Vol. 31, No. 12 December, 2007

 “Is there no Balm in Gilead?”
                (Jer. 8:22)
    By Pastor George Mills

Jeremiah began his Ministry as Prophet about 60 years after the death of Isaiah. At the end of his life, Jeremiah was taken captive and died in Egypt.
 This cry for healing Balm comes from the heart of the great man we know as the “Weeping Prophet.” Time and time again as we read his writings, we see the Prophet in tears as he weeps for his homeland. “Oh that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people.” (Jer. 9:1) After judgment had come to the nation and the city lies in ruin, as God had so warned,  Jeremiah cries out, “Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.” (Lam 1:12)
In the time of Jeremiah, the Land of Judah was in deep distress. Idolatry filled the land. The Prophets had cried out messages of warnings from God. But the people would not listen. Before the time of Jeremiah, Isaiah had seen the people as rebels, as a people laden with Iniquity, with wounds, bruises and putrifying  sores, not having been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” (Isaiah 1) When Jeremiah comes on the scene after the death of Isaiah. Nothing has changed. The people have not repented. The condition of the land touches the heart of Jeremiah as he tries to persuade the people to return to the God who had brought them to the fruitful land, (Read Jer. 2) From the PRIESTS to the PASTORS to the PROPHETS and the PEOPLE, all have turned from the Living God to the worship of Baal. The problem lies deeper than the surface. The problem is with the heart. As I read Ch. 8, I see that Jeremiah’s deep cry came from his tender heart. “For behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord. When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country, Is not the Lord in Zion? Is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and strange vanities? The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt. I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead, is there
no Physician there? Why is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” (Jer.8:19-22) I believe that the nation had everything that a nation needed in order to be successful, everything that is, except heart.  
Things have not changed much since Jeremiah’s day. He made the great statement, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9). God sent
Jeremiah to the potter’s house, (Jer 18:1-11) in order to show the Prophet His power to restore the nation, IF they would surrender to God, but the nation said, “There is no hope, we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his EVIL HEART.” (18:12).
“IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD?” “IS THERE NO PHYSICIAN THERE?”
Gilead is a mountain region on the east of Jordan. The Tribes of Reuben, Manasseh, and Gad settled there. (Nu 32:1-5, 34:14).  A tree grew on that mountain range. A tree, when it’s bark was penetrated, an oily resin, or sap flowed spontaneously. This oily substance was used as an ointment, or salve, called BALM for medicinal purposes. In fact, it had many uses.  Balm from Gilead was also exported to other nations, Jer 46:11, 51:8, Gen 37:25, Eze 27:17).There was much Balm in Gilead . But who was concerned? Jeremiah was discouraged and wanted to quit but he could not;”Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His Name. But His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing and I could not stay.” (Jer. 20:9)
There is not much hope for a nation that turns from the Goodness and Mercy of God to “Every man doing that which is right in his own eyes.” We all know the rest of the story. The nation went into captivity. Their homeland was destroyed. They returned from captivity to rebuild their land. In due time their Messiah came just as the Prophets said. They rejected the Messiah. He was crucified, and ultimately the people were scattered among the nations of the world where they remain to this day and will remain until the day God calls them back into the land. My, how these people have suffered because of their rejection of their Messiah.
Now, let’s try to bring some of this setting up to our time in history. Our land is a needy land. Like Judah, we have much, but we have little heart. We have no heart for revival in our time. We want to do things OUR WAY. “Let’s get God out of our way. Get Him out of our HOMES, our schools, our public life and places, let’s get Him out of our churches. Let us replace Him with Humanism.  “Why does God have to be involved in our lives anyway? “We will call on Him IF we need Him.” Well, we have walked in this direction for years, and we are reaping the benefits from our walk away from God. We are troubled on every hand. Our cities are unsafe. Our homes are unsafe. Criminals robbers, drug dealers, gangs rule communities. “Blood touches blood” in some places. Abortion clinics, pornographic shops, drug addiction, misuse of the internet, and even our grade schools are unsafe, all cause us to cry out, “IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD? IS THERE NO PHYSICIAN?”
Jeremiah asked some questions in our text, Ch. 8:19,
1.“Is not the Lord in Zion? Is not her King in her?”
2. “Is there no Balm in Gilead?”
3. “Is there no Physician there?”
Let us today find some answers…

1. THERE IS A KING IN ZION.
I believe without a doubt that Jesus Christ is King of kings, and Lord of lords. I believe that He is on His Throne in the Heavenlies. “But we are come unto Mount Sion, (Zion) and unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape if we turn away from Him that speaketh from Heaven.” (Heb 12:22-25)
“Is not the Lord in Zion? Is not her King in her?” Oh yes. Our Lord Jesus is on His Throne in the Heavenly Zion.

2. THERE IS A MOUNTAIN IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL. There is a Mountain named Mount Gilead. Mount Gilead is where Gideon camped, and there his army was reduced to 300 men, (Jud. 7:1-7).   Mount Gilead answers to, or is a type of Mount Calvary, where our dear Lord Jesus was crucified, and Grace flows from His wounded side.

3. THERE IS A HEALING BALM. Healing balm flowed from a pierced tree on Mount Gilead. Healing Balm flows from a pierced Saviour nailed to a tree on Mount Calvary. The healing ointment flowing is the Gospel of Grace of Jesus Christ. His Life, His Death, His Resurrection, His ascension to His Heavenly Throne. This is the medicine the world needs today. The Healing Balm of the Gospel of Grace  reaches the heart of man. The Gospel gives a new heart. There is a beautiful old hymn with the words;

“There is a Balm in Gilead,
    That makes the wounded whole,
There is a Balm in Gilead,
    To heal the sin sick soul.”

4. THERE IS A PHYSICIAN THERE. He is known as the Great Physician. His Name is Jesus Christ. He has never lost a case. His medicine works.

In Jeremiah’s day there seemed to be much balm in Gilead. But getting it to the needy was something else. Did anyone care enough?  What a sad cry; “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”  The harvest time was from April to June when the barley and wheat were gathered. The summer fruit, figs, grapes, pomegranates were gathered in August and September. The harvest time has ended and we have nothing stored for winter. We are not saved. And so the world goes. We feast, we play, we feast and play some more. We live for today only. But winter is coming. The Healing Balm of the Pure Gospel must be preached and published from every corner in every city. The Gospel of the Grace of God still works. The problem is, that in our day, so much has been added to the massage, that what is being preached is not working very well. Ecclesiastes 10:1 says, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.”  Balm of Gilead was a healing ointment.  So much has been added to the Gospel message today that it no longer has the appeal it once had. Man has added works of various kinds, baptisms, groups, denominations, circumcision, law keeping, doing, doing, doing, etc. I know, crowds are filling huge buildings, but crowds and noise do not mean revival. Changed lives are the result of the Gospel of Grace. Let us return to;

  “Waft it on the rolling tide,
      Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
    Tell to sinners far and wide,
      Jesus saves, Jesus saves,”

Let us return to the old paths, to the old way, to the way that works.

4. BALM FROM GILEAD MUST BE AGAIN EXPORTED TO THE NATIONS. Multiplied billions around the world have never once heard the Old Story of Jesus and His Love. The Bible (KJV) is still true, and the Gospel still works.  Paul turned his face toward Rome and said, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Ro 1:16). Paul had spread this healing Balm through Galatia, Achaia, Macedonia, all through the Mediterranean countries, and had seen it work among these cities and he knew that it would work at Rome.
Here at the WILDERNESS, it is our desire that YOU know the Saving Power of the Gospel in your life. Jesus Christ will never knock down the barriers in your life and march in unbidden. He will come in, forgive your sin, and make you whole. “A New heart will I give.” Ask Christ for His forgiveness and cleansing power just now. And then, it is our desire to take this Gospel to the nations of the world. Our statistics sites show that from April through October of this year, other than the United States, this small Publication has gone into 241 countries of the world with BALM FROM GILEAD.  A’int God good! May God richly bless you today!

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          BALM FROM GILEAD
           By Pastor George Mills

“Is there no Balm in Gilead?”(Jer.8:22)

“Thy garments smell of Myrrh, Aloes and Cassia out of ivory palaces whereby they have made thee glad.”( Ps 45:8)

From Ivory Palaces above,
   He came to bring His calm.
With Myrrh and Aloes to tell of His Love,
   And Cassia, His healing balm.

 From wounded hands and bleeding side,
   His Healing Balm did flow,
Full payment for sin, the Blood supplied,
   As it fell to the earth below.

The Myrrh speaks of His bitter fight,
   The Cassia, anointing oil,
The Aloes speak of His sorrow that night,
   All speak of His labor and toil.

Is there now Balm in Gilead?
   Is He risen from the dead?
Oh yes, such joy we never had,
   He’ alive, just as He said.

And now I live with peace within,
   My life  filled with joy and Psalm,
Paid in full, my debt of sin,
   All because of Gilead’s Balm.

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THINK ABOUT IT…
An ounce of cure is worth more than a pound of pretension.
FROM OUR HOUSE, TO YOUR HOUSE, WE WISH FOR EACH OF YOU A MOST BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON. MAY JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, BE THE CENTER OF EVERY LIFE AND ACTIVITY..
      MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
By Pastor George Mills

“And the angel said unto them, fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

Three things from this text…

1.  THE MESSENGER…”The angel of the Lord.” When God was ready to announce the birth of His Son, He did not use the media of the day. He sent a Heavenly messenger. I know the joy of having a child born into our home. I wanted to tell everyone, I was so proud. “Just think, we have a new baby!” So God sent His Heavenly Messenger to announce the birth of His Son. This was probably the angel, Gabriel. He was one of the Sons of Light. He witnessed creation. “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:7). Let’s call this angel, “God’s press secretary.” When earthly rulers get ready to make an announcement to the world, they send their “press secretary” with the message. This angel had been busy in the land of Judea. First, God sent the angel to announce to Zacharias the news about the birth of his son, John, who we know as John the Baptist, (Lk 1:10-25). Then the angel was sent to the Virgin Mary with the news that she will bear a child of the Holy Ghost, (Lk 1:26-38). The birth of John was a miracle birth, but the message to Mary was about a supernatural Virgin Birth. There will never be another like this birth. “Only Begotten” means, ONE OF A KIND. After the announcement to Mary, the angel was then sent to Joseph to assure him that Mary’s child was of the Holy Ghost, (Mt 1:18-25). And then the angel made announcement to the world, (Lk 2:10-11.

2. THE MESSAGE…The message of the angel contains three things about the person of Jesus Christ.

(A). SAVIOUR. His HUMANITY.  Man needs a Saviour. Man sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. A Saviour was promised in Gen. 3:15. The Old Testament is the record of Satan’s attempt to stop the birth of the SAVIOUR.. But now, we have a Saviour. A Baby who came here, to live with us, to know our needs. One who lived here, and was tempted as we are, yet, without sin. That same Baby grew to manhood. He presented Himself to Israel as their promised King. The nation refused Him. “We will not have this man rule over us.” “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” He was arrested, and given the mockery trial of the ages, nailed to a Roman Cross, and died for the sins of the world. All sin was laid on Him. He paid the price. HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOUR!

(B) CHRIST. His DIVINITY.  Christ means, “the Anointed One” God manifest in the flesh. “Behold, 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.” (Mt 1:24). When God was ready to redeem man from his sins, God Himself came down. “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” (2Cor. 5:19).

(C) THE LORD.  His ETERNALITY. He is the Eternal One. Micah 5:3, “But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” NOW CHECK YOUR BIBLE CAREFULLY. Many of these new “versions” attack the Eternality of Christ at this passage in Micah. The Bible (KJV) says that He is from EVERLASTING. That means He had no beginning. New versions substitute “ancient times” for “Everlasting.” That robs Him of His pre-existence.

3. THE MEANING. What does all of this mean for you and me…

(A) IS BORN. Not shall be born, but IS born. There is none other. All that God ever had, or will have was invested in that frail little Baby, born in a stable, and lay in a hay manger. He is here. Don’t look for another. “There is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”
BORN, in Bethlehem!

(B) THIS DAY, What about “THIS DAY”…

1It was a day of Divine Visitation. As we have already stated, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.”

2. It was a day of Divine Vindication. Satan had done his best to prevent the birth of Christ. Much blood had been shed. The Old Testament is the recording of the battle of the ages. But the “Seed of the woman” was born THIS DAY.

(C) TO ALL PEOPLE. First, He came to the Jews. He came as their Messiah. He came at the right time, to the right place with the right credentials. “But His own received Him not.” Had the Jews received Him He would have set up His Kingdom and blessings from God would flow to all people through Israel. They would have nothing to do with this man called Jesus. They had Him crucified.  Now, through the fall of Israel the gospel of Grace is for ALL PEOPLE. Whoever you are, wherever you are, and however you are, Christ died for YOU. He wants to be your Saviour. This is the real Christmas story. Do you know Him today? He is God’s Christmas Gift to you. The only thing you can do with a gift is to receive it, or reject it. If you do anything to earn a gift, then it is no longer a gift. Today, by Faith alone, receive the Gift of God’s Love. You may ask, “Preacher, how do I receive Him?” The best way is to tell Him that you receive him. The Bible says, “Ask, and ye shall receive.”  Ask Him today to forgive your sin, and to be your Saviour.
BEGIN TODAY, TO LIVE FOREVER!

                                          The WILDERNESS, 1999

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THINK ABOUT IT…Christmas is Christ, and Christ is Christmas, You can’t have one without the other. Without Christ, there is no Christmas.

           FROM MY HEART
             By Mildred Mills

Another year has come and gone, and for so much we have to be thankful. Our health and strength, and just so many blessings we could never count them all, but we are thankful to God for each and every one of them.
So many prayers have been answered in our family this past year, and if I had to name the one thing that I am most thankful for, I believe it would be answered prayer. God hears and answers when we pray. We are looking for a brand new year to serve him better than ever before. There is joy in serving Jesus, so let this be the day you ask Him into your heart so that you too can serve Him. Receive Him today, and as your prayers go up, watch the blessings come down. What a Wonderful Saviour is Jesus our Lord!

“The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (Nu. 6:24-26)

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THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT
1, The Ideal Christmas Gift is a Gift of Love. “For God so loved the world He gave..”
2. The Ideal Christmas Gift is lovingly wrapped. “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes..
3. The Ideal Christmas Gift is hung on a tree. Today, we place gifts under the tree. In other times, gifts were hung on the tree.
4. The Ideal Christmas gift is to be received. “But as many as received Him”
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

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                     THIS DAY
 By Pastor George Mills

“For unto you is born THIS DAY in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ, the Lord.”
                        (Lk 2:11)

What kind of day do you think it was,
   The day when Christ was born?
Was it fair, or did it rain,
   On that first Christmas morn?

What kind of day did He first see,
   From the manger where He lay?
Were multitudes there to welcome Him,
   On that first Christmas day?

What kind of day in government,
   Did joy and gladness ring?
Was it a day of tidings there,
   To welcome their new King?

Was it a day of happiness,
   Throughout all the land,
When Jesus Christ came down to earth,
   To rescue fallen man?

Did those who in the Temple pray,
   And longed for God to send,
The One to lead them from their plight
   And then their bondage end?

Did they welcome Him that day,
   So many years ago,
As One who came to set them free,
   Or was their answer, NO?

Did crowds come out to welcome Him,
   Or was He One rejected?
Was He the One they were looking for,
   Or was He unexpected?

No welcoming committee there,
   No room within the inn.
No glad tidings published far,
   He was unwanted then.

No shouts of joy to welcome Him,
   The new born King, that day.
What kind of day, when Jesus came?
   A day just like TODAY!

  Vol. 31, No. 11  November, 2007

THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
           By Pastor George Mills
“But I have prayed for thee..”(Lk 22:32)

Perhaps the greatest issue for the new convert is to settle in his/her heart, once for all, the issue of SECURITY. I speak, and write from personal experience. I have been taught both sides of this issue. I am so glad that some things in my life are settled…

1. The PERSON of Jesus Christ. He is the Revelation of the Eternal God.  He is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” (Col 1:15). He is the ONLY hope of Salvation, our ONLY access to God; “For through Him (Jesus) we both, (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph. 2:11-19) He is settled in my life as my Lord and Saviour.

2. The PURITY of the Word of God. “Thy Word is very pure,” (Psa 119:140). “The Words of the Lord are pure Words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” (Psa.12:6). Of course, I am speaking of the Received Text (KJV) passed to us through the centuries, and NOT this junk

labeled as “Bible” being offered on the market today.

3. The PRESERVATION of the Saints. NOT perseverance of the saints. (Jude 1) “He is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory, with exceeding joy” (Jude 24-25).
Now, these things are settled in my life. I trust they can be settled for you today.

FIRST, let us nail down our Salvation. Be SURE that you are saved. Being saved is NOT joining some Church, not repeating some prayer. Not signing a card, not cleaning up your life, not being baptized, or one of thousands of things man can do. Being saved is NOT being rescued from some tragedy, such as, you were drowning, and someone threw you a life preserver. Being saved is being delivered from the PENALTY, and POWER of sin.
What does the Bible say about being Saved from sin?

1. RECOGNIZE that YOU need to be saved. The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no not one.” (Ro. 3:10). “ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” (Ro. 3:23)  Adam sinned and incurred a sinful nature. Adam’s sinful nature is passed on to all mankind,
 (Ro 5:12).

2. REALIZE that CHRIST ALONE can save you.  You cannot save yourself from the PENALTY and POWER of sin. “Not by works of righteousness which WE have done, but according to His Mercy He saved us…”(Ti. 3:5) “For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that NOT of yourselves, it is the Gift of God. Not of works lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)

3. RECEIVE.  We must by Faith alone, RECEIVE Christ as our Saviour. “But 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). “How do I receive Him?” Just tell Him that you receive Him. He is there, where you are in the Person of the Holy Spirit. He will hear the cry of the REPENTANT heart. Now, if you agree with what God says about you, about Christ, and about Salvation, and you have trusted Christ alone to save you, then, according to the Bible, you have ETERNAL SALVATION. The Bible says that you have,

(A) EVERLASTING LIFE. John3:16, John 5:24. Everlasting Life is a PRESENT POSSESSION.

(B) ETERNAL LIFE. “And this is the record that God hath given to us ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is in His Son.” (1Jn 5:11)

The Believer has, right now, Today, ETERNAL, EVERLASTING LIFE.
EVERLASTING is the length, ETERNAL is the quality. Now, if you have received Christ as we have discussed, let me share with you some things for you to know about your SECURITY in CHRIST.

1. YOUR SECURITY IS IN THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. When you said “yes” to Christ. When you believed with your heart, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in your life. Now that’s a matter of FACT and not feelings. There is nothing about tongues, utterances, emotions, or some other “experience” man may claim. The FACT is that the Holy Spirit came into your life when you got saved. And He will be with you Always until He escorts you into God’s presence, (Ro 8:11).
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your Salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” (Eph 1:13). John 6:27, Eph 4:30, 2Tim. 2:19.

The Holy Spirit is your SEAL. “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption.”  A Seal means OWNERSHIP. God owns the believer. Christ purchased us with His own Blood. In Rev. 5, a search was made through Heaven, earth, and under the earth for someone who had the power to break the Seal of God. Not one was found. Hallelujah to God!

The Holy Spirit is your WITNESS.  “The Spirit itself beareth WITNESS with our spirit that we are children of God.”(Ro 8:16) The indwelling Holy Spirit will not let you doubt for long.  We are human, and there will be times of doubt and concern. But the Holy Spirit will not let those doubts linger. The Holy Spirit will whisper, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

The Holy Spirit is your COMFORTER. “And I will pray the Father, and that He shall give you another Comforter that He may abide with you forever.” (Jn 14:16) “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.” (Jn 14:18) One who helps in our infirmity. Like an advocate, or lawyer. We are never alone. He aids us in our prayer life (Ro 8:26).  The ONLY Holy Place on this earth is that place in the life of the believer where the Holy Spirit dwells to be our Comforter.

The Holy Spirit is our EARNEST. “Who has sealed us and given the EARNEST of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.” (2Cor 1:22) “Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God who also hath given us the EARNEST of the Spirit. The word “Earnest” has the same meaning as GUARANTEE.  If I agree to buy something from you for one hundred dollars, but I have only ten dollars with me, and I ask you to take this ten dollars and hold the item for me until I return from the bank with the balance, that ten dollars is EARNEST MONEY. It is my guarantee that I will return and complete the bargain. The Holy Spirit in us is god’s guarantee that He will complete the work He began in us. (Phil. 1:6). The Holy Spirit is all of these and so much more. Learn to listen to Him as He seeks to guide. Follow His impulses.

2. YOUR SECURITY IS IN THE PRAYERS OF JESUS.
Jesus said to Peter, “I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE, that thy faith fail not, and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Peter’s faith grew weak, and faint. Peter faltered, and Peter failed, but his faith did not fail. Hear him confess three times, “Yea Lord, Thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus answered, “Feed my sheep.”  In the great High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in John 17, He prays first for Himself, “Father, the hour is come, Glorify Thy Son.” V1-5.
He prays for His disciples, v6-19. He did not pray for the world, (populations) He died for the world. He prayed that His disciples would be Sanctified, and kept in His Name. And He prayed for His Church in v20-26. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.”  Think about that, Jesus, on His way to the Cross, by way of Gethsemane, PRAYED FOR ME!
Jesus prayed beside a grave, in John 11:35-44. He “Lifted up His eyes and said, Father I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me. And I knew that Thou hearest me always.” Jesus prayed for us that we would be kept.
His Ministry of prayer never stopped. He is our Great Eternal High Priest. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven itself to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Heb 9:24) See Heb 1:3, 4:14-16, 7:23-28, I John 2:1-2). Our Security is as safe as the Prayers of our Saviour. He is on the job continually. He has never lost a case.

3. YOUR SECURITY IS IN THE PROMISES OF GOD.
We have already stated that the Believer has EVERLASTING LIFE, John 3:16, and that the believer has (present tense) ETERNAL LIFE, John 10:28.
These are promises from One who cannot lie. “That by two immutable things for which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” (Heb 6:17-20). Some of the more common verses and passages more commonly used in the assurance of our security would include John 1:12-13, John 3:16, 18, 36. 5:24, 6:37, 10:27-30. There are so many, many more precious promises. Perhaps my favorite passage is the one found in Romans, Ch. 8:30-39.
Paul asks, and answers four questions,

1. “Who can be against us?” v31-32.  He has already given us His Son, the best Heaven has. He will freely give us everything we need.

2.”Who can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? V33. God has justified, who can indict us? “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord WILL NOT impute sin, (Ro. 4:1-8)  Sin is not charged to the believer’s account. Christ bore our sin on the cross. We have been justified.

3. “Who is he that condemneth? (v34). Who can condemn us? Christ died for us and is now at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us.

4. “Who shall separate us? (v35-39)  Shall the normal trials, distresses and tribulations that come with just being a Christian sever our relationship with Christ? Never! These things only make us stronger. We are more than conquerors.

(a)Neither death…When we close our eyes in death, there will be no unseen thing there, no demon, and no angelic power, to separate us from our Saviour.

(b) Nor life. Nothing in this life, no, not governments, nor rulers, nor principalities in the Satanic realm of authority, no power, past, present, or potential. If we soar to the heights of the Heavenlies, we can find nothing there to separate us. If we dig to the deepest part of the earth, we can find nothing there to separate us. And just in case Paul had overlooked someone. Or some thing, he added “NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE shall separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus said, “Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”
Now, Ain’t God good! Hallelujah, What a Saviour!
Why not take these precious promises and build a life of assurance, and peace, and safety.

“Now preacher, you have just given your readers a license to sin. Just live it up. You’re going to wind up in Heaven anyway. Just go live like you want to.”

If you can read that into this message, something is wrong with your reader. Nowhere does the Bible give us license to sin. We have been born again. Liberty to sin is not liberty, it is bondage. We are new in Christ.

Why would anyone preach sermons, write articles, and books on the Insecurity of the believer? Why would someone spend money on books that promote “A FAILING CHRIST?” or “A POWERLESS CHRIST?”  Thank God for His Eternal Salvation bought and paid for in the Sacrifice of Christ.

And while I believe in the SECURITY of the BELIEVER, I also believe in the INSECURITY of the UNBELIEVER. My friend, there is no security in your future except you turn to Christ Today! Accept His offer of ETERNAL SALVATION, as a FREE GIFT!  May God help you to do that just now.

Christian, you are now a citizen of Heaven. Live like it, and enjoy your trip.

THINK ABOUT IT…If you ever walk the street of that Heavenly Place, it will NOT be because you were faithful, or that you held on to the very end, or that you did your part. If you reach that Fair Land it will be because of the Faithfulness of Christ.

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian.  The noise of the “religious” world will rob you of the joy of your Salvation. Rest in the sweet peace that Jesus gives, knowing that He will finish that which He started for you!

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WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS….Pastor Mills

Concerning our name; WILDERNESS..
Many years ago I adopted the name “WILDERNESS” for our ministry of evangelism. This is taken from the text 
 in Isaiah 14:17 concerning the fall of Lucifer. The text says, “That made the world as a WILDERNESS.” There is no greater truth than that. This world is a WILDERNESS of sin. We are A voice crying in this WILDERNESS. We are trying to reach as far as we can, while we can.
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From time to time, some ask for permission to use our material, or to download from the computer. Of course, we do not mind that. The WILDERNESS is sent out with the three-fold purpose listed on the back page. If your purpose is our purpose, certainly we do not object for any material to be used. In fact, we are glad our materials are used.
ATTENTION  “BIBLE CORRECTORS”… There is no need for you to send me your material. That’s a waste of money and time.  I believe that I have read just about all of the arguments. You have come along too late in life to convince me that there are errors in the King James Bible. If you are saved, the chances are very, very great that someone led you to Christ by using the King James Bible. If it was good enough at the start, it will be good enough all the way home, IF you are saved. As I have said before in past issues of the WILDERNESS, the King James Bible is from the RECEIVED TEXT.  This is the Text from the Apostles, and passed to the Churches, and on through the fires and came to us intact, (Psa 12:6-7). These new “bibles” come from a Text born in the late 19th century. Actually, the  CRITICAL TEXT  which produced these “bibles” was born in Apostasy in Egypt. These two Texts are NOT THE SAME. To try to make certain corrections in the Received Text by using the Critical Text makes about as much sense as making corrections in the Dictionary by using the Phone Book. Both are in alphabetical order, but that’s where the similarities end. These new “versions” which, by the way, do NOT agree with each other, are NOT modern language up-dates of the King James Bible, these are from a corrupt text, written by Apostates, and promoted by Apostates. If there is something wrong with the Bible, then we both  have a problem. Since there is nothing wrong with my Bible, (KJV) I have no problem. God promised to preserve His Word, but the world keeps searching, and searching. More ‘versions” are coming. The antichrist will have no problem when he arrives.

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       ON EAGLE’S WINGS
       By Pastor George Mills
        Text…Isa. 40:28-31

The Eagle is a special bird, so majestic that our forefathers selected the Bald eagle as the symbol of this nation. Benjamin Franklin thought that the wild turkey would be a better symbol, but he was out-voted. I love the Eagle. I have several photographs of Eagles on my office wall. Some time ago I started collecting Eagle figurines. Some are glass, some are porcelain. I have quite a few in my collection. I am glad that our forefathers selected this great bird as the symbol of America. The Eagle has some wonderful characteristics. For instance, the Eagle mates for life, now, that ought to tell us something. The Eagle is an excellent parent, and although very powerful, the Eagle kills only for food or to protect itself. God used the eagle to illustrate His care for Israel; “I bare you on Eagle’s wings, and brought you unto myself.” (Ex 19:4) The four beasts in Revelation 4 picture the attributes of God. One beast was like a Lion, speaking of His Kingship. One beast was like a calf, speaking of His sacrifice for our sins. One beast had the face of a man, speaking of His humanity. The fourth beast was like a flying Eagle, speaking of His supremacy. Our text in Isaiah says, “They shall mount up with wings as Eagles.” This pictures the Spirit filled believer  as he soars high above the circumstances down here.

What does it mean, “To wait upon the Lord?” I believe that to wait has a two fold meaning…
A.  To wait, means to watch and pray. Mt. 26:38-43, Jesus said, “Tarry (wait) ye here and watch with me.” We all know the rest of the story. The disciples fell asleep as the Lord prayed that great intercessory prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The disciples failed that night because of their prayer failure.
B. To “WAIT” also carries with it the idea of being busy. First Thessalonians, ch. 1 describes that small church enduring great persecutions, but they were sending the Gospel to the known world. And while they were busy, they were WAITING for the return of Christ. They were not waiting or looking for the antichrist, or the great tribulation, they were waiting for the return of our lord.
So, to WAIT means to have an active prayer life, and at the same time busy in spreading the Gospel.
FOUR THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE WHO WAIT UPON THE LORD…

1. THEY SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH, (POWER) Isaiah 40:31. We cannot win today’s battles on yesterday’s strength. We need a daily filling of the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:1-18). The Lord Jesus instructed His disciples to tarry (Wait) until they were endued with power. In the Book of Acts, you will find the believers coming together in prayer for Holy Spirit Power, (Acts 4:23-31). We are no match for the enemy without the Power of the Holy Spirit
2. THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES. Just a few thoughts about the Eagle…

A. The Eagle is free. He soars high above the circumstances. He flies high and free on the wind currents. The Wind speaks of the Holy Spirit. What a picture of the spirit filled believer.

B. The Eagle is powerful. He is able to attack larger animals, some much larger than himself. Another picture of the Believer standing against the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6:12)

C. The Eagle is fearless. He has no fear in attacking a poisonous snake. He will attack, kill, and take his prey home for food. The Spirit filled believer need never fear, for “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind..” (2Tim 1:7)

D. The Eagle has great vision. He can see the desert floor from high aloft. And so it is with the Spirit filled believer. We can see the world conditions, because we see through the Scriptures.

E. The Eagle lives separately. You will not find an Eagle trying to fellowship with buzzards, or crows, or ravens, or sparrows, or ducks. You will find the Eagle with his own kind.  And so it is with the Spirit filled believer. Our fellowship is not with this world’s system, ideologies, and styles. Let the believer soar high, above the level of this world’s system.

3. THEY SHALL RUN. (Isaiah 40:31) This speaks of the race set before us, (Heb 12:1-2). Paul used the figure of a runner several times in his writings. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly.” (1Cor 9:26). We are in a race with TIME and TIME is running out. Find your place, run the race, and stay with it.
4. THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.  The walk speaks of our “walk of faith.” “For we walk by faith and not by sight.” (2Cor.5:7). The Spirit filled believer will walk by Faith. If he feels good, or bad, he will keep his eyes on Christ, and will walk steadily and not waver.
They SHALL be re-newed, They SHALL mount up, they SHALL run, and they SHALL walk. And how is it with you my friend? Don’t let the devil and his crowd defeat you. Ask God to help you soar on high, like the Eagle. See Luke 11:11-13.

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      ON EAGLE’S WINGS
      By Pastor George Mills
“They shall mount up with wings as Eagles.”

Wait upon the Lord and pray,
   For His Power to restore.
And His strength will make thee stay,
   Up where the Eagles soar.

“I’ll bear thee up on Eagle’s wings,
   I’ll hold thee in my hand,
I’ll make the longing heart to sing,
   Within a barren land.

On Eagle’s wings, God brought me out,
   My strength He did renew,
To run, while Satan walks about,
   My steps, God keeps them true.

With everlasting arms beneath,
   And wings of Grace above,
Ever growing in belief,
   And protected by His Love.

Now, with shouts of joy and praise,
   How gladly my heart sings,
To Him on High, our hands we raise,
   As we soar on Eagle’s wings.

        (from the WILDERNESS, July 1997)

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(Ex. 19:4, Dt. 33:27, Isa. 40:31, 1Pet. 5:8)

Vol. 31, No. 9  September, 2007

ONE DAY A SPARROW FELL
       By Pastor George Mills

“Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.”
               (Mt. 10:29)

Sometimes a word, or a verse will come to my mind and it seems as though it wants to stay there. I just keep thinking about it until I just say, “OK, let’s do some searching and see what the Bible (KJV) says.” The title of this message came to mind a couple of weeks ago, and like so many times before, it just stayed with me. Please allow me the privilege of sharing these truths with you. Nothing new, but a reminder of some of the precious things of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Some things about a little Sparrow.
I am reminded that when our Lord illustrates some great truth, He seldom uses something big as His example. He uses the small, the weak, the insignificant, to confound the wisdom of man. Of course, the widow’s mite comes to mind. Christ was not so impressed With the giving of rich men. He was impressed with the widow’s gift of two mites, (about a half of a penny)(Lk 21:1-4)
Let us consider some of the small things in Biblical illustration. There are so many. We could mention the widow who was going to make a little cake for her and her son, and then die. The Prophet said unto her, “Make me a little cake first.” And from that act of obedience to the man of God, her barrel of meal, and cruse of oil wasted not.” (1Kings 17:10-16) An unlimited supply came from just a few crumbs of meal.
In the Book of Proverbs, the wise man Solomon gave us many illustrations…
To the lazy he said, “Go to the ANT thou sluggard” “She provideth her meat in the summer. (Prov. 6:6-8).
He uses four SMALL things to illustrate wisdom. “Four things which are LITTLE upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise.” (Prov 30:24-28)

(A) “The ANTS are a people NOT strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” How many illustrations about the ANT can you see even in your own back yard? Busy, busy, busy.

(B) “The CONIES are but a FEEBLE folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks.” This is a SMALL nocturnal animal who lives safely in the home he has prepared in the rocks, safe from preditors.

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(C) “The LOCUSTS have no king yet they go forth all of them by bands.” One locust cannot do much damage, but a band, working together can devour a crop in minutes.

 
(D) “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in the king’s palaces.” Picture a great meeting room. There, on his throne the king sits. Before him are lavish banquet tables. The room is filled with invited guests. The place is spotless. My, what a feast is prepared. But if you look carefully there in a far corner in the ceiling, a SMALL spider is enjoying some kind of a feast of her own…in the king’s palace.

Jesus said, “Consider the LILIES, how they grow. They toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon and all His glory was not arrayed like one of these.”(Lk. 12:27). You can read about some of the Glory of Solomon in 1Kings 10. All of the wealth, glory, and prosperity of the king could not be compared to a small LILY. Christ challenged us; “How they grow.” A LILY pictures Christ in so many ways. First, a LILY does not grow from a seed. It grows from it’s own ROOT system. A bulb is produced in the roots, unseen. When Jesus said, “I am the ROOT and offspring of David,”(Rev22:16) I believe that I can understand that. Consider the LILY. Every LILY has six pedals in every flower. Six is the number of man. Reminding us that Jesus left Heaven to become us, to redeem us. Every LILY has seven stamen in the flower. Seven is the number for perfection. He is the Perfect Saviour for imperfect sinners. The pollen at the end of every stamen is Gold in color. Gold pictures Deity. The LILY comes in a variety of colors, reminding us of the “Manifold Grace of God.” Every time you see just a small LILY, it will preach many sermons, if you just look and listen. We could mention the beautiful ROSE with it’s thorns, and fragrance, but I must go on.

LITTLE THINGS are our subject today. And on the bad side, we are reminded about so many little things that spoil. “Little foxes that spoil the vines.”(Song Of Sol. 2:15). Little foxes that dig around the roots and ruin many plants. “Dead flies cause the ointment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.” (Eccl 10:1) SMALL things like dead flies. He did not say, dead horses, or dead elephants, he said “dead flies.” SMALL things. Jesus said, “Beware of the LEAVEN of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy.” (Lk 12:1) Paul warned “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”(1Cor. 5:6). Leaven is always associated with false doctrine. Just add a little word here, and take away a little word there, and soon you will be swimming in false doctrine. Today, not only are we swimming in, we are drowning in false doctrine.
And SMALL THINGS in our homes seem to do more damage to marriages than do the larger things. Let us never forget to be mindful of the SMALL, common courtesies, kindnesses in our home life.
SMALL THINGS…Yukon Baptist Church is A SMALL THING. I wish to express this over again. Because of the various outreach Ministries, folk have the idea that this is a large Church with large attendance, printing presses rolling, and much, much activity. We are NOT a large Church. We are a very small Church. What a surprise when visitors see just a small Church in an old wooden building, in need of much repair. In fact, I urge our readers to pray with us as we are trying to make necessary repairs.
As far as this Ministry is concerned, we have no budget, no grants, no large bank account. Due to the gifts of people, and some we have never met, we have managed to pay for everything as we go. We cannot create any debt for this Ministry.“WILDERNESS” Ministries began in 1966. We began to print “WILDERNESS” TRACTS. Our Tracts have gone so much farther than we could ever anticipate. Quite frequently, one of our tracts is returned to us with the back page filled in indicating that the sender has received Christ as Saviour.
The “CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD”  Broadcast began in 1967. At various times over the years we have expanded to Missionary, short wave radio, and now on the Internet with the potential of over 250 million computers worldwide. We make no claim here, but only to mention the great unlimited possibilities.
The “WILDERNESS MONTHLY PUBLICATION” was born in June, 1976. Now, 31 years later, God is still blessing. We began posting this Publication on the Internet in 2001. People in over 40 countries visited our web-site in July.
The “WILDERNESS” is sent in bulk to many prisons, jails, and rescue missions every month. We are glad to hear from inmates who have received Christ and are trying to live for Him. Some are trying to get their life together, and live for Christ when they leave prison.
“WILDERNESS” Bibles for Africa Project. Daily we receive requests for Bibles, books, tracts, and various helps. I cannot say NO. We must do something. Every week we send at least one  package to Africa. These folks have never asked for a dime. They only ask for Bibles (KJV) One Pastor wrote that they had only one New Testament for the entire village.
And we do these things WITHOUT any money.  The Message today is about SMALL THINGS. I don’t think you can get much smaller than we are.
I  cannot type, but with two fingers, I have typed many, many sermons, tracts, etc. I have no secretary (nor do I want one). Mrs. Mills is my proofreader. She does great.
While this Church is a SMALL CHURCH, this SMALL CHURCH reaches more people around the world than most large churches ever think about reaching. SMALL THINGS. We are always aware that it is GOD. It has to be GOD. It has to be by His Power. To God be the Glory for it all.
I could go on and on about SMALL THINGS God uses, but let us get to our Text today, “ONE DAY A SPARROW FELL.” I do not know much about Sparrows, so I had to do some research.

1. THE WORTH OF A SPARROW.  Jesus said, “Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing?”(Mt 10:29) A farthing is about ¼ of a penny. Two Sparrows would be sold for ½ of one penny. In Luke 12:6, Jesus said that five Sparrows would be sold for two farthings.” That means if you bought four Sparrows, you would get the 5th one free. Not worth very much, money, that is.

(A) He is WORTH the care of an Infinite God.  “Not one of them is forgotten before God,” I have already mentioned the ANT, the SPIDER, etc. Of course, the Bible is careful to mention the Greatness of God. “The Heavens declare the Glory of God”(Psa 19) “When I consider Thy Heavens and the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars.” (Psa 8).
(B) He is WORTH the concern of a Loving Saviour. We sing the lovely song, “His eye is on The Sparrow, and I know He watches me.” Would anything other than concern attract the attention of Christ?
He sees us. He knows us. He knows our case. The Priest and the Levite passed by on the other side.” (Lk 10:30-37). But a certain Samaritan, as He journeyed, SAW him and came to Him.” Jesus saw the Sparrow, and He sees us.

(C) He is WORTH the cause of lost mankind. He points us to Christ.
 Sparrows were probably sold to the poor for a sacrifice offering. Every sacrifice pointed to the Saviour’s sacrifice on the Cross for our sin. As that little Sparrow would shed it’s blood for the sin of someone, the innocent for the guilty, so Christ would Freely shed His Blood for the sins of the world. No doubt that this was in the Mind of Christ as He pointed to this little Sparrow.

2. THE WEALTH OF A SPARROW.
Here we are between WORTH and WEALTH. Worth and Wealth are almost never in balance. They are seldom found in the same person. I have met many who were WEALTHY, but not WORTH much. They had much. They had anything they wanted. But not worth very much. Not worth much to the community, to society, but at the same time, very wealthy. You can think of several in your experience of life. I think of many of the Hollywood “stars” who have everything that the heart desires, but they have nothing. I think of the troubled woman who appears on TV news almost daily. I believe her name is Britney.  I think of the millions of young teen-age girls who idolize her, who want to pattern their lives after her. Young ladies, don’t fall for that. Keep your character. She may be wealthy, but she is worthless as far as being the example for young girls. She is worth much to Christ. He gave His life for her, and me, and you. I hope that she gets saved, along with many in that society. The Sparrow witnesses to a GREATER WEALTH. “You are of more value than many Sparrows.” Jesus left His home in Glory to come to the world of sin and rebellion. He came to rescue us, and take us to that Wonderful Place called Heaven. The Wealth of this world would not buy one of the Gates at the entrance of that Fair City. Jesus did not look at the wealth of this world for His illustration. He simply pointed to a lowly Sparrow.

3. THE WONDER OF A SPARROW.
The Sparrow is a survivor. The Sparrow is not native to America. Sparrows were brought to this land in 1851. They have thrived here. They live in just about every state. Just a small little bird. Only about 6 inches long. Just a few ounces. He stays busy. He sings chirps the day long. Recently I was at a gas station filling my tank. Sparrows had built their nests in the canopy above the gas pumps. They were chirping, singing. There must have been dozens up there. But  he is a survivor in a foreign land. Nothing gets him down. Chase him from here, he will survive over there. Don’t you think that Christians could learn a lesson here? So many of us are ready to quit at the first sign of opposition. May God give us that “Sparrow mentality.” WE WILL NOT QUIT. WE WILL NOT BE STOPPED.

4. THE WITNESS OF A SPARROW.
With his happy, care-free nature, and his “I will not be stopped” attitude, he preaches many sermons.

1. He WITNESSES to the Sacrifice of Christ. As we have stated, the Sparrow, sold to be a sacrifice for sin, witnesses of the Cross where Jesus died.

2. He WITNESSES to a Merciful God who gave His son.

3. He WITNESSES to a greater wealth. “Ye are of more value than many Sparrows. Every time we see a little Sparrow, we should be reminded of the care and concern of our Great God.

5. THE WISDOM OF A SPARROW.
There is so much to say, but I must bring this to a close. I am so glad that I have looked at this little bird.

The 84th Psalm is a Song about the House of God. “Blessed are they that dwell in Thy House. They will be still praising Thee.”(v4). He mentions in v3, “The Sparrow hath found a house.” What wisdom.  The Psalmist envies the birds that built their nest there in the small spaces along the edge of the roof. In the 102nd Psalm. The Psalmist says “I watch, and am as a Sparrow alone on the house top.”  “Up high, in order that I may clearly see my enemy.”

The Sparrow speaks of so much. The question is, has God spoken to your heart? Are you right with Him? Have you trusted God’s ONLY Sacrifice for sin? Remember the setting…As the Sparrow was sold for a sacrifice offering, Our Lord Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver. He was betrayed. He was nailed to the Cross where He bore ALL the sin of ALL the world. He wants to be your Saviour. He arose from the dead to become the Living Saviour. The Bible says that we are sinners. “ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.”(Ro 3:23) We are sinners by Birth, by nature, and by choice. “Wherefore as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned.” (Ro 5:12). The Bible says that the “Wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is Eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Ro 6:23). Today, believe what the Bible says about you. By simple faith alone, Tell Jesus that you believe in your heart that He died and arose from the dead for YOU. He will hear the cry of the repentant heart. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Do that just now.
And when you see a Happy little Sparrow, playing, singing, happy, care-free, just say “O little Sparrow, how happy and free you are, but not as free as I.  I am saved! Thank God I am free!
I am Saved!

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THINK ABOUT IT…A SMALL STONE killed a giant. If you will take a few moments and read 1Samuel 17, (KJV) you will read the account  where DAVID selected five smooth stones and with one of these stones, slew GOLIATH, the nine foot giant who was harassing Israel.

The N.I.V.  in 2Samuel 21:19 gives credit to Elhanan for slaying the same GOLIATH.  I do not know what weapon Elhanan used to slay the giant. Perhaps they will let us know in the next “latest, updated, most complete version” yet to be printed.

CHRISTIANS, DON’T FALL FOR THIS JUNK LABLED “BIBLE” BEING SOLD ON THE MARKET TODAY.

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      AN ODE TO A SPARROW
         By Pastor George Mills

“Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.”
                 (Mt. 10:29)

One day a Sparrow, 
   Fell to the ground.
Just a small Sparrow,
   But what Grace did abound.

What ailed thee, small Sparrow,
   Did you just fly too low,
Or did you lose sight,
   Of which way to go?

Why did you fall?
   Did you consider it best,
To flutter your wings,
   Than to stay by the nest?

Why did you leave,
   And take to your flight?
But take heed, little Sparrow,
   One sees your plight.

Fear not little Sparrow,
   God sees when you fall.
He knows when you’re hurting,
   And He will answer your call.

Fret not little Sparrow,
   As you lay on the ground,
There wounded and ruffled,
   God hears your faint sound

But, you’re not of much value,
   Not much worth, if any,
Why even two of you,
   Are worth less than a penny.

But One cares about you,
   And all your worth.
He’s the Great Creator,
   Of Heaven and Earth.

He made thee, small Sparrow,
   And the Eagle, and Dove,
And all things on earth,
   And all things above.

And just like that Sparrow,
   I fell from my place.
It was then that I learned,
   Of His Infinite Grace.

Never out of His sight,
   And He knows what is Best.
And with Gentle Hands,
   He puts us back in the nest.

We rejoice, little Sparrow,
   Now back in our place.
We were never forsaken,
   We’re Trophies of Grace.

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WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS…
I do sincerely wish to thank each of you who pray for, and support this Ministry. Without the help of friends out there, we could do very little. Every gift is needed and appreciated. Thank you for your letters, and calls. Thank you for every word of encouragement. God has so wonderfully blessed this Publication Ministry. We are living in the days of great communication. There are many more ways today to share the Gospel with the world. I would encourage every Fundamental (KJV) Church to become involved in every outreach available.

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        KNOW YOUR BIBLE

       “Accept no substitutes”
 By Pastor George Mills

Many years ago, as a young Christian, I attended a small Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee. I had been saved just 4 years. I had a desire to serve Christ. I did not know just what I should do. I wanted to be a preacher, but standing before people just frightened me. I had never said more than six words in one sentence in my life. Now, there I was, studying how to be a preacher. Well, anyway, I remember my “Bible Backgrounds” Class. I still have my notebook from that class. The Professor said to us, “We get our Bibles from two sources;
1. SINAITICUS. A scroll dated approx 400 AD. Found by accident by Constantine Von Tischendorf in St. Catherine’s Monastery in 1844.

2. VATICANUS. Also found by Tischendorf in the Vatican Library in 1849.“

The Professor told us that these two manuscripts are the source of our Bibles. As I stated, I was a young Christian. I did not know much, but the Professor’s statement, and his lesson series did not do much for me. I had heard many of the Great Preachers of those days, and many of the things I learned from them did not line up with what my Professor was teaching. I have been much interested over the years in studying Bible History. I have read good books by good Authors who have researched Bible History. I have learned from every source I have had available.
What my Professor was telling me is the same thing that “Bible” schools across America have fallen for. My Professor was introducing me to the CRITICAL TEXT.  This “Critical Text” was born in the 1860’s. Two Anglican textual critics; Wescott and Hort created a new Greek text from Vatacanus  and Siniaticus. There is no evidence in any writing or statement that these two “critics” were Christian. In fact, they did not believe the creation story, preservation of Scripture, and they were Darwinists.  Thus, the English Revised Version was birthed in 1889, producing a flood of over 200 “Most updated versions.” Every new version on the market comes from this Critical (corrupt) text.
One Bible stands alone. For 400 years, the King James Bible has stood as the Monarch Of Books. Vaticanus, and Siniaticus were born in apostasy in Alexandria in Egypt. Apostates continue to promote this text.
The RECEIVED TEXT, born in the Inspiration of The Holy Spirit in the heart of the Apostles and sent to local Churches, who in turn spread the Word to other cities, and regions.  Each Manuscript passed on to other Churches, and RECEIVED up through the centuries. Men were brutally murdered, or burned at the stake in trying to get this text to the next generation. This is the text where we get our Bible. Educated men are saying that the New Critical Text is the best text. I ask the same question men have asked; “If the Critical text is best, why did God hide it for 1600 years? If the Received Text is inferior, why would the Holy Spirit use it to completely dominate the world since Apostolic days?”
There is no doubt about it, the greatest issue of our time is the issue of the Bible.
Which one? There are so many, take your choice. You can find one that will say anything you want it to say. Of course, you can always say, “I CHECKED THE GREEK.” Better check yourself on the “Greek” Some of these texts are now in their 25th REVISION.
I believe in the Inspired, Infallible, Inerrant, PRESERVED Word of God, and Preserved for us in English in the King James Version. “Accept No Substitutes.” My Professor did not shake my faith, he only caused me to search the truth.
As I say to folk everywhere I go. “THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR BIBLE.” (KJV).

I was reading a statement by Dr. Frank Logsdon, Co-founder of the New American Standard Version…He said, “I thought that the Wescott and Hort text was correct. I must under God denounce every attachment to the New American Standard Version.  I’m afraid I’m in trouble with the Lord.  I wrote the format. I wrote the preface. When you see the preface in the New American Standard Version, those are my words. It’s WRONG, it’s terribly wrong, it’s frightfully wrong. The deletions are absolutely frightening, there are so many. Are we so naïve that we do not suspect Satanic deception in all of this?”
I would to God that every promoter of “versions” from the CRITICAL text would ask the same questions.
However, the bottom line in the “BIBLE” issue is as it has always been; MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.
Take care, It’s not payday yet, (Rev. 22:18-19).

Vol. 31, No. 10 October, 2007

IF THE TEAM ISN’T WINNING, FIRE THE QUARTERBACK
“Smite the Shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”

       By Pastor George Mills

The answer is, “just fire the Quarterback, find a new one, and we’re sure to start winning.” I suppose this must be the thinking of the owners of the Football team here in Jacksonville because before the first game of the new season, on August 31, the Coach announced that the starting Quarterback has been dismissed from the team.
“Just get rid of our Pastor, find a new one, and for sure the Church will start growing.” This is the thinking of many churches across America today.
Recently, I heard about a church that gave a similar situation to the Pastor. The gist was, “If this Church does not grow within a certain few months, then we must look for another Pastor.”
Many Pastors across the land are facing the same kind of situation. “Things must change. Other churches are growing and we are not. This has to be the Pastor’s fault.”

 I am somewhat familiar with the above mentioned Church, and be it far from me to attempt to interfere in the affairs of
any local Church. No one has that right. I believe in the autonomy of the local New Testament Church. I believe that the said ultimatum came from some Church committee. To me, a committee dictating to the Pastor what he must and must not do is far from any Biblical method, but it is not uncommon. While this is not specifically directed to that Church, it is for any and every Pastor and local Church. This same scenario seems to be plaguing churches and Pastors throughout the land.   I do understand that Church governments are different in various denominations, groups, etc. This is one of the reasons why I am an Independent Baptist.

1. CONSIDER. First, Let us consider our Quarterback, (Pastor, that is). A football quarterback must meet certain qualifications. The same is true of the Pastor. We have a “Play Book” called the Bible. It gives the rules to follow. Just to mention a few, let’s look at First Timothy 3:1-7; “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a Bishop, (Elder, or Pastor, same office, different duties) he desireth a good work. A Bishop (Pastor) then must be blameless,

the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the House of God? Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and snare of the devil.” “LIKEWISE MUST THE DEACONS.” So, there are some of the qualifications of our quarterback (Pastor) Since I am somewhat familiar with the above mentioned Church and it’s Pastor, let’s examine his qualifications for a few moments. I have in mind also hundreds of Qualified Pastors who are in the same situation…
BLAMELESS. Not sinless.  No one can point an accusing finger.
HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE. He still has the one he started with,
VIGILANT. Watchful, prayerful.
SOBER…Serious
OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR. His reputation is to be spotless.
GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY. His home is always open. (This does not mean that his wife has to cook for the congregation).
NOT GIVEN TO WINE. Does not consume alcohol.
NO STRIKER. Does not hit back.
NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE. Not after money.
IN EVERY POINT  MENTIONED IN THIS TEXT,  THE PASTOR I AM MOST FAMILIAR WITH MORE THAN MEETS EVERY QUALIFICATION. Most of the Pastors I am familiar with are good Godly men who love Jesus and want to do a work for Him. (It is a shame to place a Pastor and his family in such trying situations)Let’s continue..
PATIENT.  Longsuffering.
NOT A BRAWLER. These points are self descriptive.
NOT COVETEOUS.
HAS HIS HOUSE AND CHILDREN IN SUBJECTION. The Pastor I am most familiar with raised his children in that Church and children are now serving Christ.
NOT A NOVICE. One who knows the Bible well. One who “studies to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Tim 2:15)
A GOOD REPORT OF THEM WHICH ARE WITHOUT. A good name in the community. The Pastor I have in mind has such a fine reputation that I have never heard the slightest hint of any bad report about him. Of course, the same can be true of most of the Pastors who are facing the same dilemma.
So, if there is not a MORAL issue.
If there is not a SCRIPTURAL issue.
If there is not a SOCIAL issue, what accusation can be brought against any Pastor?

I wonder, where in the Bible (KJV) does it even hint that it is the Pastor’s duty, or responsibility to build the Church? You can’t find that, no, not in the Bible, no, not with a flashlight and a crow bar
The Pastor is the under shepherd, and servant of Christ, and NOT servant of the Church, or ANY Church committee. “The Elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an Elder (Pastor) and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.(1Peter 5:1-3) “And He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some PASTORS and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11:12) These verses, and others, give no hint that it is the Pastor’s duty to build the Church. One person alone cannot do that. The Pastor is to “Feed the flock of God” and the flock of God is to leave the assembly and take the Gospel message to their homes, communities, jobs, etc. In Acts 6, the apostles were serving tables instead of studying the Word of God. They chose seven men of honest report and set them over the business of serving in order that the Apostles might “Give themselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the Word.” The Pastor feeds the flock. The Pastor Prays for the flock. The Pastor carefully guards the flock. Satan is behind every bush just waiting for an opportunity to slip in with his doctrines. The idea that the Pastor is to build the Church cannot be found in that passage of Scripture

2. CHANGE. The call in many churches today is a call for CHANGE.
Change is not necessarily wrong. If any Pastor does not live up to the qualifications listed in the Bible, perhaps it is well that a Church call for a change. This is not true in most cases. “CHANGE” today usually means, “We want to be like other churches. We want some toe tappin’ MUSIC and some drums, and cymbals, you know, some things that appeal to our young people. We want some of this ‘contemporary stuff.’ We just want CHANGE in our worship services.” You know, like other churches.” Other churches have changed in many areas, and believe me, this change has not been for the better.
I believe that every Church should seek “The old paths” and stay there. With the winds of false doctrine blowing today, it is best that every Church examine the message from the pulpit. “Is it Biblical? Does our Pastor stay with the Bible?” If the answer is yes, Change is not necessary.

3. COMPROMISE. Usually, not in every case, but in most cases today, CHANGE leads to COMPROMISE. This is one of the reasons why these new ‘versions’ are replacing the Bible (KJV) So much is omitted, added, or substituted, anything goes. Just listen to the DOCTRINES preached today. Sound doctrine today is a thing of the past. My dear, God called Pastor Brother, Don’t change. Don’t ride the “compromise” bus.

4. CONFORMITY. “Be not conformed to this world.” I Challenge you to take a few minutes of channel surfing. Watch a Rock And Roll concert, and quickly turn to a ‘worship’ service. Same thing, no difference. Same dances, sounds, movements, dress, same fleshly appeal. Churches have called for CHANGE. Change led to COMPROMISE.  Compromise led to CONFORMITY. Oh yes, ‘churches’ have been built. Crowds are assembled. Churches a half mile wide, and a quarter inch deep have been built.

5. CONSEQUENCES. Today, we are not reaping a harvest of souls, changed by the power of the Gospel of Christ. I wish that all of the change in churches over the last 25 years or so has been a movement of the Holy Spirit, but I’m afraid that if we examine these things by the Bible,(KJV) we will find this not to be true. All of this Change and Compromise has so confused the world of religion, the Antichrist will have very few problems in his rise to power.

Attention Churches. Good, Godly Pastors are getting harder to find. And you may not like what you find, when you find what you are looking for. And remember this great Biblical warning; Before you place your hands, or words, or actions, on your Pastor, make sure that God has His hands off him.

6. CORRECTION. How about a time of examination. You committee members, deacons, elders, or board members, etc.
That Pastor who you think needs to be replaced. Does he meet the Biblical qualifications? If he does, and the one Pastor I have in mind certainly does, as does other Pastors, have you helped your Pastor? How many times have you been on visitation with him? When is the last time you took some Bible tracts in hand and went out knocking on doors? When have you prayed with your Pastor? When and how have you tried to encourage him? And what about his family? Have you considered them?  Church members, board members, it is YOUR responsibility to help build up the Church. What have you done to help?

There is so much more I would like to say on this subject, but I trust that these few things have sparked some real thinking in Churches all over the nation that are presently in this mind set. This Publication Ministry is in every one of the 50 States, and in August, we were also in 52 countries of the world. This represents many Churches. Some of these Churches have this CHANGE THE PASTOR FOR NO REASON MIND SET. I trust that the membership of every Church will…
LOVE YOUR PASTOR.
PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR.
SUPPORT YOUR PASTOR
ENCOURAGE YOUR PASTOR. SATAN IS OUT TO DESTROY EVERY GODLY PASTOR THAT HE CAN DESTROY.

And, if your Church is in this CHANGE mood, copy this message and give it to the board members to read. Ask them about their visitation efforts, and helps rendered. It may surprise you to find out how long it has been since they have rendered any assistance.

These are trying times in the religious world. False doctrine abounds. It is not just a little here, and a little there, it is everywhere. If your Pastor opens the Bible and preaches, “thus saith the Lord,” and the Lord really said it, keep him.
GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER PASTOR.
MAY GOD SPEAK TO EVERY CHURCH THAT MAY BE IN THIS MIND SET. MAY THEY COUNT THE COST.
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THINK ABOUT IT…Sometimes a Church, or Pastor sees the need for a Change. If the Holy Spirit is in that change, all will be at peace. There will be no confusion, or ill will. God is NOT the Author of confusion.

AND THINK ABOUT IT…It is much less expensive and much easier for an unsatisfied Church member to move his/her membership to a church more suitable, than it is for a Pastor to move his furniture to another location.

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THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING    
           GOD (1Tim 3:15)
“Upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18).

1. THE CHURCH DEFINED. The word “CHURCH”  means ‘An assembly of called out ones’.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who HATH CALLED YOU OUT of darkness into His marvelous light. (1Pet 2:9)
The Church is defined or revealed in 2 aspects…

(A) THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH. (Now, that should start some bells ringing) I hesitate to use the word “universal” because so many take that word in different directions. The Bible says, “Of whom the whole family in HEAVEN and EARTH is named.” (Eph 3:14-21). The whole family of God. Some of this family are already in Heaven. Our loved ones gone on, our forefathers, etc. Some of this family are still here on earth. I have heard and read about an “INVISIBLE CHURCH” There is no such thing.
All members of the Great Church of God have been Born again. They have received by faith the message of the Cross and the empty tomb. They have been baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, (1Cor 12:13) This is NOT water baptism. Quite frequently I hear from people in various places throughout the world. Some places I have never heard of and will never see. Anyway, they tell me of their faith and trust in Christ as their Saviour. I have no other choice than to believe that they are part of the family of God on the earth.
Now, the great Universal Church does not have a Pastor. It does not send out Missionaries, etc. so it is broken down into

(B) LOCAL NEW TESTAMENT ASSEMBLIES. Local Churches as at Corinth, Ephesus, Colosse, Philippi.
Not all members of the local assembly are members of the Great Church of God. You can be a member of a local Church and still not be saved. Our Salvation is in receiving Christ.
The Local assembly has officers to fulfill it’s functions under Christ…
(a) PASTOR. (Eph 4:11-12), (1Pet 5:1-3)
(b) OFFICERS as needed, such as deacons, etc.
I am happy to be a part of a local Church, and of that Great “General Assembly, and Church of the firstborn.”(Heb 12:23)

2. THE CHURCH DIRECTED. “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” (Mt 28:19-20) The Church is directed to take the Gospel of Christ to the world.  The Church is not directed to get involved  in the environmental issues, Social Reform, Housing programs, moral reformation, or many other programs of man.  Now, when we take the Gospel to men and they get saved, one by one, the moral and social issues change. The Gospel starts on the inside. Man’s heart must first be changed.

3. THE CHURCH DYNAMIC. The Church forceful, the Church powerful. “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified and walking in the fear of the lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, WERE MULTIPLIED.” (Acts 9:31) The churches were busy fulfilling the Great Commission. The Jewish unbelievers at Thessalonica, so opposed to the Resurrection of Christ, in their attempt to seize Paul assaulted the house of Jason, but did not find Paul and Silas. In their frustration, they made the statement, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” (Acts 17:1-9) The Church Dynamic is the Church taking the Gospel of Christ to the world, making disciples, and multiplying. Wouldn’t it be great if men said about each of us, “They have turned their world upside down.”

4. THE CHURCH DILUTED. As we read the Epistles, we clearly see that there are problems in the Churches. These letters were written to straighten out problems.  Their Dynamite had been diluted…

 (A) DILUTED BY DIVISIONS. As in the Corinthian Church. Paul writes, “For ye are yet carnal, for whereas there is among you ENVYING, and STRIFE, and DIVISIONS, are ye not carnal and walk as men?” (1Cor 3:1-11). How many local churches today have been so limited because of DIVISIONS. Paul wrote to the Romans to, “Mark them which cause DIVISIONS and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them.” (Ro 16:17). In Proverbs 6, the wise man listed six things the Lord hates, and he added the seventh thing, “He that soweth DISCORD among the brethren.” (Pr. 6:16-19). Just another word of caution here. Paul strongly doubted the salvation of some in the Churches (1Tim 1:20). Those who continually cause trouble and problems in the local Church, perhaps this day and time would be the right time for you to ask yourself, “AM I REALLY SAVED?” I do not believe that one who continually causes trouble, disturbs the Church, seeks headship, such as did Diotrephes, (3John9-11) is really saved. The Bible has strong language against such conduct. If this describes you, then get saved today. Receive Christ as your Saviour. Tell Him that you repent of all your wickedness, and that you believe in His finished work of Redemption.

(B) DILUTED BY DEFILEMENT. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness?” (1Cor 6:14). So many churches today have opened their doors to Jezebel (Rev 2:18-23). There is no longer a clear line of separation. DIVISIONS opened the door, and DEFILEMENT walked in. We cannot hold hands with the world, and with the Saviour.

(C) DILUTED BY DOCTRINES. DEFILEMENT BROUGHT WITH IT STRANGE DOCTRINES.  As you read the Book of First Thessalonians, you will read about a Church DYNAMIC.  “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad, so we need not to speak anything.” This small band of believers were united and spreading the good news of the Gospel. Now, as you read Second Thessalonians, you will see quite a difference. The church began to believe that they were going through the great tribulation. It seems that someone wrote a letter to that affect and signed Paul’s name to it, and sent it to the Church, (2Thess 2:1-2). Since Paul’s day, many “letters” and versions have been signed as being “Officially from God.” Winds of doctrines blow today. A new doctrine arises almost daily. People are flocking to this new thing, and then to that new thing, to this doctrine, and to that. And so many have been DILUTED by DOCTRINES. Paul warned us again and again, (2Tim 4:1-4).

5. THE CHURCH DISCIPLINED.  The Lord Jesus walked amidst His Churches in Revelation 1, He saw the problems and threatened to discipline the wrong He found. “Whom the Lord lovest He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”(Heb 12:3-15). The candles (churches) of Rev. 1 have long since been extinguished. And the same is true today. Many churches, once aflame with the Gospel Message have been closed. Christ has had to sharply discipline some of His Churches. Oh, that His smile of favor would be upon this Church, your Church!

6. THE CHURCH DESTINED. “I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  We are on the winning side.

TODAY, any local Church can live in Revival. I do not believe the Bible teaches that in the last days there will be a great revival in the world. The opposite is true. Apostasy and false doctrine will abound in the last days. But as I said, any local Church can live in Revival. Let each of us have that time of seeking His face for revival. May it begin with me.

TOMORROW, The Church will live in Heaven. “For our conversation is in Heaven whence also, we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His Glorious Body…” (Phil 3:20-21).
Has God spoken to your heart about anything concerning your relationship with Him or His Church? Settle these things with Him today.

Once again, not everything that calls itself “church” is Church. Only that which honors the Word, KJV) and Loves the Saviour, our Lord Jesus qualifies. I’m glad that I’m part of The Church!

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            THE CHURCH
       By Pastor George Mills

“Upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (My 16:18

 Before the foundation of the earth was laid,
   And before the awful stain of man’s sin,
Be plan of salvation was already made,
   And Christ came, for His work to begin.

Christ came to redeem, not with silver or gold,
   But by His own blood, the spotless Lamb,
The Lamb upon whom all sin was laid,
   The incarnate, the Great i am.

I love the Church that Jesus bought,
   With Blood from His wounded side,
To know that He came to earth and sought,
   And He claims us for His bride.

Filled with the Spirit, armed with His Sword,
   Washed and made white in His Blood,
All clothed in the armor of  His Blessed Word
   And will withstand the enemy’s flood.

The Church, born from His wounded side,
   ‘Though Satan may assail,
Secure in the Saviour’s hands we abide,
   The Church will ever prevail.

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Vol. 31, No. 8  August, 2007

“I HAVE CALLED”
By Pastor George Mills

“Turn you at My reproof, because I will pour out my Spirit unto you. I will make known My words unto you. Because I HAVE CALLED, and ye refused. I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. But ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof. I will also laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your fear cometh. When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer, they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would none of My counsel, they despised all My reproof. Therefore shall they eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” (Prov 1:23-31)

“I HAVE CALLED.” Did it ever occur to you that God has been after you all of your life? Christ has been patiently waiting for you to call upon Him while you have TODAY. Let us together take a few minutes and see just how God has been calling men unto Himself. He calls us from something, unto someone.

1. HIS CALLING IS PHYSICAL. The Personal God calls the physical unto Himself. The calling of God reaches the entire being of man. His calling affects the hearing, the seeing, all of our physical senses are someway affected by His calling. As I have thought of my past life before I was saved, I can see time after time that God moved in my physical being in trying to gain my attention. Many times back there I should have died, or been killed, but for the Grace of God. Now, there is no way that I can rightly be called a Calvinist. In fact, just a few Months ago, I listed the points of Calvinism and stated why I disagreed with all five points. So, while I do not believe in the doctrine of predestination, I can clearly see how God was working in my life to get me Saved. “I HAVE CALLED.”

2. HIS CALLING IS PSYCHOLOGICAL. Now, don’t turn me off. I am not going to take us on a trip to some Physiatrist’s couch. I mean that His calling affects the inner man, the mental, the MIND. This is Satan’s battleground; the MIND. Satan’s attack in the beginning was not so much lustful,(and it was lustful) his
Attack was against the mental, the MIND. This indeed would be a great study. But the truth is that God’s calling affects the Mental as well as the Physical. “I HAVE CALLED.”

3. HIS CALLING IS BY PERSONALITIES. Think of Godly PARENTS who taught us about Christ. God was using them in His calling us.
And how about the PREACHER. Can you remember how he preached and how your heart beat in you bosom when the invitation was given?
And there is a PARTNER. that God used.  A wife, or a husband. God used that loved one in calling you, me to Repentance.
We could mention a PAL. A dear friend who kept after you. What a dear precious friend is that one who will not give up. Yes, in His calling, God uses PERSONALITIES. “I HAVE CALLED.”

4. GOD’S CALLING IS THROUGH PRAYER. Think of the prayers of others. I believe that Jesus prayed for me on His way to Gethsemane. In His High Priestly prayer in John 17:20 Jesus prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” That prayer included me. I have mentioned PARENTS, PREACHERS, PARTNERS, and PALS. But perhaps there were others we know not of who were praying for us. Yes, God’s calling is through the faithful prayers of many people. Let us never stop praying for the unsaved. Let us keep witnessing, encouraging, and praying. “I HAVE CALLED.”

5. HIS CALLING IS BY THE PARACLETE. Now, I am not going to try to pull some “Greek” on you. Paraclete is a Greek word meaning, Advocate, Intercessor, to invoke, TO CALL. The Paraclete is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has been on our trail all of our lives. Our Text in Proverbs says, “I will pour out My Spirit unto you.” (v23). As I look back, I look back in amazement. I must confess that the Holy Spirit moved in my life so many, many times. I am so sorry that I did not heed His calling when I was just a young boy. I am so glad that God was patient with me, and that He saved me the moment I trusted Him. “I HAVE CALLED.”

6. HIS CALLING IS THROUGH THE PRECEPTS. “Precepts” meaning His Commandments, His Ordinances. Again, our text says, “I will make known My WORDS unto you.” (v23). He calls us by His Powerful Word. “So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Ro 10:17). This is why the unsaved man does not like the Bible, (KJV). The Bible tells what we are. It hides nothing. God calls us by His Word. “I HAVE CALLED.”

7. GOD’S CALLING IS THROUGH PROBLEMS. Sometimes He troubles our lives. Not because He is unfair, or unjust. Sometimes PROBLEMS are just God’s way of tapping us on our shoulder and saying to us, “We need to talk.” “You need to be saved, today.” Jesus said to Saul before he was saved and his name changed to Paul, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest, it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:5). Saul was present at the stoning of Stephen. I am quite sure that this is one of the “pricks” God used to get his attention.  “I HAVE CALLED.”

8. GOD’S CALLING IS PERSONAL. Sure, God uses People, Personalities, Parents, Prayers, Paraclete, Precepts, etc, but God calls us PERSONALLY.

(A) There is a General Call. John the Baptist said of Christ, “That was the True Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (Jn. 1:9) That verse tells me that in some way, God speaks to every man born into this world. There is within the inner being of every man the need to know God.

(B) There is a Personal Call. Through the Bible, from Genesis 3:15 unto the last invitation in Rev 22:17, “And the Spirit and the Bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
That Personal Call is the time when the Holy Spirit of God takes the Word of God and convinces you that…
(A) YOU are a sinner.  The “ALL” have sinned and come short of the Glory of God,” Becomes “I HAVE SINNED.”

 (B) YOU cannot save yourself from the Penalty and Power of sin. Christ bore all of the penalty for YOUR sin by His Death on the Cross, and His Resurrection from the dead. “For by GRACE are ye saved through faith and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God.” (Eph 2:8).

(C )YOU must, by faith alone ask Christ to save you, to forgive your sin.

He gives us  a NEW LIFE, His Righteousness.  And with a NEW HEART, and a NEW LIFE we can begin to really live, and live forever.
“I HAVE CALLED.”

I REJECTED that call. Time and time again, I REJECTED that Call.

I did not REGARD that call.

One day I did RECEIVE that call. I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit as He convinced me of my sin, and pointed me to my Wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Today, I REJOICE in that call.

He was calling me all of my life, and I did not recognize His voice. And He is calling YOU today. In one or more of the ways I have mentioned, and perhaps in ways I have failed to mention, God has been calling you to Repentance. Today is your day to answer His call. He is there, where you are. He will hear the cry of the repentant heart. “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” Tell Him just now that you receive Him. The Bible says, “ask, and ye shall receive.” Answer His call just now. Begin TODAY to Live FOREVER.
“I HAVE CALLED.”

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THINK ABOUT IT…All of our righteousness are filthy rags. What could He do with such? His gives His Righteousness.

WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS… Time now for comments and questions…

IS THERE HOPE IN THE POPE?

Just a few days ago the Pope issued the statement saying that “Salvation is ONLY in the church, and that the Roman Catholic Church is the ONLY church.”  That leaves all of the rest of professing Christianity without any hope. I wonder where he got that teaching from.  He certainly did not get that from the Bible. He did not get that from the Latin Vulgate (catholic) bible, nor did he get that from the Douay (catholic) bible. He got that from tradition. He must have gotten that from some “Priest’s handbook” Probably from the same book where the doctrine of purgatory, next to the page where the doctrine of Transubstantiation is found. Should the Pope read the Bible, (KJV) he will find that Salvation is only in CHRIST, not the church, IN CHRIST.  He did not find his “theory” in John 3, nor in Romans 10:13, nor in Ephesians 1-2, nor in dozens of other great Chapters on the simple plan of Salvation.
The Pope has not stated something new. Nothing has changed. This has been their position down through the centuries. They have not changed. I believe that you can get a vivid picture of this “religious system” as you read Revelation 17:1-7. And in Ch. 18 you read where Religious, Political, and Economical Babylon will be judged.
I would not trade my liberty IN CHRIST for all of that man made tradition, superstitution, idols, statues, robes, candles, rites, rituals, paganism. We are free IN CHRIST.
I am aware that some of our readers are catholic. I am trusting that all we come in contact with will trust the Living Christ, and not some religion. And unless the Pope comes to the realization that Salvation is only IN CHRIST, then THERE’S NO HOPE FOR THE POPE.

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Please remember to pray for the “WILDERNESS” Ministries. I believe that these are worthy of your prayers and your support…

1. WILDERNESS Monthly Publication. This small Publication was born in June, 1976. We are now 31 years young. My, how God has blessed.

2. WILDERNESS Tracts, books, and other helps to win souls and to get started right.

3. WILDERNESS Prison Ministry. Our Publication is sent into many State Prisons,  County, and City Jails. We hear from inmates regularly. We are glad to know that this Ministry has helped.

4. WILDERNESS Internet Ministry. This Monthly Publication has been posted on our web site since 2001. Readers in over 40 countries visited our web site in June.

5. WILDERNESS Bibles for Africa. Daily we receive requests for Bibles, tracts, and other helps. We do what we can to help.

6. WILDERNESS Radio. “The Church In The Wildwood Broadcast” began in 1966. We have tried to cover as much of the world as we can. This was broadcast short wave, and now on our web site.
I trust that we can do more and reach further than ever. We have never had an abundance of funds. We have depended upon the generosity of God’s people. I have tried to show that just a small congregation can reach many, especially in these days of communication.

     “BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US”

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             THE BIBLE (KJV)

The Bible contains 3,566,480 letters, 733,746 words, 31,102 verses, 1,189 chapters, and 66 books. The longest chapter is the 119th Psalm. The shortest is the 117th Psalm. The middle verse is  the 8th of the 118th Psalm. The middle word is really two words, “THE LORD” Psa 118:8. (this is not the case in these new “translations.”) The longest name is in the 8th chapter of Isaiah. The word “and” appears 46,227 times. The thirty-seventh chapter of Isaiah and the 19th chapter of 2Kings are alike. The longest verse is the 9th of the eighth chapter of Esther. The shortest verse is the 35th of the 11th chapter of John. In the 21st verse of  the 7th chapter of Ezra is the alphabet. The name of God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. The Bible contains two testaments. The Old is Law, the New is Love. The Old is the Bud, the New is the Bloom. In the Old, man is reaching up for God, in the New God is reaching down for man. In the Old, man is in the valley but can see the sun shining on the mountain tops. In the New he is on the mountain top basking in the sunlight of God’s Infinite Love.
“I am in prison. I am a Christian, but I am in prison. There seems to be so little that I can do. Any Suggestions?”

Answer…I am glad that we have the opportunity to send this Publication, in bulk to quite a few prisons. We trust that this Ministry will in some way help you.
I am  glad to know that you are a Christian. I am well aware of the fact that life is not easy there, this is especially true for a Christian…

(A) Learn to pray. Pray for yourself. You have as much access to God in prayer that anyone else has. Ask God for power to live for Him. Power to overcome. Create a prayer list. List the ones you know who are not saved and pray for them. I thank God for the ones in places I know not of who pray for this ministry. Learn to pray.
(B) Study your Bible (KJV). The Bible is the source of wisdom. It helps us understand ourselves, and the nature of man. Become a student of God’s Word.
Perhaps you could enroll in a correspondence course. There are several sound schools that offer correspondence  courses.
(C) Witness to others in prison. Many in prison have never heard a clear Gospel witness. Many have left prison to become real giants for God.
(D) Work on your secular education. Work on some degree. If you do not have a high school education, work on that. Don’t just waste your time
(E) Self examination. What led you there in the first place. SIN.  Determine that by the Grace of God, “I will never be the same.” Let this time make you BETTER and not BITTER.  Thanks, and God bless you.

REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR

 Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain. In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened. And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low. Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and mourners go about in the streets. Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, and the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel be broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to earth as it was, and the spirit return unto God who gave it.”

 This text. It pictures the stages of a man’s life. It pictures YOUTH, GROWING OLDER, OLD AGE, DEATH, ETERNITY..

1. YOUTH. V1.
 Remember, now in days of youth. This is the time of excitement, of learning, of planning. This is the time of life when we should do our best for God. In this text, old age is pictured as a coming storm that blocks out light. “WHILE THE EVIL DAYS COME NOT.” Before the trying days of old age, Remember NOW thy Creator. The time will come when you can no longer work, plan, or dream…look at what’s ahead.

2. OLD AGE, v3-5.
If we live, old age will be upon us, so very soon. This will not be a time of planning, of building. Solomon describes these coming days…

(A) THE KEEPERS OF THE HOUSE SHALL TREMBLE. This body we live in is referred to as a tabernacle, a HOUSE . What are the “keepers of the house?” The keepers are the arms and hands. If someone throws a punch, you raise your hands to protect the HOUSE. In your youth your hands and arms are strong. If you plan to use your hands to reach out to help someone, do it NOW. The time will come when the hands will tremble with age. No longer strong and able to reach out.

(B) THE STRONG MEN SHALL BOW THEMSELVES
What are the “strong Men?” These are the pillars under the house. These hold the house up. The strong men are the legs. While you are young you can walk, you can run, you can climb, and seemingly never tire.
While you have the days of youth, let your legs carry you to a Ministry for God somewhere. If we live, the days will come when we will no longer be able to run, or walk fast. Solomon says use your hands, arms, and legs for God. He continues to describe old age..

(C) GRINDERS CEASE BECAUSE THEY ARE FEW
What are the grinders? These are the teeth. “The sound of the grinding is low.” This describes the toothless chewing of food. In old age, it takes time just to eat a small meal. When you are young you can swallow two hamburgers in a moment. Not so in old age. You have to eat slowly, carefully. The digestive system is just not what it used to be.

(D) AND THEY THAT LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOWS SHALL BE DARKENED. In old age, eyesight fails. Vision dims. We are reminded by our Lord to “Look upon the fields white unto harvest.” While you are young let your eyes see the plan of God. Let your eyes be filled with tears as you see the lost condition of man.  Let your eyes read, and feast on the Word of God, before they grow dim with age.
(E) THE DOORS SHALL BE SHUT IN THE STREET. In old age, the hearing dulls. No longer do you enjoy the sweet sounds about you. The hearing is gone. Like a closed door that shuts out sound. No longer can we hear the Macedonian call to “Come over and help us.”

(F) HE SHALL RISE AT THE VOICE OF A BIRD.
Old folks “get up with the chickens.” The inability to sleep, and rest well at night just fades away. You do not rest at night, only a couple of hours, and then nod and doze through the day

(G) THE DAUGHTERS OF MUSIC SHALL BE BROUGHT LOW. The daughters of music are the vocal cords. When you are young you can sing, yell, holler. But not so in old age. Use your voice for God.

(H) THEY SHALL BE AFRAID OF THAT WHICH IS HIGH. If you fall, you are afraid that  something will be broken. Not the same as in youth when you could climb high with no fear.

(I) THE ALMOND TREE SHALL FLOURISH. I am told that this tree in full blossom has a snowy appearance. This pictures the gray hair.

(J) THE GRASSHOPPER SHALL BE A BURDEN. Little things will bother you. Little things you would never notice when you were young.

(K) DESIRE SHALL FAIL. All of the desire of youth will fail. You don’t find old folks planning to build a bridge, or do some great work

3. DEATH COMES.
 “Mourners go about in the streets. Solomon describes the time of death..

(A)The Silver cord is loosed. The spinal cord collapses. No longer able to send strength to the limbs.

(B) THE GOLDEN BOWL BE BROKEN. The brain stops working. It no longer tells the rest of the body what to do.

(C) THE PITCHER IS BROKEN AT THE FOUNTAIN. The heart stops beating. In a lifetime that heart would fill 100 tank cars with blood…But it will stop.

(D)THE WHEEL BE BROKEN AT THE CISTERN. The lungs will fill with fluid and collapse.

“AND MOURNERS GO ABOUT IN THE STREETS.”

4. ETERNITY. “MAN GOETH TO HIS LONG HOME.” That “Long Home” is where he spends eternity. If a man, or woman has received Christ, his “Long Home” will be Heaven with the Redeemed. If a man or woman has rejected Christ, there is no other place but hell. It’s Heaven, or Hell. What we have done with Jesus Christ makes the difference in our “Long Home.”
The admonition is simple REMEMBER NOW thy Creator. While you can. While you have your youth. Use your hands for God. Let your legs carry you with the Gospel. Let your eyes see the needs of the masses of the world. Let your voice be heard in service for God. Let your ears hear the cry of the nations without God.  May your dreams, plans, vision all include God. When life is over and you stand before Him, you will be so glad that you REMEMBERED THY CREATOR IN DAYS OF YOUTH.

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                 THE GOSPEL

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the Power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Ro. 1:16
Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel. We should never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the only means whereby sinners can be saved. The Gospel is the Truth that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He arose from the dead on the third day. Christ paid for all our sin. There is no other payment for sin. There is no other way. Trusting completely in the Gospel of Christ is God’s only way of Salvation.

REMEMBER THY CREATOR

(Eccl. 12:1-7)
By Pastor George Mills

Remember now, in days of youth,
   The Creator of us all,
And spend thy days to spread his Truth
   To each one, great or small.

While hearing keen, and eyes are bright,
   While legs are strong and true,
As helping hands hold forth the Light,
   And with a strong voice too.

Before the days of youth are gone,
   And age takes all it’s fare,
And hands no longer quick to help,
   And legs not strong to bear.

Before I reach that long, long home,
   Before my youth is past,
I give myself to God alone,
   And on Him I do cast;

Myself, my time, my talent small,
   To use as He knows best,
Before I hear that final call,
   And enter Heaven’s Rest.

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THINK ABOUT IT…Today is the tomorrow you were thinking about yesterday

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian. The world and it’s system seeks to crucify us. Our hope is in the Crucified, Risen One.

Do you know what it means to be saved? That is, to be saved from the PENALTY and POWER of sin?

1. REALIZE that you are a sinner in God’s sight. All of us are born sinners. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Ro. 3:23.

2. RECOGNIZE that the wages of sin is death. Christ died on the Cross and rose again from the dead in full payment for our sin. Christ’s death and resurrection is the only atonement for our sin. (Ro. 6:23)

3. RECEIVE Jesus Christ as you own Personal Saviour. God has finished the way of salvation in the Person of Jesus Christ. You cannot earn Salvation by Baptism, confession, attending the Mass, or any other rites or rituals. You, as a REPENTENT sinner MUST ask God for His Grace to save you. “But as many as received Him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (Jn 1:12) You may ask, “How do I receive Christ?” Tell Him that you receive Him. The Bible says, “ask, and ye shall receive.” Just saying words, or repeating some prayer are not enough. You must come to God with a sincere, honest heart.

4. REJOICE  in a new life in Christ! Begin TODAY to live FOREVER!
God bless you. Trusting that you received Christ today.