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I stood at the window of a certain “fast food” restaurant this week, waiting in line to get some spicy chicken. As I stood in line I noticed the crowd seemed a little disgruntled. My turn finally came, and the lady smiled and gave me my order. As I turned to walk away I told the customer next to me “Have a blessed day”. She replied, “I will, if they ever serve me!”. I thought about that all the way home – “I will, if they ever serve me”. What this lady was saying was that her happiness or blessedness was based on what another human agency did. Now that is strange – to base our happiness on the performance of another human. 

Years ago coal was one of the major sources of energy in America. Coal was used for heating, for electric generation (if you had electricity), and it’s oil was what you put in your lamps so you could see at night. In order to supply America men had to go underground and work, mining that black gold from pitch black caves. It was dangerous, dirty, and often fatal work.

No miner going into a cave ever thought of going to work without his light. The miners usually wore these lights on their foreheads, strapped to steel mining helmets. That light, shining before their eyes, allowed them to see in the darkness. If a man lost his light he had to rely on the light of the man next to him. The problem with this was you had to rely on another man to get where you were going. Your happiness or ability to live for that day depended on whether the person next to you was shining the light where you wanted to be. A good miner kept his own light in his own life so that he was never trapped alone in that dark, dreadful place. His willingness to cling to the Light and follow the Light meant the difference between life and death, happiness or misery, success or defeat.

So it is with Christ! The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came ” … To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79) Just as it was with the coal miner, so it is with us. Every day we wake and go about our business in this cave called “life”. Our lives are lived out under the looming shadow we call physical death. We need the Light that only the Lord Jesus Christ can give. We “put on” Christ, not just on Sunday morning, but at all times. We must remember that He is Lord, and He is Light, and He is Life itself, and unless you have opened the door of your life to Him, believing in Him, trusting Him – then you still wander in darkness. It is not what I do that saves me, but it IS Whom I trust as Lord and Savior that makes all the difference for all eternity. You can choose to be saved your own way, but that would be as useless as a miner strapping a chicken on his head. Jesus said “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Who’s guiding your life? Is it another human agency, what someone else does? Is it what you call luck, or fate? Do you have a chicken strapped to your head? Or are you, like the smart coal miner, walking in the Light? Have you turned your eyes upon Jesus, trusting Him with all your heart? That’s the only sacrifice that God will accept for sin – and the only relationship that will keep you walking surefooted through the rugged terrain of this cave we call “life”.

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm

Song of Songs 2:15 (KJV) “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

We tend to classify everything in our lives as “little things” or “big things” – and we often consider the big things to be more important than the little things. Yet it is usually the “little things”, the seemingly unimportant things, that often have the greatest impact on our lives.

A little fruit caused mankind to fall under the weight of sin, cast from the Garden of Eden.

A little mis-step in a field full of clover can cause a barefooted child to step on a bee.

When walking in the woods near marshy land, a little one inch fang from a poisonous snake could kill you.

A tiny bite from the little “Brown Recluse” spider will leave a wound that may last a lifetime.

In some countries the “sun fly” can infect a human with an ulcer that will eat a hole in your body.

A small, unseen germ can turn a delicious apple pie into a curse you will re-live for days.

Can any of you who have ever been sick with influenza say that little things, sometimes hidden things, do not matter? 

I was in my study a few years ago while outside a terrible storm raged. Suddenly I felt the air move within the house, and it felt as if a giant hand smacked the roof. I looked out the window and saw that a large scaly bark chestnut tree had snapped off at its base. As it fell it took with it the power lines – and now all was dark in the house. What caused the tree to fall? Was it the great wind blowing on the tree? Well, yes, the wind contributed to its fall. But what ultimately caused this giant of a tree to hit the ground was a small hole – only about as big around as a man’s hand – where disease had entered the tree. Little bugs, hungry for the wood of the tree, gnawed into its heart. Entering that beautiful old tree these tiny parasites caused the heart of that tree to weaken. When a great wind hit the tree it was just too much. Down it crashed leaving this life with a bang. Little foxes spoil the vines. Little parasites kill big trees.

Just as that tree was destroyed by little bugs, people can be destroyed by little sins. The quick intimate indiscretion between two strangers may take only a moment, but that quick sexual contact introduces hardening in the conscience and perhaps disease in the body. The person who, believing no one to be watching, shoplifts a small thing may spend several years regretting his decision behind the bars of prison. How many people have died premature deaths by poisoning their bodies with drugs and alcohol? How many innocents have died under the wheels of a drunk driver? How many children have died because a heart is too little to raise it? One extra mouthful of food may increase you weight, your blood pressure, and lead to heart disease and stroke. Little hatreds can escalate into big road rage, causing drivers to make bad decisions that may lead to jail or death. Little habits that you display before your children may lead them to develop cancer or alcoholism early in life. A little decision to reject Jesus Christ and His offer of abundant life will keep you from the happiness God has reserved for you – and will keep you out of His Heaven (John 14:6).

Satan discovered long ago that it is not the big things that destroy our lives, but the little things. A little fruit in a Garden long ago caused us all to fall away from God. The only way we could ever be brought back into union with the Creator was for Him to leave the splendor of Heaven and come to earth to die for you and for me. Three little nails purchased all who believe in Him eternal life – and a better life now – if we only trust Him. Don’t let a little thing keep you out of glory. Trust and obey, there’s no other way, to happy in Jesus – just trust and obey!

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm

Titus 3:5-7 (KJV) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; {7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

I remember when I was a little boy, I’d come in from a long hard day of playing with my brother and my friends, my skin nearly crawling with what we called “grass itch”. If you’ve never had grass itch then you’ve never rolled and played in the fields of childhood. We’d come in and have grass stains on our clothes – even our skin would have green tinges and rub marks where we wrestled with one another in the vigor of youth. Oh how I love to remember those days long ago! My brother and I would come in the house and momma would fill the tub up with hot soapy water! She’d say “Get in the bathroom, get off those dirty clothes, and get in the tub.” In those days we didn’t have our own room, nor did we have our own bath. If you were shy you could bathe after the others bathed, but you’d better use the same water. We didn’t waste anything back in those days.

Oh how good that water felt to itching skin! I’d be crawling all over with the grass itch, but once I got in that water and got soaped up, the green would dissolve into the water. All our clothes came off before we got in the water, and once we got in the water that hot soapy liquid washed away the leftover irritations of the day. Praise God for momma and that hot bath!

Here’s a good illustration of the main message Christ’s Church must preach. Momma gave us a hot bath to wash away grass itch and the irritations of the day. Her bath made us clean enough to where daddy wouldn’t run us away from the dinner table, clean enough to where we could get between the crisp white sheets of our beds and rest. Jesus Christ gives us a bath too, but His bath washes us on the inside. The Bible says:

Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV) “… Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, {6} And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

The only word you could end this section with is amen! Jesus washes our insides, our inner person, clean of our sins. If you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation He comes into your life and cleans you up from the inside out. The Blood of Calvary makes the believer clean enough to approach Almighty God and call Him “Father” – not because we are worthy but because Christ has made us worthy (Revelation 3:20). All who have believed in Him for salvation will not perish, but have eternal life. Amen and Amen!

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm

1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV) “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: {7} Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

Why am I a Christian, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, someone who has accepted Him as not just as my Savior, but also as my Lord? I am a Christian because of the last four words in our text: He careth for you. I, like you, have had many “mountaintop” experiences in life, but I have also had many “valley” experiences. We all love the mountaintop experiences and hate the valleys, yet in truth if you are in Christ the valleys are much more precious. While on the mountaintop the air is clear, the view is beautiful, the day is bright – yet, dear ones, rarely does anything live beyond a certain point on the mountaintop. Beautiful snow covered peaks are many times devoid of green trees and living creatures. The air that is clearest on the mountaintop has the least oxygen. A slight exertion on the mountaintop brings with it panting lungs and a rapidly beating heart. Whether we like it or not life is fullest in the valley – especially when you realize that He careth for you. The Savior is willing to walk by your side no matter where you travel,

“a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)

Some people use Christ like they use an ointment. While on the mountaintop they banish Christ to the medicine cabinet, but when aches and pains come they desperately seek His face. How foolish to use the “Dayspring from on High” in such a frivolous way (Luke 1:78)! The Savior careth for you. His love is greater and richer than any love found among mere mortals. He does not want to be quick relief when trials come – if you will let Him He will be a “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus wants to share His presence with you from your first waking moment till the end of day. He careth for you, waiting patiently for you to run toward His open arms. His embrace is not just for mere moments, but for all time and eternity. Jesus is tenderly calling you home, dear ones – will you not hear His call? Our text promises exaltation in due time, but you will never see exaltation if you do not draw near to Him in humility. The One Who created the heavens and earth can only bless you, making your life heaven on earth when you surrender to Him. Someone once wrote that those whom God would clothe He first must unclothe. If you expect to see the power of God revealed in your life you must first believe that He is, but second you must understand that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). A half hearted faith is only about halfway useful when your life moves into the valleys. I would rather drive a nail with a loaf of bread, than live my life apart from a daily growing walk by faith in Christ. Come fully to Christ and be blessed, dear ones. The Savior is calling. Will you answer?

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm

(Isaiah 9:6) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

This season we call “Christmas” should be a time for laughter and happiness, yet during this same season many people will suffer deep depression and anxiety. A few poor souls will even contemplate taking their own lives, leaving behind a terrible hole in the hearts of those who loved them. Though psychologists and psychiatrists will give a number of reasons for this horrible reality, in many cases the reason for destructive behavior is the poor foundation a person has built their life on. If you have based your happiness and sense of self worth on the foundation of money or fame these ever shifting foundations will take you on an emotional roller coaster. The things of this life are fleeting, what the Bible calls “vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). If you don’t get what you want for Christmas you’re disappointed, depressed. If you didn’t achieve the goals you set out to achieve this year, you are sad. If you couldn’t afford to buy your friends and family a certain gift, you feel ashamed. If you’re living apart from your family in a long term care facility or a hospital during this holiday season you’re lonely and homesick. All these things are very human, and very understandable – I’ll not tell you that these same emotions don’t come to us all. But the foundation of your life must be more than this. The foundation you build your life on must be that Child in the manger the children’s Christmas program talked about. The only sure foundation for this life is God Who walked among us – Jesus Christ.

When the Prophet Isaiah wrote this often quoted passage he saw a Child coming forth from God to bless each and every one of us who believe. Isaiah used a number of titles for this Child to show that He is more than an ordinary Baby. The Child is “Wonderful”. Our Wonder-Working God Himself became a Wonder when He came to earth to give His life for us (John 12:24-33). Jesus came for another reason as well, seen through the other names given Him in our passage. The name “Wonderful” emphasizes His miraculous birth, and the miraculous New Birth (see John 3:3, 7; 1 Peter 1:23) that He freely gives to those who believe in Him. The name “Counselor” shows us that we are never alone – He ever abides with us. He Who was betrayed by every friend at Calvary is a friend to you when all others turn away. Our “Counselor” represents the believer before God the Father (Isaiah 53:10-12). Our “Mighty God” can lift us up from that sick bed when all the doctors can do is shake their heads in confusion (John 14:9-11). As “Prince of Peace”(John 14:27) Jesus is the Perfect Foundation for life. He does not merely bring peace, Jesus IS our Peace (Ephesians 2:14). Unlike the shifting foundation that foolish people trust their lives to, Jesus Christ is The Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4).

In Joshua 5:13-15 Joshua was getting ready to fight the Battle of Jericho. As he waited, somewhat nervously, for the new day to begin, an unnamed Man walked up. Joshua asked Him Who He was, and the Visitor replied that He was the Captain of the LORD’s Host. Just two verses later we see that this Person was an Old Testament manifestation of Jesus Christ (Joshua 6:2). Joshua’s heart burned within him: What do we have to do to beat this superior, entrenched force? The Lord gave Joshua the same answer He gives us today. Trust Him, be obedient to Him, and He will fight your battles. You know the end of the story: the walls of Jericho, built on the foundation of human power and majesty, fell down. The city was beaten because its foundation was man power and not God power. What is your foundation dear friends? Is your life based on Jericho or on Jesus? The Rock you choose does make a difference!

1 Corinthians 11:24 (KJV) “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

The car had one of those “remembrance” or “in memory of” messages on its back window. We’ve all seen these messages. Every time I see these displays I have mixed emotions. I’m sad that a life – usually a young life – has ended, yet I’m also pleased that someone remembers the recently departed. Obviously such a person made a deep impact on life itself, else why would he or she be memorialized in such a way?

We remember our loved ones in a number of ways. We visit their graves, and periodically put flowers on or near the headstone. We make dedications to our local Church, or to some Godly organization like the Gideons. We remember our loved ones fondly, especially during that time we call Homecoming. We look at their pictures and remember back to the time they were among us, enriching our lives.

Just before Jesus Christ went to the Cross of Calvary He instituted a “remembrance” that His Church follows to this day.

Jesus took bread and beverage from the table. He broke the break and asked that we continue to do this “in memory” of His sacrifice – a symbol of His suffering for us. The beverage shared from a common cup emphasized that each believer who took of that Table was sustained – not by their own works – but because of what Jesus did for us all. Practically anyone can eat or drink, so the symbolism of that Table emphasizes that we who believe have neither earned nor deserved what Jesus did for us. Jesus drank from the bitter cup of sin so we could be forgiven before God our Father. He took part in our Hell so we could take part in His Heaven. Can’t you hear the anguish in His voice as He prayed ” … O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39) Jesus’ sacrifice was not accidental, but it was the deliberate and undeserved act of a Friend for those He wanted to save. Because His action was selfless and undeserved, the memorial of the Table is much more special than a message on a car window. The Lord’s Table reminds us that all who believe in Him, though they are no longer with us, are nonetheless in the arms of our Risen Savior just beyond the veil of life. The remembrance of the Table promises us that we do not need to hopelessly grieve over the loss of a loved one. We are reminded that “He is not here, He is risen just as He said” (Matthew 28:6) – and that our loved ones are also with Him in that great by and by. When I see a memorial on the back window of a car, I hope that the one to whom it is dedicated was a believer who had accepted Jesus as Savior. I also hope that the driver of the car, and all who see that moving memorial, would turn to Him believing while there is yet time. In a few years that car with the message in its rear window will be sent to some junkyard, but the soul that submits itself to God in Christ shall never die (John 11:26). You have His Table – and His Word – to remind you of that immortal truth.

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm

Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Does it matter what one person does? Does it matter what “I” do? In America we often find ourselves complaining about many things. We complain about taxes, about the economy, about immorality, about the media, about the homeless, and complain about the schools. We feel that many of the things that we used to hold dear are no longer valued, and we often feel that sense of helplessness that leads to paralyzing inactivity and apathy. “I’m only one person – what can I possibly do? One person can’t possibly make a difference.” Or can I?

In Jeremiah’s day the Prophet was one of the few people left in the nation willing to speak out for the Creator. There were many good people in that land who believed in God, but few were willing rock the boat. It’s always uncomfortable to speak out. You just know that others will dislike you when you speak up. Better to stay quiet and let someone else do it. But Jeremiah spoke out. Even when the local townspeople imprisoned him, Jeremiah continued to speak. In his mind it was better to speak out for the Lord and be imprisoned, than to stay quiet and offend the Savior he loved so much.

What can one person do? Quite a bit, as a matter of fact.

Through one man sin entered into creation, and death came on all (Romans 5:12).

One man, Noah, built a boat, and saved humanity from certain destruction in the flood.

One Moses led Israel from slavery and suffering to the Jordan river.

One shepherd boy, David, stood up for God and defeated Goliath, saving Israel.

One prophet called Elijah stood against the worshipers of Baal, a false religion that practiced child sacrifice.

One woman, Deborah, united Israel and led them to victory when all others predicted defeat.

One prophet, John, cried out “Here is the Lamb of God, One who has come to take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

One fisherman called Peter preached to a crowd on a Jewish holiday, and led three thousand to faith in Jesus Christ.

One Paul preached the Gospel of salvation to non-Jewish peoples.

One young lady, Lottie Moon, carried Christ to China, and led thousands to new life in Him.

The Bible says that One perfect Person, Jesus Christ, died on the Cross for you and I.

Whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but shall have everlasting life (John 3:16). 

One pebble tossed by one small boy causes ripples that spread across a much larger lake. Can you make a difference? If a small child can make a difference in a big lake, you can make a difference in your world. What can you do? You can begin by asking God to make you into a better, more caring person. Ask Him to enter your life, to lead you – by love – in all that you say and do. Ask God to show you how to love others even if no one will love you back. Love is never love until it is put into action – let others see your love. Stand up in love for your country. Speak out when you see immorality and cruelty. Write your local newspaper, and keep writing. You see, in America your voice and YOUR VOTE matters. Speaking of voting, you can register to vote, and on election day you can stand up for God and VOTE. It saddens me that so few get out and vote! Do you know how many people died to bring us the privilege of voting? Vote!

Band together with other like minded believers and pray for our nation and its leaders. Contribute a small amount of your time and your talent to something and Someone greater than yourself. God never expects one person to accomplish the impossible, but He does ask that you do what YOU can do. When you unite your will with God, then and only then can you see great and mighty things happen in your world. When you are on His side you are never alone. Dwight L. Moody, the great evangelist of yesteryear, said “Small numbers make no difference to God. There is nothing small if God is in it.” Call unto God, then do what you can – it will make a difference!

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm

Matthew 18:3-6 (KJV) “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. {4} Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. {5} And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. {6} But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

“I wonder what that silver…?” I was rushing to get my grass mowed before the storm hit. As the rain drops began to fall, I pushed the mower harder and faster. Suddenly there was a silver thing – actually, a bunch of silver things – on the ground in front of me. I only had time to think “I wonder what that silver…” before I passed over it, grinding and scattering it. Well, now I know. My key ring had fallen out of my pocket. Yes, I mowed my keys! We all, even preachers, do foolish things. It can be fixed, and more keys can be made. But it would have been better to have avoided the problem in the first place.

Parents work hard to give their children nice clothes, a good education, fine cars. We want them to have all the things we never had when we were their age. This is a noble thing, a good thing, for we should invest much in our children and grandchildren. Yet we must also remember that children need more than things – they need to be taught the things of God. Children need to be shown that love is greater than possessions. Children need to be shown how to love God first, and others second. They need to be shown that life has never been about “me first”. If life and love were to be selfish, the Creator would have never made us … nor would He have died for us. Jesus would have never taken the beating He took because He loves us and wants only the best for us. 

Your children are learning by the example you give them. If you have made material wealth the most important thing in your life, that’s exactly what you’re teaching your kids. If you’re driving your children to Church just to drop them offthen you’re teaching your kids that Church is for kids, and that attendance really doesn’t matter. When you decide to sleep in on Sunday rather than go with your children to Church you’re telling them that your needs are more important than God’s needs. When you cut someone off in traffic while cursing them, you’re teaching your children that you’re more important than anyone else. Whatever you do in front of your children, be it good or evil, you’re sowing seed that will one day bear either a sweet tasting fruit or a bitter weed. Your actions could lead your child to reject Christ as Savior, and what a terrible waste that would be! 

The key to your child’s prosperity is not how many toys you provide. The key to his or her prosperity is how they regard Jesus Christ. Do they know that they must humble themselves and come to Him for salvation? Do they know that there is no other name under Heaven whereby they must be saved (Acts 4:12)? Do they know that the only means of eternal life is to accept Jesus Christ as Savior (John 14:6)? Do they know that greatness in Heaven, which is forever, is not determined by earthly riches, but in submission to Jesus Christ? 

Jesus warned us that, if we offended one of these little ones, then we would be better off to hang a millstone around our necks and be drowned in the sea. Many people consider this a warning about future punishment, but I’ve always interpreted it in a different way. What you sow, you will reap. If you teach your children that Christ is nothing, that the Ten Commandments are useless, and that “me first” is best, your children will grow up believing what you’ve shown them. Many schools in America today have metal detectors at every door, lest a child bring a weapon to school. Teenage pregnancy is on the rise. Alcohol and drug use, coupled with carelessness, is causing many young people to go to an early grave. For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). 

What’s the solution, Beloved? Slow down, and take the time to lovingly tell your children about Jesus. Take them to Church this Sunday – and COME WITH THEM. When you come home after Church, discuss the sermon and lessons with them. Live that which you profess, live like Jesus expects His children to live. Be careful not to run over the key to your child’s eternal life. Oh, and by the way. If you’re reading this article and are not sure that you are saved yourself, take the time to get on your knees and invite Jesus Christ into your heart.  

“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 10:11 (KJV)

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm.

(Galatians 6:14-16 KJV) “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. {15} For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. {16} And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”

A few years ago I and my wife went with the young people of Rock Hill Baptist Church to a Diamond Jaxx game. Baseball and apple pie, these two have been wonderfully identified with America even before I was born. Both the sport as well as the dessert require that you follow the rules if you expect to enjoy them. Think about apple pie for a moment. Would you eat a pie if the chef ran out of white flour and decided to substitute dirt in the crust? If there weren’t enough apples for the recipe, would it be wise to use catfish in its place? Though I love fried catfish, I’m not ready for an apple-catfish pie! Now let’s think about baseball. When the batter swings at the ball – and misses – this is called a “strike”. If the pitcher gets the ball over the home plate at the right height and the batter DOESN’T swing at the ball, this is still called a “strike”. Three strikes and the batter is “out”. Three “outs” and the other team gets an opportunity to hit the ball. Whoever receives the most “runs” wins the game. I’m sure some of you can explain this much better than I’m doing, but the point is this: There are DEFINITE rules, and these rules MUST be followed if you expect to win the game – whether you like the rules or not.

Many find it easy to understand the necessity of following rules in baseball, yet find it unbelievable that God our Creator has Himself established rules that we need to live by.

Anyone who rejects this truth need only take a look at the incredible suffering that Jesus Christ endured for our sakes. Man broke the rules in the Garden of Eden. Mankind continues to break the rules today by sugar coating sinful behavior and calling it “normal”. God has shown us by the Cross that He does not take the rules of righteousness lightly. Our Lord Jesus suffered terribly on that tree so that God the Father could dump every violation of righteousness that both you and I have ever made on Him. Jesus Christ paid the penalty you should have paid for breaking the rules. Believe on Him, crying out to God for salvation in His name, and God will transfer Christ’s payment for sin to YOUR account.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV).

Now that you are saved, are you exempt from the rules of God? No, but you are empowered to live within the boundaries of those rules. Will you “fit in” with the rest of the world? Absolutely not! But praise God that you DO walk a different path! The players at the Jaxx game all wore uniforms, and stood out from the crowd around them who merely watched the game. If you have accepted God’s call to salvation you play on a team mightier than all the sports clubs that have ever existed. Your Coach has purchased you a distinctive uniform that makes you stand out from those who merely watch – and the Coach expects you to wear that uniform proudly (John 15:18-20; Romans 12:1-2). The opposing team may jeer you, and even try to get you to quit or change sides. Do not fear! Our team has stood victorious for over two thousand years because our Coach ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25; 1 Corinthians 15:57). Fit in with the world? Better to wear His uniform and be on the winning team, both now, and for all eternity.

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm.

Psalms 139:11-14 (NASB) “If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” {12} Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee. {13} For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. {14} I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well.”

Joseph Carey Merrick – the “Elephant Man” – died when he was only 28 years old. He had a disease that caused extreme deformity in his body, particularly in his head and face. The physicians at the London Royal Hospital believed the disease that so ravaged Joseph was elephantiasis, though others later diagnosed it as “von Recklinghausen’s disease” and later “Proteus syndrome”. Regardless as to what it was, every day of Joseph’s life his horribly disfigured face was a source of amusement to those around him. On one occasion as people pointed and laughed, Joseph cried out “I am not an animal! I am a human being! I am a man!” Joseph understood the difference between “animals” and “human beings”. God created all things in six days, and the crown jewel of His creation was humanity. God did not pronounce creation “very good” until Adam and Eve were created, and placed them in the Garden of Eden to watch over it. “I am not an animal! I am a human being!”

Over the last fifty or so years a strange thing has happened: that truth which poor Joseph Merrick shouted out – “I am not an animal! I am a human being!” – is no longer accepted in much of America. When you turn on the television the so called scientific shows tell us that we “evolved” from lower forms of life like apes, protozoa, and goo. We are told that man IS an animal, and our nearest cousin is a furry tree dweller in some zoo. Yet we are not told of the numerous evidences AGAINST evolution. We are not told of what internationally recognised geneticist, Professor Jerome Lejeune said. At a lecture given in Paris on March 17, 1985 he said:

“We have NO ACCEPTABLE THEORY OF EVOLUTION at the present time. There is none; and I cannot accept the theory that I teach to my students each year. Let me explain. I teach the synthetic theory known as the neo-Darwinian one, for one reason only; not because it’s good, we know it is bad, but because there isn’t any other.”

Why is the myth of evolution taught as a reality, and yet the reality of human creation taught as a myth? The Bible gives us the answer.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

If the world can convince you that you are an animal, that you evolved from goo, then you have no reason to believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. Animals do not need a Savior, for animals do not “sin”. Evolution tells us that we are accidents, not sinners. The Bible, however, tells us the truth. Humans are “fearfully and wonderfully made”. Our God made Adam and Eve, our first parents, and put them in the Garden of Eden. Our parents listen to the voice of Satan instead of the voice of God, and in so doing brought sin and death into God’s perfect creation. But God, Who so loves His creation, decided that He would save us from where we fell. The Bible says in Romans 5:8 (NASB) “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ died for us because we are NOT animals, we are human beings. When you come to understand this truth, when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior, you realize that God has a higher calling for your life that merely living and dying. Those who know Christ as Savior live their lives as victors, not victims; priests not protozoa; ambassadors for Christ not animals; children of God not chattle of goo. Turn away from the lies and turn to Jesus, the Author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9). Believe in Him – you are not animals, you are human beings!

Come join us at Riverview 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia TN 

Sunday services 8:30 am, 11 am, 6 pm.