An Excellent Article by Dr. James Emery White...

Baptists and Baptisms - Dr. James Emery White Christian Blog
http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-james-emery-white/baptists-and-baptisms.html?utm_source=Crosswalk_Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06/14/2011

"Profiling" in Church

Ever notice that most churches have a "profile?" It's not something that is spoken or even part of the "Requirements for Membership;" but its still there.

What am I talking about? Well, most churches have a "target group." That's a certain demographic (I hate that word) that they are trying to appeal to. It can be, for example, Youth, or 20 somethings, or even 30 somethings.

Now if you fit into their "profile" then you are catered to in almost every way. You and your children are entertained. "Messages" targeted to what you like or are dealing with one an everyday basis. A series of "messages" are "targeted" to you, all designed to make you happier, comfortable, even wealthier. "Messages" are carefully worded to avoid offending anyone.

Now, if you don't fit into their "profile" then you are basically ignored until you leave; or die. (Whatever comes first).

The basic problem with this (besides being un-biblical) is that it creates two classes of "Christians." One is "in;" the other is "out." If you are "in", God can use you in a special way; if you are "out," well you need to find another place to worship (there is little hope of God every using someone like you).

More often than not, I am in the "out" category. You see, I am a 58 year old ex-pastor who taught the Bible verse-by-verse and actually believed that it has more to offer than books written by the "hip" so-called "christian" authors. (I even believe in Hell; scandalous, isn't it?).

Being in the "out" category is kinda cool. Read what Harley Howard wrote about A. W. Tozer:

"A. W Tozer, unquestionably one of the greatest men who ever preached the Bible, was a man ridiculed while he lived because he was so "out of touch" with the religious establishment around him. What made him so "out of touch" with those around him was the fact that he was so "in touch" with God."

Oh, yeah, and there was another fella who was "out." His Name is Jesus, and he was so far "out" that they crucified Him.

So, if you find yourself on the "outside;" don't bother looking in. You won't like what you see.

Saturday Satire

What's on your mind?

Forcing You Will Upon God

When you force your will upon God, you are always setting yourself up for failure. What seems sweet in the beginning, is always a bitter thing in the end.

Randall Slack

Psalms 106:15, “And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”

The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. “It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare.” Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavor to make you weary of suffering, he will whisper, “Curse God, and die.” Or he will attack your steadfastness: “What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do.” Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: “Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times.” Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armor, and cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end.

C. H. Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

What do these two verses have in common?

Ephesians 5:18-19:

"...but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Answer: The Spirit-Filled Christian is the Word-Filled Christian and the Word-Filled Christian is the Spirit-Filled Christian.

You cannot have one without the other. If you are filled with the Spirit, you will fill yourself with the Word of God; And if you fill yourself with the Word, you will be filled with the Spirit.

False Ministers

The apostles of Satan are not abortionists and sex traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers. Thousands of those who occupy our post-modern pulpits are no longer engaged in presenting the fundamentals of the Christian Faith, but have turned aside from the Truth and have given heed unto fables. Instead of magnifying the enormity of sin and setting forth its eternal consequences, they minimize it by declaring that sin is merely ignorance or the absence of good. Instead of warning their hearers to “flee from the wrath to come” they make God a liar by declaring that He is too loving and merciful to send any of His own creatures to eternal torment. Instead of declaring that “without shedding of blood is no remission,” they merely hold up Christ as the great Exemplar and exhort their hearers to “follow in His steps.” Of them it must be said, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” ( Romans 10:3).

Their message may sound very plausible and their aim appear very praiseworthy, yet we read of them— “for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves (imitating) into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing [not to be wondered at] if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

In addition to the fact that today hundreds of churches are without a leader who faithfully declares the whole counsel of God and presents His way of salvation, we also have to face the additional fact that the majority of people in these churches are very unlikely to learn the Truth themselves.

A. W. Pink (1886–1952)