Pleasant Words

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

In unsettled times there is a great desire to hear pleasant word, words of comfort, words of joy, words of peace. Whenever things aren’t going well there are few things that make a person feel better than pleasant words.

But we live in a culture that thrives on negativity. The news is full of stories about who “ripped” who and what one person said against another. People seem to love a fight these days, sitting back to watch one person verbally tear another to shreds as if it were l some great entertainment. It all sours the soul and rots the bones.

I don’t know about you but I’ve grown weary of it. I’m exhausted by the sheer volume of negative words we hear in the world today. My soul aches for pleasant words; my bones cry out for them.

You see, pleasant words have a curative property. They sweeten the disposition and strengthen the body. There is power in positive words and we need to use them more frequently because they have the power to heal what ails us.

So as Paul told Titus, let us, “…speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” (Titus 3:2)

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

The Bible

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

I read an article today on a fairly prominent Baptist news website where the author asked a question that I find appalling. He wrote, “What if Paul was wrong?” And with that statement the question of Biblical inerrancy raises its ugly head yet again. Today the truth of scripture is questioned more than ever before in human history, and the answer the current culture keeps coming to is that the Bible is wrong.

Now I can understand that attitude from unbelievers. Why would anyone believe a book is the perfect word of God if they do not believe in God? I get that. But what I cannot understand is why people who profess to believe in God would deny the perfect authority of His Holy Word, the Bible. The Bible is self-authenticating, meaning that God has told us within the Bible itself that it is His inspired, perfect word—inerrant.

Christians must believe that the Bible is the perfect, inerrant Word of God. To believe anything less than that is to be a nonbeliever. In other words, if you do not believe the Bible is the perfect, inerrant Word of God then you are not a Christian at all. Saving faith in Jesus and belief in all the Bible says and teaches cannot be separated. You can’t have Jesus without the Bible.

Let me remind you of what God says at the end of His book. “For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Persecuted

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This morning I read an article about a lady named Paivi Rasanen. She’s a Christian politician in Finland, a mother of five, a doctor, and a pastor’s wife who is facing charges that could result in up to six years in prison. What’s the crime she’s charged with—three counts of “ethnic agitation” because of statements she made about her Biblical beliefs concerning sexuality and marriage. Prosecutors in Finland say her remarks discriminate against and defame LGBTQ people. In a statement concerning these charges she says, “I do not consider myself guilty of threatening, slandering, or insulting anyone. My statements were based on the Bible’s teachings on marriage and sexuality.”

That’s where we are today. This past Sunday 4,000 godly preachers in Canada and the United States joined to preach on the subject of Biblical marriage and sexuality because governments around the world are passing laws in an attempt to silence anyone who would dare speak Biblical truth into a culture deceived by lies. My intent is to join them this Sunday.

Jesus warned us of these things. He said over an over that true Christians will be persecuted for standing on His truth, but He also told us those who receive such persecution are blessed. You see, when you make a stand for righteousness and you are persecuted for it that is proof that you will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Paivi Rasanen was questioned for over 13 hours in a Finland jail where she was asked over and over to renounce her statements. But she answered by saying, “I will stand on what I said about these things… because they are a matter of conviction, not opinion.” She went on to say that during those 13 hours she ministered and testified to the police officers holding her. She said it was a “privilege” to do so. I pray we all have the courage to stand as she has.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Wins and Losses

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more…

As a former football coach I love this time of year. This is the season in which championships are won and lost. Football wins and loses are measured based on points scored, but how does scripture measure wins and loses?

In 1 Corinthians 9:19—22 Paul uses the word “win” five times. He says he wants to win both Jews and Gentiles, those with and without the law. Paul concludes this short passage on winning by saying, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” In other words Paul saw winning as leading people to salvation. Scriptures sees losing in the opposite light. Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”(Mark 8:36) Jesus measured losing by the number of lost souls. So scripture measures wins and losses based on the number of souls saved. Those who come to saving faith in Jesus are winners and those who don’t are losers; they are lost.

In football there’s nothing more exciting than a great comeback victory. I love to watch a team come from behind to win. And that’s one of the great things about Jesus. Jesus says, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” (Matthew 18:11) Jesus came into the world to change losers into winners. But like Paul, we have to do our part. We need to be willing to do whatever it takes that some might be saved. So in the coming season, let’s set out to win.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

Perfect

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. We shall be like Him.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if every person strived to be like Jesus? All would be peace, love and joy. There would be no conflict, no strife, no pain, no worries, or troubles. John tells us one day we will be like that, but we aren’t there yet.

For all human history mankind has been seeking paradise, heaven on earth, utopia. But we are not able to achieve it. Why? Because we aren’t like Him; we aren’t like Jesus—not yet. Now those of us who have firmly placed our faith in Him are in the process of becoming like Him. But unfortunately there are many in the world that have no interest on becoming like Christ. They prefer to follow the ways of the world—of Satan.

But the day is coming when all who remain will be perfect just as He is perfect. All Christians will be like Him, and when that happens humanity will finally find the paradise we have longed for since the fall of Eden all those years ago. In the mean time we of faith in Jesus will continue to strive toward the mark. We will continue to be sanctified by the power of the Spirit living within us—separated from sin and becoming more and more like Jesus.

Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie

New Year Growth

1 Peter 2:1-3 …as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Here comes another one, another New Year. I’m sure each New Year brings expectations that we will somehow grow beyond the past year, that we will somehow improve ourselves and our lot in life. Many people want career growth in the coming year. Some want to grow a business. Some want to grow a family. Some want to grow a church. Others simply want to grow their bank account. And there is nothing explicitly wrong with any of that as long as you do it in a God honoring way. But God has different priorities concerning our growth. In His Word He tells us to desire the pure milk of the Word and grow by consuming it.

Like newborn babies crave milk we are to crave God’s Holy Word, the Bible. You see, the more of the Word you get the more you grow in the things of God, and the more you grow the more milk you want. The more you consume the Word and internalize it the better you understand God’s plans for you and His expectations for your life. In a culture that is lactose intolerant; in a day when even many churches have contaminated the pure milk through contextualization and relativism; it is more important than ever that those who have tasted the grace of God seek spiritual growth by consuming the pure milk of His Word.

So in the coming year I implore you, and even more importantly the Lord commands you, to consume His Word like milk. If you do that there will come a day when you will be mature in your faith and able to eat strong meat, the solid food of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Have a God Filled 2022,

Brother Donnie

Christmas Yet to Come

Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

When Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” he included three ghosts in the story; Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. As Christmas approaches the thoughts of men and women seem to drift back on past Christmases and center on the present Christmas, but we seldom give thought to Christmas yet to come.

This week we celebrate the coming of Christ. We celebrate salvation coming into the world through the birth of a Savior. We remember that past Christmas as we celebrate the present one, but we should be careful that we do not neglect to think on Christmas yet to come. You see, the same Savior that was born that first Christmas will one day return.

Jesus said when that happens, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30) We will see the sign of the Son of Man. Perhaps the very same star that
appeared at Jesus’ first coming will be seen again.

So as we consider Christmas past and celebrate Christmas present, keep Christmas yet to come in your forethoughts. He who came on that first Christmas will come again.

Have a God Filled Week and Merry Christmas,
Brother Donnie

Disaster

Zephaniah 3:15 The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.

Like many people this past week my heart has been with those who suffered through the recent tornados, especially those who live in and around Mayfield, KY. I’m truly grieved in my soul for those who lost loved ones, friends, and family; or even those who lost homes, businesses, or personal property…

It’s tragedies like this one that force us to remember how precious life is and how suddenly it can end. And perhaps the hurt from this particular calamity is excessively deep because it came so close to Christmas. At a time when families should be gathering together to celebrate the birth of our Lord there will be empty seats at the table and in some cases no table at all. There will be churches with no bell ringing on Christmas morning because there is no steeple; no church building remains.

Why do these things happen? Well, we need to understand that God did not originally design the world to be like this. God designed a perfect world with no storms and no death. But sin entered the world and the world has been broken ever since. The world is a damaged place. Even the weather destroys and kills. But also understand this. There is great hope. You see, the same Child that was born in a manger that first Christmas will return. And when He does He will rule this world with and iron rod. He will cast out the Devil and sin. All will be set rightagain, and we will see disaster no more. Thank God for our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Have a God Filled Week,

Brother Donnie

Fellowship

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Over the past few months I have really enjoyed our coming together in fellowship at Midland Baptist Church. The recent pandemic has been holding us back some, but we’ve had a fairly consistent string of meals and activities as of late, and I’m truly thankful for that.

I love gathering with those who walk in the Light, those who have true faith in Jesus and live out that faith daily. As John says in this verse people who do that have fellowship with one another. Scripture says true believers have fellowship with the gospel (Philippians 1:5), fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3), and fellowship of the Spirit (Philippians 1:3). And because of all that fellowship we also have fellowship with each other.

But we also need to understand the negative side of fellowship. We are not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead we are to expose them (Ephesians 5:9). We are not to have fellowship with lawlessness (2 Corinthians 6:14). We are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. In other words, be careful who you fellowship with.

There’s nothing like being a part of a group of true believers in Jesus Christ when they come together in fellowship with each other. If you’re not a part of our fellowship I hope you’ll consider joining us.

Have a God Filled Week,

Brother Donnie

A Good Wife

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.

Beverly, my wife, has a birthday this week, and I thank God for the day she was born. You see, I am one of those men who have obtained favor from the Lord because I found a good wife. She is a blessing to me.

Notice this scripture says “finding a wife is a good thing.” Men, if you want a good wife you have to go out and find one. Finding a good wife is like panning for gold; it takes some work but she’s well worth the effort because when you find her you will receive favor from the Lord.

Now you might be asking, how can finding a good wife bring the Lord’s favor to me? Well, it’s pretty simple. A good wife is a godly person, a God honoring person, a God first kind of person… If your wife puts God first—that means ahead of you, and ahead of the kids, and ahead of her work, and especially ahead of herself—then you, as her husband, will receive God’s favor because she has God’s favor. If your wife blesses God with her life then God will bless her, and when God
blesses her all that blessing will run over on you.

How is my wife a blessing to me? She loves me despite the mess that I am. She supports me in all my doings. She is there for me when I am sick. She is there for me when I am down. She shares the best of times with me and she sticks with me through the worst of it all. She puts up with all my dreams and schemes. She mourns over my losses and she celebrates my victories. I found a good thingwhen I found a good wife, and God’s favor has been raining down on me ever since. Happy birthday Bev.

Have a God filled Week,
Brother Donnie