“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This short verse defines what faith is. It is “substance” and “evidence.” In other words, faith is foundational and objective. Faith is not a guess or a wish. It is not a fairy tale. Faith is real and will overcome the world (I Jn. 5:4-5)! How strong is YOUR faith? Study Hebrews 11:1 this week. Act now and strengthen your faith.

- Jarrod Jacobs

An Eye-Opening Appeal …

       The following is an excerpt from an address by the cardinals in the Roman Church to Pope Pius III. (Note: Pius III lived in 1503.)

       “Of all the advice that we can offer, Your Holiness, we must open your eyes well and use all possible force in the matter, namely, to permit the reading of the gospel as little as possible in all the countries under your jurisdiction. Let the very little part of the gospel suffice which is usually read in mass, and let no one be permitted to read more. So long as people will be content with the small amount, your interest will prosper; but as soon as the people want to read more, your interest will fail. The Bible is the book, which more than any other, has raised against us the tumults and tempests by which we have almost perished. In fact, if one compares the teachings of the Bible with what takes places in our churches, he will soon find discord, and will realize that our teachings are often different from the Bible, and oftener still, contrary to it.”

Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?!?

(From: The National Library of Paris, folio No. 1068, Vol. 2, pp 650 and 651.

My Source: The Sower, Vol. 51, No. 5, September/October 2006)

Thought: “When the watchman on the wall can no longer recognize the enemy, the city is as good as lost!”

   God has always wanted His people to be watchmen (Isa. 62:6-7). Spiritually, His people today are to be watchmen in the church (Acts 20:31). The watchman is responsible for watching out for the enemy (Satan, I Pet. 5:8) and warning God’s people against his advances (Col. 1:28). Therefore, just as a city is lost when the watchmen fails in his job, so also the church is lost when the watchman is either too ignorant, or too rebellious to recognize Satan, and warn Christians of his devices (II Cor. 2:11).

- Jarrod Jacobs

“The Bible Is Full Of Lies!”

Jarrod Jacobs

            Have you ever heard someone say that the Bible is full of lies? I have. Have you ever considered the fact that in a sense those who say this are right? Yes, the Bible records several lies that were told ….

            For example, Satan lied when he told Eve that she could eat of the forbidden fruit and would “not surely die” (Gen. 3:4). Because of this and many other lies, Christ called Satan the “father” of lies (Jn. 8:44).

            It is apparent that many prophets have lied through the years. Peter said “there were false prophets also among the people ...” (II Pet. 2:1). Yes, the words of the false prophets, the lies they told, are recorded in the Bible that we might hear and fear!

            Ananias and Sapphira lied when they pretended to give all their money to the apostles to benefit the poor saints. They didn’t actually do that, though (Acts 5:1-11).

            Hymenaeus and Philetus were guilty of lying to Christians when they told them “the resurrection is past already” (II Tim. 2:17-18).

            Let us heed the warning of John who said that one who would deny that Jesus is the Christ “is a liar” (I Jn. 2:22).

            Also, the apostle Peter lied when he said he did not know Christ (Matt. 26:74; Mk. 14:71).

            Yes, the Bible records many who lied, but for all of the lies, we find God’s Truth is there to defeat and denounce each and every lie (Jn. 17:17; Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2)! Don’t be guilty of lying. Rather, speak the truth with all (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9)!

Almost

Jarrod Jacobs

            The word “almost” is used several times in the Bible. Some of the times when this word is used include: 1) When the people were thirsty, Moses asked God, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” (Ex. 17:4). 2) When Asaph was frustrated when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, he said: “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled ...” (Ps. 73:2). 3) When Paul preached the gospel to Agrippa, he responded by saying, “Almost you persuade me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). What does “almost” imply?

            The word “almost” implies failure. In the case of Moses being stoned, or Asaph stumbling, that is good that it “almost” happened, but did not come to pass. However, in the case of Agrippa, it is different. Agrippa failed to believe and obey God. Therefore, he failed to be saved from his sins (Mk. 16:16). This is a tragedy!

            Also, the word “almost” implies sadness. In the case of Agrippa, it was sad to think he was so close to being saved, but he refused, and we never read in the Bible where he repented and was saved.

            Friend, don’t let your family follow your casket to your grave knowing that you were “almost” saved from your sins! Don’t die with your family knowing you failed at this! Truly great sadness is the result for the family left behind when someone dies in sin. Christ said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). Please be more than “almost persuaded” but be “altogether” saved! (Acts 26:29) Become a Christian today!