Vol. 36, No. 12   December, 2012
              CHRISTMAS WISHES

From here at the WILDERNESS to wherever you may be, we wish for each of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a most Prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR!. We wish to thank everyone for your  prayers, support, and many good things done to help send this Ministry across the land, and into many foreign lands. THANK YOU! And again MERRY CHRISTMAS.

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     “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST”
        Pastor George Mills

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Lk. 2:13-14).

PEACE ON EARTH..Through the history of man there has been very few years when there was peace. History tells of wars, wars, and more wars. This past century saw our nation at war many times. There was world war 1, and world war 2, the Korean war, the Viet Nam war, and the Gulf war, and many smaller skirmishes. There is war in the Holy land, wars in the Arab world, wars in South America, wars in Africa, North Korea seems to be another hot spot.

 World war 3 could start a any minute. Wars,
terrorist attacks, gangs, violence all are just a few things that clearly testify, “There is no peace on earth.” What’s wrong? Almost 2000 years ago the Heavenly Chorus sang, “On earth, Peace.” Was that Heavenly chorus wrong? Why is there no peace on earth. Hasn’t man, in all of his learning found a way of peace? I thought about this much as I prepared this Christmas message. Let me share with you some things I believe the Lord has taught me…

THERE WILL BE NO PEACE DOWN HERE UNTIL GOD IN HEAVEN IS GLORIFIED. Read the text again, “Glory to God in the highest..” Until man gives God the Glory He deserves, there will be no peace. We must first fix the vertical, and the horizontal will take care of itself. The Bible says in Romans 1:28 that “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” Man does not give God the Glory. Man has ruled God out of everything he can. THINK ABOUT IT…Man has learned a few big words, has learned how to make computers,  learned to fly in space and he thinks that he is as smart as God. Psalm 2 is a commentary on man; “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and His anointed saying, let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us. It is very clear that man wants nothing to do with God or His Christ. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision.” Until man makes peace with God and gives Him Glory, there will be no peace.

PEACE DOES NOT COME NATIONALLY, BUT INDIVIDUALLY.
Man signs peace treaties, but they do not last. Just a few years ago Israel and the Palestinians signed a peace agreement and the people were fighting before the ink was dry. Peace comes to the individual. “Therefore being justified by faith we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro. 5:1). “For He (Christ) is our PEACE.” (Eph. 2:14). Man has war, and fighting, and pride and vanity because man does not have the PRINCE OF PEACE.

WE GLORIFY GOD ONLY WHEN WE RECEIVE HIS SON.
“And we beheld His Glory, the Glory of  the only begotten of the Father.” (John 1:14).The Glory John writes about is the Glory of Jesus Christ. Paul writes that we have come short of the Glory, (Ro. 3:23). That the Father may be glorified in the son.”(Jn. 14:13). The Glory is in Christ. When we receive Him, we receive His Glory. That wonderful Peace the heavenly chorus sang about comes in when Christ comes in. How about you? Are you longing for that deep, inner peace?” Jesus Christ is your answer. Invite Him into your life today. Begin TODAY to live FOREVER.

ONE DAY THE PRINCE OF PEACE WILL REIGN ON EARTH.
Then the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of God as waters cover the sea.” (Hab. 2:14). Until that day, there is no peace on earth.

TODAY, ONE BY ONE AS WE RECEIVE CHRIST, HE, THE PRINCE OF PEACE COMES IN.
The war is over. He reigns in our hearts. The hatred is gone. The prejudices are gone. The war is over, Christ is the victor. When He brings in His peace, everything changes.

THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE THEN IS PEACE.
Peace to the individual. You Glorify God in receiving His Son. He is there, where you are. Open your heart to Him today. TAKE CARE OF THE VERTICLE…THE HORIZONTAL WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.
GOD BLESS YOU! HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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         GOD HAD A LAMB IN MIND
                By Pastor George Mills

Wise men came from far away,
    A new born King to find,
But more than a King was born that day,
    God had a Lamb in mind.

Prince of Peace, Incarnate Son,
    There in a manger lay,
Angels praised the Holy One,
    But God had a Lamb in mind that day.

Gifts were brought on Christmas morn,
    Gifts of every kind,
But a Greater Gift was born that day,
    God had a Lamb in mind.

For wandering ones who’ve gone astray,
    For all of lost mankind,
God’s Precious Son was born that day,
    God had a Lamb in mind.

The Lamb was born on Christmas day,
    To die on Calvary’s Tree,
To take the sin of man away,
    God had a Lamb for me.

Wonderful, and Counselor grand,
    The Mighty God Divine.
But for lost man, God’s perfect plan,
    God had a Lamb in mind.

So on this coming Christmas morn,
    Whatever gifts you find,
God’s Greater Gift, the Son was born,
    God had a Lamb in mind.

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         CHRIST IS COMING  AGAIN
           “If I go, I will come again.”

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Mt. 25:1-13).
There are many great truths in this text. We will see a few in this study. This is a great dispensational text. Notice in verse one that the virgins, who are a picture of the Church, were waiting for the Bridegroom, who of course is a picture of Christ. The early church was filled with evangelism and expectancy of Christ’s return. But so soon, the early church, as did these virgins, went to sleep. They all slumbered and slept, WHILE THE BRIDEGROOM TARRIED. The call that HE IS COMING just  “went to sleep,” and through the dark ages, there was not much said about the second coming of Christ. But in recent years, the call goes out, “Behold the Bridegroom cometh.” I have read every doctrine I know of concerning the coming of Christ. I have read the arguments.  I made up my mind years ago that according to the Bible (KJB) Christ will return to catch His bride away. His coming can be at any time, any day. This is all in His own plan. I hold to the “Pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church.” You may not, but you have the right to be wrong. Now, that’s our position. We are not out to argue or debate. I know that most of our readers hold to the same position doctrinally. May God bless us as we study. May we all be motivated to get busy in the service of Christ. The Bible calls five of these virgins, “FOOLISH.” There are many “FOOLS” in the Bible. For instance, there is.

THE ATHIEST FOOL. “The fool hath said in his heart there is no god.” (Psa. 14:1). The man or woman who does not believe in God is a FOOL. Common sense, human reasoning, and creation itself testifies “GOD IS.”

THE FOOL who mocks at sin. “Fools make a mock at sin, but among the righteous there is favor.” (Pr. 14:9).God spells out sin clear and plain in the Scriptures. Sin was wrong when God said it, and sin is wrong today. Man may change the name, approve it and glorify it, but sin is still sin. Any man, or woman, government or kingdom who makes light of sin, who denies the dangers of sin is a FOOL. God said that!

THE FOOL who puts off Salvation. This is the truth of our text today. Five of these virgins had good intentions, they knew about the need to prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom. They knew about their need of oil, which represents the Holy Spirit. They had good intentions, they only went to sleep. Like multitudes today, they know these things, but they postpone, many wait too late. We could point out some good things in their lives.

They were virgins, indicating that they lived a good moral life. Morality never saved a soul. It is great to have a good, moral testimony

They were all members of the same congregation. Not all Church members are saved Church members.

They all heard the same message, “Behold the bridegroom cometh.”

They all waited for the same thing; The coming of the Bridegroom. It is clear that they understood the message.

They all went to sleep. Half were prepared, half were not. Five were WISE, five were FOOLISH.
Five of these waited “TOO LATE.” Now, follow me through this text…

1. THE COMMAND.. “WATCH.” (v13). Now, that’s a command, not a suggestion. Let me share with you that there is a four-fold watch…

(1).There is the OUTWARD WATCH. That’s our SUPPLICATION.

(2).There is the FORWARD WATCH. That’s our OCCUPATION.

(3). There is the INWARD WATCH. That’s our PURIFICATION.

(4). There is the UPWARD WATCH. That’s our EXPECTATION.

THE OUTWARD WATCH. This involves our prayer life. Jesus said, “Watch and pray” (Mt. 26:41). We must maintain an active prayer life. Pray for souls to be saved. Pray for your loved ones and friends. Pray The Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers. Pray for His return. PRAY!

THE FORWARD WATCH. We are to be busy, working for our Lord. We are to look for the tricks and traps of the enemy. We are to be “contending for the faith.” We are to be “building up yourselves in the most holy faith.” (Jude 20).

THE INWARD WATCH. This involves our daily lives. We are to live holy, separated lives pleasing to Christ. We belong to Him, let us live like that. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure.”

THE UPWARD WATCH. This involves the fervent, expectant hope of His return. Let’s see what happens when we do not keep the hope of His coming in our daily watch. “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my Lord delayeth His coming. And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken.” ((Mt. 24:48).

2. THE CAUTION.
    Many people take many things for granted, things the Bible clearly cautions us about.

SOME THINGS CANNOT BE SHARED. The cry in v8 is futile; “give us of  your oil.” Oil is the picture of the indwelling Holy Spirit who lives in every believer. The Holy Spirit cannot be shared. He comes in at conversion and will be with the believer until we are in the presence of Christ.

 (1) RIGHTEOUSNESS CANNOT BE SHARED.
We cannot share the righteousness of a Godly Mother or Father. We cannot borrow on the fact that we were raised in a Godly home. Righteousness is a free gift, but each one has to claim it. Paul said, “And be found in Him not having mine own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ.” (Phil. 3:9).

(2) REGENERATION CANNOT BE SHARED. Jesus said, YE must be born again.” Regenerated. We are born again the moment we receive Christ. That is something else with which no one can share. This is only through a personal faith in Christ alone.

(3) REMISSION OF SIN CANNOT BE SHARED. Jesus said, “this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the REMISSION of sin.” You cannot find that in some religion, or philosophy. This cannot be shared with anyone. This is personal. Each one must personally receive Christ.

 SOME THINGS CANNOT BE SOLD.”Go to them that sell and buy for yourselves.” But there are some things that cannot be sold. In Acts, Ch.18, Simon thought that he could buy the Holy Spirit, so he offered Peter some money. Peter said, “Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the GIFT of God can be purchased with money.”
CAUTION, some things cannot be shared, some things cannot be sold,

SOME THINGS YOU CANNOT BE SURE OF.  The five foolish virgins evidently assumed TOMORROW. We have had almost 2000 years of tomorrows, why not just one more? The Bible says “Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Perhaps you, like these five intend to do the right thing, but for them, their “tomorrow” never came. And, remember, TODAY is the TOMORROW you spoke about YESTERDAY.

3. THE COMING..

V10 says “The bridegroom came.” Just as He said, just at the right time. When He was not expected, (like today) He came. Christ will return, just as He said, in time, on His time. When He returns for His Church he will do three wonderful things…

HE WILL RECEIVE HIS BRIDE.  The Church, made up of Born Again believers from all nations, is His bride. One by one, as we receive Him,(Jn. 1:12) He receives us. (Jn 14:3). Christ promised in John 14 that He is going away to prepare a place for us. He is there now, and in His time He will return to receive His Church.

HE WILL REMOVE HIS BRIDE.
 In First Thessalonians, ch.4, Paul describes His coming in the Rapture, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. This world is not my home is a truth that every child of God can sing. He is coming to REMOVE us and take us to that “Land that is fairer than day.” We don’t look for things to get better down here. In fact the Bible says that things will progressively get worse. “Evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”(2Tim. 3:13).Our hope is not here, but THERE!

HE WILL REWARD HIS BRIDE. He will remember every work, every tear, every sacrifice, every prayer. Nothing done for Him is ever unnoticed by the piercing eye of Christ. He told the Churches in Revelation 2-3, “I know thy works.” He keeps records and will reward you for  everything done for His Glory and Honor. Wouldn’t it be great just to win a crown to lay at His feet, and to say, “Thank You Lord for the hours on the cross.” In our eyes, He deserves all honor, and Glory, and Majesty. In His eyes, His Church is something special. We are the ones who defied common sense and human reasoning when we said “Yes” to Him when most everyone else said NO! Now, that means something to Him. It will also be His Joy when He returns to receive and REWARD His Bride.
 In Revelation 19, there are two suppers. Rev 19:9 is the “Marriage supper of the Lamb.” This is beyond our understanding, but what a joy awaits. Will you be there? You will if you have received Him. He has given us His guarantee.
And then there is Rev 19:17, this is the “Supper of the Great God.”
This is the defeated armies of the antichrist. If you are not at the marriage supper, chances are you will be at the supper of the Great God.. It is all in what you have done with Christ!

4. THE CALLING.  “Behold, the bridegroom cometh. Go ye out to meet Him” As we have noted, we have had 2000 years of tomorrows, there is no guarantee of another. He tenderly pleads and calls for you today. Today, if you will hear His voice, open the door of your heart and He will come in at your invitation. You can begin TODAY to live FOREVER!

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       OUR LAMPS ARE GONE OUT
               By Pastor George Mills

“Give us of  your oil for our lamps are all gone out.”

                   (Mt. 25:1-13)

Behold the Bridegroom comes so soon,
    And we must prepare to meet.
But is His coming morn or noon,
    To see His Bride complete?

Behold the Bridegroom tarries still,
    And the hour is growing late.
Just to rest from the cool night chill,
    The oil will have to wait.

“Tomorrow on yon market square,
    To the merchant we will go,
The oil is waiting for us there,
    We are sure to find it so.”

“Behold the Bridegroom’s at the door,
    He’s here, just as He said.
But wait, our lamps, no oil in store,
    We’ll rise up from our bed.”

“Give us your oil, we must prepare,
    the Bridegroom now to meet.”
“Not so, for we have none to share,
    Go to the merchant on the street.”

They only meant to sleep awhile,
    And then their vessels fill.
And then to see the Bridegroom’s face,
    And to know the wedding’s thrill.

No time to go to them that sell,
    Too late, there’s not a doubt.
The useless cry, “Give us your oil,
    Our lamps are all gone out.”

Too late, too late, the Bridegroom came,
    And when they went about,
To find the oil, but that was vain,
    Their lamps had all gone out.

The lesson then is plain to see,
    Do right without a doubt,
Lest when Christ comes your cry will be,
    “Our lamps are all gone out.”

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                KNOW YOUR BIBLE
                    By Pastor Mills

I have just completed of study of the Epistles of First, Second, and Third John. I enjoyed this study very much. I urge every Christian to spend time in these wonderful books. Now, don’t study one of these “modern versions” that omit so many verses. For instance, In First John 4:3, the words, “Christ is come in the flesh” are missing. KNOW YOUR BIBLE! And the next Chapter; 1John 5:7,  “For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.” that complete verse about the Divine Trinity has been omitted from the new versions. KNOW YOUR BIBLE! Hundreds of verses, over 63,000
words have been omitted. Now you can find a ‘bible’ that will say whatever you want it to say.  God is not the author of confusion and He is not in this confusion over His Word. There is nothing wrong with your Bible, (KJB).

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           GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
The election is over and a President has been elected  to lead this nation for four years. While neither candidate had my support, I must accept the fact that the people have voted, and a President has been elected. It is my duty, as a citizen of this land to be a good citizen. My trust is not in any earthly king or kingdom. My trust is in the Lord God of Heaven, who rules, and overrules. Paul wrote in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they  watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.” Paul wrote to Timothy, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings and all that are in authority…” (1Tim 2:1).As Christians, let us pray for our leaders,  and let us be loyal Ambassadors and represent our Great King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ!

            GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

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       TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
By Ashley Stevens

    “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS”

Well, it’s that time again…it’s Christmas time! It’s time to feel the crisp cold air, snow falling from the sky, beautiful Christmas lights hung all around, and the smell of cookies baking in the oven, but the most important part about Christmas is being reminded about our Great Saviour’s birth.
We’ve often heard the saying; “All I want for Christmas is…” Whether it is about a new gadget, a puppy, a new toy, or whatever it may be. We tend to think about the things that we want or “need.” Sometimes we get too wrapped up in what we want and our selfish ways. I have a challenge for everyone this Christmas season. Instead of thinking about things that we want for Christmas, like worldly things, let’s start thinking more about things that would be honoring to God, sort of, our Christmas gift to God. There are many things that you can do this Holiday season that will be honoring to God. You could just simply hand out tracts when you go grocery shopping, spend some time with an elderly person who may be spending the Holiday season alone. You could share some Bible verses with friends at school or visit a loved one in the hospital, or prison. You never know what might happen when you open doors like that. Don’t forget these opportunities aren’t just around when it’s the holidays, you can be honoring Christ all year long.

P.S. Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!

Until next time…………………….Ashley Stevens

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THINK ABOUT IT…
Christmas is Christ, and Christ is Christmas. Without Christ, there is no Christmas. With Christ, every day is Christmas.

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                FROM MY HEART
                  By Mildred Mills

           FAITH IS THE VICTORY

Are you upset, frustrated, and just plain ole disgusted with the way things are going in your life? So are most folks around us. Things are not working the way we think they should so our nerves are a mess and we are all upset. We worry, worry, and worry some more. We are not happy campers right now to say the least, but don’t give up. Remember Moses was once a “basket case!” Well, DON’T worry because I have good news for you! YES I DO! God is still on His Throne, He is still in control and I have confidence that everything is gonna be alright! The Bible tells me so. I have read His promises and have been assured that His children are right in the palm of His hand, safe and secure. He has us under His wings and I don’t know of a better place to be. He has promised to be with us always and he will never leave us nor forsake us and that’s good enough for me. Get busy telling others about His saving Grace. Let’s talk more about Him and His Goodness and Mercy toward us and less about the things in our lives that get us all upset and nervous.

 “Have Faith in God, He’s on His Throne,
   Have Faith in God, He watcheth o’er His own,
   He cannot fail, He must prevail,
   Have Faith in God, have Faith in God.”

Now, get that worry wrinkle off your brow, turn that frown upside down, and have a “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!”

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A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL…
Let us bind our hearts together that in this new year we do more for God than ever before. Let us work harder, and send the Gospel further than ever. Perhaps in this new year we will see the fulfillment of His Glorious promise; “I will come again.” “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

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        STATEMENT  (posted quarterly)

(1). Here at the WILDERNESS we stay within the Doctrines of our belief, that is, Historic,   Fundamental Baptist as stated in each edition.
(2). We make every effort to stay within the three-fold guidelines our our PURPOSE as stated in every issue.
(3). We do not solicit advertisement from anyone or for anyone.
(4). There is never any solicitation for funds. All free will gifts are needed and appreciated. 100% of every dollar given to the WILDERNESS is used to publish the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.
(5). Any reference to an article, book, or statement by anyone other than the WILDERNESS staff does not mean an endorsement.
(6). While the issues of the day are freely discussed in the WILDERNESS, we make all efforts to refrain from referring to PERSONALITIES as much as possible.
(7).The editor is solely responsible for the contents of the WILDERNESS. There is never any attempt to plagiarize, or mis-use the work of another. Any similarities are purelycoincidental.
(8). We welcome your comments. We will make every attempt to answer a sincere question. We will NOT carry on a “through the mail,” or “internet debate with anyone. The things we believe and publish are not debatable.

   Vol. 36, No. 11  November, 2012

      THE MANY-SIDED GRACE OF GOD
                 By Dr. George Mills

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold Grace of God.” (1Peter 4:10).

The word ‘MANIFOLD’ in this text means ‘MANY-SIDED’. In other words, there is a side of the Grace of God that will meet any need that you have. The most meaningful word in the language of men is the word GRACE. It soars higher, it reaches lower, it extends further than any other word. Nothing can do for us what the GRACE of God can do. Every one of us who have received The Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour have received an abundance of gifts. Just to mention a few, the Gift of Eternal life, the Gift of forgiveness of sin, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of GRACE, and so many more, far too many to mention. Today let me share with you just a few things about the MANY-SIDED Grace of God.

1. THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SALVATION.
In the Book of Titus, Paul tells us of our condition before we were saved by the Grace of God; “For we ourselves were sometimes

foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers
lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
hateful and hating one another.” (Ti. 3:3). That was our condition BEFORE we were saved. Verses 4,5,6 tell us HOW we were saved. “But after that the kindness of God our Saviour toward man appeared.” (V4). Paul is careful to remind us that we are NOT saved by some work or works we can do; “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”(v5-6). “That being Justified by His GRACE we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (v7). Justified by His Grace simply means that there is absolutely nothing we can do to add to salvation’s great plan. Justified means “to be declared ‘just’. “Just as if I’d never sinned.” And everything we have is by and through that wonderful word; GRACE! The GRACE of God even gives us the FAITH we need in order to receive Christ. “Well preacher, I’m not so sure about all that, it seems to me that there is something I must do.” Not so, my friend, salvation is not DO, but DONE! This is God’s plan of salvation and since it’s God’s plan, we must “DO” it God’s way! We are not saved by stopping, starting, quitting, turning or changing, we are saved by Grace and Grace alone. There is enough of the Grace of God to change every life that will trust Him.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SCOPE.
Titus 2:11 says, “For the GRACE of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL MEN.” That’s the SCOPE, ALL MEN! Not some men, most men, or many men, not black men, white men, yellow men, young men or old men, BUT ALL MEN! If you take the letter “G” away from Grace, what you have then is “race.” That’s the way man sees it. But GRACE includes ALL MEN. When God said “All are sinners,” that included me, and when God said that Grace is for ALL MEN, that too included me, and you and everyone, whoever, and wherever, and however you may be.
In John 4 there was a fallen woman, one who had five husbands, and was living with a man. She met the Grace of God in the Person of Jesus Christ at a well in Samaria. Grace touched her heart and life. She ran back to her town and brought many to Christ. Grace changed her life as only Grace can do. In John 8 there was another woman caught in the act of adultery. She was brought to Christ. The men who had trapped her wanted to stone her. When Jesus dealt with the men who brought her to Him, Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Being convicted by their own conscience left one by one, leaving her alone with Jesus. Jesus said, “Where are thine accusers. Hath no man condemned thee? She said, no man Lord. And Jesus said unto her neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” (Jn 8:1-11). Grace was there that day.  The thief on the cross met Grace next to him and said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy Kingdom. Grace replied, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” On and on we could go with examples of Grace. Paul felt that he was the chiefest of sinners, but Grace was sufficient for Paul, for me, and for you. John Newton was a wild, wicked sea captain. He dealt in the slave trade. He would imprison men and sell them for slaves. He was vile and wicked to say the least. One day John Newton met the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace found John Newton and Grace changed his life. He later wrote the beloved Hymn;

      “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
          That saved a wretch like me,
        I once was lost, but now I’m found,
          Was blind but now I see.”
It matters not what your life may be like. If you are morally bad, or vile, or sweet, or just plain rotten. If you are on drugs or alcohol, or some vile habit or lifestyle. Or maybe you have done none of the above, ALL MEN everywhere are sinners and in need of the Saviour. There’s enough of God’s Grace to go around. Thank God for this wonderful side of Grace called SCOPE.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SEPARATION.
“Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. And will be a father to you and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”(2Cor. 6:17-7:1). God calls His people out of this world’s system. “Be ye separate.”  Someone has lied to this generation. The thinking today is “we must be like the world in order to win the world.” Many have tried this way and it doesn’t work! God’s people are not to be a part of this world system. We are NOT to act like, think like, be like, look like the world. When the world sees us the world should know that we are different. GRACE enables the christian to live that separated, dedicated life while we are here on this earth. In the worst part of history, when man was at his worst, when God threatened the world with judgment at the time of the flood, (Gen. 6). There was a man by the name of Noah. Noah was not part of that world system..he lived separate from it, and unto God. In that evil, wicked time, it it recorded that, “Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord.” GRACE enabled him to live separate, different, and to be a witness to that generation. He found GRACE enough, and sufficient. In the Book of Titus 2:11-13 teaches us that GRACE is all we need in this generation. “For the GRACE of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto ALL MEN. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” GRACE teaches us and enables us to live for God in this godless society. Hebrews 4:15 tells us about the Throne of GRACE where we can find GRACE to help in time of need.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SERVICE.
“And He said unto me, my GRACE is sufficient for thee for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Cor. 12:9). Paul had a thorn in his flesh. He thought that this thorn hindered his work, so he asked God to remove it. Three times he prayed and God said in answer to his prayer, “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE No doubt that Paul thought that this thing,(whatever the thorn may have been) if this was removed, I could do great things for God. But God said, “it’s there for a purpose, you must learn to rely upon the GRACE of God. I have heard many say, “Oh, if I had more talent, more ability, more education, etc, I could really do something for God.” Learn to rely upon the GRACE of God. GRACE will bring out abilities in you. People all over the world are serving God. They never believed they had the ability to do what they are doing, BUT FOR HIS GRACE! God has always poured His GRACE into weak, earthen vessels. All that He asks of us is to present to Him a clean vessel for His use.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SECURITY.
“For by GRACE are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, Not of works lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9).
I would not waste my time on a salvation that I have to try to hang on, or hold to, or hold out. Thank God for His gracious hand that holds us. I did not do one single thing in order to be saved. I did not quit, stop, join, refrain, reform, turn over a new leaf, I did not help, try, I did not hope, think, I did not do one single thing, absolutely nothing, in order to be saved. Jesus did for me what I could never do. He paid for my sin on His cross. The only thing I could do was to RECEIVE HIM! That’s GRACE! And if you are saved today, the same thing is true in your life. We were saved by GRACE plus and minus nothing. Since the day I was saved back in August, 1960, I have not lived one single hour good enough to keep myself saved, and neither have you. If we are saved, it is by GRACE ALONE, and that same GRACE will keep us. NOTHING ELSE! We do not live good enough to keep ourselves. It is BY GRACE ALONE. That’s God’s part! In his beautiful Hymn, John Newton further wrote;

   “Through many dangers toils and snares,
       We have already come,
    ‘Tis GRACE hath brought me safe thus far,
       And GRACE will lead me home.”

It is all by His wonderful GRACE. If my security had been determined by my faithfulness, I would have lost out many years ago.

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE  CALLED THE SECOND COMING.

Again, Titus 2:11-15. GRACE teaches us to look for that “Blessed hope and glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.” We are not to look for the tribulation period, or for the antichrist or for world programs, we are to keep looking for The Lord Jesus Christ. GRACE teaches us to do many things, among these are…

To deny ungodliness.
To look for the Saviour.

We do not need rules, laws, how-to’s. We rely upon His GRACE.
“Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

THERE IS A SIDE OF GRACE CALLED SUFFICIENCY.

“My GRACE is sufficient for thee.” Sin abounds today. Sin engulfs society, it effects every life. Paul said in Ro. 5:20, “But where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound. Sin is powerful, but there is the super abounding reign of GRACE. Now I know there are questions. Questions like; “How do I get in on the GRACE of God, or how do I partake of His GRACE?
God gave us three wonderful avenues. This is nothing new. Just a reminder of some basic principles of the Christian Life.

THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you know Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in you. He came in at conversion. You have an honored guest living in you. Treat Him graciously. Christ told His disciples that He would take up his abode IN us. (Read John 16:16-24). He is that still, small voice in you that seeks to guide you in all things. Learn to listen to Him. He will give you individual instruction and minister GRACE to you. The Bible says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” That simply means, “be controlled by the Spirit. This comes by a daily yielding ourselves to Christ. Don’t look for some emotional experience, or some “feeling.” This is a matter of fact of the Word of God.

THE WORD OF GOD. What a wonderful Book. As you read the Bible, (KJB) you are partaking of His GRACE. You are getting stronger in Faith.  As you read the Word, you can see and understand human nature. We see the Mind, and Plan of God. We see how God has moved in the lives of others, and that He wants to do the same in our lives. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” AS you partake of the Word of God you are partaking of Christ, (Jn. 6:30-48). You are getting stronger in faith and growing in GRACE as you read

PRAYER. I know this is basic, but in order to win you must stay with the basics. The very moment you were saved you became a child of God. Along with becoming a child of God, certain privileges came with that fact. One of these privileges is ACCESS TO GOD.(Eph. 2:14-18) Jesus bought that access for you on the Cross of Calvary. You can go to God anytime, night or day. Every believer should see daily answers to prayer. God delights in YOUR prayer. Prayer and access does not mean that you are going to get everything you ask for, it does mean that God will give what is best for you. Because you have access to God, you do not have to get someone to do your praying. You do not have to dial some “800” number, or dial some religious TV program, or some religious headquarters. There are no “super christians” who can get to God before you can. Your access to God is not through some earthly media. “Let us therefor come boldly unto the throne of GRACE that we may obtain mercy and find GRACE to help in time of need.” God bless you. Remember, there is a side of the GRACE of God that will meet your need. After all, it is the MANIFOLD (MANY SIDED) GRACE of God..

And you, my dear friend. If you have never trusted Christ as your Saviour, this message probably does not mean quite so much to you. Why not, right now, tell God in your own words that you believe that Christ died for your sin, that He was buried, and that He arose from the dead, and lives in heaven for you now. Tell Him in your own words that you receive Him. He is there, where you are, in the person of the Holy Spirit. He will hear the cry of your 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.”

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THINK ABOUT IT…There is POWER in the Name of Jesus…

POWER to attract. His Name is like a magnet. It draws men to God.

POWER to dispel. Forces of evil scatter at His Name.

POWER to surmount. Every obstacle can be overcome at the mention of His Name.

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                 FROM MY HEART
                   By Mildred Mills

“BACK WHEN” WE HAD CONVICTIONS

I have a hard time understanding where the convictions went and why. Only one explanation–we have back-slid. Shouldn’t we as Christians be growing stronger in our walk with God instead of becoming weak and not caring? If we had convictions “BACK WHEN” then our convictions should be even stronger now after we have walked with Him and listened to His Word, and have experienced His blessings, His healing and absolute goodness to us. Where did our convictions go? Why are some things OK now that were not OK “BACK WHEN?” Seems as though anything and everything goes these days and no one has a problem with it. I guess we just don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings these days, but “BACK WHEN” we didn’t have a problem with speaking and living our convictions. Of course our convictions have to come from the Word  and just plain ole common sense! I believe we need to be reminded that the Church building is the House Of God, the place where we meet to worship Him and to  fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Christ. We need to respect His House and dress in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Where have our convictions gone? Not only God, but people, lost and saved are watching the Church and what do they see? Can they see any difference in the ones coming out of the Church than they do the ones coming out of the bar? “BACK WHEN” we would know a Christian by the way they were dressed, now it’s hard to know by looking at them so we have to ask and if they say “yes” we then wonder where their clothes are. I’m just saying, “BACK WHEN” we had some convictions and was bold enough to let our convictions be known. Let’s repent of our slackness, remember our convictions and get back to the “BACK WHEN” days.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8).

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           TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
                  By Ashley Stevens

As teenagers it is in our very nature to ask, “why.” We are left with so many questions to the difficult situations that we face throughout our life. “Why did I not make the team?” “Why do I get picked on at school?” “Why is my family going through such a difficult time?”
In the Bible there are many examples that show us that these difficulties we face are all for His glory. The Israelites were held in captivity for many years in Egypt so that God could deliver them from slavery into the Promised Land. The Apostle Paul was sent to prison for preaching the Gospel and suffered many hardships all so that the power of Jesus could be seen through him. Even Jesus Himself asked his Father as He lay dying on the Cross, “Why hast thou forsaken me?” As you can see, the Lord has showed His glory and strength in many times of despair and darkness. So I ask you the next time you are facing a trial or test in your life not to ask God “why” but ask God how He can be glorified and praised through it. The lyrics to an old Christian song tells the message so clearly;

“Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision, and the adversary says give in.
Just hold on our Lord will show up, and he will take you through the fire again.”

Until next time                          Ashley Stevens

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                            DON’T QUIT
                         (Author unknown)

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
   And the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
   When the funds are low and the debts are high,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
   Rest if you must, BUT DON’T QUIT!

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY AMERICA!
                   November 22, 2012
                  Pastor George Mills
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God. It is He that hath made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING and into His courts with praise, be THANKFUL unto Him and bless His Name. For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His Truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100).

The Psalms are filled with thanksgivings unto Almighty God. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His Mercy endureth forever.”
(Psa. 136).

Today, with the Palmists, let us express our gratitude, our THANKSGIVING unto our God, the Lord of all lords, and the King of all kings, our Wonderful Lord Jesus Christ. It is good that this nation has set aside a day to express Thanksgiving. This has been true since the beginning. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the last Thursday in November be a day of Thanksgiving. This day was observed until 1939 when Franklin Roosevelt made the fourth Thursday in November as that day of Thanksgiving. Congress made that date official in 1941.
It is recorded in Romans 1:21, “Neither were they thankful.” Man began with a full revelation of God, but man was not thankful for that. “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” I believe that ingratitude is a base sin. Our degree of service for God is determined by our Gratitude for what God has done. Today, allow me to share with you some things for which I am grateful. There are so many…

SALVATION. I am thankful for the Plan of Salvation. This great plan included me. Man excludes, or limits salvation to some, or a few, or a chosen few. I believe that Jesus Christ offers Salvation to anyone who will receive Him, (John 1:12).(Jn. 3:16, 5:24, 6:37, Romans 10:13). We are sinners without hope, but Christ died for our sins. I thank God for the day in my memory when I asked Jesus to come into my life, AND HE DID!

SOUL WINNERS. I am Thankful for the Soul winners who were instrumental in leading me to Christ.
My wife prayed for me. She encouraged me to go with her to Church. She did all she could to make me see my need of the Saviour.
A small community Free Will Baptist Church prayed for me. The Pastor came to my home to speak to me about my need of Christ.
Their prayers were answered in August, 1960!

SPIRIT. I am Thankful for the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT in my life. The HOLY SPIRIT used the Word of God to convict me of my sin and to birth me into the family of God. Since that day The HOLY SPIRIT has taken abode in my heart and has been my Guide, Power, Strength, and Teacher. There is so much more the Blessed Comforter of God does in the life of the believer. I am thankful for His indwelling presence in my life.

SCRIPTURES. I am Thankful for the Holy Bible, (KJB). What a wonderful Book.

INSPIRED. “All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God.” God inspired men, common men, to write His Words. Without this Bible we would have no idea where we are in world history. But the Bible is right on time and up to date. We know, what, who, and where we are because of the Bible

PRESERVED. Men quarrel over these two words; Inspired, and Preserved. NOT ME! I will not join in with their arguments. God INSPIRED  the original authors to write, and God PRESERVED what they wrote. INSPIRATION and PRESERVATION are God’s Business. Psalm 12:6-7, “The Words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of fire purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them O LORD, thou shalt PRESERVE them from this generation for ever.” Now, take a look at what we have. We have a Book given to the English speaking people of the world that has had God’s approval over 400 years. This Book, (KJB) has been the foundation of our Great nation and other nations and societies. God has confirmed this Book since the beginning, and without any promotional programs, has been accepted as God’s Word. God has so confirmed this Book.
On the other hand we have about two hundred “versions” since 1889 (ERV). New versions keep coming. The thing  is, they don’t agree with each other, but they do agree that they don’t like the Book God gave. Don’t be carried away with all of this “stuff” on the market today  God is not in all of this confusion. Thank God for His Work in INSPIRATION, and PRESERVATION.

SUPPLICATION. Supplication is a long word for Prayer. What a privilege we have. As Christians we can go to God any time in Prayer and He hears us. He delights in the prayers of His people. Jesus bought our access to God by His finished Work on the Cross and His Glorious Resurrection, and His ascension into Heaven to be our eternal High Priest. (Eph 2:14-22), Thank God for the privilege of prayer.

SERVANTS. So many, many wonderful SERVANTS OF GOD, down through the years have helped me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and in ways I am not aware of helped me. Teachers, preachers, and just plain old God fearing people have, in their own way, been my helper. I thank God for each and every one. I choose not to use any name because I could not get them all in and I am sure that I would miss someone and I would not want to do that. Thanks  to God who has used you, wherever you are, to be my helper, my encourager.

SERVICE. I am thankful that God has used me in His SERVICE, small, though it may be. I did not have some glorious experience, or vision of some kind, but I just knew that God was calling me into His Service. I did not know much when I started. I have learned some things, and I have much to learn. I thank God that He saw fit to place His call in my heart. The WILDERNESS Ministries have been used in homes, churches, schools, jails, prisons, in other publications, on the internet. “The Church In The Wildwood Broadcast” which began in 1966, and so many wonderful things that all I can say is THANK YOU LORD  for allowing me a place in your service.

SECOND COMING. I am Thankful for the promise of the Second Coming of Christ in the Rapture of the Church. Any day the clouds could burst asunder, and there stands the Lord Jesus Christ calling His Church Home. “Come up hither.” What a day, what a promise

SWEETNESS. I am thankful to God for the sweet things in my life. As I have said many times, “My life is filled with sweetness and good things. I am thankful for my family, my home, my ministry, my health and strength. I am thankful that I live in America. I thank God that I have the promise of Heaven, a place reserved for me.

“What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me?” (Psa 116:2)  How can I show forth my gratitude?

TELL GOD. Begin the day in prayer. Express to God your gratitude for the things we have discussed, and for others things. Remember, there were 10 lepers cleansed, but only one stopped to give Glory to God.

SHOW GOD. By the way you live, let the world know that you belong to God.

PROVE GOD. Prove Him in the winning of others. Reaching the unsaved around our neighborhood, in our city, state, or wherever we may be is the greatest way I know of  to PROVE GOD.

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“That I may publish with the voice of THANKSGIVING and tell all Thy wondrous works.” (Psa. 26:7)

“O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD…FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER
                        (Psa. 136:1)

                By Pastor George Mills

O My God, with Great Gratitude…

I praise Thee for blessings that could only come     from Thy Great Hand,
For protection from enemies that would destroy all the comforts and course of this great land.

For tender mercies manifest, and deliverance in each daily care,
We are a people richly blessed, and your kindness is displayed everywhere.

For Calvary’s Great Love where God alone could so richly display,
His Great favor for those who believe and will His Commandments obey.

For Thy Holy Word preserved through ages of trial and kept pure from the enemy’s blast.
In our time of great need we thank Thee O God for Thy Great Grace to help us as in all ages past.

We will Publish to those near and in every land and with grateful hearts we will confess,
“This is from our Father’s Great Hand,
His Great Hand of Righteousness.”

When the ‘gods’ of this world are so highly praised,
Only to the God of the universe could our voices be raised.
To the Great Giver who is always and ever the same,
The Lord God Jehovah is His Great Name.

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Vol 36, No. 10  October, 2012

    THERE…THEY…CRUCIFIED…HIM

“And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, THERE THEY CRUCIFIED HIM…” (Lk.23:33).

This message was first published in the WILDERNESS in Vol. 2,No. 5, May, 1977. Parts of this message have been used in editions since then. This original edition is for posting on our web-site.

I believe with all my heart the Lord led me to bring this message from these FOUR WORDS. As He began to speak to my heart I said to myself that this will not be difficult, after all, only FOUR WORDS, what’s so difficult about that? As I began to study the Scriptures, (KJB) and read various commentaries, I began to change my mind. I saw that man in his human understanding can never comprehend the depth of these four words, THERE, THEY, CRUCIFIED, HIM. Today, if you are saved, I believe you will love the Lord Jesus better because we examine these FOUR WORDS. If you are not saved, I trust that you will listen to the Holy Spirit as you read and that you will receive Christ as your Saviour in these moments. Now, let us examine these FOUR

WORDS with the emphasis on each word individually…

1. THERE. “THERE They Crucified Him” Where is THERE? And what does THERE mean?
Luke 23:33 calls “THERE” Calvary. Mt. 27:33 calls “THERE” Golgotha, “A place of a skull.”

“THERE” is an appointed place. In Genesis 22 when Abraham offered his son Isaac in obedience to God, he took his son Isaac to Mount Moriah to offer him as a burnt offering. Of course this was a test of Abraham’s faith. When they arrived at the APPOINTED PLACE Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb?” meaning where is the lamb to be offered. Abraham replied, “God will provide himself a lamb.” As you read that account you will see that a ram was caught in a thicket by his horns, and the ram was offered. I do sincerely believe that the very spot where Isaac was to be offered is the very spot where Christ died for our sins. “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” The Temple at Jerusalem was built on Mount Moriah. Calvary was just outside the city wall on Mount Moriah.

“THERE” is an appointed time. “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son.” (Gal. 4:4).Jesus was born at the right time in God’s plan of redemption.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Ro. 5:6). As

Christ was born on time, He died on time.
“THERE” Calvary, was outside the wall of Jerusalem. Outside the wall is symbolic of man’s position before God. Man sinned against God in the Garden of Eden and God drove man away from the Garden and since that time man has been “outside.” Jesus came here to die for man so He died for man, OUTSIDE. “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered WITHOUT THE GATE. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” (Heb. 13:12-13). THERE is symbolic of man’s position.

“THERE” Calvary, was near some thoroughfare. Many passed that way, “And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads.” (Mt. 27:39). Those who would enter the city of Jerusalem, the City of God, must pass that way. God has placed Calvary along the thoroughfare of life and all who would enter that Heavenly city of God must go by way of Calvary.

“THERE” Calvary, was visible from afar. “There were also women looking on AFAR OFF.” (Mk. 15:40)(Lk. 23:49). God has so placed Mount Calvary that those AFAR OFF, (Eph. 2:11-13) those unto the uttermost part of the earth can clearly see. It is not that we see with our physical eyes, we see through the eyes of faith. The song writer says, “I have been to Calvary, through the witness of His Word.” Thank God all can see from AFAR OFF, little children, those in heathen darkness, the very rich and the very poor can see. We see The sinless Son of God, high and lifted up, dying for our sin. We MUST see that.

“THERE” Calvary, is Green in color. Green reminds us of eternity. Only at Calvary, this place can we have eternal Life. The Hymn writer wrote so beautifully,

     “There is a Green Hill far away,
          Without a city wall,
       Where the Dear Lord was Crucified,
          Who died to save us all.”

2. THEY. “There THEY Crucified Him.” Who are the THEY who crucified Him? On and on the debate goes about who crucified Him. Some place the blame solely on the Jews and others blame religion. Let’s examine “THEY” for a few moments.

SOLDIERS had a part in His crucifixion. “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered Him with the whole band of soldiers.” (Mt 27:27). I believe that it is clear from the remainder of the text that soldiers had a part in His crucifixion.

ROME was responsible for His crucifixion. The Governor who had power to release Him did not, but released a murderer instead and washed his hands, but, with the soldiers, he is guilty.

JEWS were there. They had a part in the crucifixion. They cried out, “His blood be upon us and on our children. Let Him be crucified.(Mt. 27:23-25).

RELIGION crucified Him. Religion was there with all of it’s rottenest worse. Religion screamed for His crucifixion and then saying, “Let’s get this mess all cleaned up. Tomorrow is a day of worship.”(Jn 19:31-36).

SATAN had a part in the crucifixion. Genesis 3:15 says that Satan would “bruise His heel.” Satan had all of the imps of hell stir up the crowd that night. He had tried to stop the Saviour’s birth. He had tried since the Saviour’s birth to kill Him, now, at last he has his way. Still there are others to share the blame.

GOD THE FATHER had a part in the crucifixion. That’s right! He is God’s Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him.” (Isa. 53)

YOU and I, WE had a part in the crucifixion. We were not there physically, but our sin was there. I believe that had I been alive and there that night I would have done the same thing. Human nature does not change. Yes, we all had a part in an event that happened two thousand years ago. Our sins nailed Him to the cross. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Soldiers, Rome, Religion, Jews, Satan, God, and YOU and I, all had a part in the Crucifixion of our Lord. We share the blame. We were there!

3. CRUCIFIED. “There They CRUCIFIED Him.” What is crucifixion?
Crucifixion was the worse possible death. I find it very difficult to describe the horrors of that awful event. I realize that with this subject I am on Holy Ground…that I am human and frail and my understanding is vague. I believe that only when we see Him face to face and He lifts the veil from our eyes, then we can see the depths of the crucifixion…how He suffered physically, mentally, emotionally. Spiritually for you and me, It was not just the physical suffering. That is why I say it is so hard to understand it all. I read the following in a Bible Encyclopedia…”Crucifixion was preceded by scourging. This was to hasten impending death. The victim bore his own cross. When he was tied to the cross nothing further was done and he was left to die of starvation. If he was nailed to a cross a stupefying drink was given to deaden the agony. A tablet on which his feet rested seems to be a part of the cross to keep the wounds from tearing through. The suffering was intense in hot climates. Severe local inflammation  coupled with significant bleeding of the jagged wounds produced traumatic fever which was aggravated by the exposure to the heat and sun and the strained position of the body. Insufferable thirst caused the victim to die a thousand deaths. The length of the agony was wholly determined by the constitution of the victim. Death was sometimes hastened by the breaking of the legs and a hard blow delivered under the armpit before the crucifixion.”
Christ alone could have bore those hours on the Cross! Oh, what a Saviour! Bless His Holy Name!!! “We preach Christ CRUCIFIED. Unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the POWER of God and the WISDOM of God.”(1Cor 1:23-24).

4. HIM.  “There They Crucified HIM.”
Who? Who is the HIM they crucified?

NO! Not just another criminal dying for his crime.

NO! Not just another good man dying for a good cause.

HIM. The Great Creator, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. (Phil. 2:5-8).
“For ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”

THERE, at Calvary, WE, you and I had a part in the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory.
But He waits with out-stretched arms to welcome those of us who receive Him as Lord and Saviour! He will hear your heart’s cry if you will call upon Him, TODAY! Begin TODAY to live FOREVER!…Because of Calvary!

                MY BEST
                  G. Mills

      How can I but give my all,
         To One who loved me so?
      Can I give less that He who gave,
         His life, who came so low?

       O Saviour now I give myself,
          My best, my all to thee,
       My life I give to thy Great cause,
          Thou gavest Thine all for me.

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   THERE…THEY…CRUCIFIED…HIM
           By Pastor George Mills
“And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him.”

     THERE, upon a Roman Cross,
         THERE, on Calvary’s rim,
     THERE, to suffer for our loss,
         THERE, they crucified Him

     THEY would not yield to One God sent,
         THEY rejected One, so fair.
     THEY refused Him when the veil was rent,
         THEY crucified Him there.

     CRUCIFIED by wicked men,
         CRUCIFIED without a word,
     CRUCIFIED to take our sin,
         CRUCIFIED they, the Lord.

     HIM, the One who came to save,
         HIM, they all denied,
     HIM, the Victor o’er the grave,
         HIM, they crucified.

     THERE to meet the Law’s demands,
          THEY saw the Lamb of God,
     CRUCIFIED by wicked hands,
          HIM, whose blood poured on the sod.

     THERE in all that wrong I share,
          THERE I should have died,
     THERE, my sin, the Christ did bear,
          THERE, where He was crucified.

     THERE, I see One in my place,
          THERE, my debt was paid,
     THERE, where God poured out His Grace,
          THERE, on Christ all sin was laid.

     THERE where peace with God is made,
        THERE on Calvary’s rim,
     THERE, God’s Mercy is displayed,
        THERE, they crucified Him.

     I claim that place this very day,
         Where the Law was satisfied,
     THERE He took my sin away,
         Where THERE He was crucified.

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                FROM MY HEART
                   By Mildred Mills

                     LET’S PAINT

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Pr. 25:11).

What a beautiful picture! I’m not an artist but I can paint this picture, and so can you!
We get up in the mornings with a “Good Morning Lord.” instead of “Lord, it’s morning,” and we have already made our first stroke on the canvass as we attempt to paint this beautiful  painting. We give our loved ones a big hug and tell them to “have a good day” as they leave for work or play. As we go through our day we are sure to meet someone along the way with a “good morning.” and later we meet another with “hello, how are you today?” We get a call, we listen to someone’s problems and we let them know we care with words like, “I’m sorry and I’ll be praying for you.” (Oh, our painting is getting more beautiful with every stroke!) Later in the day we remember a “not so fitting word” that we spoke, so we call and ask for forgiveness—another beautiful color added to our canvass. Our loved ones return home and we greet them with a hug and words like, “I missed you” or “how was your day?” I think maybe a few more words like “Thank you” and “You are so kind and thoughtful” will really add some more beautiful colors to our painting.
At the end of the day we thank God for His goodness to us and then we stand back and look at our art work. How did we do? It’s very pretty, but not complete. We need one more stroke of the brush. The words “I LOVE YOU” come to mind and now our beautiful painting is complete.

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THINK ABOUT IT…Someone has said, “There is a cross in the way to every crown that is worth wearing. There is no winning without warring, there is no triumph without trouble.

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          TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
                     By Ashley Stevens

             SHOWING YOUR FAITH

In James 2:17 we are told that if we have faith without works, then our faith is dead. It is very easy to say that we have faith and believe in God, but only through our works can we prove that. We must live the way that Christ did and follow His example. There is a song from years back that exemplified this message;

“What you are speaks so loud that the world can’t hear what you say. They are looking at your walk, not listening to your talk;They’re judging from your actions every day.”

God isn’t saying that you have to start visiting the elderly or start handing out pamphlets or even go to a foreign land to show your works. I am not saying that this kind of ministry is not important, but demonstrating faith with works can begin right in your home, at your school, or on your job. A witness for faith means that you are showing others your faith in Jesus Christ, by walking each day with Him. Trusting in His Words to guide you, praying each day to be closer and more like Him, showing everyone that you have a tower of strength that comes only from believing in the Lord. This message was demonstrated by Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Superstar Tim Tebow when he told reporters, “I don’t want to be another guy who’s walking down the street. I want when people see me they say, “Hey, there’s something different about this guy and that’s because he has a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Until next time,                  Ashley Stevens.

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HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE!
“For he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:10).

As the years of youth pass by so swiftly, as we have to say our last goodbye to our loved ones who have gone on, we think more and more about eternal things. We think about Heaven, the home of the Redeemed ones. Heaven should be in our thoughts daily. After all, that’s home! That’s where we will live through the eternal ages. Let’s get used to thinking about the sweetness of Heaven. In the days past, Saints of God would sing songs of hope…songs about Heaven….
   “On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand
       And cast a wistful eye,
    To Canaan’s fair and happy land,
       Where my possessions lie.”

And of course….

     “How beautiful Heaven must be,
          Sweet home of the happy and free,
      Fair Haven, a rest for the weary,  
          How beautiful Heaven must be.”

The thought of Heaven should get sweeter every day. Let me share with you some of the beauties of Heaven as revealed in God’s Word…

1. THE CITY OF HEAVEN. Heaven is a City. A city as real as any city. A city as real as Jacksonville, or Dallas, or Chicago. This is the city of God. “And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes…” (Rev. 21:1-4).
This is a PREPARED city for a PREPARED people. You prepare for this city by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the  Sons of God.” (Jn. 1:12). There are two “Receives” in the Gospel of John; (John 1:12, and John 14:3). Jesus said “If you receive me, one day I’ll receive you into Heaven.” The price of entry there has been paid. Paid in full at the Cross of Calvary!.Yes, Heaven is a City, a real place. By the way, when you write down the name of a certain city you always capitalize, because that is grammatically correct. Always capitalize Heaven, Heaven is a real place! The Apostle John saw Heaven and did his best to describe what he saw, but mere words cannot describe what he saw.. After his revelation of Heaven, John said, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
Paul saw Heaven, (2Cor. 12:1-4). Paul said “I saw and heard things not describable in the language of men, That’s where I will glory.”

2. THE COMFORT OF HEAVEN. In John 14 our Lord Jesus spoke words of comfort to His disciples. Their hearts were troubled. As Job said, “Man is of few days, and full of trouble.”

HEAVEN FOLLOWS DEATH FOR THE CHILD OF GOD.  Actually “death” is a bad choice of words, because the Christian just goes on to be with Christ when his earthly life is over. Paul said “To depart and be with Christ is far better.” (Phil. 1:23). So when we leave this life, we just step over into paradise.

CHRISTIANS WILL KNOW ONE ANOTHER IN HEAVEN. . King David said concerning his child who had died, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2Sam. 12:23). In Matthew 17, Moses and Elijah were recognized. They had passed from this life many years before, but they were recognized. John knew the Lord Jesus in His Glorified body, (Rev 1-3). I believe that in Heaven when all things are made new we will have no trouble recognizing our loved ones. Partial knowledge will pass to perfect knowledge.

CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOW IN HEAVEN KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING ON EARTH.  I do not know to what extent they know, but I believe they help make up that great cloud of witnesses in Heb. 12:1-2. Jesus said, “Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth,” (Lk. 15:10). Since there is joy in the presence of angels, that joy must be from our loved ones there.

IN HEAVEN THERE ARE SEVEN “NO MORES.” Read Rev. 21-22.

NO MORE DEATH.  (Rev 21:4) Rev. 20:14; “And DEATH and hell were cast into the lake of fire, this is the second death. The second death has no power over the child of God. The power of death is forever defeated, (Rev. 20:6)

NO MORE SORROW. (Rev 21:4) Sorrow pictures the inward hurts. No one else knows some of the sorrows that pierce your heart, but God knows! One day He will explain all things to you and you will see that God knew best. No sorrow will enter Heaven.

NO MORE CRYING. (Rev  21:4).Crying is the outward manifestation of an inward hurt. One day in Heaven, God will take His towel of Grace  and dry every tear. Heaven knows no tears.

NO MORE PAIN. (Rev 21:4) Man has been trying for years to find the perfect pain killer. While we live here on earth we live in a frail body that knows decay and pain. But in Heaven; No Pain!

NO MORE CURSE.(Rev 22:3). At the fall of Adam, God places a curse upon the Man, the woman, the serpent, and nature itself, Gen. 3:1-20).The Old Testament ends with the word, “Curse.” The New Testament ends with “No more curse.”

NO MORE NIGHT. (Rev 22:5). Night reminds us of evil and sin. “For they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate  of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of Salvation.”(1Thess 5:7-8). The child of God has passed from the darkness into His Glorious light.

NO MORE SEA. (Rev 21:1). The sea speaks of restlessness and trouble. “But the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked.” (Isa 57:20-21).

BUT THE COMFORT OF HEAVEN IS THE “NO MORE’S” THERE.

3. THE CONTINUATION OF HEAVEN. Heaven continues because of it’s foundation. This is the city of twelve foundations whose builder and maker is God. The City is foursquare; fifteen hundred miles wide, fifteen hundred miles deep, fifteen hundred miles high, (Rev 21:16). The wealth of this world could not buy one of the gates to the city of God. The pearl reminds us of the sufferings of Christ and the price He paid for us at Calvary.

AMPLE WATER SUPPLY (Rev 22:1) Pure water, clear, free from any pollution. Just a drink of that refreshing water will add another billion years. But remember, time there is not measured in years, it is measured in forever and forever. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.”

AMPLE FOOD SUPPLY. (Rev 22:2) On either side of the river of life grows the tree of life.

AMPLE MEDICAL SUPPLY. (Rev 22:2) Down here the medical welfare is debated daily. The cost of medicine continues to rise, and the best medical facility has to fold it’s hands in defeat. But in Heaven; “Even so come Lord Jesus.”

AMPLE LIGHTING (Rev 21:23)”The Lamb is the light thereof.” Man has learned to build power plants for lighting. Man has built dams on great rivers in order to harness energy for lighting. But these fail and will fail.                      
4. THE CALL FROM HEAVEN. “And the Spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is athirst say come..”
The call from Heaven goes out to everyone. God is inviting YOU! Over 50 years ago I heard a Gospel invitation and I answered that call. I said YES to Christ. I received Him that day. He made my place in that City, when I answered the Gospel call. I hope to see you in Heaven, and I know that I will if you have received Christ. If you have not done that, tell Him now, in your own words that you receive Him, that you believe that He paid for your sin at Calvary.

CHILD OF GOD, LOOK UP WITH HOPE, PEACE, AND ASSURANCE. OUR HOME IS NOT HERE, BUT IN HEAVEN WITH CHRIST.
Psalm 75:6 says, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.” Of course, that leaves NORTH. Our promotion comes from the NORTH. In Isa. 14:12-17 Satan led his rebellion against God in the sides of the NORTH. I believe that Heaven is NORTH. Sometimes on a starlit night, look there in the heavens, and behold that glory. Look beyond the NORTH STAR. That’s where our loved ones live. There, far beyond the reach of man, there, where satanic influences can never enter, there, at the Father’s Throne.  That’s where Jesus lives. That’s HOME! See you there!!!
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My dear friend, may I ask you if you have personally received The Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour? If you have never done that, please consider these things just now…
ALL HAVE SINNED. That means me, and everyone else. All are sinners by birth, by choice, and by nature.

ALL NEED TO BE SAVED. The awful result of sin is eternal death in the lake of fire, (Rev. 20:15)

ALL ARE SAVED THE SAME Way There are not many ways. It is totally by Grace plus and minus nothing.

It is by receiving Christ. How do you receive Him? The best way is to tell Him that you receive Him He is there wherever you are. The Bible says “ASK, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE.”
He will hear the cry of the repentant heart.

 HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE
            By Pastor George Mills
“Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.” (Rev 21:3).

‘Though the heathen ’round me rage,
    And doubters at me stare,
‘Tis in His Word from page to page,
    I shall behold the beauties there.

I shall see his Face in Glory,
   And behold that land, so fair,
Christ, who told the blessed story,
   Will guide me over there.

Gates of Pearl, walls of Jasper,
   And the street is paved with gold,
There the tree of life is growing,
   There, we never will grow old.

Sparkling jewels, towering Mansions,
   Why, one’s waiting just for me.
Although I never will deserve it,
   Yet Christ made it, ‘specially.

I shall see my friends and loved ones,
   Hand in hand we’ll stroll along.
There on Heaven’s shining pathways,
   There to sing sweet Heaven’s song.

One hand in the hand of Jesus,
   And with those gone on before,
There, forever in His presence,
   Home at last, forever more.

  Vol. 36, No. 9    September, 2012

       THE WOMAN AT THE WELL
              By Dr.  George Mills

  “And He must needs go through Samaria”
     (John 4:1-43).

Please take a few moments and read all of this text in John 4.  This text has been the inspiration for countless sermons, lessons, illustrations, and of course many Gospel Songs.
The last person Jesus interviewed was entirely different than this woman. The last person was a man; Nicodemus, by name. We do not know the name of this woman. The last person, Nicodemus was moral, this person is very immoral. The last person, Nicodemus was admired, This woman was despised. Very, very different indeed! The meeting place in this text is the village of Sychar, in the land of Samaria. The land, and people of Samaria were despised by the Jews. Why would Jesus waste His time on a woman of this stature?
This place became one of the most fruitful places in the ministry of our Lord Jesus. He sees far beyond the surface to the many and varied possibilities in each of us…

1. THE SINNER. In so many ways this woman is a picture of every one of us.

(A) She was a Samaritan. (V9). Samaritans werenot real Jews. These were transplants from other areas and placed there by their captors with the intent that the Jews would be so busy fighting with these “mis-fits” that they would not give the government much trouble. To a great extent it really worked. The Jews hated the Samaritans and the Samaritans hated the Jews. I have read somewhere that the Jews prayed; “God forbid that the sun go down and find me in the presence of a Samaritan.” Being a Samaritan, she was “Afar off.” The Jews had the Temple and worship, and priesthood. This woman would not be welcome there. She was “afar off.” But so is every person who does not know Christ. “We who were sometimes afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” We were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers having no hope and without God in the world.” (Eph. 2:11-22)

(B). She was an outcast. V6 of our text says that she came to the well at noon for her water. The rest of the women of her village probably came to the well very early in the morning for water supply for the day. They certainly would not wait until the heat of the noon time to come for their supply of water. All this indicating that this woman was not in good standing with the village women. I am reminded that since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden we ALL are outcasts from God’s society.

(C) She was condemned by the Law. Ex 20:14 says,“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” This woman confessed that she had five husbands and was at that time living with a man to whom she was not married. Oh yes, she has broken the Law, and was condemned by the Law. But the same thing can be said of every person who has ever been born, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “Now preacher, I have never done the things she was guilty of.” We may not have done many things but the Bible still concludes that “ALL have sinned.” We are born sinners. That’s why we “Must be born again.”

(D) She was blind to the Person of Jesus Christ. She saw Him only as another Jew. Like so many who do not know Him see Him only as another good man or the founder of another religion, but He is so much more!

(E) She was evidently very religious. When Jesus began to reveal her to herself, she began to talk very “religious.” “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain.” The mountain she speaks of is Mount Gerizim. The  Samaritans had built a temple on Mount Gerizim, and had a copy of the Jewish Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible. They called this the Samaritan Pentateuch. It was very similar to the Jewish version, but the names and characters were changed to fit the Samaritans instead of the Jews. (Sorta like one of these new “versions” of today, they like to change things).

Now, please understand these things…

Some knowledge of the Scriptures will not save. It is clear that this woman had some scriptural knowledge.

She knew of the coming Messiah,(v25) This did not save her.

Being part of a “religious society” will not save you.

Being familiar with the letter of the Law, and not the Truth of the Law will not save. “Ye worship ye know not what.” “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

2. THE SAVIOUR. What a Wonderful
Saviour we serve…

(A) He went out of His way to go through Samaria. He could have taken another route. Many of the Jews on their journey would have crossed the Jordan river to keep from going through Samaria. “He must needs go through Samaria. There were people in Samaria who needed to be saved. The compelling, compassionate heart of Jesus caused Him to go through Samaria.(Read Phil 2:5-11) I praise His Holy Name that over 50 years ago, He came to where I was!

(B) The Saviour used tact as He dealt with the woman’s need. He did not condemn her, It is evident that she knew her condition.  He simply made her face her problem…SIN!!

(C). He used simple things to reach people. To the farmer, He spoke of seed, and the farmer understood Him. To the hungry He spoke about bread. To the seeker, He spoke about the door. To the traveler He spoke about the way. And to this thirsty woman He spoke about the Water Of Life, and she understood! Once long ago, I took a drink at the Well of life, and my spiritual thirst has been satisfied.

3. THE SALVATION.

AGAIN SHE WAS THIRSTY.
Her thirst was deeper than just a thirst for water. She evidently had tried many things in life seeking a quench for her thirst. Perhaps I am speaking to someone who has tried just about everything and nothing works. This Man Jesus is still on the job. He can calm your troubled spirit and quench your thirsty soul if you will but call upon Him today! He will hear your heart’s cry!

(A) SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT! (V10, v14) We simply, by Faith alone receive Salvation. This woman had nothing to offer…And so it is with every person. We are sinners, we have nothing to offer. The Water He offered was free! “The water that I shall give.”

(B) SALVATION IS IN A PERSON.
“I know that when Messias cometh, which is called Christ, when He is come, He will tell us all things. Jesus said unto her, I THAT SPEAK UNTO THEE AM HE.” v25-26.
Salvation is not in a religion, not in joining, not in baptism, not in changing, doing or trying. Salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ who said, “I that speak to thee am He.”

(C) SALVATION IS FOR ALL PEOPLE. For the Jews, and for the Samaritans. “For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13).

(D) SALVATION PRODUCES A GREAT CHANGE. The woman’s view of Christ changed from, Him being a Jew,v9, to a Prophet, v19, to The Christ, v29. And so it is with everyone who will receive Christ. “If any man be in Christ He is a new creature.” We will see how this woman became that NEW CREATURE in Christ.

4. THE SOUL WINNER.

V28 says the woman left her waterpot and went into the city and began her witness. Leaving her waterpot pictures her leaving her burden with Jesus. Why would she need a waterpot, she has found the Well!. “Come see a man who told me all things I ever did. Is not this the Christ.” (v29).

She unashamedly testified for Christ, a Jew, whom before she despised.

Now, the disciples were busy doing good things, (v8) but Jesus was busy doing the best thing. Jesus said to His disciples, “Say not ye there are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already unto harvest.” Jesus pointed to the crowd she was bringing from her village.”Here comes the harvest!” Jesus sowed the seed, the woman believed, she went into her village, sowed the seed, and brought many to Christ, (v39-41).
In just a few months from this time, Christ will pay the supreme sacrifice for sin by His death on the cross. He will rise from the dead and will give His Great commission, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and IN SAMARIA, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).In Acts 8:1-9, 8:14, 8:25, 9:31, the Gospel of The GRACE of God was preached in Samaria and a harvest of souls was brought to Christ.
I can see no other human reason for such an open door at Samaria than to believe this can all be traced to this conversation at a well  between this woman and Jesus at noon some months before. Her testimony was still ringing, “Come see a man who told me all things I ever did. Is not this the Christ?”
Are we busy doing this very same thing? I hope so. May God bless us as we, together, try to get the Gospel of Grace to as many as we can, while we can. I do sincerely trust that you understand who Christ is, and what you must do with Him. Have you received Him? If not, why not today, now, in this present hour tell Him that you believe in His sacrificial death on the cross for your sin, that He was buried, and that he arose from the dead to be your personal Saviour. He will hear the cry of your heart. Begin TODAY to live FOREVER!

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“HOW BEAUTIFUL  UPON THE MOUNTAINS ARE THE FEET OF HIM THAT BRINGETH GOOD TIDINGS, THAT PUBLISHETH PEACE, THAT BRINGETH TIDINGS OF GOOD, THAT PUBLISHETH SALVATION, THAT SAITH UNTO ZION, THY GOD REIGNETH.”(Isa 52:7).
Let us faithfully stand upon our mountain. Let us PUBLISH the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ to all nations.

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian, and the world is no friend to your Bible. This Ministry does not defend the Bible (KJB) for it needs no defense. It stands upon it’s own record. If it was true yesterday, then it is true today, and tomorrow, and the ages to come.

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       I AM NOT WHAT I USED TO BE
                By Pastor George Mills

“Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” (2Cor. 5:17).

I am not what I used to be,
    Condemned by sin’s great penalty.
Now free to be what I can be,
Free because of Calvary,
    In Christ I’m not what I used to be.

I am not what I should be,
    Winning every victory.
Bringing the lost so they can know,
The Love of Christ in Calvary’s flow,
    That’s just what I should be.

I am not what I want to be,
    I want my Lord to have the best of me.
I want to help bring the harvest in,
To rescue lives from the power of sin,
    That’s what I want to be.

I am not what I am going to be,
    When I am clothed with immortality.
To live in a place prepared for me,
To live in that land of purity,
    That’s just what I am going to be.

Until then each day I’ll be,
    Everything God intended for me.
Busy doing what I can,
To share the news with every man,
    Thank God I’m not what I used to be.

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS..It is no friend to the Christian. The world crucified the only perfect One who ever lived, and the world seeks to crucify the ones who choose to follow Christ. Trusting the world’s wisdom will lead to defeat. Trusting God’s Word, (KJB) will cause us to be “More than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Ro. 8:37).

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WANDERING THROUGH THIS WILDERNESS…  By Pastor Mills
Sometime ago a Christian man came to me and asked me for a loan of some money. He went on to tell me of his plight. He said that he had fallen far behind in his monthly payments, utilities, credit cards, etc. He further stated that “He, wrote and sent checks to all of his creditors.” He knew that he did not have the money to cover these checks in his account, so he said; “BY FAITH” he wrote the checks, mailed them, and now he has canceled checks, marked “Not Sufficient Funds” all over town and he has to have money to cover all this expense. I told him that his action was NOT by faith, but by FOOLISHNESS. I think that he must have been listening to one of these preachers who told him that “all that he had to do was to speak to his check book and it would obey him. All of this HEALTH and WEALTH preaching sounds good, but it does not measure up to sound Bible doctrine. There are no short cuts to wealth and prosperity. I have never in all of my years of Bible study found this doctrine of so called “Debt Cancellation.”  Stop looking for an easy way out. Stay out of debt in the first place. The borrower is servant to the lender. If you do have debts, pay them as you agreed to do when you made the debt. God is honored and glorified when we fulfill that which we have obligated ourselves for. Becoming a Christian is NOT like winning a “Christian Lottery.” Do I believe in Miracles? Of course I do, I am one. I do not believe in foolishness, and that which is not based on sound Bible doctrine. There are many money schemes, get rich quick schemes, etc. Many“pyramid schemes” and e-mail schemes from Nigeria from some “rich widow”who wants to share her wealth with you. Be careful about investing your money in these Tel-evangelist “ministries” that have learned to squander millions every year from innocent people. I have been saved over 50 years. I have never missed a meal, never been without a place to sleep. If God chooses to make one rich., so be it, and thank God for it. NO, I did not loan any money to the man who asked me. He can’t pay his bills, so that would mean the lender would be servant to the borrower!

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               FROM MY HEART
                  By Mildred Mills

    MOUNTAIN TOPS AND VALLEYS

There are mountain tops and there are valleys, but no middle ground for me! I can say that my times spent in the valleys have been very few and for this I am thankful. I am reminded that on both sides of the valley there are mountains and that is where I choose to be, on the mountain top. However, I find myself much closer and more in touch with the One who loved me and gave His life for me when I am down in the valley. I have to look up and trust Him more. He teaches us when we are in the valley to wait upon Him, to draw close to Him and to know that He is right there with us and in His time will allow us to get right back on the mountain top where we belong. We have become much stronger in the Lord because;   
             It’s In The Valley I Grow!

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
   Full of sorrow, trouble and woe,
It’s then I have to remember,
   That it’s in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top,
    And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s Love,
    And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn,
    And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand,
    Why things happen as they do
But I am very sure of one thing,
    My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing,
    When I picture Christ on the Cross.
He went through the valley of death,
    His victory was Satan’s loss.

Forgive me Lord for complaining,
    When I’m Feeling so very low,
Just give me a gentle reminder,
    That’s it’s in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord,
    And use my life each day,
To share your love with others,
    And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord,
    For this one thing I know,
The mountain tops are glorious,
    But it’s in the valleys I grow.

                    (Author Unknown)

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WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS….Answers to questions…
From time to time we do take the time to answer some questions that seem to trouble many..

Question…”Why do Christians get sick? Does this mean I have sin in my life?”

Ans…I do not have the answer for every situation. I have prayed for many, many believers who were sick. Some got better, and others went home to be with the Lord. I believe everything the Bible says about the power of prayer concerning sickness.  I have asked “Why” many times..

Being saved does not mean that you will never get sick again. Salvation is not a “cure-all” as far as illness is concerned. We ALL get sick and we ALL will die unless Jesus returns before that time. This body we live in is frail and corruptible. We live in a world that is filled with disease, germs, etc.

“If I get sick, does that mean I have lost my Salvation?”

Of course not! In Salvation we have Eternal, Everlasting life. That’s what the Bible says. Everlasting, meaning the length, and Eternal meaning the quality, The preaching and teaching of some would leave you with the idea that you lost out, BUT NOT SO! Read John 3:16, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:37, John 10:27-30.

“Why are some Christians sick?”

Many, many born again Christians have lived in a sickly body for years. There are many unkind accusers who try to tell them they have sin in their lives. Consider these few of many things we could discuss here..

Some Christians are sick because of natural birth defects inherited from parents who inherited from their parents, etc. A heart condition, or a blood condition , or a liver condition may be genetic.

Some Christians are sick because of natural causes. Again, we live in a sin cursed world filled with diseases. Measles, Chicken Pox, and thousands more. Christians do get sick from time to time.

Some Christians get sick because of lousy eating habits….Need I say more?

“Should a Christian go to a Doctor?”

Of course! I believe that you should see your Doctor in illness, and See your Doctor for regular check-ups. You should follow his orders. You would not be acting in unbelief, you would be using common sense. Christians live in a body that has NOT been redeemed. This body is weak and subject to sickness, death and corruption. We still live in a polluted world. One day Christians will  have a body just like Jesus.
I believe that all healing is Divine healing. If we get healed from some sickness, it is because God in His Grace did that for us. I do not believe in these “divine healers” or “faith healers.” The airways are filled with religious charlatans, tricksters, and money grabbers who rob innocent people who believe their ‘gospel.” I believe that the prayer of faith can save the sick, If God wills one to be healed, (James 5:15, James 4:14-15).All Fundamental Bible Believing people believe in the power of prayer and pray for loved ones who are sick.

“They that are whole need not a physician but they that are sick.” (Lk. 5:31).

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        TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
                   By Ashley Stevens

        THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

What would you do if you knew everything you said was being recorded? Would you think twice before you spoke? Would you think twice before you let the shameful and hurtful words slip out?
Dr. Deb Roy, a researcher and cognitive scientist in Massachusetts decided to record the first three years of his child’s life to learn how humans learn language. He and his wife collected over 200,000 hours of audio and video footage. What if Dr. Roy wanted to conduct his research project at your home? Would you participate if you knew that every single word you said would be recorded and then analyzed? What if he did analyze your words? Would he be surprised about how well behaved you were, and how Christ shines through you? Or would he be disappointed by your choice of words?
In James 1:19 it states, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” Be very careful when choosing words to come out of your mouth. God is listening to every word you are saying. Would He be disappointed? I sure hope not. We should not just say that we are Christians, but through our actions and our words everyone should know that we are believers in Christ. They should see Christ through us.

Until next time,                      Ashley Stevens

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The Bible (KJB) is our authority. The Bible teaches us who we are, where we came from, where we are going,, and how to get there. We are interested in man’s opinion to a certain degree, but where man’s opinion disagrees with God’s Word, then man’s opinion is futile. False doctrine abounds today all because of man’s opinion. Let us hold fast to the great words of the Psalmist who stated, “Forever O Lord, thy Word is settled in Heaven.” (Psa. 119:89)

                                                 Amen!!

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               BEHOLD THE LAMB
               By Pastor George Mills

“Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).

The great theme of the Old Testament is found in the question, “WHERE IS THE LAMB?” (Gen 22:7). The great theme of the New Testament is the answer to that question; “BEHOLD THE LAMB.” John the Baptist pointed to our Lord Jesus Christ and made that great statement, “Behold the Lamb.” Let me share with you three brief points as we BEHOLD THE LAMB today…

1. BEHOLD THE DANGER…SIN. BEHOLD,  means “TO LOOK, to GAZE upon.”When you say SIN it has the hiss of a serpent. Just what is sin? We have discussed this so many many times. How do we define SIN? If you ask that question on the street you will get a different answer from everyone. Some will major on just one thing and say “That’s sin.” Others will say “there is no such thing as sin.” Others will say that sin is anything you get caught in.” “Drinking, stealing
robbing, cheating adultery, lying, etc.” Notice that John said “SIN,” singular and not sins, plural. Sin is our birthright. Sin is the natural condition of all men. We are born sinners. Sin is the one thing that will send the soul to hell. Sin is the reason why “We must be born again.” (John 3:1-7). Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit is come, He will reprove the world of SIN and of RIGHTEOUSNESS and of JUDGMENT.” “Of SIN because they believe NOT on me.” So SIN is the natural state or condition in which we were born. UNBELIEF is the SIN that will cause a man to spend eternity lost and without God. Jesus came to pay the penalty of SIN and to bear all the judgment of SIN. It all started in the Garden of Eden, and through the natural birth process passed on to every man. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Ro. 3:23). If you do not know Christ in free pardon of all SIN, BEHOLD THE DANGER. Christ opened the way to God.

2. BEHOLD THE DIRECTION, LOOK! In order to cure the sin problem of the world mankind looks in many directions. God’s answer is to “BEHOLD THE LAMB.” In John 3:14-16 Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”  This refers to the Book of Numbers 21:6-9. Because of Israel’s unbelief and desire to turn back to Egypt, God sent serpents into the camp. Many were dying because of the serpents. Moses prayed for the people. God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and lift that brazen serpent high so that all can see it. Whosoever was bitten by a serpent all that he had to do was to LOOK, to BEHOLD that brazen serpent and he would not die. The only cure was a simple LOOK! I do not know how many Israelites died because they did not look upon God’s only remedy. God’s ONLY remedy for sin is a SIMPLE DIRECTION, LOOK, BEHOLD THE LAMB. My friend, look in no other direction. Jesus Christ alone, His Birth, His Life, His Death, and His Resurrection is God’s only cure for sin.

3. BEHOLD THE DELIVERANCE. SIN TAKEN AWAY! Christ does not cover sin, He takes sin away. In the Old Testament, the sacrifices did nothing with sin, they only cover sin until the next day of atonement. As a believer in Christ, our sin is forever gone! Never to be remembered again! Christ took care of our sin problem by His finished work. When we accept that fact, by faith alone, we are born again, our sin is gone! All of the sin of all the world was placed on Christ. He paid the sin debt. HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOUR!. Now, you can do one of only two things,
A). Receive Christ as your Saviour.
B). REJECT HIM. To receive Him is life, to reject Him is death, don’t take that route, eternity lasts too long!
GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU MAKE THAT DECISION TO “BEHOLD THE LAMB!

Receive Him today, He always hears the cry of the repentant heart. I praise God anew today for the day in my life when He DELIVERED me from the PENALTY, the POWER, and one day from the very PRESENCE of that one word, “SIN!”

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            THE SAVIOUR’S TOUCH
              By Pastor George Mills

“And Jesus put forth His hand and touched him saying, I will, be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Mt. 8:3).

We often speak of “Touching Him,” or “Touching the hem of His garment.” This, we all want to do! It will be worth it all when at last our faith will be sight, and we can bow before Him, and literally TOUCH HIM. What a day that will be! I am still grateful for the fact that He touched me! Yes, many times I have felt His Loving touch, just when I needed it..
AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…it is no friend to the Christian. As we wander through this WILDERNESS, His touch is ever near. In Bible times, if anyone touched a leper, he, himself would become unclean, like the leper in Mt. 8:3. Christ touched that poor leper identifying Himself with the man. Later, on His cross, Christ was identified with our uncleanness. All of our sin was placed upon Him, and his Righteousness is placed upon all who claim Him as Saviour. Yes, we can touch Him now, by faith at His Cross.

THINK ABOUT IT…Heaven touched earth one day, and earth touched Heaven one day when our ways met…AT CALVARY!

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THANKS TO ALL WHO PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY. PRAY THAT WE MAY TOUCH LIVES EVERYWHERE WITH THE GOSPEL!

 Vol 36, No. 8…August, 2012

   CONTRADICTIONS OF THE BIBLE
                  By Dr. George Mills

“Forever O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven.” (Psa. 119:89).

Today, I want to bring our attention to the fact that the Bible is filled with STRANGE CONTRADICTIONS. I can almost hear some say, “Now preacher. I have read your messages for a long time and have always believed that you were sure that the Bible is trustworthy, complete, with no errors, no omissions, and no contradictions. Now you are saying that the Bible is filled with contradictions. Did you change your mind, or did you lose it?”
May I say that I  continue to believe today like I have believed in the past and will always believe about the Bible (KJB). I believe that it is complete, trustworthy, with no errors and no omissions. But the Bible is filled with STRANGE CONTRADICTIONS! Now, HEAR ME OUT…

First, let me say that there are NO contradictions IN the Bible itself, (KJB). It stands upon it’s own record. Recently I was scanning the radio dial in my truck. I heard some “talk show” host make fun of the Bible. His statement was; “The Bible cannot even stand with itself. It contradicts in one place what it said in another place.” Of course I did not listen to him very long. I give no one my time to listen as he ridicules the Word Of God. So, while I believe there are NO contradictions IN the bible, let me share with you some contradictions OF the Bible.

1. FIRST, THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT GOD.
Just ask the man on the street. You’ll get a thousand answers about the reality of God. In the Book of Acts, Ch. 17:22-31, Paul was at Mars Hill in Athens. There were idols everywhere. There was an image of every known god. There was one special idol with the inscription, “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” This was done just in case they had forgotten a “god.” This one idol was for him, or her, or “it.” To the Athenians, god was anything. Wherever and however you wanted god to be, well, that’s how or what “god” was. Things haven’t changed very much. Most everyone has their own concept of God. The Bible strongly CONTRADICTS what most people think about God. The Bible reveals that God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient. That He is the Great Creator, Ruler, Sovereign God. Further, the Bible says that God came down to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ and by His finished work on the Cross paid the price of Redemption for fallen man. Whosoever will believe, or receive Jesus Christ has intimate, personal knowledge of God. You cannot know God apart from Jesus Christ. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God is not in Buddha, or Allah, not in the religions of the east, or far east, north or south. God is the Great God revealed in the Bible. Apart from the Bible, our knowledge of God would be no different than the Athenians on Mars Hill. The Bible CONTRADICTS what most people think about God. The God of the Bible is a God of Love, AND, He is a consuming fire. All are accountable to him and will face Him one day, (Acts 17:30-34). Yes, the Bible CONTRADICTS what most people think about God. No wonder why the devil hates the Bible, (KJB).

2. THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT JESUS CHRIST.
To the doubters, Christ is a phoney, to the skeptics He is doubtful, To the cults He is an imposter, to the religionists He is a “good man” but not God. To some He is the great example, and to others He is the founder of a new religion. To others He was just another martyr. The world has thousands of ideas about the Person of Jesus Christ. But the Bible CONTRADICTS man’s opinions about Christ. The Bible reveals Jesus as the very God: “IMMANUEL” “God with us.” “And without controversy, great is the mystery of Godliness. GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.” (1Tim. 3:16).(Now, if you read the above verse in one of the new “versions” you will see that the writers changed “GOD” to “he.”) “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” Jesus said “He that hath seen me has seen the Father.” If you want to know what God is like, LOOK TO JESUS CHRIST. He alone paid the price for our Redemption with his own blood at Calvary. We cannot come to God on our terms, with our ideas, and with our “religion.” We come to God on His terms, through our Lord Jesus Christ. No, you cannot come to God how, and when you want to. You come to God in faith through His Son, His way as revealed in the Bible.
The Bible CONTRADICTS what most people think about Jesus Christ. No wonder why the devil hates Christ.

3. THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE DEVIL.
People mock at the thought of a real devil, and of satanic forces today. They say that “the thought of the devil, or Satan was born in the dark ages and has no place in this day of enlightenment.” To so many, the devil is a myth, or a figure of imagination, but not real.” But the Bible CONTRADICTS all of man’s ideas about the devil, or Satan. In the Bible Satan is revealed as “the god of this world.” He has many many fallen angels, he has a “gospel” He has a church with a world program, he has preachers, he has a “bible.” In fact he has many “bibles.” RSV, TEB, NIV, NASV, just to mention a few. The list keeps on growing. He opposes the real people of God, He hates Christ. He desires to be worshiped as Christ and one day many, many will do that very thing.(2Cor. 11:11-15).Yes, the Bible CONTRADICTS what most people think about the devil.

4. THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT SIN.
The question asked to the man on the street, “Just what is sin?” The answer comes back in many ways; “If you think it’s wrong, then whatever you may be doing is sin.” Or, “Sin is anything NOT in moderation.” Or “Sin is anything wrong that you get caught doing.” People laugh at the idea of sin. The Bible (KJB) CONTRADICTS man’s idea about sin. “SIN is the transgression of the Law.”(1Jn. 3:4).Adam and Eve transgressed God’s Law and incurred a sinful nature. Through the natural birth process, that sinful nature was passed to their children and down to the entire human race.”ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”(Ro. 3:23). “Me? A sinner? Never!” Oh yes my friend, “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The Good News of the Gospel is, Jesus Christ paid the sin debt of humanity by His ONE offering for sin. ALL the sin of ALL the world was placed on Jesus Christ on the Cross and He became sin for us. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God. You can accept His payment for sin, or, you can try some other way, HOWEVER, you don’t want to take that route, it has never worked. “The wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Ro. 6:23).Yes, the Bible CONTRADICTS what most people think about sin.

5. THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HEAVEN.
Many, many believe in some kind of a place, after life called heaven, but cannot agree on how to get there. The truth is, You can’t get there from here, you must first go to that place called Calvary, and stop by the empty tomb.” YOU can read in the Bible about the reality of Heaven. Read John 14:1-6, Rev. 21-22. Heaven is a real place where the Redeemed will live through the endless ages. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. As I stated, some  believe in Heaven, but do not agree on how to get there. Jesus said, “I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” If you want to go to Heaven, you will have to go God’s way. If your way is not God’s way, then you are on the wrong way. The wrong way leads to the wrong place, and you don’t want to end up there! Yes, the Bible CONTRADICTS what most people think about  Heaven.

6. THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HELL.
Two things are missing from our pulpits today; (!) The sweetness of Heaven, and (2) the bitterness of Hell. Today, Hell is just a by-word. But the place of Hell is real. Read Luke 16:19-31, Mt. 25:41, Rev 14:9-11, Rev 20:11-15. The Bible says more about Hell than it says about Heaven. Make no mistake about it, Hell is real, and you don’t want to wind up there. Hell is not the grave, not the imagination, not some ancient folk-lore. Today I have Good News! There is a way of escape. That Way is Jesus Christ. Make no mistake about it. If you want to go to Heaven, you go God’s way, and if you want to miss the flames of Hell, you go God’s way. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” That abundant life is a free gift. We must receive it as a free gift. Yes the Bible CONTRADICTS what most people think about Hell.

7. THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT JUDGMENT.
As in everything we have discussed so far, people have their own ideas and opinions about future judgment and what is involved. Many believe that one day they will stand before God and their good works will be weighed, and then their bad works will be weighed. If their bad works outweigh their good works, they go to Hell, and if their good works outweigh their bad works they go to Heaven. NO! You can’t find that in the Bible, not with a flashlight and crow bar. “Because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained, whereof He hath given assurance in that He hath raised Him from the dead.”(Acts 17:30).

As a lost sinner, you will face the judgment bar of God at the Great White Throne and give account, (Rev. 20:11-15).

As a Son, you will face the Judgment Seat of Christ,(Ro.14:10-12) This is NOT to determine if you are saved or not, This is for rewards, or loss of rewards, according to our works. If you go to Heaven you MUST make that decision here, and NOW! I hope you will make that decision to receive Christ. He is our only Hope! “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.” Just tell God, in your own words that you Believe in, that you trust in the finished work of Christ. He will hear your heart’s cry. Do that today! Yes, the Bible clearly CONTRADICTS what most people think about Judgment.

8. THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT SALVATION.
The teachings about ways of salvation is endless. All the way from PREDESTINATION to PROHIBITION. To the cults, salvation is by works they do. To many more, salvation is by baptism, or church membership, or by taking part in church ordinances or by partaking of a “wafer.” To some salvation is living right,  paying taxes, and giving to the poor. To some, salvation is in being a member of some society that has a mention of God somewhere in it’s by-laws. People trust in ways far too many to mention. But the Bible CONTRADICTS all of that . The Bible clearly teaches that SALVATION is  in a PERSON and that PERSON is Jesus Christ! Read what the Bible says; “Neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Jesus said, “I am The Way…no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”Whoever we are, wherever we are, and however we are, we must come to Salvation God’s way; through faith in Jesus Christ ALONE. Whatever our race, color, nationality, Christ alone is the Way to God. It is not the Buddha way, or the Mormon way, or the Jehovah’s Witness way, or the Baptist way, or the Methodist way, or the Allah way, or a thousand other “ways.” We are saved the Jesus Way. Christ alone paid the price for our redemption on His Cross. We must receive that. Don’t get side tracked on some “religion.”Receive Salvation as a FREE GIFT . I remember speaking to a County Commissioner up in Georgia about his salvation. “Now preacher,” he said, “I believe one way and you believe another way, and I think that’s alright.” He further stated that he felt that salvation is like this; “I have to go to Atlanta on business quite often. Sometimes I am in a hurry and I take the expressway. Sometimes I am not in a hurry and I take the back roads through the farmlands. Both roads take me to Atlanta, so it doesn’t matter which way I choose.” The only thing wrong with that is, we are NOT going to Atlanta, we are going to Eternity. We had better make sure of the road we are traveling. All roads do NOT lead to Heaven.

Yes, the Bible is filled with many STRANGE CONTRADICTIONS about what people trust and believe in.

THINK ABOUT IT…Even SINCERITY does not save us. We can be sincere, but sincerely wrong! I once took a trip to Tifton Georgia and wound up in Valdosta Georgia instead. I was sincere every mile of the way. Sincere, but WRONG!

AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS..It is no friend. The world offers ways, and many side streets. In Christ we have THE WAY, the ONLY WAY!

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       WHEN I SEE THE OTHER SIDE
                  By Pastor George Mills

        “For now we see through a glass darkly,
         but then face to face.” (1Cor. 13:12).

      I asked, “What are you making?”
          As I watched a seamstress sew.
     “Oh it is a lovely quilt,
          For warmth when cold winds blow.”

      As I watched her work more closely,
          Not a pattern could I see,
      I saw only loose ends hanging
          Nothing there appealed to me.

      When she saw that I was puzzled,
          “Oh fret not,” she then replied,
      “You will see a thing of beauty,
           When you see the other side.”

       And then she turned the quilt around,
           “What beauty,” I replied,
       I beheld a lovely pattern,
            When I saw the other side.

      And now I stand along the shore,
            Near Jordan’s swelling tide,
      ‘Tis foggy here, but I’ll see more clear,
            When I see the other side.

       Down here my sight is clouded,
             Light is dim where I abide,
       But the way will be much clearer,
             When I see the other side.

        Here among the shadows,
             Faintly glows Eternal’s Light,
        But in that great tomorrow,
             My faith will turn to sight.

        There to dwell with Christ my Saviour,
            There forever to abide,
        To behold that place of beauty,
            When I see the other side.

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                  FROM MY HEART
                     By Mildred Mills

             SOMETHING’S MISSING!

I had gone to Ohio to be with our daughter, Susan, for the birth of their second little girl, Billie, and was having a happy and fun time being there with their oldest little girl, two year old Sunnie. I did all the things Grandma’s do when we get the opportunity and that included cooking for the family while Susan was taking care of their new born Billie. I made home made biscuits every morning with eggs and bacon and even tried grits, but the grits didn’t go over too well, remember we were in Northern Ohio. Well, one morning I decided to do pancakes, we sat down to eat and before we could bow our heads to ask the Lord to bless our food, Sunnie’s great big beautiful eyes got even bigger and she said, “Where are the biscuits?” She had enjoyed the home made biscuits each morning and was expecting them to be on the breakfast table as long as Mimi was there. The eggs, bacon and pancakes didn’t impress her one bit, she wanted biscuits! The shocked expression on her sweet little face and her direct and strongly stated question, “Where are the biscuits?” have brought much laughter at all our family gatherings down through the years. The other food meant nothing to her because the “Biscuits were missing.” Her breakfast was not complete because something was missing. She recognized what that something was and she made her wishes known and needless to say the biscuits were provided as long as Mimi was there. This is just a funny little family happening that means nothing to anyone but Mimi and the rest of the family, but our little two year old granddaughter  saw that something was missing, something that her little heart desired. How pleased Mimi was to be able to provide this particular desire—home made biscuits!
We, as Christians, have a table full of the blessings provided by our Lord at all times, but sometimes He would like for us to acknowledge Him and let Him know that we have a desire for something we don’t see on the table. Talk to Him and let Him know how something is missing in your life. Tell Him you have a special need and let Him know what the desires of your heart are. It pleases our Heavenly Father to give us, His children, the desires of our hearts.
“Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psa. 37:4).

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          THE UNCHANGING CHRIST  
                By Pastor George Mills 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” (Heb 13:8).

This is a wonderful text. I know of nothing that I may add that has not been preached or written about THE UNCHANGING CHRIST through the years. This is the seed-bed of many sermons on the immutability of Christ. Thank God for that glorious fact. We have studied the Book of Hebrews recently. Let me share with you some of these great truths. We are living in a changing world. Nothing ever stays the same.

Seasons change. Only a few days ago summer began and spring ended.

Society’s view of morals change. What was wrong when I was a young man is accepted as good and right today.

Religion changes. Today we have the new age movement, the new world order.

Governments change and politics change.

 Recently I visited the old neighborhood where I grew up. Everything has changed.
 And so it goes. I am glad that we serve THE UNCHANGING CHRIST. But the thought comes; “Just how is Christ the same today?” We cannot say that He is the same Babe in the manger, or same as the young man in the Temple at age 12. We cannot say that He is the same as He was in Pilate’s judgment hall. He is not the same as He was on the cross, and He is not the same as when they laid Him in the tomb. Things have changed. How then, is He the same yesterday, today, and forever?

1. He is the same in His PERSON.
That has never changed. That has not nor will it ever change. He has always existed equal with the Father. I do not have space in this small publication to list the references that refer to His Eternality. Genesis 1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The Book of Hebrews, ch.1 tells us that The Son (Christ) is the Great Creator. (Heb 1:1-2). John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” What was written in John 1:1 predates Genesis 1:1.You see, there just may be the slightest, smallest, teeniest, remotest possibility that Genesis 1:1 might be dated. Some try, but I have my doubts. But there is no dating John 1:1. That reaches into eternity past. Jesus Christ was there! Christ never changes.

As the Babe in the manger, He was God. (Isa. 7:14).

As that boy in the Temple, He was God. (Lk2:41-49)

In Pilate’s judgment hall, He was God. (Jn 18:33-38).

On the cross He was God. (Lk 23:39-42).

In the tomb He was God. “But God can’t die.” some will say. But one day He did!

He was God when He came walking from the tomb. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the First and the Last. I am alive for evermore and have the keys of Hell and Death.”

His PERSON has never changed. It matters not where we find Him in history, He is the same in His PERSON, that never changes.

2. He is the same in His POWER.
That has never changed! When He ascended into Heaven He called His disciples around Him and said, “All POWER is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth.” ALL POWER! While He lived here, satanic forces tested His Power time and time again. Man has three mortal enemies; The world, the flesh, and the devil. Jesus met them all head-on and defeated them all. He still has that Power. That will never change. He has the POWER to forgive all your past, to save you from the power, and penalty, and ultimately from the presence of sin.

3. He is the same in His PROMISES.
They never change.

He PROMISED to save those who would trust Him, (Jn 6:37).
He PROMISED to keep those He saves, (Jn 10:25-30).
He PROMISED us joy while we are on earth, (Jn. 15:11).
He PROMISED to return for the Church. “I will come again” I do not know the date, time, or the season or the signs, which are all in God’s hands. All I know is that HE PROMISED, and He cannot change His Mind. His PROMISES never change.

CHRIST never changes, (Heb 13:8)
GOD never changes. (Mal. 3:6).
HIS WORD never changes. (Psa. 119:89).

Now, if  I am going to be alive somewhere in, say  a million years from today, I am not going to trust my never dying soul to one, or something that is subject to change. I will trust the living, unchanging Christ. “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”

Is your faith and trust in that ONE who never changes? He never changes, but He can change everything about you, give you reason for living, and hope when you are dying, and PROMISES that will last through Eternity. Call upon Him today. He will hear the cry of your heart.

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian. The world changes. The WORD does not.

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        TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
               By Ashley Stevens

    BEING CENTERED AROUND GOD

Every High School Senior has a moment when they have to decide what to do with their future. Plans must be made and they must begin preparing to enter into the world.. We are going to have to face many challenges that we must overcome. We must get into the world to experience ungodly situations and ungodly people in order to grow stronger as Christians. If you were privileged as I was to grow up in a Christian home, seeing the world is very hard to face. We need to be careful when being exposed to non-Christian situations like at school, a job, or even in the neighborhood. When Christians are exposed to non-Christian atmospheres, we need to make sure that the exposure does not lead us into embracing ungodly philosophies. We would all grow as strong, mature Christian teenagers if we listen to what God says in Psalm 1:1; “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” Even though we sometimes have to be in a non-Christian atmosphere, we need to try to focus more in trying to be in a Christian atmosphere. We should not be around people who mock God, His Word, and most importantly, His role He plays in our lives. Instead, we should be around people who help us train in the Word of God, and who help us in guiding us in the right direction. This way we can have control of our lives so that they do not influence our way of thinking. We will be able to focus on God so that He can help us in preparing for our future, and becoming close to Him.
May God Bless you each and every day!
Until next time,                 Ashley Stevens.

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 AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…it is no friend to the Christian. The noise of this world makes the music stop. We have the believer’s refuge in First John 1:9. We confess, we forsake, and the sweet music starts again!  

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     WHEN THE MUSIC STOPPED
                By Pastor George Mills

“And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease.” (Eze. 26:13).

My wife taught herself to play the piano. She practiced on a very old upright piano we had. I was so impressed with her dedication, I wanted to do something for her, so I bought her a new piano. It is a small piano, but quite nice. She has enjoyed this piano through the years. I love to listen as she plays the hymns of the church.
Our home is filled with little “what-nots” figurines, and souvenirs, so naturally the top of her piano is loaded with these things. One day her new piano did not sound so good. In fact, it sounded awful. This instrument that had produced such beautiful sounds before, suddenly produced an awful sound. If you hit a certain note, or key it sounded more like a buzz than it did a musical note. This was terrible. What has happened? She had tried so hard to take care of this piano. So we called the piano repairman to come and check it out. The repairman stayed only for a few minutes. He laughed as he handed my wife one of the little “what-nots” that had fallen from the top of the piano and was lodged between the frame and sounding board, causing a vibration which was the source of that awful noise. What a relief. Her piano was OK.
You know, when Christ comes into our life, He does not fix up the old, He makes us New. What beautiful music comes from the life of a new convert. They sing, they praise the Lord, they are in Church every service. What beauty! But far too many times, that joy, that praise, that music just stops. Something is wrong. If we would only examine our lives, so many times we would find that a small piece of this world has found it’s way into our lives and has stopped that fresh, beautiful sound of music. That’s the time to call upon the Great Physician to search out and reveal the problem. Ofttimes it is something small, but it made the music stop. Israel lost  their great songs as they were led captive into Babylon. The music started again when they were set free!
Psa. 137, Psa, 126.

      WHEN THE MUSIC STOPPED
By Pastor George Mills
“…the little foxes that spoil the vines..”
             (Song Of Solomon 2:15)

      It was just a thing so small
          That made the music stop,
      I did not even see it fall
          The day that it did drop.

      It was so small I could not tell,
          It was missing from it’s place,
      But it stopped the song the day it fell,
          The music, not a trace.

      It was just a “little sin” that day,
          But the hurt that it did bring,
      No more could I with joy pray,
          No more could my heart sing.

      Then I asked the Saviour in,
          To search and find the cause,
      Then He showed that “little sin,”
          That made the music pause.

      As I confessed my sin that day,
          He healed my wounded heart,
      And I am happy now to say,
           He made the music start.

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