Al's Devotional

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  2Jn 1:9    and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ ; which he received from his Father, and delivered to his apostles, and of which he is the sum and substance; the doctrine which is concerning his person as the Son of God, and as truly God, and the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his one person; and concerning his office, as the Mediator, surety, and messenger of the covenant, and as the prophet, priest, and King of his church; and concerning his incarnation, obedience, sufferings, death, resurrection from the dead, ascension to heaven, session at God's right hand, intercession for his people, and second coming to judgment; concerning peace and pardon by his blood, atonement by his sacrifice, justification by his righteousness, and complete salvation by him: this...

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.   2Jn 1:7 -9     2 John 1:7-9 In this principal part of the epistle we find, I. The ill news communicated to the lady; -seducers are abroad: For many deceivers have entered into the world. This report is introduced by a particle that bespeaks a reason of the report. "You have need to maintain your love, for there are destroyers of it in the world. Those who subvert the faith destroy the love; the common faith is one ground of the common love;" or, "You must secure your walk according t...

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  1Jn 1:5      The clergy God's messengers   All rightly ordained ministers of Christ are God's messengers. Our office is not merely of man's appointment; we hold it from the Lord. We are sent to remind you of God's will, to be His witnesses unto you (Heb 2:1-4). Consider, then, the message which we bring unto you, whence it comes, and upon what authority. " I have a message from God unto thee ." That message began to be preached by the Lord Himself, by Him who said, " He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father ." The apostles, who were eyewitnesses of His majesty and glory, have handed down His words to us in the New Testament. To show that they were sent by God they wrought miracles (Mar 16:16). We are invested with God's authority to warn, to teach, ...

Rightly D ividing the W ord of T ruth     Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2Ti 2:15   I. The Vulgate version translates it—and with a considerable degree of accuracy—" Rightly handling the word of truth ." What is the right way, then, to handle the word of truth? 1. It is like a sword, and it was not meant to be played with. It must be used in earnest and pushed home. 2. He that rightly handles the word of God will never use it to defend men in their sins, but to slay their sins. 3. The gospel ought never to be used for frightening sinners from Christ. 4. Moreover, if we rightly handle the word of God we shall not preach it so as to send Christians into a sleepy state. We may preach the consolations of the gospel till each professor feels "I am safe enough: there is no need to...

Dear All, John Owen and Thomas Boston were Puritan's writing in the early 1700's.  Their comments were made as sermon notes for others to expound upon.  I thought with the elections and such, that this would be a good time to think about what they had said so long ago. ~Al This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come .  2Ti 3:1   Perilous times I. The manner of the warning. " This know also ." 1. It is the duty of ministers to foresee and take notice of the dangers which the churches are falling into. 2. It is the great concern of all professors and believers to have their hearts very much fixed upon present and approaching dangers. 3. Not to be sensible of a present perilous season is that security which the scripture so condemns; and I will leave it with you under these three things— (1) It is that frame of heart which of all o...

Beloved, God asked Israel some Divine Questions which we as a nation should ponder. ~Al O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?   Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.  Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.  Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.  Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.  Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.  ...

Dear All, I am sad for our country.  It reminds me of the scripture in Jeremiah, Thine own wickedness shall correct thee .  Time is short, we need to be doing the Lord's Will. ~Al Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?  And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.  For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.  ...

From Open Doors: But now, this is what the LORD says…"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:1-2 Faith In The Midst Of Ashes Twenty-eight-year-old evangelist Wako Halekie works in the town of Tuka Argiso in the border area between Ethiopia and Kenya. This small town is mostly inhabited by Borena livestock herders and is effectively divided between Oromia and Somali regional states. As a result both states are claiming ownership over Tuka Argiso. The federal government tried to hold a referendum to resolve the dispute, but they were unsuccessful. Three years ago, Wako Halekie was assigned by his church to work as a missionary among the livestock herders in Tuka-Argiso. Despite their nomadic exis...