How foolish are we?

 by David Long

"For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jer. 2:13). Get the picture here: A man has a fresh spring on his property but instead of getting water from it, he digs a cistern that catches rain water and gets his water from it. How foolish would he be? That would be stupid. Why? Because cisterns break and leak. But also, cistern water can go bad. How foolish is a Christian who would forsake Christ, the church for money, pleasure, popularity, prestige or whatever?  

Claiming to be something you aren't

 by David Long

Claiming something you are doesn't mean you are what you claim. A man can claim to be a woman but he can never be a woman or the other way around, a woman can never be a man. A person may identify as a cat but they can never be a cat. A person can claim to be a Christian but if they haven't done those things to become a Christian then they can never be a Christian. There will those at Judgement Day who claim they did things in the name of Jesus but Jesus will say He never knew them. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:21-23). 

On the offensive

 by David Long

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

It's time for God's army to go on the offensive. "pulling down strongholds and casting down imaginations" is an army on the attack. Christians must be proactive in talking to people about Christ and asking questions to generate interest instead of waiting for someone to come to them. Jesus said, "Go" (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15). That's an army on the offensive. 

Still true

 by David Long

Read Jeremiah 11:1-8. Three lessons we learn from these verses.

1.     God had not forgotten. It had been over 800 years since the covenant was given (Dt. 5) and God had not forgotten it. If we think that God will forget what He says, we think wrong. Does God still remember the covenant He made with the giving of the rainbow (Gen. 9:11-17)?

2.     Time did not make the covenant void. Over 800 years had passed since the giving of the covenant and it was still binding. God still expected them to keep it. Every generation was expected to keep it. It has been over 2000 years since Jesus established the N.T., is it still binding? Is 2 Tim. 3:16-17 still true? Am I still expected to obey all things that Jesus has commanded (Matt. 28:20)? 1 Peter 1:24-25, “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

3.     Their rebellion did not change anything. We can do that which is right in our own eyes but that doesn’t change the word of God. John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

The four areas of life

 by David Long

Developing in the four areas of live. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Lk. 2:52). Jesus increased in wisdom (intellectually or mentally), stature (physically), and in favor with God (spiritually) and with man (socially). These are four areas of our lives we grow in or should grow in. Some of them take more effort then others. We need to check ourselves to see how we are doing in these four areas. 

Appease the conscience

 by David Long

Appease the conscience. Escape reality. When the family pet dies we will tell the children that the pet goes to heaven (All dogs go to heaven). Why? Because we want to appease the conscience or escape reality. We do the same thing when our loved ones die. We want to think that they are in a better place but if they died lost, they are not in a better place (Lk. 16:19-31). We want to think they resting in peace but if they died lost, they are not resting in peace. Death is real and what happens after death is real (Being in comfort or suffering torment). The truth is if you die lost you will be where the rich man is. 

Trust in lying words

 by David Long

God through the prophet Jeremiah said to Israel, "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit" (Jer. 7:8). How true today in our society. People trust in lying words when they believe that there are more then two genders. They trust in lying words when they believe a boy can become a girl or a girl can become a boy. They trust in lying words when they believe that evolution is a proven fact of science. They trust in lying words when they believe one can be saved by faith only. What's the result of believing a lie? "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thess. 2:12). 

Absolute truth

 by David Long

One of the main problems today with people's thinking is that they believe that there is no absolute truth. They have allowed themselves to believe so many lies that their thinking is messed up. They are people of corrupt minds (1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 3:8). They believe that a boy can become a girl and a girl can become a boy. If that is true that 2+2=5. And you may believe that but you believe a lie. 

Love of the truth

 by David Long

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thess. 2:10). Notice why they perish, because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. If we want to be saved we must love the truth more than anything else. But therein lies the problem for most people. They love their man-made doctrines and their traditions of men. 

Horse thief

 by David Long

You are still a horse thief as long as you have the horse. The Bible says Repent (Acts 17:30). 

Headed down the broad way

 by David Long

Ways most people live their lives:

1. Everybody does it.

2. Follow your heart.

3. Do what feels right.

4. Doing what's right in their own eyes.

5. Following after the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

All these ways lead to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14) and that's where most people are headed. 

Sinneth not

 by David Long

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him" (1 John 3:6).

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 John 3:9).

Do these passages teach that a Christian cannot sin? No. They teach that a Christian does not continue to practice sin, that is, live a life of sin. Why? Because he continues to abide in Christ and the word of God continues to abide in him. 

The NASV translates it, "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 John 3:9). 

When the fulness of time was come

 by David Long

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law" (Gal. 4:4).

It didn't happen by accident! 

Come as you are

 by David Long

All are invited to the church of Christ. We don't care who you are, what you have done or where you are from. All are welcome to the services of the church of Christ. You can come as you are but don't leave as you are. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11). 

Automatic forgiveness

 by David Long

Where does the Bible teach automatic forgiveness for anyone? It doesn't. God has always had conditions for forgiveness. One of the conditions that has always been true is repentance. God has always required man to repent. Name the person who was not required to repent of their sins? Even Christians who sin must repent (Acts 8:22). The Bible is clear, God commands all men everywhere now to repent (Acts 17:30). 

windshield wiper forgiveness

 by David Long

Is God's forgiveness of sins for a Christian like a windshield wiper? What do I mean by that? When a Christian commits sin does God just automatically wipe the sin away like a windshield wiper? No! 1 John 1:7 teaches that the Christian has continual cleansing with the blood of Christ "as they walk in the light." Walking in the light means when a Christian sins they repent of that sin (Acts. 8:22) and confess that sin (1 John 1:9). But someone will say, "What about the sin of ignorance?" When has ignorance ever been an excuse? "And if any one sin, and do any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done; though he knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity" (Lev. 5:17). 

I can't do perfect

 by David Long

I can't do perfect. By perfect I mean sinlessness. I messed that up years ago and sometimes still mess it up (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8, 10). But I can do faithfulness. By faithfulness I mean striving to the best of my ability to obey all things that Jesus has commanded (Matt. 28:20) and when I mess up (sin) I repent of it, confess it and ask forgiveness (Act 8:22; 1 John 1:9). God doesn't demand sinlessness but He does demand faithfulness (Rev. 2:10; Matt. 25:23). 

It won't be by accident

 by David Long

Do you think a person can get to heaven by accident or luck or chance? Do you think there will be people in heaven who didn't expect to be there? No to both questions. Those who will be in heaven are those who desire it more than anything else in the world and their lives reflect that desire (Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:33). They will be in heaven because they are on the road that leads there (Matt. 7:13-14). They will be there because they put forth the effort to enter and walk the narrow road that leads there (Lk. 13:24).  They will hear the words "Well done thou good and faithful servant... enter in" (Matt. 25:23) because that's what their lives were all about. It won't be by accident, luck or chance.

What repentance looks like

 by David Long

What does repentance look like?

"The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here" (Luke 11:32).

"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you." So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days' walk. Then Jonah began to go through the city one day's walk; and he cried out and said, "Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown." Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat on the ashes. And he issued a proclamation and it said, "In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. "But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. "Who knows, God may turn and relent, and withdraw His burning anger so that we shall not perish?" When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it" (Jonah 3)

A distinctive faith

 by David Long

The Christian faith is a distinctive faith. How? It is based on the word of God and only on the word of God (Rom. 10:17). 

It's not based on: opinions, assumptions, what a person thinks, man-made traditions, feelings, what seems right, what the majority believe, what my parents believe, what the "pastor"  "preacher" or "Catholic priest" may say. It's not based on any other book but the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17). 

Come out

 by David Long

John 17:14-17, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Living in the world is not the problem. The problem is when the world lives in us. "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4). "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:17-18).

Showing mercy

 by David Long

Who does God show mercy to? 

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image -- any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments" (Exod. 20:4-6). cf. Dt. 5:8-10.

The battle

 by David Long

There is a battle you don't need to be worried about. It's called the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16-17). It never happened and will never happen. It's not a real physical battle. 

The battle you need to be worried about is the one against your soul (Eph. 6:10-17; 1 Pet. 2:11; 2 Cor. 10:3-5). If you lose that battle, you lose your soul. 

The lower limbs die

 by David Long

Why do the lower limbs of trees die? One of the reasons is because they aren't getting enough sunlight. As the tree grows more limbs the upper limbs get all the sunlight. Is there a lesson in that for us? Yes. As a Christian don't allow things to block out the light of God's word in your life. "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection" (Lk. 8:14).

Don't have your sins remembered

 by David Long

"And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath" (Rev. 16:19). "great Babylon" here stands for Rome or the Roman Empire. God had not forgotten the sins of Rome or the Roman Empire. It would be punished for its persecution of Christians. If we don't want our sins come in remembrance before God then we better obey the gospel and live the Christian life faithfully (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4; 1 John 1:7, 9; Rev. 2:10). I want God to remember my sins no more (Heb. 8:10-12).  

The cup of God's wrath

 by David Long

"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God" (Rev. 15:1). 

"And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever" (Rev. 15:7). 

Revelation 15 is preparing us for what happens in chapter 16. Christians were being shown that their persecutors would be punished and they would gain the victory. God will only put up with so much (Gen. 6:3). God's longsuffering doesn't last forever (1 Pet. 3:20). "But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" (Gen. 15:16). The point is: God will punish those who trouble His people (2 Thess. 1:7-9). When His wrath is poured out, look out. 

Follow the beast or the Lamb?

 by David Long

A.     In Revelation 13 those who followed the beast received a mark, name or number (13:16-17). In chapter 14 those who followed the Lamb received a name (14:10).

B.    Both of these ideas refer to something that identified the followers. How does this play out in real life? What identifies those who follow the beast from those who follow the Lamb? Their character. Verses 4-5 describe the charter of those who follow the Lamb.

1.     Those who follow the Lamb live pure lives (not defiled with women). 1 Tim. 5:22 “keep thyself pure.” A Christian “keeps himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

2.     Those who follow the Lamb follow Him wherever He goes. Complete obedience (Jn. 14:15). They keep all that He has commanded (Matt. 28:20).

3.     They are the redeemed. They’ve been bought. 1 Cor. 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

4.     They are the first fruits. They are the best. They are the crème of the crop.

5.     They speak truth (in their mouth was found no guile). They are like the one they follow (1 Pet. 2:22).

6.     They are blameless (they are without fault). Phil. 2:15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

C.    Who fits these characteristics? Christians. These are the ones standing with the Lamb (vs.1) and singing the new song. This is the picture of victory. This picture gave hope to the first century Christians. If we want to stand with the Lamb (Jesus) then we must live the kind of lives He wants. Otherwise we fall with the beast.   

Faith which works by love

 by David Long

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6). What counts with God? "faith which worketh by love." Worketh what? Keeping the commandments of God. Faith that obeys (James 2:17-25). Faith its self is a work (John 6:28-29). Saving faith is a working faith motived by love (John 14:15). "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee" (Mk. 2:5). Notice the verse says "Jesus saw their faith." People may not like to hear it but there is a sense in which we are saved by works. What kind of works? The works of God. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9).  

The devil's war

 by David Long

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 12:17). How does the devil make war with Christians? The answer is found in Revelation 13. He has two allies: the sea beast and the land beast. The sea beast represents political persecution (The Roman Empire had turn anti-Christian). The land beast represents religious persecution (through false religions, philosophy and deception). The land beast looked like a lamb but it spake like a dragon (Matt. 7:15). The devil still uses anti-Christian governments and false teachers to destroy the church of Christ.  

social security or soul security?

 by David Long

Are you more interested social security than you are soul security? Most people are. "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to 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? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Lk. 12:15-21). 

Only one

 by David Long

Jesus built only one church. 

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). 

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23).

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling" (Eph. 4:4).

"And he is the head of the body, the church..." (Col. 1:18).

It's a matter of priorities

 by David Long

Get your priorities straight or you won't make it to heaven. 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..." (Matt. 6:33).

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mk. 12:30-31).

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:1-2).

Stop struggling with sin

 by David Long

Have you stopped struggling with sin? What do I mean by that?

1. Some people stop struggling with sin in their lives because their hearts become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13). They are no longer bothered by sin. They have no shame or remorse when they sin (Jer. 6:15). To them sin is no big deal. Their reasoning may be: "everyone sins" or "I'm only human." 

2. Christians stop struggling with sin because they are forgiven (1 Cor. 6:9-11). 

Premillennialist

 by David Long

"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1 John 2:18).

Ok all you people who believe that the last days have just started or are yet to come and are looking for the antichrist to come, listen to what the Bible just said. John wrote that there were many antichrists in his day (the first century). The last time or days aren't coming, they've been here since the first century. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (Heb. 1:1-2). Don't believe the lies of the premillennialists. 

The return of Jesus

 by David Long

Who knows when the end of the world will be? Who knows when Jesus is coming back? God does. There are people who teach that the Bible gives "signs" of Jesus return and they will make predictions based on those so-called signs but the Bible gives no signs. Jesus' return will be as a thief in the night (2 Pet. 3:10). That means He will just one day show up. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day" (2 Thess. 1:7-10). When is "that day?" Don't know. But we better be living the Christian life faithfully or died faithfully when in it arrives. 

Why stop the chariot?

 by David Long

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:35-39).

If immersion is not necessary then why stop the chariot? 

Thumbing your nose at God

 by David Long

"Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen (this), O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have turned again to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in wrath; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them" (Ezek. 8:17-18).

"they put the branch to their nose" refers to their rebellion.  We would probably say, "They thumbed their nose at God." Sounds like a lot of people today. Thumbing your nose at God won't go well for you come Judgment Day. 

It's borrowed

 by David Long

"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof" (Psa. 50:10-12).

God owns everything. He even owns you. "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:4).

One of theses days we are gonna give a account to God for how we have used His stuff (2 Cor. 5:10). 

God haters and Bible haters

 by David Long

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom. 1:28-32). 

"Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.  And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them" (Jer. 36:22-25). What did the kind cut and burn? The word of God. He hated it. 

Baptism a sign

 by David Long

I have heard people say, "baptism is a sign of one's salvation." No where does the Bible call baptism a sign of one's salvation. That is a man-made doctrine. The Bible teaches that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12-13). Baptism washes away sin (Acts 22:16). Baptism saves (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Baptism puts on into Christ (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3-4). No where in the New Testament was anyone saved and then baptized. 

The golden rule

by David Long

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12). We say it like this, "Treat people the way you want to be treated." Most people do not live by this rule. Most people treat people they way they people treat them. If you hit me, I'll hit you. If you yell at me, I'll yell at you. If you are mean to me, I'll be mean to you. The way you treat me, that's the way I'll treat you. That's not what the Bible teaches. 

There is one lawgiver

 by David Long

"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matt. 17:5).

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (Heb. 1:1-2).

"There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" (James 4:12).

"And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18).

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2).

Jesus is the one in charge. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the one lawgiver. The New Testament is His law. When we follow it, we follow Him. When we obey it, we obey Him. 

Believe, baptized and saved

 by David Long

No where in the New Testament is there an example of someone who believed and was saved and then baptized. The pattern is "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16). 

Don't want to see you again

 by David Long

Loved ones who die lost don't want to see you again and you don't want to see them again. Why? "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Lk. 16:19-31).

Not everyone has honest hearts

 by David Long

Not everybody wants or is willing to hear the truth of God's word. We would like to think that everyone has honest hearts but they don't. Even among God's people there are those who don't want to hear God's word. "That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the LORD;  Who say to the seers, "Do not see," And to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy one of Israel to cease from before us" (Isa. 30:9-11). Most people having itching ears (2 Tim. 4:1-4). 

Without question

 by David Long

God told Noah to build an Ark (Gen. 6:14). He did without question. God told Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee" (Gen. 12:1). He did without question. God told Abraham, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of" (Gen. 22:2). He did without question. These men understood something about God that we need to understand. When God tells us to do something, we do it without question. Someone once said, "If God told you to sit down, you don't turn around and look for a chair, you sit." Today no accountable person will be saved unless they obey all things that Christ has commanded (Matt. 28:19-20; Heb. 5:8-9). 

A nonsense society

 by David Long

We live in a nonsense society. What do I mean by that? People believe nonsense.

1.     People believe something came from nothing, it’s called evolution. That’s nonsense.

2.     People believe a person is born “gay.” That’s nonsense.

3.     People believe a man can identify as a woman and a woman can identify as a man. That’s nonsense.

4.     People believe that two opposite statements can be true. That’s nonsense.

5.     People believe that 2+2 could equal 5. That’s nonsense.

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you," says the Lord GOD” (Eze. 13:8).

Does sin bother you?

 by David Long

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Eph. 4:17-19). The phrase "past feeling" refers to their calloused hearts and minds. Sin didn't bother them anymore. They had gotten used to sin. They had been "desensitized" to sin. That's true of many today. Does sin bother you? "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush..." (Jer. 6:15).

Don't like it either way

 by David Long

"But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children" (Matt. 11:16-19). Notice the contrast between John and Jesus in their delivering the message. John did not go to the people, they went to him (Matt. 3;1-4; 11:7). Jesus went among the people. John did not go to people's houses but Jesus did. John did not eat and drink among the people but Jesus did. The amazing thing is for the most part the people took issue with both. They said John had a demon and that Jesus was a gluttonous man and a winebibber. Sometimes no matter what approach you take in preaching and teaching the word of God, people won't like it. All we can do is do what God says and let the chips fall where they may. 

Don't talk about religion

 by David Long

Are you searching for the truth? Do you question what you believe? Do you question what you are being taught. "Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Most people today do not question and don't want to be questioned what they believe. They won't give an answer (1 Pet. 3:15). 

I will build my church

 by David Long

"And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).

Notice Jesus said, "my church." Whose church? Yours? Nope! Mine? Nope. The church of Christ belongs to Jesus. Why do you think it's called the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16). Jesus purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He is the builder, buyer and owner. It is His body (Eph. 1:22-23). 

The devil quotes Scripture

 by David Long

"Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (Matt. 4:5-7). Isn't that amazing, the devil quoted Scripture (Psa. 91:11-12). But he didn't fool Jesus. Jesus knew the Bible better than the devil did. If you don't know the Bible you will fall for his "quotes." 

Dustless feet

 by David Long

"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet" (Matt. 10:14).

"But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium" (Acts 13:50-51).

"We cannot shake the dust off our feet if there is no dust on them" (From a devo given by Mike Minks).  What does that mean? Prejudging people on whether or not they will obey the gospel before we go to them with the gospel, is like trying to shake dust off our feet that's not there to shake off. You gotta have dust on your feet before you can shake it off. 

You have two options

 by David Long

We have only two options concerning how the universe got here: (1) Evolution, which says something came from nothing; or (2) Creation (Gen. 1-2). Which do you believe? Something coming from nothing is impossible. Common sense tells us that creation demands a Creator, just as a building demands a builder (Heb. 3:4). 

Willingly ignorant

 by David Long

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water" (2 Pet. 3:3-5). Some people just don't want to know the truth. "For this they willingly are ignorant of." 

This world is not my home

 by David Long

When the temporary becomes more important than the eternal, be aware, the consequences will be eternal not temporary.

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

Don’t lose your focus (Heb. 11:13-16). Don’t take your eyes of the goal (Phil. 3:14). Don’t have misplaced affections (Col. 3:1-2). Don’t become distracted (Lk. 9:62). Keep the most important thing, the most important thing (2 Tim. 4:7). Don’t let the temporary become more important than the eternal.

Defiled inside

 by David Long

"And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man" (Mk. 7:18-23). The background for this is Mark 7:1-17. We are defiled by our evil thoughts. Get your thinking messed up and you are in trouble (Prov. 4:23). 

John 14:23

 by David Long

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23).

1. "If a man love me" This is the decision of love. We have a choice, to love Jesus or not, to love God or the devil. 

2. "he will" This is the determination of love. If we choice to love Jesus then we must be determined in that love.  Nothing must separate us from the of God.

3. "keep my words" This is the demonstration of love. How do we show Jesus we love Him? By keeping his commandments (John 14:15). 

4. "and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" This is the dividends of love. When we decide to love Jesus, be determined in that love and demonstrate that love then the dividends will be, God will be in our lives. 

Wise men?

 by David Long

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Rom. 1:22). How true of many "educated" people today. In 2006, Todd Friel asked Dan Barker, one of America's leading atheists, "Do you really believe that something came from nothing?" Barker responded with a simple "Yes." Stephen Hawking stated on national television in 2011, "Nothing caused the Big Bang." And those men are supposed to be "educated"? They profess themselves to be wise and many think they are wise, but they are really fools. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..." (Psa. 14:1). 

Preached that men should repent

 by David Long

"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent" (Mk. 6:7-12). The twelve preached that men should repent. That was the message of John (Matt. 3:2). That was the message of Jesus (Matt. 4:17) and that is the message of today (Acts 17:30). If we don't repent we will perish (Lk. 13:3, 5). True then and true now! 

In the middle of the seven churches

 by David Long

"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle" (Rev. 1:13). What are the seven candlesticks? "...the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches" (Rev. 1:20). John saw Jesus in the middle of the seven churches dressed in His High priestly garments. Where do we find Jesus? Jesus in in the midst of His churches in His High Priest position. If you are looking for Jesus, look in the churches of Christ. 

Come after me

 by David Long

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Lk. 9:23).

If a person is going come after Christ they must: (1) deny self (disown self; put aside selfish ambition; Phil. 3:7-8) (2) take up his cross daily (Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 15:31); (3) follow Jesus. 

If a person is not willing to do those things, he cannot be a disciple of Christ. "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Lk. 14:27).

Abstain

 by David Long

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication" (1 Thess. 4:3). 

"abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thess. 5:22). 

"Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul" (1 Pet. 2:11). 

Abstain means "to hold oneself off, i.e. refrain; to keep on avoiding doing something - 'to restrain from, to not do, to avoid doing, to keep from doing."

I stand at the door and knock

 by David Long

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20). Notice Jesus is pictured as standing at the door knocking. He is waiting for you to open the door. He will not force His way in. How do we open the door so Jesus can come in? "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23). Do you hear Jesus knocking? Will you love Him and obey His words? If you will then Jesus will gladly make His home with you. 

Explain it away

 by David Long

Acts 2:38

Acts 22:16

Roman 6:3-4

Gal. 3:27

1 Pet. 3:20-21

Explain those verses away that teach immersion is necessary for salvation. 

Works based salvation

 by David Long

Is salvation works based? Depends on what you mean by works? If you mean man-made works then no. The sinners prayer is a man-made work. If you mean the works of the flesh then no. If you mean the works of the Old Law then no. If you mean the works of God then yes (James 2:17-26). Faith is a work of God (John 6:28-29). Does faith save? Yes. Baptism is a work of God (Col. 2:12). Does baptism save? Yes. Do we earn salvation because we work the works of God? No. Can we be saved if we do not the works of God? No.  

ye are saved, if...

 by David Long

"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, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain" (1 Cor. 15:1-2).

See the little word "if"? That means that there is a condition to being saved. There are those who deny that salvation has conditions. Well, they need to read 1 Cor. 15:1-2. "By which also ye are saved, if....". 

Spiritual zombie

 by David Long

"Honor widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth" (1 Tim. 5:3-6).

Here is a spiritual zombie, "dead while she liveth." This not only applies to a widow who lives in pleasure but any Christian or person who lives the same kind of lifestyle. "Even when we were dead in sins..." (Eph. 2:5). Spiritual zombies don't go to heaven. 

A dead mule

 by David Long

If you will ride a dead mule to Kansas City, I'll ride it back. You say, "That's stupid, a dead mule can't go nowhere." That's right. So likewise a dead faith can't go nowhere. "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:14-26). Saved by faith only or alone is a dead mule. 

Just a Christian

 by David Long

I'm not a hyphenated Christian, I'm just a Christian, a member of the church that Jesus built, the church of Christ (Acts 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16). What are you?  If you are Christian plus something else, like a Christian who is a Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, etc. then how could you be just a Christian?  

Sheep or goat?

 by David Long

Read Matthew 25:31-46

Judgement Day will be a a time "He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides sheep from the goats." Which one will you be on that day: a sheep or a goat? You can't live like a goat and get the blessing of a sheep.  

Come and see

 by David Long

Read John 4:5-42

It has been said that Jesus' trained disciple went into the city to buy bread and when they came back to Jesus they never brought a soul back with them but when the untrained woman went into the city and came back, she brought the whole city to see Jesus. What did she have that the disciples didn't have? Desire! Zeal! A wanting to tell others about Jesus. 

What does it say?

 By David Long

What does Mark 16:16 say?

He that believeth and is baptized shall not be saved.

He that believeth not and is baptized shall be saved.

He that believeth and is not baptized shall be saved.

He that believeth not and is not baptized shall be saved.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. 

More important than the cure for cancer

 by David Long

"And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and wen they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion" (Mk. 2:3-12).

Healing the man, though Jesus would do it, was not the big issue. It was important but it lagged behind the most important thing. The most important thing was having his sins forgiven. Having one's sins forgiven is more important than the cure for cancer. Do we understand that? 

Earn it? Never!

 by David Long

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:28-29).

We can't "earn" salvation but that doesn't mean we don't obey God and do the works He has commanded to be saved. Do you "earn" salvation when you to do the work of faith? No, and yet you can't be saved if you don't believe. Do you "earn" salvation when you repent? No, but if you don't repent you will perish (Lk. 13:3). Do you "earn" salvation when you are immersed? No, but baptism saves (Mk. 16:16). We don't take away from a gift from being a gift just because we have to do something to receive it. 

As a roaring lion

 by David Long

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).

"And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" (Job 1:7).

"And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" (Job 2:2). 

Satan is not God. He can't be in two places at once. He is roaming the earth trying to destroy God's creation. He is trying to destroy God's creation because he hates God. His pride has condemned him (1 Tim. 3:6). He wants you to fall into the same trap. 

Be direct

 by David Long

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (Acts 2:22-23).

Your are gonna have to be direct. Peter got direct with those people, he said, "you have taken." It's time we stop beating around the bush. People are not gonna change unless they know they need to change and if they don't change, at least they were told. Jesus got direct. "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Lk. 13:1-5).

Lord, Lord

 by David Long

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46).

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:21-23).

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity" (Lk. 13:24-27).

Baptism does not wash away tomorrow's sin

 by David Long

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Christians to whom Paul was writing were at one time guilty of the sins lists in these verses. But those sins has been washed away, they had given up those sins and sanctified for God's purposes and they had been justified from those sins. Could they continue to commit those sins and be right with God? Could they had been washed from those sins if they didn't repent of them? 

Rules of marriage

 by David Long

God is the author of marriage so He sets the rules. Here are some of the rules.

"The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matt. 19:3-9).

Trembleth at my word

 by David Long

"For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isa. 66:2). 

Biblical examples of "poor and contrite spirit and trembling at God's word:" (2 Kings 22:11, 19; Ezra 9:4). People who tremble at the word of God will humble themselves and obey it. 

Do you think you can win?

 by David Long

Do you think you have a fighting chance against God? The Devil did but he lost. You think you can do better? Through out the Bible Satan tried to destroy God's plan to save man but he failed. Hell awaits him (Matt. 25:41) and it awaits you if you rebel against God. Obey the gospel today (Rom. 6:3-4) before its too late. 

Life in the womb

 by David Long

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psa. 139:13-14). 

"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy" (Lk. 1:41-44).

What's in a mother's womb? It's a baby. A human being and to kill that baby is sin, wrong. 

Those on the left hand

by David Long

Some Christians will be in hell not because they committed adultery, fornication, murder, or some other "bad" sin but because they didn't serve others. "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matt. 25:41-46).

Why?

by David Long

Why war? Why sickness? Why bad things happen? It's not because God doesn't care, it's because man doesn't care about God and because he doesn't care about God, he doesn't care to obey God and when man doesn't obey God, he sins and when he sins all kind of bad things can happen. "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mk. 12:30-31). 

Who is in control?

 by David Long

Who or what is in control of your life? Drugs? Alcohol? Anger? Hatred? Lust? If God is not in control of your life then the wrong thing is. If you are doing that which is right in your own eyes then you are doing the wrong thing. If you are directing your own steps then you are directing yourself the wrong way.  If your way seems right then your way leads to death. If you want God in control of your life then let the word of God be the light to your path (Psa. 119:105). Otherwise you will go down the wrong road (Matt 7:13-14). 

Be careful what you say

by David Long

 What if God played back every word you ever spoke? That's a scary thought because God is able to do exactly that. We better be careful what we say. Why? "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37). 

The day of the Lord

 by David Long

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet. 3:10-12).

That's the end of the world and time as we know it. We don't know when it will happen but we know it will happen. It's as good as done. That's also Judgment Day (Acts 17:31). Are you ready for that day (Matt. 25:1-13)? 

Understanding not required

by David Long

"Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Lk. 5:4-8). 

Peter's understanding as to how he could catch a boat load of fish at the Lord's command was not required but his obeying the command was required, if he wanted a boat load of fish. 

We may not understand the "whys" of all God's commandments but the doing of them is required, if we want to go to heaven (Matt. 28:18-20). Our understanding is not required but our doing is! 

change from the inside out

 by David Long

Changed from the inside out not from the outside in. If we want to change an action we must change the mind or heart. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11). See the phrase, "and such were some of you"? That means that they had changed. People can change (for good or bad) but that change starts inside. 

Hear, believe and obey

by David Long

"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Heb. 4:2).

"but the word preached did not profit them" Why? Is was not because they didn't know what the word said, they just didn't believe it. Hearing the word must be mixed with faith. If it is not, those who hear it, won't obey it. Hear the word, believe the word and obey the word. Anything less and we will be lost, just like they were.  

God's approval

by David Long

"For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth" (2 Cor. 10:18).

Your pet dog or cat may approve of you but does God? 

Your family and friends may approve of you but does God?

You may commend yourself but does God commend you? 

First and foremost you need God's approval. Do you have it? 

No middle ground

by David Long

There is no middle ground with God.

 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24).

"He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth" (Lk. 11:23).

"Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him" (Ex. 32:26).

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:14-16).

What they needed to hear

 by David Long

"And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:24-25).

The apostle Paul preached to Felix and Drusilla what they needed to hear. What did they need to hear? Paul's sermon consisted of three points: righteousness. temperance (self-control) and judgment to come. It don't look like they changed their ways but they got what they needed to hear. People may not change their ways but we need to tell them what they need to hear. 

The moral decay of a society

by David Long

Read Romans 1:20-32. That is a moral decay of a society. That's what's happening to our society. God' design for marriage and the family are being destroyed by fornication, adultery and the LGBTQ. The children are being taught that sexual perversion is normal and it's ok to identify as another gender. 

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-120). 

I hate sin

 by David Long

That's right, I hate sin. Why? Because God hates sin. 

"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" (Prov. 6:16-19). 

"Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way" (Psa. 119:128).

I hate sin because it condemns the soul and if we don't repent of our sins we will be lost (Lk. 13:3). 

Does God care how I worship Him?

 by David Long

Did God care how Cain and Abel worshiped Him (Gen. 4)? If He didn't then why accept Abel's worship and reject Cain's? "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" (Heb. 11:4). 

Yes, God cares how we worship Him (John 4:23-24). We can't worship God any old way we please. We can't make up our own way of worship (Matt. 15:9). If God has told us how to worship then we must worship Him that way and He has told us how to worship Him. Any other way is wrong. 

God given roles in the family

 by David Long

Husband's role: "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body" (Eph. 5:23).

Wife's role: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord" (Eph. 5:22). 

Children's role: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Eph. 5:1-3).

Get rid of God

 by David Long

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom. 1:20-32).

Notice verse 28 says, "They did not like to retain God in their knowledge." True today with the masses. Why? Because to acknowledge God means responsibility and accountability. Because they don't want God telling them how to live. 

God's not answering my prayers

 by David Long

People will sometimes ask or wonder why God is not answering their prayers. Well first of all if you are not a Christian then God will not answer your prayers. "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil" (1 Pet. 3:12). God's ears are open unto the righteous prayers. So, if you are not righteous then God's ears are not open to your prayers. Second, God always answers the prayers of the righteous but sometimes His answer maybe NO. Three times the apostle Paul prayed that God would remove his thorn in the flesh. God did not remove it but instead said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). Our problem is, if God doesn't say YES to our prayers then we think He hasn't answered. God is not your YES man.