The Charles & Charity Whisnant Family

Our newness granddaughter.

THANKSGIVING ONE YEAR LATER

Eric and Leslie Thanksgiving 2008
Eric and Leslie Thanksgiving 2009 (almost)

Guess what this year 2009 we are grandfather and grandmother... Thanks Eric and Leslie

Kyle and Briley in November 2009 and I will post here a photo of Mom and Baby later

Kyle and Brittney Thanksgiving 2008

Kyle, Eric, Becky and Chad 2008

The New Arrival of a Grandchild

A new arrival on November 23, 2009. Kyle and Brittney. Brittney delivered a sweet baby girl.

A series of photos will be posted on my other website here

Rivers of Joy Baptist Church

This is the place we are serving the Lord. Rivers of Joy Baptist Church. In the year and four months the Lord and the people have allowed us to lay a biblical foundation that we believe the Lord is pleased with. Anytime you start over in a ministry you take the time to built a solid foundation.

Charles and Charity Whisnant

We took this photo this morning.

Has The Cross Changed You

Portsmouth Ohio

The bridge that crosses the Ohio River in to KY from Portsmouth OH

The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles long and is located in the eastern United States.

The bridge from the West Porstmouth to KY

The Fruit of Ministry is the Purpose of Preaching

Spiritual Fruit Purpose of Ministry 1 of 4 from charles e. whisnan t on Vimeo.

Charles E. Whisnant, November 15, 2009. From Romans 1:11-12 Spiritual Fruit Purpose of Ministry 1 of 4.

Paul is saying the preaching and teaching is not the end in its self, but the means to the end. The desired result is seeing produce in the believer fruit of love and labor and service unto the LORD.

While I really love preaching and teaching, its only the means whereby people might get the Word of God which in turn might strengthen them to love Him and Worship Him and Serve Him.

Monday Morning News

Johnny E. Edwards singing and playing

Charles E. Whisnant, Speaking Sunday Night

Bill Bower leading the singing

The ADULT BIBLE STUDY HOUR
Charles speaking Sunday Morning

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Monday Morning News'

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My life is Christ's. Sunday is the Lord's Day. Well much of the week is given to study and preparation of the Word and getting ready to teach and preach each week.

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Sunday at the 10 a.m. hour, I address several topics:

Critical Thinking. We need to take the responsibility to learn to think right.

• Learning without thought is labour lost. It is the mind that makes the body. Time discovers truth. They know enough who know how to learn. Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience.

True Guilt and False Guilt. Outline was provided

• HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL GUILT AND HOW DO WE DEAL WITH TRUE GUILT AND FALSE GUILT

SUNDAY MORNING SERMON WAS FROM \

Romans 1:11-12

THAT IS, THAT I MAY BE COMFORTED TOGETHER BY THE MUTUAL FAITH BOTH OF YOU AND ME.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren that oftentimes I purposed to come to you also, even as among the Gentiles.

HOW DO I SERVE THE LORD? HOW CAN I HAVE A TRUE SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY AND ATTITUDE TOWARD MY WORSHIP OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

Outline and video of the message is shortly coming to this website and on growbylearning.com

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE

Philippians 1:9 -10

9 wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.

AT THE NAME OF JESUS

The notes and video of this message is shortly coming this week.

Bill Bower lead the singing. And Johnny Edwards sung and played the piano. And they both blessed our hearts in worship

The Purpose of Ministry is Fruit in Romans 1:12-13

Romans Outline 11 15 09

View more documents from Charles E. Whisnant.

Number 1,200 since August 2003 Amazing

I hardly believe this but this is my 1200 posting on Blogger since August 2006.

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. —

While I understand that the public can read any of my Blogger's Post, I don't write with the idea that I need to please my readers, I would rather know what I write is pleasing to the Lord and that I can go to sleep at night.

The Unregenerated Human Nature Needs God's Grace

Since faith is infinitely beyond all the power of our unregenerated human nature, it is only God who can give the spiritual ears to hear and eyes to see the beauty of Christ in the gospel. God alone disarms the hostility of the sinner turning his heart of stone to a heart of flesh. It is God, the Holy Spirit, alone who gives illumination and understanding of His word that we might believe; It is God who raises us from the death of sin, who circumcises the heart; unplugs our ears; It is God alone who can give us a new sense, a spiritual capacity to behold the beauty and unsurpassed excellency of Jesus Christ. The apostle John recorded Jesus saying to Nicodemus that we naturally love darkness, hate the light and WILL NOT come into the light (John 3:19, 20). And since our hardened resistance to God is thus seated in our affections, only God, by His grace, can lovingly change, overcome and pacify our rebellious disposition. The natural man, apart from the quickening work of the Holy Spirit, will not come to Christ on his own since he is at enmity with God and cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor 2:14). Shining a light into a blind man's eyes will not enable him to see, because eyesight first requires a set of healthy eyes. Likewise, reading or hearing the word of God alone cannot elicit saving faith in the reader (1 Thess 1:4, 5) unless God plows up the fallow ground of our hearts and the Spirit "germinates" the seed of the word, opening our eyes to see Christ's true beauty and excellency and uniting us to Him through a Spirit-wrought faith. So the problem of conversion is not with the Word or God's Law but with man's prideful heart. The humility required to submit to the gospel is, therefore, not prompted by man's will but by God's mercy (Rom 9:16) since no one can believe the gospel unless God grants it (John 6:63, 65). As an example of how the Spirit uses the means of the spoken word to disarm closed hearts, the Book of Acts records the work of the Holy Spirit during the preaching of the apostles and, in one instance, states that "the Lord opened her [Lydia's] heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul," (Acts 16:14). The Spirit must likewise give all His people spiritual life and understanding if their hearts are to be opened and thus respond to Christ in faith.

Photos

Robby Temple III had a birthday last week.

My study material Wednesday Night November 10,2009

Our Assoc. Pastor William Bill Bower Wednesday Night

I was speaking on a Sunday Morning

Rivers of Joy Baptist Church By God's Grace We Are.

Charles and Bob
Charles November 08 2009
Charles teaching in the Adult Bible Class

November 08 2009 one side of the tables for Homecoming

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 08, 2009 AT RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH, MINFORD, OHIO

We really had a great time of fellowship and worship this past Sunday. I only wish I were not so busy that I could have taken more photos and videos of the good fellowship we had. But nevertheless we had a great time.

This was designed as the church anniversary. Rivers of Joy Baptist Church was started by Quentin King I believe 17 years ago with a group of people from around the area. And for a number of years he was the pastor. Due to his health I believe he brought in Kelly Cinereski to be the co-pastor and then the pastor several years before Bro. King passed away in 2004. When Kelly decided to leave the church, (the church was doing very well) and while the church was trying to elect another pastor for over a year, member of the church stepped in to help,and they could not come to an agreement on a pastor, and many of the members left the church. Then Bud Patrick a lay member offered to help out for six months, which lasted a year. Then he left the church along with the children's leader. And the church was left with a few people by June 2008

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Of course, no church likes to be viewed in bad light. Too often the pastor's leave and leave the members in the dark. It's been my experience, that members have little knowledge of what is really the reason why the pastors leaves or what really is happening in the leadership level.

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Too often the pastors are not real honest why they are leaving. And many church members are not ready to select another preacher to come in. And many members leave the church in the process of selecting another pastor. It happens way too often.

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While many good things happened over the first sixteen years, ( pre July 2008) a lot of hard work on the part of the pastors and people was done. There were a number of people saved. A number of missionaries were supported. A new church building was built and now is paid for. So there are some things that we can be thankful for. A number of kids were bused to church. A number of great musical productions were made. There was a great children’s ministry. A number of people worked hard in their service for the Lord.

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God's design for a church body is to have an Under Shepherd to lead the church. People are like sheep that need to be lead. When Quentin died, and Kelly left, the church body was lost without pastoral leadership. The church had been trained that the pastors were the leaders and they lead. When they pastors leave, the church is lost.

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What came in the following year was self destruction. Sheep will wander off from the fold when not lead. And that is what occurred. They tried for a time, but without pastoral leadership the church body could not be in unity about who would be the next pastor, and as a result families left, until the doors were about to be closed, literally, I am told.

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Of course, had those members who were left decided to close the church, they would have been correct had they not truly wanted to work together to seek God's will for a pastor who would lead them.

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It’s my understanding they were going to have a meeting to vote to close the church. There was a lack of funds to keep the doors open, and since they could not come to a decision on a pastor, there was no other choice.

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Well, there were those in the church who still hoped that God would do something to keep the doors open. There were several other pastors in the area who were interested in seeing the church stay open. And after hearing the need, the last deacon standing was contacted by an area preacher (whom I could name), than another preacher contacted this deacon (whom I could name too) and in the providence of God they were invited to come to fill in until a decision could be made about the church's future.

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I was asked by my father-in-law Bob Temple to join him to help the members during this time of need. I was not really thinking about being the pastor nor was my father-in-law, but to just help them as much as they wanted us to.

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The members allowed me to preach for them (which was the joy of my soul and heart). And my father-in-law gave some good advice to the members and support as well.

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After I spoke for three weeks, Charity and I really loved the people and I really enjoyed preaching and the fellowship. The deacon invited me to the church on Saturday evening to discuss with me the current situation of the church and ask me about my thoughts and belief. I said I would be willing to come and work with them. I didn't have any idea that would happen.

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That Sunday night they had a church business meeting, (what I am told was to vote to close the church doors) and they were given a choice of closing the doors or asking me to become their pastor. So it’s my understanding that they all voted for us to come as their pastor, (they liked Charity). I really never believed that would happen.

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Here is what I can say, over the last sixteen months as pastor/teacher of ROJBC, the people have just been so very good to us. They have been most willing to receive Charity and I as their friend, and shepherd and preacher, and teacher and pastor. I am totally amazed. I have been amazed myself and so has Charity of how we have been received into the church. Of course as in all churches those who left and came back did not stay. And some who were coming didn't like the changes and they left. But the group of members who voted for us to come have stayed with us.

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So on this our first year in ROJBC Church Anniversary event, we had a great time. I believe I can say honestly that we have enjoyed being at ROJBC.

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We have made some progress over the last year, but we have a way to go. But Sunday I believe we had a wonderful time of singing, and fellowship and I enjoyed the fellowship and preaching.

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JUST TO KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPEN TO ROJBC AND KNOWING WHERE
WE ARE TODAY IS AMAZING, ALL BY GOD'S GRACE AND GOD'S PEOPLE WILLINGNESS TO STAY TOGETHER.

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We are very thankful for those who have stayed with us.

(The deacon was Bill Aldridge, by the way)

A Great Day At Rivers of Joy Baptist Church

We had a great day at River of Joy Baptist Church.

THE RIGHT MOTIVE OF PAUL IN SERVING GOD

Paul's Motive For Serving Christ in Ministry, and Paul's desire for the saints in Rome

Romans 1:8 First, I thank (1SPAI) my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed (3SPPI) throughout the whole world.

Romans 1:9 For God, Whom I serve (1SPAI) in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention (1SPMI) of you,

Romans 1:10 always in my prayers making request (PPPMSN), if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed (1SFPI) in coming (AAN) to you.

Romans 1:11 For I long (1SPAI) to see (AAN) you so that I may impart (1SAAS) some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established (APN)

What has been my motive of ministry as pastor/teacher?

When I was the pastor/teacher of First Baptist Church (1980-1996) and my study was in Romans and I arrived in 1:8 I was studying that verse and listen to John MacArthur on the text and learning what is the goal of ministry.

"What is the greatest thing I could do for you as a pastor/teacher? Hold you hand? Pat you on the back? Nice things to do of course. To like you? To visit you? Those things are good. But has Paul is saying in Romans 1:8-9 and Romans 1:10-11 I really would like to give you something spiritual not physical. I want to make the neccessary sacrifice to feed you the living Word of God, becauses that is spiritual. Something deep, not cheap and superficial.

This is why I spend much of my time, in the Word, to study and learn the Word of God so that I can impart to our members "Thus said the Lord."

I believe the greatest thing that I as a pastor/teacher could give you is to impart into you the Word of God in a way that would establish your faith.

When you are listening to our preaching/teaching, listen to the content, the power is not in my voice, or mannerism, but in the Word of God.

Think about it this way. Normally, in what we call “worship,” we spend significant time—perhaps the whole time—addressing God, singing to him, praising him, extolling him, praying to him. Wonderful! But in preaching we are no longer addressing God; he is addressing us.

Nothing is more important than this moment. And this is why the most important worship leader in your church is your pastor. That really gets to the heart of preaching.

The Bible is not simply a book that we talk about. When God’s Word is faithfully preached, God is addressing us. God is speaking. We hear not merely a man’s voice.

We hear the voice of God. And when God addresses us, what is the appropriate response? We respond with glad and reverent hearts, with voices that proclaim his praise, and with lives that increasingly reflect his character.

God addresses us with a saving Word. We respond to him with faith, praise, and obedience. That is the rhythm of worship.

SO IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHAT MY MISSION AND MOTIVE AS PASTOR/TEACHER OF RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH, THERE YOU HAVE IT.

The Blues Family

THE YOUNGER BLUES SON AND DAD SOME YEARS AGO. Eric and Charles

THE YOUNG BLUES BROTHERS OF A FEW YEARS AGO Chad and Kyle

What Is The Right Motive of Spiritual Worship

Spiritual (Worship) Service Unto the Lord 1 of 4 from charles e. whisnan t on Vimeo.

There are four parts to this message. Its good that you can listen to 11 minute of the message and then listen later to the rest. At the end of video you will be directed to the others. Also on Growbylearning.com all the Video are on the front page.

Until the Bible makes sense to you you will not be able to live out its princples, and thus the teaching of the Word is necessary for spiritual living.

TO HAVE WISDOM IS?

Proverbs 10:1-2
INTRODUCTION REMARKS

Study Notes from November 01 2009

In Bible Study: Rivers of Joy Baptist Church

When the Hebrews heard the term “WISDOM” what did think? When Solomon wrote Proverbs and he used the general term ‘wisdom’ what was the idea that the Hebrew people received?

• They understood the meaning to be one whose pattern of life, and lifestyle was in line with Biblical principles, and teaching of scriptures.
• It seems today wisdom has the meaning of knowledge. Thus we need to get all this stuff of education down.

But wisdom is:

• The ability to understand who God really is, and what it is that God want you to do, and you are doing it.
  

As I have said before:

• Until you understand the intent of the Word of God, you can’t live it out in your life.
  
• The purpose I have in mind when I am teaching, is to give you the sense of Scripture: is found in the example of these verses:
  
• Ezra 7:10 : Ezra arrived in Jerusalem: prepared his heart, mind, soul: to seek the law of God and to do it, and to teach in Israel the statues and judgments of God.
• Nehemiah 8:1-6: Ezra brought the law of God before the congregration:

To all those who could understand.

He read the law first.

He prayed unto the Lord.

Read it DISTINCTLY.

And gave the SENSE

And CAUSED them to understanding the reading.
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• Nehemiah 8:13 To understand the WORDS of the Law. They found what they were to do.
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• Understand: “To turn the mind to:” Deut 32:29, Psalms 41:2, 64:10, Proverbs 16:20, Daniel 9:13
  
  WISDOM: is in its last analysis is PERSOAL HOLINESS.
  

FOOLISHINESS is in its last analysis: is PRACTICAL UNHOLINESS

Beautiful Fall Scenery on Scioto 64 Trip to Church

ISN'T GOD ALWAYS GOOD TO ALLOW US TO VIEW HIS CREATION?

THE PREACHER AND HIS PREACHING

The Preacher and His Teaching The Word from Charles E. Whisnant on Vimeo.

So if you listen to this video, at the end you will be able to view the other videos. I just discovered that. Of course if you click on Vimeo you will also view all the videos we have made.

The Saints Privileges in Christ

The Privelege of Good News 2 of 3 from Charles E. Whisnant on Vimeo.

The Provision of the Good News 3 of 3 from Charles E. Whisnant on Vimeo.