Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 31, 2017
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
My Prayer: Dearest Father, please cause me to desire to walk in Your light. Make me to take such joy in the fellowship of the body of Your Son and in His shed blood that Your light will overflow from my life.

Morning Devotional January 31, 2017

Romans 3:19-31

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”



O child of God I challenge you to study and meditate on these words this morning. Think on where we have been and where we are now as pertaining to spiritual things. O wicked we were. How deserving of hell we were. Yet, if not for the sacrificial blood of our Lord and Savior we would still be on that road that leads to eternal destruction!!! The law couldn't save us. Our own works couldn't save us. Only our Heavenly Father sending His Son as the sacrifice for our sins could save the souls of His chosen people.
Think also on who you are and whose you are this morning. We are children of God!!! The Creator of all things!!! We are His and He is ours!!! He so graciously chose us out of this world to be His children before the world began. O what a glorious thought to know He has loved us from before the beginning and it was His plan all along to save us out of our sin!!!
Dear unsaved sinner, is the Holy Spirit calling you today? Are you being convicted of your sins? Will He not leave you alone? Are you loosing sleep? Are you scared of the consequences of your sins and that you deserve hell and eternal torment for denying God? Believe on His name!!! Run to Him when He calls!!! Fall at His feet and beg for mercy!!!
O child of God, Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!!! Give praise to whom praise is due!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

Monday, 30 January 2017

Morning Devotional January 30, 2017

Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The word “nothing” in the context that it is used here means to worry. So let's think on worry for a bit. O how we fall often into the sin of worry. But our Lord here warns us not to worry. Why does He warn us about worry? I will answer that with a question. Why should we worry?
In our busy, fast paced lives we live, we expect answers now. We have no patience. Our faith in God has become weak. Not of anything He has done. But because of our sin. We pray and expect an answer. And God says He will answer our prayers. But when we don't get the answer we expect or the answer doesn't come immediately we worry and fret. Yet our Heavenly Father tells us over and over in His Word to trust in Him.
Our worry comes from our fear of things not coming out the way we want or expect. Or just not knowing what is about to happen. Many times our worries are because we have not followed the Lord like we should and we worry what chastisement He will bring on us. Sometimes our worry is because we want answers now and don't want to wait on God's timing. And sometimes it is because we already know the Lord's answer but that answer was not what we wanted to hear.
If we would just follow the Lord and His commandments we would have no worries. Remember He told us He did not give us the spirit of fear? So if He did not give it to us there is only one other place it could come from. Satan comes subtly and many times as an angel of light. Putting thoughts of doubt and worry in our minds. Leading us astray from our Lord.
The answer for our worry? Resist the wiles of the devil. Pray without ceasing. Follow Christ and His commandments. Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy!!!
Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

With lowly reverence at the foot of the Cross

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

With lowly reverence at the foot of the Cross, bow down your soul and say, "My Lord, there is no difference between me and the greatest reprobate--but what Your grace has made! There is no difference between me and lost souls in Hell--except what Your infinite compassion has been pleased to make!"

"By the grace of God I am what I am!"
1 Corinthians 15:10
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 30, 2017
Thou [art] my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. (Psalm 32:7)
The Lord our God is the High King of Deliverance! There is no calamity so great that He might be unable to rescue us. Even when we were dead of spirit and purebred haters of Him, He saw fit to rescue us from ourselves. He gave the dead new life. There is no difficulty so strong that He cannot save us. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and He will surely deliver!

Sunday, 29 January 2017

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church
"Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Five Years”
1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501
January 29, 2017          
 Newsletter Number 605
Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Leader
Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                       Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com

“A Church Seeking To Please God In Prayer, Song, Preaching, And Worship.”
Our Prayer Request:
 
All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry,  Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Adcock, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Lee & Mary Mollette, Wendell Henderson, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Vickie Adkins, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Linda Hughes, Donna Jones, Brandy Sullivan, Gina, Tammy Hairston and family, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Manual Seymour, Sr, The Harris Family, The Morris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister Ann McSwain, Brother Archie and Barbra Griffin, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor:
 
God’s Choice.Isaiah 49:5 “And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.”
 
It is embarrassing sometimes to hear many of the Ministers that fills the pulpits in Americas Churches. They make it seems so wrong to preach the truth of God’s Holy Script. It is like I am preaching the devils message instead of the truth of God’s word. Every Sunday men stand in pulpits and almost universally preach the same wrong and embarrassing sermons, about how salvation is up to the creature to decide whether they want to be a Christian or not. Paul was so right when he wrote to the church at Rome, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools...And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man..." Romans 1:22-23a Well they are most certainly fools today. Paul went on to write in this same letter “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 1:25 Since God is Sovereign then these sermons people hear every Sunday in theses churches is simple wrong and embarrassing to men and churches who teach truth. It is not that we “disagree” they are simply teaching lies and people are packing the houses to hear these lies. Beloved, Paul wrote to the church at Galatia “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 What we as true believers must remember is “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Their reward for their deception of God’s word, they will pay. Therefore, it is our job as believers in truth and Ministers in truth to keep on and try to ignore the deceivers. If God wanted them to be saved and to believe truth, then He would have changed their hearts also. It is all God’s choice, everything is Gods choice. Isaiah wrote “…LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant…” Isaiah did not choose God, God chose Isaiah. The prophet went on to say in chapter 49 and verse 1 “…The LORD hath called me from the womb…” and in verse 2 “…And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword…” So as one can see it is all God and His choice, and why did God chose all this for the Prophet? “…Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” Verse 3 God is only glorified in truth and honor of His chosen servants. God told the Prophet Jeramiah “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 Well here in the Twenty-First Century God still chooses His servants and He still controls them in truth, and He still sees them through. While man wants to change the truth, the truth is still alive and well in the little Sovereign Grace Baptist Church and the men whom He has chosen to be their Pastor. So as a minister of Jesus Christ and Pastor of the Lords church it still blesses my heart when I read in Galatians 1:15-16 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” It was all God’s blessed choice, and God has blessed all Sovereign Grace Baptist Pastors with these same blessings. God called us from our mother’s wombs, God revealed His Son in us, and God called us to Pastor His churches, What Some Blessed men we are. And to thank of it, it was all God’s choice and not our own, thank you Lord! And if you are saved today, it was also God’s choice and you are His blessed creature, so praise God for His blessings to you.
 
A Thought From Brother Steve McCool;

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:1-3
 
O what a sad sort we are. We read of Jonah and his rebel against God and how he was angry because God took him to Nineveh instead of Tarshish. Jonah desired the easy way of Tarshish and did not want to deal with the great sins of the people of Nineveh.
 
How many times have we sought to go with the righteous and not with the unrighteous? As God's people we often times think we have a right to take what seems to be the easy path through life. Yet our Lord may have other ideas and a much different plan than we would have. O how we often forget who is in charge. O how we often forget our life is to be lived for the glory of God and not for ourselves.
 
Often times we are lead down a path by our Lord that we would not wish on our worst enemy. But God, in His grace and mercy guides us and leads us through some of the most difficult trials we can imagine. All the while teaching us lessons that will become more valuable than any earthly wealth. Lessons that will last a life time. Lessons that will take us through the fire and refine us to be honorable vessels for His service.
 
O how would should praise God for these trials!!! When God uses us to bless others or to spread His Word in places we would not have gone on our own, we must give Him the praise and the glory for it all!!! Even if those He has sent us to don't seem to listen or care. We must praise Him for it all!!!
 
Praise ye the Lord!!!
 
Sin is their mother — and these are her hateful progeny!
By Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873
 
Men often talk of poverty, misfortune, disease, and bereavement, as evils. Yet there is no radical evil in this world, but sin. If you still persist in calling other things evils, remember that sin is their mother — and these are her hateful progeny!
  No sin — no suffering!
  No sin — no sorrow!
  No sin — no death, no grave, no Hell!

Oh, what a glorious truth is this!

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

"You are altogether beautiful, my love--there is no flaw in you!" Song of Songs 4:7

Although a poor tried child of God may feel the force of his inbred sin and have to continually struggle with it--and though he may, from day to day, be conscious of his many imperfections--yet before those eyes which see everything, there is no flaw to be seen upon the believer in Christ. I mean no flaw in this respect--that he can never be condemned or punished for his sin. His sin is finally and fully and forever pardoned!

Oh, what a glorious truth is this!
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 29, 2017
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
If we seek God, it is promised that we shall find Him. How wondrous then that it is God who makes us to be seekers of Him! In His beautiful supremacy over the history of His redemptive purpose, God has ignited in each of His chosen people, a divine and unquenchable spark of desire to know Him. So rest, O believer, assured in the fact that you love God because He first loved you—and because of His love for you, He will in nowise cast you out!

Morning Devotional January 29, 2017

Psalm 8:9

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

On this beautiful day that we are called to worship our Lord, we have so much to be thankful for. Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy. Praise Him for the life He has given us. Even when everything seems lost. Just the fact that we are still here is proof that He is not done with us. God has purpose to use us for His glory. To know this should be a great blessing to us. Yet we grumble and complain about the hardships of this life. We have nothing compared to what our Lord suffered for us. Would it do us harm to suffer a little for Him?
Praise the Lord with all that is in you!!! Praise Him for all those around you to see!!! Praise Him fore He is worthy above all others to be praised!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!
 
Stephen McCool Sr.

Saturday, 28 January 2017

I was sprinkled when I was a child!

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Some tell us that in baptism, by which they mean infant sprinkling as a rule--they regenerate and make members of Christ, children of God, and inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven!
But those who are sprinkled as infants are no better than other people! They grow up in just the same way as others. The whole ceremony is useless and worse than that, for it is clean contrary to the example and teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ! No aqueous applications, no outward ceremonies can ever affect the heart!
The fact is, baptismal regeneration is a lie--a wicked invention of Popery, without the slightest warrant in the Word of God! Not one has ever been born-again in baptism, nor ever can be!
We are told that infants can be regenerated by baptism--and we have seen these regenerated infants develop into what, to our minds, was nothing more than baptized heathen, washed to deeper stains!

I was sprinkled when I was a child--but I know that I was not thereby made a member of Christ, a child of God and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven! I know that nothing of the kind took place in me--but that, as soon as I could, I went into sin and continued in it!
I was not born-again, I am sure, until I was about fifteen years of age, when the Lord brought salvation to my soul through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit--and so I was enabled so trust in Jesus as my Savior.
Read the New Testament impartially--and you will always find that those who were baptized were believers.
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 28, 2017
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. (Proverbs 8:35)
Whatever wisdom exists finds its identity in the person and being of Christ Himself. Seek this wisdom and thereby seek out the Lord of our rest. In Him alone lies all life and love and joy and meaning. Turn to Him and embrace true wisdom! Turn to Him and be comforted with the promise of eternal Sabbath! In Christ alone stands our hope!

Morning Devotional January 28, 2016

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”



O give thanks unto our Heavenly Father today!!! O child of God, pray without ceasing!!! Praise His name O ye children of the Most High God!!! By the fruit of our lips may those around us know who we are and whose we are!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

Friday, 27 January 2017

Hands up, everyone who has a Bible!

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

"His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night!" Psalm 1:2

If I were to say, "Hands up, everyone who has a Bible!"--everybody's hands here would go up, as I suppose that nobody here is without a Bible.

But if I were to ask, "How many here, as a habit and a delight, meditate upon the Scriptures?"--I wonder how many hands would be raised? Well, I will not ask you that question, but let everybody ask it for himself and judge himself concerning it in the sight of God.

Lord, give us a Bible reading, Bible loving people!
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 27, 2017
Thou [art] my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. (Psalm 119:114)
The Lord promises to protect us from the attacks of our enemy, the Devil. It is in God's Word that we find the salvation that gives us hope to live.

Morning Devotional January 27, 2017

Psalm 120:1

In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.”



O child of God, while you are down trodden and distressed and feeling all is lost, have you stopped, got on your knees and cried unto the Lord? O what a sorry lot we are. We have a Heavenly Father who will comfort us if we only ask. He will hear our prayers. He knows our every need and our every concern. Yet so many times we fail to do the simplest thing. Ask.
Pray without ceasing. Commune with our Lord whenever distressed. But we say “but we are praying, we are communing.” But are we listening? Has He given the answer already but because we are so wrapped up in self pity that we refused to hear. Or is it our own cries are so loud we did not hear?
Go before the Lord with praise and thanksgiving. Praise His name!!! Give God the glory for all. Count your blessings before the Lord. Give Him the praise for all!!! Bring your petitions before Him and wait and listen for His answer.



Praise ye the Lord!!!
 
 
Stephen McCool Sr.

Thursday, 26 January 2017

Nothing worse can happen to a Church!

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world--but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
Someone was asking, the other day, how it was that the church, nowadays, was not so separate from the world as it used to be. One who heard the question suggested that, possibly, the world had grown better; but another more truly said that, probably, the church had grown worse.

There are some, in these apostate days, who think that the church cannot do better than to come down to the world to learn her ways, follow her maxims, and acquire her "culture." In fact, the notion is that the world is to be conquered by our conformity to it. This is as contrary to Scripture as the light is to the darkness!

Brethren, beloved in the Lord, you may depend upon it that nothing worse can happen to a Church, than to be conformed unto this world! Write "Ichabod!" upon her walls, then--for the sentence of destruction has gone out against her.

It will be an ill day for the church and the world when the proposed amalgamation shall be complete, and the sons of God and the daughters of men shall be as one--then shall another deluge of wrath be ushered in!

"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 26, 2017
And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)
The incredible love of the Father shines upon His children bringing them out of their evil darkness and into His glorious light. His light guides His people through the shadows of death. And through the grave difficulties of their lives, they are brought into places of indescribable peace and joy. As believers of Christ, we are promised this ever-present light that will lead us into the gracious sanctuary of the Lord. In this we can find hope in an everlasting rest.

Morning Devotional January 26, 2017

Psalm 116:5

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.”

O child of God, where would we be without the graciousness of our Lord? O how destitute and much more wicked would we be without His righteousness? O how glorious the mercy God bestows upon us!!!
O how we would be on our way to hell for eternity with out His grace, His righteousness, and His mercy!!! What a sobering thought this is!!!
We have so much to be thankful for. And yet we take it all for granted so much of the time. We are a sad lot!!! O how our Lord deserves much more from us than we are willing to give. He commands we give Him our all and we give Him so little.
Follow the Lord!!! Praise His name in song and in speech!!! Pray or commune with Him without ceasing!!! O love our God has for His people. A love unlike any we have ever known or ever will know.

Praise ye the Lord!!!
 
Stephen McCool Sr.

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

Morning Devotional January 25, 2017

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

O the love of our Lord!!! O what grace and mercy He shows us!!! O how when we are troubled and/or persecuted He lifts us up above the battle and protects us from the the fiery darts of the enemy. He, alone, is our strength and our shield!!! O praise God for His salvation!!!
Rejoiceth O heart!!! Sing a song of praise to the one whose love for us is like no other!!! Praise the Lord from the time we awake till the time we can no longer stay awake. “Praise Him from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below.” Praise Him!!! Praise Him!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!
 
Stephen McCool Sr.

The most beautiful thing I ever heard of!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    (Charles Spurgeon)

"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us--so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God!" 2 Corinthians 5:21

What could be better than the divine plan of substitutionary atonement? God must punish sin--He could not be God unless He did. It is a necessity of His nature, that He should hate sin with an infinite hatred, and must punish it!

Yet, as He had loved His people with an everlasting love, how could He better show His love to them and His hatred of sin--than by giving up His well-beloved Son to die instead of them! This seems to me to be the most beautiful thing I ever heard of--and it delights my soul to preach it!

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us!" Galatians 3:13
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 25, 2017
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
The compelling blood of Christ offers great power to Christians as they fight this spiritual battle against evil. By the magnificent name of Jesus Christ, we can conquer all things and nothing shall destroy us! We are victorious because Christ is with us; therefore, no one could possibly be against us (Romans 8:31).

Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Morning Devotional January 24, 2017


Lamentations 3:24

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”



Is the Lord your portion this morning? Is your hope in Him? O lost soul, I pray, if you are one of His elect He will save you today!!!
What a miserable feeling to know you are lost. To know you have no one to turn to for matters of the soul. O praise God for His grace and mercy!!! O lost soul if you are being convicted today of your sins. If you are troubled at every turn. If there seems no way out and you have no hope. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!!!
O child of God, where is your portion today? How is your soul? Are you troubled by sin? Are you burdened with the things of this world? Follow the Lord. Follow His commandments. See the hope He has given us through His salvation. Pray without ceasing!!! Praise the Lord for all in your life!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

Which is the best apple tree in the garden?

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

Ask the gardener which is the best apple tree in the garden--and he will tell you that it is not the one which has the best shape, but the one which yields the most fruit!

In the same way, he is not the best Christian who occupies the highest position, or who talks the most about divine things--but it is he whose life is most fruitful in good works to the glory of God!

"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit--so you will be My disciples." John 15:8
"He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither." Psalm 1:3
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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
January 24, 2017   
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
Once we have devoted our lives to Christ, we become a working part to further the kingdom of God. We are His field that He cultivates as we produce fruits for His glory. We are the structure of His building as He resides in our hearts. Yet, we are only His field and building by the grace of God. The triumph of Christ over death allows us to be used to His glory. After all, to be used of Christ is one of the greatest blessings in the Christian life.
 

Monday, 23 January 2017

Eloquent prayers

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    (Charles Spurgeon)

If the eloquence of our prayers mattered to God, then eloquence would be more valuable than grace--but it is not so.

Some of us may be able to express ourselves very fluently from the force of natural abilities--but it should always be an anxious question to us, whether our prayer is a prayer which God will receive.

We often pray best when we stammer and stutter--and we often pray worst when words flow articulately one after another! God is not moved by eloquent prayers--they are but empty noise to Him. He is only moved by sincere emotions which dwell in the innermost heart.

For a man to bend his knees and utter the hypocritical language of affection to God which he never feels in his heart--is little short of blaspheming God! We must have very light thoughts of God, when we try to deceive Him with such prayers as these!
I often say my prayers
But do I ever pray?
And do the wishes of my heart
Go with the words I say?

I may as well kneel down
And worship gods of stone,
As offer to the living God
A prayer of words alone.

For words without the heart
The Lord will never hear;
Nor will He to those lips attend
Whose prayers are not sincere.
   John Burton, 1803-1877
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 23, 2017
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5)
Impregnable is the bulwark of defence the Lord has provided in the regenerative blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Take great courage and comfort in the sure bastion of the Lord's sovereign plan. He cannot be thwarted. He cannot be dismayed. His chosen people can never be trampled or destroyed. Be strong in passion for this truth and proceed in your battle boldly! You are called to righteousness and evangelism-and God's power will be your power in these things.

Morning Devotional January 23, 2017

Psalm 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

As we start a new week, Let us remember who we are and whose we are. As children of God, we are children of the King!!! We are His and He is ours!!!
Let us start this week off by following Him with a song of praise for Him on our lips and a joy for Him in our hearts!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!
 
Stephen McCool Sr.

Sunday, 22 January 2017

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church
"Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Five Years”
1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501
January 22, 2017          
 Newsletter Number 604
Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Leader
Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                                          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com

“A Church Seeking To Please God In Prayer, Song, Preaching, And Worship.”
Our Prayer Request:
 
All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry,  Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Adcock, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Lee & Mary Mollette, Wendell Henderson, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Vickie Adkins, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Linda Hughes, Donna Jones, Brandy Sullivan, Gina, Tammy Hairston and family, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Manual Seymour, Sr, The Harris Family, The Morris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister Ann McSwain, Brother Archie and Barbra Griffin, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor:
 
Honor Your Pastor.1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
 
We now live in a time when “Pastors” are in great demand and are very short of plentiful. We live in a time when churches are shrinking every year, or it seems like it. We live in a time that Satan truly has a great grip on this world and he is seeking to destroy everything and everyone that he can. The Lord’s churches are the only stability on the earth, everything else has been lost to heathenism. Churches are at the point financially that it is harder to support their Pastor as they should. However, with this being said no Pastor “worth their salt” will ever ask a church for more, financially speaking. Your Pastor knows their churches financial stability, therefore he knows churches struggle just to pay them what they can, and some cannot pay anything. We live in sad times, the churches are struggling, new memberships are almost unheard of anymore, and the current memberships are dying off. Churches have few young people, and the young people they do have leave as soon as they are of age too. If you look at the churches of today, there is also an ageing Pastor population. Every year our guest speakers are getting older and we simply cannot find any young Ministers to invite. This part of the church age is looking poor and seems to be on life support. I thank God that He is in control, He and He alone knows what is down the road in 5, 10, 15, or etc. years. The shortage of Pastors is concerning, because churches are on life support that are without. Pastors are a vital part of a church, so vital that the health of a church suffers without one. Now, please understand that I am not complaining, I am not worried, because all of this is in God’s hands, and functioning by his blessed ordained will. Please trust me, churches that have Pastors needs to consider how blessed they are. If you have not thought about it, please contact a church that is without a Pastor. Now here on I am going to be bold, and I pray not too bold. If your church has a Pastor, you are truly very blessed of God. I would like for you to ask yourself this question, what would you do if God was to remove your Pastor? With such a shortage, where world you get another? As Pastors we truly understand the sending of God, and the chances your Pastor will resign is slim. However, as I said your Pastor is getting older and God will take them home someday. It is easy to say “we will trust the Lord” and that is a correct thought, but what about the reality of it. Why if God chose not to send you another Pastor to replace yours? Churches that have Pastors rarely think about such things. To be a Pastor of truth, a Pastor that stands on solid truth, takes a lot of effort. It’s is not easy being Pastors because not only is the world against you, some true churches and Christian are also fighting you. It seems like people just look for a kink in their armor, and I have no idea why. We are here to serve God, to glorify Jesus Christ, and some people just look for a way to withdraw fellowship, like they are perfect in everything. Please let me say this as a Pastor, the life of a Pastor is very hard. I would have quite many years ago if the Lord would have allowed it, but He did not. However, on that thought, it is and will be the most rewarding of all services. Those who sacrifice the most will reap the most rewards. When Paul spoke of “double honour” he was not only talking about money. There are many ways to reward your Pastor outside of money. Find a way to reward him, he does work very hard to fill the pulpit and deliver truth every week. He is there when you need him, and he will do about anything you ask. Most younger Pastors work outside jobs just to keep the church from having to spend so much on him. Honor your Pastor, and the more truth he teaches, give him more honor. Sometimes a simple “thank you” or a simple word of encouragement to him is great. Stand with him as he works so hard to stand for you. Honor him, it does not matter how, any honor is worth much more than no honor. Please pray for the Pastors, we need all the prayer we can get. Pastors, THANK YOU for your service to the churches and Jesus Christ her head.  
 
"TWO MOST MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS"By Brother Curtis A. Pugh
 
Two of the most misunderstood words in the Bible are “all” and “world.” These two little words affect the belief systems of all professing Christians. “All” is used in the Bible to mean two different things. It can mean all without exception: i.e. every single one. And it can be used to mean all without distinction: a number out of of all sorts of things.
 
It is easy to prove this. The Bible says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil...” (1 Timothy 6:10). Nobody believes that. Hatred and jealousy can each be roots of evil. The love of power can be a root of evil, etc. The meaning of this statement is this: the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The love of money motivates people to commit all sorts of evil acts. What the word “all” means is determined by the context in which it is used. For instance, the context of “Romans 3:23 demand that we understand the phrase, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” means all people without exception.
 
The word “world” is also used in different ways in the Bible and is confusing to many. In only one verse it is used in three different ways. John 1:10 says: “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”  The meaning is this: Christ was in the habitable part of the earth (“the world”) and all things (“the world”) was made by Him and most people (“the world”) knew Him not (but some people did know Him because v. 12 tells us that some recognized Him and welcomed Him). The last use of “the world” in that verse means all those who would not be saved: the non-elect people then in Israel. It cannot mean all humanity.
 
Sometimes the word “world” refers to all the nations as opposed to just the Jewish Nation. For instance, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world,” (John 6:33) cannot mean every person that ever has lived or will live for not every descendant of Adam and Eve will be saved. He gives life to both Jews and Gentiles: a strange idea to the Jews to whom this statement was made. John 14:17 proves that the word “world” can refer to all the lost: “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”  And the favorite, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world...” means that God loved both Jews and Gentiles without distinction. The greater context of the Bible demands this because the Bible does not teach that God loves everyone. It is written: “...thou hatest all workers of iniquity,” and,  “...the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man,” (Psalm 5:5-6). Always remember: context determines meaning!

Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 22, 2017
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)
Sweet is the aroma of such a glorious salvation as ours. When once we bloated in our spiritual death-rot, we now stand cleansed and brilliant, arrayed in robes of purest white and crowned with life eternal. We were dead. We were destined for death everlasting. Yet now, believer rejoice! For our destiny is life never-ceasing!

Morning Devotional January 22, 2017

Psalm 112:1

Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.”



Praise ye the Lord!!! O child of God do we delight in the commandments of our Lord? Do we delight or despair at the thought of following the commandments of our Lord? Do we have the fear of the Lord we should?
O child of God fear the Lord!!! And then we will find His commandments are not grievous. When we follow our Lord by His Word and His commandments O what peace and joy He brings us. O what love He shows us. O what grace and mery He bestows upon us.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

Saturday, 21 January 2017

The false doctrine of universal redemption!

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    (
Charles Spurgeon)

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep!" John
10:11
I would like to die talking of this blessed doctrine of substitutionary atonement and I intend, by divine grace, to live proclaiming it, for it is the keystone of the Gospel! Jesus Christ literally took upon Himself the transgression and iniquity of His people, and was made a curse for them, seeing that they had fallen under the wrath of God! For them, He has taken away the penalty and the curse due to sin.

The false doctrine of universal redemption--that Christ died for the damned in Hell and suffered the torment of those who afterwards are tormented forever--seems to me to be detestable, subversive of the whole Gospel, and destructive of the only pillar upon which our hopes can be built!

Christ stood in the place of His elect--for them He made a full atonement--for them He so suffered that not a sin of theirs shall ever be laid at their door. As the Father's love embraced them--so the death of His Son reconciled them.

We hold most firmly the doctrine of particular redemption--that Christ loved His Church, and gave Himself for it.

The only limit of the atonement is in its design--and that design was that Christ should give eternal life to as many as the Father has given Him.

"Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for her!" Ephesians 5:25
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 21, 2017
[[A Song of degrees.]] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)
From the high places that surround us come every foe and bandit, seeking to destroy us and make of nothing our faith. How can we stand against such villainy? Where are we to turn for aid in the spiritual war in which all the children of God are engaged? Turn to the Lord. He is your help. The creator of heaven and earth who holds power over every living thing will protect His child from every spiritual harm. Take comfort and love Christ.

Morning Devotional January 21, 2016

Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

I am sure we have all read and heard preached this verse many times. But this morning let us look at something a little different in this verse from what we normally see.
Who is Isaiah talking to here? Notice he refers to “sheep” and he uses the words “we” and “us”. I believe it is plain that Isaiah is referring to God's elect here. Who else does the Lord reference as sheep in the scripture? And Isaiah is including himself in this. Not just others. But himself also.
We know by reading this verse in context that Isaiah is prophesying of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. We know from the context also that it was our sins that Christ bore on the cross.
O how wicked we are!!! To know our Heavenly Father loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins. And to know that the Son loved us enough to willing shed His blood for us. To know all this and for us to still commit such horrible sins against our God and Savior!!! What a shame we are!!!
But God, in His grace and mercy still loves us. He still loves us as a father does his child. He loves us so much that He will never disown us for the horrible acts we commit against Him.
O child of God, as we walk our daily lives, let us not forget why we are here and what act of grace and mercy has kept us in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Our Lord and Savior gave His all for His people and for His bride. Is it to much to ask for us to give our all for Him?

Praise ye the Lord!!!
 
Stephen McCool Sr.

Friday, 20 January 2017

How would you judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any pleasure?

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    (Susanna Wesley)

"All things are lawful for me--but not all things are profitable.
 All things are lawful for me--but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12
How would you judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any pleasure?

Use this rule: Whatever . . .
  weakens your reason,
  impairs the tenderness of your conscience,
  obscures your sense of God,
  takes off your relish for spiritual things--
that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.

By this test you may detect evil, no matter how subtly or how plausibly temptation may be presented to you.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do--do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 20, 2017
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. (Romans 8:28)
All things. Every circumstance. The entire realm of possible events. All of these conspire toward a single goal: the good of the Redeemed! Whether trial or blessing, whether great joy or greater sorrow, whether prosperity or suffering, every last detail in the universe works together for the benefit of God's children!

Morning Devotional January 20, 2016

1 Chronicles 16:29

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
O how we all as God's children need to heed these words and constantly remember these words! Give God the glory due Him!!! O how many times a day, every day, do we not give Him the glory when we should. We should be giving Him all glory and praise for everything!!!
O child of God, we must worship our Lord constantly!!! Never ceasing with prayer with Him. Having Him constantly on our minds. In constant communion with our Heavenly Father. O what blessings we miss when not in this way!!!
Do all that you do to the glory of His name!!! Prove to the world whose child you are!!! Show the unsaved the joy and peace that comes from when we follow our Lord's commandments!!! Be a witness for our Lord in all that we do!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Daily Thoughts


1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.

Let us meditate on this verse today. Let us not forget the price of our redemption. Let us remember the price paid by our Saviour Jesus Christ for our salvation – His own blood. Nothing else could buy our pardon. Let us abound in praises for His mercy and grace in our lives and pray with all our heart that in all we do, we will bring glory to God and please Him!
 
Nathalie

Is Miss Much-Afraid here?

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    (
Charles Spurgeon)

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand!" John 10:11, 27-28

There is a day coming when all Christ's sheep shall pass again under the hand of Him that counts them--and in that day, not one of the whole redeemed flock shall be missing!

As the long roll of God's ransomed family is called, it shall be asked, "Is Little-Faith here?" And he will answer to his name not at all in the trembling way in which he used to speak when he was upon earth.

When it is asked, "Is Miss Much-Afraid here?" she will reply, in jubilant tones, "Glory be to God, I am here!"

No matter how weak and feeble you may be, if you are a child of God--you shall certainly be there and the inheritance shall assuredly be yours!

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation--will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" Romans 8:38-39

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Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 19, 2017
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. (Hosea 14:4)
Praise be to God that He, in the midst of our depravity, drew us to Him with the sweet chords of His melodious grace. We were wretched and iniquitous, yet He chose to love us freely. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, provider of our salvation and promise of hope!

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Daily Promises


Blue Letter Bible
January 18, 2017
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
Absolutely every good thing comes from our Father who tends to all our needs according to His purpose. Amazingly, our gracious Father never changes, but remains the same through all eternity. May we continue to give thanks to Him who pours forth His love and peace to all who believe.

Morning Devotional January 18, 2017

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”



When we gather with the Lord's people at our appointed time to worship Him do we gather to worship or do we gather to fellowship with others? We so many today we gather with the saints who are there for social reasons. To show off their new suit and tie or to tell about our latest shopping spree. And there are even some who only come to hear and tell the latest gossip.
But why are we truly gathered? We could have a social gathering any other day and any other place.
O child of God, when we come to worship we come to do just that. That is what our Heavenly Father expects of us. We are there to hear His Word preached and taught. We are there to sing His praises. We are there to praise Him and to hear Him praised!!!
What a shame we have made of the house of God!!! What a false witness we have become!!!
Pastors/teachers, what are you leading the people in? Are they being lead to worship or to socialize? Are the people being taught from God's Word or from a book written by a man or told bad jokes? We are called to preach and to teach Christ and His commandments!!! Give the people what God intended not what tickles their ears.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

We waste far too much of our time upon trifles!

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(Charles Spurgeon)
We waste far too much of our time upon trifles!
Time is short--and eternity is near!
"So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!" Psalm 90:12
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