Satan's Heresy

Genesis (3:4)

You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 

Satan's heresy that "You shall not surely die," when expanded, claims that we are already immortal, so death has no real hold over us. This idea, proposed at the very beginning, has thrived throughout history. Mainstream Christianity calls it the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, while various Eastern religions contain it in beliefs such as reincarnation. Whatever its moniker, the belief that human beings possess a spiritual, eternally conscious, imperishable component is a major tenet of nearly every religion throughout man's history. In our modern culture, books and movies abound with examples of the spirits of the dead hovering around the living characters, giving them comfort, aid, and encouragement. It is taken as given that death is not the end; somehow, one's conscious spirit will live on when the physical body perishes.

The Gnostic belief in the dualism of flesh and spirit--with the flesh being evil and something to be freed from, while the eternal spirit was good--also originated in the lie Satan told Eve. Gnostics, in general, believed that the purpose of human existence was to return to the spiritual realm from whence all originated. Death, then, was seen as liberation of the spirit.

First, consider how this belief affects a person's attitude and way of life. When Satan undermined the death penalty for disobedience, in addition to sowing further distrust in what God says, he also blunted one of the keenest elements of human motivation, continued self-preservation. If life beyond the grave is assured, how this life is lived makes little difference. It is like guaranteeing a college freshman that he will receive a doctorate degree, regardless of whether anything is learned, any work is done, any classes are attended, or any tuition is paid. While the student may indeed expend some effort, the motivation to apply himself wholeheartedly to his education will be substantially weakened. It would be so easy to slack off and postpone catching up to some time next week. After all, if the goal is certain, why worry about the details in the meantime?

Spiritually, the result is the same. If one already has immortality, and is eternally saved, there is no pressing reason to resist the pulls of carnality. Resisting Satan matters little. Devoting one's life to growing and overcoming has no urgency. Sin is no big deal. Why should one study to come to know God and His truth? Believing that one already possesses eternal life removes the urgency to live according to the desires and requirements of the Creator. At best, all that remains is the vague guidance of "just be a good person."

The Bible teaches that there can be life after death through the resurrection from the dead. Eternal life is ours only if God supplies it, and not because we possess an immortal soul:

God tells us, "Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die." Ezekiel (18:4). God repeats this in Ezekiel (18:20). Clearly, it is possible for a "soul" to die.

Paul instructs in Romans (6:23) that "the wages of sin is death," not eternal life--not even eternal life in ever-burning hell. As with Ezekiel (18), sin incurs the death penalty. Satan, though, would have us believe that since death is not a real threat, sin is no big deal. It is only because of God's grace that we are not struck down immediately--not because of any inherent immortality within us--as the rest of Romans (6:23) explains: "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eternal life is a gift, not an inborn quality.

I Timothy (6:16)says that God "alone has immortality"--not any member of the human race, Christians included!

Romans (2:7) promises "eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality," again proving that eternal life is a gift, not a right, and that immortality must be sought (by "doing good") rather than assumed to have it already.

Finally, in the "Resurrection Chapter," I Corinthians (15), Paul explains when Christians receive immortality:

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit in-corruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on in-corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on in-corruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." I Corinthians (15:50-54)

It is not until "the last trumpet," when Jesus Christ returns, that the dead will be resurrected and given immortality, I Thessalonians (4:16). At this time, the saints will be changed and given new spiritual bodies, I Corinthians (15:49; I John (3:2). Clearly, immortality is not given until the resurrection from the dead, which does not take place until Jesus Christ returns.

That God must resurrect a person for him to continue living means that He retains sovereignty. He is not obliged to grant eternal life to anyone who demonstrates, once he has the opportunity to know God, that he is not willing to be subject to His way of life. However, by belittling the truth about the resurrection from the dead, and telling people that they already have immortality, Satan can distract them from a basic reason why they need to listen to God--so that they may be resurrected and continue living!

Honor Privilege And Responsibility 

Romans (1:24-25)

Apostle Paul prepared himself to dictate this letter to a man named Tertius. The words on the papyrus scroll, would be sufficient to change the course of history of the western world." These two men undertook a mutual project-to write this letter in the winter of A.D. 57. Paul did not actually take stylus in hand, put ink on the pages and write this letter I find interesting that Tertius did the actual writing; For the last chapter of the letter to the Romans clues us in to the role of this humble servant who was Paul's scribe: " I Tertius who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord (16:22).

The purpose was to prepare for Paul's upcoming visit to Rome and to present the basic system of salvation. One of the key themes being "Righteousness from God.

And the "Emphases being, sin, salvation, grace, faithfulness, justification, sanctification, redemption, death and resurrection. The key terms of; "Righteousness, law, faith, sin and Holy Spirit in Christ. 

Paul is saying there is a privilege and a responsibility for Christians. God graciously

forgives the sins of those who, by faith, believe in Him as Lord. When we believe, we receive His forgiveness. In doing this, however, we are committing ourselves to live a new life. Paul points out that this new life, a gift from God, also involves a call from God-a God-given responsibility--to witness to the world as a missionary. God may or may not call you to be an overseas missionary, but He does call you (and all believers) to be a witness and a example of the changed life Jesus Christ has worked in you.

Paul is also teaching us to "Respect others. We can honor others in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. Like we honor our bosses so they will reward us, our employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will contribute to our cause, the powerful so they will use their power for us and not against us. The other way--God's way--involves love. As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God's image. We should especially honor fellow Christians, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. God's way of honoring others should not sound to difficult for our competitive nature, why should we try to outdo another in showing honor? Let us put others first!

According to the thesaurus, honor has these synonyms: "esteem, respect, pay homage to, assign value to." The Greek word translated "honor" in our English Bibles, timao, means "to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere" (Strong's Concordance). Showing honor, then, means treating another respectfully because we value them highly.

So is honor due anyone? Should we put value on any man or woman, or should we honor God alone? What does the Bible say? A study with a concordance reveals just how much God has to say about honoring others. He does not limit it to honoring our parents.

This verse tells us clearly honor is due certain ones, but it begs the questions: To whom is honor due besides God? And how do we honor others?

The truth is that we will never sincerely respect, prize, value, or honor anyone until and unless we start with an attitude of meekness. Honoring and respecting others will not happen when a superior or holier-than-thou attitude is present. Paul tells us to "esteem others better than" ourselves. Philippians (2:3).

When we truly repent of what we are, and how we regularly fall short of God's holiness, we cannot remain in a pompous mood. Perhaps we can learn from some of those who have lived God's way before us. John the Baptist says of himself: "He --Christ must increase, but I must decrease." John (3:30). Paul considers himself "the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle." I Corinthians (15:9). He also writes that he is "less than the least of all the saints." Ephesians (3:8). History will conclude otherwise, but it opens a window into Paul's thinking. When we dishonor others, it is a sure sign we are thinking of ourselves or others wrongly. We are to love others as ourselves, honoring them.

Honoring from a pure motive is possible only when we have a proper perspective of who God is, what we are, and who others are in relation to us and God. It begins with deep honor and respect for God—and thus for all He says. The first four commandments lay the foundation for doing this.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness 

In examining the central issue in each of the first several commandments, we find that the first concerns what we worship. Worship is the devoted service one gives to what he regards most highly. As these verses show, we can give devoted service to created things as well as the Creator. Additionally, the tenth commandment says covetousness is idolatry too Colossians (3:5), clearly amplifying that we can give our devotion to things other than the true God.

How good can it be to exchange the truth for the lie? In this context "the lie" is that one can profitably worship someone or something other than the true God. Worshipping things other than the Creator turns the thrust and direction of our lives off the true path of God's purpose. Though those objects may be otherwise harmless in themselves, it is sin to give them the devotion that rightly belongs to the Creator.

John (4:24), proclaims that those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and truth. The worship of God involves the totality of our life, and therefore it cannot be confined to a particular location or a mere hour or two on a given day. Our worship must be guided, motivated, and empowered by His Spirit. Further, it cannot merely be sincere, but it must also be true. Attitude is extremely important, but it alone does not replace truth.

Apostle Paul is addressing the "Gentile" convert. Most likely from the city of Corinthian,  while Paul was on his third missionary journey. 

The chapters (12-16) in particular are providing practical advice on how to live the Christian life. 

Paul is admitting that the prejudice of the Jew was not well-founded. But admitting that still the question was, "how" he should be treated while he had that prejudice. The apostle here shows the Gentile that "he" ought not so to act as unnecessarily to wound his feelings, or to grieve him.

To be grieved - Be pained; as a conscientious man always is, when he sees another, and especially a Christian brother, do anything which "he" esteems to be wrong. The "pain" would be real, though the "opinion" from which it arose might not be well founded.

According to charity, or love; that is, he would violate that law which required him to sacrifice his own comfort to promote the happiness of his brother.

Destroy not him - The word "destroy" here refers, doubtless, to the ruin of the soul in hell. It properly denotes ruin or destruction, and is applied to the ruin or "corruption" of various things, to a reward, in the sense of "losing" it to food. The Israelites represented as lost or wandering to "wisdom" that is rendered "vain", 1 Corinthians (1:9);  rendered "useless" etc. But it is also frequently applied to destruction in hell, to the everlasting ruin of the soul; "Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell;" That "this" is its meaning here is apparent from the parallel place in,1 Corinthians (8:11), "And through the knowledge shall the weak brother perish." If it be asked how the eating of meat by the Gentile convert could be connected with the perdition of the Jew, I reply, that the apostle supposes that in this way an occasion of stumbling would be afforded to him, and he would come into condemnation. He might be led by example to partake against his own conscience, or he might be excited to anger, disgust, and apostasy from the Christian faith.

Here in Romans (2:28-29), Paul is using "Jew" in its spiritual sense. In this sense, "Jew" includes any converted person--even a Gentile. It indicates the church as the body of Jesus Christ, Ephesians (1:22-23); Colossians (1:18), when we recognize what is written in Hebrews 7:14: "It is evident that our Lord was of the tribe of Judah." He--Jesus Christ--was a Jew by birth. Therefore, since He was a Jew, and we are part of "the body of Christ" in the Bible's imagery--therefore we are spiritual Jews. And because we are spiritual Jews, we are spiritual Israelites.

It does not matter what race or ethnicity we are. If we are converted, we are a Jew in the eyes of God because we are part of Christ's body. That is the spiritual application. If we are a Jew, we are an Israelite too, and because the promises were given to Israel, the descendants of Abraham, the promises then apply to us.

Sticking With A Commitment

2 Corinthians (8:10-11)

A full year before the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, they had begun a project. No doubt they were filled with enthusiasm, the thrill of a fresh beginning. But with the passing of time, the newness had worn off. The spontaneous motivation to give had turned into a miserable marathon that dragged slowly on and on. So Paul urged them with a reminder of their commitment:
This is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 2 Corinthians (8:10-11).

Paul said, in effect, "Get with it! You made a commitment to get involved, to give, and to help out-now stick with that commitment!"
Becoming a giving person sounds exciting. But it costs something. It demands change, and no significant change ever got started without motivation and zeal.
Want a vivid illustration? Dieting. Oh, just the word brings up painful memories! Especially when I add exercising and jogging. Who hasn't had the experience? We finally get sick and tired of our flab. Zippers start ripping out; buttons pop off; the car leans dangerously to one side when we get in; the scales we step on punch out little cards that say, "Only one person at a time, please."

Okay, so we decide to thin down. In the fresh enthusiasm of zeal, we buy $100 sneakers, a couple $85 jogging outfits; we join a local fitness center (another $350); and we blow the dust off that miserable "Count Those Calories" booklet we bought years ago. We just know we're going to peel off 30 pounds!

The very first day we start with a flash. We hit the road, running like we're on fire. We drop our intake to 700 calories a day. We choke down dry toast, cottage cheese, sliced tomatoes, and boiled eggs! We snack on stuff that tastes like canary mix, and we sip on bitter herb tea until we think we're going to gag. By the third day, we're so sore we can only trot a half a block, so we get up later. Then Christmas time brings too many temptations, so we fudge, and finally gorge. In less than a month, our blimp is back in the hangar. And when the urge to exercise comes over us, we just lie down quietly until the urge goes away.

Sticking with any commitment is costly. And I can assure you, becoming a servant who gives and gives and gives to others is no exception. By comparison, it will make dieting look like a piece of cake (no pun intended).

Reprogramme Your Mind

Let God transform the way you think. Romans (12:2).

Behind everything you do, there's a thought! So if you're serious about changing your life, you must change how you think. That's not easy, and it doesn't happen instantly. Picture yourself in a boat with the automatic pilot set to go in a certain direction, then you suddenly decide to go somewhere else.

First option: willpower. Grab the wheel and force it to go where you want; by sheer willpower, overcome the autopilot. But you'll feel constant resistance. Your arms will get tired, and when you let go of the wheel, guess what? The boat will go the way it's programmed to go. Get the idea? That's what happens when you try to change your life through willpower: 'I'll force myself to quit drinking, cheating, or overeating', and so on. Your willpower can only produce short-term change, but it creates constant stress because you haven't dealt with the root cause and reprogrammed your mind. The change doesn't feel natural so eventually you give up, revert to your old patterns and say, 'I guess this is just the way I am. I'll never change.

Second option: God's power. There is a better way! The Bible says, Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.' Change always begins in your mind! The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act. You say, 'How can I change the way I think?' By programming your mind each day with God's Word. 'How can a, man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word' Psalm (119:9).

Inhabitants Of The Land

Hosea (4:1)

Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.

Hosea was a man of God who, in spite of his unfaithful wife, stood true to her as an illustration of God standing true to the nation of Israel, who was His Adulterous wife (spiritually speaking).

Hosea lived in a time, where not only was his home life in pathetic condition, his nations life was as well. In the entire history of the land which he lived, there was not one godly king. Politically, it was a world of anarchy, bloodshed and revolt.
Anarchy was having it's inning. Socially, it was a world of compromise and corruption.
Much like the world we live in today.

The union of right knowledge and wrong practice is hideous in itself; and it must be especially offensive to Almighty God, that His creatures should know whom they offend, how they offend Him, and yet, amid and against their knowledge, choose that which displeases Him.

Hosea, whose name means, "salvation, deliverance," was a tender godly young man.
And yet God told him to marry a woman named Gomer who, at first glance, seemed to be a prostitute. Yet Hosea was instructed to take this woman who was not currently engaged in prostitution. It seems wholly unlikely the character of God to introduce a man to a know prostitute and have them marry. Gomer was faithful at first and became a prostitute later on. She acted on that bent tendency toward a lifestyle of unfaithfulness and sensuality. It wasn't long before Gomer walked away. She left her family and lived the streets. She left the care the children to Hosea. She had no compassion for the family and lost all interest in her husband. She lived as she pleased as she ran wild after other lovers.

Surely there must have been times when Hosea threw up his arms and said, "Why, God? Why me? Why this woman? I contend with immorality all day long. I face sin constantly in the street, and now I have to come home to it! It's totally unfair." He may have been a prophet, but he was still a man with human feelings that occasionally erupted.

The cost of restitution for a slave gored by a bull was thirty shekels of silver. God said to Hosea, "Go and find that woman and buy her back. Love her again. Incredible!
Why would God have him do that? For now Hosea was asked by God to model His message to Israel." That is the great faithfulness of God.
God showed infinite, long-suffering love for a people who despised Him and shook their fists in His face, built their gold-plated statues and carved wooden idols, and openly worshiped at false temples of worship. In that sense they to "played the harlot."

Maybe some of you are like the people of Israel. God found you and pledged Himself to you in love and faithfulness. You may have walked with Him for a time, but then in the anguish of despair and cynicism, you've run from the Lord. And now, like Gomer, perhaps you're living a life of unfaithfulness. I'd like you to see what Hosea saw. I'd like you to get a picture of a God who keeps loving you and who longs to take you back, as Hosea took back Gomer. I'd like you to see that our disloyalty to God is really spiritual adultery. We can confess that to our God, and then we can return to Him, who has never left us. His love finally cannot, and will not, let us go!

Reverend William Bowers

God's Anger

The wrath of God is not just taught in the Bible, it is a prominent truth in the Scriptures.

Now the wrath of God is as much a Divine perfection as is His faithfulness, power, or mercy. It must be so, for there is no blemish whatever, not the slightest defect in the character of God; yet there would be if ‘wrath’ were absent from Him.

Propitiation means God’s wrath has been appeased for all who have trusted in Jesus Christ. The good news of the gospel is that those who have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus as the “Lamb of God” are no longer under the sentence of divine wrath: Disaster is not necessarily a manifestation of divine wrath (unless specifically indicated as such), just as prosperity should not be interpreted as proof of piety. Men’s suffering in this life is not necessarily proportionate to their blessings or suffering in eternity as the story of the rich man and Lazarus makes clear in,  Luke (16:19-31).

John the Baptist warns of God's fiery judgment, Matthew (3:7). Jesus will execute God's wrath at his second coming, Revelation (6:15-17). While the wicked already stand under God's condemnation, John (3:36). Ephesians (2:3), by sinning, they continue to store up wrath ( Romans (2:5) ( 9:22). But God in his mercy sent Jesus to turn away his anger by a sacrifice of propitiation, Romans (3:25)  (5:9), 1 John (2:2) (4:10). God expresses his wrath every day" because he is a righteous judge, Psalm (7:11)

He says, "A fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell." Deuteronomy (32:22) "And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath." Jeremiah (21:5) In may seem that His anger is vicious, more than the offense would call for. One time the children of Israel were complaining, and "it displeased the Lord, and His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burnt among them and consumed" some of them, Numbers (11:1). In some cases His anger even seems to harm the innocent: "My wrath shall become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless." Exodus (22:24).

In My wrath I struck you, but in My favor I have had mercy on you." Isaiah (60:10). Now some people might try to explain this apparent contradiction by saying that the Lord is constantly merciful to good people, but that He takes vengeance on those who rebel against Him. But the fact is that the Lord is merciful to everyone, all the time, in everything He does. "He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil." Luke (6:35).

He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." Matthew (5:45). The Lord is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His works." Psalm (145:7) It almost seems as if God's actions towards each of us depend on our actions toward God and others. If you forgive others, He will forgive you; if you do not forgive others, He will not forgive you. Matthew (6:15)  (18:35). If you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. James (4:8).

If you forget Him, He will forget you, Hosea (4:6) If you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 2 Chronicles (15:2). And, when people act with vengeance, they can expect vengeance from God. Ezekiel (25:15-16). It is as if each kind of person looks at God through differently tinted glasses. A person wearing blue glasses will see everything blue. "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled." Titus (1:15). A person who is himself vicious and vengeful will tend to see others, including God, as vicious and vengeful. "The children of your people say, `The way of the Lord is not fair.' But it is their way that is not fair!" Ezekiel (33:17)  (18:25). God has no desire to punish anyone. "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Ezekiel (33:11). When He does tolerate evil it is because He sees that good can come from it. As Joseph said after his brothers betrayed him, "You thought evil against me, but God meant it for good." Genesis (50:20).

What has seemed to mankind to be evidence of God's anger, then, has usually been not from God at all, but from the cruel influence of hell. We see for example, in the story of Job, that Satan was eager to torture Job, and it was only with reluctance that God allowed Satan to bring disaster on Job. Yet because Job did not know that the real source of his disaster was Satan, he supposed it was from God. Job (1:6-21)  (2:1-10)  (30:21).

In a similar situation, the Bible says (according to the appearance) that" the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, `Go number Israel, 2 Samuel (24:1) Another passage shows the real source of the trouble: "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel." 1 Chronicles( 21:1). God Himself would never send evil on anyone: "'I know the thoughts that I think toward you,' says the LORD, 'thoughts of peace, and not of evil. Jeremiah (29:11).

The wrath of God on the wicked is great. Men deserve it. And there is no escaping it. Men know that the outpouring of wrath is from God, a judgment on them for their sin. And yet not one person repents. The time for repentance is past. Those who chose to reject the sacrifice of Christ for their sins must now be judged according to their works. It is God’s wrath has been appeased for all who have trusted in Jesus Christ. The good news of the gospel is that those who have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus as the “Lamb of God” are no longer under the sentence of divine wrath, a terrible fate, but one which sinners richly deserve. Divine wrath is not just a phenomenon of the Old Testament; it is a certainty of biblical prophecy. Men are urged to take heed and repent while there is still time to escape the wrath of God by faith in Christ.God’s wrath has been appeased for all who have trusted in Jesus Christ.

If men are to escape from the wrath of God, they must repent and trust in the One who bore God’s wrath on Mount Calvary. Those who reject God’s provision for forgiveness and salvation face the future outpouring of divine wrath, a judgment far greater than man has ever seen before. The wrath of God is a reminder of the holiness of God and a measure of God’s hatred of sin. God’s wrath is proportionate to the unrighteousness which provokes it. The immensity of God’s wrath toward sin is an indication of His holy hatred of sin. We should hate it as well.

The wrath of God should make us uncomfortable with sin. In addition, we should never forget that our sin resulted in the suffering and agony of our Savior on whom God’s wrath was poured out. To think lightly of sin is to take Christ’s suffering lightly. To sin willfully is to come dangerously close to crucifying afresh the Son of God, Hebrews (6:6).

The doctrine of the wrath of God instructs us not to fret over the wicked. While they may appear to be getting away with evil, they will come under the wrath of God. Let us take the doctrine of God’s wrath seriously. Let us neither neglect nor conceal it. Let us regard it as a part of the goodness and glory of God. May the doctrine of God’s wrath be an incentive to evangelism and the proclamation of a pure gospel, which includes sin, righteousness, and judgment. To the glory of God and our own good, may this doctrine be the basis for holy living for each of us.

Reverend William Bowers

Looking To God

Psalm (13:3-4)

David felt that God is far away from him and that he did not hear his prayer. He is worried that his enemies will conquer him if God still did not answer his prayer and rescue him.

David pleaded God to enlighten him so that he can see a way out of his problem otherwise he sleep spiritually. Spiritual sleep leads to spiritual death. David does not want his enemies to gloat on his failure.


As I read Psalm 13 and reflect on the section describing David on his face, overwhelmed with grief and hopelessness, I see two practical areas of application: 1) It was the length of the test that began to weary David. "How long" occurs four times in two brief verses. Let us remember that God not only designs the depth of our trials but also their length. Sometime soon, read the words of the ancient prophet Habakkuk, chapter 1. He too asked, "How long?"

2) In the first two verses of Psalm 13, David turns against everyone and everything except himself. What I learn from this is that when I try to handle a test in the flesh, I turn against God, my enemy, or my circumstance rather than first asking the Lord what He is trying to teach me in this situation. What wonderful lessons God wishes to teach us if our proud hearts would only be willing to melt in the furnace of affliction. In the midst of his grief and sorrow, David makes a critical choice. Rather than continue the downward spiral of sorrow, he changed his posture.

This brings us to the second section of the song David on His Knees Consider and answer me, O LORD, my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken, Psalm (13:3–4). Something happened to David between stanzas 2 and 3 of his hymn. Perhaps he listened to his own complaints and realized it was self-pity. I've done that, haven't you? Maybe he paused in his composition and looked back over what he had just written, and became alarmed at the unbelief that began to surface before his eyes. We observe a genuine and marked difference now. He is up off his face. His despondency is beginning to lift. We find him, at last, on his knees--the place of victory.

The martyred missionary, Jim Elliot, once wrote: "The saint who advances on his knees never retreats."Please observe how closely verses 3 and 4 are connected with verses 1 and 2. David seems to recollect and redirect his complaints as he talks to the Lord about them. Three changes become apparent.

First, instead of viewing the Lord as being removed and unconcerned (13:1), David requests that He "consider and answer" him (13:3). And don't miss what he calls the Lord in verse 3--"my God"! The distance is now gone in David's mind. He is embracing an altogether different outlook. .Second, instead of the despondency and distress that had become his heart attitude due to his attempts to work things out (13:2), he now asks the Lord to "enlighten my eyes." Again, the Hebrew gives us a clearer understanding of this.

The word translated "enlighten" in verse 3 is in the causative stem, meaning literally "to cause to shine." In Numbers (6:24–26), the identical term occurs in a benediction we've heard many times: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. David's countenance had lost its "shine." His face, and especially his eyes, had become hard, flat, and dull. He longed for God's brightness to reflect itself once again from his eyes—his face had fallen.

I want to state once again that when trials are dealt with in the flesh, the eyes bear the marks of that fact. We cannot hide it. Our entire countenance becomes rigid and inflexible, lacking the "sparkle" and the "light" that once manifested itself from our hearts. When inner joy leaves, so does the "shine" from our eyes. Third, instead of worrying about his exalted enemy,  David now mentally releases his enemy to the Lord and lets Him take care of the results. I notice this marked change in David occurred when he decided to lay it all out before God in prayer. Although it sounds like a cliché, our fervent petition is still the most effective oil to reduce the friction from the daily grind of despondency.

David experienced before God’s goodness. He believed that God will show him mercy. Now, he give thanks in faith, believing that God will show him mercy.

Tithing

Galatians (6:6-10)
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
It is God's welfare plan for the fatherless, widows, unemployed and the truly needy. Instead of always thinking about receiving, we'll start looking for ways to give.

In ancient Israel, God instructed His people to set aside a special tithe to assist those in need: orphans, widows, strangers, and Levites. Today, God's church meets its Christian duty toward its needy brethren similarly, through a third tithe fund. God's apostles teach that Christians have an obligation to help others who are truly in need. The commandments of God concerning the responsibility of those more blessed to help those truly in need.

When we give God back the tithe that is His to begin with, He blesses us abundantly spiritually and physically. Notice that God says He commands tithes so "that there may be food in My house",  Malachi (3:10). Tithes are primarily used to feed His people spiritually! If we support the work God is doing through His faithful ministers, He promises to bless us far above anything we could imagine, Ephesians (3:20-21).

It is every Christian's obligation not only to keep his duties to God by being a faithful tither, but also to love his neighbor as himself. Giving tithe cannot cover your sins or disobedience to other matters of God's Kingdom. You must tithe everything that comes to your hands, which is yours, for your use, benefit, or enjoyment. That includes wages, overtime pay, bonuses, unemployment benefit, child support, business profits/profit from business, pensions, allowances, interest earned on an account, inheritance, prizes, commission, sales, "gifts", etc.

The Scriptures say: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse" also Jacob prayed unto God: "And of all that You give me I will give you a tenth." Malachi (3.10) Genesis (28.22). Therefore, everyone can tithe, since everyone receives something to live on, one way or another.

The Bible doesn't say that you will not be saved if you don't give tithe. God did does say, however, that those who don't give tithes are robbing Him: "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse the whole nation of you because you are robbing me." Malachi (3:8-9). But ultimately that's between you and God.

Reverend William Bowers

Don't Flirt With The Devil

1 Peter (5:8-9)

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

James (4:7)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Satan is a formidable enemy, to be sure, but in a personal sense, he is not as directly dangerous to us as the world or our own human nature. The chances of him confronting us individually are small in comparison to the influences of our ever-present hearts and the world in which we conduct our lives. Certainly, as our Adversary, he "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour".  But unlike God, he is not omniscient. While he can be only at one place at one time, he has many assistants.

We are far more likely to be confronted by one of his demon assistants than the Adversary himself, which is bad enough. However, he and his demons have constructed attitudes, institutions, systems, and entertainments into the course of this world, which they effectively use against us, even when they are absent from the scene. Most of their evil influence comes from the system.

We need to remember, though, that God has put a wall of protection around us, so demons can go only so far in their attempts to corrupt us and destroy our loyalty to God and His truth. Their major responsibility before God at this time appears to be to provide tests for us to meet and overcome, in the same way God used Satan to test Job and to tempt Christ. In this respect, they play a large role in helping us to recognize evil.

Resist the devil', stand steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." Be self-controlled, be alert, and resist him!" Peter's first term, "be sober," urges us not to let fear of him fluster us to the point that we cannot think clearly. The second term, "be vigilant," charges us to be fully awake, to set ourselves in a state of watchfulness and readiness. The third term, "resist him," is a command not to turn and run but to stand firm.
This instruction lets us know that Satan is not all-powerful. With the protections God provides, including His continuous presence and alert regard for His children, Satan can be beaten. The same Jesus who has already defeated Satan is on His throne, overseeing our well-being. His protection is not something we flaunt, but is power we can rely on.

How, then, do we resist? How do we hold our ground by going on the offensive?We must "Resist him, standing firm, 'or solid'  in the faith." Putting this into military terms, a soldier would be likely commanded, "Do not surrender! Do not give up any ground! Do not back down! Move forward with all you've got! Reinforcements are right behind you."

We have the God-backed promise that Satan will flee! Who can resist God's will? The key words here are "standing firm" and "faith." "Standing firm" or "solid" is used in the sense of "unmovable." When linked with faith in practical terms, it means we are absolutely sure or immovably convicted in the face of a strong test.

As true Christians in the faith, we must be the one's who chooses to live a righteous life, the one's who consciously resists the subtle inroads of compromise. God envisions a person who remains wary of anything that might erode commitment to a godly life.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! Psalm (1:1)

There is a progressive deterioration toward more involvement in sinful living! The casual passerby slows down and, before you know it, he takes his stand.

On the other hand, by taking a firm stand for righteousness, we will be "like a tree firmly planted by streams of water"--one that cannot be eroded by the winds of wickedness and unrighteousness.

Unfortunately there seems to be a permanent settling down, an abiding, a permanent dwelling. Don't live your way of life in the sphere of "the scoffer," the one who continually makes light of that which is sacred--the blasphemous crowd.

We shall be happy many times over if we maintain a pure walk with our Lord, free from even the slightest flirtation with evil. If we begin to "walk" in "the counsel of the wicked," it is easy to slip slowly into the habitation of the scoffer.

Reverend William Bowers

Let's Stay Sensible

When is the last time you thought about the character quality of sensibility?
As pastors, we’re charged with the task, remember? 

“The overseer must be sensible” Titus (1:7-8)

Sophron is the term. It has in mind “thinking appropriately.” It means you’re not given to extremes. You’re able to see between the lines and apply some common sense. 

We have some funny eccentrics  in the Christian ranks some real nutty people. “Where there’s light, there’s bugs.” It’s really true! They're usually people who have big, thick Bibles and notebooks full of notes on everybody'. I mean, they've got all of this information, yet haven't won a person to Christ in 50 years.

They're out of balance. And there’s another group that believes “a miracle a day keeps the devil away.” They drive up and see a parking place at the supermarket and they think it’s a MIRACLE! And they tell their friends about it. It’s not a miracle  it’s just that a car wasn't there. Pull in, park. Get a life! There is even 'bereaved parents whom believe their dead son is performing miracles at their house. They claim a mysterious oil that weeps from the walls of his bedroom leaves messages! Then there is people that think their toaster has burnt the face of Jesus on their toast Some of you see shapes in clouds or fire and 'Oh it's an angel', another MIRACLE!

We can fall into that kind of extremism when there’s not somebody near us jerking on our coattails telling us we're getting kind of nutty. Some people even see faces of Jesus in a pizza! That’s a lack of sensibility.
I want to say stuff like that to every one of the CEOs I meet. Every one of the hot shots who made it by the grace of God. And every one of us senior pastors.
 
Don't forget to tingle every once in a while. Don’t forget to cry over the joy of good health, and the freedom of living in your country, and the thrill of studying the Word, and the privilege of anybody sitting and listening when you talk. 

Reverend William Bowers

Seek Peace And Pursue It

Psalm (34:14)

As you glorify the Lord God, you’ll be glorified in Him. You will find that your attitude is contagious. When you glorify God, it has a healthy impact on others. They will see your example and want to glorify Him as well.

 

You can trust God’s Spirit in you to bring that peace from the nature of Christ into your life as needed. But first you must be yielded to the Spirit in every area of your life to experience peace.

You need to stop holding onto any sins that you still have, for holding onto your sins will cause confusion that will keep you from experiencing peace. You need to have an intense desire to belong to the family of God.

There is always pressure among peers, to go along as they do in order to be “one of the boy’s. You need to bend and bow to God’s will fully surrendering your life to Him before, you make people bend to your Godly standards of behavior, do not bend to theirs. You need to be the head not the tail. If you allow yourself to be intimidated, into what you know in your heart and mind is wrong, you are weakening your resolve to do the right thing, impairing your ability to make the right decisions.  The power of things you yield to in life grows stronger, while what you resist grows weaker. 

You need to say “yes” to the things that are right in your life, and “no” to the things that are wrong in your life, for the more you say “yes” to what is right the stronger you become and the greater power you have to say “no”.  Remember success in life comes from the ability to say “no.” Not the ability to say “yes.”

The Lord Jesus Christ faced temptations, He overcame them by quoting the Word of God to the devil. He not only said  “no”, but was able to give the reason for saying it. The devil then departed and left Jesus alone. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit, and peace returned to him.

For Jesus submission to the Father and resistance to the devil, and a refusal to sin strengthened His spirit, adding statue to His manhood. In addition He had memorized vast portions of scripture, which gave weight to His words. The principle applies to all areas of life, not just your Christian walk. If you want to succeed, you have to say “no.”

Life would be different for all of us if we had learned and obeyed these principles when we were younger. God is giving you the opportunity to learn it now and do it right.  The choice is yours.

The freedom to choose between alternatives is the only true freedom you have. Choice is your only real freedom, so my dear brothers and sisters use it wisely. Your choices are shown in the company you keep. Show me your companions, and I’ll show you their character.

Appraise your life. Set occasions aside for evaluation and regrouping, recognize when you need to do this. Are you really happy, genuinely challenged and fulfilled in life? In light of eternity, are you making a consistent investment for God’s glory and His cause? Is the direction your life taking leading you toward a satisfying and meaningful future? Can you honestly say that your in the center of God’s will for your life?  

Reverend William Bowers

Life A Mist?

James (4:13-17)

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. 

Life? "A mist,"answers James. Although we give the appearance of security, our lives are marked by uncertainty, adversity, brevity. All the more reason to gain perspective on how to live it. Walking with God gives perspective. It doesn't guarantee we'll live longer, but it does help us to live better. And deeper. And broader. Because you know nothing about the day, week, month or year before you, commit yourself anew to Him who knows the times and the seasons. 

Have you noticed how many day-planners are available these days? And then there are the time-management self-help books: how to increase your efficiency, how to make every moment count, how to invest your time wisely and productively. While all those voices and handy products scream for your attention, I'd like to play devil's advocate and tell you how to waste your time. Five proven ideas come immediately to mind: 

First, worry a lot. Start worrying early in the morning and intensify your anxiety as the day passes. Worry about your own failures and mistakes--about what you should or could have done but didn't. To add variety, worry about things you should not have done but did. Hanging around negative people is another secret you won't want to forget. Remember: 

Potential ulcers need fresh acid. Second, make hard-and-fast predictions. Of course, you'll need to ignore that little throwaway line in the fourth chapter of James: "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow." But forget that comment and set your expectations in motion. Be as specific as you can. For example, one month before his July 1975 disappearance, Jimmy Hoffa announced:

"I don't need bodyguards."Third, fix your attention on getting rich. You'll get a lot of innovative ideas from the secular bookshelves (I counted a multitude of books on the subject last time I was in a book store) plus you'll fit right in with most of the hype that's pouring out of entrepreneurial seminars and high-pressure sales meetings. Fourth, compare yourself with others. Not only will you ricochet between the extremes of arrogance and discouragement, you will also spend the time not knowing who you are.

Fifth, lengthen your list of enemies. If there's one thing above all others that will keep your wheels spinning, it's perfecting your skill at the Blame Game. With a full arsenal of suspicion, paranoia, and resentment, you can waste endless evenings stewing over those folks who have made your life miserable. Put these five surefire suggestions in motion, and you can forget about all the hassles connected with being happy, efficient, productive, and contented. Within a couple of months, those things won't even be on your agenda. All this sounds like foolish exaggeration, doesn't it? But just stop and think: How much time are you already wasting on some of these things?

Reverend William Bowers

Jesus Is The Way

John (14:6)

No matter how much you enjoy where you are living at present, there's always a longing in your heart for the place you call 'home.' And how much more so for those who have been born again into God's redeemed family! 

The world has its beautiful shorelines and landscapes, but deep down we yearn, like Paul, for our heavenly Father, heavenly family and home. 'For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Philippians (1:21-23). 

Leaving this life to be with Christ, in Paul's judgment, 'is far better.' Far better than what? Anything else! Nothing here can compare with what awaits you there! No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it-what God has arranged for those who love him. 1 Corinthians (2:9).

You ask, 'How will this transition happen to us?' At death, 'The dust our body' returns to the ground it came from, and 'our' spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes (12:7). Our bodies will 'fall asleep in Christ. 1 Corinthians (15:18). Our God-indwelled spirits return to His presence, delighting in 'the fullness of joy' and reveling in the 'pleasures forevermore' that are found in abundance at His right hand. Psalms (16:11). While we wait, anticipating our best days, heaven's hosts rehearse for the drama of the ages, the awesome return of Christ and our accompanying Him in our glorified bodies! We say, '. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation (22:20).


Apart from the way there is no going. Apart from the truth there is no knowing. Apart from the Life there is no living. God says, "Remain in Christ, and rest yourself. He is the way the truth and the life." Our salvation rests solely on God's strength, not our own. Our safety is in Jesus Christ's power, 'not ours. 

Our protection depends on the Father's firm grip, not ours. No one, including the devil, can see the vital union that connects us with the Lord Jesus Christ. Because it was Christ's death and resurrection that perfected us because of His finished work, not our own. 'All roads lead to Heaven.' But how can they? Judaism sees salvation as a judgment day decision based on morality. Buddhism guides your life according to the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight-fold Path. Hindus anticipate multiple reincarnations in the soul's journey through the cosmos. Many philosophers deem life after death as hidden and unknown, 'a great leap in the dark. Some people package Christ with Moses, Mohammad, Confucius, and other spiritual leaders. Christians believe in one life, one death, and an eternity of enjoying God.

Humanist don't acknowledge a creator of life. Jesus claims to be the source of life. Spiritualists read your palms. Christians consult the Bible. Hindus perceive a plural and impersonal God. Christ-followers believe' there is only one God. 1 Corinthians (8:4). Every non-Christian religion says, 'You can save you.' Jesus says: My death on the cross saves you.' All ships don't sail to Australia, and all flights don't lead to America, and all roads don't lead to Rome. Every path does not lead to God. Jesus blazed a stand-alone trail void of self-salvation. He cleared a one-of-a-kind passageway uncluttered by human effort. He offers us a unique invitation in which He works and we trust, He dies and we live, He invites and we believe. 'The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One he sent. Go about your Fathers business.

Reverend William Bowers

Billy Graham A False Prophet! 

The whispers about Reverend Billy Graham being a "False Prophet", or being a Freemason, have circulated throughout Christian circles for years. But, in March, 1997, Cutting Edge discovered that the official state Masonic website for Louisiana and Michigan both listed Reverend Graham as a "Famous Mason". Billy Graham says he believes people can be saved without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior.

Graham is "Hailed as the world's preacher" and "one of the world's most beloved and respected leaders". If Billy Graham was" a man of God, the world would not love" him so.
The Bible teaches that those who are Christ's will be hated by the world, 1 John (3:13) 2 Timothy (3:12) John (17:14). But Graham is of the world,1 John (4:5) (5:19), and therefore "beloved and respected."

 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you, John (15:19).

Billy Graham is not hated by the world, but rather, by the admission of his own book, he is "beloved and respected" by the world, and "Hailed as the world's preacher." This alone is a mark of a false teacher. As Luke (6:26) says,
Woe to you when men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Mr. Graham is not a false prophet (because he is not a prophet), but he is a false teacher. He is not a real Christian, but a false one, and is an enemy of God James (4:4).

Billy Graham writes: "We should accept abortion in these cases: rape or incest or if the delivery of the child is a threat to a mother's life."

Even sincere Christians may differ on whether or not abortion is ever justified, especially in difficult situations such as rape or incest, or when tests reveal that the unborn child has severe abnormalities. 

You shall not murder" Exodus (20:13). Killing an unborn child is murder no matter how the child was conceived (rape or incest) or what abnormalities he or she may have, Exodus (21:22-23) life for life. The Lord makes the mute, the deaf, and the blind (Exodus 4:11), and it is cruel hatred and murder to kill them.

Reverend William Bowers

Our Partnership With God

1 Corinthians (12:4-11)

I don't know how some in today's church got the false idea that the preacher is a servant and the folks in the pews are just members. No one is a bystander in God's kingdom! All believers are in partnership with the Lord, 2 Corinthians (6:1). He chose to work through mankind to accomplish the gospel mission on earth. To borrow a biblical metaphor, we are the workers cultivating and harvesting His fields, Matthew (9:37-38).

God gave one or more spiritual gifts to every single believer to aid in the work for His kingdom. We each need this special "wiring" to carry out our unique role in His plan. He knits that spiritual gift into our personality and inborn talents to create a useful and effective servant. And just to be clear, there is no such thing as a non-gifted believer.

Believers are the Lord's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works, Ephesians (2:10). Spiritual gifts are not our own abilities. The Holy Spirit manifests them through us. Remember, it is the sap running from the vine into the branches that produces fruit, John (15:5). In the same way, the Spirit lives and works through God's followers to bring forth acts of service. The Lord's power is behind it all. Think of that when you are tempted to shy away from God-given opportunities.

God's awesome power is present in and available to every believer. The Holy Spirit equips us to obey the Lord in whatever He calls us to do. Don't waste your life sitting in a pew! Get busy using that spiritual gift. The fields of this world are ripe for harvest John (4:35).