Author: GinoCascieri

            We are living in a world of great need. Life has never been easy. Pressure has always seemed to close in upon people and breakdowns, tensions, frustrations are certainly nothing new. But this is an age of almost perpetual crisis. Now the problem is one of concern over natural resources.

            A well-known radio announcer, commenting on the energy crisis, said, “We don’t have a shortage problem, but we do have a crisis. There is probably unlimited resources of oil and other natural resources, but the crisis is in their production, distribution, and sharing.”

            How applicable this observation is to the believer in relation to the Word of God and precious souls! There is certainly no shortage of God’s resources, but there is often a crisis because Christians are not sharing their blessings with others.

            Our nation is faced with a very critical spiritual condition – the need for the Gospel which “…is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16) The shortage of oil, whatever its case, has produced hardships for many people in various parts of the world, but the shortage of the Gospel has produced a spiritual condition which is far worse.

            The real crisis in our nation and in the world today is the famine of the Word of God. Even if man in his wisdom learns to utilize and activate and share our vast natural resources, we will not live free of crises and tensions. These are conditions that can only be met as we learn to appropriate the greatest resources of all – the power of the Gospel and blessings of our God. What is more thrilling than a life changed and made new by the power of the cleansing blood of Christ as the Gospel is preached? What is more wonderful than the abiding presence of God’s Holy Spirit in the believer? It is exciting to know that despite all the tension-filled news and aura of gloom that pervades our world – that God is with His children and has resources sufficient for all our needs.

           The crisis of the world today is spiritual. We are living in the day of apostasy. Church after church is bowing to the pressures of the ecumenical movement. Formerly staunch Christians are upholding and promoting modern versions of the Bible. Everything that is essential for the salvation of the soul is being denied the people. Little wonder our nation is on the downward slide. May we determine as never before to share His resources – all the blessings of the Gospel with others.

Christian, Do You Harbor Any Of These Unchristian Characteristics?

• A secret spirit of pride or an exalted feeling of yourself in view of your success or position. Taking pride of your good training, appearance or your natural gifts and abilities. Entertain a self-reliant, independent spirit? Prov. 16:18, 20:6; Rom. 12:3; James 4:6-8.

• Love of human praise; a secret fondness and desire to be noticed; love of supremacy; drawing attention to self in conversation, appearance, or conduct; a swelling out of self when you have a specialopen door in public speaking or praying? Jn. 5:44, 12:42-43; I Cor. 13:4.

• The stirrings of anger or impatience at others which you piously call “nervousness” or “holy indignation”; a touchy, sensitive spirit; a disposition to resent and retaliate when disapproved of, corrected, or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated remarks at another; a defensive, vindictive, critical spirit? Psalms 37:8; Eccl. 7:9; Luke 21:19; James 1:19: Rom. 5:3.

• Self-will; a stubborn, unteachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expressions; an unyielding, headstrong disposition; refusing or grudgingly admiting wrong; a driving, commanding spirit; a disposition to criticize and pick flaws at others when you are set aside and unnoticed; a peevish, fretful spirit; a disposition that loves to be coaxed and humored? Deut. 1:43; Mal. 2:2; James 3:17; II Peter 2:10.

• Carnal fear; a man-fearing spirit; fear of losing worldly, carnal things; a secret fear of speaking for or being associated with Christ and His word; a shrinking from reproach and duty; reasoning around your cross; a shrinking from doing your whole duty to those of wealth or position or poor and needy; a fearfulness that someone will offend and drive some prominate person away; an undue compromising spirit? I Sam. 15:24; Prov. 29:25; Gal. 2:12; I John 4:18.

• A jealous disposition; a secret envy in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the prosperity and success of others; a disposition to speak of the faults and failings rather that the gifts and virtues of those more talented and appreciated than yourself? Gen. 26:12-16; I Sam. 18:8-9; Prov. 6:34,14:30; Mt. 21:15; Rom. 12:9-10.

• A dishonest and deceitful disposition; the evading and covering of the truth; the covering up of your real faults; leaving a better impression of yourself than is strictly true; false humility; exaggeration, straining the truth; blaming others alone while you share the blame? Ps. 15:2-3; Isa. 29:13; Jer. 17:9; Mt. 23:28; Lk. 22:48; Acts 5:2-3; I Tim. 4:2.

• Unbelief; a spirit of discouragement in times of pressure and opposition; lack of quietness and confidence in God; lack of faith and trust in God; a disposition to worry and complain in the midst of pain, poverty, or at the dispensations of divine Providence; an overanxious feeling whether everything will come out all right? Is. 7:9; Lk. 12:28-30; I Cor. 2:14; II Cor. 5:6; Heb. 11:6; I Pet.5:7.

• Formality and deadness; lack of compassion and concern for lost souls; dryness and indifference; lack of zeal and power with God? Mt. 15:14; II Tim. 3:5; Rev. 2:4, 3:1.

• Selfishness; love of ease; love of money; love of your own time; value yourself above others; a secret desire for worldly things and ways? Lk. 12:19-21; I Tim. 6:10-11; Amos 6:1-6.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me…” Psalms 139:23-24

Living in the reality of this blessed hope will mean much to every believer.

The Second Coming of Christ is a Purifying Hope

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3) The same thought is presented in 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, “…waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Coming of our Lord is a Cleansing Hope

In Colossians 3:4-5, we read, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

The Second Coming of Christ is a Strengthening Hope

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5). We need spiritual fiber for our daily walk with the Lord.

The Blessed Hope is a Patient Hope

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:7-8)

The Return of Christ is a Love-Giving Hope

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13. How little love there seems to be among Christians! So often there is jealousy, envy, backbiting, and devouring of one another. God grant more love in these last days.

The Coming of the Lord is a Heavenly Hope

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 3:20). This hope helps us to realize we are heaven-bound, and we are not to live for time and for the things of this world, as so many believers are doing today. This world is not our home.

Robert Moffat, the great missionary to Africa, once told this story: He said that a woman came to him after having walker fifteen miles and said that she wished for a New Testament. Mr. Moffat said to her, “My good woman. There is not a copy to be had.

            “What!” exclaimed the woman, “Must I return empty-handed?” “I fear you must,” said Mr. Moffat.

            “Oh,” she said, “I borrowed a copy once, but the owner came and took it away, and now I sit with my family, sorrowful, because we have no Book to talk to us. Now we are far from anyone else. We are living at a cattle outpost with no one to teach us but the Book. Oh, go try to find a Book! Oh my brother, do go and try to find a Book for me! Surely there is one to be found. Do not let me go back empty.”

            Mr. Moffat felt so deeply for her; for she spoke so earnestly, and he said, “Wait a little, and I will see what I can do.” Mr. Moffat searched here and there and at last found a copy and brought it to the good woman. Mr. Moffat, as he told the story, said, “Oh, if you could have seen how here eyes brightened, how she clasped my hands and kissed them over and over again. Away she went with the Book, rejoicing with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

We need a greater love for God’s Word! “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20-22

Christ has no hands to do His work today;

He has not feet but our feet to lead men in His way;

He has no tongue but our tongues to tell men how he died;

He has no help but our help to bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible the careless world will read;

We are the Sinner’s Gospel, we are the scoffer’s creed;

We are the Lord’s last message, given in deed and word;

What if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred?

What if our hands are busy with other work than His?

What if our feet are walking where sin’s allurement is?

What is our tongues are speaking of things His lips would spurn?

How can we hope to help Him and hasten his return?

-Annie Johnson Flint

Our text is found in one of the outstanding experiences of the Apostle Paul as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. He is on his way to Rome. He had asked the Christians here to pray for him (Romans 15:30-31). God gave him a safe journey, but it was a rough one. The apostle had begged the sailors before they started on the voyage saying that the sailing would be dangerous and that it might be better to cast the anchor for the time being. “Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.” (Acts 27:11). Against the protests of Paul, the vessel put out from port, and Paul’s advice not heeded.

Paul was one of those men who lived in close contact with God. He had the mind of God. Such a man should not only be listened to but also heeded. The vessel had not gone far until it met the storm. It was not long until everything was shipwrecked. This is the story of a soul going its own way against the plain will of God. Let us notice some warnings:

I. Beware of Satan’s South Winds “And when the south wind blew softly…” (Acts 27:13). It was very seductive. It blew so softly that those in command of the vessel thought that there was no danger. This is the devil’s way of enticing a soul to Hell. His ways are smooth, cunning, and sly. He often uses the south wind of prosperity to lead a soul slowly away from God and a desire for spiritual things. Prosperity, in its mildest form, can be a dangerous thing in the life of an uncoverted man. The Lord Jesus said, “… How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23). Few rich people are saved. The Bible gives many warnings about the danger of riches, even to the extent of saying, “…the love of money is the root of all evil…” (1 Timothy 6:10). The natural man grabs gold instead of God. Beware of the south wind of honour, worldly friendships, and pleasures. They all quietly allure the soul away from God and the Gospel. Satan’s wind blows softly at first, but when he gets a soul under his control, then the wind becomes tempestuous. Hear the warning: Beware of Satan’s sound winds that blow softly.

II. Beware of Relying on Supposition “…supposing that they had obtained their purpose…” (Acts 27:13). They supposed that they were getting along nicely. Let us not rest our eternal destiny on a mere supposition when you can have the sure Word of God. Beware of merely “feeling safe” when you are not safe at all. Let not your confirmation, baptism, church membership, generosity, or personal virtues hold you back from experiencing the transforming power of regeneration that comes to the human heart when one believes the Gospel. Let us not rely on “a mere supposition,” but let us rest our souls on the inerrant Word of God that brings certainty and satisfaction. Every New Testament writer speaks very dogmatically about the necessity of conversion. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). Examine your heart now before the Lord and make certain that you have the life of God in your soul.

III. Beware of Self-Will “…supposing that they had obtained their purpose…” (Acts 27:13). Every man by nature desires “his own way.” “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man…” (Proverbs 14:12). While the south wind was blowing softly, these sailors felt they were floating along nicely toward their destination. They thought they were perfectly all right; they did not feel any danger around them, nor did they fear any danger ahead of them. Our wills are only ours to yield to the Almighty God. Do not allow self-will to carry you off the course that would lead to salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ.

IV. Beware of Feeling Safe When You Are Only Close to Safety. “…they sailed close by Crete” (Acts 27:13). Many a soul is very near salvation, but in that condition they are lost. Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking that we can disobey God a little and be safe. This is a device of Satan, and it may seem all right, but it is not. Agrippa said, “…Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). The reason he was not a Christian was that he was “almost a Christian.” Almost being a Christian does not make a man a Christian. There was safety for the people of Noah’s day in being near the door of the ark. The only safe place was “inside the ark,” and man’s only refuge is in Christ, not merely near Christ. Millions of people in our so-called Christian America are not Christians because they are “almost Christians.” They have affiliated themselves with everything that has to do with Christianity but Christ. They have never put their trust in Him.

V. Beware of Consequences Acts 27:14 opens with some very simple words, and there are only four of them, “But not long after…” Dangers are not always seen from the position where we stand. The sailors did not see the danger. Paul had warned them of it, but they refused to hear and heed his warning. Judgment for disobeying God does not always come at once.

Beware of the “…not long after…” “…whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Beware of the devil’s south wind! Make sure you have anchored your soul in the Rock, Christ Jesus our Lord.

“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” Psalm 119:59-60

There are three things that we should consider in entering the New Year:

Reflection. “I thought on my ways…” We need to think, not just on 2018 in itself or even 2019, but we should turn our thoughts to ourselves and our relationship to God. Are you saved born again?

Testimony. “I…turned my feet…” This is repentance. We need to turn our backs upon sin and our faces toward God.

Regeneration. “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” This is the new birth. The new life shows itself in a desire to keep God’s Word.

May we enter the New Year knowing for sure that we are saved. If you are not sure, then make sure you have received the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and believe God’s Word. “

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 A NEW WAY FOR 2019

A MESSAGE FOR THE CHRISTMAS

It is Christmas! The best diagnosis of the true meaning of Christmas was given by a doctor over 2000 years ago, and it cannot be improved upon. The doctor is Luke, and the diagnosis is found in the second chapter of his inspired “prescription”. Which is known to us as the Gospel according to St. Luke. In the eleventh verse, we have the very core of the message, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11) Note how clear and sharp is the doctor’s diagnosis! “…unto you…” – that is personal. “…this day…” – that is present. “…a Saviour…” – that is precious. There is all the difference in the world between Christmas and Christ. Millions make a holiday over Christmas and forget Christ. Christ is frequently crowded out of this special day, which is meant to remember Him the most. Holiness is hidden beneath the holly. The wreath is hung higher than the cross. Often the Saviour is replaced by Santa Claus. Yet without Christ, there is really is no Christmas. Without Him, there is nothing to sing about or rejoice over. Outward merriment all too quickly becomes inward mockery to the starved soul. It is time for us to turn back to that perfect prescription of the old doctor and spend a quiet moment with his words. “…unto you…” This a personal message, and there can be no evasion nor denial. What have you done with the Lord Jesus Christ for this occasion? You have remembered family and friends with gifts, but have you remembered Him? “…this day…” Yes, this day, this very moment! Thoughts of Christmas fill the air, and there is at least the passing acknowledgement of His person. But do you know that the thoughts of Christ concerning you are those of grace and eternal life? He offers, you the most wonderful Christmas gift available – the gift of your soul’s salvation. What will do with Christ this Christmas? “…a Saviour…” Yes, this is the powerful source of the prescription. The road from Christmas to Calvary is really a short one, for the Babe of Bethlehem came to die as the Sin-Bearer upon Calvary’s cross. Not “Santa” but the Saviour; not “Claus” but Christ. It is only the man or woman, the boy or girl, who has truly been to Calvary, whose sinful heart has been broken at the foot of the cross, whose life has been cleansed and transformed, who can really and truly know the blessed joy of a “heavenly Christmas” within the heart. How precious are those words, “..unto you…this day…a Saviour…”, when the heart is open to receive Him. How is it with you? Do you belong to the Lord? Or are you still passing by the manger, forgetting that the Holy Babe long ago climbed from His cradle and died on the cross for your redemption. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, but we are “…justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24) MAKE THIS REDEMPTION YOUR OWN BY ACCEPTING INTO YOUR HEART GOD’S GIFT, THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS, AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR.

C – Comfort. The Christ of Christmas promises, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5)

H – Hope. “…Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)

R – Redemption. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

I – Inspiration. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16)

S – Salvation. The Bible says, “…now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

T – Truth. Jesus said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6)

M – Mercy. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:8)

A – Assurance. “…the effect of righteousness guietness and assurance for ever” (Isaiah 32:17)

S – Satisfaction. “…he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9)

 

All these longed for blessings can be yours today. They are all wrapped up in one “…unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) – Jesus Christ. What better time is there than this sacred season to receive Him into your heart and life?” “Bust as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)

 

Long ago David was searching for a way to show thanks for all his blessings. He cried out, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). In Psalm 116:13, he answered his own question, “I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD,”

Strange words, aren’t they? Showing gratitude by taking some more. Yet, it shouldn’t be so hard to understand. The cup of salvation is the finest gift God has to offer us. It was prepared at great cost because it meant the blood of His own son. None of His blessings in nature have cost that much. He created all the marvelous resources of this earth out of nothing, but the cup of salvation was costly-God had to surrender His own Son for that!

We are quick to take whatever we can get our hands on in the way of earthly abundance. We even set aside a national Thanksgiving Day. But don’t we look ridiculous when we refuse the cup of salvation for our souls?

How can you say thanks to God for food, shelter, health, freedom, and happiness if you have refused His cup of salvation? The real test of your thanksgiving is what you have done with Jesus Christ, the Son of God.