A The Baptist Deacon

I have tried to find time all week to post. I have been given additional responsibilities that require more of my time and unfortunately it seems that my blog will suffer the most.  I have found a little time to read some blogs and make a few comments but I’m not sure how much longer that will last.

I hate too get on the computer when I get home or on the weekend, because it reminds me of work and it takes away from family time.  With that being said I am going too try to post at least one time a week, maybe more if time allows. This brings me too what has been on my heart all week. My intentions were too write about this on Monday, well as you can tell today is Friday. The fact remains that it is still on my heart.  

Sunday at church, a young mother made a statement just before the service ended that when she asked for prayer she did not always feel that people prayed for her and her situations.  She has a young child that has speech problems.  

This got me too thinking and dwelling on what she had said. Are we guilty of telling someone we will pray for them and then never giving their request a second thought? Do you understand that as a child of God it is our duty to bear one another’s burdens? That by itself requires prayer! If we tell someone we will pray for them then it becomes an obligation. Follow through with you obligations to God and your brothers and sisters in Christ!  In other words do not tell someone you are going to pray for them if you have no intention of doing so. You let God down as well as the person you told you would pray for.  

Jesus gave us an example how we are too pray in Matthew chapter 6 starting with verse 6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. ⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  ⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  ⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ¹⁰Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  

This was an example given too his disciples, but it still holds true today. We are not to pray with vain repetitions as the heathen do in order to be seen or heard. Now that does not mean we are not to repeat ourselves but to not use vain repetitions. It must come sincerely from us to our Creator. 

If something is sincerely on your heart I believe you may talk too God on more than one occasion asking His help. You must remember that God answers all prayers. Sometimes that answer is no! I could get much deeper into what Jesus told us here, but for today this is where I feel I should leave it.  

This brings me too a special request I have. My wife has a test she must take tomorrow. She has to pass this test in order to become a teacher. She is extremely nervous and scared. Would you all join me in praying for her that she would pass this test and that she would remain calm and composed while she takes it? She sometimes lets her nerves get the best of her. Also I ask you remember the young mother I told you about. She has some big issues to overcome.   

Let us go praying, come praying and above all let us love one another as Christ love us! 

God Bless You! 

Today I have a simple little thought to share with you (even more simple than a simple mind). At the end of this post I am going too ask you a question and I want you too answer it seriously and honestly.

And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? ⁸But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. ⁹But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ¹¹Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  

The above is taken from Matthew 11:7-11. Jesus had just finished commanding his disciples and departed to teach and preach in their cities. John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, so he sent two of his disciples to ask if He is the one that should come or do we look for another.  

Jesus did not answer them with a yes or no, instead He said unto them Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. ~ Matthew 11:4-6.  

There is a lesson itself in verses 4 – 6, but for today I am simply using that text to set up what is on my heart about Matthew 11: 7-11.  

John’s disciples had left. Jesus then began to talk to the crowd about John. That is in verses 7-15, go back up and read it again.  

Jesus asked what they went too the wilderness too see. A reed shaken with the wind, a man clothed in soft raiment. Then He stopped and made this statement “behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” HE then asked again what went ye out for to see. A profit? I say unto you, and more than a prophet. Jesus said John was more than a prophet. He said this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

What a great testimony our Lord gives of John the Baptist. Too me Jesus is saying “John was my forerunner. He was sent too prepare the way for me. Of all that are born of a woman (that means everyone man, woman, boy or girl) there is no one greater than John the Baptist, except the least in the kingdom of heaven.” In other words he said there was none greater on Earth.  

Now as I read through this scripture I am left with this question and this will be how I will close today’s post: If Jesus was to describe “you” to the crowd what would he say of you?  

God Bless You!   

A lot is being said about the election. Everyone has an “opinion”. This election seems too be affecting everyone from about the second grade (7 years old) too people who are just too old to care anymore.  

We have talked very little in my house about this election. My wife and I have been talking about how we feel we should vote. Rest assured we are going too vote the way God has been leading. 

Now with that said, let me caution you not too forget too talk to your children. Like it or not they hear what you talk about with your spouse, they hear the news programs you may watch even if it is in the distance and they hear other kids talking at school about things they have heard.  

My youngest son (a fifth grader) came home one day last week troubled. It took until just before bedtime to find out what was bothering him. In his little circle of friends someone made the statement that if Obama got elected he would be the “antichrist”. I am not sure if he will be the antichrist or not. I do not know nearly enough about Revelations (even though I have read it several times) too make a qualified opinion. I feel I am being led too revisit Revelations again. We will have to see if God allows any of that study to show up in my blog. Please join me in praying I find the answers I seek. 

So you see this is another opportunity to talk with our children. God opens doors all the time for us too talk with our children. Some of you the opportunity may come with your grandchildren.

We must be ready with a Godly answer. As parents and grandparents it is your duty.  

This brings me to something I received this morning in an email and this will be how I close out today post. 

TOP TEN PREDICITIONS NO MATTER WHO WINS THE ELECTION
 
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
 
 2. Prayer will still work.
 
 3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
 
 4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

 5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

 6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

 7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

 8. There will still be room at the Cross.
 
 9. Jesus will still love you.
 
 10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him on gospel terms.

      
God approves this message! 

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL?!! 

I did not write this top ten list but I do agree with it. It speaks too me and I hope and pray it speaks to you. 

May God bless us and our country during this time. 

I did not write the following. It was sent too me this morning and I feel I should pass it own as I can feel the truth in this.

I did not write the following. It was sent too me this morning and I feel I should pass it own as I can feel the truth in this.

I have several thought swirling around in my mind. Lately it seems that I have nothing too write about, but now several thoughts all at once. The topic of Obedience is still in the back of my mind and hopefully soon I will be able too return to that subject.

Today I am being led to write about this past weekend.  Over the weekend

I experienced several emotions. I was happy, very proud, sad and by the end of the weekend I had even experienced grief. Please stay with me until the end of the post and I will try my best to explain. This is important too me and hopefully by the end of this post it will be important to you. 

We will start with Friday night high school football.  This was the last home game of the season and the seniors of the football team, cheer leaders and band members were honored during the pre – game ceremonies. We have a senior band member. My wife and I got too walk on the field with him. This is where I experienced happiness, pride and sadness all at the same time.  

This little boy came into this world a little over seven – teen years ago. He was in a hurry too get here so he showed up three months early. He weighed 2 lbs and 4 oz. and he was 14” long. He spent his first six months in Vanderbilt University Hospital (more that an hour and half from home). He came home with a lung disease and oxygen. He is our miracle child and truly a gift from God.  

The happy and very proud part of what I felt came because (1.) he is a senior member of the WCHS band and (2.) he is first chair trumpet and section leader. This from a little boy that had a lung disease. The sad part of my feelings came because he is a senior. He is nearing the end of his high school experience. Friday night was the last time he will march on that field. The last time we will hear his trumpet solo. I must tell you though that pride (for my son) was the emotion that was strongest that night. I am very proud of him. Does any of this make sense? 

This is a link to a picture of the WCHS Band: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deacon_farley/2971814889/ 

In eight months he will leave for basic training and job training with the National Guard. He will be gone for 20 – 25 weeks.  I need your help though. I need you (the people who read my blog) too help pray for him. You see he has been to the alter, but he has yet to make a profession of faith. He says everything is okay, but I need to hear him say dad and mom I’m saved everything is alright. Would you all please help my family, my wife and I pray for his salvation? His name is Jacob.  

I am the spiritual leader of my house hold. I have tried and I know my wife has tried too teach not just him but all of our children.  The bible in Proverbs 22:6 teaches us “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This leaves me wondering did I teach him all I could. Did I teach him enough? What else can I say too him? What else can I do?  Am I teaching my other children what they need to know?

The learning process for children begins with parents (a husband and wife) that are together with their ideals. Parents it is your responsibility and dad’s yours is the biggest. Be the parent God called us too be. Train your children in the way they should go. Let your examples be Godly, because children want too be like their parents.  

I mentioned above that I also experienced grief. In our little part of the world a life was cut short. A young lady who is also a senior at WCHS past from this walks of life on Saturday evening. It is tragic. I cannot begin too tell you that I know what this young ladies parents and sister are going through. I can tell you I greave with them, maybe more so because my son is her age.  

This young lady was a track star at the high school. She won everything she ran in. Our high school started a track team because of her. She was in a truck with a young man who is 18 years old. Neither of them was wearing a seat belt. The young man lost control and hit a tree. He had too be life flighted out, but is was too late for her.  I am told alcohol is suspected. Wow an 18 year old drunk driver.

Remember what I wrote about teaching your children the way they should go?  This young lady was very popular. She had everything in life going for her. This proves too me that God is no respecter of persons. This verse is found in Acts 10:34. Young or old your life can end.

This young lady was scheduled to compete in Nashville this weekend in the state tournament.  Do you think she thought her life would end Saturday?  Young or old, when God calls you are going too leave this life. You will lay this body down. When He calls you will have had an opportunity too make preparations for where you will spend eternity. I do not know if this young girl was saved, but I promise you she had an opportunity and I hope she made the right decision.  

Pray for this family during this time of grief. Pray for my family and I will pray for yours. Most importantly pray that the lost will be saved without deception.  

God Bless You!

…Continuing

I told you at the end of my last post I would tell you what salvation means too me. I will get too that, but first I have too bring a couple of more things out today.I have written a lot on this subject, I’m sure some have agreed and some have disagreed. I will just leave that in God’s hands.

One thing we have not touched on is that the Holy Spirit must issue an invitation too you before you can be saved.A child from conception until the age of accountability is saved. If that child dies before the age of accountability is reached then Heaven will be their home.

When the Holy Spirit first reveals too someone that they are lost and issues an invitation for them to be saved then they have reached the age of accountability and are lost. If they die in this condition they will go to hell. Some people find an alter at the first invitation and are saved by the wonderful grace of God. Some put it off for years before they are saved if at all.

It seems that people are confused on the subject of salvation. What it is what it means, what it cost, how they get it, when they get it and if they can loose it in other words a lot of questions.

A big thing I see is that people think they can just get saved when ever they feel like it. That is not the case. Look at John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. In other words an invitation has to be issued.

We (all of us) are only guaranteed that the Holy Spirit will deal with us one time. Thank God that the invitation was issued too me more than once. When I was younger I put off the greatest invitation I would ever receive. For several years I was lost. I listened too lies from the devil. That was very dangerous on my part (not too mention stupid!). Can you believe people go a life time without a comment to God? People die and go to hell because they listen to the lies satan spreads. Some of these lies are even spread by well meaning people that have not taken the time to read study and pray.

Thank God when I was fifteen I was given the greatest gift I had ever been given. I have never received anything in my life any more important and I never will. 

Too me salvation is the greatest gift any of us could ever receive. It is a gift that WE do not deserve! It is by the grace of God we receive this gift. This gift ensures that we (the saved) will have a home eternal with our Creator and the Son who died on the cross and applied the blood to my soul. He was the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of everyone. It is a gift that allowed a miracle to take place in my life.  

It is very precious and my experience is personal as it is my own. Your salvation should be personal to you. It is a gift that completed atonement for me. Look at Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

My intent with this topic was to make me and anyone who read these post to study for his/her self. We often say I believe that just because. That answer may put off childish curiosity but not the truth. You kneed to know why you believe what you do. How do you do that? You read study and most importantly pray God shows you.

In closing I ask this question: what if we received what we deserved? Think about that question for a few minutes. Do you see how blessed we are? If you do not go back read, study and pray.

Your comments are welcome. Remember if you post one around 4:00 central time I may not add them until the next day.

God Bless You!

…Continuing

As we begin today I ask that you take a few minutes and reread the first two posts on this subject as well as the comments. This is important as I am going too use some of those comments with today’s post.

Now I want us to address something “p” posted as a comment on my first post. The verse from Romans explains why folks "do" what you've been calling the "repeat after me" prayer. It's a confession of faith. BUT IT MUST BE PRECEDED BY BELIEVING! Cindy’s comment also came from the same verse. Now someone try and tell me that the Lord was not speaking the same too these two ladies. Both comments came at the same time with out either having the benefit of reading the others.  The verses they are referring too is from Romans 10:9-10 and this is from the KJV: ⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. “p” points out that this is where people do what I call the “repeat after me” prayer. Cindy essentially said the same thing. I understand what these verses are saying. Verse 9 “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”.

Now let me explain one reason why I have such a hard time with the repeat after me prayer. I believe that there are certain people, pastors or preachers who are trying to pad their numbers or boost membership in their churches. That’s wrong I don’t care what you believe. They are willing to follow the first part of that verse “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth”, but they forget or intentionally leave out the part about believing with their heart that God raised him from the dead.  

Another reason and Frank touched on this in his blog is "…but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" Phil. 2:12. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. It must be personal. I believe when people repeat a prayer that is all they are doing. Simply repeating is not enough. You must believe. It has too become personal too you.

My pastor told me once that he has a friend who is also a preacher that believes if he is holding a revival and he can get the alter full of lost people and use the “repeat after me prayer” and just one person believed and got saved then it is worth it. What? Lord help. What about the other people who are now thinking okay I said this prayer so everything is all right between the Lord and me? Is it better that one person out of 100 got saved and 99 got deceived and are going to hell? My pastor believes the say way I do. How can a man of God deceive someone?

The bottom line about salvation, not just opinion is in order too receive salvation you must confess and believe. You must believe with all you heart with fear and trembling.

Salvation is personal between you and God and you and again I say you must work it out for yourself. I can pray for you if you are in the alter seeking salvation, but I cannot save you.

In my next post I will explain what salvation means too me.

God Bless Us!        

Continuing…

Continuing… 

I have been waiting on comments too come into my last post. I received some very good ones. Frank even wrote an entire post http://frangelo.christianblogsites.com/blog/post/2008/10/16/my-definition-of-salvation, but I was hoping more people would join in. So far we have been able too keep things friendly, with positive discussions.  

Cindy and “p” I appreciate what you commented. Cindy you wrote about having a lovely bible study and even carried it over into a post of your own. This was one of the reasons my post came about. It was too make God’s people read and study. Paula I see the studying you had too do in you last comment and I appreciate that. So Cindy and Paula I am going too include your comments on today’s post. 

Cindy wrote: Romans 10: 9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” The little word “and” in this verse is one that holds great importance. Confess with your mouth AND believe in your heart - the two must BOTH be present. Thank you for prompting me to study the Word this morning. I wonder if there is enough space in this comment box to share all that is on my heart from that study. Let’s see how much I can condense and include here - a.)Non-believers have no idea WHAT to believe. b.) They need to HEAR the Word. c.) Preachers SHARE the Word. ---- Whether we are ordained ministers, or lay ministers, or simply homey country folk on the internet, we share the Word through our blogs and comments. Let us all be prayerful about the words we share so that as our Lord looks upon us, He does not see disobedient and contrary people (mentioned in verse 21 of Romans Ch. 10). I had a lovely Bible study this morning. :) To add in - believing and confessing is only the beginning. Once saved, I believe that we must LIVE accordingly - a topic of its own. I did not change your scripture references to KJV, but left them as the comment was on my first post. 

Paula wrote: Strong's offers the literal translation of the word soteria (salvation) as "rescue or safety (physical or morally)." Not meant to be a definition, but the actual word used in Scripture. So, to be saved is to be "rescued" and brought to a place (or position) of "safety." This would best frame [my] definition of salvation. I have been rescued (from sin and its power over me, from the righteous judgment of the Law) and brought/bought (by Jesus' fulfillment of the requirement of the Law, and) by grace to a place of safety - IN CHRIST. 

I want too thank all of you for the comments you left and the resulting blog posts. Several points were made all of which can be made into different blogs with different subjects. All made me think. Now, I have some other things too get out of my mind before I can actually get in depth on the subject of salvation.   

In the Old Testament sins had to be rolled forward for atonement.  EX 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

 The law had too be kept (the atoning of one’s sin) until something better could take its place.  Something better was to come. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. This was prophesying about the coming of the Lord. Matthew 1: 22 - 23 the prophesy is fulfilled.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew chapter 3:1 – 3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, ²And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. ³For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  3: 11 – 12 ¹¹I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: ¹²Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

This was just a little background to set the stage for Jesus to take His place as the one that would be the sacrifice for our sins and bring salvation too us. More on salvation next time.

God bless us!

Continuing…

I have noticed lately different blogs making some reference to salvation in one form or another. One blog regularly offers a prayer of salvation. I have tried on different occasions to post a comment, but it always gets deleted and I have been judged as hostile. I wonder what the big deal is about a comment I would leave. I post the majority of comments that are left on my blog.  

Before you get the ideal I am going to bash someone else’s blog I want you too understand that could not be further from the truth. You see I understand it is the blog owners discretion to post whatever he/she is feeling. I also understand that your blog does not have too be Christian oriented. I do however believe that if you are going too keep you blog Christian oriented you should read, study and pray about what you post as to not mislead someone. 

If you are a regular reader of my blog then you have a basic understanding of what I believe on the subject of salvation.  

As I was getting ready yesterday morning I believe God began too deal with me on the subject of salvation. These other blogs came to mind. I also noticed another blog yesterday that touched on salvation, so guess what I am going too write about today and expand over the next few days. 

What is salvation? Websters defines salvation as (Christianity) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil.  Websters goes on to say: In Christianity, salvation is arguably the most important spiritual concept, second only to the divinity of Jesus Christ. For many Christians, the primary goal of religion is to attain salvation. (Others maintain that the primary goal of Christians is to do the will of God, or that the two are equivalent.) In many traditions, attaining salvation is synonymous with going to heaven after death, while some traditions place a stronger emphasis on the belief that salvation represents a changed life while on Earth. Many elements of Christian theology explain why salvation is needed and how to attain it.  

So now I want too ask you what is your definition of salvation?  I openly invite your comments. For the purpose of this post all comments will be posted good, bad, pleasant or hostile. It may take a few hours to be added. If you post around 4:00pm Central time your comment may not be added until the next day. Some comments may be included in my next post. Later this week or the first of next week (depending on how much time I have) I will post a biblical perspective on salvation complete with scripture from the King James Version of the bible. I hope to do this with one post but it may take more. It will depend on how the Lord leads.  

May God Bless Us! 

Continuing…  

I am from Sparta Tennessee. It is a small town in the middle of the state East of Nashville and West of Knoxville.
I have been a Christian for twenty - one years. This does not mean that I am perfect just forgiven, saved by the wonderful grace of God.
I am married to a wonderful woman and we have four kids three boys and a little girl.
I am active in my community as well as in my church. I am currently serving as church clerk and treasurer. I was set aside for the office of Deacon and ordained in May of 2002.

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