Innocent of Evil

The temperate person's pleasures are durable because they are regular; and all their life is calm and serene, because it is innocent.

Author Unknown

Romans 16:19-20

The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (HCSB)

Here at the end of Paul’s letter to the Roman church, we find the same rejoicing that Paul spoke of at the beginning. Paul began this letter in much the same way. In Romans 1:8 Paul says, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.” Paul rejoiced whenever Christ was manifested in the lives of people.

So here is a question for all of us this morning. Are there people around you that are saying the same thing about the way we live? This means that you are taking the second part of this verse very seriously also. It means you are growing wise in the ways of God and innocent in the ways of evil. Paul also mentions this in 1 Cor 14:20, “Brothers, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in evil and adult in your thinking.”

Paul here speaks of evil as people in the state of infancy that will not grow up to be adults in spiritual things. This means that they are not spreading the news of Christ’s power and grace in their lives, but they are controlled by the evil one in this world and bring shame to the Cross of Christ. They are not known in the world for expressing faith, but for a lack of faith having the reputation of a foolish child...God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

Saying Thankyou

Better than thanksgiving is thanksliving.

Author Unknown

Jeremiah 30:19 - Thanksgiving will come out of them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not decrease; I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant. (HCSB)

Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. (HCSB)

I have been in many churches where we reviewed the prayer list and checked on prayer needs and have besought the Lord’s grace on behalf of many. Most churches have this same list, a standing list of those that need prayer. But I have not seen in many churches a list of answered prayers which would result in praise to God for His work in our lives.

It is as if we just expect God to do these things; it’s just His business or duty to take care of us...right? The One and Only God, who created us and all that is around us to reflect His Glory is faithful and just, but wouldn’t it be a good thing to stop often and reflect on some specific things God has done for us, and is doing for us daily?

Wake up sleepers and rise from the daily doldrums of life and see what God has done for you. You should first give praise to God for being born in this rich and beautiful country, and then begin to thank Him for health, for food, for a roof over your head, for every way you can find that He has blessed you. But first of all thank Him for Calvary and for our redemption and salvation, give thanks for, and to our Jesus…God’s Blessingss.

Pastor William

Dissension In The Church

Each eye can have its vision separately; but when we are looking at anything our vision, which in itself is divided, joins up and unites in order to give itself as a whole to the object that is put before it, that whole is Jesus Christ.

John Calvin (1509-1564, French protestant reformer)

Romans 16:17-18

Now I implore you, brothers, watch out for those who cause dissensions and pitfalls contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them; for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (HCSB)

Opinions are like elbows; everybody has a couple. Opinions are many times the start of confusion in the Body of Christ. Opinions are not bad; in fact they are the source of fresh ideas in the Body of Christ. They do become a problem however when we think that our opinion is the always the right one.

After a decision is made then the opinions of what happened or was decided upon are not important. It is important then for everyone to unite in cause and in harmony and fellowship do the work of the church. But…alas, there is at times always a group that disagrees eternally, and seeks others that do, and impairs the harmony of the church.

How are you and I to handle disinters? We are to avoid them; they are not serving Christ when they are causing division in the church. Yet, I find people will run to these people to get the latest lowdown on what’s going on. When you listen to these people you feed the problem, but if you refuse to listen they may find their place and return to a peaceful existence in The Body of Christ…God’s Blessings

Pastor William

Seeking to Serve

If your cup seems too bitter, if your burden seems too heavy, be sure that it is the wounded hand that is holding the cup, and that it is me who carried the cross that is carrying the burden.

Author Unknown

Romans 16:6-12

Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were also in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow countryman. Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. (HCSB)

I must apologize for the lapse in Devotions, I have been quite busy, but it was a good busy. The Convention in Pensacola really showed me that maybe Southern Baptists are getting serious about turning the corner and putting the church back on track and working to spread the Gospel, rather than protect their traditions.

I will cover these scriptures which end the Greetings of Paul and end with the instruction to greet one another with a Holy Kiss. I find in these scriptures a common thread and it is this one. Paul was thanking those that had been working hard for Jesus. Paul was complimenting their faithfulness, and expressing his love and appreciation to them.

One thing lacking in today’s church is a lack of commitment. These people were on line for Christ. They didn’t come to the church because of what the church might have that would benefit them. No, they came to the church to work where they might be a benefit used by God. I think that is almost backwards of what most people are doing today when they go seeking a place to “worship”… isn’t it…God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

Working Together For Christ

Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people -- your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way.

Barbara Bush (1925-, American First Lady, wife of George H. Bush)

Romans 16:3-4

Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. (HCSB)

Paul is taking care of some important business here in the beginning of Chapter 16 of Romans, and it is a real good read if you are taking notice. Paul became known by many after his conversion. He says in Galatians that in some Judean provinces he was well known as the one who formerly persecuted the faith and people that he now loved.

He is thanking many here, and he also is lifting them up. If you will notice he acknowledges their senior faith and honor as believers that were “in” Christ, before him. Paul also takes the opportunity to thank those that have been striving with him in the faith for lost souls, and supporting the churches, even to the point of having church in their homes.

Why do I point all of this out? Well, it’s to highlight the fact that church is everyone’s job, and we all have something to do in it. Church isn’t something that we leave up to someone else, it is something that we give sacrificially for and work to see that it goes smoothly. It is also that which ties us together and makes us thankful for one another, and the best relationships are formed in the Work of Christ…God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

All On The Altar

Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure thing boat never gets far from shore.

Dale Carnegie (1888-1955, American trainer, author, "How to Win Friends and Influence People")

Romans 16:3-4Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. (HCSB)

I would dare say that there are not many risk takers out there anymore within the Christian church. So many seem to follow the lead of someone who comes out with the latest program or event, yet in the early Christian church, they were all risk takers, and not of a small degree. Paul commends Prisca and Aquila, for risking their lives for him.

This is a good question to ask Christians today. “To what extent will you go to hold to your Christian faith?” The time is drawing nearer to a time when being a Christian is not going to be a popular thing, nor is are you going to be viewed favorably just because you say you are a Christian. Many say they are Christians today that have no commitment to Christ.

One of the requirements of being one of Christ’s co-workers with Paul is a willingness to risk all that you have, and are, on Jesus. It is a good thing for Christians of this day to ask themselves, how much will I risk for Christ, and if you are not willing to risk your life, to have life, it’s time to resign. Jesus will only be greeting those on His return that placed their all on the altar…God’s Blessings.

Pastor William