Vol. 35, No. 12  December, 2011
 

JUSTIFICATION
 By Dr. George Mills

“How then can a man be JUSTIFIED   with God?” (Job 25:4).

I believe that every person ever born has, in some way, asked that question. You have wondered, “WHAT, or HOW can I be right with God?” For a few moments today let’s take a look into the Bible for some answers. After all, the Bible, (KJB) is the way that God reveals His plans for mankind. I trust that we can help with your assurance, and help each of us to be more equipped to reach others with the Gospel of Christ.

1. THE MEANING OF JUSTIFICATION. During the life of this publication we have written on the subject of Justification. I cannot offer anything new. I can only rehearse the things we have discussed.
The word JUSTIFICATION means “to be made legally “Just” or “Righteous.”
How can this be? We see two great truths here in this subject…

(A) God is Holy. That means that God is absolutely pure and free from any sin,

of any kind. Sin cannot get near Him. He is separate from sin. He knows no wrong. He is absolutely pure. The Seraphim in Isaiah 6:1-8 seem to have the responsibility guarding the Holiness of God. Holiness is the single attribute of God that determines all of His attributes.
God is Holy.

(B) Man is a sinner. This is the second truth we must see. We inherit our sinful nature from our parents, Adam and Eve. They incurred a sinful nature, (Gen 3) That sinful nature has been passed to all mankind through the natural birth process. “Wherefore as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and death by sin so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Ro. 5:12). In Romans ch. 3, Paul lists 14 indictments against the human race that state man is a sinner from his head to the bottom of his feet. His speech, his thoughts, his deeds, everything about man is sinful. The problem then, is getting that sinful man into a rightful relationship with The Holy God. This is where Justification comes into the picture. Justification is the Divine act of God whereby He alone makes the sinner as though he never sinned. The sinner is declared “Just.” Now, isn’t that great?
Justification is a Righteous act of the Holy God.

2. THE METHOD OF JUSTIFICATION.
Method meaning “the procedure.” Just how does God take the sinner and make him as though he never sinned?

(A) IT IS BY GRACE. “Being Justified freely by His GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Ro.3:24) “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.”(2Cor. 8:9). Grace gives the sinner that which he does not deserve. That is, “declared righteous in Christ” and a clean heavenly record.
GRACE is God’s part in the act of justification

(B) IT IS BY FAITH. “Therefore being justified by FAITH we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro. 5:1). While GRACE is God’s part, FAITH is our part. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH without the deeds of the law.”(Ro. 3:28). Saving faith is a gift of God imparted to the sinner who will believe in, cling to, and trust nothing but the message about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The moment the lost sinner sees his/her condition before God, then God gives the FAITH to receive Christ. “For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH and that not of yourselves, it, (FAITH) is the GIFT of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9). The method of Justification is by GRACE through FAITH, plus and minus nothing.

3. THE MEANS OF JUSTIFICATION. Meaning “bringing two extremes together.” For a few moments today, let’s look at the Book of Job and see the negative side, that is, how we are NOT justified. Job asked the question, “How then should a man be just with God?”(Job 9:2) He describes the greatness of God and sees his own weaknesses. “How can I be just with Him?” he asks. He tells how we are NOT justified.

(A) Not by positive thinking. “If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me. If I say I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” (Job 9:20)

(B) Not by being remorseful. “If I say I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself. I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.” (Job 9:27-28)

(C) Not by washing, quitting, or reforming is the sinner justified.. “If I wash myself with snow water and make my hands never so clean. Yet thou shalt plunge me in the ditch and my own clothes shall abhor me.” (Job 9:30-31). If I wash in the purest water, that will not make me clean before God.

Now, all of these things are fine in their proper place after we have been justified, but they are NOT the means of Justification. Romans 5:6-11 says that we are justified by the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross “Much more then, being justified by His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Ro. 5:9)

4. THE MEASURE OF JUSTIFICATION. Just how much of my sin does justification take care of? Is justification measured in degrees?
Or in steps, or in phases? NO!

There is no Partial justification, only perfect Justification.

There is no Probational period of justification. We are not forgiven, and at the same time have conditions held over our head.

“And by Him (Christ) all that believe are JUSTIFIED from all things from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.”(Acts 13:39). ALL THINGS! Every sin, every wrong, every hurt, everything was paid for in full at Calvary. There is a long list of indictments against the human race in Romans 3:10-23, and 1Cor. 6;9-11. But the Grace of God is freely given to every sinner who receives Jesus Christ. In Christ we are justified from ALL THINGS that were against us.

5. THE MOMENT OF JUSTIFICATION. How long does this process of justification take? Are there hours, days, or weeks involved? Let me ask, how long does it take for God to do anything? In the beginning God spoke, and instantly, the world came into being. He spoke, and light came instantly. Creation happened by His spoken word. And so it is with justification. God has spoken, and the instant the sinner turns to Christ in faith, that very moment the sinner is justified. He has already spoken in His Word. He cannot violate His Word.

6. THE MERITS OF JUSTIFICATION. The rewards of Justification are too many to mention. Let me share with you just a few.

(A) A clean heavenly record. There is no record of the believer’s sins. They are all forgiven and we will never face them again.  Sin is not charged to the believer’s account. “Blessed is the man whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the lord will not impute sin.” (Ro.4:5-8) Ro. 8:33).

(B) A sweet inner peace. If this would be the only thing we get with justification, believe me, it’s worth the trip. SWEET INNER PEACE. Not as the world gives. “Therefore being justified by faith we have PEACE with God  through our Lord jesus Christ.” (Ro. 5:1).

(C) Security. Why not take a few moments and read the passage in Romans 8:31-39. No one can bring a charge against those who are justified. Nothing can ever separate us from His great Love for us. And it’s all because of His Grace.

(D) We have an inheritance. “That being justified by His Grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7) Yes, we have an inheritance in Heaven. Hope for the future and life worth living for today!

Now, does all of this “GRACE PREACHING” give us a license to sin? I mean, since we are justified, everything is OK. I can live like I want to! Right?
All that I can say is, my “WANT TO” was changed when I came to Christ. And so it is with every Born Again believer. Now, we WANT TO live to please Christ.
Life is worth living since I have been made JUST-IF-I’D never sinned.
My dear reader, have you been justified? Are your sins forgiven? Do you have that assurance? If not, why not, right now tell God that you are a sinner in need of Justification. By simple faith receive Christ into your life. He will hear your heart’s cry. Then and only then will you be justified. Why not now, begin TODAY to live FOREVER!

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            JUSTIFICATION
        By Pastor George mills

“Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro. 5:1).

Not by works that I have done,
   But by the blood of God’s own Son.
Not by a merit wrought by me,
   Justified through Calvary.

Justified by GRACE alone,
   Forever settled, the work is done.
All sin forgiven, free at last,
   Justified, my sin is past.

Justified by FAITH alone,
   In the finished work of God’s Dear Son
On His cross, Salvation He bought,
   Justified, what blessed thought.

Justified by BLOOD alone,
   Only can His blood atone.
Full payment for sin is now complete,
   Ready now, my Saviour to meet.

Justified by GOD alone.
   “It is finished,” the work is done.
God’s great plan now satisfied,
   By faith in God, now Justified!

Justified, O Wondrous Word,
   The greatest story ever heard.
To live by Grace through Faith alone,
   Justified, the work is done!

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THINK ABOUT IT…If a man could be Justified with God by any means other than the blood of Christ, then Calvary and all of that great sacrifice would be the greatest blunder in history!

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I THOUGHT, I TURNED, I TRUSTED.
     By Pastor George Mills

“I Thought on my ways, and Turned my feet unto Thy Testimonies.  (Psa. 119:59)

I. I THOUGHT. I do not know about the Psalmist’s life. But there was something that made him to stop, to take inventory. “I thought on my ways.” One of the hardest things today is to get people to stop and think for themselves. Something made the Psalmist think, “Where will this lead to? Where will it end?” I believe the problem lies in the two words, “MY WAYS.” That’s the problem, “MY WAYS.” There is a popular song made famous by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra entitled “MY WAY.” The song says, “I faced it all, and I stood tall, and did it MY WAY.” It sounds good, and kinda macho, and independent of others, but life is not like that. Let’s, with the Psalmist think about MY WAY for a few minutes.
MY WAY is the wrong way if it is not GOD’S WAY! “For the Lord knows the WAY of the righteous, but the WAY of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psa. 1:6)

A WAY suggests a lifestyle. Have you ever sincerely thought about your lifestyle? “I thought.” I began to consider, to surmise, to ponder, to weigh this mightily.”  It is hard to think with all the noise we hear. The world’s philosophy, the world’s ways are not God’s ways. “There is a WAY which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  Have you considered your lifestyle and where it will lead? “Let the wicked forsake HIS WAY, and the unrighteous man HIS THOUGHTS, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isa. 55:7).

A WAY suggests a destination. Where will this lead? What will be the end? Where will I be one year, or ten years or a hundred years from now? You will be somewhere, but where? This thought made the Psalmist consider his destination. “I thought on my way.” Where will YOUR WAY lead?

A WAY suggests some consequences. THINK ABOUT IT, If you continue on YOUR WAY what will the consequences be? Is yours a way of anxiety, a way of frustrations? If your way is not God’s way you will face some awful consequences. Now, I am not saying that God’s way is smooth, with no curves or bumps, no problems or no troubles. God’s way is not the “name-it, claim-it” doctrine as taught by many today. God’s way is a way of peace to the soul, joy to the heart and hope for the future, in spite of the obstacles along the way. God is with you along HIS WAY!

2. I TURNED. “I turned my feet to Thy Testimonies.”  To turn to the Bible (Testimonies) is to turn FROM something. It is written of the Thessalonians that they turned to God from idols.”(1Thess. 1:9). They did not turn from idols to God, they turned to God from idols. There is a vast difference. To put this in reverse order is to add our works and our works have no part in it. The Psalmist had a change of mind (repentance) and turned to the scriptures. We do not have to stop, quit, don’t, do, begin, do this, start here, go there. We don’t do the fixin’ God does that when we do the turnin’.

3. I TRUSTED. “I delayed not to keep Thy commandments.” Is there one thing on this earth that I can trust? Is there one that I can place all my confidence and never be confounded? Of course there is. That is, the Eternal Word of God. “The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times.” (Psa. 12:6) (KJB). The Psalmist did not say I thought, and I turned to some book of philosophy, or wise sayings. He did not turn to some preacher, or teacher, he turned to the Book! He turned to the Answer Book! Christ is the answer and you’ll find Him in the Book! Some turn to the Book in time of trouble. They try to find some comfort, some encouragement or an answer to a particular problem they may be facing. Or, a marriage is failing, or some catastrophe, they look for quick solutions in the Book. There is more than just TURNING, there is TRUSTING. This becomes a lifestyle. Every day I will turn to and trust the Book. I will find wisdom and guidance. I will find hope and comfort. I will find peace in the midst of life’s storms. For the solution of life’s problems I urge each one to THINK. THINK about your way. Where will it lead? To TURN. TURN from your way, to God’s way. To TRUST. To TRUST His unchanging Word. The anchor that keeps us all together, while the world falls apart.

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THINK ABOUT IT…Our greatest problem today is that we can’t get people to think. If a man will stop and THINK about his condition, there is no doubt He will TURN from his way, and TRUST the Eternal Word of God!

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TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
 By Ashley Stevens

    THE ULTIMATE GIFT

Christmas time is the biggest shopping time of the year. Family and friends all come together to enjoy each other’s company and exchange gifts. The money spent on Christmas gifts is astronomical. A lot of us will go in debt to buy clothes, electronics, video games, and gift cards. Hundreds to thousands of dollars will be spent on gifts that do not last, nor have significant meaning. Most people will spend more on gifts than they give to the church or outreach ministries all year. What a shame it is to have our priorities so out of whack. We will get wrapped up in all of the secular ideas at Christmas time and forget the biggest gift of all; the gift of salvation that God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. That gift doesn’t cost a thing because Jesus paid for it all through His death on the cross.
Be sure to take some time out of your busy holiday season to focus on Christ and stop worrying about what you need to buy, or the meals that need to be prepared for the holiday season. Share the real meaning of Christmas with somebody and maybe they will receive the ultimate gift this season; the gift of salvation. This gift is the only gift that will ever matter. It doesn’t cost anything and it will last forever. Share with others what Christmas means to you as a Christian. Share with them how God sent His only Son to this earth to be born in a manger, then die on a cross for our sins. He died so that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven one day. When I begin to think about what Jesus did on that cross to pay for our sins, a sweet song comes to mind. The song goes;
      Jesus paid it all,
      All to Him I owe,
      Sin had left a crimson stain,
      He washed it white as snow.
It is true, Jesus paid it all, and all you have to do is believe in Him. Let Him in and let Him be your guide. Set your eyes on God this holiday season. Take time to focus on Him, because He is the reason for the season.
PS..Don’t forget to say, Merry CHRISTmas, not happy holidays.

         MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Until next time,           Ashley Stevens

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       NO ROOM FOR JESUS.
              (Luke 2:7)
When Jesus was born, there was no room for Him. That started a chain reaction that followed Him to this day.
NO ROOM for Him in his own country.
   (Mark 6:1-6)
NO ROOM for Him in a whole city,
   (Mt. 8:28-34)
NO ROOM for Him in the religious world. (Lk. 23:13-18)
NO ROOM for Him in an entire nation.
(John 1:1-12), and TODAY…
NO ROOM for Him in the business world.
NO ROOM for Him in the political world.
NO ROOM for Him in the educational world.
NO ROOM for Him in the social world.
NO ROOM for Him in some ‘churches’
AND A HAPPY ONE…NO ROOM for Him in the grave!
Is there room for him in your heart? There is a place in you meant especially for Him. Welcome Him in, TODAY!

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        FROM MY HEART
          By Mildred Mills

      MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

A wonderful Thanksgiving Day has passed and now we are planning and looking forward to Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
Without Christmas there would be no need for Thanksgiving. We could not offer our praises and prayers of Thanksgiving unto God because we would have no Mediator, no one to carry our prayers to the throne of God. Without a Christmas we would not have a beautiful Easter to rejoice in His Resurrection. We would have no Happy Holidays if Christmas had not come.
Thank you Father for sending your Son as a tiny baby into this world to die for our sins. Thank you Jesus for being obedient and willing to die a cruel death on the cross to save a sinner such as I. Thank you for coming forth from the grave, and Thank you, Dear Lord for making intercession for us. Without you, Dear Jesus, there would be no Happy Holidays

   “God loved us and sent His Son.”

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

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WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A GLAD AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE 2012 WILL USHER IN THE GLORIOUS RETURN OF THE SAVIOUR. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
 Pastor Mills

Every New Year we all say the same thing: “It just doesn’t seem possible that another year has passed so quickly.” But here we are again. A New Year ahead. What will happen? What will we do?
For sure the New Year will bring at least three things…

1. OPPORTUNITIES.
2. OBSTACLES.
3. OBITUARIES.

1. OPPORTUNITIES.
 In the New Year there will be more opportunities than ever before. Let us use every means that God has given us, and the new ways that will be available in the New Year. Let us use every day this New Year to Glorify our Lord Jesus, and spread the Good News of the Gospel to the world.

2. OBSTACLES.
No doubt there will be many obstacles in our path. Our enemy will be there in the New Year waiting for us. We will face battles. Satanic forces will be more active against the Church. The courts will attack the very fundamentals of our nation. The ACLU, our greatest enemy will find more ways to attack anything that has “GOD” or “JESUS:” attached in any way. They will fight every issue from a Boy Scout group with a moral stand all the way to the Constitution itself. False doctrine within the ‘church’ will abound more and more. The Bible (KJB) says that in the last days man will turn from the truth and heap to themselves teachers who will tickle their ears. The airways are filled with false doctrine today, and the thing that amazes me are the crowds that are falling for every wind of doctrine that blows. Do not mistake “rattles” of “revival” or new movements as a movement of God. Stay true to your Bible (KJB). Study it!

3. OBITUARIES.
 No doubt that if our Lord tarries His coming, some of us will go to meet Him in death before this New Year ends. We do not know the day or the hour, but we must be prepared. We prepare by receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We receive Him when we ask Him to come into our heart, to forgive our sin. “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” (Jn. 1:12).
In this New Year, let us take advantage of every OPPORTUNITY to spread the good news. Let us go over, around, or through every OBSTACLE, before our OBITUARY is read in the morning paper.  God Bless You!
         HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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           BENEDICTION…
Our Blessed Heavenly Father, thank you for a New Year. Another year of opportunity. Now we ask your blessings as we face this New Year. We seek your wisdom and strength and the power of the Holy Spirit as we seek to be obedient to the Great Commission. Bless every reader with all the good things of God in this New Year.
In the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Vol. 35, No 11   November, 2011

YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED
 By Dr. George Mills

 “Be ye strong therefore and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” (2Chr.15:7).

Asa was one of the better kings of Judah. He was not perfect. He sought to bring his nation back to God. He did some great things. God knew about Asa’s work and He sent His prophet Azariah
to assure Asa that “His work will be rewarded.” This is a great change from what had been happening in Judah during the preceding kings. Asa tried to do right and the prophet encouraged him. A great part of this ministry has been to encourage believers everywhere. God knows who and where we are and said to the churches in Rev. 203, “I know thy works.” Records are kept. God will not forget the smallest thing done for Him. “YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED.” Let’s see some of the things of Asa’s day.

1. THE CONDITION OF THE LAND.
   Asa is the great, great grandson of King David. Asa began his reign in Judah in about 951 B.C. This is just over 50 years since the dedication of Solomon’s temple built in 1004 B.C. (2Chr.6-7). The Bible says that the Glory of God came down and filled the Temple. God said that He had chosen the Temple for a House of Worship and sacrifice. At the time of our text the nation had been divided into two kingdoms; the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The nation was on it’s way down. There were brief periods of turning to God, but they were brief. There was no heart-felt turning to God. You know, like today in our land. We turn to God in great tragedies, but soon, so soon we see that our turning was just “surface” and not from our heart. The reign of King Asa ushered in one of those brief times of revival. This was welcome after the reigns of King Rehoboam, (1Kings 14:21-24) and King Abijam, (1Kings 15:1-7). Take a few moments and read the chapters referred to in this text and see how the nation had drifted so far from God. Let’s see the condition of the land at that time.

(A) THEY WERE WITHOUT THE TRUE GOD. (2Chr. 15:3). It seems so hard to believe that in just a few short years they had turned from serving the True and Living God to serving and worshipping idols. It is true that there was worship in the land, but it was idol worship. If we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. Just look at the condition of our nation today. This nation has turned from the True God of Heaven to the worship of thousands of idols. Yes, it is true, there is “religion” in our land today, but it is not that heart-felt worship of God. A sad indictment; “WITHOUT THE TRUE GOD.” Today, any ‘god’ is acceptable. There are thousands of “gods’ and idols. Some have painted “GOD” on the world and have brought that into the ‘church.’ The God of the Bible has been replaced by the ‘gods’ of this world’ The same indictment is against this nation; “WITHOUT THE TRUE GOD.” He is not welcome in our society, not welcome in schools, governments, congress, or courts.

(B) THEY WERE WITHOUT A TEACHING PRIEST. (2Chr. 15:3). It was the duty of the Levites to teach the Children of Judah and Israel the statutes of God. The priests were to teach the people to discern between the clean and the unclean. (Lev. 10:10-11).But now the Law had been forsaken and the land was filled with uncleanness. Every man was a law unto himself. This reminds me of this great nation we love. We started out right, but we have gotten off the old path and found ourselves going in many different directions. I have heard the great preachers of my generation. What great stands they took, what great standards they set. One by one God called them home, and the sad part is I don’t see anyone taking their place. Oh I know there is lots of preaching today, but where are the real Prophets who proclaim loudly and clearly, “THUS SAITH THE LORD?”

(C) THEY WERE WITHOUT THE LAW. (2Chr. 15:3)
The Law of God contained both the CEREMONIAL and the CIVIL Law. When God’s Law is forsaken, there is not much hope for the nation. The Law and Commandments of God which were so used in the founding of this great nation have been forsaken, abandoned, put aside and replaced with humanism. When just one judge, who is an elected official, can overrule the will of the people, and have the Commandments of God removed from a public building, well, this is just a signal of the overall abandoning of The Law of God in our nation today. The Law of God, the Bible (KJB) has been forced out of homes schools, colleges, public buildings, courts, churches and thousands of other places where they were once honored, respected, and obeyed. “Separation of Church and State” is the crutch that the A.C.L.U. uses to promote their agenda through the courts. Separation of Church and State is NOT in the Constitution of the United States. Our founding fathers were careful to consult the Law of God in founding this great nation. It is wrong for the courts to make rulings against the Law of God by referring to a statement that is NOT in the Constitution. Our attitude toward the Law of God is an outward manifestation of our inward dedication, or lack of it. Folks, our nation is in great need today. When I refer to the Law of God, I am referring to the CIVIL LAW, the Laws that govern human society. We cannot improve, replace, discard, or destroy.
By the way, I am so ever grateful that Christ fulfilled the CEREMONIAL LAW by His coming to earth, by His death and resurrection. We are not saved in keeping Laws. Jesus did that for us. Keeping His CIVIL LAWS make us good and safe citizens. As I have stated, our nation is in need today, like Judah of old.

(D) THEY WERE WITHOUT PEACE. (2Chr. 15:5). “And in those days there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city, for God did vex them with all adversity.” When the True God is forsaken, and when His Law is abandoned, and His Word is not taught in home, school, church, the result is NO PEACE! There was civil war, violence, anarchy, immorality, idolatry and chaos in the land. In America today we have outlawed the Law of God and have settled for humanistic teachings and our great nation is in trouble today. If you will carefully observe that today, violence fills our cities, crime, murder, unsafe streets. Communities once tranquil are now war zones. Drugs, gang violence, as the Bible said, “Blood touches blood.”
The condition of the land was very poor.

2. THE CALL OF ASA. (2Chr. 15:2, v7) “The Lord is with you while you are with Him.” “Be strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak, FOR YOUR WORK SHALL BE REWARDED.” God is calling you Asa. He will be with you, to bless you, to strengthen you. Asa was the one who would stand in the gap and make up the hedge, (Eze. 22:30). I believe that God is calling many into His service today. I wonder just how many He calls, and how few that answer His call. These are very critical times in our nation’s history. I am glad that Asa answered the call of God. Asa was only one man, but one man made a difference in his day. Who knows, maybe YOU are that one whom God will use to turn this nation around. I love the answer of Isaiah to God’s call; “Here am I, send me.” Is God speaking to your heart today concerning His service? Surrender to Him today. Tell Him. He will hear your heart’s cry, “send me.”

3. THE CHARACTER OF ASA’S WORK. (What sort it is))

(A) HE VOWED TO SEEK THE LORD, (2Chr. 15:12). “And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.” He put God first. In like manner, God must be first in our lives. His will, His plan is our goal. When we seek Him, He will be found of us. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13).

(B) ASA REMOVED THE HEATHEN ALTERS FROM THE LAND. “For he (Asa) took away all the alters of the strange gods and the high places, and brake down the images and cut down the groves.” (2Chr. 14:3). I know that people do not bow down to images today like they did in Asa’s day. But remember, an idol is anything that takes the place of God in your heart. That becomes your idol. Idols are everywhere. You see some pulling their idol behind their automobile on their way to the lake on Sunday morning. Games, sports, fun, play and thousands of other things become idols today. Now, nothing is wrong with having fun, enjoying life. I enjoy life. Hunting, fishing, enjoying the good things of life. This is good! But make sure that You have that time for God. When God is first in our lives, He makes everything fit in it’s rightful place. Is there an idol in your life? Take it down..

(C) ASA REMOVRD THE ABOMINABLE FROM THE LAND.
“And when Asa heard these words of the prophecy of Obed the prophet, he took courage and put away the abominable idols out of the land of Judah” Just what is the abominable? “And he (Asa) took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.”(1Kings 15:12). Sodomy is a vile sin. This is a sin that is promoted as an acceptable alternative lifestyle today. This is not acceptable. This is a sin that is on the very bottom of the moral ladder downward. Read Romans 1:21-32. “God gave them up, God gave them up, God gave them over.” God gave them over to a reprobate mind. That is, a mind that is incapable to discern the awfulness of this vile sin and it’s results. God would not bless the nation as long as this sin was tolerated. Asa took courage and dealt with this sin. The abominable is in our land today, even in high places. May I say right here to everyone who may be addicted to this or some other vile sin, sex sin, drugs, alcohol, pornography or one of the other things that could be listed here. GOD LOVES YOU! There is a Saviour. His Name is Jesus Christ.. He can, and will deliver you from such a life. He has been doing that for a long time. He can make life worth living. Ask Christ into your life today. Trust Him with all of your heart. Trust His strength daily. Christ can deliver the drunk from alcohol, the harlot from whoredom, the vilest He can make clean.

(D) ASA REMOVED HIS MOTHER FROM BEING QUEEN. “And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen because she had made an idol in a grove, and Asa cut down her idol.” (2Chr. 15:16). Asa knew that as long as idolatry is allowed in the king’s house, it would be practiced in the cabins of the land. The king’s house must be an example of moral purity. Asa knew that morality must be practiced in the Church House, the State House, and the White House. We need some Asa’s today!

4. THE CERTAINTIES. “Your work will be rewarded.”

(A) GOD KEPT HIS WORD. He always keeps His Word. He cannot lie “The Lord is with you while you are with Him.” “And there was no more war unto the thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.”(2Chr. 15:19).

(B) GOD GAVE A TIME OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY. “And he (Asa) built fenced cities in Judah, for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years because the Lord had given him rest.” “He hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.” (2Chr. 14:7)
God wants to bless us today. His blessings will return to our land if we take God at His Word and seek His face.

(C) MANY OF ISRAEL CAME OVER TO JUDAH. The northern tribes of Israel saw that there was revival in the land of Judah so they pledged their allegiance to Judah. Revival is catching. It spreads. May it start with me, and you, and spread afar.
Asa was one man who gave himself to seek the Lord., and god used him, and God blessed the land. Now, back to our text; “YOUR WORK SHALL BE REWARDED” Let’s bring that home to us today. You know how it is. So much of the time it “seems” as though our work may go unnoticed. But there is a God in Heaven who keeps records. As I previously stated, God said to the churches in revelation 2-3, “I KNOW THY WORKS.” He knows ever deed, every prayer, every Bible tract you pass out, every witness you give. He knows all about you. He knows your love for Him. He knows your motive. He knows when you are persecuted for your testimony. He knows, and your work shall be rewarded. Jesus remembered a widow’s mite and a cup of water in His Name. Nothing escapes His piercing gaze, Take courage dear Christian Brother or Sister, Keep right on for God. YOUR WORK SHALL BE REWARDED. I believe that in this life you will see the faithfulness of God every day as He rewards His faithful servants. I am living proof. And when Jesus returns, He will bring His reward with Him. “Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be…” (Rev. 22:12).  YOUR WORK SHALL BE REWARDED.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU, GOD BLESS US AS WE LABOR AND SEEK HIS FACE AND PRAY FOR REVIVAL IN OUR TIME!

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“Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” (Psa. 90:1)

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THINK ABOUT IT. It doesn’t take a crowd to do a job for God. It doesn’t take a crowd to have revival. It just takes surrendered lives.

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LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE AS WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING DAY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011.

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           THANKSGIVING
 By Pastor George Mills

“O give thanks unto the LORD for He is good. For His mercy endureth for ever.”
                   (Psa. 136:1)

Accept my gratitude, Dear Lord,
    For things I overlook.
For things like love from family,
   And for Thy Blessed Book.

Thank you for salvation’s plan,
   Thank you for your Son,
Who came to rescue fallen man,
   To save us, one by one.

Accept my gratitude dear Lord,
   For promises so sweet,
For a home for me in Heaven,
   Where loved ones I will meet.

Thank you Lord for access there,
   At Thy Great Throne we meet,
With One who knows our every care,
   And communion there is sweet.

Thank you God for just a place,
  Of service for our King.
Thank you Lord for saving Grace,
   For everyone we bring;

To Thy Gracious Throne of Love,
   For salvation to impart.
For these and countless other things,
   I thank Thee from my heart.

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TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER       
 By Ashley Stevens

“I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.”

One of the biggest problems teenage girls face in this world today is self confidence. Girls are trying so hard to fit in and trying to be something that they are not. We never stop to think “This is how God made me and I should be happy.” We look at these famous Hollywood stars and think, “Wow! I wish I could be just like that.” They go on these crazy diets and try to make themselves something that they’re not. If we all had the same body shape, and had the same face, our world wouldn’t be as special and beautiful as it is right now.
Sometimes teenagers tend to think that they have to live up to someone else’s expectation. They also tend to forget that God made them special and beautiful in their own way. God made you the way He wanted you to be. When you look into the mirror and wish you were different, aren’t you telling God that He made a mistake? We know that God doesn’t make mistakes. He made each and every one of us perfect in our own way. We shouldn’t hide how God made us. We should be content with the face and body shape God gave us, because that is the way that He wanted us to be. One thing that is hard for me to do is remind myself that God made me beautiful in His sight. So every time I get dressed I see a little note card I put on my mirror that says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” This helps me to remind myself that God made me special and beautiful. I also encourage you to do the same I promise that this will help you look at yourself just a little differently. When you hear your friends say that they don’t fit in, or they don’t like the way they are, remind them that God made them the way He wanted. Remember that they may not be saved and this would be a great opportunity to witness to them and help win another soul to Christ. I hope this really helps you look at yourself a little differently and it helps you keep a positive attitude on the way that you feel about yourself. Stop comparing yourself to another person. God made you SPECIAL!
May God bless you each and every day.
Until next time            Ashley Stevens.

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 WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS…Answers to questions

Question…”What is the difference between MADE, CREATED, and FORMED?”

Ans..There is no difference. These are words used to describe the work of God in creation.

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Question…In Genesis 1:26 it says “Let US make man in our image.” Who are “US?”

Ans.. The Eternal God is triune in being. This is God, the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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Question…”In Genesis 1:25  “And God made the beast of the earth after his kind.” What are “his kind?”

Ans..His kind meaning after his species. A bear produces a bear, a lion produces a lion, etc.

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          FROM MY HEART
             By Mildred Mills

      PREPARE FOR BATTLE

Our sixteen year old grandson, Matt, plays football for his high school, and he plays hard! He means business when he runs out on that field and knows he is in for a battle. His goal is to win, so he prepares well for the battle. Before every game he puts on his helmet to protect his head and his shoulder pads and knee pads on to protect his body. He wears his cleats so he can dig in for the battle and always protects his mouth with a mouth guard. By the way, a mouth guard is a very small piece of equipment but one of the most important ones to be used as we march into battle. Remember, our mouth can cause us to win or lose a battle. Matt was talking football with me one day and telling me all about his up coming game ad said to me, “Mimi, I always pray before every game.” I would say to you, this young man is ready for battle! After all the football talk, the Holy Spirit reminded me that we as Christians are in a battle, a spiritual war. Satan wants to take us down but God’s Word tells us how to prepare for the fight. Our Heavenly Father tells us how to win”

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit.” (Eph. 6:11-18)

Christians, we can win the battle against Satan if we put on the whole armor of God!
So Matt, put on your helmet, your knee pads, your shoulder pads, your cleats, and don’t forget your mouth guard and praying always, go out on that field and win that battle!!!

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WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS..Answers to questions

Question..I was always told that Adam and Eve were the first two humans, but I see different now. They were the first two in the Garden of Eden. They were not formed until the second Chapter of Genesis (2:7). But God created man in the first chapter of Genesis, (1:26-28) This means that man was living with beasts before the creation of Adam. Am I correct?

Ans..There are not two accounts of creation in Genesis. The subject of Genesis, Ch. 1 is Creation of the universe. Genesis 1 has only a casual mention of man. The subject of Genesis 2 is the Creation of man. When reading a book you may read about a person briefly and see a complete chapter on that same person later in the book.. There was no man here before Adam. Just remember the subject, or main topic of Genesis, ch. 1 is CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE. The subject, or main topic of Genesis, ch.2 is CREATION OF MAN.
And let everyone be aware once again that man was CREATED, he did not evolve from some lower state.

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian. It is no friend to your Bible either, it scoffs at creation. But we are the creation designed by Almighty God.

  Vol. 35, No. 10  October, 2011

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
          By Dr. George Mills

“It is of the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in Him.”(Lam. 3:22-24).

In the Book of Lamentations the prophet saw only destruction. His homeland had been destroyed. Waste and ruin was everywhere. The Temple had been destroyed. Jerusalem was no longer the “Joy of the whole earth.” “Why such waste?” He thought. “Why would God allow such? After all, we are the people of God. We are his chosen. He is supposed to be on our side. Just look…see the ruin. There has never been such devastation. WHERE IS GOD?” WHY DIDN’T HE DO SOMETHING TO STOP THIS? And the people that pass by, they are so unconcerned. “Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by?” (1:12) Then Jeremiah began to remember that God had said, over and over again that if the nation did not repent, turn from their idols and wickedness, judgment is coming. King
Nebuchadnezzar and his army from Babylon will destroy the cities and take the people captive. God had been patient. His warning after warning had been ignored. The nation did not repent. Now, judgment has come just as God had said. Now, in the midst of it all the prophet has to confess that even though there is ruin everywhere, God has been FAITHFUL to His Word. “This is just what God said it would be.” “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS” He declares. Not only do we see God’s faithfulness in the good things, we also see His faithfulness in the things that are not so good. He is true to His Word.
We can never count the ways in which we see the faithfulness of God. Let us see just a few..

1. GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS CREATION.  “God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, BY WHOM ALSO HE MADE THE WORLDS. Who being in the brightness of His Glory and the express image of His person and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1:1-3). “And He is before all things and by Him (Christ) all things consist.” (Col. 1:17). Christ is the maker and preserver of all creation. By Him all things are held together. He is FAITHFUL to His creation. Everything works as it was designed to work. This day will be 24 hours long. Each hour will consist of 60 minutes, each minute, 60 seconds. Today, the tides will rise and fall twice. The earth, the moon, the stars, the sun, the planets, the stars will remain in their designed orbits, because of the Faithfulness of God. Can you imagine the untold disaster in the heavens were it not for the faithfulness of God? The seasons will be right on schedule. Global warming? Global cooling? will have to obey the rules as set down by the Great Creator. He is in control! God knows all about world conditions, population growths, and yes, “He has His way in the whirlwind.” (Nah. 1:3). God has a plan and purpose for His creation and He is and will be faithful to that plan. And yes, this earth is equipped to heal itself. So many of the things we call “natural disaster” are in reality the earth cleansing itself as designed by the Great Creator.

2. GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS REVELATION. “Forever O LORD Thy Word is settled in Heaven”(Psa 119:89).
The Gift of the ages is the Gift of God’s Word. He is Faithful to that Word. May I share with you two things about His REVELATION…

(A) INSPIRATION “Originating with God and coming through man.” “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet. 1:21).”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof. For correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2Tim. 3:16). In inspiration, God spoke to man, and man wrote down what God said. I do not believe that God expected those original manuscripts to last through the ages. So that brings us to the second word…

(B) PRESERVATION. God has used men through the ages to carefully copy manuscripts as the manuscripts aged. Through the years, this has been a very careful process. Men carefully copied, re- read, for accuracy, and burned old manuscripts, and circulated the new among the churches, thus bringing God’s Word to the ages. God’s great miracle is His work of preservation.(Psa. 12:6-7). So, today we can rest assured that which we have PRESERVED is that which He INSPIRED, without error, addition, or deletion. Today there are over 5,600 copies of ancient manuscripts preserved for mankind. What we have on earth is that which is settled in heaven. Now, do not be deceived by the dozens and dozens of new “versions” on the market today. Publishers of these “versions” advertise that these come from the oldest two manuscripts. This is not right! The two manuscripts that gave birth to this flood of “versions” were found in the mid 19th century,(1844-1849). One had been stored in the Vatican library since 1475, and the other had been kept in St. Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai for centuries. These two manuscripts, I believe, were probably the work of a man by the name of Eusebius. He was authorized by Emperor Constantine in AD 325 to create 50 manuscripts patterned after the writings of Origen.  The early church rejected these manuscripts. Too bad that educated men of this age have not done the same. Every reader of this publication is, by now, aware of the fact that we hold to the authority of the Word of God as given by God in the old King James Bible. As I have stated, there are over 5,600 manuscripts that are the basis of the Received Text from which we get the King James Bible.
 In the other text from which all the new “versions” come, there are TWO MANUSCRIPTS. These were born in Egypt and God gave warnings to stay out of Egypt!

3. GOD IS FAITHFUL IN SALVATION. He is faithful to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life on the Cross as full payment for our sins. “The Lord hath laid upon Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.” (Isa. 53:6)
God will not turn away, or refuse anyone who will receive the Gift of His son, Jesus Christ. It matters not what your lifestyle or background might have been. It matters not how immoral you may be, God offers His free Salvation to WHOSOEVER WILL call upon Him. Christ did not die for a chosen few, or for an elected few, He died for the sin of the whole world. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”(Ro. 5:6-8)
“But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.” (Jn. 1:12). Don’t let anyone try to tell you that you cannot be saved, and go to Heaven when you die. God is FAITHFUL to that sacrifice of Christ.

4. GOD IS FAITHFUL IN THE TIME OF TEMPTATION AND TESTING.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will, with the temptation, also make a way of escape that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Cor. 10:13). What tempts and tries you is not unique. We all have the same temptations. A meaningful daily Prayer life, a steady diet of the Word of God (KJB) and fellowship with other believers are valuable resources for every believer. Temptations arise when we are idle. There is much to do in the service of our lord. Too much for us to do to be tempted. Anyway, GOD IS FAITHFUL. He will make a way when temptations and testings come.

5. GOD IS FAITHFUL IN OUR SUPPLICATIONS.
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by PRAYER and SUPPLICATION with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
(Phil. 4:6-7)
PRAYER is our petition to God on behalf of others.
SUPPLICATION is bringing our personal needs to God. He has promised to hear and answer prayer. He may not answer when, or how we ask, but He will always answer for our best and for His Glory. Every believer should have a history of the times when we prayed for something or for someone and that prayer was answered. “Call unto me, AND I WILL ANSWER THEE, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” (Jer. 33:3).

6. GOD IS FAITHFUL IN CONSUMMATION. Meaning to bring all things to their ultimate end. Our God knows the end from the beginning and all things in between. He works on His schedule. He warned us not to try to figure it all out, or to set dates, or to try to determine signs and seasons. Just about when we think we have it all figured out, we find out how wrong we were. In the fullness of time, He CREATED this universe, (Gen. 1-2). In the fullness of time, God sent His Son to be born by way of the virgin birth, (Lk. 1:26-35).  In the fullness of time Christ presented Himself as their Messiah, Mt. 21:1-6, Zech. 9:9). In the fullness of time, Christ died on the cross for our sins, (Gal. 4:4-5). In the fullness of time, Christ was resurrected, ascended into Heaven to be our Eternal High Priest, and in the fullness of time, He will return and bring all things to completion as He said. Now, don’t try to figure out the things that are known to God alone!
He is coming, in time, on time, take His own from time to eternity.
Just remember, we serve a FAITHFUL GOD. FAITHFUL in every respect. One man predicted Christ’s coming to be May 21, 2011, and he was wrong! Many were hurt by his prediction.  And so it has been through ages past…all wrong!
May our Dear Lord Jesus find us ready for His coming, working for His coming, and praying for His coming as did John in Rev. 22:20, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” “Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me.”(Rev. 22:12).
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THINK ABOUT IT…
Satan said to the first Adam, “Trust me.” (Gen. 3:1-7). Adam listened to him and you see the mess we are in today. The Last Adam (Christ) says, “Trust me.” (1Cor. 15:45). And everyone who listens and obeys is brought out of that horrible pit and placed upon the ROCK.
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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS… It is no friend to the Christian. But Christ is, “Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Mt 24:44).
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  THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
            By Pastor George Mills

“They are new every morning, Great is Thy Faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:23)

Consider the moon and stars in the skies,
   God’s Faithfulness is there.
Consider creation at morning sunrise,
   His Faithfulness is everywhere.

The seasons go to return again,
   His Faithfulness declares.
 God still hears the cry of pain,
   Of the faintest, childish prayers.

Temptations often rise to try me,
  But God’s faithfulness is there.
And in each test His Grace is by me,
   And each burden He does bear.

And all through life down here below,
   God’s Faithfulness is here.
And in Heaven at last He will gladly show,
  That His Faithfulness was always near.

He is Faithful to His Holy Word,
   Each promise is there to claim,
Faithful, is our Loving Lord,
   Faithful, is His Great Name.

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             ON PRAYER
1. What Prayer is.  Today there are many “How to” lessons on Prayer. Simply stating it, Prayer is talking to God. If Christ is your Saviour, God is your Father. Talk to Him!
2. What Prayer involves. Prayer involves praying in Jesus’ Name. He alone is our access to God.
3. What prayer does. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We don’t have to dial some “800” number, or some ‘religious headquarters. Just pray, God hears!

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  TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
            By Ashley Stevens
          PEER PRESSURE

For some teenagers today, the hardest thing for them to overcome and face is the pressure that is brought on by their peers. A teenager has to make the decision whether they want to be surrounded by Christian friends or the friends who may lead them into a life of temptations and trials. God wants us to have good and Godly friends who want to see His light shine through us and they want us to make wise decisions. However, in some point in a young Christian’s life, they are going to face peer pressure. Whether it’s at school or in an activity that they take part in, they are going to have to make the decision to either stand up for what they believe in or fall into the temptation that Satan has brought into their lives through their peers. Many young Christian’s testimony is tested in schools all over the country. The Bible and Prayer are not allowed in the public school system anymore. When these young Christians are put into an atmosphere that is very different from the atmosphere of a Christian home or Church, they will have to face many temptations. In the world that we live in today, teenagers have access to alcohol, drugs, and other things that are clearly wrong. We need to make sure that we make a stand for Christ. Let’s not fall into peer pressure and take that one sip of alcohol or be tempted to buckle to the temptation to use drugs. Instead, take that one step and draw these teenagers closer to God, and share the Gospel with them. If we had this more in our society today, we would be living in a whole different world than we are right now. So, make the choice. Are you going to stand up for Christ, or fall into peer pressure?
May God bless your life each and every day.
Until next time…..        Ashley Stevens.

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          FROM MY HEART
            By Mildred Mills
     A DECISION TO CHOOSE

Life is made up of decisions and the decisions we make determine the path our life will take. God made it very clear in His Word that the very first decision we should make in our life is to choose His Son Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and determine in our heart to serve Him all the days of our life. This is the most important decision we will ever make.
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”(Joshua 24:15). Make a choice, choose Jesus and make a decision to follow Him all the days of your life.
I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13). “”And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (Jn. 6:37).
 
 “I choose Jesus, when I need a Friend,
   What I need I know that He will send.
I have proved Him, good and true is He,
  I choose Jesus, He is the best for me.”

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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS..It is no friend to the Christian. And while the world is no friend, let us be the friend who points to that Friend who says, “Ye are my friends.”

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WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS…
Answers, comments and questions.

Due to the nature of this Publication we receive inquiries from various places on diverse subjects. We try to answer questions and give any help we can. We keep within the three-fold purpose of this ministry as listed on the back page of each edition. We will not carry on a debate through this publication. That does not fall within our purpose. We state our position on every subject. We are Fundamental, Conservative, Independent Baptist and hold to the historic doctrines of the Christian Faith. Many of these are listed on the back page of every edition. What we believe is not debatable. I believe in the imminent return of Christ for His Church in the event commonly known as the Rapture of the Church. The word “imminent” meaning, “ready to take place at any moment.” According to the Scriptures (KJB) Christ can come for His Church at any moment. He could have returned at anytime in history past. That’s His business. Nothing prevents, or is to precede His return in the rapture. There are several teachings today especially in the “Charismatic renewal movement” that do away with His imminent return in the Rapture. Just to list a couple of these teachings…

1. Some are saying that “CHRIST CANNOT RETURN FOR HIS CHURCH UNTIL THE CHURCH IS WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE.” This is taken from Ephesians 5:27, “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle.” The teaching today is that “we must learn to lay aside our doctrinal differences and come together as one. One world, one church.” May I say that there is not a single Bible Doctrine that we can lay aside for the sake of unity. There is not a single Biblical doctrine we hold to that is debatable. One day our Lord will present to Himself a Glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, but that will not happen down here. There are several reasons why.

(A) The Church is renewed every day. By that I mean that every day thousands of Christians end their journey down here and are called home to be with Christ. And every day down here thousands and thousands of new Christians are born into the family of God. There is a daily renewal.

(B) Not all believers mature at the same level. Some grasp Spiritual truths immediately and mature. But some never seem to mature.

(C)  Christians have a new nature that cannot sin, (1John 3:9). We also have an old nature that knows nothing but sin. Some deny this truth, but the truth is, we still have the old nature. This is sometimes called “the old man” or “the flesh.” One day we will leave this body, but until then we must learn to “Put off the old man” and to “put on the new man.”(Col. 3;5-15). Not all believers learn this great truth. I am afraid that if I had to face our Lord today, I certainly would not be without spot or wrinkle
.
(D) One day, Christ will present to Himself that Church without spot or wrinkle. Rev.19:7-9 is a Heavenly scene. The Church has been called Home (raptured). “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the marriage of the lamb is come and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, CLEAN and WHITE, for this is the righteousness of the saints.” At that time the Church has been raptured, the believer’s work has been tried. Every motive, every deed, everything between believers has been settled at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Then will He present to Himself that Glorious Church without spot or wrinkle. This is the work Christ will do for Himself. (Eph. 5:27). Now, does this give us excuse to live just any way we want to? Of course not! Every believer is to “follow holiness.” We are to keep our lives pure before the world. We should seek to be more like Jesus every day. One day “we will be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.”

2. ANOTHER COMMON TEACHING TODAY CONCERNING THE COMING IS THAT “HE CANNOT RETURN UNTIL THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS.” The common reference used is Mt. 24:14. “And this Gospel OF THE KINGDOM shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” SOME of Matthew 24 was fulfilled in AD 70 when Titus destroyed the city of Jerusalem with the Temple. But not all of Matthew 24 was fulfilled then. That chapter looks ahead to the time of the Great Tribulation period (future). During the Tribulation period, the Gospel of the Kingdom will again be preached. When Jesus came in the flesh He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. John the Baptist preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. The disciples preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. (Mt. 3:2, 4:17, 23, 9:35, 10:7). Of course, Israel did not receive their King. He was rejected and crucified. The Gospel of the Kingdom is not preached today. We preach the GOSPEL OF GRACE. We preach about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1Cor 15:1-8). After the Church has been called home, the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to all nations. I believe that the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom will be the instrument God uses to call all Israel to their homeland. We preach GRACE today. They will preach KINGDOM tomorrow. There is nothing to prevent the Lord Jesus from returning for His Church at any time. We pray with the Apostle John, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” Perhaps today!. If His coming were today, would you meet Him in the air, or would you be left behind? If you have received Him, (John. 1:12) He will receive you at His coming for His own  
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THINK ABOUT IT..Winds of doctrines are blowing today. Every day there is something new, something that does not line up with the clear teachings of the Bible. Many are falling for everything new because there has been the forsaking of sound doctrine. Know your Bible. Study your Bible. And speaking of the Bible, don’t fall for these new “versions” NIV, TEV, NKJV, NASV, ASV, etc. This is where much of the problem lies today. The Word of God does not change. It is forever settled. As we have stated many times, in the beginning Satan used the mouth of the serpent to corrupt the Word of God, (Gen. 3). Today he uses the minds of educated men.
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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS. it is no friend to the Christian. The world is heading in one direction, the Christian in another direction. These directions collide!
Don’t be alarmed!

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QUESTION…
“What prayer, or what words do I say in order to be saved? What is the “sinner’s prayer?”
ANSWER…I know that it is common for the speaker to say at the invitation, “Now, pray these words.” And then he quotes some words to say, and at the end of that prayer he will say, “now you are saved.” We are not saved by saying words or repeating something. Salvation is a matter of the heart. We are saved by receiving Christ. The question then is, “How do I receive Christ?” The Bible says, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” You can do that today, right where you are. God made His plan of Salvation simple.
1. REALIZE that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23).
2. REALIZE that we can do nothing to save ourselves. (Eph. 2:8-9).
3. REALIZE that Christ alone can save from the penalty and power of sin. (Acts 4:12).
RECEIVE Him today. Christ is ever near you, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. He speaks to your heart. If there is a desire in your heart to be saved, The Holy Spirit put that desire there. Tell Him that you receive Him now!

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                 BENEDICTION
“Our kind, Gracious Heavenly Father. Bless every reader of this Publication. Save those who need to be saved, strengthen those who are weak, and may the Grace of God overflow in the life of every believer.. In Jesus’ Name.

Vol. 35, No. 9  September, 2011

WHAT’S RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH?
        By Dr. George Mills

“But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn which are written in Heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” (Heb. 12:22-23).
What a wonderful Book to study. The Book of Hebrews will bless your heart as you carefully study the finished work of our Lord Jesus. The key word to the Book is the word “better.” Whatever there was in the old covenant, Christ gives something better.
There are three groups in the above text.

1. The Angels. An innumerable host. This host worships the Lord before His Throne. (Rev. 5:11-12, Heb 1:6).

2. The general assembly and Church of the firstborn which are written in Heaven. These are the redeemed on earth. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life in Heaven.

3. The spirits of just men made perfect. These are the redeemed in Heaven. They have finished their course on earth and are now with The Lord. Their spirit is there, they have not received their glorified body yet. This will happen when Christ returns in the air and calls His church home. (1Thess 4:13-18, Phil. 3:20-21).

Today, I want us to think about this GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN. May our Dear Lord open our understanding. First;

1. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CHURCH?
Thousands of accusing fingers point our way, voices of sarcasm shout their opposition…
“The church is out-dated,” some say. “It served it’s purpose in ages past, but these are days of enlightenment, of technology.”
“The church takes too much of my time.”
“All the church talks about is money.”
“There are too many pretenders.”
And the old stand-by; “The church is full of hypocrites.” Let me say that for every hypocrite you can point out in the church, you can point out ten hypocrites that are not in the church. You know of Lawyers that are not interested in the Law, they are interested in money. And how many salesmen do you meet that are just hypocrites? And in the medical field, how many Doctors who are not really concerned for their patients, they are in for the money they can make.  The world is full of hypocrites, pretenders in every area of life. And you will find some in churches, but we all know the destination of every hypocrite. They are not part of that Great General Assembly known as the Church.” So don’t let the word “hypocrite” upset you. They are everywhere down here, but none up there.
I’ve heard some preachers “down the church.” They say “the church is dead, lifeless, or demon possessed and must go through the tribulation period to get straightened out.” I believe that if I had that kind of fatalistic view of the church I’d find something else to join.
Yes, millions on the outside can tell you WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CHURCH, but let me share with you “WHAT’S RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH. I understand that a large brokerage firm has as it’s slogan, or motto;
BEFORE YOU INVEST,INVESTIGATE!. Don’t place your money just anywhere, check out things first. I challenge people everywhere to know Christ as personal Saviour and then invest their life in a local New Testament Church. Invest time, talent, money, invest your life for the furtherance of the Gospel through that local church. So, WHAT’S RIGHT WITH THE CHUCH?

1. THE MASTER OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT! Jesus Christ said, “Upon this Rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18). It is Christ’s Church. He bought it with His own blood. That makes it right. He knows every member. He calls His own by name. He keeps watch. He keeps His own sheep in line. The Church is the body of Christ on earth, (1Cor. 12:27). Born again believers who have placed their faith and trust in the finished work of Christ alone, THAT’S THE CHURCH. No group, no earthly denomination can claim that they are “the church.” All born again believers everywhere make up the Church, HIS CHURCH! THE MASTER IS RIGHT! Pilate said of Christ, “I find no fault in him.” He went to the Cross, to the tomb, to rise again the third day. He is Lord and Saviour. Yes, beyond all doubt, THE MASTER OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT.

2. THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT! Yes, I said the membership is right, not perfect yet, but right. Let me again define the Church so we can be absolutely right about the MEMBERSHIP. The Church is revealed in two ways in the Scriptures…

(A) THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH,
 (General assembly). The Scripture does not use the word “universal” The Scriptures refer to the “Whole family in Heaven and in earth” (Eph. 3:15). This refers to the family of God, The CHURCH, the redeemed ones. Some have gone on to Heaven and some remain here on earth. These are blood washed, born again children of God. These have placed their faith in Christ alone. There’s not too much wrong with this crowd, NOT YET PERFECT. You don’t have to beg these to go to Church every Sunday. You don’t have to prime, pump, plead with this crowd. They love the Church. I meet some of these everywhere I go. In churches, in schools, on mission fields, homes, everywhere. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ. We have a kindred spirit. The Spirit of God bears witness.

(B) LOCAL ASSEMBLIES. The second way the Church is revealed in Scripture is LOCAL ASSEMBLIES. Paul addressed his epistles to; the Church at Rome, the Church at Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, etc. Local, New Testament assemblies. The great world wide Church cannot meet at one place so the Church meets in local assemblies with Pastor, and needed helpers for worship and fellowship. I can almost hear someone say, “I know that crowd, and boy, I could sure tell you some things.” They find fault. Now here’s where some of the problem may be. Did it ever occur to you that not all of the members of local assemblies are members of that Great assembly of New Testament believers? That’s right! One can be a member of a local church, be baptized in water, be a worker in that church without ever being born again. That’s right. I have met some down through the years. I am afraid that today we have many, many church members around the world who have never met Christ. How about you? Are you a member of His Church, or are you just a church member? There’s a difference! There are many poor, lost church members. Ask yourself, “Am I really born again? Or, am I just a “church member?” “We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.”(1Jn. 3:14). Yes, the membership is right, not yet perfect, but made right. Today, many strange doctrines are preached. The winds of doctrines blow. Many are being deceived. If you include some of these new movements in the Church, then the Church has problems. BUT NOT SO, as John said, “they went out from us, but they were not of us.”

3. THE MANDATE OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT! What is our Mandate, our Mission? The Church is not here to reform society, the Mandate of the Church is to take the Gospel to the world. We are a local assembly with the world in view. We cannot change society by trying to reform society. We cannot vote out, or vote in a new administration and change things. Man is changed when his heart is changed. Then society is changed. Our Mandate is to take the Gospel of Jesus to the world.

4. THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!
The Message of the Church is “LOOK AND LIVE.” The message is simple. It is never complicated. It is the same for all people everywhere. Jesus said in John 3, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”(Jn 3:14-15). That text is referring to the Old Testament Book Of Numbers, Ch. 21. In that text, the Israelites spoke against God and Moses. This was a constant murmuring and complaining. God sent serpents through the camp of the Israelites and much people of Israel died because of the serpent bites. When the Israelites confessed their sin, God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and lift it high so that all may see it. Then if anyone who was bitten by a serpent, if he would look to that brazen serpent, he would not die, but live. Now that’s exactly what Jesus did. He was lifted high upon a cross. We are sinners, we are dying. We have been stung by that old serpent, Satan. But LOOK to the Cross and LIVE! That’s the message. LOOK AND LIVE! Let’s not complicate it by adding things like works, baptisms, denominations, joining, or a thousand other things. The MESSAGE of the Church is right. Children understand it.

5. THE METHOD OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!
In Mt. 28:6-7, the Angel said, “Come and see, Go and tell.” It’s that simple, tell others about Christ and what He has done for you. Jesus said to the maniac of Gadara after he was healed, “Go home to thy friends and tell..” The disciples went out two by two and told about Christ. “I have taught you publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:20). That’s the method; one tells another, then another. If everyone joins in, the job gets done. The business world spends billions on advertising their products, but they still say their best advertisement is a satisfied customer telling another about their product. That’s the Method of the Church. Get in on it.

6. THE MOTIVE OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!
There is a two-fold motive of the Church
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(A) THAT THE DESTINY OF MEN MAY BE CHANGED. What is man’s destiny? “The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.” Read Rev. 20:11-15, Luke 16:19-31. Many passages clearly teach that when a person dies without Christ he will go to a devil’s hell. That’s not popular, but it is true. Jesus came to this earth and gave His Life on a cross so that man’s destiny may be changed. We want to see people saved! Saved from the penalty and power of sin. We do not want anyone to die without Christ. That’s the MOTIVE!

(B) THAT LIVES MAY BE TRANSFORMED.
The second motive is the transforming of lives. Sin abounds everywhere, engulfing, deceiving. Billions of lives are ruined because of sin. But in Christ, THERE IS HOPE! The Bible says, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, and behold, all things are become new.” The Bible says, “Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God. AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU, BUT YE ARE WASHED, YE ARE SANCTIFIED, YE ARE JUSTIFIED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Changed lives. Try reforming, try stopping, try quitting, nothing works. Only Christ can take the helpless and hopeless who have trusted Him and make us all vessels, “meet for the master’s use.”                                                                                

7. THE MUSIC OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!
Music reflects the mood of the times. Listen to the music of any society and it will tell you all you need to know. Listen to the “music” of our time. Have you ever heard anything so hopeless? Listen to Rock and Roll, to Heavy Metal. Listen to the sounds and beat. The rhythm hypnotizes the mind while the words of the “music”fills the heart. If you want to know what’s wrong with our young people, just listen to their “music.” Today’s “music” glorifies drugs, rebellion and attacks anything Godly. Listen to the BOOM BOOM, CRASH BANG BOP BOP of today’s “pop music.” Hillbilly and country ‘music is no better. It glorifies the bed room, cheating, slipping around, bar rooms and whiskey. It is sad to me that many of the “church world” are adopting the BOOM BOOM, BOP, BOP sounds of the world. Some “churches” have that same sound stage, same lights, and same beat.
Just last Lord’s Day as I was dressing for Church, I tuned the television set to a local church. Their entire service consisted only of this sad sound. Oh, they were dancing in the aisles, the lights were flashing, but you could not tell that from a rock and roll concert.
LET US NOT COMPROMISE WITH OUR MUSIC. The Church has given to the world the most beautiful music. Just read the words of the hymns you will find love, hope, peace, and assurance. The words are beautiful and the melodies are glorious.  The MUSIC of the Church is RIGHT! Let us not compromise with the world.

8. THE MANUAL OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!
Thank God for His gift to the world, the gift of the Bible, (KJB). It was given as God breathed upon holy men of old. God preserved that which He inspired. God would not give us a MANDATE without a MANUAL or “how-to” Book. The Bible tells us how to live in all ages. I can recall many times when I wasted much time and energy in not consulting the instruction manual that came with the product. I have tried in vain to put a child’s toy together and then in embarrassment, I opened the instruction sheet. The Great Creator of Heaven, Earth, and Man gave us a “how-to” Book. When we follow the instructions, the product turns out right. America has tossed out the Manual. The Bible in this society is not welcome, and things are not turning out so good. Look at the product.
Many “churches” have tossed out the Manual, and have brought in substitutes,  and have forsaken God’s way and adopted the world’s way. Don’t be deceived by the flood of new versions (over 200) on the market today. They are not up-dates of the Old Book, they come from a different text altogether. Know, and love, and read your Bible. This Book has endured the ages. Let us not try to change it or find fault with it, just believe it. The Word of God will do the work of God!
 Oh yes, there are crowds today and much “rattle” but “rattle” does not mean Revival. The Name “GOD” has been painted on the world, and brought into the “church world,” Let us all stay with the teachings of our Bible, (KJB). Yes, the MANUAL OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!

9. THE MANAGER OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!
The Manager or Director is the Holy Spirit. He directed the early Church in the Book of Acts, He managed the Church through the ages, and He is alive and well today conducting, managing, directing. With His Power and anointing we can get the job done. With His leadership, we are on the winning side!
YES, Things are right with THE CHURCH!

Are you part of His Church? Have you been Born again? If not, why not, right now, ask Christ into your life to be your Saviour? He is there, wherever you are, and He will hear the prayer of your heart as you tell Him in your own words that you Believe that He died for your sin, and that he arose from the dead.
Begin TODAY to live FOREVER!

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               THE CHURCH
    By Pastor George Mills

“Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
 (Mt. 16:19)

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

Christ came to redeem, not with Silver or Gold,
   But by His own blood, the Spotless Lamb,
The Lamb upon whom all sin was rolled,
   The Incarnate, the Great I am.

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

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

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

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“Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”
                  (1Pet. 1:20)
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THINK ABOUT IT…Man, Satan, fallen angels, powers, principalities, governments, and organizations have tried to stop, to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ. But the Church is fine and will do alright until the Lord of the Church calls His Church home. The Church age has not yet ended, as one preacher tried to claim. We’re still here!

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       SEPTEMBER 11, 2001-         
       SEPTEMBER 11, 2011…
We remember with both sadness and pride the events of September 11, 2001, ten years ago.
Sadness because of the great loss of lives. Pride because of the thousands of unselfish deeds done by so many on that day. Please take a few moments to read our message posted on our web-site since that day. Click on the Statute of Liberty on the home page. Now, let me share with you just a portion of a message about Sept. 11, 2001…

                     THEY SIGNED UP
              By Dr. John E. Trainer, M.D.

 “Here am I, send me.” (Isa. 6:8). “I think about the men and women on the fourth plane. The place that crashed in Pennsylvania. We have all heard stories about people who called their loved ones on the ground. People heard what was going on. People on that plane knew that they were going to die. We have heard about the ones who said, “We have to do something about this. No one but God knows what happened on that plane that day, but we believe that a group of passengers overpowered the terrorists and stopped them from taking additional lives on the ground. THEY SIGNED UP. They knew they were going to die. Either way their lives would end that day. They told their loved ones goodbye. They made a plan. As near as anyone can tell, they stopped the terrorists from destroying another National Landmark, and probably saved thousands of lives on the ground. THEY SIGNED UP. My wife and I have talked about that day. We take turns asking each other, “Would you call?” I think so. “Would you want me to tell you?” Yes. Is that more sad, or less sad, to say one last goodbye? I don’t know. We shudder together and change the subject. I think about our life together, hers and mine. I pray that she and I will die together, maybe in our sleep, sixty or seventy years from now.  But I also pray that if I find myself in a certain situation, that if I can make my death mean something, that I will take that opportunity and use it. I think about the heroic acts of the passengers on that fourth plane, and I pray that God will give me the courage TO SIGN UP.”
           ….from the WILDERNESS, November, 2001

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         FROM MY HEART
           By Mildred Mills
WHEN THE ROAD GOES “BUMP”

Ever noticed how everything seems to be going along just fine and then suddenly the ride gets rough?
Well, that’s life! Sometimes smooth and sometimes rough. We just have to remember the same God is with us through the rough times just like He is when life is so wonderful. I don’t like it when the ride gets rough and neither do you. We all love the good times and that’s just human nature. We have to remind ourselves that we are certainly not in Heaven yet and things will not always be calm, peaceful and anxiety free like we would like them to be. We have to remember things can always be worse and that may help a little, but we still worry. All the worry and anxieties we have cannot change one circumstance, but it can make one sick. Ever heard the phrase, “sick from worry?” Sure you have, and it is a true statement. There is only one remedy for our anxieties, fears and worries and that is to take them to the One that can do something about it. He can change things. Our Lord Jesus can make a bumpy road smooth. He may choose not to remove the rocks from the road, but He will be with us while we forge ahead. There is always a reason for the rocks to be in our path. Remember, the singing brook would lose it’s song if the rocks were removed. It’s the rocks that allow the brook to make it’s sweet music. So it should be with us, when our road of life becomes bumpy for whatever reason. Let’s just thank God for every rock and ask Him to make something beautiful and good come from every bump we encounter along life’s way.           “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth.” (Luke 3:5)

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TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
  By Ashley Stevens
 God calls to a Mission Field

I was very grateful to have gone on my first mission trip this summer. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. God was able to open my eyes and use me to help benefit others. Most of us can recall hurricane Katrina that hit the United States a few years ago. There were a lot of places that were devastated and lost practically everything that they had when the storm came through. I was very fortunate to have been able to go to one such small town in Mississippi and help put on a Vacation Bible School for children last month. The Church group from Jacksonville, Florida that I went with actually went there right after the hurricane and helped them rebuild their Church and they have been going back each year to put on a Vacation Bible School. A few months before we left to go on this trip, we began to start praying as a group that God would not only prepare our minds, but our hearts for this mission trip. I asked God for guidance and to give me the words to speak so that I could be a witness to these young children. The first day I walked inside of this Church my heart was prepared and I was ready to be on fire for the Lord. I not only wanted my heart on fire for the Lord, but I wanted others to see that as well. There were a lot of poor children there who had not eaten that day, or had a very limited amount of food for the week. It just brought tears to my eyes to see children who want to know that they are loved, or just simply want a hug. I was so glad to know by the end of that week that those children left Vacation Bible School with the ultimate love, and that is the Love of Jesus Christ. Keep your eyes open, because you should always be on a Mission Trip for God. You don’t have to go to another country, or state, your mission field is right in your own back yard. God doesn’t call us to a play ground, He calls us to a mission field. Share Christ with someone you come across today!
Until next time, May God bless your life each and every day…..Ashley Stevens

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                       MANNA
As the MANNA supplied the need in the Wilderness for forty years, so your kind letters, gifts, and most certainly your prayers have sustained this ministry for over 35 years. Our Thanks to everyone for supplying this “MANNA.”
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                     Benediction
Our Kind and Most Gracious Heavenly Father, Bless every reader of this publication just now. Supply the need of each life. Save the unsaved, and strengthen every believer, In Jesus’ Name, Bless our Great nation, May there be a great turning back to the fundamentals that made us great.

Vol. 35, No. 8   August, 2011

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
             By Dr. George Mills

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.”
(Ro. 14:10)
“For we must all appear before the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2Cor. 5:10)

Every report must answer the following:
WHAT, WHEN, WHO, WHERE,  WHY, HOW. I will take these questions and try to answer some of the questions that some are asking about THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.

1. WHAT? What is the Judgment Seat Of Christ?
There are many, many that believe; “yes, there will be a judgment one day.” These believe in a “General Judgment,” or a time when everyone is judged at the same time. The Bible, (KJB) speaks of several judgments. Just to mention some:

(A) The Judgment of the believer’s sin.

This judgment is PAST. This is final. This is complete. The believer’s sin has been paid for by the finished work of our Lord on the Cross and His Glorious Resurrection from the dead. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes ye were healed.”(1Pet. 2:24).Isaiah’s prophecy tells us that “God hath laid on Him,(Christ) the iniquity of us all.” (Isa. 53:6). The debt of the believer’s sin is forever settled and paid for. Christ did that for us. “Who forgiveth ALL thine iniquities.” On and on the Scriptures settle for us the sin question. As a believer in Christ, your past is forgiven, you will never face your sin again. Now, let that sink down deep into your heart.

(B) There is self judgment.  “But let a man examine himself…” “For if we (Christians) would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” (1Cor. 11:28-32). This text is speaking about partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Before we partake, we should examine ourselves. This should be a daily self examination. We should check up daily and confess “that thing” in our lives that is not pleasing to God. The thing that hinders our testimony and robs us of victory. “If we, (Christians) confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9).
SIN, (singular) is the state of our natural birth. We are born sinners. In Christ, we are born again (John 3:1-16). This was taken care of in The judgment of the believer’s sin, (letter “A) above.
SINS, (plural) are the things that we, (believers) do that rob our joy and fellowship. This is why we must have that daily examination.

(C) The judgment of the nations at the close of the tribulation period. (Mt. 25:31-46). This text speaks of the time when Christ returns to the earth in fulfillment to many scriptures. His feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives. The nations that helped Israel during that awful time of tribulation will be rewarded. The nations that opposed and did not help Israel will be punished with everlasting punishment.

(D) The Great White Throne Judgment. This is found in Revelation 20:11-15. This is the time that every unsaved person from every age will stand before the Holy God. This Throne is GREAT because of the One who is the Judge. This Throne is WHITE because of it’s purity. The Great God who can do no wrong will call His creation into account. This judgment is NOT for believers. Remember, our judgment was settled when we received Christ, the One who was judged for our sin.

(E) The Judgment Seat Of Christ.
This is the judgment of the believer’s WORKS. Yes, every believer will give account of his/her life to Christ. It does matter how we live. We will give account of our lives as Christians one day. Every believer should try to live that holy, separated, dedicated life. Let us not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind. (Ro. 12:1-2).

2. WHEN? When is the Judgment Seat Of Christ?
  The Bible (KJB) is clear on this subject.  This judgment takes place after the rapture of the Church. There is coming a day when the Church age will end. The last invitation is given for man to believe the message of the Cross. When that day comes this will be our day of accountability. The works of the believer cannot be judged yet, because our works continue after we have gone to be with the Lord. For instance; one of the great preachers of our generation, Dr. Oliver B. Greene went home to be with The Lord over 35 years ago. But his broadcast continues until this present time. He is still winning souls even though he has been in Heaven for a long time. His life work cannot be rewarded yet. And so it is with all of God’s people. Our work continues after we have gone to be with The Lord. Our prayers will still be answered long after we have left this life. The Judgment Seat of Christ cannot take place until after the Church age is over. Our daily prayer should be, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

3. WHERE. Where will the Judgment seat of Christ take place?
The answer is somewhere in the Heavens. Where Christ is. Christ is coming for his Church as He promised. “For the Lord 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 (Christians) who 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. (1Thess 4:13-18). There, in the heavens the Judgment Seat of Christ will take place.

4. WHO. Who will be at the Judgment Seat Of Christ?
As we have said before, this is the judgment of the believer’s works. What kind of works did we do for Christ? What was our motive? Did we do our best for Him? Did we try? Were we involved in soul winning? “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Every man’s work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.” (1Cor. 3:11-15). The gold, silver, precious stone mentioned in that text are the things we have done for Christ, with the right motive, for His Glory. The wood, hay, and stubble represent the things done by us, but not for His Glory. These things will not stand the fiery judgment of God. O, the loss of rich rewards. This may not matter much now, but then…Well, let’s do our best for Christ!

5. WHY. Why a Judgment Seat for believers?
After all, believers are saved, safe, and secure in Christ. All sin, past, present, or possible were placed on Christ and He bore all of the penalty for our sin. So, WHY a Judgment Seat?

(A) First, The Judgment Seat Of Christ is not to find out if you are saved or not. You must make sure of that today. Now, if you put off salvation too long, the Great White Throne Judgment is waiting for you. You most certainly do not want to go there. Today is the day of Salvation. You may die today, or, Jesus may come for his Church today, we just do not know, but both will happen. Today is your day

(B) The Judgment Seat of Christ is to cleanse the Church before the wedding, (Rev. 19:6-9). The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:25-27, that Christ “might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” This will be done at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. There are those who say that the Church must go through the tribulation in order to be cleansed. NOT SO! The tribulation is for the purging of Israel. The Church is that peculiar treasure. The Church is Christ’s own possession, bought and paid for with his own blood. He knows every member. He knows where we are. He will not turn His Church over to the antichrist to be “beat up” just before the wedding.
All differences between believers will be settled. Denominational differences settled. Petty things that should have been settled down here will be settled there. Sometimes our Lord has to chasten us as believers and we hold things in our hearts against Him. All of these issues will be eternally settled at The Judgment Seat Of Christ.

(C)The Judgment Seat Of Christ will be a time of our giving account of our stewardship.
The New Testament believer is more than a servant, we are stewards. A steward has been given responsibility. Read the account in Luke 12:42-48. We are responsible for our time, our talent, our ability. Are we doing our best for God? Did we give it our best shot? I believe that when at last we see Christ face to face we will be so sorry that we did not give our all for Him. Nothing will go unnoticed or unrewarded. Every trial, every witness, tract, every deed done for the Glory of Christ, God will honor.

(D) The Judgment Seat Of Christ will be a time of rewards, or loss of rewards.
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.” (1Cor. 9:25).
What a time in Glory that will be when the saved who have earned a crown cast their crown at His feet and Give Him Praise and Glory.

“Must I be carried to the skies,
   On flow’ry beds of ease?
While others fight to win the prize,
   And swim through bloody seas?”
                          (Isaac Watts)

6. HOW. How can we face the Judgment Seat Of Christ?
 The answer; in one of two ways…

(A) With great dread. So many just waste their Christian experience and never do a thing for Christ. We have already mentioned the Rapture of the Church, this great “Catching away.” (1Thess 4:13-18) Suppose that glorious event happened today. Many Christians around the world would be embarrassed to face our Lord like He found us. Many would be “dirty” so to speak and in need of cleansing. And so many live with a dread for the fact that they must face our Lord and give account.

(B) With great confidence. “And now little children, abide in Him, that when He shall appear, we may have CONFIDENCE and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” (1Jn. 2:28).Yes, we can face the future with boldness and unafraid. We can face death or the rapture with CONFIDENCE knowing that we did our best to live for Jesus. Give it your best shot. Stay busy for Christ. One million years from today you will still be rejoicing that you did. Let us bind our hearts together and do our best for him. He did that for us.
There is so much more to share with you on this subject. Study your Bible (KJB).

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BOW HERE, OR BOW THERE, BUT BOW WE WILL…

“That at the Name of Jesus, every knee SHOULD bow…”And that every tongue SHOULD confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Ph. 2:10-11) This is what everyone SHOULD DO TODAY!

“Every knee SHALL bow, and every tongue SHALL confess to God.” (Ro. 14:11-12)

I cannot tell you what words to say to God. I cannot tell you what prayer to pray. I can only tell you that Christ wants to save you from the penalty and power of sin. He will hear your heart’s cry. Tell Him in your own words that you believe, that you receive His forgiveness of sin as a FREE GIFT!
(Romans 10:9-10)

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THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
              By Pastor George Mills
“For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ..” (Ro. 14:10)

When I stand before my Lord,
   On that Great Judgment Day,
Will my life’s work pass every test,
   Or will it just burn away?

Have I done my best to do His Will,
   With the talent that He gave?
Or did I pass my time away,
   Never telling His power to save?

Oh Saviour, just to give myself,
   My best, my all to Thee,
To use me as you know what’s best,
   To be all that I can be.

Lord help me use my talent, small,
   To send abroad thy Word,
To tell to all Salvation’s plan,
   To tell of the Living Lord.

Help me Lord that in the day,
   Before Thy Judgment Seat,
That I may have a crown for Thee,
   To lay before Thy feet.

It is my prayer that in the time,
   When my work is put to test,
To know that with the Grace He gave,
   That I gave to Him my best.

Oh, just to pass that fiery trial,
   The dross all burned away,
And Silver, Gold, and Precious Stones,
   To remain through Eternity’s Day.

Lord take my life, my ability,
   And mold me to Thy plan,
That against that last accounting day,
   That I may do the best I can.

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IF ONLY I COULD START OVER.
 By Pastor George Mills

Sometime ago I was called on to speak to the World Religions Class at a local college. Here are some things that I shared with the students..
FIRST, I sure hope that someone would lead me to Christ at an earlier age. I was saved when I was at age 29. I got on my knees and asked Christ to save me. He did that day. My life was changed. Since that day I have tried to live right, to be a Christian Gentleman, to be a faithful Husband and Father. I have been privileged to share the Gospel in Missions, Jails, Prisons, Hospitals, Churches, and Revivals. I have been privileged to preach the Gospel on mission fields by way of Missionary radio with the CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD BROADCAST. I have been able to publish unknown quantities of Tracts, and the WILDERNESS Publication is now 35 years old. These have been busy years. I say these things to bring out this point; Look at the wasted years. The best years wasted. If I could start over, I would not want to waste those years of youth.
SECOND, I would seek to find God’s Will for my life and settle it early. It was not easy for me to settle on God’s Will.
THIRD, I would depend upon the Holy Spirit to lead me. I would ask for His Power and Presence in my life daily.
FOURTH, I would devote myself to be a student of God’s Word, (KJB). What a wonderful Book God has given us. But it is a neglected Book.
FIFTH, I would find and refine my talent. I would use it for the Glory and Honor of Christ. Everyone has a talent, an ability. Everyone is unique.
I would go all the way. I would hold nothing back. I would give it my best shot. BUT I CAN’T START OVER AGAIN. I wish I could, but I can’t. So I’ll do the next best thing. I’ll do these things TODAY, in the best way I can. I’ll give to God what I have TODAY. Young person hearing or reading this, Don’t have those wasted years. Give your heart and life to Christ TODAY!

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              FROM MY HEART
                By Mildred Mills

               REMEMBERING

Our children are all grown up now, married, and have children of their own, but I REMEMBER well their childhood years. God gave us four precious gifts when He gave us our children. They are in my heart and always on my mind and in my prayers. Each and every day I think of them and I pray for them, I smile when the precious memories of them come to my mind. I REMEMBER when they were just learning to talk, I made sure that their first words included “please” and “thank you.” I wanted them to learn to be thankful. I wanted them to REMEMBER to say “thank you.” I REMEMBER God’s goodness to us down through the years as we have tried to serve Him and I am thankful. I remember His healing in our lives and I thank Him. I REMEMBER the many times He has made His presence known to us as we faced troubles and trials and I thank Him for His ever presence. REMEMBER, He is with us through every storm that comes our way and we can count on Him, He is always there. “Jesus is near, to comfort and cheer,
  Just when I need Him most,” and for this I am thankful! REMEMBER, “He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” (Psa. 111:4).
Just as I REMEMBER daily the precious memories I have of our children, I REMEMBER a lifetime of love, mercy and compassion our Lord has bestowed upon us.
REMEMBER, just as we want our children to be thankful, our Heavenly Father wants His children to be thankful also. REMEMBER the ten lepers that cried out to Jesus for mercy and He healed them, but only one gave Him thanks. Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17). Don’t be like the nine, REMEMBER to be a grateful Christian.
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.” (Psa. 107:8).

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     TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
 By Ashley Stevens

           THE TRIALS OF LIFE

Are you dealing with troubles, temptations, or a difficult time in your life? Well, we all have these and they are the Trials Of Life. No one’s life is going to be a perfect road. God puts things in our lives, little bumps and detours, but we have to just keep going and keep looking forward. Some of these trials will make us stronger. These detours and paths may lead us to something better than we have now. One thing that we need to keep in mind is everything happens for a reason. We may not see it now, or in a few months, but eventually we will be able to see what God planned for our lives. One of the most common questions that we ask during these times is “why me?” Sometimes we tend to ask ourselves, “why did God take them from us?” “Why did God let me lose my job?” “Why did God take that person out of my life?” “Why did God move me to another state or country?” “Why, why, why?” These hard times can be very difficult to face and overcome. We just have to take these events and learn from them. We need to always keep in mind that God is in control and He is going to take care of you. He knows why, when, and where to put things in your life. He is going to take care of you no matter what. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will put you back on the right path.. Now, how are we going to get on that path? We are going to get there through prayer and through our life’s road map, the Bible. The Bible will always help us and put us in the direction we need to be headed. Remember, don’t get discouraged, God is always there leading us on the path that He wants us on. It may not be the path that we want to take, or that we had planned for our life, but I can guarantee that His path is a lot better than the path we may lead ourselves in.
May God bless you each and every day.

Until Next time           Ashley Stevens

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WANDERING THROUGH THE WILDERNESS…Answering some questions…

“Should Christians fight in wars?” Many seem to have trouble with this point.

Answer…Christians are for peace. Nobody wants war. This is especially true with Christians. In every war, good people, bad people get hurt, some lose their lives. We are not for war.

(b) Peace is costly. Peace is not free. People have fought and died for peace. They gave their lives that we may be free. Peace is costly, very costly.

(c) Peace must be maintained. The peace we have MUST be maintained. It MUST be guarded. Our Military guards our great nation. Great aircraft carriers patrol our coasts. Modern aircraft fly systematic patrols. Submarines patrol underwater. These are not looking for war, they are maintaining peace.

(d) Christians have a part in maintaining peace. If maintaining peace means going to war, Christians have our part in this. I thank God for every professing Christian in our Military.

(e) When helpless people are oppressed, we have an obligation to assist, to fight, to help, to free those who are oppressed.
Should Christians fight? You bet we should!  I thank God for the unselfish, generous deeds done by the American people.
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Question. “Can a man be truly saved if he believes that he can lose his salvation, or that he must maintain good works in order to keep saved?”

Answer…A man is saved when he sees his need of the Saviour and He receives Christ. (Jn. 1:12). I believe that he is eternally saved. That’s what the Bible says. When I was first saved, I believed many things that I do not believe now. I believed those things because I was taught those things. But as I studied my Bible, as I listened to sound Bible preaching, I dropped those old ideas. Now while I held to those old ideas and teachings, I was still saved, eternally saved! I just had to grow in Grace and knowledge.”
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Question. “People that speak in tongues. Is this a deceiving spirit? Are they puffed up in their own minds?”

Answer. “Tongues” in the Bible mean “languages.” An unknown tongue means an “unknown language that I am not familiar with.” If someone speaks to me in Spanish, this would be an unknown tongue to me because I do not know Spanish. In the Book of Acts, ch. 2, every word spoken was understood by all. The miracle was in the HEARING. “Gibberish utterances” are totally unscriptural and serve no purpose. Every word spoken in the Church should be understood by everyone. God has NO PROBLEM with the English language, or any language; English, Spanish, etc. He invented them.

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 “Question. “What was your stand concerning the recent prediction that the world would end on May 21, 2011?
 

Answer. “I have repeatedly, through the years warned people about “date setters” and false prophets. Jesus warned us not to be upset about the moving of the nations. No one knows who the antichrist is, so don’t try to guess.  No one knows the hour of Christ’s coming for His own. Just be ready for His coming. If you are saved, you’re ready. If you are not saved, then you are not ready. One day He is coming for His own, ready or not!
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Question. “Will Israel lose some of their land in this current negotiation?

Answer. “I hope not. I am for Israel. I do not agree with the teaching that when Israel was accepted as a nation in 1948 that this was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. This was a vote of man. Since man voted Israel in, man can vote Israel out. God said that HE would call Israel to the homeland He gave. The Gospel of the KINGDOM will call Israel home one day.
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BENEDICTION… Heavenly Father, Bless every reader of this Publication. May souls be saved, may lives be transformed, and our Lord Jesus be Glorified. We ask for your Healing Grace upon all. Comfort those who need comfort. Help those who need help.
We praise you for your Immeasurable
Grace.