DISCIPLE

     The bleating of sheep on the slopes of Carmel brought a frown to Samuel's brow. The movement of oxen and donkeys in the sultry valley made his stomach turn.  But when his eyes fell upon two men in the distance, walking and talking together like friends, that was the last straw!  As he approached them, he remembered his earlier instructions to Saul:     The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord.      ......Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and women, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey (I Sam.15:1, 3)     The words had been unmistakably clear and direct.  King Saul was to carry out God's plans.  It was an open-and-shut case of divine extermination without options and without opinions.  The Sovereign of heaven had spoken...and there was to b...

  What would you think if I told you I had a way of making you a millionaire in a month? How about if I knew a way you could lose 25 pounds in one month or a way to make you look younger in one week? If you have any discernment at all you would be skeptical of such promises.     There is, however, one easy way that we can increase our spiritual growth in sanctification and service. It is a rather simple method eliminate excuses! We have all made excuses in our lives. Society around us is filled with them, many of them ridiculous. For example, in New Zealand a woman who drove for 25 years without a license explained to the judge who fined her, “I only drive on roads that have very little traffic. And none of those roads lead to an office where I could apply for a driver’s license.”     The Bible tells of those who made excuses for not accepting the Gospel. Felix waited for a “more convenient season” (Acts 24:25). Those invited to the great supper had...

  Are All Things Lawful for Believers 1 Corinthians 6:12 by Bob Wilkin "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Cor. 6:12) .     Some people charge those of us who hold to Grace with antinomianism. That is, some say we promote sin and tell people that they can do whatever they want and God won't care since they are in Christ. We don't teach that; but the charge is made nonetheless.     On the other hand, others charge us with legalism. They say that since we call believers to obey God's commands we are legalists. These are those who do say that since we are in Christ there are no laws or rules for us anymore.     Recently while tracking down verses that show that NT believers are under law (e.g., Rom. 8:7; James 1:25), I ran across 1 Corinthians 6:12. What on earth did Paul mean when he said that "All things are ...

  EXCUSES that will not stand the test  “And they all with one consent began to make excuse.”  Luke 14:18            Are YOURS among them? “What wilt THOU say when he shall punish THEE?” –(Jer. 13:21)     READER: Do not disregard this message. Read it carefully and thoughtfully. Though you may not be aware of it, your soul is in great danger if you have not been “born again” in God’s way. Upon which of the following excuses are you building your hopes of escaping Hell and reaching Heaven? Whom will you blame if like the rich man in Luke 16th chapter you die, are buried and in Hell you lift up your eyes being in torments?     YOU CANNOT BLAME GOD for “God is not willing that any should perish.” He would have all men to be saved, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”–(John 3:16)  ...