Dr. J. Vernon McGee

The Wisdom of this World vs. The Wisdom of Almighty God

A Dr. McGee Quote
If the wisdom of this world in which we are living in is making any sense to you today, then I'll choose the foolishness of The Cross!

(1 Cor. 1:18-31)

John Vernon McGee was born in Hillsboro, Texas, in 1904. Dr. McGee remarked, "When I was born and the doctor gave me the customary whack, my mother said that I let out a yell that could be heard on all four borders of Texas!" His Creator well knew that he would need a powerful voice to deliver a powerful message.

As a student pastor, Dr. McGee's first church was located on a red clay hill in Midway, Georgia. It was there that he received his greatest compliment: "It was from a country boy wearing high buttoned, yellow shoes. After a morning service he came to speak to me. He groped for words, then blurted out, 'I never knew Jesus was so wonderful!'

He started to say more but choked up and hurried out of the church. As I watched him stride across the field, I prayed, 'Oh, God, help me to always preach so that it can be said, I never knew Jesus was so wonderful.'"After completing his education (earning his A.B. from Southwestern University in Memphis, Tennessee; his B.D. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; his Th.M. and Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas), and after pastoring Presbyterian churches in Decatur, GA, Nashville, TN, and Cleburne, TX, he and his wife came west, settling in Pasadena, where he accepted a call to the Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church. He recalls this period as the happiest in his life, with a young family and a young congregation whom he loved.

Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970. There he began a daily radio broadcast called "High Noon Bible Class" on a single station.

Dr. McGee began teaching Thru the Bible in 1967. After retiring from the pastorate, he set up radio headquarters in Pasadena, and the radio ministry expanded rapidly. Today the program airs on over 400 stations each day in the United States and Canada, is heard in more than 100 languages around the world and is broadcast worldwide via the Internet.

During his last few years, failing health demanded the cancellation of many speaking engagements. This was extremely distressing to him. There was no recurrence of an earlier bout with cancer during this time, only a weakening heart. Back in 1965, after radical surgery, the doctors had given him 6 months to live. The Lord gave him 23 years.

Dr. McGee and the Board of Directors planned in advance how the program would continue in the event of Dr. McGee's homegoing. The message would remain the same and the "voice" of Thru the Bible Radio would continue to be Dr. McGee, through the use of the taped 5-year program, except for those foreign language broadcasts, where the producers use the printed 5-volume Bible study to translate and produce the program.

On the morning of December 1, 1988, a few minutes after a visit with the then Associate Director of Thru the Bible, alert and in conversation centered around his concern for the continuance of the radio ministry, Dr. McGee fell asleep in his chair and quietly passed into the presence of his Savior.

If you'd like to know more about Dr. McGee, you might be interested in our hardback book The Whole Word for the Whole World: The Life and Ministry of J. Vernon McGee.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee

of Thru The Bible Ministries

...and may I say.... A Man of God and a blessed encouragement to the Ignorant Fishermen.

To Almighty God be the Glory!

DJP I.F.

In Light of the Conservative Convention

The CPAC Convention was held these last few days, firing up the Conservative base in light of our nation’s current socialistic and entitlement mentality (i.e., the “narcissistic crisis”). A variety of conservative speakers were on tap, and the commencing address was given by none other than the true leader of the Conservative movement, The Doctor of Democracy and America’s Real Anchorman: Rush Limbaugh.

For the last 20 years Rush has blazed the trail for the New Media via talk radio and set in motion a conservative media movement challenging that of the established “Drive-By” Media and the Liberal, Socialistic “Left.” As Americans, we owe a great debt of gratitude and praise for his fearless, never-ending pursuit of the truth over all these years.

As I listened to Rush I couldn’t help getting fired up. He was throwing out that delicious “red meat” that we conservatives love and believe in with all our hearts, but as he went on I couldn’t help but see the current reality inlight of the rhetoric and Rushtillian optimism.

In our human existence here in time, conservative values and morality are truly the best ideology for living here on planet earth. These values help to restrain the unbridled passions (i.e., Fallen Nature) of humanity and include personal accountability, individual responsibility, charity and caring for the well being of our fellow man.

As we have arrived in the day which now exists, these conservative principles have helped us to achieve the status of the greatest nation on earth. We were founded on the bedrock of a Judean/ Christian heritage from which all conservative values spring forth. Our founding Fathers comprehended how crucial our godly heritage would be in light of the freedoms that we posses. John Adams made the following statements:

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion (Christianity). Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.”

“Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion (Christianity) and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty. They will only exchange Tyrants and Tyrannies.”

John Adams and our founding fathers knew that once a firm reliance and sense of accountability to Almighty God dissipated, the door would be open to abandon our Constitution, and the resulting vacuum would bring in a Fascist state of tyranny.

It is not my place to reject the optimism and hope that was presented at the CPAC convention. God knows, we conservatives need it in light of the nation’s present conditions. As a student of history, however, such optimism is delusional in light of the realities at hand and the times in which we live.

Global tyranny exist today in such forms as European Socialism, Islamic Fascism and Terrorism, the Putin and Chavez Dictatorships, South and Central America Socialistic Communism, African Dictatorial Fascist Governments, Red China aggression, etc. Now in our own beloved country of these United States of America, we face the absolute erosion of the once prevalent Judean/Christian values and moral compass that guided us in our last 300 years. Since the 1960’s we have never recovered socially, and all the conservative ideals in the world will not stop the decay and erosion which has taken place. Now in our country led by President Obama and the Left-controlled House and Senate, what remains seems ready to disintegrate right before our eyes. When this is done absolutely nothing will be salvageable. (See Chart) Such an environment as exists at present has in the past empowered tyrants like Mussolini, Hitler, Mao and Stalin. This trend is a historical fact, and we can expect our county is certainly no different. Optimism and great expectations in the light of a nation adrift with a culture of subjectivism and narcissism is a delusion. Wake up CPAC Americans! We are hoping for the best as we are about to head right off a mile-high waterfall and perish in our good intentions.

The Conservative ideology in no way can ever change and correct the fallen nature of humanity. All that conservative values can do is contain that which will one day succumb to the heart desires and passions of fallen man. The bottom line is that our hope can only be found in the reality and truth of Almighty God and His Saving remedy for humanity.

This writer is not saying that we shouldn’t fight to preserve this once great country, to write our legislators and to voice our opinions while we still have time to do so. We should with all our might, but the reality is that there is no Utopia - Conservative or Liberal - that will bring human peace. That is the absolute hardest reality for men to swallow (conservative or liberal) and it is commonly rejected. When this reality is rejected the only thing left is to create an optimistic delusion found in both liberal and conservative camps.

In light of our present conditions at hand, in a similar situation at the brink of national apathy, unbelieving rejection and demise of the nation of Israel, Jesus made this profound statement to whosoevers that would listen to Him:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt 11:28-30).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

In these last days, Almighty God calls out to whosoevers that will have an ear to hear. Our hope and expectations are not found in us or in political ideologies, but in the Faithful and Trustworthy Person of Almighty God.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Rev 3:20).

As the days draw nigh and the Kingdom of God is at hand, may your only expectations be found in the wonderful promises and precious truths of Almighty God. In Him alone is found the consolation we need to get us through. Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, as taught by Almighty God through His Word? If not, put your trust in Him today.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:5-7).

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

DJP I.F.
Special thanks to BEL I.F.

THE BALLAD OF J.VERNON MCGEE

HE WAS BORN IN TEXAS IN 1904, ON A SNOWY COLD SUMMER'S DAY.
AND HE LET OUT A YELL FROM THAT BIRTH’N ROOM AND THEY ALL KNEW HE’D SOMETHING TO SAY.

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NOW HE GREW UP IN SNYDER AND HE TRAPPED HIS WAY AROUND, AND HE DRANK JIPP WATER FROM A WELL.
AND AT 14 HE LOST HIS DEAR O’L PA AND HAD TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES BY HIMSELF.
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(CHORUS)
HE’LL BE A MAN, WHO GOD’S HAND, WILL BE ON HIS LIFE, TO SHINE FORTH THE LIGHT.
HE WILL BRING THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE WORLD AND TESTIFY OF JESUS CHRIST.
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THOUGH TOUGH WAS HIS LIFE AND DIRECTION HE LACKED, HE PICKED COTTON AND BANKED TO MAKE HIS WAY.
THEN ONE EARLY MORN, HE HEARD THE OLD, OLD SONG AND BECAME A NEW CREATION THAT DAY.
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NOW HE HEARD THE GOSPEL CALL, THE CALL TO PREACH THE WORD AND HE KNEW THE GOOD LORD HAD A PLAN... AMEN!
AS HE STUDIED FOR THE MINISTRY, THE LORD LED HIM ALONG.
BY GOD'S GRACE HE WAXED STRONG AND TOOK HIS STANDS.
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(CHORUS)
HE’LL BE A MAN, WHO GOD’S HAND, WILL BE ON HIS LIFE, TO SHINE FORTH THE LIGHT.
HE WILL BRING THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE WORLD AND TESTIFY OF JESUS CHRIST.

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WELL THE BIBLE BUS IT ROLLS AND IT STILL ROLLS ON TODAY AND THERE IS MANY WHO HAVE COME TO TRUST THE LORD... AMEN!
AND IN A 100 DIFFERENT TONGUES YOU CAN HEAR J. VERNON SAY,
“MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU MY BELOVED”.
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(CHORUS)
HE WAS A MAN, WHO GOD’S HAND, WAS ON HIS LIFE, TO SHINE FOR THE LIGHT.
HE WILL BRING THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE WORLD AND TESTIFIED OF JESUS CHRIST.

This ballad was written in light of Dr. McGee's blessed ministry on our lives. He being dead yet speaketh! We play this ballad all the time with an Acoustic Guitar and Mandolin.

DJP I.F.

The Trojan Horse

World Net Daily has done it again and is also on the cutting edge informing the world. As I was making the rounds on my favorite news web sites, I saw the title on WND - Stimulus to ban religious worship. As I started to read the piece I was amazed to find what also was stuffed into this big pork sandwich called the “Stimulus Bill”. This “Stimulus Bill” was written totally for and by the Socialist Left Democratic Party of America. The ingredients of this bill are 93 % pork and 7% stimulus. This Stimulus Bill is none other then a Trojan horse full of bureaucracy and a leftist leaning agenda to dramatically change the course of the United States of America forever. What is most alarming is that this bill will most likely pass. We as a nation are on the precipice of absolute social change and full blown secular socialism. Our leaders in Washington are seeking more and more power. This bill is an absolute abomination to all that our founding Fathers held so dear and fought so hard to preserve. At the core of our Founders ideal was the Freedom of Religious practice. Our country was founded on these very Judean/Christian values, everything that the Left hates and despises.

Deceive, Deceive, Deceive

Thank God today for the New Media, Talk Radio and the Internet to sound out the warning cry. The New Media some what holds back the endless flood of the Leftist Main Steam Media and Washington elitism. 25 years ago many of these facts would have been absolutely suppressed by the Liberal Main Stream Media and we would be left with out a voice. The name Stimulus is a euphemism to conceal the true nature of this bill. This bill is a Trojan horse to deceive the American people and it’s multitudes of apathetic, social program, depended addicts which live on Uncle Sam’s Plantation.

Alarming Subtlety

Sen. DeMint on the floor of the house today informed American’s about an alarming provision in this Trojan horse that would limit religious expression of students on university campuses that have accepted government funds. This subtle move by the Left to destroy the biblical teaching and sharing of Almighty God’s Word any were Government funds are giving is an absolute outrage. Many of the Universities in America started off with a strong Christian and Biblical foundation. Yale, Harvard, Princeton to name a few. Be not alarmed, these things must be.

The Word of God warns of the global mood and it’s leaders in the last days before Christ’s return to earth.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Tim 3:12, 13).

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:1-70).

As America moves ever more leftward to a secular socialistic nation, may our voices be heard in Washington doing all we can to fight the power. The reality of the situation though is this - May we place your hope, trust and expectations only in Almighty God in these last days of America and of this world. May our eyes ever be looking unto the Lord and not too man for guidance and leadership. God has a great plan for all who put their trust in Him! (Proverbs 3:5-7)

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

DJP I.F.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE?

What a person finds important, of value, is vitally connected to what one's society finds important. The safety of a nation is surely related to what it values. Good and healthy values maintain the existence of a nation. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

As our nation abandons its historic healthy foundation, it will be unable to survive the tests of rightness and reality. It is only solid ground that offers support to the good and bad. A nation that has little or no place for moral rightness, traditional family structure, etc., cannot last. It is within a healthy society that things not so healthy and even worse can exist and have a place and hope for a good recovery. As we are indifferent to and even vote for the losing of healthy values then we are left with unhealthy values. Such unhealthy conditions are like the flea finding no good home in the dead cat.

As we abandon God-honoring family structure and moral standards, we assure the present and future generation of much trouble. Our present needs, wants and wrongs have no refuge apart from a safe moral and family environment. Failed marriages, even the absence of legal marriages, make for troubled and troublesome young people. A people away from God's good order are like a train off its tracks. Neither shall rightly advance.

The God-ordered values of MARRIAGE (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4), FAMILY, DISCIPLINE, MORAL RIGHTNESS, WORK, LAW AND ORDER, RESPECT, DECENCY, etc., are always safe and sure standards.

God's Values Do Not Change
“For I am the LORD, I CHANGE NOT; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 3:6-7). “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:11-12).

God's Values Allow For Grace
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should PERISH, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise PERISH” (Luke 13:3,5). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

God's Values Set the Standard For Our Values
“He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him...He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings” (John 14:21,23,24). “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7,8,9).

Our values must realistically line up with God's RIGHTNESS. God's RIGHTNESS is put on display in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ whom God values. Our values need to line up with God's. To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to value God's Rightness. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4). “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10)

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

MBC I.F.
Posted with permission

Cooking the Frog

Never before in the history of the United States has America been on the precipice of a totally Socialistic Government Society. In this past year there has been a tremendous over-the-top push to socialize "The Land of The Free" by the freewheeling Liberal Media and the Socialist Democratic party. It is indeed a very well-oiled machine! Those who don't feel threatened by this Socialistic Movement are oblivious to the slow, subtle process it toils in. Socialism creates a zombie-like unmotivated state in which sloth is rewarded and hard work is penalized. It makes for a society that is totally dependent on the Government for every aspect of life. It slowly but effectively removes one’s self-capability, personal freedoms, and motivation to do anything without looking to Big Government. Under Socialism, citizens are enslaved with hypnotic dependency while some basic freedoms are still retained. Like a drug addict calling out to his drug dealer, the individual becomes totally reliant on Government to meet his needs. The individual who is dependent in this fashion is a social cripple ripe for the picking.

When you want to Cook a Frog, they say, don’t throw it into boiling water, since it will only jump out. Instead, place the Frog into a pot with tepid water and, ever so slowly, continue to increase the heat. When the Poor Frog finally realizes he is being cooked, he’ll have no more strength to resist.

Thus has been the slow disintegration of a “Republic of the People and for the People” to a “Socialistic Democracy and Big Government of the Elite.” This process has slowly changed the United States of America to the Red Socialistic States of America. Multitudes are oblivious to this subtle change. No single event has contributed more to the growth of the U.S. Government than this present Credit Crisis. Billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars are being handed over in a “bail out,” with Big Government taking over and micromanaging more of the private sector and corporations - just as a Mafia leader would do. This event has placed more power in the hands of the “Social Elite and Big Government,” and to an unprecedented degree. The real bad news is that this seems to be only the beginning. We will never recover the Limited Government of the past and personal responsibility freedoms again. As Big Government wraps its tentacles around every facet of our lives, it is setting the stage for the greatest “power grab” of all: The Mark of The Beast (Revelation 13:16-18, 14:9-11).

The Mark of the Beast is the event foretold of in God's Word:
And he [The Anti-Christ] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (Rev .13:16-18).

The Anti-Christ (referred to in Daniel 7:8, 24-27; 9:26-27, 11:36-45, 2 Thess. 2:3-12, Rev. 13, 17:8,11-13, 19:20) will seize total control of the global economy in the near future. He will have absolute authority, power and control of whosoever buys and sells anything. One must shudder to think of the utmost horror and dread of what that suggests: a Totalitarian Global State. The person of the Anti- (or false) Christ is the exact opposite of The true Christ of Almighty God, the Savior of the world. The Anti-Christ is lawless, godless, brilliant, subtle, cunning, manipulative, unfeeling; seeking to conquer, destroy and be worshiped. Anyone who stands in his way and his agenda will be utterly destroyed (Rev 13:15, Daniel 7:20-25). For anyone who has studied any history, it is chock full of such wicked and despotic men. Hitler, Stalin, Antiochus Epiphanes, Mao Tse-Tung, etc. These evil despots are like nice little Sunday School boys compared to this Man of Lawlessness! Beware!

Many people believe the Mark of the Beast is the mark of the boogie-man or a mark of a monster with blood and fangs, etc. That fable is just Lucifer's fiction given to deceive the masses from perceiving what the mark truly represents. During the Tribulation Period lasting 7 years (coming up shortly), the Nations of the world will be ready for this man, the Anti-Christ to arrive on the scene (Rev. 17:16,17). This situation will arise as crisis upon crisis develops as a result of generations of people being raised under godless deception and dependent ideologies (including the socialistic ideology). This individual will step in to provide leadership, filling the vacuum and providing answers for these crises and the solution to the chaos and confusion. He will seek to establish himself as Almighty God (2 Thess. 2:2-5). He will demand global worship (Rev 13: 12,15, Daniel 11:36) and demand total allegiance (Rev 13:16). He will eliminate all human philosophies, ideologies and culture that contradicts his Satan-controlled mind-set and false reality (Rev 13:15, 17:16-17). He will seize total control of the global monetary markets and the assets of all corporate and private businesses (Rev 13:16-18). During this period you will not be able to buy or sell without giving your total allegiance to this man. Just imagine what that will be like if you are alive in that day! This event and time will be the absolute crossroads of one’s own existence and eternal destiny. It will be the ultimate ultimatum. Choose me (the Anti-Christ) or die. What would you do?

This Horrific time is called the Great Tribulation. Almighty God gives the inhabitants of earth a very clear-cut choice. Either repent and be saved (Rev 14:6-7) or perish! Choose this fallen created being Lucifer (i.e., Satan) or choose the Eternal Creator, Almighty God. Choose the Love of God or the Wrath of God. Reality or Imagination. Truth or Error (Falsehood). Light or Darkness. Heaven or Hell. Deliverance or Damnation. Satan or the Savior. The Bible says of those who receive the Mark of the Beast (Anti-Christ) that:

If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name (Rev. 14:9-11).

For these individuals, there will be absolutely no chance for salvation. The outright reception of the Anti-Christ will be an outright rejection of the Savior of the World! There is no hope after one makes that very momentous and consequential decision.

What is your decision? Have you given any thought to it? The majority of people will not and do not. They stay oblivious to the reality. Today will you choose God's Saving Solution, the Savior of Mankind, Jesus Christ, to deliver you from your sins and give you Eternal Life? Or will you choose Satan's rebellious godless ideology, the World System and government dependency as your trust and reap the Godless consequences and judgment? If you are having a hard time making your decision right now, it is highly likely in the future you will end up receiving the Mark of the Beast (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil (Proverbs 1:21-33).

Very, very sobering words from God’s Word! Are they not? At the Crossroads of Time and Eternity, may you choose Christ Jesus who died for you and rose again from the dead for you, to deliver you from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4) for you to be with Him for evermore (John 3:16).

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Are you ready!

DJP I.F.

The Near East Situation

In the news today we are witnessing the outworking of a very old problem in a very old place.

SUCH A HISTORY: It is the Cradle of Civilization, the place of the Tower of Babel, the land of Nimrod, Shinar, Babylon, Assyria, modern day Iraq. It is the place of Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, blessings and cursings, struggle and strife. From such a setting comes God s great and gracious promises and predictions.

"Therefore is the name of it called BABEL; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad." (Genesis 1 1:9)

"Now the LORD had said unto Abram ... And I WILL BLESS them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12: 1,3)

SUCH A HAPPENING: Oil, money, arms, aggression, peace, possession, feuding, taking, talking, planning, pressuring, waiting, watching. Who will do WHAT, WHEN, WHY? This is not new and this is not through.

"Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets say unto them, ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not" (Jeremiah 14:13-14)

"For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace... We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!" (Jeremiah 8:11,15)

"And ye shall hear of WARS and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet? (Matthew 24:6)

"For I [the LORD] will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken... THEN SHALL THE LORD GO FORTH, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle." (Zechariah 14:2,3)

SUCH IS HOPEFUL: These are days of very great and important changes which God in His Word, the Bible, said would take place. The pages of history, secular and especially Sacred, abound in making known the only God - His LOVE and MERCY, His Righteous Judgment, His KNOWING and CARING, His glorious design, His wondrous purpose. Our HOPE is to be found and fixed in His most TRUSTWORTHY PERSON and His changeless, SURE WORD:

"Remember the former things of old: for l am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure... yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:9-Il).

"There is no God else beside Me; a just God and a SAVIOUR; there is none beside Me. LOOK UNTO ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear" (Isaiah 45:21-23).

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My WORD, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto LIFE." (John 5:24)

The Kingdom of Heaven ia at hand!

MBC I.F.
Posted with permission.