“Our Attitude Toward Those Who Fall”
We are all fallen creatures, living in a fallen world, and surrounded by other fallen people. The entrance of sin into the human race is rightly called “The Fall” because sin never lifts a man – it always causes a downward spiral away from God. Our entire world groans under the effects of the fall (Romans 8:22-23), and our only hope is Christ.
Saved people still have a sin nature, and sometimes even God’s people experience a great fall. This does not mean that they return to their original state of eternal separation from God, for their soul is held in the hand of God (John 10:28-29). It also does not mean they have to stay down! “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…” (Proverbs 24:16). They are down, but not out!
Our Approach
If we don’t want them to stay down, someone must reach out to them. This principle is seen in both the Old and New Testaments:
“A Man Like Us In Times Like Ours”
These are days of political turmoil, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, moral confusion, social unrest, and spiritual lethargy. “It’s never been like this before!” Actually, it has.The historical books of the Bible are a tremendous reminder of the wicked times of previous generations and the men and women who stood faithfully for truth in the midst of them. Enter Elijah…
Elijah was a man like us in times like ours. We know he was a man like us because the New Testament tells us that this man of prayer was “a man subject to like passions as we are” (James 5:17). I don’t know about you, but that encourages me!
We also know from a study of Israel in his day that he lived in times like ours. Ahab and Jezebel ruled the land and sin ruled the culture. Yet in spite of this spiritual opposition, God used him to make a difference in his nation...
This Week’s Featured Resource...
NEW BOOK: “Why God Used D.L. Moody”
In this classic work, R.A. Torrey lays out seven reasons God used D.L. Moody. It is our desire that God will use this book to raise up an army of young men and women who will experience the power of God upon their lives. God’s power rested on Moody only as he yielded to the Source of all power and blessing – the LORD. We are thrilled to offer you this first Enjoying the Journey reprint.
This Week’s Schedule…
Murfreesboro, TN » October 14-16
Panasoffkee, FL » October 20-22
Harvest Baptist Church
“21 Bible Prayers For Government Leaders”
In seasons like this, it is easy to become frustrated with the corruption, inaction, and incompetence we observe in government. It is not just in the United States either. While we as Americans have the right and duty to
vote, the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy "That, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (in 1 Timothy 2:1-2). We cannot ignore who the ruler was during that time...it was Nero!
To walk honestly in the Word of God, we must recognize that grumbling about our leaders is a sin (1 Corinthians 10:10, Philippians 2:14); however, praying for them is a command (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Knowing what or how to pray can be challenging.
Current Broadcast Series
Message of the Week...
“The Sanctuary At Eleusis”
“After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;” (Acts 18:1)
Acts tells us that the idols of Athens grieved Paul’s soul, prompting him to preach on Mars Hill, just below the Parthenon. Later, Paul’s route from Athens to Corinth would have taken him down the Sacred Way past the front gate of the most prominent pagan pilgrimage site of all of antiquity: The Sanctuary at Eleusis.
In Paul’s Day
Every year pilgrims from across the Greek-speaking world flocked to Athens to celebrate the death and rebirth of the grain goddesses Demeter and Persephone. Celebrants would dance down the Sacred Way to the gates of the site to be initiated into what they called “the mysteries.” They were promised eternal happiness in the afterlife if they kept the secrets of Eleusis. They were warned of eternal punishment if they revealed the secrets of the temple. Despite being operational for over a thousand years, few of the temple’s secrets were revealed.
Week 41 is done…WATCH and PRAY!
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).
– Scott Pauley
