The Soul Winners Challenge

Proverbs 11:30 – “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

I heard once about a court case that was lost because of the silence of an attorney. The distinguished lawyer Samuel Hoar (1778-1856) was representing the defendant. When it was time to present his case, he told the jurors that the facts favoring his client were so evident that he would not insult their intelligence by arguing them. The jury retired to deliberate and returned in a few minutes with a verdict of guilty. Samuel Hoar was astonished! "How," he asked, "could you have reached such a verdict?"  The foreman replied, "We all agreed that if anything could be said for a case, you would say it. But since you didn't present any evidence, we decided to rule against you." Silence had lost the case. How often the opportunity to speak a word of testimony for Christ is lost because we remain silent. Those who need to hear the gospel may conclude that salvation is not important enough to talk about. 

Our duty as children of God is to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ.  Christ Himself was our example for soul-winning.  J. K. Johnston, in his book Why Christians Sin, tells us “Christ met unbelievers where they were. He realized what many Christians today still don't seem to understand. Cultivators have to get out in the field. According to one count, the gospels record 132 contacts that Jesus had with people. Six were in the Temple, four in the synagogues and 122 were out with the people in the mainstream of life.”  And that’s where we meet most people who need the gospel, in the mainstream of life. And the wise man of the Bible tells us, “He that winneth souls is wise.”

In order to win souls there are three things that you must do in preparation.  One – Be sure of your own salvation.  Sammy Allen once said, “You can’t lead somebody further than you’ve been.”  Two – Be spiritual – walk with God.  Ephesians 5:18 tells us, “Be filled with the Spirit.”  This is an imperative to witnessing.  Three – Be separated – “hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 23).”  How you walk in your daily life will greatly affect how people will respond to you.

Once prepared, put it in practice.  The most important tool you have is prayer.  Stay in communication with the Father.  He will give you the strength and wisdom you need to witness for Him.  As you go about telling someone about Christ, use Scripture.  Develop a system that you can stick to, but keep it flexible.  Always memorize the Scriptures, so that you can quote it as you have the person read it with you aloud.  Then try to bring the person to a decision, not undue pressure, but some pressure is often needed.  But always use discretion in dealing with people.  Warren Wiersbe tells of a Methodist pastor, William Sangster, who had an eccentric member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man was mentally deficient and usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?"  The frightened man fled with the lather on his face! 

Consider very prayerfully your method.  Get your own – accept help – keep it simple.  For example:      

                        A – Fact of sin – Romans 3:23 (Romans 5:12);

B – Penalty of sin – Romans 6:23 (Hebrews 9:27);

C – Penalty paid by Christ – Romans 5:8 (1 Peter 3:18);

D – You must accept – Romans 10:13 (John 1:12). 

Remember – Prayer is the key – so don’t forget to pray.

Quote – “You can’t win a soul unless you do it on purpose!” – Dr. Lee Stuart

"Lord, Thank you for entrusting to us the privilege of leading others to salvation. Help us to ever be ready to tell someone about you, and in so doing perhaps pluck a brand from the fire. Amen."

The Church Triumphant

Isaiah 25:1 – “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee; I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

The emperor Diocletian set up a stone pillar on which was inscribed these words: For Having Exterminated The Name Christian From the Earth. If he could see that monument today, how embarrassed he would be! Another Roman leader made a coffin, symbolizing his intention "to bury the Galilean" by killing His followers. He soon learned that he could not "put the Master in it". He finally surrendered his heart to the Savior, realizing that the corporate body of Christ and its living Head, the Lord Jesus, cannot be destroyed by the onslaught of mortal men.  But men have tried for centuries to silence the church and they will continue to try.

This is what the prophet Isaiah is trying to tell us in Isaiah 25.  This entire chapter, directed to the Jews of pre-Babylonian captivity days, speaks to them of the age when the throne of David will ultimately usher in the kingdom age.  The prophets of the Old Testament told of this kingdom age in great detail as the days of triumph for God’s chosen people, the Jews.  But since Paul in Romans 11 describes at great length how we Gentiles as wild olive branches are grafted into the tree, then we too are the chosen people of God.  In fact, during the present church age, we are THE chosen people of God, because in Romans 11:25 Paul tells how “blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in,” and, speaking of Israel, “the branches were broken off (v. 19),” and “because of unbelief they were broken off (v. 20),” and “God spared not the natural branches (v. 21).”  So all these kingdom-age prmises extend also to the church of the living God – we gentiles – who “wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree (v. 17).”

Isaiah tells us first of all in 25:1 that we need to extol the name of God for His goodness to us.  He has done “great and wonderful things” for us.  What has He done for us, you may ask?  He saved us – He keeps us – He safeguards us – He teaches us – He guides us – He directs us – He fills us with love – He fills us with joy – He fills us with peace – He comforts us – He shields us from our enemies – need I go on?  Isaiah continues, “thy counsels are faithfulness and truth.”  1 John 1:9 tells us, “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”  John 1:17 says, “For the law was given my Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”  In John 14:6 Christ says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  So in Him is faithfulness and truth abounding.

Secondly, Isaiah tells us in verse 4 that we need to extol the name of God because He is our refuge and our strength, “strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm.”  David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, tells us in Psalm 62:7, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”  In Him we always have a place to run and hide – a place of refuge from the onslaughts of the world – a place of peace and comfort.

Then, in verse 8, Isaiah tells us to extol the name of God for the victory we have in Him, “He will swallow up death in victory.”  Paul quotes the verse in 1 Corinthians 15:54, in the great resurrection chapter, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  We don’t have to fear, for as the song says, “I’ve read the back of the book and we win.”  Yes victory is ours – so He promises and so He will deliver.  Man may try to stamp out the church, but according to His precious Word, victory is ours. 

Quote – “There’s no “The End” in the Bible, only an “Amen.” – Lavon Boatner

"Lord, Thank you for the church triumphant.  No matter how often the world and the devil try to tell us the church is going down, she will be victorious through your power. Amen."

The Greatest of These is Love

1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now abideth faith, hope, and (love), these three; but the greatest of these is (love).”

In a well-used story, newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me." 

Dr. Crane suggested an ingenious plan "Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you're getting a divorce. That will really hurt him." With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised!" And she did it with enthusiasm – Acting "as if she loved him." For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, sharing. When she didn't return, Crane called. "Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?"  

"Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him." Her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established not so much by fervent promise as often repeated deeds. 

What Is A Home?

Just what is it that makes a home?

What ingredients would we find?

Is it pots and pans and ceiling fans,

Or each window with a blind?

Is it couches and beds and closets of clothes

That transform a house to a home?

Is it tables and chairs and carpeted stairs,

Or linens and pillows of foam?

Can anyone give me just one clue

To assist me with my quest?

Is it books and balls and paneled walls,

Or puzzles and toys in a chest?

Is a home just people living out their lives,

All sleeping beneath one roof?

Is it father and mother and sister and brother

That we could offer up as proof?

There’s one thing yet that’s not been told

In any of the verses above.

It warms the soul, makes the family whole –

That missing ingredient is LOVE.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote – “Love makes us love; love bought us, sought us, and brought us to the Saviour's feet, and it shall henceforth constrain us to deeds which else would be impossible.” – C.H. Spurgeon

"Lord, You love me - help me to love you. Lord, you gave your all for me - help me to give my all to you. Where love is concerned, Lord, it's all about you. Amen."

What Think Ye of Christ?

Matthew 22:41-42 – “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ?”

This is the most important question that every man will ever face.  What think ye of Christ?  These Pharisees had to face the eternal Christ in person and answer this question.  And the answer that one gives determines his eternal destiny.  It was clear that these Pharisees were not willing to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah – they were too steeped in religion.  They were depending on the law for salvation, and Christ often declared the inadequacy of the law to effect salvation.  In this passage, He proceeds to pronounce woes on the Pharisees. 

He begins in chapter 23 by declaring what they were doing that was deficient.  He tells the multitude in verses 2 and 3 that the scribes and Pharisees were in a legitimate place of authority and they should do whatever they said.  But then He warns to do as they say but not as they do, because they are hypocrites.  He then pronounces woe on the scribes and Pharisees in eight different verses.  Most of the verses begin, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” and proceeds to condemn them for blocking the path of salvation – for mistreating the widows – for vain, repetitious prayers – for making proselytes two-fold children of hell – for being blind leading the blind – for emphasizing the tithe over judgment, mercy and faith – for straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel – for cleaning the outside but being full of filth on the inside – for being white sepulchres but being full of corruption – for making pretty the tombs of the prophets that their fathers killed.  He was condemning them for being all about appearance and not being real – he was condemning them for their hypocrisy.  He completed the discourse with verse 33, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

For a contrasting study, let’s look at John 9.  This is the story of Christ healing the man that was blind from birth.  He used the healing to teach the disciples a lesson about His purpose for being here.  But then when questioned by the Pharisees about who had healed him, the man that was healed displayed a progression of belief.  This same progression is true in any who accept Christ as Saviour – a growing of one’s perception of Christ. 

If we first consider verse 11, they asked him who healed him.  “He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus.”  To him at the beginning, Christ was merely “A Man” – that’s all.  He was no more than another man – He didn’t recognize Him yet as anyone special – just “a man.”  Then when they continued to press him because the healing had occurred on the sabbath, in verse 17 he responds, “He is a prophet.”  No longer just a man in his sight, but now a bit more special – now “a prophet.”  But the Pharisees were not yet willing to let it rest.  They were determined to find something against Christ, so they continued to press the man.  In verse 33 he responded, “If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.”  So no longer is He just “a man” or “a prophet,” but now he perceives Him as “a man of God” – he’s beginning to see Him in an extra-special light.  And then finally, Christ asked the man if he believed in Him as the Son of God.  To this the man responded in verse 38, “Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”  What a wonderful conclusion to the man’s progression of belief – from “a man” to “a prophet” to “a man of God” to “Lord.”  And any man, woman, boy, or girl who would know Christ must see Him in much the same progression.  Christ used this occasion to make another dig at the Pharisees, rebuking them for their continual, hypocritical blindness.

Quote – “Oh, may God help all of us to glorify the Father, by thinking well of his only-begotten Son.” – D. L. Moody

"Lord, Thank you for teaching us of the reality of a loving Saviour. Help us to see you daily as you really are - Help us to see you and worship you as Lord. Amen."

The Words of God

John 8:47 – “He that is of God heareth God’s words.”

The words of God come to us in many different ways.  But the most prevalent way in our current age is through the preaching of His Holy Word.  Throughout the Bible, we can see the different methods God has used in various dispensations.  Whether it was through the dreams of Joseph and Daniel or through the revelations to the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel – whether through the visitation of a pre-incarnate Christ to Abraham or Joshua or an angelic being to Gideon, Zacharias, or Mary – whether the spoken word directly from God Himself to Adam and Eve and to Noah or the inspiration of the Holy Ghost to the writers of the Scriptures – the words of God as recorded in the Bible are to be heard and heeded, for they hold in them the way of wisdom and the way of life.

For example, look at Genesis 2:16-17.  “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Here we see the direct words of God to Adam and Eve.  In this passage, the words of God are words that instruct.  For when God created man, He knew that man would have a rebellious heart.  So He set rules in place and instructed man to follow those rules.  These rules tell us what to do – and they tell us what not to do.  Yet man made the conscious choice to disobey God and brought sin into the world.  Rebellious man hates rules, so he breaks the rules and tries to justify it by calling it legalism.  Man still chooses to disobey God.  In man’s eyes all rules are legalistic and made to be broken.

Next, let’s look at Genesis 6:9-19.  Due to the length of the passage, we won’t quote it here, but if you open your Bible to it, you’ll see that it speaks of the time of Noah and the flood.  In this passage, the words of God are words that inform.  He was telling Noah that, due to man’s wickedness, He was going to wipe out man from the face of the earth, and along with him all creatures that lived on the face of the earth.  There was no instruction here – only words of information – words of warning.  Now all of God’s words were not warnings of dire consequences as these were.  Some were simply to inform man of His love and grace and peace and joy and many other gifts.  We see many of these in the poetical books and the epistles.

But man, in his continual self-important state, continues to ignore God’s instructions, as well as His warnings and His words of love.  It was Nietzsche who said, “God is dead.”  And man continues to push God out of his life.  It’s easier to say there is no God than to admit that man must submit to God and follow His rules.  Rebellion continues to rule the hearts and minds of man today.  But those who do submit, find that God brings certain gifts into their lives.  He brings us love – not the lustful love of the world, but a spiritual love – a perfect love that casts out all fear – an eternal love that can only come from above.  It’s a love that fills our hearts with love for Him and for His children.  He brings us truth – not worldly truth that is no real truth, but a spiritual truth that imparts a wisdom that gets us through the daily trek through this life.  He brings us peace – not as the world gives, but a spiritual peace – a perfect peace that only comes by trusting in Him.  He brings us life – not physical life, but spiritual life, life in Him – eternal life – everlasting life – forever living in the presence of God and basking in His glory.

Quote – “Jesus specializes in hard cases.” – Dr. B. R. Lakin

"Lord, Thank you for your commands in the Scriptures - Thank you for your loving guidance in the Scriptures - Thank you for your precious promises in the Scriptures. And Lord, help us realize that every word in the Scriptures is your word. Amen."

Turnabout

Philippians 4:7 – “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”

The Apostle Paul is an interesting study in contrasts.  Here is one who was steeped in the religion of the Jews – a rising star on the Sanhedrin – filled with zeal in his defense of the Torah and the Talmud.  Here was one who was willing to go the extra mile to do the Will of God, or so he thought.  He participated in the stoning of Stephen. He traveled from city to city putting in jail all who followed the “false” sect of the Nazarene.  His motives were pure.  His methods were cruel.  His cause was just.  But He was wrong – dead wrong.

Here in the epistle to the Philippians, he tells us how he, above all others, had wherewith to boast.  He gives us some insight into his religious qualifications.  In Acts 22:3 he tells us he was “brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God.”  Gamaliel was a very high and powerful man on the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious court.  And Paul, Saul at the time, was his protégé.  Saul was also present when Stephen, the impressive young deacon of the Jerusalem church, railed against the Jews and was stoned to death.  Don’t you imagine the spirit of God present in Stephen at his death spoke volumes to this young zealot for the Jewish faith? 

But in spite of all his religion, sincere though he was, the high sheriff of heaven, the blessed Holy Spirit of God met Saul in the middle of the road one day and arrested his soul.  It was an encounter that Saul never got over.  Jesus spoke to him in person and witnessed to Him of the saving grace of God, and Saul yielded himself to His control.  God changed him that day from a persecutor of the church to a preacher of the gospel. 

Turnabout

I was lost and undone and wandering in sin,

And Satan controlled all my thoughts.

I was going through life seeking favor of men

By scheming with men-pleasing plots.

I was gripped by desire to gain awesome wealth,

To amass great fortune and fame,

And determined myself by hook or by stealth

To attain for myself a great name.

I had busied myself doing unseemly acts

To those I considered extreme,

Putting in prison with little or no facts

All who thought Jesus supreme.

This was the quickest way I could find

To elevate my name on high –

Exalt my career over peers of same mind

And to fortune and fame to fly.

Then on the road to accomplish my task,

I was arrested by Jesus above,

And when certain things of my soul He did ask,

I was introduced to His great love.

I commenced to undo all the evil I’d done

To those who in prison I’d hurled.

I preached the great love of God’s Holy Son

To a lost and dying world.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote - "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:18

"Lord, Thank you for the Apostle Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles. Thank you Lord, that you save old sinners - even religious old sinners. Help us to follow the example Paul set for us in the scriptures. Amen."

Looking Unto Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

When I was a boy, my family lived on and operated a small family farm in south Georgia.  My stepfather, who was in poor health, depended on me for the day-to-day responsibilities of running the farm.  One of those chores was plowing the fields and planting the rows of corn.  My stepdad encouraged me to plow the rows as straight as possible.  I knew that if they were not straight, punishment may ensue, therefore I was highly motivated to plow straight rows.  As I drove the tractor pulling the plow, I would pick a tree or fence post on the opposite end of the field and keep my eyes focused on that item until I reached the end of the row.  With each new row, I would repeat the process until the field was finished, each row straight and even.  Keeping my eyes affixed to the goal, I was able to plow straight furrows and avoid the wrath of my stepdad.

The same is true of our Christian lives.  Here Paul instructs us to run the race of life by keeping our eyes on the goal.  Our goal is to be one determined by the express Will of Christ; therefore we should keep our eyes fixed on Him.  It was Him that gave us life – it was Him that gave us salvation – it was Him that gave us our calling to service.  And it will be Him that guides us to the successful completion of our race for Him.

First, consider the testimony and commands of the Apostle Paul.  In Galatians 2:20, he tells us, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me.”  So just by virtue of the fact that a man who is crucified is in a fixed position, facing forward, and is not able to look backward.  So must we keep our eyes fixed on Him and never look back – we must keep looking forward – we must remain focused on our goal.  If we do, then we’ll successfully run our race for Him.

Secondly, consider what’s ahead for us.  Titus 2:12-13 tells us, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”  We are to be always looking unto Him, awaiting His appearing when we will be taken to live with Him for eternity.  This is to be our final destination – this is to be our birthright – this is to be our inheritance.  If we will keep looking for His coming, then we’ll successfully run our race for Him.

Thirdly, we have illustrations in God’s Word that teach us the importance of performing our service to Him faithfully with our eyes on the goal.  Look at 1 Samuel 6 – the ark of God has been taken by the Philistines, but God has sent plagues upon them for defiling the ark.  They decide to send the ark back to Israel.  They choose to do it in the best way they know – they put it on a newly-built cart drawn by two milk cows with young calves.  The nature of these cows would be to not leave their calves, but verse 12 tells us the cows “took the straight way … and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left,” and delivered the ark back to Israel.  They went totally against their nature and let nothing distract them from their task.  God expects the same from us – we should not let ourselves be distracted in our service for Him.  We should look neither “to the right hand or to the left” – we should not let the world draw us away from our task – we should keep our eyes on the goal.  If we do, then we’ll successfully run our race for Him.

Quote – “Fear looks at circumstances – Faith looks to God.” – Dr. John McCormick

"Lord, As we go through the struggles of this everyday life, help us to always look to you. Help us to turn not aside to the right or to the left. But help us to keep our eye on the prize. Amen." 

The Work of Righteousness

Isaiah 32:17 – “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

On this Labor Day, when the world takes a rest to celebrate work, let us take a moment to celebrate the work of righteousness.  Righteousness – the conscious act of doing right.  To some it’s a chore – to others it comes with ease – but to all it carries with it the promises of a holy and righteous God.  To Israel, God promised peace in the land, good crops, plenteous rainfall.  He promised the blessings of God to be poured out upon their righteous heads.  Isaiah continues in verse 18, “And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”  He promises them physical blessings for spiritual righteousness.

To the Christian, God says to “hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6).”  He tells us to “yield your members as instruments of righteousness (Rom 6:13).”  He instructs us to put on “the armour of righteousness (2 Cor 6:7)” and “the breastplate of righteousness (Eph 6:14).”  He tells us to “follow after righteousness (1 Tim 6:11)” and reminds us that the Word of God gives us “instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).” He even encourages us in that chastening leads to “the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Heb 12:11).”

One message is very clear, whether to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament or to the saints of the church in the New Testament.  God will bless righteousness with “peace… and … quietness and assurance for ever.”

Serenity

I pillow my head at the end of each day

Without a shred of fear –

No worry about the end of my way –

No need to shed a tear.

The peace that only God can give

Dwells within my soul.

It helps me in this world to live –

It helps to make me whole.

The cares of life are hard to bear –

They cause an awful strain.

The threat of war, financial care,

And daily loss and pain.

But in spite of all of these,

He fills my heart with peace.

I try to live my Lord to please –

He gives me sweet release.

The Spirit of the Living God

Within my heart does dwell.

He guides me on this earthly sod

And causes me to tell

Of all His wondrous love and care,

The grace He does bestow,

From worldly fears my soul does spare

And makes me peace to know.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote - “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have. I must stand with anybody who stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” – Abraham Lincoln

"Lord, Thank you for the great work you did on Calvary's cross. Help us to be ever mindful of that work.  And Lord, help us to always work toward righteousness in our daily life. Amen." 

God Is Our Refuge

Deuteronomy 33:27 – “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:”

Israel’s great deliverer is about to die.  He is imparting his blessing onto Israel as they are soon to cross over the Jordan River and begin to possess the land they were promised by God.  But Moses can’t go in with them.  These are his last words to the people he led out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and to the banks of the river.  He had fought with them – wept with them – wandered with them.  He had defended them before God on numerous occasions. He had been compelled to chastise them on numerous other occasions.  He had a special love for these disobedient, yet childlike people.  These were the apple of God’s eye and oh so close to His heart.  He was now telling them goodbye.

And with this goodbye, he was telling them the secret to happiness.  “Love God,” he was telling them.  “Love God, and He will always bless you.  God is your refuge and your strength.  It is through Him that you will push out the enemy and possess the land.  And when you falter, His arms will catch you and lift you up.  Love God, and He will always bless you.”

These words say the same to us.  Yet God speaks to us through His Son.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. (Jn 3:16)”  The coming of His Son into this world was the expression of God’s love toward us.  His loving, everlasting arms are revealed in the work and ministry of Christ.  He left the glories of heaven – He lived on earth as a man – He went to the cruel cross – He suffered torture and death – He did it all to save us from our sins.  We can take our refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ, “And underneath are the everlasting arms.” 

God Is Our Refuge

The eternal God is our refuge dear –

To Him we can run and hide.

Naught of this earth can touch us there,

As in His love we abide.

Underneath are His ever-loving arms,

As eternal as God above.

He’ll keep us safe from worldly harms

And shelter us in His love.

Let all the troubles come as they will –

I’ve a refuge in Jesus my Lord,

And He’ll say to the storms, “Peace, be still,”

As he promised us in His Word.

He giveth me comfort through all the strife

I’m forced on this earth to endure,

But there’s rest in His promise of eternal life

That sustains me and helps keep me pure.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote – “How much do you love me?” I asked Jesus, and Jesus said “This much …” and he stretched out His arms and died.” – Popular  Saying

"Lord, Thank you for your great deliverance - for your vicarious death on the cross - for your great sacrifice. Thank you for always being there for us. Thank you for your love. Amen." 

Lessons in Rebellion

1 Samuel 15:23 – “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

Much is said in the Scriptures about rebellion, whether rebellion of a child against his parents or rebellion of the sinful heart against God.  Isaiah 1:2 says, “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.”  Psalm 107:11, “Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High.”  Nehemiah 9:26, “Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets.” Isaiah 30:9, “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord.”  Needless to say, what is evident in these verses, as well as others in the Bible condemning rebellion, God hates rebellion.  But from man, He gets an endless stream of rebellion – yet through His longsuffering, He continues to give rebellious man chance after chance.  But in the end, the chances are going to run out and God will have to pass judgment.

But here in this passage, God likens rebellion to the sin of witchcraft.  And any student of the Bible knows what God thinks of witchcraft.  In giving the Law to Moses, God commanded in Exodus 22:18, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”  Pretty harsh punishment for one who is “just curious” about the black arts – Satanism – Wicca – the drug culture – but we’ll save that for a later discussion.  Rebellion was and is a very serious matter before God.  It was Saul’s rebellion in this 15^th chapter of 1 Samuel that caused Saul to disobey God’s direct orders – and then try to pass it off on the people.  But what Saul was actually saying was, “I’ll do things my way, because that’s what I want!”  But God said, “NO!”  “Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”  This rejection drove Saul mad, and he sought out the counsel of one of the very witches that God had told him to drive out of the land.  This rebellion caused the defeat of the Israelite armies – it caused the death of his son, Jonathan – and it caused his own death.

In Genesis 4, God prescribed a certain way that offerings were to be brought before God – a lamb had to be slain.  Hebrews 9:27 says, “Without shedding of blood, is no remission.”  Each lamb that was slain as a sacrifice was a shadow looking forward to the Lamb of God who would make the ultimate sacrifice.  So God was very clear with His instructions.  But Cain wasn’t satisfied to do it God’s way.  What Cain was actually saying was, “I’ll do things my way, because that’s what I want!”  But God said, “NO!”  “Now art thou cursed from the earth … A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.”  Cain’s rebellion caused him to kill his brother Abel and forced God to expel him from his family to wander the earth for the rest of his life.

The final example of rebellion against God we find in 2 Samuel 11.  David was now king over Israel – he was a mighty warrior – he was a just ruler – he was a beneficent despot.  But he was still just a man – a man after God’s own heart – but just a man.  Instead of going to the battlefield with his troops, he seceded to stay home and rest.  There he saw another man’s wife, lusted after her, and took her in sin.  To cover his sin, he even went so far as to murder the husband.  What David was actually saying was, “I’ll do things my way, because that’s what I want!”  But God said, “NO!”  “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.”  He was caught – oh, the shame – the moral dispatcher of God’s justice was caught in sin.  But what did David do?  He repented – his repentance was sincere (read it in Psalm 51) – and God forgave him.  He stuck with the punishment, but He forgave David of the sin and restored David’s fellowship and joy.

Quote – “Any man who knows the will of God and refuses to do it is a fool.” – Dr. Charles Smith

"Lord, Thank you for your longsuffering - thank you for your forgiveness for our sin - thank you for your mercy.  But Lord, help us to set aside our rebellious ways and live in perfect fellowship with you daily. Amen." 

Give Me the Victory

1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory that overcometh the world, even our victory.”

A little boy was spending his Saturday morning playing in his sandbox. He had with him his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny, red plastic shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox. The lad dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. (He was a very small boy and the rock was very huge.) When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall. Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox. The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, shoved – but his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers. Finally he burst into tears of frustration.

All this time the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father. Gently but firmly he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?"

Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!"

"No, son," corrected the father kindly. "You didn't use all the strength you had. You didn't ask me." With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.

Do you have "rocks" in your life that need to be removed? Are you discovering that you don't have what it takes to lift them? There is One who is always available to us and willing to give us the strength we need.

Give Me the Victory

O Gracious Father, to Thee I plead.

Be Thou my Helper in time of need.

As Thou hast promised I call to Thee.

Show me Thy wonders; do great things through me.

O Blessed Saviour, my Lord and King,

To Thee my praises shall ever ring.

Thou hast redeemed me on Calvary’s cross,

Hast died and saved me from eternal loss.

O Precious Spirit, I yield to Thee.

O Holy Spirit, come fill Thou me.

Show me the Saviour — teach me His love

That I may please Him in His courts above.

For me to live in this world below,

It’s such a struggle Thy Will to know.

Help me to conquer all worldly fare.

“Give me the victory,” is my daily prayer.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote - "By the grace of God I am what I am: not I, but the grace of God in me. Whereupon, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ, who has been pleased to give me the victory." – John Knox's Last Words

"Lord, Thank you for the victory we can have - not only daily victory in this world - but the ultimate victory we have promised culminating in eternal life with you. Help us to rest upon this promise and rejoice in you always. Amen." 

Comfort One Another

1 Thessalonians 4:18 – “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Billy Graham once asked, How often when you were a child did you stub your toe, bruise a leg, or cut hour hand? When this happened how often did you run to the arms of your mother and cry out your woe? Lovingly caressing you and tenderly kissing the hurt, she imparted the magic of healing and wholly comforted. Love and compassion contain a stronger balm than all the salve and ointments made by man.

Such is God’s command to the church in the early days of the spread of the gospel.  You see, here in 1 Thessalonians, Paul is concerned about the thoughts and fears of the church people there in Thessalonica.  There were some in the church, whether regulars in the church or just passing through, that were teaching that once the believing loved ones of those believers in the church died that there was no more after that.  They taught that there was no resurrection, but death was the end of it all.  There are many today who still teach the same false teaching.  Paul was letting those believers in Thessalonica know that after this life comes the resurrection.  And if they were still living at the end of the age, then they would meet their loved ones again in the air. 

He told the believers in verse 13, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”  That was his concern.  These false teachers were causing them to lose hope – to sorrow – to feel they would not see their loved ones again.  But in verse 14 he said, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”  He is guaranteeing them, by the resurrection of Christ, that those who have passed on will return with Him when He comes back.  He then assures them that their bodies will be raised to meet their soul and spirit in the air.  And then – and only then – we who are still living will “be caught up together with them in the clouds.”  What a wonderful promise!

These words are comforting, because we can be assured that the resurrection will take place.  Paul makes a very strong argument for the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15.  We don’t have the time or space to quote the whole chapter, but in verse 20 he says, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”  In verse 54 he assures them, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  The resurrection is a fact!

These words are comforting, because we can be assured that we will go to live with Him.  Christ gave the disciples the same comforting thoughts in John 14, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (vv. 1-3)”  And in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul reassures the believers, “And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

These words are comforting, because we can be assured that what God tells us in His Word will come to pass.  Philippians 1:5, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  We can trust in His Word – we can rejoice in His Word – we can be confident in His Word.  It will be performed as He has promised.

Quote – “The cemetery is not a burial ground, but a resurrection ground – The next move is UP!” – Dr. Harold Sightler

"Lord, Thank you for the reality of the resurrection - not only your resurrection - but also our eventual resurrection. We can rest in the fact that one day, after death, our bodies will get up and spend eternity with you.  Help us to be comforted daily in that thought. Amen." 

There is a Way

Proverbs 14:12 - “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Said ABC Nightline's Ted Koppel one night:  "We have actually convinced ourselves that slogans will save us. 'Shoot up if you must, but use a clean needle.' or, 'Enjoy sex whenever and with whomever you wish, but protect yourself.' No! The answer is no! Not because it isn't cool or smart or because you might wind up in jail or dying in the AIDS ward, but because it's wrong!”

Believe it or not wrong is still wrong.  It’s unusual that someone in the liberal media – in the humanistic world system – in the ranks of the worldly wise recognizes that wrong is still wrong.  But all around us, this world is struggling to find answers to the same old questions.  They are struggling with that built-in sense that wrong is wrong and right is right.  They are struggling with the innate desire to please a divine being.  Yes, God put that desire into each one of us.  We know that there is a God – we know that He wants us to do right – we know that there is eternal accountability.  But where do we find the way to please Him?  Where do we find the answers to those questions that struggle within us? 

And of course, the answers are in His Word.  He gives us guidance – He gives us direction – He gives us leading.  All we have to do is turn our lives over to God’s Will – turn our hearts over to Christ for salvation – turn our will over to the leadership of the Holy Ghost.  He gives us all the answers in His Holy Word.

But too often, we don’t want to do things His way.  We want to devise our own ways.  In Genesis 4, Cain decided he didn’t want to do things God’s way and offered an unacceptable sacrifice that led to His slaying of his brother Abel.  In Leviticus 10, Nahab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, decided they didn’t want to do things God’s way and offered strange fire before the Lord that led to their being devoured by fire from heaven.  In 2 Samuel 6, David, the man after God’s own heart, decided he didn’t want to do things God’s way and transported the Ark of the Covenant on an oxcart, rather than at the hands of the Levites, that led to the death of one of David’s servants when he reached out to steady the ark and was struck down by God. 

In today’s church, we have abandoned the methods God has prescribed to win souls, the preaching of the Word, and have decided to try entertaining the lost and hope that works.  We’ve abandoned preaching on hell and have decided to try plays and cantatas.  We’ve abandoned preaching against sin and have decided to try puppet shows and artistic dance.  In today’s church anything goes.  It’s come as you are instead of Sunday best.  It’s children’s church instead of letting them sit under old fashioned preaching.  It’s worship centers instead of sanctuaries.  It’s gospel concerts instead of preaching. 

The modern churches have taken the deity of Christ out of their preaching.  They’ve taken hell out of their preaching.  They’ve taken accountability out of their preaching.  They have bowed to the desires of sinful man rather than taking a stand for what is right and against what is wrong.  They’ve built for themselves cisterns that hold no water.  They’ve climbed in another way.  They’ve heaped to themselves teachers having itching ears.  “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Quote – “We’ve found our way to the moon, but we’ve lost our way to the Son.” – Dr. Jimmy Robbins

"Lord, Thank you for the way you constantly work in our lives - for teaching us right from wrong. Help us to always do things your way, not our own way - our way is always wrong. Amen." 

The Quickening

Ephesians 2:1 – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

The following notice was posted on the bulletin board in a business office: "The management regrets that it has come to their attention that workers dying on the job are failing to fall down. This practice must stop, as it becomes impossible to distinguish between death and the natural movement of the staff. Any employee found dead in an upright position will be dropped from the payroll."  God is telling all mankind the same thing.  “You are dead – you have no life within you – you must be raised up – you must be given life.” 

In our verse, He says the child of God has been quickened, which means to be made alive.  And this is what God has done for each of us at salvation.  He takes an old dead sinner – dead in trespasses and sins – dead in the flesh – dead in the Adamic sinful nature, and makes him alive in Him.  In fact, God specializes in taking lost sinners and making them alive. 

You see, when God created man, He created Him innocent – perfect – sinless.  He was sinless because there was not yet sin in the world.  And He created him with three distinct persons – tri-partate – just as God is three distinct persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  In man, He made three distinct persons – body, soul, and spirit – all three vibrant and alive.  But He also gave man a free will.  He allowed man the freedom to choose sin over God – and when he did, his spirit – his God-breathed spirit – died within him.  So because of the sin of Adam, all men are born spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.  But God’s desire is that all men be saved and that spirit be awakened within him.  So He gave the plan of salvation to quicken the sinner.

The Quickening of a dead sinner – What are the causes?  How does this quickening take place?  What means does God employ?  What agents does He use?  He gives us the tools and the desire and the wherewithal to bring others into the fold of God.  What are some of the tools we can use to bring sinners to God?

1. The Preaching of the Word of God is the main tool God uses.  Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

2. Prayer is an important part.  Psalm 126:6, “He that goeth forth and weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

3. Witnessing – Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.”

4. Gospel Tracts – Psalm 26:7, “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” There is no more convenient method of spreading the gospel.

5. Sunday School – In the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19, we are commanded, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”  Teaching is the commission of the Sunday School.

6. Radio – A bit out of context, but 1 Corinthians 14:9 says, “… for ye shall speak into the air.”  Broadcasting across the air waves of radio and television is an excellent method.

7. Missionaries – Acts 1:8, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me … unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  Our churches send out missionaries throughout the world spreading the gospel.

Quote – “God didn’t ask for a “walkie,” He asked for a “walkie-talkie.” – Dr. Tom Williams

"Lord, Thank you for the life we have through salvation. But Lord, help us to be alive in our salvation.  It's through working that we we demonstrate life.  Help us to go into the highways and hedges and spread the Gospel of Christ. Amen." 

The Uttermost Part of the Earth

Acts 1:8 – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, there was a shortage of currency in the British Empire. Representatives carefully searched the nation in hopes of finding silver to meet the emergency. After one month, the committee returned with its report. "We have searched the Empire in vain seeking to find silver. To our dismay, we found none anywhere except in the cathedrals where the statues of the saints are made of choice silver."  To this, Oliver Cromwell eloquently answered, "Let's melt down the saints and put them into circulation."

Oh, how the Lord wants His saints in circulation.  That’s why He commissioned the disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 to “Go … teach … baptize.”  In the verse just previous to this Great Commission, He said, “All power is given unto me.”  And then here in Acts, He told them, “Ye shall receive power.”  And where is that power to come from, “After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”  Paul in Ephesians 5:18 commands us “Be filled with the Spirit.”  That’s where our power comes from.  And after that happens, we can’t help but be witnesses for Him.

We’ll spread the Good News of the Gospel of Christ everywhere we go – and then some.  We’ll spread it to those around about us in our home locale – our Jerusalem.  We’ll spread it throughout our home state – our Judaea – and our neighboring states – our Samaria.  We’ll spread it through missions throughout the whole world – the uttermost part of the earth. 

The Uttermost Part of the Earth

The uttermost part of the earth, He said,

That’s where the Gospel’s to go.

And everyone here who names my Name

Shall be scattered here below.

Take the Good News to your very hometown,

(Which was Jerusalem of old),

And then to your county and also your state,

(In Judaea it must be told).

Then spread the Word to neighboring states,

(In Samaria round about),

And then cover the earth with the truth of God’s Word,

To all men the message shout.

He’s promised to give us pow’r from on high,

When the Comforter dwells in our soul,

And then He would make us to witness for Him,

So that sinners could be made whole.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote – “In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering.” – Howard Hendricks 

"Lord, There are people all around us who need the great news of the gospel of Christ - people going into eternity without salvation - people dying without Christ.  Help us to be witnesses unto these people. Amen." 

Love The Lord

Deuteronomy 6:5- “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

"I do love God," said a little girl to her papa one day when he had been talking to her about loving God. "Perhaps you think so, Maria." "Oh, I do, indeed I do, Papa!" "Suppose, my child, you should come to me and say, 'Dear Papa, I do love you,' and then go away and disobey me? Could I believe you?" "No, Papa." "Well, dear, how can I believe you love God when I see you every day doing those things which He forbids? You know, the Bible says, 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.'"  How many of us fail to show our love for God because we do not keep His commandments?

He tells us to love Him with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our might.  The best proof of this love is to obey His commands, one of which is to love Him.  The Psalms also speak much of loving God.  Psalm 31:23 instructs, “Love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.”  And Psalm 145:20, “The Lord preserveth all them that love him.”

This command is so important that Christ reinforces it in each of the first three gospels when the lawyer came to Him and asked Him which was the greatest commandment.  In Matthew 22:37-38, Christ responds, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.”  In John 14:15, He adds, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” and in John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” 

The Apostle John takes it a step further in 1 John 2:5, “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.”  Here’s that perfect love that “casteth out fear” of 1 John 4:18.  Two verses prior, John says, “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Love the LORD

Love the LORD with all thine heart Is what the Word commands.

Give to Him the praise that’s due With all that’s in thy hands.

Show to Him a heart that’s full Of love so strong and sure

By living here a holy life That’s right and clean and pure.

Love the LORD with all thy soul – To Him above give praise.

Extol Him for His mercies fine, And love Him all thy days.

Give Him thanks for all He’s done – With all thy soul do tell –

Exalt Him over all the world For saving thee from hell.

Love the LORD with all thy might, Yet not thy strength alone.

Put on the righteousness of Christ, And stand before His throne.

For in the strength of His Dear Son, We’ll worship Him above,

And give to Him the proper praise With heart so full of love.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote – “God is love.  If love is absent, God is absent.” - Unknown

"Lord, I do love you - I know it's easy to say with my lips - but help me to show it with my life. Lord, Help me to love you more and more each day and demonstrate that love with an obedient life. Amen." 

Free Indeed

John 8:36 - “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

I once read of a family who went whitewater rafting in the Great Smokies. When they started out it seemed like they were in control of the raft. But then they came to the first rapids. Big waves threatened to engulf them. The water swirled around them and pushed and pulled at their raft. No matter how hard they paddled or even in what direction, they had no choice but to go through the rapids and down the river. You see, it was the river – not the family – that was in control. In the same way, in fallen man it is sin and evil, not man himself, that is in control. No matter how hard we try, sin and evil plunges us straight ahead into the abyss of ruin and destruction.  We are bound by the chains of sin, and we will know no freedom until we meet the One who is Freedom.

We hear much talk in this world of freedom – freedom from persecution – freedom from slavery – freedom from dictatorship.  Men and nations go about to set up democracies throughout the world.  But know this, the freedom that Christ refers to in this verse is much more to be desired than any freedom that can be obtained on this earth.  Granted the children of Israel reveled in the freedom they gained from the taskmasters of Egypt, but the point of that experience and its inclusion in the Word of God was to be a picture of the sinner and his salvation through the blood of Christ.  Their coming through the Red Sea was a picture of the sinner’s death to sin and resurrection to glory.  Their passing through the Jordan River was a picture of the saint crossing into the joys of victorious Christian living.  Their wars and eventual conquest of Canaan was a picture of the struggles and trials the Christian goes through in this Christian life and the eventual victory he has in Christ.  The freedom we have in Christ is a freedom from the taskmaster of this world – it’s a freedom from the penalty of judgment – it’s a freedom from the chains of sin.  “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

I’ve Been Set Free

I’ve been unshackled; I’ve been set free.

The Holy Son of God has come and dwells in me.

He’s brought me freedom; He’s brought me life.

He’s loosed me from the chains of sin and strife.

I’m free, yes free, I am free indeed.

He has loosed me, now I’m free indeed.

I’ve met the Saviour; I’ve been set free.

The blessed Spirit has come down and works in me.

He gives me guidance; He gives me love.

He gives me peace that comes from God above.

I’m free, yes free, I am free indeed.

He has saved me, now I’m free indeed.

I am rejoicing; I’ve been set free.

The Heavenly Father has reached down and rescued me.

He has redeemed me; He’s made me whole.

He has delivered me from sin’s control.

I’m free, yes free, praise the Lord, I’m free.

I’m rejoicing for I’m free indeed.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote – “Ye have not yet come to the full liberty of the children of God, as you will do if you cast yourselves into the hands of Jesus who looseth the captives.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

"Lord, Thank you for the freedom we have in you. Thank you for the salvation that makes us free. Help us to ever rejoice in your salvation. Amen."