A The Baptist Deacon

We (my family and I) will be on a little vacation over the weekend and through the beginning of next week.

We are taking a short trip to the Eastern part of the stat just to get away. I have been at a stressful time in my life for some reason. I don’t understand it, but this is just for us to get away. It is for us to separate ourselves from the trials of this old world for a few moments in time. It is for us to try not to worry about things. So everyone is clear we are not trying to get away from God, as He goes everywhere with us just the world.

This for us I hope will be an all out get away. I ask that you help us pray for traveling mercies and that we will be safe while we are there and traveling mercies home.

I also ask that you remember my brother and sister – in – law, her mother, and her brothers and there families and I ask that you remember her aunt during this time of loss for them.

God saw fit to call a good man, husband, father, pastor (preacher) and friend home. As I said earlier death is never easy, but the testimony this dear man of God leaves behind is one that lets us know (Christian people) that we will see him again.

I don’t understand why he had to suffer during the last part of his life. I don’t understand why the doctors kept telling his family that they would be able to turn him around and he would get better only to tell them on Tuesday that there was nothing else they could do for him and sent him home only to die less than a day after he got there. There are a lot of things I don’t understand. I do understand that God chose to call him home at the age of sixty – one. One thing we must remember God is no respecter of persons.

May God Bless You!

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.    ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.    ¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.    ¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.    ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;   ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;   ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The "whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:11,13) involves seven units, all of which are vital if we are to prevail lastingly in the spiritual conflict with the great enemy of our souls. We must, first of all, be strongly girded about with truth--the Word of God, and all its counsel (John 17:17; Acts 20:27)--if we hope to stand against the father of lies (John 8:44). KJV Defenders Notes.

Is your armour intact? Do you have kinks in your armour? If we are to be successful in our fight against the devil, our greatest enemy we must put on the whole armour. There is no shame in having dents  in the armour, because it shows that you are fighting against evil forces.

The world will sometimes beat us down, put dents in our armour, but with God’s help it will stay intact able to turn the devil away.

We are in the “evil day”. Put your armour on, girt yourselves with truth put on the breastplate of righteousness. Take your shield of faith wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Don’t forget the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.

Just look at what we are able to take with us, when this world starts to beat you down. Praise God that is available to us God’s children. With all the evil things in the world we must prepare ourselves for battle.

I ask again, is your armour dented? Are you ready for battle?

God Bless You!

Good morning all. I am just making a shot post to let you know I have not abandoned my blog.

I go through periods where I have a lot to do and my blog suffers during those times.

One thing I will say however is if you need to add unnecessary stress to your life, coach a youth baseball team.  

I do have a thought for my next post, now I just need the time.  

I will leave you with this verse from Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

That is a great verse to ponder over and to draw strength and encouragement.

God Bless You!

Brent

John 8:31 – 36  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  ³³They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?  ³⁴Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ³⁵And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  ³⁶If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

In 1992 there was a movie released which coined a popular phrase “You can't handle the truth!” The name of the movie is A few Good Men. I have never seen the movie and after reading some of the dialogue from the script I have no desire to. I have used that phrase on more that one occasion. Today I use it again, not to promote a movie, but to show how the world “can’t handle the truth”.

I have had the title of today’s post in my head for a few days now. This morning it seemed as if God was putting it together for me. Can you handle the truth? If not you better stop reading now.

The world believes that there was a big bang and life began. The truth is: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

The world believes that we evolved from monkeys. The truth is: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

The world believes that all of the craters, caverns and canyons were caused from millions and millions of years of erosion. The Truth is: There was a great flood And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days. The flood changed the landscape of the earth.

The world believes that it is okay for men to be with men and women with women. The truth is: it is an abomination. “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;” Genesis 19:24.

The world believes there is not a God. The truth is: “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.”  Our Lord and Savior suffered death, hell and the grave for our sins, for our salvation, for our eternal life.

The world believes one sin may not be as bad as it used to be if they believe in sin at all. The truth is: sin is sin. Call it what it is. If it was sin 2,000 years ago it is still sin today. This belief may catch a few Christians who tend to look the other way. I pray that you don’t get caught up in that belief.

Does this mean I am perfect? No, not in the flesh, it just means I am forgiven. I even take that and abuse it. We all abuse the love and kindness that God supplies.

The truth is one day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess, but it will be too late for those who rejected the salvation of our Lord and Savior.

The truth is one day the dead in Christ will rise and join together with God and all the redeemed. Death and hell will be dumped into the lake of fire and this earth shall be destroyed.

³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Are you free today? Has the truth set you free? ³⁶If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

God Bless You!

Brent

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Job 32:8 -9

What inspires you? Do you have the inspiration of the Almighty? Do you trust what he is telling you? Why are there so many interpretations of the Bible?

I had an email conversation with someone curious to know why I haven’t posted in a while. I believe him to be a brother in Christ even though we haven’t met. I told him that I had been busy and that when I did have time to write I wasn’t inspired to write anything. I did not realize that God would build off of the word “inspired” in my reply back to him. So the answer to my first question “what inspires you” has to be God. Now I realize that I draw inspiration from a lot of different places; my wife, kids, family and friends are just a few examples, but I am talking about spiritual inspiration.

The living word which is the “Holy Bible” is an excellent source of inspiration. Talk to God and take time to listen is another excellent place to find inspiration. Be sure to listen or you might miss out on your inspiration. Be willing to do what he tells you if you want to continue to be inspired by Him.

Look at 2^nd Timothy 3:12-17 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  ¹³But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. ¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Do the first part of those few verses sound like the world today? Evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. If you need an example look at California. Do you think God intended for marriage to be between two men or two women?

Now lets look at the next four verses and take comfort in what is written there. It is an example for us to continue in the things which we have learned even from a child, it has made us wise unto salvation through faith (which is the only way). The scripture “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. God set this world up, sent His only Son to die on a cruel cross for our sins and on the third day rise again victorious over death, hell and the grave. He gave Godly men the inspiration to write the books of the bible for us to use as a rule and guide for our everyday spiritual lives. Take comfort that God did this for us, his people.   

God sent his word to us so we could find Devine Inspiration. To my brother in Christ that wrote to check on me thank you, I found inspiration from God in my reply to you.

Until next time may God richly bless you!

Brent

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

The above verses are from Matthew chapter 5: 43 – 44. There is a lot to be said in those verses.

How many of us can say we love our enemies? Do we do good to those that hate us? Do we pray for them which despitefully use us and persecute us?

As part of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” he teaches us we should love our enemies and bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you and to pray for them which despitefully use and persecute you.

Look at what verse 45 has to say: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  

This is an example to us God’s people how we are to walk before men. We should have a loving and forgiving spirit about us. Christ like love. 

Verse 48 finishes out chapter 5 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. The flesh that caries our spirit cannot be perfect because sin is in the flesh. Perfection comes with that inward man, the man that God saved, cleaned up and made a fit subject for Heaven and Immortal Glory.

Strive to do good to those that would do evil to you. Be the person God wants you to be. I know that in the flesh the tongue sometimes engages before you have had a chance to think about what you are going to say.

Again is Christ seen in you by others that know you? If I met you could I tell you are a Christian? Don’t get me wrong I am not without sin; I’m not perfect I’m just forgiven. God’s people ought to be able to tell one another apart.  

In our comments to others we should let Christ shine through.

You may be thinking what is he getting at today? To tell you the truth I’m not quite sure myself. Just something I believe needs to be posted today.

God Bless You!

1^st Corinthians 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

What do the above two verses say to you? What do you know? Do you love God? Can people see God in your lives?

1^st Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 4:10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 

One should "diligently strive" to be silent and calm except when speaking is necessary, gracious and purposeful (Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ). Christ soberly warns against "every idle word" (Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.), and Paul against "foolish talking" (Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ).

Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Where am I going with all of this? I must confess I am on a “soap box”. I have been keeping up with several blogs and I find myself thinking “what are these people talking about and how does putting someone down fit in with God’s plan”. How can Christian people be so hostile? Are Christian people not referring to the word of God for guidance? Do we not think before we speak (or in this case write)? What can hostility show sinners? I’ll tell you what it shows… it shows them that they are just as good as we are. Bold statement? Yes it is. If they (sinners) look at you and cannot see anything different why would they want to change?

I have made the statement many times that we (Christian People) are the only bible that some people will ever read. What do they read when they see hostility?

Letmebefrank. I am in agreement with you. I am disappointed. If a person cannot be corrected by scripture, who or what can correct them.

http://letmebefrank.christianblogsites.com/blog/post/2008/05/03/disappointing

I understand basic differences, which are some of the reasons there are so many different churches with so many different names over the door. I do the majority of churches are striving for the same thing. I also believe that some have an agenda that differs from the word of God.

People that have been around me know that I will not argue over the word of God. I will tell you what I think and in some instances give scripture to back up my thinking.

God gave us instructions. He inspired men of old to write the Holy Scriptures. Everything we need to deal with life is in this set of instructions.

I have given you examples of how we should act before men. Can you do this?

Everyone is certainly entitled to there opinions. Are you searching the word of God to make sure you are correct?   

2^nd Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

Do not think that I am being hostile. I am just simply relaying what is on my heart, backed up by scripture.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Until next time may God Bless You!

Brent

A deacon is an official in the Christian church. The exact definition of a deacon varies, depending on which branch of Christianity is under discussion. In some cases, a deacon is a member of the clergy, who has undergone religious training and been ordained. In other instances, a deacon is a member of the lay public who wishes to assist his or her church. In my case I am a servant.

Acts: 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The words "ministration" and "serve" (Acts 6:2) are cognates in the Greek to the word which later became rendered as "deacon." The "seven men" (Acts 6:3) here chosen are not actually called "deacons" in this section, but it is probable that their activities later became codified into an actual office. Every local church would need leaders to handle the more mundane matters in order to free its pastoral leadership for prayer and for the study and preaching of the Word (Acts 6:4). KJV Defenders Study Bible.

Who is qualified to be a deacon? 1^st Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.   3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.   3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The above is the qualification of a deacon. The first part of chapter 3 deals with the qualification of the bishops. The qualifications of both are similar.

Now I may be step on some toes with my next statement; bishops (elders) and deacons have been and are being ordained when they are not qualified. Some even disqualify themselves after there ordination. The biggest thing that disqualifies these men is what I have highlighted above the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

The bible is very clear on this. I am a member of a The Baptist Church which believes this. If a man cannot meet these qualifications he cannot be ordained to the offices of a bishop or a deacon.

I am the husband of one wife. I teach my children. They know their bounds.

On my ordination certificate under my name this is written: having been chosen one “of good report, full of the Sprit and of wisdom, “and capable of using the office well, was set apart publicly to the office and work of DEACON. Personally I sometimes wonder about being full of the Sprit and of wisdom. I personally sometimes feel so unworthy.

May God Bless You!

Brent

Laughter! When was the last time you had a good laugh? Did it make you feel better? What causes you to laugh? Have you ever considered it is a gift from God?

When I was growing up one of my favorite entertainers was Jerry Clower. As a young adult I was even privileged to see one of his shows in person that was a real treat.

You ask where am I going with this and why am I talking about Jerry Clower? You may even be asking who is Jerry Clower? Jerry Clower always knew how to make people laugh. His hilarious Southern humor has been making folks laugh long before anyone ever heard of Jeff Foxworthy or Blue Collar Comedy. This is comedy that will not only make you laugh (hard), but you can listen to it with anyone and not have to worry about offending them. He was even quoted as saying “I never made an album you couldn’t play in church”.

He was very proud of his family and his faith. Every now and then he would be telling a story and while you were waiting on the punch line he would let you know he was a Christian and he would use the term born again Christan. Okay that answers who Jerry Clower was.  Now I will tell you why I am talking about Jerry Clower. Last year on my birthday my wife gave me a CD of Jerry Clower one that I did not have. Jerry has been dead for almost ten years. I realized that he has left something behind that lives on. The very last cut on the CD is titled Laughter Cures All. He talks about laughter and you can hear people in the background laughing. He ends by saying “I believe laughter is God’s gift for failure, misery, depression, wrath, remorse, sickness, disease, gout, cataracts, common cold, war, cruelty, cancer, poverty, pain, exploitation, prejudices, hunger, failure, abuse, violence and death. Think of all them bad things we must cling to laughter. I’m convinced there’s just one place where there ain’t  no laughter and that in hell and I’ve made arrangements to miss hell, so ha, ha, ha,… ha, ha, ha”. What a statement! In front of an audience that came to be entertained. Not only did he affirm that there is a hell, but he told the audience he had made arrangements to miss hell. If only I could be so bold.

His albums are still on store shelves for sale. His profession of faith lives on even after his death. I feel sure he is somewhere in Glory laughing today.

The reason I went this way is because I felt like I needed to do a post on laughter and I think of Jerry Clower as an example of laughter, a man with a testimony that lives on.

What will you leave behind? Will people be able to tell by your example where you went when your life is over? Do you live a Christ like life?

Psalms 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

So today as I close my post I will leave you with a ha, ha, ha!

May God Bless You!

Brent

I just have time this afternoon for a quick update. The family friend I requested prayer for got the results of her test back yesterday afternoon. All is okay – praise God!

It is amazing how good God is. Thank you for helping me pray. God will always answer a prayer. It may not happen in our time frame. It may not be answered the way we want it to be answered, but there is always an answer.

Another thing I got my certification for the Babe Ruth Baseball course.  Again praise God! It wasn’t hard, I just had trouble finding time.

Death and sickness is all around us. It is increasingly hard for us to remain happy and positive in the world we are in. God calms the storm and makes things all right. Again Praise God.

Those of you out there reading this if you are sick, remember to remain positive, think about the good things, ask God for his help and remember to praise Him.

Until next time God Bless You!

Brent