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Devotionals

SELF-EXAMINATION: ANTIDOTE TO DRIFTING AWAY SPIRITUALLY

September 18, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

SELF-EXAMINATION: ANTIDOTE TO DRIFTING AWAY SPIRITUALLY

“Lest at any time we let them slip (drift away from).”

Heb. 2:1, KJV.

“For every one who falls into great sin, there are then who are drifting. Even when one seems to leap suddenly into sin, it is often the case that he has  PREVIOUSLY been drifting, UNNOTICED by others, and perhaps by himself. Most open sin BEGINS by slowly drifting. Therefore, let all beware!

“Float past, ‘drift away,’ ‘slip away.’ These are different renderings, and all of them significant. We are told that we OUGHT to give the more earnest heed, that is, we MUST, we OWE it, it is IMPERATIVE. We are to be watchful lest we float past, or drift away from the MOORINGS of the Word of God!

“In view of this danger, it behooves  each one to EXAMINE HIMSELF, lest he be drifting without being aware of his peril:(1) carelessness in prayer (2) discontinuance of family worship (3) absence from church services (4) lukewarmness in spiritual of church activities (5) neglect of Bible study of private devotion (6) avoidance of the ordinances of the Lord’s house (7) remissness in tithes and offerings—these and many other signs should be carefully watched. Our ATTITUDE towards them indicates if and how fast we are drifting! The apostle’s admonition against drifting is as applicable today [right now] as when it was written.” – M. L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, p. 82.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Cor. 13:5, NKJV.

David prayed: “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.” Ps. 26:2. See also Ps. 139: 23, 24. 
God bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

TRUE HOLINESS IS FROM THE HEART, NOT FROM THE LIPS

June 30 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

TRUE HOLINESS IS FROM THE HEART, NOT FROM THE LIPS

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are ABOVE, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things ABOVE, not on the things on the earth.” Col. 3: 1,2, KJV.

True heart holiness can only be possible when the law or covenant of God is written in the heart, not merely professed by the lips. See Jer. 31: 33; cf. Deut. 4:13.

“When the law of God is written [also ‘etched’] in the heart it will be EXHIBITED in a pure and holy life. The commandments of God are no dead letter [merely to be memorized, lectured, catechized or pontificates upon]. THEY ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE, ‘bringing the imagination and even the thoughts into subjection to the will of Christ.’

Categories
Devotionals

BEWARE OF OUR OLD SUPERSTITIONS & FEARS

June 5, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

BEWARE OF OUR OLD SUPERSTITIONS & FEARS

As the Israelites impatiently waited for Moses (reminding us of how impatiently the first king of Israel, Saul, waited for prophet Samuel, and committed his first apostasy), something happened that lead worst things:

“Feeling their HELPLESSNESS in the absence  of their leader, they RETURNED  to their OLD SUPERSTITIONS.

“The ‘mixed multitude’ had been the first to INDULGE murmurings and impatience, and they were the LEADERS in the APOSTASY that followed.