Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing

Are you trusting in the Mighty Fortress?

The Lie

"One of the best-known names in filmmaking for children is that of the late Walt Disney. By bringing to life such great children’s stories as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Pinocchio, Disney promoted the idea that all of your hopes and dreams would come true if you simply wished hard enough, worked hard enough, or received a little help from an outside source – like a fairy godmother.

It was not altogether a bad message, providing we understand that Disney dealt with fairy tales. But it implied that some kind of benevolent force or power exists out there to make our wishes come true. This is an extermely childlike approach to the reality of life; but unconsciously, it has become modern America’s standard understanding of God; that He exists only to make our dreams come true.

That, of course, is a lie. God does not exist to make our dreams come true. Nor does He exist so that we may be fulfilled or happy.

But, you may ask, “Doesn’t God love me so much that Jesus His Son died for me?” Yes, absolutely. God’s love is not the issue. It is our self-image that is the problem: we think we deserve God’s love, believing we are special.

The apostle Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). The point of this verse is not merely God’s love, but our sin. God loves us despite our sin and the fact that we are sinners. To skip over this aspect of the gospel is to embrace a lie about ourselves that contends we are basically good, merely a little off track; but with God’s help, we can make our dreams come true. This idea is truly a fairy tale."

~ Herb Hirt

What is a friend?

"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies." ~ Aristotle

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." ~ Prov 17:17

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." ~ Prov 18:24

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." ~ It's a Wonderful Life

Find Us Faithful ~ In Memory of Lisa Knode

Lisa M. Knode, 45, beloved wife of Bill for 23 years, went into the presence of her Lord and Savior after a brief illness on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.



She will be remembered for her effervescent personality, her kindness and a willingness to lend a helping hand and a word of encouragement to all.

She devoted her life to sharing the Lord Jesus Christ wherever she was.

"Maybe you are one of those that she shared with and you did not accept Christ. Life is not guaranteed but death is. You are the only one who can determine where you will spend eternity--heaven or hell. Her desire was that none would perish. Will you perish?"

She was a member of our Lord Jesus Christ's family--the love she had for her savior was always evident. Lisa was a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church of Ladysmith, a former member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church, Bowie, Md., Colonial Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, where she served as a ladies and teen Sunday school teacher and was an Awana youth leader.

Lisa also was a faithful Navy wife and was always the devoted mother to her children.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; four sons, Rocky Edwards Knode and his wife, Natasha, of Clovis, N.M., Philip Knode and his fiancee, Tanya Stoughtenger, Samuel Knode and Luke Knode, all of Bowling Green; her mother, Lee Wilkins and her husband, Chuck, of Arizona; two sisters, Laurie Schultz of New York and LeeAnn Gutt of Illinois; three brothers, Ron Luensman of Arizona, Patrick Luensman of California and Vince Luensman of California.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ." ~ Philippians 1:9-10

What are you doing that is costly and will last for eternity?

"Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing."

~ John Henry Jowett

Thank You to our Military

Are you having a soft and pleasant time?

"We have got but one life here... It pays, no matter what comes after it, to try and do things, to accomplish things in this life, and not merely to have a soft and pleasant time."

Theodore Roosevelt

Medal of Honor Recipient

And Can It Be?

Counsel from D. L. Moody

"The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives."

He is Faithful

Prayer of a Soldier in France

My shoulders ache beneath my pack
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).

I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).

Men shout at me who may not speak
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek)

I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.

(Then shall my fickle soul forget
Thy Agony of Bloody Sweat?)

My rifle hand is stiff and numb
(From Thy pierced palm red rivers come).

Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.

So let me render back again
This millionth of Thy gift. Amen.

~ Joyce Kilmer

People Need the Lord

"The Great Commission is not an option to be considered, but a command to be obeyed."

How do you know you are saved?

Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." ~ John 10:27-28

Are you adapting to your culture or conforming to the character of God?

Many Christians have what we might call a "cultural holiness". They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God. ~ Jerry Bridges


"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." ~ 1 Peter 1:15-16

For the Military - My Savior

Attention Military

Military Appreciation Scholarship

Piedmont Baptist College and Graduate School is grateful to all the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. With profound appreciation, we offer a scholarship to those who wish to further their education through the military’s Tuition Assistance program.

This scholarship covers the complete cost of online tuition beyond the $250 per credit hour paid by the military. The students pay no tuition, and those who qualify for both Tuition Assistance and the G.I. Bill may receive additional benefits.

Our Spurgeon School of Online Education delivers accredited, interactive, quality education to students anywhere in the world where the internet is available. Our built-in flexibility and seven-week sessions make it convenient for anyone to study the Bible and/or train for the ministry. Several undergraduate programs and one master’s degree are available online in their entirety. Please encourage soldiers to take advantage of this opportunity.

For more information, e-mail admissions@pbc.edu or call 1-800-937-5097.

Thank You to our military - We Are Proud of You, We Pray for You, and Support You!

Sincerity is not sufficient

Is it enough to “believe in Jesus” in some amorphous sense that divorces “faith” from any particular doctrine about Him, or is doctrine—and the content of our faith—really important after all?

Scripture plainly teaches that we must be sound in the faith—which is to say that doctrine does matter (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:2-3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1). It matters a lot.

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Tim. 6:3-4, emphasis added).

Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief.

God holds us accountable for what we believe as well as how we think about the truth He has revealed. All Scripture testifies to the fact that God wants us to know and understand the truth. He wants us to be wise. His will is that we use our minds. We are supposed to think, meditate, and above all, to be discerning.

The content of our faith is crucial. Sincerity is not sufficient.

~ John MacArthur

IN CHRIST ALONE

Do you want to think Godly thoughts?

"Insofar as we yield to Him, the mind of the Master will become the master of our minds." ~ Phillip Brooks






"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." ~ Rom 12:1-2

What or who do you worship?

Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God.
It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness,
nourishment of mind by His truth,
purifying of imagination by His beauty,
opening of the heart to His love,
and submission of will to His purpose.
And all this gathered up in adoration
is the greatest of human expressions of which we are capable.

~ William Temple

As you pray for our troops don't forget to pray for their families too!

The difference between religion and the Gospel

Religion says, if I obey, God will love me.
Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.
Religion has good people & bad people.
Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.
Religion values a birth family.
Gospel values a new birth.
Religion depends on what I do.
Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.
Religion claims that sanctification justifies me.
Gospel claims that justification enables sanctification.
Religion has the goal to get from God.
Gospel has the goal to get God.
Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin.
Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.
Religion is about me.
Gospel is about Jesus.
Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key.
Gospel believes that being honest is the key.
Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God.
Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus' work.
Religion sees Jesus as the means.
Gospel sees Jesus as the end.
Religion ends in pride or despair.
Gospel ends in humble joy.

~ Mark Driscoll



Are you trusting in your religion or the Gospel?


"...What must I do to be saved? ...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." ~ Acts 16:3o-31

AMEN!

Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee

Is there darkness in your soul?

The valley of the shadow of death holds no darkness for the child of God. There must be light, else there could be no shadow. Jesus is the light. He has overcome death. ~ Dwight L. Moody

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 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

If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time

Do you have God's love in your heart?

The Amazing God - the One who wants a personal relationship with you!

God Bless The USA