SMOOTH TALKERS-W. F. BELL

What we have in the modern church is nothing new. "Smooth talking" preachers have always been with us, and were plentiful even in Old Testament times. "Prophesy not unto us right things," the rebellious children of Israel said to the seers and prophets. "Speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits" (Isaiah 30:10). And multitudes in our day still love to hear "smooth things," not solemn truths about sin, the sovereignty of the Most High God, and the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Alistair Begg says, "We've become very familiar with preaching that pays scant attention to the Bible, is self-focused, and is consequently only capable of making the most superficial impact upon the lives of the listeners." And A. W. Tozer used to remind us that true prophets, who have "seen visions of God...stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear." The airwaves and pulpits are filled with those who "see not," therefore "prophesy not...right things."

The nations of the world hate Christ and the gospel. This is nothing new either (Psalm 2; Acts 4). What we must remember, however, is to never compromise God's absolute sovereignty in order to please the religious masses, who have no relish whatsoever to hear of "a God of judgment" (Isaiah 30:18). They love the "smooth talkers" to tell them of "sowing seed" in order to get a big harvest of material things in return, but they care nothing at all to hear of the Lord giving us "the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction" (Isaiah 30:20), which is what we deserve for all of our modern foolishness and lies.

Although God at one time told Jacob, "Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation" (Genesis 46:3), later Jehovah forbids His people from doing so: "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help" (Isaiah 31:1). We must "go" where God tells us to go, but we can be sure the Lord is not telling us to barter with the Egyptians of our day, where men seek help in "very strong" numbers, even in the so-called "religious right." It is God's verdict alone that is the right one, "But they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord." The true God is now "sifting the nations with the sieve of vanity," putting "a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err" (Isaiah 30:28). And that is no smooth talk, if you can hear it.

SOMETHING ALL POLITICIANS SHOULD REMEMBER

BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

In the news today we received word that 78 year old Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania was defecting immediately to the Democrats. This will put the dems only one senator away from having so-called filibuster proof power in the U.S. Congress. It is one senator away, but even that is all but settled

“The switch dramatically alters the political terrain for Obama as his second hundred days in office begins - and as his allies in Congress try to turn his campaign promises into legislative realities. With the increasing likelihood that Minnesota's Al Franken will be seated in the Senate after his contested election last fall against incumbent Republican Norm Coleman, the Democrats will reach the all-important 60-vote threshold that could allow them to override any Republican filibuster, at least in theory.” (Time Magazine from Yahoo.com; April 28, 2009).

Everyone knew that Specter usually took liberal positions, so now President Bush not backing Specter’s conservative GOP primary opponent in 2004, because of fear of losing Republican congressional control (if he didn't back the longtime Pennsylvania senator), is seen as an even more questionable move (The Republicans lost anyway!) The following article I wrote after the 2006 congressional elections still fits pretty well today.

In the present Congress session of the USA, there is much talk about leadership and change. There is a lot of bragging going on about who is now in charge. I have lived long enough to see all this before. People in leadership get drunk with power as if the only reason they got in that position was their own effort, and they seem to feel, now that they have this power, they will keep it forever. Congressional leaders, senators, bureaucrats and even presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens, popes, archbishops and all manner of preachers and religious leaders should read this scripture: “He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Daniel 2:21). And as God told Pharaoh: “And in very deed for this cause I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power: and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth” (Exodus 9:16).

At best, the position of power in both houses of Congress is precarious. In the Senate all it will take is one death, or incapacity, or even one defection of a Democrat to put the Republicans back in power. In the House, the new majority is much larger, but there are House elections for various states every two years, so that power doesn’t necessarily last long either.

In my judgment, the Republicans would still have their power if those who vowed to be conservative had held their ground. Then there is the disappointing corruption among many in both parties. Congressman Foley, as disgusting as he is, was not the only sinner. The difference being the largely biased news media which pounded on the Republicans while largely winking at the sins of the Democrats. But all this is only on the surface. Behind the scenes is God, setting history as He has decreed it. Could it be that the reason He has permitted the largely liberal, antichrist, immoral, anti-American, one world government crowd to prevail in America, is because the land is under the righteous judgment of God? Think about it; how long will the holy God Jehovah allow a country that professes “In God We Trust” and “One Nation Under God” to continue down the slippery slope of ungodliness? So many open sins-like open wounds! Must I name them for you? Ironically, many “heterosexuals” want to live together without marriage. This is not new, but is now a rampant epidemic. This is while “homosexuals” want to get “married” and have their marriages recognized by the states! Of course, the main reason is so they can get insurance benefits and other privileges of marriage. The major TV networks, print media and advertisers in the marketplace are pushing the homosexual agenda, and these sodomites largely control Hollywood, so they also push it big time.

Then there is the abortion industry that continues unchecked in spite of 12 years of “conservatives” in power. Babies are murdered every day. Of what marriages there are, over half end in divorce. The murder rate is sky high. Robberies and violent crime are up. Every outward vestige of Christianity is under attack, yet because of “political correctness”, Muslim teaching is being allowed in many public schools. I don’t even need to talk about the added burden to taxpayers because illegal immigrants can come here and get as many or more government benefits than can a US citizen, all because our politicians won’t enforce the laws we presently have!

The point is, this is a sick nation. A sin-sick nation! If you were God what would you do? I am thankful that neither you nor I are on that High throne of heaven! “How long O Lord”? Remember the sermon I wrote She Hath Done What She Could? What can we do? All we can do, is humble ourselves, pray, and cast ourselves on the mercy of a just God. II Chronicles 7:14 can and must be applied!

(Originally published in Morsels and Tidbits From Charles; January 2007)

FROM PAST MORSELS

Enemies of the Christian That Rise Up Against Him
By Charles Woodruff

We know that the world, the flesh and the devil are our enemies. We may have our worst problems with the flesh, though that very flesh may lead us to say “the devil made me do it”. The flesh brings the believer these problems:
1. Indifference= spiritual coldness.
2. Ingratitude= unthankful to God.
3. Inconsistency= unstable in all our ways.
4. Inactivity= not interested in the things of God.
5. Indecency= immorality, sin, rebellion.
The remedy can be found in Psalm 3:3, 4

-If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself (Augustine of Hippo).

-A preacher finished the service one morning by saying, “Next
Sunday, I am going to preach on the subject of liars. As a preparation for
my sermon, I would like you all to read Mark 17.” On the following
Sunday, the preacher rose to begin. Looking out at the congregation he
said, “Last week I asked you all to read Mark 17. If you have read the
chapter, please raise your hand.” Nearly every hand in the congregation
went up. Smiling, the preacher said, “You are the very people I want to
talk to. Mark has only 16 chapters”.

A Thought For the Computer Age

We all live on the thin interface between radioactive molten rock and a
hard, cold vacuum--and we worry about what?

JOYFUL SAINTS

SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONS By W. F. Bell
Psalm 37:1-4; Psalm 104:33-34; I Thessalonians 5:16

"Delight yourself also in the Lord" (Psalm 37:4). "And He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness" (Psalm 105:43). We live in a world of awful sin and much bad news. But beloved, we must not dwell upon it, for Scripture commands us, "Fret not yourself because of evil doers" (Psalm 37:1). Those who are "delighting" themselves in the Lord Jesus Christ truly feed on better things than the sad events and bad news of this world. God-fearing people don't find cause for joy in any cesspool of iniquity, or in any of mankind's bad news (and we don't understand those who want to feed on it every single day).

Isn't it rare to meet a truly joyful person? (What about you and I?) The ills of society have rubbed us all the wrong way, and it is easy to complain and be bitter about our circumstances. But, let us "look again" at the wonderful Word of God, meditating in these glorious truths: "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord" (Psalm 104:33-34). How's that for true, holy, positive thinking? "I will sing." "Unto the Lord." "My meditation of Him." "Shall be sweet." "I will be glad." In who? Yes, "In the Lord." Meditating on Christ is not "sour," but "sweet." It does not make us "sad," but "glad." Seeing King Jesus "by faith" is the greatest sight a sinner can have in this mortal life (John 20:20, 29). Have we truly seen "the glory of Christ" in the gospel?

Charles Spurgeon comments on Psalm 104: "We never sing so well as when we know that we have an interest in the good things of which we sing, and a relationship to the God whom we praise....Meditation is the soul of religion. It is the tree of life in the midst of the garden of piety, and very refreshing is its fruit to the soul which feeds thereon." Beloved, have we lost our song? Even in our night of sin, God will give us "songs in the night" (Job 35:10; Psalm 42:8). Christ Jesus Himself, even though "a Man of Sorrows" (Isaiah 53:3), once "rejoiced in spirit" (Luke 10:21), praising His Father's sovereign good pleasure, stating "All things are delivered to me of my Father" (Luke 10:22). We too rejoice in the sovereignty of God, even when we do not understand His mysterious providences, His holy chastisements, or the numerous sins of wicked men.

Let us return to singing! Let us return to holy meditation! Let us return to rejoicing in this great truth: "The glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works" (Psalm 104:31). Let us return to clapping and shouting: "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph" (Psalm 47:1). Why? This is what makes us whole, healthy Christians! "For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding" (Psalm 47:7).

Our God is the Most High! Our God rules and reigns! "He is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet" (Psalm 47:2-3). Does this not bring us true joy? "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name" (Psalm 103:1). "Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord" (Psalm 105:3). "Rejoice evermore" (I Thessalonians 5:16). Yes, despite a world of sin, let us not become bitter, but better -- better at praising our Lord Jesus Christ, and better at remembering that a day is coming when "sinners shall be consumed out of the earth" (Psalm 104:35), and "the trail of the serpent is cleansed from the globe."

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

"The greatest happiness of my life is that I am loved by the Lord Jesus and can fellowship with Him every day." Andrew Murray

TRUSTY MATTHEW HENRY

I recently read a short biography of dear Matthew Henry. A remarkable servant of God indeed. The little bio which I read is rare, so I won't tell you the name. I will say that you can read some bios of Brother Henry on the net that will be worth your time. I remember in my early days of ministry when I worked in a Christian bookstore, most everyone had Matthew Henry's Commentary, at least the abridged edition. Remarkably it has been around for 303 years, though not as many are sold in this day of spiritual decline. You can find online editions on the net free at a number of sites like crosswalk.com (You have to use the classic Bible commentary section). You can download it free, along with a number of other good Bible helps by going to esword.com (use the link on the left).

Here are some examples of why I love this brother so much:

CHURCH PEACE
“The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity.”

GOD'S USE OF MORTAL MEN
"God makes what use He pleases of men, of mighty men, of those that act with the greatest freedom; and, when they think to do as they please, He can overrule them and make them do as He pleases. Nay, in those very things wherein they are serving themselves, and look no further than that, God is serving His own purposes by them and making them to perform all His pleasure. Rich princes shall do what poor prophets have foretold."

GOD'S VIEW OF MAN AND WIFE
“Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.”

CHRIST OR POSSESSIONS
“Whatever we have of this world in our hands, our care must be to keep it out of our hearts, lest it come between us and Christ.”

PREACHING TO YOURSELF
(Matthew Henry must have meant this admonition as the following example shows).

Many years ago, Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible scholar, was once robbed of his wallet. Knowing that it was his duty to give thanks in everything, he meditated on this incident and recorded in his diary the following:

"Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed".

Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
English Non-conformist Bible commentator

ANYONE FOR BIBLE STUDY?

"What some people call 'Bible Study' is too often just a group of unprepared people exchanging their ignorance."

Warren Wiersbe

"What matters is what the Bible says, not our interpretations about what the Bible says."

W. F. Bell

"All is not wise that wise men say; nor all good that good men do; the best of men are but men at the best."

Augustus Toplady

"But we desire that the Scripture speak like itself, as in the language of Canaan, that it may be understood even of the very vulgar." The King James Version Translators, 1611

"The Bible is, strictly speaking, not a book but a library."

Frederic W. Farrar

"The Bible is a window in this prison world, through which we may look into eternity."

Timothy Dwight

(Compiled by W. F. Bell January, 2009)

SALVATION- J.C. PHILPOT

Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation” (Psalm 106:4).

How is a man brought and taught to want to be “visited with” God’s salvation? He must know something first of condemnation. Salvation only suits the condemned. “The Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost,” and therefore salvation only suits the lost. A man must be lost—utterly lost—before he can prize God’s salvation. And how is he lost? By losing all his religion, losing all his righteousness, losing all his strength, losing all his confidence, losing all his hopes, losing all that is of the flesh; losing it by its being taken from him, and stripped away by the hand of God. A man who is brought into this state of utter beggary and complete bankruptcy—to be nothing, to have nothing, to know nothing—he is the man who in the midnight watches, in his lonely hours, by his fireside, and at times well-nigh night and day, is crying, groaning, begging, suing, seeking, and praying after the manifestation of God’s salvation to his soul.

“O visit me with thy salvation.” He wants a visit from God; he wants God to come and dwell with him, take up his abode in his heart, discover Himself to him, manifest and reveal Himself, sit down with him, eat with him, walk with him, and dwell in him as his God. And a living soul can be satisfied with nothing short of this. He must have a visit. It profits him little to read in the Word of God what God did to His saints of old; he wants something for himself, something that shall do his soul good; he wants something that shall cheer, refresh, comfort, bless and profit him, remove his burdens, and settle his soul into peace. And therefore he wants a visitation—that the presence and power, the mercy and love of God should visit his soul.