SEPARATION: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Today, it seems, every one is going to heaven, and it doesn't matter what you really believe or what church you belong to, or what God you believe in. When some one dies in the news, they are aways going to Heaven. You can be a Baptist, Catholic, Morman, Jevohah Witness, Reformer, Community, and a number of other religious belief and all are going to be saved in the end and all our going to heaven. Christian or Catholic, or Morman or Baptist, all are going to Heaven. OR, ARE THEY! SO who can we worship with, take communion with, fellowship with, allow our church to fellowship with?


• WHEN I PASTORED FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

I remember I had a hard time with fellowship. And other churches had a hard time in having fellowship with us. I have a hard time with fellowship anyway. I don't have a lot of fellowship with unbeliever, but the problem is most people believe they are going to Heaven, therefore we should be able to have some fun with those people who say they are going to Heaven, right?


I think there might be a difference between fellowship and fun and going to

"Father, again as we have looked into Your Word we have been lifted above the mundane and the trivial, we have been transported into the supernatural, the divine. We have grasped profound realities that escape completely the thinking of the wisest of the world. Lord, we are so grateful of the richness of truth which Your Word contains. And, Lord, we would follow the instruction, the injunction, the mandate, the command for indeed it's an imperative not to be bound together with unbelievers in any enterprise that names Your name, any spiritual enterprise. We don't want Satan having the door throne wide open for him.gty

• 
  
  And, Lord, help us to be faithful and to do what verse 1 of chapter 7 says, "Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Lord, make us holy, separate. Keep Your church separated so that our testimony and our proclamation is pure and clear. And may You be glorified in Your Son's name. Amen."

HOW TO HANDLE STRESSES OF LIFE

HOW TO HANDLE STRESS 

 

 

God's Word Revealed

The Word of God is powerful. The Greek word translated “powerful” in Hebrews 4:12 is energes, which is the source of our English word “energetic.” It’s translated “active” in some versions, and that’s a good translation. It speaks of something that is dynamic, operative, and effectual. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:13): “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

The Word of God always works effectually. It always accomplishes its intended purpose. In Isaiah 55:11, God says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Sometimes God’s purpose is rebuke and correction; sometimes it is instruction and edification. Sometimes it is blessing; sometimes it is judgment. The gospel is “the savour of death unto death” for some; for others, it is “the savour of life unto life.” Either way, the Word of God is effectual, productive, powerful. It always produces the effect God intends.

That’s why preachers ought to preach the Word instead of telling stories and doing comedy. That’s where the power for ministry resides: in the Word. It’s not in our cleverness or our oratorical skills. The power is in the Word of God. And our task is simple: all we have to do is make the Bible’s meaning plain, proclaim it with accuracy and clarity. And the Spirit of God uses His Word to transform lives. The power is in the Word, not in any technique or program.

LIFE STYLE IS GOING TO CHANGE

ARE YOU GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE STYLE AS A RESULT OF WHAT YOU HEARD TONIGHT, or SUNDAY AT CHURCH?

A TOTALLY ANOTHER THOUGHT: TWITTERS................

• My reaction the first time that question was posed to me was ‘No, I’m not the little yellow bird from the Looney Tunes cartoon series.’ Then I figured it must be some new hip-hop vernacular and, since it could well imply something vulgar, I’d better just say ‘no.’




• It turns out that I in fact do not tweet, but millions, including many upstanding human beings, now do. Tweets are the updates sent to each other over Twitter, the newest and fastest-growing online social networking service.Each message is restricted to 140 characters, but the attraction of Twitter is it can be used from a mobile device. In other words, you can use your cell phone to update your “status,” or in other words, tell your friends and followers what you’re doing, any time throughout the day. After all, we’re all enthralled to know whether you’re at home watching television or have decided to work out at the gym.

• 
  
  Finally I became a member of Twitter, and Facebook. And the ones who I follow are rally great to follow. I have really enjoyed their remarks. Its great.

Nearly everyone is evidently going to use Twitter these days. Last month, Nielson.com ranked it the fastest-growing Member Communities categorized site. Earlier this year, Compete.com ranked it as the third-most-used social network behind Facebook and Myspace. An estimated 6 million unique visitors utilize Twitter each month.

Advice That Is Not Received

Often people who are in trouble with their lives, don't want to listen to Scriptural advice. They want to talk to you but they don't want to listen to what you say.  Therefore the result will be zero in their learning the way God want's them to live out their live in holiness.

Listening to the Word of God and apply them to your life will bring peace in your heart.

The Appeal for Obedience in the Christian Life

The Appeal To Live the Christian Life 1 of 3 from Charles E. Whisnant on Vimeo.

 Johnny And Phyllis Edwards in 2012 who have been with ROJBC since 2007

 Bill and Mary Bower Asso. Passtor since 2008 this was taken in 2012

Charles and my little 3 year old friend in November 2012

The Appeal to Obedience part 2 of 3 from Charles E. Whisnant on Vimeo.

THIS WAS BACK IN 2009 THIS POST HAS BEEN ON DRAFT SINCE THEN


The Appeal To Live the Christian Life 1 of 3 from Charles E. Whisnant on Vimeo.

Bad News and then the Good News notes

 Photo from November 2012 at Rivers of Joy Baptist Church

 Charles and Charity at Union Mills Bakery in 2012

Study Notes by Charles E. Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher of Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, NOtes from a draft that I had back in 2010

ROMANS CHAPTER ONE

RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH, MINFORD OHIO
BAD NEWS to GOOD NEWS

Romans 1:1-7 Paul and the Good News:

Charles E. Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher (August 31, 2009)

Why people love doing bad things more than right? Multiple killings in Brunswick, Georgia Newspaper: Up to 7 dead in mobile home; 2 critically injured August 20 2009
The news is filled with BAD NEWS. On a daily basis we read of the sad state of mankind. We are getting worse and worse in America and around the world. What is happening on a massive scale is only the multiplication of what is happening on an individual basis. BAD NEWS.

Has America become numb to tragedy? Recent mass shootings have left 43 dead and many asking why?

PITTSBURGH - Does the name Byran Uyesugi ring a bell? Odds are not. What about Robert A. Hawkins? Or Mark Barton? Terry Ratzmann? Robert Stewart?

Each entered the national consciousness when he picked up a gun and ended multiple lives. Uyesugi, 1999, Hawaii office building, seven dead. Hawkins, 2007, Nebraska shopping mall, nine dead. Barton, Ratzmann and Stewart — 24 dead among them in 1999 (Atlanta brokerage offices), 2005 (Wisconsin church service) and last week (North Carolina rehab center).

Each has been largely forgotten as the parade of multiple killings in America melts into an indistinguishable blur. We bemoan, we mourn, we move on. ANALYSIS


By Ted Anthony

Sun., April 5, 2009Men and women are in the clutch of a horrifying power, and that power clutches them deep inside their own being and it pulls them to self destruction. That power is SIN, and SIN makes for BAD NEWS.

FOUR MAJOR AREAS THAT SIN PRODUCES BAD NEWS FOR THE HUMAN RACE.

1A self-centeredness Acquired Self-centered Syndrome
Acquired Self-centered Syndrome (ASS) is not a new "disorder" it's been plaguing humanity ever since Eve bit into the forbidden fruit. Eve ate the fruit because, well, she wanted to be like God. In a "pride goeth before the fall moment" Lucifer boasted, "I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14). God promptly booted him out of heaven on his hinny. Adam followed Eve's lead and ate of the forbidden fruit. They both received a rude awakening. The First Couple was driven from their garden retreat forthwith.

• It’s bad news in human existence that every one of us is bent on fulfilling our own selfish desires at any rate.
• Satan was the first angel who had this self-centeredness syndrome
Society has lost its moral compass and our children have paid a big price. Divorce is rampant, even in the Church. The excuse Christians give is, "God wants me to be happy." Wrong. God wants kids to be happy! He wants adults to be responsible. And in the case of Christians, His desire is for them to be obedient.

We live in a world where people are demanding their rights. “What are you going to do for me now”. And if they don’t get their wish, they rebel, get angry and SIN and cause harm to anyone who is not willing to give it to them.

The ultimate goal of people today is to achieve self-satisfaction. Because of this selfishness for gain, fame, dominates, popularity, money, physical fulfillment.

WE SHOULD LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS INSTEAD OF USING PEOPLE AND LOVING THINGS.

So what is the result of self-centeredness?

1 Unable to sustain a meaningful relationship.
2 Unable to really love.
3 Unwilling to give.
4 Thus forfeits joy.
5 Loneliness.
6 Despair
7


2a guilty. On the wrong side of the law
Why do we have guilt?
• Because God has designed man to feel something when he sins. Other wise man could never prevent himself from going to Hell.
• Because guilt tells us we are on the wrong road, and something has to change.

The result of guilt

• Anxiety, fear, sleeplessness, lives with psyological problems, ulcers, many illnesses.
• Which results in drunkenness, and bad behavior.
• People are frightened to death over guilt.
o They try to cover it with a covering of sod.
 Money, possession, alcohol, drugs, sex, travel, horoscope
People will blame their guilt on:
 Society, some old outdated Biblical tradition being imposed upon them, on God, on Christians, on the church, on parents, on childhood days.
3a no feeling of significance. Meaninglessness
 “Is this what life is all about?” Better would it be if I had never been born.
 Where there is no fulfillment all the basic questions are, Is this all there is? Why am I alive? What is truth? How do I find out what is truth?
And mankind is fed a steady line of lies by the liar Satan, who runs the world’s system. And the devil’s lies never answer the question of meaning. So he never gets the answer. The news is always bad. “Life ever goes on, I just forget why.”
4a the feeling of hopelessness. Despondency & Depression occurs,
 The law of diminishing returns. When all is said and done, life has no where to go. There is nothing here in this life and nothing after this life. ALL IS BAD NEWS.
 Resulting in going deeper in the dilemma caused by being pushed by the lies of the devil who keeps pumping lies through the system we live.
Is there any good news anywhere? For goodness sake?
Yes? The good news about sin is that it can be dealt with.

Self-centeredness can be dealt with.
Guilt and anxiety can come to an end
Meaning of life can be dealt with.
Life after death can be good news

I submit to you today there is good news! Romans 1:1 Paul says there is good news, and that is the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, The good news of salvation, The good news of the grace of God.

 Sin can be forgiven
 Guilt can be removed
 Life will have meaning
 The future has a reality

Scripture is for the Purpose of Salvation and Godly Living

Scripture. The sixty-six books of the Protestant canon, in their original writings, comprise the verbally inspired, inerrant Word of God.

The thirty-nine books known as the Hebrew Old Testament are God-breathed, products of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, and thus free from error in all that they affirm (cf. Deuteronomy 18:18, 19; Psalms 19:7, 8; 119:89, 142, 151, 160; Matthew 5:17-19; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Similarly, the twenty-seven books known as the Greek New Testament are the eternally abiding words of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:35), and are thus the words of God (John 7:16; 12:49). The Holy Spirit enabled the writers both to recall what the Lord said (John 14:26), and to continue to receive His revelation (John 16: 12-15). As a result, the writings of the New Testament are the commandment of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37), are Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16), and are God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).

For this reason, the sinner finds the way of salvation through Scripture (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 2:1-3). The believer is made fruitful (Psalm 1:2, 3) and successful in the will of God (Joshua 1:8), warned and kept from sin (Psalms 19:11; 119:9,11), made holy (John 17:17), given wisdom (Psalm 9:7) and freeing knowledge of the truth (John 8: 31, 32), taught the fear of God (Psalm 119:38), counseled (Psalm 119:24), taught, reproved, corrected, and disciplined in the way righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) by Scripture. Scripture is, in short, the fully adequate revelation of the person, ways, and will of God.

Benjamin Zander: Classical music with shining eyes

Beavers

 I do think we have some beavers that are coming up from the creek. This is not good.

Get A Vision Of God Part on

GET A VISION OF GOD

Charles e Whisnant

Isaiah 6

November21, 2012

God is alive.

First, he is alive. Uzziah is dead, but God lives on. “From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Ps. 90:2). God was the living God when this universe banged into existence. He was the living God when Socrates drank his poison. He was the living God when William Bradford governed Plymouth Colony. He was the living God in 1966 when Thomas Altizer proclaimed him dead and Time magazine put it on the front cover. And he will be living ten trillion ages from now when all the puny potshots against his reality will have sunk into oblivion like BB’s at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord.” There is not a single head of state in all the world who will be there in fifty years. The turnover in world leadership is 100%. In a brief 110 years this planet will be populated by ten billion brand new people and all four billion of us alive today will have vanished off the earth like Uzziah. But not God. He never had a beginning and therefore depends on nothing for his existence. He always has been and always will be alive.

The Lord is Alive – He is in Control

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However, the Lord is alive and controls time because He tells what He is doing in the present, the past and our future and it happen as He predicts it would. For example, during King David’s lifetime (the present for him) he made several prophecies. Prophecies by nature concern the future. King David  never lived to see his prophecies fulfilled for he died before they came to pass. However, these prophecies were fulfilled in the future.

The future is the present for the people alive during the fulfillments of David’s prophecies. For example, the prophet David prophesied that Jesus would ascend into heaven but he never lived to see it happened.

However, the First Century Church saw the ascension of Christ after his resurrection. It happened in the present time for that church but in the future of King David. Similarly, the ascension of Jesus happened in the present for the First Century Church, in the future of King David but in the past for us who are alive today.

Time is not static but always moving and humans have different descriptions for it at different intervals. But God knows all things for there is no time with God. That is why the Scripture says, “in the beginning” for us to have a reference to a point in time. However, that time marker is for us for the Lord is alive before “the beginning” for there is no time where God resides. When time will be no more for it will cease God will still be alive. The Lord is alive and well.

1. God is authoritative. You don’t give God authority in your life; He has it! You can either pretend He doesn’t and perish, or you can own it with joy. He has, in the universe, absolute authority. Sometimes, our little flaunted fist shakings need some strong words to be put in their place.

God is authority over the weather, over government, over laws of nature, over mankind, events that have been,  that are now, and what will be in the future.  God is sovereign.

Second, he is authoritative. “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne.” No vision of heaven has ever caught a glimpse of God plowing a field, or cutting his grass or shining shoes or filling out reports or loading a truck. Heaven is not coming apart at the seams. God is never at wits’ end with his heavenly realm. He sits. And he sits on a throne. All is at peace and he has control.

The throne is his right to rule the world. We do not give God authority over our lives. He has it whether we like it or not. What utter folly it is to act as though we had any rights at all to call God into question! We need to hear now and then blunt words like those of Virginia Stem Owens who said in last month’s Reformed Journal,

Let us get this one thing straight. God can do anything he damn well pleases, including damn well. And if it pleases him to damn, then it is done, ipso facto, well. God’s activity is what it is. There isn’t anything else. Without it there would be no being, including human beings presuming to judge the Creator of everything that is.

Few things are more humbling, few things give us that sense of raw majesty, as the truth that God is utterly authoritative. He is the Supreme Court, the Legislature, and the Chief Executive. After him, no appeal.