MORSELS AND TIDBITS OF TRUTH

gathered by Charles Woodruff

Absolutes: Bible Truth versus Human Lies

The world says: There are no absolutes, no moral black and white, but shades of grey.

The Bible says: “For ever O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven”(Psalm 119: 89); it also says: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away”(Matthew 24:35).

The world says: That is your truth, mine is different. The Bible says: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

The world says: There are many roads to heaven. Many have said it, including Martin Luther King Jr. in Strength to Love; Pocket Books; 1963. The Bible says: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The Practicality of the Book of James

James tells us: “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). In other words he says “Don’t just be an experienced Bible reader, be an experienced Bible heeder!”

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). In other words, don’t say you have faith (that you are alive), and do no works, which is evidence of life, for then you are as a dead body whose spirit has departed.

“Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). Many religions are monotheistic, i.e., express a belief in one god -- that is good, but the demons also believe and tremble, because they know who the one God is; Jesus Christ. See Mark 5:1-20.

Quick and to the Point

“The Lord sends none away empty except those who are full of themselves.”

D.L. Moody

“The Gospel is open to all; the most respectable sinner has no more claim on it than the worst.” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

WHO is dead? You decide. "God is Dead"-Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is Dead"-God.

“The measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.”--Thomas Macaulay

"There are three things that earthly riches can never do; they can never satisfy divine justice, they can never pacify divine wrath, nor can they ever quiet a guilty conscience. And till these things are done man is undone."-- Thomas Brooks

“I am like Barabbas and so are you, dear Christian. We are set free because another took our place on Calvary‘s cross.”- Charles Woodruff

Prayers God Will Not Hear

Heartless prayers from God’s people are compared to the howl of a dog. “Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.” (Hosea 7:13, 14).

Prayers with vain repetition as the heathen do. These are heartless or “canned” prayers. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).

Prayers asked amiss, which if answered, would be consumed by the petitioner’s own lust. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3).

Prayers from those who regard iniquity in their hearts. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).

Prayers of quarreling husbands and wives. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered”( I Peter 3:7).

BEING THANKFUL FOR GOD'S GRACIOUS GIFTS

BY CHARLES WOODRUFF
As we approach Thanksgiving Day 2008, let’s take a moment to reflect on the Goodness of God. To many, this day means only “Turkey Day” with everyone gorging themselves with a huge meal. Then there are the football games, big movie openings, and overall a big holiday, while preparing for shopping on “Black Friday”, the day merchants live for all year that will put their revenues “in the black” as they kick off Christmas sales in earnest (even though the Christmas merchandising began with some stores in late August).

Commercialization was certainly not the goal of the first Thanksgiving back in Plymouth colony in the autumn of 1621. (click for a concise account of Thanksgiving Day’s history) http://wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htm
Some of the stories written about Plymouth, the Pilgrims, and even the Mayflower totally ignore the religious aspect of it all in keeping with today’s totally insane “political correctness”. But the fact is, the Pilgrims, who were English Puritan separatists, came to America to find freedom to worship God Almighty. They had been persecuted in England, disappointed in the general carnality of Dutch life, even though they had more freedom in Holland. So they contracted a sailing vessel to strike out for the new world with a hope of freely serving God, and building their own society here.

The Mayflower Compact, which they drew up on the way over, is one of the bedrocks of America’s foundation, for they set up a “civil body politick” which was the first sort of a “declaration of independence”. It expressed their determination to govern themselves under God, with due allegiance to the British government. It begins unlike any secular document, with these words “In ye name of God, amen”.
http://www.allabouthistory.org/mayflower-compact.htm


Thus it began, and upon arrival in the new world they landed briefly at Cape Cod, finally settled at Plymouth Rock in 1620, and after losing 46 of the original 102 passengers, the rest struggled to survive. They were provided help by the local native Indians. One year later they gathered all over the colony for meals shared with the native Wampanoag. It lasted for several days straight, giving thanks and remembrance of God’s blessings on them all. It did not become a tradition until a few years later (more online info about this first feast).
http://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving/history.htm

Things I am thankful for include:
-My dear wife of almost 47 years, and how she has been faithful and true.
-My four children, three of which survive. All have declared faith in Christ.
-My twelve grandchildren. They are all precious to me.
-Our church where Christ is preached, and the brothers and sisters there.
-The renewed ministry God has given me in writing and pulpit.
-Many brothers and sisters in various places who pray for me.
-A land that still has much freedom, though it is being undermined, and in danger.
-I am thankful for generally good health for my wife and myself.
-The graciousness and mercy of God every day that I live.

These are just a few of the many things for which I thank God. As you enjoy this Thanksgiving, hopefully with your family, take time to reflect on the mercies of God in your own life, as well as a prayer for our nation and it’s future, and the cause of God and truth through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (First Thessalonians 5:18).

“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” (Hebrews 13:15).

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).