Vol. 35, No. 5 May 2011

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     May 2, 1611—–May 2, 2011.
400 years of Divine Blessings, of reaching the masses, of changing governments, education, philosophy, and lives and hearts of mankind all over the world. Thank you God for the Great Gift of the ages, your Eternal, Inspired, Preserved Word as given to us in the King James Bible. Thank you!

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     THE SHORT BED RELIGION
 By Dr. George Mills

“For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it, and the covering narrower than he can wrap himself in it.” (Isa. 28:20).

The indictment in this text is against the drunkards of the nation of Israel, (v1-8).  Alcohol has been the downfall of many nations, and the nation of Israel was threatened with Judgment. May I add that alcohol has been the downfall of many a man and woman. No home is big enough for alcohol, no head is wise enough, and no heart strong enough for alcohol. God said to the nation; “You think that you are alright, that you are secure, that you will not have to give account, but that bed is TOO SHORT to lie in and the cover TOO NARROW.”
This text is also a picture of the religions of the world. They just cannot support a man. They are TOO SHORT. They just don’t measure up. Mankind tries various things, but nothing works. Everything is just “TOO SHORT.”
My life is filled with sweetness and fond memories. I shall never forget the time when I actually lived some of the truths of this verse of Scripture. I tried to sleep on a bed that was TOO SHORT. At that time I was in Bible College taking on a full college load in the morning, then off to work to support the family, then finally home late at night, a few minutes for study for the next day’s classes, and in the morning it all starts over again. The small Church we attended decided to have a camping trip for the men and boys of the Church. The men knew my schedule and advised me that they would come to my residence and pick up my oldest son, (he was five years old at that time). They were to have the campsite ready and waiting for me. I was to go directly to the campsite when I left work that evening. They were very kind to us. I did as I was told and arrived at the campsite late that evening. We had our meal, and campfire services, some games, then off to bed. The men had brought some small canvas folding cots to sleep on. Now, in the mountains, even in summertime, it can get quite cold some nights. I decided that it would be best for me and my young son to sleep together on the little cot. Now, I am well over six feet tall and the cot was well under six feet. The one blanket we had was far TOO NARROW to cover us, so I spent that night on a bed TOO SHORT and the cover TOO NARROW. My, what a night! Nothing fit! I almost froze, or at least, it felt like it.

You know, some folk’s religion is just like that. It just will not hold them, and their cover, just TOO NARROW and TOO SHORT. Today, let me point out some things wrong with the “RELIGIOUS BEDS” that people trust in to give rest and assurance of salvation.

1. SELF WORKS, TOO SHORT!  Many lay on this bed, but it offers NO COMFORT, NO REST! They just have to keep working, trying, holding out and holding on. Some glory in their work, “Surely” they say, “God is pleased with me. Just look at all that I do,” Jesus reminded us in Mt. 7:21-23 that many will boast of their wonderful works, but Christ will say, “I never knew you, depart from me.”  Let me ask of those who are depending upon self works. Just how much work must you do to please God and earn your salvation? What kind of work must you do? How do you ever know that you have done enough work? Oh yes, this is a miserable bed to lie on. It offers no assurance. It’s just TOO SHORT! The Bible clearly says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His Mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”(Ti. 3:5). “For by Grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. NOT of works lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9). “And this is THE WORK of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.”(Jn. 6:28-29) We receive by faith God’s finished work on the Cross and the empty tomb. Don’t trust your work. That bed’s TOO SHORT!

2. BAPTISM, TOO WET! Many trust their baptism. Baptism is an outward profession of an inward faith in the finished Work of Christ. Baptism is our public identification with Christ. It is an act of obedience AFTER we have received Christ. Baptism is a work that man can do. The flesh cannot produce the spirit. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee ye must be born again.” (Jn. 3:6-7). We are born again the moment we, by faith alone receive Christ. “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). Trusting Baptism is like trying to sleep in a TOO SHORT, wet bed. You can guess how miserable that would be.

3. GIVING GIFTS, TOO SOFT!
Still others lay on a bed called “giving.”  You know, I thank God for generous people. I thank God for those out there who faithfully give to this ministry. You just don’t know how much I thank and appreciate every gift that comes from a heart of love for Christ. But many base their salvation on the fact that they give to various organizations, to charity, to clubs, and even to the church. I remember trying to witness to a man about his salvation. He told me that he was a church member, but could not tell me about his receiving Christ. In his frustration and his lack of a personal experience with Christ, he pointed to his church building and said to me, “all of the steel that went into the framework of that building, I bought and paid for myself. To him, his salvation was based solely on his giving, or so he thought. I ask of “giving” the same question I ask of “works” “How much must I give? Where, or to whom must I give? How will I ever know when I have given enough? No, this bed is TOO SOFT! I will trust the GIFT of God. He Loved me and GAVE His Son to die for me on the Cross.

4. PHILOSOPHY, TOO SMALL!
Some lay on the bed of philosophy. They adopt words, or phrases uttered or written by some philosopher and try to live by these sayings. I have found out that just about the time I figure out a philosophy, it changes. In fact, it changes daily. What one says today is outdated tomorrow. “Confucius said,” “Plato said,” Socrates said,” “Religion said,” they all said, and they don’t agree. But still some will gamble their soul on what some man said. Oh, is there something that never changes? Is there someone that never changes? Is there something trustworthy today, and tomorrow, and forever? YES! Thank God for His Holy Book, the Bible, (KJB). It never changes. Man seeks to change it, to update it, but it never changes. It’s words are for all people of all ages. You can trust it. Trust what Jesus said and not what some philosopher said. His Words will still be fresh in the eternal tomorrows.

5. PREDESTINATION, NO! TOO NARROW!
This bed is TOO SHORT and TOO NARROW. But some try to lie on it. But it offers no comfort or assurance. They figure it this way, “God has predestined some of us to be saved, and some not to be saved. If I am one of the ‘elect’ I will be saved…and I think that I am one of the elect’ but there is no way to be sure about it.” This bed is very uncomfortable. Now, don’t major on the foreknowledge of God, which is in the Bible, and leave out the free will of man which is also in the Bible. You must receive Christ by faith. YOU must make that decision to receive or reject Him. Don’t go to hell thinking you’re predestined for Heaven. God’s Great Plan Of Salvation includes all of mankind. It is a FREE GIFT, but you must receive it.
And on and on it goes. The religious “beds” that men lie on are just TOO SHORT and the cover TOO NARROW.
A religion that does not give real peace, that does not give hope for the future, that does not give a conscious awareness of forgiveness of sin, that does not remove guilt and condemnation, that religious “bed” never offers much comfort and rest. Just receive the Gift of God’s Grace; the finished Work of Jesus Christ, His death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead. Now, this bed fits. It’s comfortable, it offers rest and peaceful sleep. WORKS, GIFTS, BAPTISMS we have discussed are fine in their proper place, but first, IT MUST BE CHRIST!
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THINK ABOUT IT…Whatever the world offers is always TOO SHORT or TOO NARROW. That which God offers always fits just right, or it overflows. It is never TOO SHORT.

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THE SHORT BED RELIGION
      By Pastor George Mills

“For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it, and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it” (Isa. 28:20).

The bed I once lay on would hardly fit,
   A man who is just half my size.
The pillow too small,
And I was too tall.
   And the cold brought tears to my eyes.

Too cold to get up, too tired to move,
   I had but one choice to make,
To endure for the night,
And with the morning light,
   Vow never to make this mistake.

Once I lay on a bed called self works,
   I covered myself with my deeds.
No rest could I find,
No real peace of mind,
   Now Jesus supplies all my needs.

My Baptismal bed was just wet,
   My need, it just never met.
Then Jesus came in,
And forgave all my sin,
   That’s one bed I’ll try to forget.

 I laid on a bed called my giving,
   And I asked, “is this really living?”
“How much must I give?
For as long as I live?”
   But in Christ I found His Forgiving.

My philosophy bed was so small,
   Much shorter than I am tall.
Then Jesus spoke words,
Such as I never heard,
   When upon His Name I did call.

This bed will never hold me,
   Here I have no guarantee.
Predestined to go?
The Bible says No!
   Then Jesus came in at my plea.

Now the bed where I lie is called Grace,
   I’m covered with His Righteousness.
So peaceful my sleep,
My soul He does keep,
   My life He does faithfully bless.

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        FROM MY HEART
           By Mildred Mills

    HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

My Mother is in Heaven now, but she left us with precious memories and a lifetime of lessons in “WHAT A MOTHER SHOULD BE.” A Mother should be a child of the King, and she was. She had a personal relationship with the One who died for her, and she talked with Him daily. She cared for her children and tried her best to teach us how to live. A wonderful and dear mother we had. Even after we all grew up and left home she still hurt when we hurt and rejoiced with us in happy times. She gave us advice without interfering with our lives, and was loved by all. She never stopped being a Mother.
I am the Mother of four children. God gave us one beautiful daughter, and three tall, handsome sons. I love them dearly and miss them very much since they have all married and moved away. The caring, the prayers, the advice, the concern and love for my four children will always be there for them. Thank you Susan, Thank you David, Thank you Steve and Danny for being so sweet and loving and kind when sometimes I show too much concern or give more advice than is needed. My love and prayers will always be with you. I thank God for each of you, and I’ll never stop being “YOUR MOTHER.”
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy Grandmother Lois, and in thy Mother Eunice, and I am persuaded in thee also.” (2Tim. 1:5)

        HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

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TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
By Ashley Stevens

                 J-O-Y

Have you ever taken the time to actually look at the word JOY? Usually when we think of the word joy, we associate it with happiness, but let’s dig a little deeper and spell it out J-O-Y. It will also teach us about what our priorities should be. We will start with the first letter in the word joy. The letter J. This letter should represent Jesus. We should, just like the letter J is first in the word joy, have Jesus first in our life. Jesus takes care of everything for us, and if we let Him be first in our lives He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. If you take time out of your day just to spend time with Him, your life will be filled with joy. Now, let’s look at the letter O.  It is in the middle of the word joy, and it represents the word others. Jesus said we should love one another as He loves us. We should never put our self or our needs in front of others. God wants us to put the care of others in front of ourselves. Look at the world around you, there are many unsaved people who need to know God as their personal Lord and Saviour. We need to get out there and win them to Christ. Now, let’s look at the last letter in the word joy. The letter Y represents you. Now, after we put Jesus first, others second, and our self last, our priorities are in the right place. Today, make sure that your priorities are right and you will find true joy in yourself. If J.O.Y. is not in your life, you may want to look at your life and switch some other priorities that you may have and put God and others in front of yourself. You will be surprised to learn the true meaning of J-O-Y and the true happiness it brings.
 As a reminder, the month of May is when we celebrate Mother’s Day. My Pastor always reminds us to make sure we spend time with our Mother, or if our Mother has passed on, take time to thank God for her. I hope that you will tell your Mother how much she really means to you and how much you love her. I know that God has blessed me with a strong and wonderful Mom, and I am so happy and blessed that He did. May God bless your life each and every day.
      HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Until next time, Ashley Stevens

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ARE YOU SAVED? IF NOT, WHY NOT?
        By Pastor George Mills

“And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (Jn. 5:40).

Can you say for sure that you have been saved from the PENALTY and POWER of sin? Is Jesus Christ your Saviour? If NOT, then why not?

1. IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, IT IS NOT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A NEED FOR YOU TO BE SAVED. The Bible is very clear on this subject. “For ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” (Ro. 3:23). “ALL we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isa. 53:6) ALL are sinners, by birth, by nature, and by choice. You need to be saved.

2. IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, IT IS NOT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A WAY FOR YOU TO BE SAVED.
There is a Way, and that Way is the same Way for every man to be saved. Everybody who has ever been saved has been saved the same way; that is, by GRACE alone through FAITH alone.

3. IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, IT IS NOT BECAUSE YOU CANNOT BE SAVED.
Some have the idea that they have done so many wrong things in life, that their life has been so wasted, so depraved, that they have gone so far in sin that they cannot be saved. Let’s see what the Bible says about that. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13).  “WHOSOEVER” means YOU! No matter what your lifestyle, habits, and deeds may have been, WHOSOEVER includes you! God can and God will save anyone who will trust the Lord Jesus to save them. Whenever you see the word WHOSOEVER in the Bible, that’s YOUR NAME!

4. IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, IT IS NOT BECAUSE THE WAY TO BE SAVED IS TOO DIFFICULT, COMPLICATED, OR TOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31).  Now, some may say, “I have always believed.”  The word “Believe means more than a “head belief” It means to believe with the Heart, (Ro. 10:9). “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.” To believe is to trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone for your Salvation. “Ask and ye shall receive.” People add things and make salvation seem so complicated. God’s simple plan of salvation is just that, “SIMPLE.” So simple that a child can understand and be saved.

5. IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, IT IS NOT BECAUSE THE PRICE OF YOUR SALVATION IS TOO GREAT.
My friend, the price of Salvation has been paid in full by the Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. “Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,”(Rev. 1:5) Christ paid the debt that we could never pay.

6. IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, IT IS NOT BECAUSE YOU CANNOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED.
You can know that you are saved, just as sure as you know that you are alive. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, THAT YE MAY KNOW that ye have eternal life.” (1Jn. 5:13).

So you see, from a reasonable, sensible, logical look at the Scriptures, if you are not saved, it is simply because you choose to remain unsaved. There is no reasonable, sensible, logical reason for you to die in you sin and go to hell…

REALIZE that you are a sinner. “ALL have sinned.”

REALIZE that Christ alone can and will save you. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart today.

RECEIVE Christ NOW. “Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.”
“ASK and ye shall receive.”
TODAY, NOW, you have no reasonable, sensible, logical reason not to be saved.

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THE BELIEVER AND SORROWS
                     Psalm 30
          By Pastor George Mills
“Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong.”

Please take a few moments and prayerfully read Psalm 30. The Psalmist had been going through some times of deep trouble. He had been sick, (v3, v8-10) but God had healed him and brought him through. He cries out, “I WILL EXTOL THEE O LORD.” “I will highly praise thee.” Let’s see some lessons he learned.

A. Trials are limited. “Endure for a night.”
B. There is a purpose in each test.
C. Joy follows each test if we are faithful.

Today, many are unfair in their teaching and preaching. They say that if you are having trouble and sorrow, sin has caused God’s chastisement. Some teach that when you get saved that ends all trouble. “No more financial troubles, no more sickness.” All sounds so good, but does not line up with solid Scriptural teachings.
Job said, “Yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward.” (Job 5:7).
“Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Couple that with New Testament teaching about testing, trials, and tribulation and you will see that life is filled with troubles. I am glad to report that we are going to a place where none of these things may enter there. Let us learn with the Psalmist and make each test……

1. A MEMORIAL TO HIS HOLINESS.  “Give thanks at the remembrance of His Holiness.” (v4). Holiness is the one attribute of God that determines all of His attributes. In Isaiah 6:1-4, the prophet saw four seraphim constantly circle His throng crying HOLY, HOLY HOLY. These seem to be angelic “policemen” whose sole assignment is to guard His Holiness. God cannot do wrong.

2. A MORNING TO HIS GLADNESS. (v5, v11). “Joy comes in the morning.” “Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing.”  God has brought him through an awful time.  A smile breaks through. When the Psalmist speaks of weeping in the night, I do not believe that he is speaking of an eight or ten hour period only. Sometimes that “night” may be an extended, but limited, period of time.
The Psalmist learned that sorrows and troubles are limited, and all for a purpose.

3. A MOUNTAIN TO HIS FAITHFULNESS. “Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong.” (v7). “Lord, the devil threw everything at me. I found troubles and sorrows, (Ps. 116:1-4). I have been on the ash pile with Job, I have been with the Hebrew children through the fire, I have found problems, or at least they found me. Sorrows, a broken heart, I mean the devil has sent his army after me,” but, “Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong.” God will bring each of us through every test and we will find ourselves stronger after each.
Now, if Trials and testings are your lot, if it seems that God is far away, learn from the Psalmist…

1. PRAY. “I cried unto thee.” Ask God to show and teach you. David poured out his heart to God in Psalm 13; “How long? How long?” His sorrow turned into song.

2. PROMISE. “I said I shall never be moved.” That promise was to himself, and to His God. No matter what comes, I will stand fast.

3. PRAISE. “I will EXTOL Thee.” (v1). Extol means “to highly praise.” I will give God the Glory and praise. I know that He is Faithful and will bring me through. My mountain will stand strong.
He brought me here; it is according to His Will that I am here.
He will keep me here in His Love, and He will give me Grace to behave like His child.
He will make this trial a blessing. He will teach me lessons that I must learn in order to serve Him best.
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Satanic attacks against the moral and Spiritual foundation of our nation are at the least very alarming. Our great nation needs prayer. This nation needs every God fearing citizen to bombard Heaven with our voices in protest against congressional and court decisions that attack our moral and Spiritual fiber.

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psa. 11:3).

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