know HIM is to Know

We can have hope.

HE said ". . .that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish. . ."

Life is fragile, and people are perishing. But CHRIST came ". . .that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

In a world where so many have lost hope, GOD wants us to know that the ". . .LORD JESUS CHRIST. . .is our hope" (1st.Timothy 1:1)

HE rose from the dead, and HE said, ". . .Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19).

To Know HIM is to Know

We can have purpose.

HE desires that we ". . .should not perish, but have everlasting life."

"And this is the promise that HE hath promised us, even eternal life" (1st.John 2:25).

You may ask, "How can I know HIM and receive GOD's promise of eternal life ?"

Acknowledge that you are a sinner, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23)

Believe that the LORD JESUS died for you, for "CHRIST died for our sins. . .was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3-4).

Call upon the LORD to save you, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer with all your heart or one like it:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me, come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

The LORD JESUS said, ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ." (John 10:28). Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Now that you Know HIM:

* Share your new-found faith with your family and friends (Acts 16:31-33).

* Identify with CHRIST through believer's baptism and become part of a local, Bible-believing church (Acts 2:41,47).

Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

GULF COAST

BAPTIST CHURCH

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(239) 574-1000

Pastor Tom Sexton

Saturday, January 15, 2022

" His ONE Mistake ! "

He ate the most nutritious foods.

He took his vitamins every day.

He exercised four times a week.

He saw his Dr. once a year.

He never smoked or drank alcohol.

HE WAS READY TO LIVE TO BE 100.

His funeral will be held Wednesday.

HIS ONE MISTAKE ?

HE FORGOT GOD . . . .

. . . and lived as if this world was all. He is now with those who say: The harvest is past, and the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Jeremiah 8:20

Dear Friend, Are you making this same mistake ? The Bible says: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and yet lose his own soul ? " Mark 8:36

The Bible shows how you can avoid this mistake . . . . . . .

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Friday, January 14, 2022

" What Is Right ? "

We hear many things of what is right in our day. Everyone seems to have their own opinions. So how do we find the answer of WHAT IS RIGHT ?

When one speaks of the heart of the problem, they mean the reason or the basis. The heart of the problem with knowing what is right, is that man doesn't have the answer. For one may "feel" this way, and another "feels" that way. Finally, man says: "Whatever you think is right for you, that's what is right." Yet, man makes laws for protection against the "feeling" of what one thinks is right, if it will harm or do injustice to others.

Law officers are established to keep the order for the good of society. Then, when one breaks the law and is found guilty, the punishment to fit the crime is handed out. This is done for the freedom of those who follow the laws of man. So, when one pays their debt to society, they are again set free to do right.

This same rule applies to the soul of man. No man knows what is right, and no one knows what is right when it comes to man's soul. Yet, all do know mankind dies. Why death ? Man says death is the failing of cells, or the cause of traumatic injury when natural life stops. GOD has the answer ! Why death ? . . . . It is the payment for sin. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD." (Romans 3:23) "For the wages of sin is death;. . ." (Romans 6:23a)

Sin is the breaking of GOD's Law and WORD found in Scriptures. The punishment for this breaking of HIS WORD is death. Now, the heart of the problem is not death, but how to be free from the payment of sin. GOD says, "ALL have sinned," therefore all must die. How can we be set free from this punishment . . . . WHAT IS RIGHT ?

The sinner that dies in their sin, GOD says they will be tormented in a Devil's Hell. There they will stay awaiting the sentencing of the JUDGE of all mankind, only to be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is the 2nd. death, for all eternity. How can I be set free, and know WHAT IS RIGHT ?

GOD says that JESUS CHRIST died in our place for our sin, was buried, and rose again, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4)

When GOD saw the blood of JESUS, the ONE born without sin by the virgin, HE was pleased with that sacrifice once for all. GOD says that those who trust HIM will be saved, if they turn to GOD from their sinful ways and by faith receive JESUS into their hearts, "But what saith it ? The WORD is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the WORD of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with he heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-10,13)

This is, "WHAT IS RIGHT."

Psalm 33:18-19b, "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear HIM, upon them that hope in HIS mercy, to deliver their souls from death." This is not what man thinks, but what GOD says is right.

2nd.Corinthians 5:21, "For HE (GOD) hath made HIM (JESUS) to be sin for us, WHO knew no sin; that we (the newly saved sinner) might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM."

Victory Baptist Church in Linden, PA

Pastor Donald Wakefield

The Bible says that "the goodness of GOD leads thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer or one like with all your heart:

JESUS said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Thursday, December 30, 2021

" THE IDEAL MAN ? "

THE 10 MOST WANTED MEN

* 1 The man who puts GOD's business above any of his own affairs.

"For whether we live, we live unto the LORD; and whether we die, we die unto the LORD. Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the LORD's." Romans 14:8

* 2 The man who teaches and sets a good example for his children.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

* 3 The man who recognizes that anyone who needs him is his neighbor.

"Thou shalt love. . .thy neighbor as thyself. . .but he, willing to justify himself, said unto JESUS, And who is my neighbor ? . . . And a certain Samaritan. . .had compassion on him. . ." Luke 10:27,29,33

* 4 The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than by what he gives.

"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." 2nd.Corinthians 9:6

* 5 The man who reads the WORD of GOD with as much diligence as he does the daily paper or his I phone.

"Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of truth." 2nd. Timothy 2:15

* 6 The man who lives for the treasures in Heaven rather than the pleasures on Earth.

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21

* 7 The man who recognizes his obligations to his family, his church, and his community as well as to his business.

"And I will say unto my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But GOD said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided ?" Luke 12:19-20

* 8 The man who sees his own faults before he sees the faults of others.

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ?" Matthew 7:3

* 9 The man who wants to help others rather than serve himself.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Philippians 2:3-4

*10 The man who recognizes that all of life should be lived distinctively.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD." 1st.Corinthians 10:31