The parable of the laborers

The purpose of this and, Lord willing, future articles under the same heading, is to present the parables of our Lord Jesus Christ one at a time, in no particular order, but with emphasis placed on those that are especially difficult, either because the content is challenging or the message is one that our flesh would prefer to ignore. I will, as best I am able, glean what practical applications may be had from the stories Jesus used to teach the correct of heart and confound the lost. So let us start with what I shall call “The parable of the laborers” found in Matthew 20:1

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

“So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Some time ago I was acquainted with a Christian co-worker who regularly complained about the burdens and stresses of the conditions he faced on his job. Many of the conditions that management forced upon him were unusual, unrighteous and sometime even illegal considering the current state of employment laws. Because of this he often quarreled with management about their treatment of him. One day he came to me looking for a sympathetic ear, and as he was very fond of saying, he said to me, “I have rights you know, and they are always breaking them.” Knowing him to be a man that would listen to reason I simply said “My friend, God is not interested in your rights and neither am I. However I am interested in how long you intend to swim in the quagmire of your own self idolatrous pity party?” Stunned, he said “Thanks ….. I think.” I could see the question welling up in his mind. He finally spewed, “Are you going to explain to me how God doesn’t care about me?” I said, “That is not at all what I said. God did not send His son to die for someone He does not care about, but God is a jealous God and He deserves and requires His glory. In what way are you glorifying God by always gossiping about, and back-talking to, the very management that God has put in authority over you? You cannot control how others treat you, but you can control your reaction to it. Don’t you know that when you correct a scoffer you only shame yourself, and when you rebuke a wicked man you only harm yourself? (Proverbs 9:7) A scoffer does not listen to rebuke. (Proverbs 13:1b) What right do you have to question the will of God? The Bible says that it greatly pleases God when you are submissive to your boss, not just the good ones but also the harsh ones. It is commendable when you endure grief and suffer wrongfully because of your conscience toward God. But what credit is there if you are treated poorly and respond poorly as well? But when you do good and suffer quietly and take it patiently, this is commendable to God. (1 Peter 2:18-20)” He said, “that’s ridiculous, God doesn’t want me to be treated immorally, we all deserve better than that.” I said, “No my friend, we all deserve to go to Hell, but God chose you while you were yet an undeserving sinner. Get your eyes off the world and focus on eternity. What is 70 years of mistreatment taken for the glory of God, compared to an eternity of perpetual companionship with Jesus?” He looked me in the eye and said, “I get your point, I am serving the wrong masters. I need to focus on serving God not me or my boss.” I said, “Amen brother, Amen. Now praise the Lord, go and sin no more.” He laughed and left.

But what does this have to do with our parable? Turn the page and see.

My friend had several problems inhibiting his correct relationship with God. His sinful self centered thinking has left him blind to the obvious. This man had a job most men dream about, yet he was unthankful to God for it. His focus on himself led him to ignore the will of God toward those God has put in authority over him. This hampered his witness for Christ as people judged him according to his actions. Because he is focused on himself instead of glorifying Christ, when a trial such as unjust treatment is placed in his path, he immediately responds in sin. My friend simply doesn’t understand that as a believer in Christ you give up your human rights for a conscience toward God. This is how Job remained steadfast when faced with an onslaught of trials that none of us will ever suffer, because Job wanted a God life not a good life.

So the next time you are preparing for work, whether it is at home with the kids, or you are driving to your JOB, ponder this; “The name of the man God chose to test more than any other was spelled J-O-B.”

In our parable the first thing one might notice is that the righteous landowner went out seeking servants. 2 Chronicles 16:9a says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” When the landowner found some people they were not actively seeking the landowner or the servitude of his employment, they are simply standing around, doing nothing. They had no master, nor no purpose to serve because God had not yet hired them. We likewise, outside of Christ, live a perfectly meaningless life. Without the saving grace of Jesus everything you do is sin, even your worship of God is not pleasing to God, if you do not know Him. In the absence of God drawing you to His Son, you cannot nor are you inclined to seek and to know God.

Never the less, the landowner found the people he wanted in his own time, some late and some early. What comes to my mind here is that God gifts each of us differently, some of us he greatly gifts (hires them early in the morning, such as John the Baptist) and others he lightly gifts (hires in the eleventh hour, such as the thief on the cross). Each of us is responsible only for what God has gifted us. We are not called to live the life of the Apostle Paul when we are gifted as much as the repentant tax collector. However we are responsible for the proper use of our gifts. If you have many gifts then God requires many sheep to be fed, (bare the burden and the heat of the day) yet others, judged according to their giftedness and not yours, may feed but a few (have only worked but an hour).

You may have also noticed that at least four times that day the landowner said “whatever is right I will give you”. But who determined the amount that was right? Was it not the landowner when he paid those that were hired about the eleventh hour, the very same denarius? The landowner did to each laborer what was right. He did not treat anyone unjustly. Yet some complained thinking themselves deserving of better than what was pre-determined as right. Their eyes were sinfully focused on the worldly mammon and not the eternal prize. What will be the significance of each of our unequally burdened but equally brief lives be during millennia in Heaven? But while yet alive on earth let us not lose focus that ALL things God works together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Yes even trials, burdens and being treated unjustly at work are for our own good! Give thanks and Praise the Lord when they come upon you.

The landowner said, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things.” All-powerful, almighty God has the right to do as He pleases within the realm of His righteousness. But is this right? Is it fair for God to do as He pleases? Was if fair for God to tell Rebekah, before the two boys were born, “The older will serve the younger.” This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this so that the one chosen would be chosen because of God’s own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything he did. As the Scripture says, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.”

So what should we say about this? Is God unfair? In no way. God said to Moses, “I will show kindness to anyone to whom I want to show kindness, and I will show mercy to anyone to whom I want to show mercy.” So God will choose the one to whom he decides to show mercy; his choice does not depend on what people want or try to do. (Romans 9:11-16.)

Are we not blessed that our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus loved us while we were yet sinners, that in Him we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will? (Ephesians 1:11)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

So God is not unfair in anything that He wills to do, but rather He always gives to each what is right. In fact, praise God that He has not dealt with us as we deserve, but as His Son deserves.

Which brings me to my final point; the landowner gave to them their wages “beginning with the last to the first”. The Bible has much to say about how we should see ourselves. But let’s look at what the Bible has to say about one of the spiritual giants, John the Baptist.

John the Baptist received the Holy spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. Matthew 11:11a says, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” But then it goes on to say “but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist.” If the great John the Baptist is not the greatest in Heaven but rather the least is greatest, then the question arises, who exactly is least in Heaven?

While we cannot know the answer to that question quite yet, we can know the heart of such a person. And I would like to reveal his heart in a prayer.

Dear awesome and powerful Lord Jesus, let us fear not the people who can kill our body but after that can do nothing more to hurt us. For we know the One who we should fear. We should fear the one who has the power to kill us and also to throw us into Hell. Yes, You are the one we should fear. So let us not desire to save our own lives but instead desire to lose them for Your sake. Let us not think we are adequate in ourselves to think of anything as coming from ourselves, but let us understand that our adequacy is from You, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Dear Lord let us not think that we stand, lest we fall. Let us not think of ourselves as something, lest we be nothing. Let us not think that we know anything, lest we find we know nothing at all. Let us not think we give anything to You as if You needed anything from us. But rather let us know through and through, branded on our heart and minds, that we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Amen! Luke 12:4-5, Matthew 16:25, 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Galatians 6:3, 1 Corinthians 8:1, Philippians 3:2

There is no way humanly possible to teach all there is to learn out of this or any other parable in the span of these few pages. But I hope that this article causes you to open your Bible and read this parable with a new understanding that will greatly bless you in a way that this article never will.

The Bible is the living word of God. It is called the living word, because it is the means by which God has chosen to reveal His mysteries to those who seek Him and to confound those who seek their own. Please seek Him while the day is yet called today, because you do not know if you will ever make it to tomorrow. Just hours ago I found a little bird, a finch possibly, in the building where I live. He sprightly flew around looking for the way he came in, until he found a cache of bugs stuck to a glue trap on the floor. Easy pickins’ until he found himself stuck as well. I found him alive and well but missing a few feathers. Thinking to give him a night of rest, I stuck him in a cage where he soon was calmly sleeping, his head tucked lightly under his wing. Just now I went to see if my new buddy was still sleeping. He was sprawled out, dead, not a wound to speak of. Alive one minute, dead the next!

Won’t you hear me now and come to know Christ? This little Finch will never see Hell, but you will if you do not come to know Jesus Christ as your Savior! I couldn’t save this Finch but Jesus can save you!

Brother Terry Walker
864-363-5006
biblicallyravenous@yahoo.com
Providence Baptist Church
Greer, South Carolina

The Passion of the Christ - A Revue -

While God can use the recent movie “The Passion of the Christ,” and I am sure that He will, I want to issue a warning to the church at the same time. No doubt Satan can and will use it as well. Therefore, let us be on guard that we might glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I have seen abundant evidence of grave misunderstanding surrounding this movie. There are those I have spoken to that are walking away from this movie completely missing Christ’s purpose. The Bible is the inspired word of God. Jesus is the Word, the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is the word of God that persuades those who have yet to be saved.

Regardless of how good or accurate this movie is, the truth is far more reaching than any form of media is able to show or any mind is capable of imagining. Such as the incredible sin I personally heaped upon my Lord and Savior, or the indescribable, unimaginable, suffering of Christ Jesus, not from hanging on the cross, but by being separated from His Father for the first time in eternity. In the communication I have had with others who have viewed this film, there is much talk about little more than the brutality of His death.

If you do not understand what I am laboring to warn you about, then let me provide an example. It is a heart felt, emotional e-mail I received from a professing believer. The original e-mail is unedited, except for the removal of personal information, and the addition of my responses to each portion of the e-mail. My responses are in blue text.

Hey Guys,
I just felt like I should let you all know just how much our Lord and Saviour loves us all. I know that you are all probably tired of hearing this from me, but you have to hear it one more time.

Our church went for a private viewing of The Passion of Christ last night, and I am still in amazment. I have read about it and been taught about it for all of my life, but for the first time ever, last night I actually saw it with my own eyes. I saw the agony that he suffered and the blood that he shed for you and me, and I am here to tell you all that it was more than we could have ever imagined.

Response:
My friend, you have in no way seen the agony that Christ Jesus suffered. It is beyond human capability to truly grasp the agony of Jesus becoming the propitiation for our sins. What you actually saw with your own eyes, was an actor who was attempting to portray the death of Jesus in a manner that was as realistic as is possible. In reality, even that actor was not seriously harmed. But you have seen this man and related him as Jesus, and in ever sense that is idolatry. This is the very reason graven images are an abomination to God, because they detract from His glory. You were created to glorify God, not an image of Him. The Bible, the very word of God, reveals far more about the character and purpose of Christ than any media can, because the Bible by its very origin is exactly what God wants to tell us, no more and no less. If you have read the Bible your whole life and have never understood and imagined more than the few words of Scripture that are spoken in this movie, then you need to run, don’t walk, back home and pray that God your Father might increase your understanding of His Word.

The actual act of dying was not the hard part of what Christ did for “all of us”, it was what lead up to his death. He was beat with sticks and a "cat of nine tails", which if you don't know what that is it is a stick with nine leather straps hanging off the end, and all of the straps have metal spikes and pieces of glass sticking out of them, he was mocked, spat upon, he had a crown of thorns placed upon his head, and the thorns were at least four inches long, and they were pushed into his head until they were in all the way. They beat him until his bones were exposed, and then they beat him some more. Christ was the only one of the three people crucified that day who was made to carry his own cross, he was also the only one who was beat. The other two men were not beat, and there crosses were carried for them, at least the heavy part anyway, and they truly deserved to be crucified, Christ did not, he chose to die a horrible death for our sins.

Response:
How right you are, the actual act of dying was not the hard part of what Christ did! The physical suffering Jesus went through was no doubt horrific, but necessary as there is no remission of sins without the shedding of blood. But the suffering that led to Jesus’ death was not the hard part of what Christ did for those of us who are sealed for the day of redemption, as His Father was with Him during His suffering, but rather His taking upon Himself the penalty of our sins caused His Father to forsake Him. If we concentrate on the mere brutality of His death, which many have suffered in like kind or worse, then we will miss Christ’s true purpose. Yes He died, yes it was excruciating, but who is He, why did He die, and what purpose did His life, death and resurrection serve? Let us concentrate on that, for that is the Gospel. But Jesus did not die as a sacrifice for the sins of “all of us”, but only for those who His Father first drew to Him, (John 6:42) therefore, walk in fear and trembling of your God by Whom wrath is justly applied upon the perpetrator of every act of unrepentant sin.

One thing that really amazed me was to see Christ's reaction toward the people who crucified him. He was so kind and loving, he never had a harsh word or a cruel jesture toward any of them, he never fought back, he was his Perfect, Loving, Wonderful self throughout the whole thing. Not in a happy way, but in a loving way. The pain in his eyes, and the way that he trembled, not from fear, but from pain showed us all just how much he suffered, but through it all there was love.

Response:
Where are all these details in the Bible? And once again you are speaking as if you actually saw the crucifixion of the almighty Savior, Lord and King, Christ Jesus. Were you there to see the pain in His eyes, His gestures and His reactions? God does not react to anything, rather He works all things, everything, including His own mortal death, in accordance with the pleasure of His own will. He is omnipotent. Consider this Scripture in light of your amazement: “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers; that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:27-31) Do you see from this scripture that God is telling us that His Word is what makes the difference, not even the supernatural appearance of your dead brother can keep you from going to Hell, if the truth of the word of God doesn’t make a difference in your life? My friend, this is eternal life and death we are talking about. This is serious.

I know that my husband would do anything for me, and my well being, but I'm not sure about suffering as Christ did, no normal human could survive it. But Jesus did, and He did it all for us, so that we could be Saved and spend our life on this earth serving him and winning souls for him, and so that we could spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

Response:
Actually the Bible says that Paul survived both beatings and stonings. There are even present day cultures that have religious celebrations that include self mutilation by means of striking one’s own back with multiple knife blades tied to leather straps until the loss of blood causes unconsciousness. It is seen as a means of penance for your own sins. Jesus received 39 strikes which was 1 less than the legal limit, after which it was considered cruel and unlawful. Much of the beatings that are shown in the movie are not recorded in Scripture, we cannot simply conjure up what might have happened and accept that as truth, entertainment yes, truth no. Furthermore, Jesus wasn’t trying to survive; He was accomplishing what His Father had sent Him to do. Even the day of Jesus’ death was determined so as to happen during the Passover, as He was the Passover Lamb. Jesus died in the same moment that the Passover lambs where slaughtered in the temple. Jesus died well before the others because “It was finished”, not His life, but His work.

But more importantly than seeing this movie, is seeing Christ's love and accepting him as your Lord and Savior so that we can all spend eternity with Him together in Heaven.

I love you all and want you all to experience the lifetime of joy that comes from knowing, loving, serving and being loved by Christ, but in order for this to happen you have to accept him through salvation as your saviour.

Please don't think that I am just some holy roller blabber mouth because I promise I am not saying these things just to hear myself talk. I feel that this is something that God really wants me to do, and serving Him is my top priority. Sincerely (name withheld)

Conclusion:
My Christian Sister, toward the end of her e-mail, was finally starting to ground herself in the truth. She is obviously fervent. In fact, the something she feels God wants her to do, is to pay for anyone’s ticket that wants to see this movie. I doubt very seriously that God wants her to do that in light of His command against images and idolatry. However, we can say that this movie will certainly be used by God, but just as certainly it will be used by Satan to distract people away from the inspired Word of God. Using this movie as an evangelism tool is an extremely risky thing. As you have seen by what you have already read, people can be caused to believe things that simply are not true, even lifelong readers of the Bible. Let us remember that “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Pet. 1:3) He has given that to us in His Word as it alone reveals Christ.

Some of us are about to see or have already seen this movie. Let us remember that the Bible is the source of truth for which we seek. Jesus is the Word, this movie is just a gory portrayal. And as good as it may be, it simply cannot demonstrate the true nature and purpose of Jesus Christ, because, by any human effort, whether by song, or eloquent speech, movie or art or any other human endeavor, we can only produce little more than a shadow of Jesus. His glory cannot be contained in a pathetic painting, stained glass window or a movie screen. Jesus told us to love Him with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our soul, He did not say love a likeness of Him. In fact it is an abomination to look upon a shadow and think “I have seen my Savior.” So when you have seen this movie, please remember that your Christ is far greater than the image you are seeing.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)

Brother Terry Walker
864-363-5006
biblicallyravenous@yahoo.com
Providence Baptist Church
Greer, South Carolina

Excursions

Cooks for Christ gives "Excursions" a whole new meaning!

On May 19th The American Cancer Society held five Relay for Life events across the upstate of South Carolina. Four were rained out before they even got started. The only one that survived, was the one that Cooks for Christ attended. Perhaps God held the rains back until after our evangelism tent had served it purpose, which after midnight really seemed to become a hot spot, with as many as 10 young adults at one time.

I owe a huge thank you to all that worked so miserably hard at this Mega event. We ran across some extreme resistance, and even though it took several hours to get organized, we met the challenge and glorified God.

Our site was awesome, the food was awesome, the fellowship was awesome, the evangelism was awesome and if you were not there, well then, you have no idea what awesome really is!

Cooks for Christ has held it’s first 2006 “Reel Vacation” in Sabastian, Florida. Like all my previous “Reel Vacations” my intention was to temporally cater and spiritually minister to my guests, and provide them the best possible ocean fishing vacation experience within a Christian fellowship setting. But unlike previous events, this one started with trial, was seasoned with toil and remained tainted by tribulation. And yet it still was one of the greatest vacations I have ever had.

As Luke Roy and I prepared the boat the night before we left, I remembered I had forgotten to find a place for my dog (D-O-G) to stay, so she had to come with us even though she used to get sea sick. Strangely that never happened and she seemed to enjoy herself during the whole trip. Even during the days and the nights she spent on the boat. What a dog! But she still won’t eat fish, go figure!

However, before we left, Luke and I found that the boat trailer main frame tubes were rusted and one was cracked in half. After hours of welding I seared some flesh off my left arm on a hot metal plate. The next, night, the night we were to leave for Florida, a Van ran me and my motorcycle off the roadway and I seared some more flesh off my right arm, presumably from the muffler system, as I high-sided off my bike and into a field. But I long ago learned how to wreck a motorcycle, so, with no serious harm done, Luke and I left to drive, non-stop, all night to Sebastian.

So when we arrive in Florida, Luke and I checked out the Sebastian Inlet State Park and ended up sleeping a couple of hours while we waited for the rest of our vacation party to arrive in town. Luke is so tired, and the truck is so packed, the crazy kid ends up sleeping on top of the two refrigerators we brought along with us! Luke is hard worker and sometimes he works hard at sleeping. He, He, He, sorry Luke!

Later that day the rest of our party arrives in town and we unload all our gear into our two bedroom Resort Suite!

Amusingly the resort calls that tiny thing in the picture a full kitchen! Well at least it was after we wheeled two refrigerators and a freezer into the now full dining room!

One thing for sure, we weren’t going hungry and we weren’t eating out.

During this vacation, most of those that actually could be called my family, would all be there with me. This included my sister, my mother and father, and my biological father and his wife, and my Grandmother.

Of course, not all at once, as that would have been a little awkward for obvious reasons.

So after we arrived at the resort and unloaded 2 or 3,000 lbs of gear, my sister and I left mom and dad at the resort, and went to pick up her fishing license. We drove one block, to the local bait and tackle shop and my biological father greets us at the door. By God’s providence, he works less than 300 yards from where we are staying! Rather shocking to say the least.

So everyone gets a license and we go fishing. My sister hooks a huge one, it’s as long as she is tall, 4’11”, or 5’0” if you ask her, but it turns out not to be real, just a stuffed bass from Cabelas.

Better luck next time sis!

Over the next few days we fish during the day and sometimes at night, which is something you must experience before you die and go to Heaven, because I don’t think that River of Life actually has any fish in it.

So, one day we run into a school of croaker so thick my sister is pulling them in so fast, all I have time to do is throw them in the live well and re-bait her hook. Of course these 8”-10” croaker were not for eating, they were for live bait.

Anyway the toil continues for me as the boat continues to act up. But Luke and I keep everything running. Until finally we pull up to the boat ramp after spending the night on the boat and some evil sinner has stolen some vital bolts off my trailer! The situation is utterly outrageous, but we have no choice but to load the boat and drive to the hardware store. Many hours later everything is fixed! Again!

But this is followed by an incredible day of catching sailcat and missing several huge fish. We even followed an immense 6 or 7’ wide manta ray! After years on the ocean, I had never even seen one before, except on TV. We also saw dolphin and sea turtles and even manatees.

One morning I saw a large black cloud of fish about a quarter mile away, and a half mile off shore, so thinking it was a school of bait fish we headed right toward it. When we got close enough to see it wasn’t bait fish, it was too late, we had scattered a huge school of perhaps 100, 50+ pounds Tarpon, the very fish we went to Florida to catch. I never saw another Tarpon all week. Aaaarrrg!!

But all was not lost, on one of the nights we spent on the Indian River we were catching rather large sailcat when I hooked and landed a 35+ pound grouper, IN THE RIVER on a 9” live croaker!

I let my sister hold it because I didn’t want her to feel bad about me beating out her 10 pound sailcat, which I must admit was rather puny compared to my monster grouper! He, He, He, sorry sis!

But the next day we were fishing directly in the Sebastian Inlet, where the water flows about 10mph continuously. We dropped my huge 40 pound river anchor to hold the boat in place and went to fishing. But when we went to leave, we discovered my anchor was terribly stuck to something on the bottom. For the next four hours I tried every trick in the book, to get my expensive anchor back. I even tried defying death by diving in the fast moving water. But to no avail, it was hopelessly stuck. So even though we could see the anchor chain, we eventually had to cut the rope and go home.

So what does any of this have to do with God or Providence or anything you would be interested in reading about? It’s all about being faithful, no matter what. It’s about serving others even when your anchor has you tied down. It’s all about being Christ-like even when things are at there worst.

You see I didn’t know it, but my sister, the one who’s family I drove down to Tucson to minister to, was watching me. On one of our last days she said “This is the best vacation I ever had.” I responded “I can’t see how you can say that when we have faced trial after trial ever other day, and we have been on the verge of disaster nearly every day.” And my sister said, “No, we didn’t face trial after trial, you did, I just sat back and watched you suffer and struggle for hours to fix a trailer, keep a boat running and then go home and cook us a fabulous dinner every night. It amazed me to see how hard you worked and all the things you tried just to save a silly anchor. I came here to relax and now I am going home, after watching you work so hard, motivated to do more for God than I was. Your work was a witness to me of Jesus.”

Seems I caught the big fish, but my sister went home with something more valuable. A motivation to be more for God. I wish we all could say that.

Brother Terry Walker
864-363-5006
biblicallyravenous@yahoo.com
Providence Baptist Church
Greer, South Carolina

The Witness

During my years on this earth I have heard many religious witnesses, mostly false, some true, and even fewer, faithfully sincere! When I was a Jehovah Witness I did very little witnessing for Jehovah, and most of it was fictitious and certainly not sincere. But when God saved me, I actually had a witness, but by then I was scared to death to speak for fear of leading someone astray. But the other believers around me couldn’t seem to keep quite; they were constantly talking about Christ or at least religion. The problem was that some of these witnesses never grew past the stage of salvation; there was no wisdom in their witness. Beyond the innate understanding of their own salvation, their opinions, not the Bible, served as the basis for their conversation. The Bible says that “where there is much talk, there is much sin” and I believe this to be true for any believer who’s voice exceeds his biblical understanding. I think we would all be wise to follow a simple rule for every word that we speak. If you are not willing to die for what you say, shut up!

However this does not relieve a believer, even a newborn believer, of his responsibility to be “a minister of the New Covenant”. In this endeavor the Bible says that you, as a believer, are sufficient. Your salvation is immediately a powerful witness for Christ. Speak boldly! Speak what you know! And speak no more! There are many examples of people who witnessed for Christ in the Bible. Many of the people healed by Jesus immediately witnessed to others what Jesus had done for them. Understandably, these were saved and unsaved individuals who were witnessing of healing, not salvation. But I have found no example of a “newborn” believer immediately going into a synagogue and teaching Scripture. Our sufficiency in all things comes from our Lord, Who is certainly capable of giving you what you need to know when you need to know it. A wise witness never witnesses beyond what God has given him to understand. But do not remain a “milky newborn”; study to show yourself approved and your witness will grow in God given wisdom. The meat of the Word is satisfying indeed. Be satisfied and let what comes out of your mouth be no more than what went in.

But of all the witnesses that I have heard in my life they all have something in common. They all were voluntary witnesses. They witnessed of Christ because they wanted too. But recently I had a whole new experience. I saw a new way to witness for Christ. The interesting thing is that you don’t actually say anything and it isn’t voluntary. If I have peeked your interest, then let us proceed.

A short time ago I met with Brother Paul, for lunch and fellowship, and while that alone would make any true believer’s day, my heart on this day was particularly burdened. I had questions burning in my mind as to how it was possible to serve in a very public way, without messing up your intentions to glorify God, with pride or selfish interests. Is the using of your gifts for service the same as monetary tithing? What if someone offers to pay you back? And what if you have several gifts? Should you use them all? Is all talent a God given gift? What if you have wide ranging general talent? Isn’t a Christian called to be a specialist, not a “jack of all trades”? And why does panic strike me if someone is verbally thankful for something God gave me to do? The bottom line; I was in all out war with my evil pride, and I wasn’t sure how to keep it in check, while glorifying Christ. These questions were robbing me of the joy I should have in serving my church and you, my fellow believers in Jesus.

When I arrived at the restaurant along with my friend Steven Burch, we discovered that Scott Batson was also at our table. Having never really met before, I thought “the more the merrier, if this poor guy wants to share in my dilemmas so be it”. I soon discovered that Scott is an Elder in our church for a reason; because he embodies all the necessary qualities that the Bible demands of a man in such a position, namely, Scott has a heart for serving his bothers and glorifying Christ without a heart for glorifying himself in the process. My three companions quickly had my mindset straight and my will ever more determined to mercilessly slaughter my flesh. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

So it was, that I met Scott Batson. And I left that restaurant having been comforted by a wise man, that I now had a great desire to know better. So it was with no small curiosity that I attended the church wide meeting, only days ago, to hear what was to be said concerning Scott Batson and his friends.

It quickly became apparent that this meeting was being held to lovingly call wayward church members and long time friends of Scott’s family to repentance. I felt suddenly odd about reviewing the details of Mr. Batson’s personal life. I somehow felt dishonorable and wanted to leave, but figured God must have a purpose in this, Scott must have a purpose, and our church must have a purpose. So I searched for a purpose beyond the obvious act of love for wayward souls; so I listened to what was said and I read every detail.

And then God did something wonderful. Amidst all the contracts and numbers and dates and letters, God revealed to me a heart, the heart of a Samaritan who did not walk by when he found a brother in need, the heart of a wife who would accept financial loss for the sake of a friend and sister in Christ. Scott and Renee did so with no small effort and in anonymous privacy without seeking acknowledgement. The Holy Spirit has truly worked a work in believers such as these. At every turn they acted out of love for their friends and fear of God, striving for a heavenly reward instead of earthly notoriety.

It was never Scott’s plan for anyone to know what he and his family so lovingly did for his friends. Nor would Scott ever write such words as these about himself, but I will, because Scott’s plan to privately glorify Jesus was not God’s plan. Sometimes you can glorify God in private, and sometimes God requires that you give an account of what He has done for you.

For His glory! For His majesty!
For He alone is worthy of praise! Amen!

Just like the blind man when he was healed, witnessed and proclaimed the name of Jesus, so now do Scott and Renee’s lives stand, for all to see, as a shining example of the power of submitted lives to Christ.

Praise the Lord for He is mighty and sovereign and works all things for His glory. Praise Him for exposing this awesome witness, not a voluntary “newborn” witness of salvation, but the un-voluntary witness of seasoned believers with a life style of good works tempered with wisdom and faith. The apostle Paul once told people to look at his life and imitate him. Do as he does, live as he lives! And while I doubt that Scott would ever utter these words, his life never the less speaks them just the same.


Praise the Lord God Almighty for this work He has done in our brother. What an awesome witness it was.

Brother Terry Walker
864-363-5006
biblicallyravenous@yahoo.com
Providence Baptist Church
Greer, South Carolina

To Edify a Body - an Introduction

James 3:2-12 says, “We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way.” Wow, in this verse God clearly states that if we can control our tongues, then all other aspects of our lives will fall harmoniously in line. I love it when God makes it easy. Just keep your mouth shut and life is good. But wait, who of us does not like to hear himself talk? Yes, the world is a better place because God gave you a mouth with which you can tell everyone all about you. Try as we might we simply can’t help ourselves. Just like Job’s friends, who were a silent blessing to him for six days, when they could bear it no longer, they opened their mouths and everything went downhill from there.

Wouldn’t it be grand if we could simply chuck all this useless idle talk, chatter, teasing, joking, rumors, slander, chitchat, clamor, gossip and hearsay? Not only would it be grand but it is exactly what our God commands us to do.

Ephesians 4:29-31 says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, so that it will bring grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Isn’t that a great verse? In it you not only have a reminder of your assurance of salvation, but you are given the God given purpose for speaking. You are instructed how to speak, when to speak, and what your goal in speaking should be. And if that isn’t enough it even tells you the result of your poor speech habits, you grieve the Holy Spirit of God, Who is forced to listen to all of your idle talk and gossip. Think about that the next time you are talking about your wife in the lunchroom at work.

The fact is that even Scripture, the very word of God, can be spoken sinfully if you are using it at an inappropriate time or in a manner that is not based on the purpose of glorifying God and edifying the person to whom you are speaking.

Recently I was invited to purposefully edify others, to feed another flock. They in turn were invited to our church. The result of our mutual visits would be an exchange of letters of edification. I thought it a simply, minor task. Intending to write a complimentary, flattering, accolade, I went home and searched my computer Bibles for an example. Excepting the whole of Song of Solomon, I could find not one example of a flattering discourse. Presuming my definition of “edify” in error, I looked up the word and found my natural stupidity verified. To edify someone does not mean to compliment them, it means something much deeper. It means to leave them enlightened and informed. It means to teach them, educate them, instruct them and as a result of your speech, leave them improved. The Greek word for edify means “to build”.

Suddenly my task seemed much harder. Without forgetting that I am to love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind, and I am to love my neighbor as I love myself, how does one edify someone else without ticking them off? So I searched my computer Bibles again and this time I found many examples of apostles edifying others, even those that they had not yet met. The Apostle Paul wrote many wonderful examples of edifying letters, and I chose Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as the basis for my letter. But surely even Paul’s letters occasionally left people angry.

So how does one properly edify out of a motive of love without leaving people angry? I don’t think the answer lies in the hands of the edifier, but rather it is the responsibility of the person being edified to receive the edification in a Godly manner.

Hebrews 12:5-11 says, And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Brother Terry Walker
864-363-5006
biblicallyravenous@yahoo.com
Providence Baptist Church
Greer, South Carolina

Of Argots and Idioms and Denominational Divisions – It’s A Human Thing!

My wonderful Christian sister, both biologically and spiritually, recently enlightened me to a particular problem that we should all consider and address in our own lives. The problem is the use of "argots." An "argot" is a specialized vocabulary or set of idioms used by a particular group or culture. (My sister, unlike me, is quite a gifted intellectual.) She correctly believes that the use of such jargon obstructs evangelism and hinders those that might come to know Christ, if it were not for Christians being guilty of throwing around their theological slang. She says, “Argot hinders, yet Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, . . .”” (Matthew 19:14)

My response is thus: How right you are, your understanding is truly insightful. We as humans, especially Christians, seem to love nothing more than to analyze, categorize and on and on until we have lost the fact that it is the heart that matters, not the title, it is the heart that matters, not the semblance of obedience, it is the heart that matters, not the religion. For out of the heart arises your belief, your motive and your manner of life. Why must we complicate things with the use of terms that merely confuse the masses, both laymen Christians and the unsaved alike? With all the ‘ism’s and the ‘ist’s I hear on a weakly basis, I could spend more time in the dictionary than in the Word. I wonder, is there really a need for a true Christian to concern himself with obtaining knowledge of these seemingly endless terms?

When God was asked who He is, He did not recite a litany of Christian theological gobbledygook, (how’s that for argot) He simply said, "I Am". And just before Jesus Christ breathed His last while hanging on the cross, He summed up His entire purpose for His life on earth, the fact that He had perfectly achieved every purpose that His Father had sent Him to accomplish, in a single word, when He said "It" is finished.

Oh yes, Christians are guilty; we are no better, in the slightest, than the unsaved heathens that surround us. We, without Christ are incapable of anything good, are hearts are desperately evil. It is only grace that God chose to give us, which separates us and makes us any different than those on the wide path that leads to destruction and hell. Furthermore, we as Christians have yet to be glorified through Christ, so even though we are dead to sin while yet alive, we yet sin because our flesh is yet sinful by nature. Pride is a main downfall, pride is why some of us use fancy terminology, pride puffs up, and wisdom begets pride. Some Christians use these meaningless terms because, the use of them makes them feel good about themselves and superior to others. These Christians do not have a heart for dying to their own flesh, they have not yet understood that they are nothing without God, that grace alone, is the only reason they are set apart, if they in fact are saved at all. Yes, absolutely, useless argot hinders.

As with most everything, words, even seemingly innocent words, can become sin when used inappropriately, and anyone who uses them indiscriminately all the time, obviously is not following Ephesians 4:29-31. The new covenant gives Christians both a true freedom (from the law), and great amounts of Christian liberties, as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:17 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” But Paul clearly let us know in Romans that we should be very careful with our Christian liberty. If it causes a person to stumble, as in the example of the child (Matthew 19:14), then we are to refrain. He used the example of eating meat in Romans 14:20-23. Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these things in themselves. But it is wrong to eat anything if it makes another person stumble. Don’t eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another Christian to stumble. You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is all right. But if people have doubts about whether they should eat something, they shouldn’t eat it. They would be condemned for not acting in faith before God. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

Paul said that if by eating meat, he caused a person to stumble then he would never eat meat again (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). For instance, drinking or gambling, when done with limitation, is not a sin, Christians are free to indulge, and in the case of drinking, even instructed to do so on occasion (1 Timothy 5:23).

Yet the act of drinking causes many weak Christians and Pagans alike to look upon a Christian drinker as a hypocrite. This diminishes the power of the Christian drinker’s testimony, tearing apart the work of God, so a mature Christian learns this and simply forgoes his liberty, for the glory of God.

But let us take this even further and to a much larger issue, the division caused by denomination. There will be no Lutherans, no Baptists, no Catholics not even a single Presbyterian in Heaven. In addition there will be no family units or no marriage in Heaven. The only division that God will use to divide the human race is the division of the elect from the non-elect, the divisional judgment of the saved and the unsaved. In reality, we are all one body of Christ, one bride of Christ. All true Christians serve the same God. It is out of human pride and ignorance that we choose to separate ourselves into denominations based on religious preference and not the principles and will of God. It is not the Word of God that creates the denominational divisions, but human interpretational error and arrogance. While false religions (based on anything but the will and Word of God) are out there, it is not of those that I speak, but the Bible believing religions that choose to take out of the Bible only what they feel is appropriate for them. We will all be judged by the whole of the Bible, not what we felt was appropriate for us. Yes, absolutely, useless argot hinders, but denominational division hinders much more, pitting Christian against Christian, usually in aspects of the Bible that God Himself saw no need to clearly define, preferring to leave those issues to faith rather than knowledge. The Bible says it is sufficient, not for omniscience, but every God intended aspect of human existence.

An example of denominational division: A short time ago I was witnessing to a group of people, they were very excited, feasting on the word as I presented it in truth; they asked what my denomination was. I told them I was Baptist and immediately some turned away. Whether I attend a particular denomination does not affect the truth of the Bible, or my understanding of it. Truth is truth regardless of whether the teacher is a preacher, pastor, minister, priest, reverend or just a plain pew-warming layman. The fact is, the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to think of anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Who is sufficient as ministers of the new covenant? All Christians are. Where does our adequacy come from; ourselves; our denomination, our church? NO, NO, NO. Our adequacy is entirely from God. The fact is that while people may be affected by useless “Christianese”, they are far more affected by their own errant preconceived misunderstanding of the beliefs of other individuals, based solely on the other individual’s denomination. In other words, Christians judge others to be of a certain set of preconceived beliefs or actions just because they belong to a differing denomination, even though the teaching of the other person’s individual church may stand in contrast to those preconceived beliefs. It is so easy to do, it’s almost natural, but it is devastating to the body of Christ.

After much thought, I believe that I do not associate myself with any denomination, but rather I am strictly a Jesus loving, Bible doer. If anything, I should be categorized as an anti-humanist. I am sure that ‘ist exists. But to me it means that I believe in the absolute total depravity and uselessness of man outside of God, and should God choose to save us, then it is only by grace that we are capable of amounting to anything whatsoever.

To me, denomination is the most worthless part of religion, as if anyone really knows what their denomination’s “confession of faith” really is, much less any other faith’s. The fact is that if you study most confessions of faith of the mainstream religions, there are some principle differences, but every one I have ever read, even the “1689 Baptist Confession of Faith” had human errors. But these confessions of faith have little meaning anymore, anyway, as all the faiths have turned from the truth, preferring to satisfy the masses rather than to judge within. They must, because this is predicted in the Bible in numerous places such as 2 Timothy 3:1-5 You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.

You can go to 10 different churches and hear 5 different theologies and none of them follow their own confession of faith. As we read, this will get worse and worse as time goes by until the day of the Lord. The reason for this is that we are losing touch with God’s intended purpose for us. Today we seem to prefer having our ears tickled rather than our souls pierced. That is why you can find a spirit filled church next to a completely dead one. Because we have lost focus on the truth, that we were created for the sole purpose of loving God and loving each other. But how are we to get back to loving God. 1 John 2:3-6 says it all, Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

It’s all there, if you want to love God and to love others in accordance with the will of God, simply live as Christ lived and keep His Father’s commandments. Sound tough? Remember agape love is not a love of feelings, but rather it is primarily a love of the will. So simply change your will. Still not enough? Do you still not understand that it is not in your power that you accomplish anything, but God’s? Your sufficiency comes from God, not you! If you know God, then you are in Him. Is not God strong enough to make you what He says He wants you to be? All you have to do is get out of His way, die to your self, and hold on for the ride. Still not enough? Perhaps you feel weak and alone. But wait, the Bible says you are not alone, God is always there with you, you in Him and He in you. But that is not all! As a saved Christian you are now part of the body of Christ. You are part of the betrothed bride of Christ, of which Jesus does not add unwanted parts only to cast them off later. Even the weaker parts are necessary! This should be your assurance, the power behind your will.

Romans 12:4-6 says
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

And 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 says
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Do you now see? All Christians are the body of Christ, now, while we are yet living, regardless of denomination, regardless of our giftedness, regardless of our Christian maturity or level of sanctification. We are in folks! It’s a done deal! God composed the body. Do you think it improperly composed? It is exactly what He meant it to be and if you are saved, you are part of it. That is assurance of faith! Assurance is why Stephen could forgive as he was stoned to death, why Shadrach and the others could defy the King, and why Abraham’s faith grew stronger while his body was dead. It is how you can have a peace beyond your own understanding, and do the will of God while loving those who do not deserve love. Assurance of faith is what empowers pathetic humans to “walk as He walked” while we are yet encumbered by our evil filled flesh. God has commanded us to walk, God has made us sufficient to walk, God has made us into one unified singular body to walk, and God has empowered us to walk. So by God, let’s walk!

Brother Terry Walker
864-363-5006
biblicallyravenous@yahoo.com
Providence Baptist Church
Greer, South Carolina

For God’s Glory, Man, Think About the Consequence!

Most mature Christians are well aware that repentance, faith and sanctification are all gifts from God, and yet the Bible says it is our responsibility to repent, believe and work out our own salvation. There is of course a mystery concerning the connection between the sovereignty of God and man’s responsibility. So while others persuade you of God’s grace and mercy, so too please allow me to persuade you of your duty as true Christians.

When I was young a friend told me, “Life is short, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow, you gotta’ live your life like every day is your last.”

So I did. I seized the day!

Well, guess what? He was wrong! Oh sure, life is but a vapor, but it sure don’t seem that way when there is a price to pay, and every poor choice you make has a consequence.

No, life is long, and that bus won’t hit you tomorrow, or the next day. Instead you will wake up in the morning, wondering what you were thinking, but it will be too late, you done did your dirty deed. And now you gotta’ live with it.

One day you are sinless, listening to your wife in the garden, the next you are toiling, barely gettin’ by from the sweat of your brow. You marry an Egyptian and the next thing you know you’re worshipping another god. You take another man’s wife and the next thing you know your kids are trying to kill you. You are passing through the valley of Sorek, and the next thing you know, you’re vexed to your soul as the Philistines poke your eyes out.

But don’t get me wrong, don’t blame the woman, it’s your own fault, you forgot your life is not your own, you have been bought with a price, Jesus didn’t spare His own blood to save you.

And now look at you! What was fun for a season now seems like a distant horrid memory. Grief and shame comes over you like familiar enemies, regret and remorse like cruel adversaries. True repentance brings restoration, but alas, the consequence remains.

Thankfully your God is a loving God, and mercy is His name, but He is known by another name, Justice, and so your future sins, those you have yet to commit, will not go unnoticed.

So I plead with you young people, gain knowledge from someone far wiser than yourself, listen to the seasoned brother who has tested and learned many things the hard way, and who has become well acquainted with grief over sin.

Choose carefully; make every decision, even the smallest choice, with the greatest of care and thoughtfulness, with concern towards God’s glory, knowing that God is watching. Do not make your choices alone, but with men wiser than yourself, so that you may avoid an abundance of consequence.

There is one thing I have learned in a long life of stuborn disobedience; there is no sin worth its consequence.

Those with grey hair have learned these things to spare you from the same. Forget your feelings and emotions, instead think; then act with a conscience toward God, and if it seems you are unable, then at least think of the consequence and do not choose recklessly.

Brother Terry Walker
864-363-5006
biblicallyravenous@yahoo.com
Providence Baptist Church
Greer, South Carolina