From a sermon by Pastor Carlos Serrano, Bible Baptist Church of National City, California (based on Ruth 1):

> Your walk with the Lord is more valuable than the wealth of the world.

> If you leave the will of God, you will go out empty, and you will come back emptier.

> The will of God is never empty.

> Be rooted in Christ.

"A sending church gains by sacrifice. We must give up the best among us by sending them out."

Missionary Jason Russell (Papua New Guinea)

"The people who work with you should see a sermon every day."

Dr. J.D. Weido, Pastor of Bible Baptist Church of El Dorado, Arkansas

"The world has reduced joy to feeling happy, peace to the absence of struggle, longsuffering to tolerance of sin, gentleness to tenderness, goodness to whatever makes one feel good about himself, faith to mere belief, meekness to passivity, and temperance to 'anything goes' in moderation. There may be some semblance of truth in some of these, but they represent a very shallow and superficial understanding of these qualities."

"Longsuffering certainly includes tolerance, but tolerance toward evil leads to an accommodation of evil, and finally to capitulation to it. Invariably, tolerance of evil results in intolerance toward the righteous (Proverbs 29:27)."

Pastor Jerry Scheidbach, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California, in his book "The New Cart Church: Doing the Right Thing the Wrong Way"

Jude 21 says, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

God loves us (John 3:16), and He is also pleased when we respond to His love for us (1st John 4:16-19). We are to keep ourselves “in the love of God”.

As lost sinners, we cannot change our sinful nature with our own efforts (Titus 3:5). We all fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23), but the Lord Jesus took the initiative of loving us, “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8). He died and rose again from the grave (1st Cor. 15:1-4) to guarantee our salvation (Rom. 4:25). He is the only way that can you bridge a loving relationship with the Father (John 14:6).

When you trust Jesus by faith as your Lord and Savior (Eph. 2:8-9), you are declared righteous (2nd Cor 5:21), and a child of God (John 1:12)! He promised to take good care of His children, because He loves us with “an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3).

Keeping ourselves “in the love of God” can affect how we respond to His love (John 16:27). For instance, Martha, like many Christians today, was “cumbered about much serving,” while Mary chose “that good part” by listening to Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). We learn to love His words in response to His love for us. We love to listen to the preaching of God’s Word (John 8:47) and studying it (2nd Tim. 2:15). We will also keep His commandments (1st John 5:3) because of our love for Him.

When you mess up, rather than dwelling on the shame and guilt of your sins, confess them (1st John 1:9), and return to the love of God. When trials come, don’t question God’s love, because His love is fixed; instead, allow the adversities of life to draw you closer to Him (James 1:2-4). When we keep ourselves “in the love of God,” it fulfills the joy of your salvation.

Pastor Melito Barrera (Berean Bible Baptist Church of Chula Vista)

{"The Pilgrim's Progress", Second Part, in which Christian's wife, Christiana, follows her husband on a pilgrimage to the Celestial City, together with their two sons:}

It was told you before that PRUDENCE bade the boys that if at any time they would, they should ask her some questions that might be profitable; and she would say something to them.

Then MATTHEW, who had been sick, asked her, "Why, for the most part, physic [medicine] should be bitter to our palates?"

PRUDENCE. To show how unwelcome the Word of God and the effects thereof are to a carnal heart.

MATTHEW. Why does physic, if it does good, purge and cause that we vomit?

PRUDENCE. To show that the Word, when it works effectually, cleanses the heart and mind. For look, what the one doth to the body, the other doth to the soul.

MATTHEW. What should we learn by seeing the flame of our fire go upwards? and by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike downwards?

PRUDENCE. By the going up of the fire we are taught to ascend to heaven by fervent and hot desires. And by the sun, his sending his heat, beams, and sweet influences downwards, we are taught that the Saviour of the world, though high, reaches down with his grace and love to us below.

MATTHEW. Where have the clouds their water?

PRUDENCE. Out of the sea.

MATTHEW. What may we learn from that?

PRUDENCE. That ministers should fetch their doctrine from God.

MATTHEW. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth?

PRUDENCE. To show that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world.

MATTHEW. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?

PRUDENCE. To show that the covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ.

MATTHEW. Why do the springs come from the sea to us through the earth?

PRUDENCE. To show that the grace of God comes to us through the body of Christ.

MATTHEW. Why do some of the springs rise out of the tops of high hills?

PRUDENCE. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low.

MATTHEW. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candlewick?

PRUDENCE. To show that unless grace doth kindle upon the heart, there will be no true light of life in us.

MATTHEW. Why is the wick and tallow, and all, spent to maintain the light of the candle?

PRUDENCE. To show that body, and soul, and all, should be at the service of, and spend themselves to maintain in good condition, that grace of God that is in us.

MATTHEW. Why doth the pelican pierce her own breast with her bill?

PRUDENCE. To nourish her young ones with her blood; and thereby to show that Christ the blessed so loves his young, his people, as to save them from death by his blood.

MATTHEW. What may one learn by hearing the cock crow?

PRUDENCE. Learn to remember Peter's sin and Peter's repentance. The cock's crowing shows also that day is coming on; let, then, the crowing of the cock put thee in mind of that last and terrible day of Judgment.

John Bunyan (1628-1688, English Separatist preacher)

"You see your dollars converted to souls saved on the mission field."

Dr. J.D. Weido, Pastor of Bible Baptist Church of El Dorado, Arkansas

"When you are living the separated Christian life, you are vulnerable to the old friends and the old ways, but you are protected by the Holy Spirit of God."

Assistant Pastor Justin Burkholder, Liberty Baptist Church of San Jose, California

"Because many Christians have accepted the world's corruption of the concept of love, they are confused about how to rightly identify a church that has got it by the spirit of God. They are likely to think that a church that preaches against homosexuality and abortion, or that speaks against the sins of our nation, is mean-spirited, unkind, and ungenerous. They are deceived into following churches that are guided by the spirit of this world (Ephesians 2:2)."

Pastor Jerry Scheidbach, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California, in his book "The New Cart Church: Doing the Right Thing the Wrong Way"

2nd Timothy 1:11 says, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”

While Paul was in prison, he encouraged Timothy to not be ashamed of the Gospel (v. 8); the Gospel was the reason that compelled Paul to serve the Lord (Acts 20:24). Its message of grace motivated him to pour out his life for the glory of God (v. 9). This should also be an encouragement for everyone who wants to actively serve our Lord Jesus (1st Cor. 15:58).

When we occupy a position in the Lord’s work, we need to be reminded that it is both an honor and a privilege (Phil. 1:29)! As servants of Christ, we don’t have to earn something for our labours (1st Thess. 1:3). We simply do what is needed because of our love for Him (1st John 4:19): from picking up trash and cleaning toilets, to helping in the nursery so that parents can sit together in a service, to singing in the choir, to giving folks a ride to church. The work is the same, whether you have been a believer for 20 years or just a week (1st Pet. 4:8-10).

If you are saved, then you ought to be busy and blessed in serving the Lord. It only becomes a burden when it is done according to the flesh (2nd Pet. 2:10), and not borne out of your love for Him (Heb. 6:10).

Our “reasonable service” proves the reality of our salvation (Rom. 12:1), and genuine faith is manifested by our works of love (James 2:18). There must be a willingness to serve Him (Eph. 2:10) by being faithful, available, teachable, yielded, and usable (2nd Tim. 2:21).

Let us be determined to fulfill His call on our lives by His grace and for His glory (1st Cor. 10:31). Nobody else may seem to care, but God does! He knows our service and He will reward His children when we stand before Him one day (2nd Cor. 5:10).

Commit all your ways unto Him (Ps 37:4), and just keep on serving Him!

Pastor Melito Barrera (Berean Bible Baptist Church of Chula Vista)

"God can give through you what He won't give to you."

Dr. J.D. Weido, Pastor of Bible Baptist Church of El Dorado, Arkansas

"The first step in a victorious Christian Life is for me to realize that I am consecrated unto Jesus."

Assistant Pastor Justin Burkholder, Liberty Baptist Church of San Jose, California

(consecrate = to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service of God)

"In proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hope to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."

Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775

"Christ and the church are not identical, but they are inseparable. It is not faithful members who build the church; it is Christ who builds His church through faithful members. Jesus Christ loves His church. Do you love your church?"

Professor Rocky Harrill (Heartland Baptist Bible College of Oklahoma City)

"The spirit that operates in the children of disobedience hates the Spirit of Jesus Christ their Creator. Some of their fashions are specifically adapted to publicly display their moral corruptions as brute beasts (Jude:10). More obvious is the passion evident among many to publicly display their own nakedness, which is to their shame (Exodus 32:25). It's as if the spirit in them seeks reverse sanctification: that is, Satan wants those under the control of his spirit to be peculiarly unChristian. It's as if they purposely set themselves apart from any identification with holiness, purity, or godliness. Indeed, the spirit that operates in them moves them to develop fashions that offend the sensibilities of our holy God."

Pastor Jerry Scheidbach, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California, in his book "The New Cart Church: Doing the Right Thing the Wrong Way"

Numbers 13:2 says, “Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.”

Canaan was a land that flowed with milk and honey (v. 27); a land of blessing, peace, and prosperity (Ex. 6:8). God told Moses that He already gave the title deed of Canaan to the people of Israel. They were commanded to “go in and possess the land”. {Deut. 1:8} It was already determined by God, in His perfect will, that they march into Canaan and claim what He had already provided for them (Gen. 17:8).

As God’s children, He did not save us just to walk around in a desert of misery and spiritual defeat (Rom. 3:10-18). He saved us so that we might enjoy victory and blessings in Him (Rom. 8:37)! Just as the people of Israel were brought out of bondage from the land of Egypt (Ex. 20:2), God has set us free from the bondage of sin (John 8:36) to give us a new and abundant life in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:10)! Sadly, many Christians never reach that place of victory. Instead, they live with much anxiety, and often below God's standard for their lives. Many never reach their Canaan because they are constantly in doubt and fearful over the condition of their soul (1st John 3:6-9) – they secretly battle some recurring sins in their lives (Rom. 7:15-20). Some spend most of their time worrying about every little thing in life (Phil. 4:6-7).

Folks, this is not God’s plan for us! We need to realize that He already made a way for us to be victorious over the sins we face (1st Cor. 10:13). We just need to trust Him in what He can do for our lives (1st Pet. 5:7). Realize that God, according to His Word, wants us to have a victorious Christian life (1st Cor. 15:57). We must claim His precious promises as we face the battles of life!

Pastor Melito Barrera (Berean Bible Baptist Church of Chula Vista, California)

"Many from a real or pretended fear of the imputation of hypocrisy, banish from their conversation and carriage every appearance of respect and submission to the living God. What a weakness and meanness of spirit does it discover, for a man to be ashamed in the presence of his fellow sinners, to profess that reverence to almighty God which he inwardly feels: The truth is, he makes himself truly liable to the accusation which he means to avoid. It is as genuine and perhaps a more culpable hypocrisy to appear to have less religion than you really have, than to appear to have more."

John Witherspoon, 1776 (1723-1794; Scottish-American Presbyterian minister, educator, farmer, & a Founding Father of the United States)

Izaak Walton related that George Herbert went through a year of illness from which he was ultimately cured, but which left him with other painful health maladies. Izaak wrote:

"And it is to be noted, that in the sharpest of his extreme fits he would often say, 'Lord, abate my great affliction, or increase my patience: but Lord, I repine not; I am dumb, Lord, before Thee, because Thou doest it.'

"By which, and a sanctified submission to the will of God, he shewed he was inclinable to bear the sweet yoke of Christian discipline, both then and in the latter part of his life, of which there will be many true testimonies."

Walton also stated, "...thus lowly, was Mr. George Herbert in his own eyes, and thus lovely in the eyes of others."

"Baptist is not a denomination, it's a distinction."

Professor Rocky Harrill (Heartland Baptist Bible College of Oklahoma City)

The unfortunate exception is the Southern Baptist Convention, which sadly bills itself as America's largest PROTESTANT DENOMINATION. True Baptists are neither Protestants nor denominationalists.

{"The Pilgrim's Progress", Second Part, in which Christiana's friend, Prudence, questions Christians's two sons in order to grow their faith:}

Prudence: "What do you think of the Bible?"

Matthew: "It is the holy Word of God."

Prudence: "Is there nothing written therein but what you understand?"

Matthew: "Yes, a great deal."

Prudence: "What do you do when you meet with such places therein that you do not understand?"

Matthew: "I think God is wiser than I. I pray also that he will please to let me know all therein that he knows will be for my good."

Prudence: "How believe you as touching the resurrection of the dead?"

Matthew: "I believe they shall rise the same that was buried; the same in nature, though not in corruption. And I believe this upon a double account: first, because God has promised it; secondly, because He is able to perform it."

Then said PRUDENCE to the boys, "You must still hearken to your mother; for she can learn you more. You must also diligently give ear to what good talk you shall hear from others; for, for your sakes do they speak good things. Observe also, and that with carefulness, what the heavens and the earth do teach you; but especially be much in the meditation of that Book that was the cause of your father's becoming a pilgrim. I, for my part, my children, will teach you what I can while you are here; and shall be glad if you will ask me questions that tend to godly edifying."

John Bunyan (1628-1688, English Separatist preacher)

"What you lack in moral character you must compensate with practical, biblical standards. You need enough standards to protect you from yourself."

Dr. Dennis Corle, Evangelist

"Worldliness is defined in 1st John 2:15 as appealing to the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. To understand what appeals to our lusts, read Galatians 5:16-20. Most pre-rock-n-roll popular music in America grew out of forms originating among God's people. Many of the popular songs of the early '50s were Gospel songs. By contrast, rock and roll originated with the children of disobedience. It is worldly by design.

"Mature Christians who exercised themselves in the use of Scripture so as to sharpen their senses to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14) recognized it immediately as the music of rebellion. Of course, they were ridiculed and scorned and ignored, but it was only a few generations later that millions of our children were led into the occult by their rock-n-roll heroes.

"Another important point to take from the necessity that we worship God in spirit is that genuine worship is never without the mind fully engaged, fully aware. Any form of worship that encourages one to suspend active engagement of their rational mind during worship is not the sort of worship that God wants. You cannot truly worship in spirit without the understanding being engaged (1st Corinthians 14:15)."

Pastor Jerry Scheidbach, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California, in his book "The New Cart Church: Doing the Right Thing the Wrong Way"

Leviticus 13:2 says, “When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests...”

Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes severe skin sores and nerve damage especially in the arms and legs. It starts small and then spreads. It was a dreaded disease and resulted in the afflicted being outcast (Num. 5:2).

Sin and false doctrine are likened to leprosy and leaven in the Bible (Gal. 5:9). Sin usually starts small (James 1:14-15). There is a temptation to hide leprosy when it starts, just like we tend to hide our sins (Prov. 28:13). The leper is to be brought to the priest like we need to go to Jesus (1st John 1:9).

When leprosy spreads (v. 7), the sensory nerves can be damaged, causing the leper to feel no pain. The same can be true with sin when your “conscience is seared” (1st Tim. 4:2). The “leprous man” is infectious (v. 44-46); likewise, sin often spreads to others (Lk 17:1-4). Therefore, the leper was to be separated from the congregation, and so is the sinner under certain circumstances (1st Cor. 5:13). Leprosy can cause death, and so can sin (Rom 8:12-13).

The bacteria that causes leprosy progresses very slowly; symptoms vary and don't usually start immediately. The consequences of sin are very similar. They don’t usually manifest themselves right away (Ps. 1:1). Leprous people with peripheral nerve damage may have muscle weakness that can result in deformities, paralysis, and even blindness. The effects of sin are very similar: they adversely affect your heart, mind, body, spirit, and soul.

Consider David when he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2nd Sam. 11:1-17): there was a desire, then deception, disobedience, and eventually death. Leprosy’s physical toll typifies the spiritual toll of sin – it can eat you away until you die (1st John 5:16-17).

Pastor Melito Barrera (Berean Bible Baptist Church of Chula Vista, California)

"In Romans 1:16, Paul said, 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.'

"But how can people respond to a warning they've never received, or believe a Gospel they've never heard? How are they going to receive a Saviour that nobody's told them about? How are they going to get deliverance from hell if they are unaware that they are in jeopardy?"

"God said that our job is warning. I'm not in the job of saving people or racking up statistics. I am commanded to warn people, and I ought to reach everyone I can, go as far as I can with everyone who will listen, and be as persuasive as I can be. But my main job is warning men, women, and children of their need of a Saviour."

Evangelist Dennis Corle, editor of 'Revival Fires'!

"Most evangelicals are convinced that psychotherapy is scientific and that it is necessary to supply what is lacking in the Bible regarding man's mental, emotional, and behavioral needs.

"So what's the problem of psychotherapy? According to numerous scientific studies, it rarely works (and then only superficially) and is known to be harmful. From a Biblical perspective, it is an anti-Christian, religious counterfeit."

"Psychotherapy has shipwrecked the faith of many regarding the sufficiency of the Bible. Because psychologists claim to have insights into the nature of man, and also methods for change not found in the Bible, it follows that the Bible cannot be sufficient for counseling or addressing believers mental, emotional, and behavioral needs.

"Psychotherapy has sold the church the lie that psychology can be integrated with the Bible. Since psychology and the Bible are fundamentally in opposition to one another, it should be obvious that there can be no real integration of their teachings."

T.A. McMahon in his book, 'Psychology and the Church'

"The Christian Religion is, above all the Religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern Times, The Religion of Wisdom, Virtue, Equity and Humanity, let the Blackguard Paine say what he will. It is Resignation to God — it is Goodness itself to Man."

President John Adams in his diary on July 26, 1796

"I expect lost people to come to church looking like lost people. But shouldn't saved people attend church services looking like saved people?"

Professor Rocky Harrill (Heartland Baptist Bible College of Oklahoma City)

{The Pilgrim's Progress, Second Part, in which Christian's wife, Christiana, follows her husband on a pilgrimage to the Celestial City, together with their two sons:}

So when they were come again into the house and supper as yet was not ready, CHRISTIANA again desired that the INTERPRETER would either show or tell of some other things that are profitable.

Then the INTERPRETER began, and said, "The fatter the sow is, the more she desires the mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaughter; and the more healthy the lusty man is, the more prone he is unto evil.

"There is a desire in women to go neat and fine; and it's a comely thing to be adorned with that which in God's sight is of great price.

"'Tis easier watching a night or two, than to sit up a whole year together: so 'tis easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should to the end.

"Every shipmaster, when in a storm, will willingly cast that overboard that is of the smallest value in the vessel. But who will throw the best out first? none but he that fears not God.

"One leak will sink a ship: and one sin will destroy a sinner.

"He that forgets his friend, is ungrateful unto him: but he that forgets his Saviour, is unmerciful to himself.

"He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that sows cockle, and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley.

"If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company keeper.

"Whispering and change of thoughts, prove that sin is in the world.

"If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth with men; what is heaven, which God commends!

"If the life that is attended with so many troubles is so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above!

"Everybody will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as he should be, affected with the goodness of God?

"We seldom sit down to meat, but we eat and leave; so there is in Jesus Christ more merit and righteousness than the whole world has need of."

When the INTERPRETER had done, he takes them out into his garden again, and had them to a tree, whose inside was all rotten and gone, and yet it grew and had leaves. Then said MERCY, "What means this?"

"This tree," said he, "whose outside is fair, and whose inside is rotten, it is to which many may be compared that are in the garden of God; who, with their mouths, speak high in behalf of God, but indeed will do nothing for him; whose leaves are fair, but their heart good for nothing but to be tinder for the devil's tinderbox."

Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on the board. So they sat down, and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the INTERPRETER did usually entertain those that lodged with him with music at meals; so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing; and a very fine voice he had. His song was this:

"The Lord is only my support

And he that doth me feed:

How can I, then want anything

Where of I stand in need?"

John Bunyan (1628-1688, English Separatist preacher)

"Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement..."

"Manners, by which not only the freedom, but the very existence of the republics, are greatly affected, depend much upon the public institutions of religion and the good education of youth; in both these instances our fathers laid wise foundations, for which their posterity have had reason to bless their memory."

John Hancock (1737-1793; American Founding Father, merchant, statesman, & prominent Patriot of the American Revolution; president of the Second Continental Congress; Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

"America is no longer lovely. Though she remains a great country, many wonder if she is still a good country. Our world has been turned upside down. What was right and true yesterday is wrong and false today. What was immoral and shameful - promiscuity, abortion, euthanasia, suicide - has become praiseworthy. Nietzsche called it the transvaluation of all values; the old values become sins, and the sins become virtues."

Pat Buchanan (American conservative political commentator, columnist, politician, & broadcaster)