SOME THOUGHTS FROM CHARLES

I thought I would share with you four small articles that hopefully will cause you to think about your relation with Christ. Our need of Christ is not believed by most, but truthfully God told us in His word how it would be in the last days. So many go their own sinful ways and hear little we say in opposition to their ways. You must know how it is going to end. God will be in triumph, and His enemies will be slaughtered. He is going to be victorious. You had best be looking to Him now before it is too late. " For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew  16:26)

THE TRUE CHRIST IS STILL THE ONLY WAY

Jesus warned us there would be false prophets and false Christs. “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:23,24). Regardless of what new agers such as Oprah and Eckhart Tolle may say; regardless of what postmodern “organizer” preachers like Rick Warren and Bill Hybels may say; regardless of what hatemonger preachers like Jeremiah Wright and company may say; no matter how apparently successful, and extremely wealthy some of them are. As Chuck Norris, quoting from another, reminded us; “Christ is either who He claimed to be, or He is the most notorious liar who ever lived!” Remember Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). (cw)

ABSOLUTES: BIBLE TRUTHS 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. But 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). Christ alone is the only way the Bible declares to us. Don’t look elsewhere. Christ alone is the answer. Satan will tell you anything but the truth. We know that the last days are here. After all John said they were in his time, so we know our time is short. We had best be about the Father’s business while there is time, because soon there will be none. (cw)

THE AUTHOR OF SALVATION

"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Hebrews 2:10).

A Captain in today's U.S. military is a high ranking officer. In the U.S. Navy the rank of Captain is equivalent to U.S. Army Colonel, which is higher up the ladder than the Air Force, Army or Marines’ Captain. So when we see the King James phrase "captain of their salvation" we realize it is an officer of high rank in the military. But, actually the same Greek word is translated "author" in Hebrews 12:2. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Some versions say "leader", "originator", "founder", "author", etc... Jesus Christ is all that. He is the author, leader, originator of this life changing event, this thing, this joy, which we call salvation. Our following of this leader is not to simply be going forward in a congregation one time to make a confession of faith, but is a lifetime of endeavoring to follow Him who is the Good Shepherd. The sheep do follow Him. I remember well the hymn we sung so often in my Southern Baptist childhood "Where He Leads me I will Follow". 
(See link: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/e/wherehlm.htm ). To sum it up, a captain is a leader. There is much more we could say, but that is beyond the purpose of this short meditation. As His sheep, we should be prepared to do as the old hymn says, and follow Him today wherever He leads and "Go with Him, with Him, all the way". (cw) 

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.  (cw) 

Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com