FAITH PRACTISED

Legend has it that a man was lost in the desert, just dying for a drink of water. He stumbled upon an old shack-ramshackled, windowless, roofless, weatherbeaten and old. He looked about this place and found a little shade from the heat of the desert sun. As he glanced around he saw a pump about fifteen feet away–an old, rusty water pump. He stumbled over to it, grabbed the handle, and began to pump up and down, up and down. Nothing came out.

Disappointed, he staggered back. He noticed off to the side an old jug. He looked at it, wiped away the dirt and dust, and read a message that said, “You have to prime the pump with all the water in this jug, my friend. P.S.: Be sure you fill the jug again before you leave.”

He popped the cork out of the jug and sure enough, it was almost full of water! Suddenly, he was faced with a decision. If he drank the water, he could live. Ah, but if he poured all the water in the old rusty pump, maybe it would yield fresh, cool water from down deep in the well, all the water he wanted.
He studied the possibility of both options. What should he do, pour it into the old pump and take a chance on fresh, cool water or drink what was in the old jug and ignore its message? Should he waste all the water on the hopes of those flimsy instructions written, no telling how long ago?

Reluctantly he poured all the water into the pump. Then he grabbed the handle and began to pump, squeak, squeak, squeak. Still nothing came out! Squeak, squeak, squeak. A little bit began to dribble out, then a small stream, and finally it gushed! To his relief, fresh, cool water poured out of the rusty pump. Eagerly, he filled the jug and drank from it. He filled it another time and once again drank its refreshing contents.
Then he filled the jug for the next traveler. He filled it to the top, popped the cork back on, and added this little note: “Believe me, it really works. You have to give it all away before you can get anything back.”

That is the essence of genuine faith! It is not a risk, but it is a challenge to human reasoning. Faith will call on us to do the unthinkable so that we might receive the impossible!

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

The world’s wisdom says. “I’ll believe it - when I see it.” God’s wisdom from His inspired Word, the Bible, tells us to BELIEVE HIM (HIS BIBLE PROMISES) THEN YOU’LL SEE IT. Psalm 27:13 “I had fainted, unless I had BELIEVED TO SEE the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

When Will You Get Saved?

IF A PERSON GETS SAVED WHAT FACTS CAN THEY KNOW FOR SURE?

THERE ARE THREE THINGS YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE…

1) THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HEAVEN.. 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.

2) THAT YOUR LIFE WILL BE CHANGED WHEN YOU GET SAVED …2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

3) YOU WILL NEVER LOSE YOUR SALVATION…John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

So what is keeping you from getting saved?

God the Father wants you saved. John 3:16

Jesus Christ wants you saved. Romans 5:8

The Holy Spirit wants you saved. John 16:7-11

Victory Baptist Church wants you saved. 2 Corinthians 4:5

Satan does not want you saved. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Likely your unsaved family or unsaved friends & associates don’t… OR couldn’t care less if you got saved.  It boils down to you & your choice.  Take a courageous stand and get saved then get baptized and join the local Bible-Believing Great Commission (Independent Fundamental Baptist) Church.

Listen to God through His Word-He’s not willing that you go to Hell ! 2 Peter 3:9

Why-why then are you ??

Someone In Your Corner

This is an edited entry from Pastor Paul Chappell’s “Daily in the Word”. I am thankful to the Lord Jesus that I know some encouragers. I know others that for the most part are discouragers. Sad! What would you want to have? And what do you want to be?

“But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he
shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the
land which thou shalt see.” Deuteronomy 3:28

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you…
Encourage me, and I will not forget you.—W.A.Ward

CBS News anchor Dan Rather admits he was always fascinated by the sport
of boxing, even though he was never good at it. “In boxing you’re on your own;
there’s no place to hide,” he says. “At the end of the match only one boxer has
his hand up. That’s it. He has no one to credit or to blame except himself.” Dan,
who boxed in high school, says his coach’s greatest goal was to teach his boxers
that they absolutely, positively, without question, had to be “get up” fighters.
“If you’re in a ring just once in your life—completely on your own—and you get
knocked down but you get back up again, it’s a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Your sense of achievement is distinct and unique. And sometimes the only thing
making you get up is someone in your corner yelling.”

We all need someone in our corner “cheering us on” in life, because we all face
tough times. Some are right now facing unfair situations. Someone falsely accused
accused them at work or are being threatened with legal action over something they
didn’t do or family keeps disappointing them. Everyone faces injustices yet we can
just focus on our small problems when others are dealing with far bigger situations.

The word encourage has been defined as “to give courage to.” When others are
fearful of the future or uncertain of what to do, God desires that we would put
courage in their hearts by encouraging them, by cheering them on in their corner.

Think about the times you’ve had difficulties or felt apprehension. Was there
someone who encouraged you to keep going? Think of what a difference they
made in your life. You might not be where you are today without them! Everyone
needs an encourager. Everyone needs someone to give them an encouraging word,
through a simple phone call, a note or card to say you prayed for them, or an
encouraging Bible verse. Anything can be encouraging when you take time to show
you love & care. Who could use some today? Who is going through a difficult time
or facing a problem? Take time today to encourage! You never know when your
word of encouragement will make a difference. Determine today to be that someone
who stands in the corner, encouraging people through the ups and downs of life.

SOME HELPS FOR VICTORY

1) Be absolutely sure you (have) come to Jesus the right way in the beginning. That is, be sure you are saved. Repentance-turning in mind and heart FROM your former beliefs, your unbelief and sinfulness AND turning TO Jesus Christ alone in sincere FAITH=belief as your God and Saviour! This is trusting in only what Jesus Christ did for you on Calvary’s Cross, when He shed His blood and died for you, paying your sin debt in full, was buried, and on the 3rd day rose from the dead, was seen by hundreds and is alive for evermore! “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

2) Be Biblically Immersed (baptized) by a Bible-Believing Great Commission Church (I F Baptist).

3) Understand the Christian (life) Race is not a Sprint but a Marathon. (Plan to pace yourself, stay in the race “run with patience ..looking unto Jesus..”)

4) Take time to Encourage Others In Their Own Race!

5) Remember, even if you start out right, you can fall along the way. (A good start does not guarantee a good finish.)

6) The Downward Slope is Gradual but Slippery and It Picks Up Speed (as You Plunge to the Bottom- so Do Not Start Down off the path of Righteousness!)

7) Your Direction Will Determine Your Destination!  Are you going God’s direction?  Why not?

Conclusion: Stay on (or get on) the right path going the right direction. Be committed, loyal & consistent. You’ll then have victory & finish well.

The Choice of Who is Lord?

I said “Lord, let me walk in the field”
God said “Nay, walk in the town”
I said “There are no flowers there”
He said “No flowers, but a crown.”

I said “But the sky is black,
There is nothing but noise and din”
But He wept as He sent me back,
“There is more … there is sin.”

I said “But the air is thick,
And fogs are veiling the sun”
He answered “Yet souls are sick,
And souls in the dark undone.”

I said “I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say”
He answered me “Choose tonight
If I am to miss you, or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given
He said “Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the fields
Then set my face to the town
He said “My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?

Then into His hand went mine
And in power came He to me
And I walk in the light Divine
The path that I feared to see.

-MacDonald (edited)

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE GOD

Here is a encouraging poem about the living and true God.   Is He YOUR GOD?

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OUR GOD

They cannot bomb His city

Nor dynamite His throne;

They cannot nuke His Heaven

Nor rob Him of His own.

They cannot take Him captive,

Nor strike Him deaf or blind;

Nor starve Him to surrender,

Nor make Him change His mind.

They cannot cause Him panic,

Nor cut off His supplies;

They cannot take His kingdom,

Nor hurt Him with their lies.

Though all the world be shattered,

His truth remains the same;

His righteous laws still potent,

CHRIST JESUS IS HIS NAME!

He is a Friend to sinners,

He came to shed His Blood;

To die and pay our sin debt,

And so prove His awesome Love.

The third day He arose,

His power o’er Death and Hell,

Proving He’s Jehovah

Soon to ring Judgment’s bell.

Those who repent of their sin

Put trust in Christ alone,

Will be given righteousness

And heaven as their Home.

Now we fight devil and sin,

And feel their darts and rod;

But we know above all conflict

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OUR GOD!

-anonymous