WHERE IN AMERICA ARE WE GOING?
  
 People are coming to Jerusalem from other Nations because they want to seek the Lord of hosts.  The rumor was that in Jerusalem the Lord is there. That’s the way it should be in America, by the way.  Nations ought to seek America because they know the Lord reigns supreme here. The verse ends, “To pray before the Lord.” Now verse 23: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; in those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”
 Strong Nations should come to seek the Lord because they have heard that God is with us.  If we had a prayer for our Country it should be that Nations should come seeking this Nation because the Lord, God of the Bible, rules supreme here. I am not sure that He does: I am saying that He ought to…I want to give you some facts concerning some things that I believe are important concerning our Country.

PRINCIPLE THING:
 The first thing is the principle that has built America.  In our Country there are two philosophies.  We call it saved and unsaved, but it is more than that. Our Country was founded and based upon a philosophy. It was founded upon the fact that America was a good Nation of people because God is good.
 You go back to our founding Fathers and you will find that whether they were born-again Christians or not, most every one of them believed that God existed and that He was real! All good things must be based upon the God of the Bible. It was that philosophy that this Nation was founded upon-that God is good, and that man is a sinner.
 There is a 2nd philosophy in the Country that is running as strong as that 1st philosophy and it states there is no God, and if there is, He is not that important. And since God is not that important, man becomes the ultimate good. Therefore, we should take our laws and invest basically in the Government, since man is the ultimate good. But the Bible says that God is the ultimate good and you and I are sinners. There is a big difference there. 
HUMANISM:
 If our Country continues to go along the way that it has been going-with Humanism as the standard, this world has no hope for the Gospel. There are 2 reasons for that. (1.) It is because this Nation is the chief Nation of Liberty. (2.) Most of the Missionaries that go out and evangelize other countries come out of this Country. Seventy-five percent of all Mission Giving goes through the United States. That fact in itself is a good reason why God is going to keep this country pure. There are folks in Washington D.C. right now who want to see Humanism take over. You may not want to accept it, but the truth is that the public school systems are based upon humanism. This is the way our country is going right now…

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM:
 There are two basic enemies that we face today. (1.) One is Democratic Socialism…Which is let’s give all the power to the Government and let it control us. (2.) The second is Communism…The communists want to covertly creep in and take over this Country.  You ask, “What is the Answer to All of This?” I will tell you the biggest answer. It is Spiritual Revival amongst Christians. That is nothing new. Preachers have been saying this for the past 3 or 4 years.
 We need a Revival in America, because a Revival among God’s people will automatically shift us back to the Judaeo Christian ethics that this Country was founded upon. Now if some folks don’t like America the way it is, then my suggestion is this: leave America and go somewhere to find what you believe in. It shouldn’t be too difficult because humanism and communism are serving almost 80% of the globe. If you chose to believe this socialist philosophy, then go, and let Liberty Stand.
 Let me ask you something, if communism is so much better, how come they have to put up the chains, the barbwire fences, and let the dogs out, to keep people in Russia. We don’t have to do that in America. We are free to come and go as we please.
 As Americans we have an absolute right to defend ourselves, to defend our families and our moral values. Now I believe in being kind and helping folks, but in America we are letting our Government take over and passively surrendering to a socialist agenda. Passiveness is not taught in the bible. Christian American policy should defend our founding fathers’ intent “One Nation Under God”.  We must defend our Country and stand firm on that foundation.
 Then there is the matter of Bible Morality. It is a proven fact, and Washington has shown this, that many folks in mental institutions are there because they have unconfessed sin in their lives. Much of the unconfessed sin has to do with morals. Homosexuality, lesbianism, adultery and fornication are now becoming acceptable. It takes next to nothing to get a divorce today, that’s no big deal to society anymore. A lot of the shame that used to come when a man and a woman were living together unmarried, this has been taken away from our society.  We need a Revival and Regeneration of good old-fashioned ethics, and getting back to the Bible principles about the home and moral problems.

THE POOR:
 There is also the poor…There is nothing wrong with helping folks who need help. But, a lot of folks living off the Government could get a job. The Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul, that if a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat either. It is our Country’s responsibility to see that our Welfare and all these other departments set down some strong standards which we don’t have now. Can you see what is going on? We have these two philosophies of Life battling each other. The philosophy of life that says, man is the ultimate good doesn’t care what God says. If there is a God, He is nonexistent as far as we’re concerned. And when we have that kind of philosophy, we have no where to go, but down the tube…
 Good Christians will follow God’s plan. Stand against the ERA, the Woman’s Lib movement, and all the other wicked movements that are destroying the morality of this country.

SOUL-WINNING BY GOD’S PEOPLE:
 Here’s the answer folks… It is to win them one by one. Let’s get at it! Wake up! Tell folks that there is only one way through Jesus Christ. It is Christians who built this great Nation and it is only Christians that can save this great Nation…I love our Country and I’m not ready to give up on her. It’s time to make a difference…If not me…WHO? And if not NOW…WHEN?

May God Bless You and Your Ministries

Bro. Randy Davis

A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR:
 
 Traditionally, as many folks look back over the past year and see things in their lives they do not like, they make New Year’s Resolutions.  They want to change and have a New Beginning.  But the problem with “turning over a new leaf” is that the winds of adversity blow them back over again in a chaotic pile.  If you are tired of making yourself promises and failing, then listen carefully to what God has to say to you.  You need to realize that you cannot overcome any bad habit or past failure by your own determined resolution.  As a matter of fact, the harder you try, the worse it becomes.  “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as the leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6 ).  You also need to realize that you cannot change your past simply by having a positive attitude or by changing your environment.  The problem is fixed within your own heart.  Self reformation is always doomed for failure.  “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26).  A drowning man cannot save himself by trying to pull himself up by his own shirt.  There must be somebody who is stronger than himself to save him, and this is where Jesus Christ steps in (Romans 8:3).
 You cannot have a new life apart from Jesus Christ, who gives life.  Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).  And, once we possess spiritual life, we become a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  We can only change as we yield to the God who can change us.  Are you yielded today?

FIRST, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-STUDY GOD’S WORD: (Psalms 1:1-6). 
   The Bible is our spiritual food (1 Peter 2:2).  It is our light (Psalm 119:105).  It is our joy (Jeremiah 15:16).  (Psalm 1:1) plainly tells the believer, how to have a Happy New Year, because the word “Blessed” in verse one, means happy.  The Happy Believer is somebody who delights in the Word of God and meditates therein day and night.  (v.2) As a result, the blessed, happy person will not follow the counsel of the ungodly, nor will his circle of friends be among the sinful and or scornful (v.1).  “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”  (Psalm 119:165).  HOW WE NEED SUCH PEACE THIS NEW YEAR.  Do you want Peace, Joy and Direction for the coming year?  Study God’s word.

SECOND, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-TESTIFY OF CHRIST: (Acts 1:8).
 Believers who long for a Happy New Year cannot afford to miss this special joy promised to those who “draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).  In these days of so many false witnesses and the preaching of a false gospel, those who preach the true Gospel are many times vilified, maligned and even persecuted.  But, that should make no difference to the Bible-Taught Believer who has been promised that, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy, “and those who go forth, even with weeping, bearing precious seed of God’s word will doubtless come again with rejoicing” (Psalms 126:5,6).  It is more important than ever to proclaim the existence of truth and the content of truth. God promised that his word will never return void (Isaiah 55:11).  Keep giving out the word.  Do not miss this special Joy that comes only to faithful witnesses!

THIRD, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-SEPARATION: (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
 No true believer can experience genuine happiness by trying to live with and justify any unequal yoke -any ministry endeavor that either those who do not know Christ as Savior or who disregard the truth of God’s word.  Satan’s program of “Unity” at any price and especially the present attempt to yoke believers with unbelievers in evangelism is very popular but wrong!  A genuine believer may sometimes find himself yoked with unbelievers without knowing it at first, but he will never be satisfied to remain in any forbidden relationship once he becomes aware of his unscriptural position.  The Bible is very clear, we cannot be unequally yoked with false teachers (2John 7-11), with the world (first John 2:15-17) or with brethren who are following a course of disobedience (2Thessalonians 3:6,14).  The Word of God does not get any more clear!  We must obey the Lord in this regard if we are to truly have a Happy New Year.

FOURTH, A RIGHT START FOR THE NEW YEAR-FORGIVENESS: (Ephesians 4:29-32).
 The way in which believers use their tongues makes a big difference in their own happiness and determines whether they are a blessing to others.  The Lord says that we must “Let No corrupt communication come forth out of our mouths but that which is good” (v.29).  Only in this way can we edify [build up] and minister God’s grace to others.  (v.31) commands us to put away [all] “bitterness” [not just some] as well as all “wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking” [and malice].  Failure to obey this important instruction grieves the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us (v.30), something that no believer should deliberately do.  Furthermore, (Titus 3:2) commands us to “speak evil of no man,” a reference of this same kind of fleshly, unkind speech.  We must never speak in a malicious way; willingly intend to harm others through our words spoken to them or about them.
 At the very heart of this matter is God’s pleading in (v. 32) “for His children to be kind, tender hearted and forgiving one to another.”  That is not always easy to do, and many times it is impossible to do apart from the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts.  As children we might have been taught that words cannot hurt us.  But as adults we realize that this is only partly true.  Some of the deepest hurts come from unkind words and unjustified criticism.  May we never be guilty of saying, or even thinking, “I can never forgive you for this.”  Thank God he has never dealt with us according to these terms!  Though it is sometimes hard and difficult, let us have a forgiving heart like that of our merciful God.
  So as we begin a New Year a right start for all of us would be to begin by…Studying God’s word, Testifying and Witnessing for Christ, Guard our separation and start Forgiving others, like Christ has forgiven us.

May God Bless you and your ministries during this challenging and fruitful New Year.
God Bless You Is Our Prayer

Bro. Randy Davis

 Anyway, it is so good to be home.  Christmas is always a special time of year for me. It is a time to be with family, friends and our home church with our pastor and church family. Recently in my devotions, I was reading (Luke 2:1-7) and I thought about Christmas of the Past and as I continued to read (Luke 2:1-20) I thought about Christmas Today or Christmas of the Present.

CHRISTMAS OF THE PAST:  (Luke 2:1-7).

 Every prophetic utterance concerning the birth of the Messiah was fulfilled perfectly by Jesus.  How could that be?  The answer is simple: Jesus Is God!  The perfect plan of God involves no accidents or coincidences.  God provincially chose Bethlehem as Joseph’s birth city.  God provincially caused a census to be taken, thus bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem (vv 1-5).  God had them provincially arrive just in time for Jesus’ birth.  God’s promises in the Old Testament were fulfilled perfectly in the New Testament.  The history of Jesus’ birth is accurate and supported by both secular and religious writers.  Many witnesses testified to the verity of Christ’s birth.

 The Shepherds likely were anticipating the coming of the Messiah, for the angels chose them to be the recipients of the glorious message (vv 9-17).  Shepherds who were attending their flocks had the wonderful privilege to behold “The Lamb of God.” (v. 16 cf. JN 1:29, 36).  Likewise, old Simeon in the temple was waiting for the consolation of Israel (v 25) and then there was Anna, who was around the age of 100.  When she saw Jesus, she “spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (v 38).  Nearly 2 years passed before the wise men came from their distant country seeking Jesus the King.  They sought him and found him in the house [not the stable] with Mary his mother.  Having bowed their knees in worship to him, “they presented unto him gifts; gold and frankincense, and myrrh”(Matt. 2:11).  Are you seeking him as well?

CHRISTMAS TODAY:  [In the Present]   (Luke 2:1-20)

 It was no accident or coincidence that the visitors to the manger in Bethlehem were humble Shepherds.  These were godly men who were looking for the Coming of Christ, in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.  When the angel announced, “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (v 11), but Shepherds knew this was the one for whom they had been waiting.  In like manner, the wise men from the East had studied the writings of the Old Testament and knew that the time of the Savior’s birth was near.  When the star appeared, they knew that its purpose was to announce the coming of the long promised Messiah.  These wise men traveled nearly 100 miles, bringing gifts to the Christ child, while at the same time; the inhabitants of Jerusalem itself were ignorant of Jesus’ birth.  The word of God also included the account of an aged man Whose Faith in the Savior’s prophesied coming was rewarded with the promise that he would not see death until he had seen “The Lord’s, Christ.” (v 26).  When the Christ child was placed in Simeon’s arms, the old man declared, that he was ready to die peacefully, “For mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation.” (v.30).

 Those who by Faith, looked for the first coming of the promised Savior were not disappointed, for God always keeps His Word.  Those Today Who are looking for Christ’s Return can be equally sure that God will keep His promise to them.  Christmas 2009 brings us one year nearer to the fulfillment of that promise.  Are you like the Shepherds and the wise men, looking for the coming of Jesus?  Are you ready for Christ’s imminent return to receive to Himself all who truly have been saved through his precious Blood?

MERRY CHRISTMAS:  (John 1: 11-12).

 When Jesus was born, there were only a few who celebrated His birth, the angels, the Shepherds and the elderly Simeon and Anna.  But for the most part, folks were not expecting the birth of the Messiah.  Nearly 2 years later, wise men from the East came to worship Jesus, now a young child.  We do not know how many men there were, but they were strangers and foreigners.  Those that should have come to worship Jesus were not there.  Those who should have been anticipating and ready for the coming of the Messiah were oblivious of Him.  These wise men exercise faith believing that this child was no ordinary child.  They were willing to give everything they had in order to come and worship him.

  They spent countless days traveling in order to give their valuable gifts to the child.  They believe this child was the “King of the Jews”.  But when they arrived in Jerusalem and asked where this King had been born, Nobody knew.  Herod even sought to kill him (Matt.  2:1-18).

 Many folks today are just as ignorant of Jesus Christ.  They do not understand that the reason why he came was to be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world.  Many do not know that the forgiveness of sins comes only through faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.  Many folks today still reject him.  But Christ is your only Hope (JN 14:6; Acts 4:12).  If you refuse Jesus as your Savior, you will die in your sins (3:18).

 This Christmas can be the day when you change your life and eternal destination.  The Lord Jesus Christ will save you from sin and spiritual death, when you receive Him as your personal Savior.  Only then can you ever have a truly “MERRY CHRISTMAS.”

 I pray that this Christmas you will draw closer to our dear Lord, and among all the activities that are planned you will make Christ the center of your celebrating the season.  After all, he is the Reason for the Season…Sandy and I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. 

Love and Prayers in Christ,
Bro. Randy Davis

The Power to Preach:
Please read (Romans 1:15 – 16)

 It is my honor and privilege to be mentoring five pastors at the present time. I only mention this because many young pastors have education but no previous training working under a pastor of a local church for a few years before pastoring.
 Paul says, “I am ready to preach the Gospel.” It takes some time for a preacher to be ready to preach.  Being in a church all your life doesn’t mean that you are ready to preach. The fact that you have attended Bible College or hold theological degrees is No Assurance that you are ready to preach. You don’t get ready to preach overnight. Paul says, NOW…. after my college training at the feet of Gamalliel…NOW…after a siege of temporary blindness on the road to Damascus…NOW…after having had my name changed and my identity altered…NOW…after having been given the thorn in the flesh, this agent of Satan to buffet me…NOW…after having been in jail and holding a prayer meeting with Silas that caused an earthquake in Philippi…NOW…after all this, after all my ups and downs, my trials and tribulations, my poverty and my plenty, my feasting and my famine…NOW…I AM READY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL…
 I assure you that I am painfully and personally aware that a preacher is not always ready to preach. It is only after the experiences you learn from being in the ministry for many years that you know that the Lord Himself, will get a preacher ready to preach. There is a difference between being WILLING and being READY to preach.
 It is interesting that when Paul says that he is ready to preach the Gospel, he does not use the Greek word usually translated to preach. He uses the word meaning not only to evangelize but to proclaim the Good News.  The Greek word Evangelos, is the soldier who comes from the field of battle, with garland on his head and races into the city with his hands raised and cries out “GREETINGS”…WE HAVE WON.  I am ready to Preach the Gospel. I am ready to be an Evangelist. I am ready to tell you that WE HAVE WON. What Good News from an imprisoned preacher sitting in a jail cell, sent to the church folks hiding out in caves and catacombs, a man whose condition and disposition are the very definition of doom and defeat.  What News…WE HAVE WON…What Good news from a limping, Jewish preacher on his way to Nero’s chopping block, who would soon write WE HAVE WON.
. What wonderful words from a nearly blind, shivering, lonely, forsaken, worn out, burned-out and stressed out preacher…Given to those who would soon make their way into the Roman Coliseum to become food for the Lions. WE HAVE WON…What wonderful words from someone who spent 23 years on three Missionary Journeys establishing churches all over Asia Minor. He had seen churches divided over Doctrine, fractured by jealousy, envy, pettiness and strife, set upon by Satan and Infiltrated by preachers who were imposters, rocked by sexual scandal of incest in the Church, and yet, could still declare The Good News…WE HAVE WON.
 Paul’s example is in fact the definition of authentic preaching. The Preacher, the Evangelist and the Missionary is here to tell those who have been dejected and deserted, deceived and deflated, defiled and degraded, demoralized and defeated …THERE IS GOOD NEWS…WE HAVE WON.
 So when we look at The Power of the Preacher and his Preaching, year after year, century after century, remember, preachers have been preaching the same sermons about the same Jesus, the same Crucifixion and the same Resurrection.  That is why men, women and young people keep coming back Sunday after Sunday, to hear it over and over again.

 The question is…What is This Power? Why This Power, and how is This Power manifested? There is Power in Preaching because the Gospel has the ability to tell us WHERE WE ARE.
 Can you identify with the woman with the issue of blood, maybe you too have been sick and not able to recover and you see the same condition in your life. You say that’s me.  It helps to know who you are…can you identify with the man born blind, and suddenly you realize there are some things That You Can’t See. When you become aware of the blindness that causes you to stumble in the darkness and then you realize that you are the man born blind. Can you identify with the Prodigal Son and come to realize that you have spent your inheritance, in riotous, unproductive and unredemptive living. Maybe you too can admit that you have let money run through your fingers like water. You may not like it but it helps to know WHERE YOU ARE…The Gospel will help you to know WHERE YOU ARE.  It is important to know when you have been lost. You cannot appreciate being found until first you have been lost. The Gospel has the Power to Create Whole Persons in a Broken World.
 The preaching of the Gospel is designed to take broken pieces and remake them according to the purpose of God. The preaching of the Gospel is designed to take ruined lives, subject and restore them to the Redemptive Power of the Holy Spirit. The preaching of the Gospel helps Creates Whole Persons, in a Broken World. The preaching of the Gospel has the ability and the power to make people complete and whole. The Scriptures affirm Wholeness, which comes through the Gospel, as manifested in the Lord Jesus Christ. Folks weren’t just healed but made whole.
 The gospel is God’s answer to a Bad Reputation. It always amazed me how most of the folks in the Bible had to deal with problems of a bad reputation. Don’t you find it strange that the book which points folks to righteousness uses examples of men and women noted for unrighteousness? Still the gospel is God’s answer to a Bad Reputation. The gospel is here to let us know that No One is too lost to be found; too low down to be lifted up, too far out to be brought in, too dirty to be washed clean, too hungry to be filled, too thirsty to be satisfied, too soiled to be saved, too repulsive to be redeemed or too endangered to be rescued.
 God Himself, knows what it’s like to live with a bad reputation (Phil. 2:7). Also Isaiah says, the Savior’s reputation was bad (Isaiah 53:3-5). God knows what it is like to live with the bad reputation. That’s why he sits in pig pens with Prodigals, sits on death row in Criminal cells, and you’ll also find him down on the Jericho road, where men have been beaten and left for dead. You’ll find him on Calvary where “he who knows No Sin”: became sin…All because, the Gospel is God’s answer to a bad reputation.
 Paul says, “I am now ready to preach the Gospel, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel, nor should we be…It is the power of God. [Not a Power] but the Power.
 My dear friends and brethren, I stand with Paul in search of that Power to Preach. In whatever church I am in, great or small; I seek the Power to Preach. It is with this Power that we should be obedient to His ultimate and final command.
 Sandy and I pray that you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And remember while we are feasting on all the turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, hot bread, potatoes and dessert that you remember He is the reason for us to be Thankful. 
 I pray that you have a great holiday and as you plan your meetings you will do so by seeking the Power to Preach. We love you and pray for you and appreciate your ministry so very much.
 
You are on my mind, in my heart and in my prayers.
Love and Prayers in Christ,
Bro. Randy Davis

NOT I, BUT CHRIST:
 
 If we would die to self we must fall in love with Jesus Christ and let Him become to us the personal reality of Solomon’s sweet Song of Joy.  But it is not the love of Christ that we merely want; it is the Living Christ Himself. Many folks have touches of the Love of Christ, but to them He is a Christ way up in Heaven.  The Apostles speak of something far mightier.  It is Christ Himself who lives inside us and who is big enough to crowd out and keep out the little “I.”  There is no other that can truly lift and keep the heart above the power of self but Jesus Christ, The Mighty Lord, stronger than the strong man armed.
 
 Blessed Christ!  He is able not only for sin, sorrow and sickness, but He is able for you and me-able to be our very life, moment by moment we shall be conscious that He is in us, fills us with Himself and conquers the self that ruled before.  The more you try to fight a self-thought and look to Him; He fills all the consciousness and disperses everything with His own Presence.  Let us abide in Him and we shall find that there is nothing else to do.
 
 It is not a new thought, but it is an appropriate thought, that all things that God has used had first been sacrificed.  It is a Sacrificed Savior, one who emptied Himself, and made Himself of no reputation that God has so highly exalted, and given Him a name that is above every name. (Phil 2:10). It was a sacrificed Isaac that God made the promised seed and the progenitor of Israel’s tribes. And it was on that very Mount Moriah where Isaac was sacrificed, that God afterwards reared His Glorious Temple.  And so it is only when our Isaac is on the altar and our whole being lost in God that He can lay the deep foundations and rear the everlasting walls of the Living Temple which He is the supreme and eternal glory.
 
 I look back today with much thanks and gratitude to the lonely and sorrowful night, when, mistaken in many things, and not perfect in all, my heart’s first full consecration was made, not knowing that it would be death in the most literal sense before the morning light.  Yet, with unreserved surrender I could say:  “Jesus, I my Cross has taken, all to leave and follow Thee.”
 
 Never before has my heart known such a thrill of Joy as when the following Lord’s Day, I sang those lines with all my heart.  If
God has been pleased to make my life in any measure a little temple for His indwelling and for His Glory, and if ever He should be pleased to use me in my fuller measure, it has been because of that hour on July 12, 1964.  It will be still in the measure in which that hour is made the keynote of a consecrated, Crucified, and Christ devoted life.  Paul said, “I die daily” it’s not a one time experience but a daily experience we must seek to do.

 Never, until we become fascinated with Christ’s affections, and won in complete captivity to His Love, shall we cease to live unto ourselves.  Then we will follow Him anywhere.  We will toil and supper with Him.  We will be content without many things that before we felt we must have, because His smile is our sunshine, His presence is our Joy, His love shed abroad in our hearts, is our Heaven, and we cannot speak or think of sacrifice or suffering, our heart is so satisfied with Him.
 
 My dear brothers in Christ, I realize that we all have busy lives and I am no different. This morning as the sweet Holy Spirit brought to my mind and also convicted my heart of the day that I surrendered my life to Him, and then He called me to preach the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ, I thought how easy it is for us to forget that wonderful, sweet relationship that only comes out of a consecrated vessel who has a daily habit of fellowshipping and glorious communion with Him.
 
 Before the Church can have Revival and our folks can have Revival, it must begin with us, the Men of God.  How we men of God need fresh manna from Heaven and to experience a fresh Joy and blessing that only comes when we have been in His presence. Today let us commit ourselves to that daily communion with Him, to fall in love with God’s Word and with Him. So as you prepare your meetings this fall make sure it’s not just another meeting, but a fresh presence of Christ and His Glory.
 
 I greatly appreciate all your phone calls and letters about our newsletter and I assure you that as long as God provides we will continue to do so.  Those who know me, realize that I have such a heart for pastors, evangelists, and preachers.  We love you and appreciate your ministries so much.  Keep up the fight, Christ is coming for us soon.

Love and Prayers in Christ,

Bro. Randy Davis

                The Declaration of Independence is our standard to govern us to live right and do right to fellow Americans…This is our Standard…When it comes to the local Church Standards it is a sensitive subject today even among Independent Baptist.  God has not changed nor lowered His Standards for His Children.  So I ask you to prayerful consider with me the teaching of God’s Word… 

STANDARDS FOR CHRISTIAN HOMES

Joshua 24:1-15

                It is so heartbreaking that many members of fundamental churches display an attitude that is far more like those in liberal churches.  We find professed Christians who are stubborn, rebellious against high moral standards and caught up in the prevalent cry against “legalism.”  Even when their Pastor preaches against the trend toward worldliness, they persist in “doing their own thing,” convinced that anything they do comes under the umbrella of “liberty.”

                One main reason for drop in moral standards in our churches is the deterioration of the spiritual condition of the home.  The world has been provided a pipeline into our homes, via the internet, television, video games, music, etc.  In too many cases, we have not worshipped God vigorously at home through family bible reading, prayer, discussing of Bible topics and singing of hymns.  We have failed to serve the Lord together as families or to bring Godly influences into our homes.

                What was once an immoral and godless behavior is now accepted as normal.  Spiritually deteriorating homes contribute in large measure to deteriorating churches.  WE MUST STOP THE TREND.

                It is time for Fathers to “Command their children and their household after them.” (Gen. 18:19). It is time to lay down the challenge: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” And accept that challenge: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15)  It is time to walk within our homes with perfect hearts. (v. 2)

                Too many homes are carnal and worldly, and it is reflected in our churches.  But, is there hope?  Thank God, yes!  Return to the principles of God’s Word – “We will serve the Lord” (v.15).

I.   DETERIORATION –A DOWNWARD SPIRAL:

                Local churches and Pastors of our day, influenced by the pressures put upon them from carnal families, have many times lowered instead of maintaining Godly standards.

2.   IS THERE NOT A CAUSE   (2Timothy 4:1-5)

                The moral standards of professing Christians have declined rapidly in recent years, leading to the same in many local churches.  In (1Samuel 17:29) David asked an interesting question of his older brother: “Is there not a cause?”  Today, as we view the present landscape of Christianity, must we not likewise ask, “IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?”

                60, 50 even 40 years ago, one could still hear powerful preaching against the adoption of the morals of the world in our homes and in our churches.  Now neo-fundamentalists seek to hide the fact that a new generation has lowered the standards of morality.

                But it was such preaching that challenged people to, in God’s strength and by His grace, clean up their lives and separate from the world (2Cor. 6:17-7:1).  Such preaching is very seldom heard today, and if it is, the negatives (preaching against sin) are mentioned briefly and almost with apology. Yet Paul told Timothy, his young friend and fellow laborer in the Gospel, “To preach the word.” (v.2). It is the Preacher’s duty to proclaim God’s word boldly and to apply it to the everyday lives of his hearers.

               Paul prophesied that the powerful preaching of God’s word would meet with a negative response, which we certainly see today.  Timothy’s message was to be “the word,” pure and simple.  He was to proclaim it as an official messenger – with formality, gravity and authority, and he was to publicly proclaim it both when it was convenient and not convenient.  He was to censure sin and entreat his hearers to obedience, even though they might reject him, turning from God’s truth to fables and false teachers (vv.3-4).  The remedy for “the cause” was, is and always will be: “Preach the Word!”

3.   STANDARDS FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS:  (1Timothy 3:1-13)

                Standards impose upon every area of life.  There are standards of value, standards of measure and standards of achievement…standard policies, standards of living and standards of excellence.  These standards fix criteria that separate people or objects into 2 groups: those who meet the standard, and those who do not.  Ask yourself the question – HAS THE STANDARD BEEN MET?

                God sets standards.  The deterioration of God’s holy standards in Christian homes and deterioration of faithful preaching of God’s word against sin have contributed to the deterioration in the enforcement of standards for Christian leaders.  The Bible stipulates the criteria for those who lead the local church and have been placed in positions of responsibility (vv. 1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 2Cor. 8:16-24), yet many “hackles” are raised when the issue of standards (rules or requirements) is brought to bear in determining qualification to lead or teach in Bible believing churches.  Indeed, those same “hackles” are raised when biblical standards of any kind for any of God’s children are brought into focus. Why?

                Yes, it is possible to abuse the matter—emphasizing the external and ignoring the internal, promoting standards in an ungracious manner or failing to be patient with new, immature Christians.  To focus on the external and neglect the need of inner holiness is hypocrisy, but we cannot stop there; a spirit filled Christian will care deeply about externals because the externals display the heart.  God set standards, high standards for Christians, especially so for leaders and teachers. 

May God bless you and your ministries is our prayer…

A Servant of the Lord;

Bro. Randy Davis

                This is the time of year we celebrate Father’s Day.  In thinking about the great responsibility that God has given us Fathers as Spiritual leaders of our home,  I thought about Righteousness in the Family… (Gen. 6:9)

RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE FAMILY:

                Do you walk in an intimate relationship with God as Noah did? (Gen. 7:1)  Is your family righteous in this generation? In the Old Testament, Righteousness was a chosen lifestyle of obedience and holiness in honor of God.  Those who were Righteous ordered their lives in every way to be aligned with His perfect Will.  Noah lived in such a way before the Lord that his family was sacred. They honored God and ordered their lives in all things according to His perfect Will…This is a clear mandate from God.  This Righteousness is now to be imparted to others out of our obedience to Christ. Here are some practical ways that your family can actively live out the Righteousness that is yours in Jesus Christ.

                First, a Righteous Family Teaches and Learns Righteousness from the Scriptures (2Tim. 3:16, 17).  Jesus Christ is the One and Only Standard for Righteous Living…The Bible is the training manual for teaching and learning Righteousness…If your family desires to impart [make known] Righteousness to others, you must spend a lot of time in the Word of God. Memorize it, mediate upon it and most of all obey it (James 1:22).

                Second, a Righteous Family Lives on Solid Food (Heb. 5:13, 14).  We are Righteous because of the sacrifice of Christ.  But if we sit back and don’t reveal Christ’s Righteousness to others, we will miss all of the benefits and blessings that He has intended for us.

                Just as our Children need to move from milk to solid food, they also need to move from hearing the word of God to doing the Word.  Many Christian Families neglect their spiritual diet in favor of fitting into the culture in which they live.  By doing this they are now sacrificing the blessings that come from sowing seeds of Righteousness to others.  This can only be done by feeding on the solid food of the Word of God daily and continually.  Righteous Families will change the world because those who live in darkness will see a difference.

                Third, The Righteous Family Is Good, and Passes That Goodness on to others (Luke 6:45) Good things are stored up in the hearts of God’s Righteous People.  There is no use of storing up something that will never be used.  Take time to focus on these Scriptures… (Romans 15:14; 2Peter 1:5-9). As a Family, be determined to do more than rest in the Knowledge that you have been saved through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Determine to Impart His Righteousness to others.  We first must be good before we can do good.

                Fourth, The Righteous are Pure in Heart (2Tim 2:22).   Pureness of heart is blessed by God (Matt 5:8).  Maybe the best way that your family can demonstrate purity in heart to others is by getting your thoughts focused on how Jesus would live, and be determined to live like Him. Here is a good passage to memorize and study together as a family (Phil 4:8, 9).               

                Fifth, The Righteous Family is Holy (Ephs. 4:24; Colossians 1:22; 3:12). Members of God’s Family are marked by their holy lifestyles. They have died to sin (Romans 6:2, 11). This does not mean that Righteous people do not sin. But they are freed from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:7). And have become slaves to Righteousness (Romans 6:1, 8). To be Holy means to be set apart for the Lord’s service, this means being separated from what is ordinary.  Christians today have settled for the ordinary. Can you live in such a way that others can see the Holiness of God in you? Will you live your life to reflect the Holiness of Jesus Christ? Spend time focusing on these verses and discuss how you can live them out in your daily lives… (2Tim 1:8-9; 1Peter 1:13-16). Determine together that you will live Holy Lives in the midst of an ungodly culture.

                Sixth, The Righteous Family is Forgiving (Colossians 3:13). Think about people who may have hurt you or caused you harm, the Lord has asked you to forgive them. The Righteousness of Christ is marked by a forgiving heart. Learn to forgive quickly by practicing forgiveness within your own family. Then be determined to forgive others just as the Lord forgave you. Forgiveness allows us to live our lives without bitterness and resentment.

                Seventh, The Righteous Family is Set Apart [Sanctified] To Do the Work of the Lord (Psalms 4:3). Isn’t it wonderful to know that the Lord has set your family apart for Himself? The Lord has a purpose and a plan to use you for His Glory! Write a Family Mission Statement and live by it.

                Here are some added ways Righteous Families are to live. Take some time and study through these as a Family and find some practical ways to live them out…

                1.  The Righteous Family rejoices in the Lord and gives Him Praise (Psalms 64:10; 68:3)

                2.  The Righteous Family lives according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4-6).

                3.  The Righteous Family is godly [devoted to the worship of God and service of God].

                4.  The Righteous Family will live by Faith (Heb. 10:38; Habakkuk 2:4).

                5.  The Righteous Family bears good fruit; they bring good things out of the good stored up in their hearts

                     (Luke 6:43-45).

                Men, as Spiritual leaders of our homes and families, we need to do better…Let us pray for and encourage one another this Fathers Day…

                 You are on my mind, in my heart and in my prayers.

Love and Prayers in Christ,

Bro. Randy Davis

JUST FOR LADIES:

“Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou FULFILL IT.” (Colossians 4:17)

 In the ways that your husband is unique and an individual, your ministry to him is as a help meet [or completer] is unique.  He is one of a kind.  There is no other man in the world that is just like him.  He has a unique background and upbringing, and the Lord has worked in his life differently than any other man you know.  His personality is unique.  He has different strengths and weaknesses in his life.  God’s purpose for him and leading is different than any other men that God is using in other ways.  Just as your husband is unique, his needs for a Completer or help meet might differ from other husbands.
 
So your ministry to him and the ways in which you help cannot be exactly the same as every other wife you know.  Isn’t that a relief?  But, I can’t play the piano like Mrs. so and so.  I don’t know how to type.  I’m not a very good ladies group leader like my friend is.  “GOD GAVE YOU TO YOUR HUSBAND” because he’s special.  God has made [and is making] you exactly suited for him.  You’re not supposed to be like Mrs. so and so.  Your husband probably doesn’t need all the same things in the exact same way that her husband needs and wants.  So forget all your prejudices about what a good Christian wife does or [good preacher’s wife does], and concentrate on what the Bible says and what your husband needs. (Titus 2:4-5)
 
While there are many passages in the Bible that deal with a wife’s ministry, I personally think these verses gives us a good representation of what the Bible teaches Ladies about their Marriage Responsibilities.  Be sober, or take your job seriously.  Be the best you can be for your husband.  Love Your Husband, that’s the biggest part of the job, and show him constantly that you love him, love him enough to try to be what he needs in every area of life.
 
Love your children.  God put the two of you together, as President and Vice President of this important institution called [Your Name] Home.  One of the most important jobs of your home is to raise your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and train them to love and serve the Lord with all their hearts.  There is a special place for my wife and she has a special place as Mom, to be the emotional support, the kisser of boo-boos, the watchful eye of everybody’s welfare, Spiritually and Physically.  She has to administer hugs and kisses, as well as an occasional spanking or good talking to.  These are some of the ways that she carries out her responsibilities to love our Children.
 
Be discreet and chaste.  Be pure and clean in your thoughts as well as in your actions in the presence of all other men.  Let it be known loud and clear that you belong only to your Husband, and you’re glad that you do.  Don’t allow yourself to become close friends with men, whether married or single.  Avoid dangerous situations being alone with other men.  Your love on every plane, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, is a special gift that God has allowed you to GIVE TO YOUR HUSBAND AND TO GUARD FOR YOUR HUSBAND. 
 
While you should be friendly and Christian in your relationship to all others, you should also be proper and clearly defined as “UNAVAILABLE.”  Everything about you ought to point out, I BELONG TO HIM.
 
God commanded WIVES TO BE KEEPERS At Home.  That means that the primary responsibility for the duties in the home belong to the wife.  Remember that the home is an Institution established by God.  One of the needs in the home is Financial Support.  Some married couples run a farm or family business to meet this need.  But, I think that the Bible is clear that the Financial responsibility and provisions belongs primarily to the husband. (1Timothy 5:8)
 
By the same token, “HOME KEEPING” or the responsibilities that center in the home are given primarily to the wife.  They come to mind very quickly, cooking, cleaning, laundry etc.  It is not wrong for a husband to help with the dishes or cleaning, especially in times of stress and illness.  Maybe he just wants to prove that he loves her, and he does a special job just to be a blessing and a help to lift her load.  But being the keeper of the home is assigned to the wife first of all, and in normal, everyday circumstances, she needs to accept that as her responsibility. 

Be good.  Sounds kind of oversimplified, doesn’t it?  But that’s what God said.  Good as opposed to bad, doing right instead of wrong.  Be good not only in what you do, but in what you are.  Become a genuine, sincere, and godly Christian  the kind of person that you are, the kind of personality that you exhibit, in the way you live, your life as a wife, as well as a believer.  God is good, and you are to become as much like Him as you can be, and to develop in your own lives the qualities of goodness that you can learn from Him and from His word.
 
Obedient unto my own husband? Surely God wasn’t talking to you ladies, was He?  YES, HE CERTAINLY WAS!  God also knew that husbands would be as far from perfect as women are when He issued this command.  One of my wife’s famous sayings has become, “It’s not always easy, but it’s always right”.  As her husband, I have been commanded to love my wife, to protect her, to provide for her and to lead her according to God’s Leading.  HER GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY IS TO LOVE HER HUSBAND, TO FOLLOW HIS LEADERSHIP, TO SUPPORT HIM, ENCOURAGE HIM AND ASSIST HIM IN EVERYTHING THAT GOD CALLS HIM TO DO. [There is no conditional trap door].   You say, well if he’s doing his part then I’ll do mine.  I must do what God has commanded me to do, DO AS UNTO THE LORD, and pray about the Lord dealing with your husband in the areas where you might think that he falls short. GOD CAN HANDLE IT. He has proved that to my wife time and time again.  THAT THE WORD OF GOD BE NOT BLASPHEMED.  My wife says that still sound scary to her today as the first time that she read it.  To think that her actions and failures of also [Wives, Mothers and Home-makers] could actually have such an impact as to Blaspheme God’s Word!  It sounds serious, and it is.  But every time we see another broken home and the broken promises and broken hearts that go with it, she says, that she understands why God said that all over again. Marriage is serious business, its God’s business, and we need to give ourselves whole-heartedly to making it work, and seeing God’s blessing on our lives and relationships.
 
Now that’s not an exhaustive study of God’s Commands to wives in the marriage relationship, but I hope that we’ve touched on the most important points.  Sandy says, once she’s doing her best to be what God commands from a wife, then she needs to turn her eyes in the direction of what I as a Husband needs in his wife.
 
Ladies you see, it really isn’t all that hard.  He married you because he decided that he loved you and couldn’t live without you.  He doesn’t want you to be like Mrs. so and so, he wants you to keep being the girl that he fell in love with.  Since you already won first place in that contest you can begin, one thing at a time, to find out what he needs, what he desires, and try to incorporate those things into your marriage relationship.
 
First, meet his needs as a man, then as a preacher or teacher or whatever God has called him to be.  Now, I’m sure that many of you preachers wives had that in order in your brain, I’m sure that it has gotten out of order many times by your action as a wife.
 
I know there have been many times that you have been consumed in being a part of your husband’s ministry or career, that you came home completely exhausted or upset and stressed out, or maybe even too excited or preoccupied to be the kind of wife he needs and wanted to have when he got home. 
 
You need to remind yourself, that you are a wife first, and a preacher’s wife second [or career man].  His needs for companionship, support, and understanding, for a homey, restful atmosphere, for an affectionate and loving wife should come first, before the demands of his ministry [or career]. 
 
You can become the kind of wife that your husband needs.  Moreover, you are the only one in the world who can! You have an important ministry and a challenging opportunity in this wonderful thing called Marriage.
 
Ladies, that man that you married needs someone very much.  It’s not Super Wife or Wonder Woman.  It’s not a clone of Mrs. so and so, who keeps coming to your mind and discouraging you because you could never be like her.  Your husband needs the loving ministry of someone special that God made JUST FOR HIM…YOU. 
 
Wives you may not realize it but you are just as important to God and fit into His Divine Plan for the home and for the ministry.  Accept your responsibility in the home as a ministry to your husband and God will bless you abundantly.
 
Note for Husbands:  Be the kind of husband that your wife is so proud to walk by your side and appreciate her as God’s greatest gift to you.  Start ministering together in love….
 
I pray that this has been helpful and thank you so much Ladies for allowing me to share my heart with you today.

A Servant of the Lord;
 
Bro. Randy Davis

 (John 20:24, 25)  Today so many Christians and preachers alike take for granted their Salvation.   They have forgotten, the great price it cost the dear Son of God, even though our Salvation is free by Faith through Grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.  So this month as we celebrate His Death, Burial and Resurrection, let us remind ourselves of that great cost.

KISSING THOSE NAIL-SCARRED HANDS

 As we look at V. 25 again…We see that Thomas doesn’t want to just see those scars He received by crucifixion, but he wants to put his finger into the very nail hole where the nails had been.  When I read that I thought about how much we owe to those precious nail-scarred hands…To some those scars represent doubt and fear, but to those of us who are saved they are a beautiful reminder of how thankful and grateful we ought to be.

 Lord, I’d sure like to kiss those nail-scarred hands, because You didn’t leave me the way you found me.  (Mark 5:1-6)  When sin and addictions have enslaved folk’s lives they try to put society’s chains on them and try to control them.  Like the drunks and drug lords in the streets.  But verse 1 tells us that he had an unclean spirit and that no man could bind him.  (Jeremiah 17:9) tells us that the heart is desperately wicked, who can know it?  But then Verse 6 tells us, then he met Jesus and all of society’s chains could not tame him.  He was living among the tombs and among the dead.  Because he was spiritually dead, until one day he met Jesus Christ.  Christ was the answer to the unclean spirit. (Mark 5:8).

 Lord, I’d sure like to kiss those nail-scarred hands, because You gave me eternal life.  It was God’s unconditional love that saved us, not because we deserve it. (John 3:16).  It is also not man’s way to God but God’s way to man. (Acts 4:12).  Also there’s not a bunch of ways to get saved only one way (John 14:6).  And I became a New Creature in Christ. (2Corinthians 5:17).

 Lord, I’d sure like to kiss those nail-scarred hands, because You gave me a second chance…If you had a second chance to live life over today what changes would you make?  Who do you turn to when a crisis comes?  To have a few trusted friends that you can count on in times of need.  Paul had two such friends.  The Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:14) “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you,” and young Timothy was his friend as well.  If I had a second chance I’d give my friends a second chance, Paul did. (2Timothy 4:11).  If I had a second chance I would show more love to my family.  I’d spend more time with my kids.  I’d also spend more time with my wife.  If I had a second chance, I would not put things off, but do them without delay.  I’d also tell more folks about Jesus Christ.  God’s Message to the lost sinner is come, come before winter. Come before it’s too late…

 Lord, I’d sure like to kiss those nail-scarred hands, because You paid a debt that I could not pay. (Romans 5:8)  Sin had to be paid for.  We are sinners by choice and also by nature. (Romans 6:23).  So then we are bought with a price.  (Hebrews 9:22) “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin.”

 Lord, I’d sure like to kiss those nail-scarred hands, because You changed my life (2Corithians 5:17).  I think about Daniel how he preserved his purity as a child of God, even though he spent all of those years in a heathen culture and environment.  Don’t blame culture and environment for sin…Daniel was not a run of the mill cookie cutter Christian, just like everybody else.  He purposed in his heart to live for God to honor God and to put God first in his life.  I want the world to see that I’m not like them and I’m not what I used to be…God gave an excellent spirit, by having a good attitude and a good outlook on life along with some wisdom and insight into some things.  So folks can feel confident that they can trust me.  If you can’t trust a Christian, who can you trust?  That’s why without Faith, it is impossible to please God (Romans 10:17).  Because it is when my spirit is regenerated that it not only begins with Salvation, but it is suppose to grow for the rest of my life.  After Salvation, we need a Christ-like Spirit, a Spirit that is in harmony with the Word of God.

 I also want a clean Testimony…Daniel was lifted up not because of what he was trying to be, but because of what he was.  He was just being a good Christian and had a right spirit toward God and man.  Then he didn’t want to do evil anymore.  How Christians today need to purpose in their hearts, not to do evil any more.  So to keep a good testimony I want to abstain from the appearance of evil (1Thessalonians 5:22).  How we as Christians need to guard ourselves not necessarily doing wrong but not to give the appearance that we are.  If you are always explaining yourself, then you need to avoid the appearance of evil…Your life will defend you not just what you do or don’t do but who you are.  That doesn’t make us sinless but it does make us innocent.   
 We also need to be Faithful that means to be consistent.  Not just do right when you feel like it, but do right because it’s right.  You and I need to work hard in being trusted, respected, having an excellent spirit, a clean testimony, knowing what the Bible says and believe it with conviction while serving God all the time.

 Lord, I’d sure like to kiss those nail-scarred hands, because You gave me a New Home in Heaven. (John 14:1-3).  Christ is in Heaven, in His Father’s House where there are many mansions and He’s gone to prepare a place for us so that He can be with us and we can be with Him…We’re only passing through this old world.  This old world is not our home, it’s only our appointment.
 
 Revelations says in Heaven there will be no more sin, sorrow, pain, suffering, growing old and no more tears…Lord, I’d like to kiss those nail-scarred hands, You gave me eternal life, You gave me a second chance, You paid a debt that I could not pay, then You changed my life and gave me a New Home in Heaven.

 Dear Christian and preachers have you forgotten what you have in Christ?  Are you thankful and grateful for your Salvation?  Then maybe you too, ought to kiss those nail-scarred hands and tell the Lord Jesus Christ how much you love Him.

 This is Resurrection Sunday and as we spend time with our family and friends, don’t get caught up in focusing on how the world celebrates Easter but how we Christians celebrate the greatest event in the history of the World.  Because He Died…We Live.

 May God continue to Bless your ministry is my prayer.  We have so much to be thankful for…Those Precious Nail-Scarred Hands.

Love & Prayers in Christ

Bro. Randy Davis

 But, now I have left New England behind for a few weeks as I am now in Maryland and Florida preaching Revival Meetings and Men’s Leadership Conferences.

 While I was holding meetings in Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Kentucky, I was able to have morning devotions with my wife Sandy on the phone [Free Call].  I can’t tell you how much that meant to us looking forward to our Family Devotion at 7:00am every morning; we could still read the Bible and pray together even though we were miles apart.  As I thought about our commitment to having our family devotion a question came to mind that I want to ask you…Do You Own Your Bible Or Does Your Bible Own You.

DO YOU OWN YOUR BIBLE OR DOES YOUR BIBLE OWN YOU? 

 Just because Sandy and I were separated by miles from one another, we didn’t use it as an excuse for not having our family devotion.  So I ask you the question again…Do You Own Your Bible Or Does Your Bible Own You?  So many Christians today do not read their Bible and Fellowship with God.  They own their Bible, but their Bible does not own them.

 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).

 Does the Bible own your heart and mind?  When the Bible owns our heart it will be like (Romans 6:17) “But God be thanked, that ye were the Servants of sin, but ye have obey from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”  When the Bible owns our heart it will be an Obedient Heart toward God.  If the Bible owns your mind we will be like the early believers in Thessalonica.  (Acts 17:11) “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word [Bible] with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were true.”  When the Bible owns our heart and mind it makes us obedient Christians who are ready to receive the Word with readiness of mind and search the Scriptures for truth rather than go to man or trust our feelings about something.

 Does the Bible own your talk?  It’s amazing, I meet and talk with so many Christians from Fundamental Independent Baptist Churches all over the country, when I listen to their speech or talk if you will, so much of their talk is from what men have written about the Bible and it is so evident that they don’t know their Bible.  They know what everybody else thinks but they don’t know what God thinks.  As servants of the Lord and ministers of Christ, we are going to give an account to God for everything that we speak out of our mouth when giving advice or counseling people.  If our Bible owns us we will give them nothing but the counsel of God’s Word…”But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36).

  My next question is; Does the Bible own your walk?  So many Christians are walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit.  When the Bible owns you then you will Walk after the Spirit.  “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16).  Does the Bible own your attitude when it changes your attitude?   “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8). 

 Does the Bible own your relationship with God and with others?  If we have a right relationship with God we will also have a right relationship with our spouses, our children and our friends and others…If your Bible owns you then you will desire to be God’s friend.  “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14).  God didn’t say, I am your friend in this text, but, Ye are my friends.  Every Christian should never be satisfied with being just a servant but should desire to be God’s friend.  When your Bible owns you, you become a friend of God, then you will walk in Truth and bring Joy to your heavenly Father and in doing that it will affect all of your relationships…

 Before I finish, the last question I would like to ask you is, Does your Bible own your Prayer life?  So many Christians spend so much time praying for themselves and also about physical needs.  Not that we shouldn’t pray for physical needs and ask God for hearing our own needs.  But, if you would take the time and study the prayer life of many of the disciples and apostles in the Bible you will find that most of their prayers for others were for their spiritual condition.  We are in a spiritual warfare and we need to pray for one another as we are all in this battle and the devil will get us to lose focus, making our physical needs more important than the spiritual.  So does the Bible own your Prayer Life, your Supplication, your Intercession and your Communion with your Heavenly Father?  (Revelation5:8) “And when He had taken the Book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”  The best thing that we can do for one another and the greatest need of the hour is to pray for one another.  The Prayers of the Saints…

 If our Bible owns us it will affect our Heart, Mind, Talk as well as our Walk along with our Attitude.  We will also have a right relationship with God and others, including our family, Church family and friends, then it will affect our Prayer Life…

 So many Christians and Preachers alike carry their Bibles and many times it lies unnoticed on the table until the next time we go to Church.  We are living in a generation where Christians and Preachers of the Gospel not only need to own a Bible but their Bible needs to own them as well.

 May God Bless you and your ministries as we serve the Lord Jesus Christ together is my Prayer.
  
Love and Prayers in Christ,
 
Bro. Randy Davis