Update

Today I was able to upload preaching to our sermon network. I hope that these messages will be a blessing to all who hear them! To access our sermon network just click on the title of this update or go to http://sermon.net/salembaptistchurchcinci

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
I Peter 3: 8, 9

This morning for my private devotional time with the Lord I was able to begin reading from the end of I Samuel to chapter 12 of II Samuel. While I was reading about the life of David, I noticed something that really convicted my heart. That which convicted my heart was the spirit of David. David was a man who really lived I Peter 3:8, 9.

Notice how David treated those who hated him.

I. When Saul was killed David honored him. (II Samuel 1:13-27)

II. When Abner was killed, David acclaimed him a prince. (II Samuel 3:31-39)

III. When Ishbosheth was killed David put to death his murders. (II Samuel 4:1-12)

Would to God that I could be more like David!

• 1Pe 3:9, "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing..."
• 1Th 5:15 "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
• I Peter 2:21-23, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"

May God instill in each of our hearts this day a gracious attitude and a Christlike spirit. Our churches, workplaces, homes, and hearts would be better off if it were so.

The Secret Source of Strength

I'm studying for tonight's preaching & prayer meeting. Over the past several weeks I have been preaching in the book of Proverbs. Tonight I will be preaching out of Provers 10:29 on the subject "The Secret Source of Strength". The secret of strength is "the way of the Lord", not vacation, not vindication, NOT WORLDLY AMUSEMENTS. AMEN!!! Proverbs 10:29, "The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity."

Standing ON or Staggering AT the Promises of God

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"-Romans 4:20

In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul pens down that Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God". The word stagger (according to Webster's 1828 Dictionary) means, "to cease to stand firm". The Bible here declares that Abraham stood firmly on the promises of God. This man 100 years old according to Romans 4, still believed that God would do what he said he would! What a faith in a God who still can.

Dear Christian, we are living in the last days and all around us we hear that the Lord isn't working like he used to do! Due to the continual berating of people it's easy as believers to begin thinking these things are so. As a pastor and you as well, have to continually remind ourselves that God still can! What are some of the things that God can still do?

I. He Can Still Save the Sinner!

• Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

II. He Can Still Supply for the Believer!

• Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

III. He Can Still Sustain the Church!

• Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

IV. He Still can Send Necessary Workers!

• Lu 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Years ago, Harold Sightler, that great pastor, preached a message called "God Can". The Tabernacle Baptist Church of Greenville South Carolina did great things for God because it was ingrained in them that the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David is the same God that still can work wonders among his people.

In our text, notice the result of standing on the promise of God: "giving glory to God". When we as God's children take God at his Word, it pleases him, and gives him glory! Friend let us "STAND ON, NOT STAGGER AT, THE PROMISES OF GOD".

BIBLE CONFERENCE

Beginning this Sunday our church will be honored to have with us Dr. Ricky Dunsford (Executive Vice President of the Rock of Ages Prison Ministry) for a Bible Conference. The theme for the conference is "SO GREAT SALVATION" from Hebrews 2:3. Bro. Ricky is a tremendous preacher and I know that he will be a blessing to our church. As soon as we can, we will post his preaching on our blog. Please be in prayer for us that the Lord would work in my heart and also in the hearts of the people.

-Ps 85:6 "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"

-Ps 138:7 "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me:..."


On a Personal Note:

Many have inquired on how my wife is doing after surgery. She is doing very well. She is able to walk without any aid, and also able to shower etc. Even though she is still in pain form the surgery she was able to attend the preaching service last Sunday. Thank you for your prayers!

Just a Quick Note

This past week has been a very busy week due to my wife having surgery on her back. I just wanted to write a quick note to thank everyone that prayed for her. She came through the surgery very well and is now on the road to recovery. Right now she is in much pain, and unable to do much, but the Doctor is expecting a full recovery.

A Great VBS

Last week we were honored and privileged to have our annual Vacation Bible School. This is always an awesome time in the life of our church because the members of Salem Baptist Church always seem to rally around it that souls might be saved. I greatly appreciate the people that the Lord has given to our church. What a great spirit all of the workers had! No misunderstandings this year! No bad attitudes! Just a group of people serving Jesus!

The Lord really blessed us this year in both attendance and souls saved. On Monday night we had 99 kids & 29 workers. On Tuesday night we had 104 kids & 25 workers. Wednesday night there were 74 kids & 23 workers. Thursday night 89 kids & 28 workers. Friday night there were 73 kids & 29 workers. Then on Sunday evening we had a VBS commencement service and a country fair which many parents attended. There were also a total of 28 children come to know Christ as their Savior this week.

Personally, this week was exactly what I needed. It was a tremendous encouragement to me spiritually! I praise God for his goodness and grace. Isn't it a thrill to know that even in the midst of problems Jesus can still be glorified and souls can still be saved! Hallelujah!

Let me leave you with a verse that has encouraged my heart: 2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"

May the Lord Bless you today as you live your life for HIS glory!

PRAYER REQUEST: Please be in prayer for my wife, Jamie. Next Monday she will be having surgery. The Dr.'s expect her to be down somewhere between 4 & 6 Months.

New Series in the Book of Nehemiah

This morning I began preaching a series of messages from the Book of Nehemiah. The series is entitled: "Let us Rise and Build" from the text of Nehemiah 2:18. I thought that someone may enjoy this outline of the Book of Nehemiah.

Chapter 1- The Blessing of a Burden

Chapter 2-The Good Help of God's Hand

Chapter 3- Bringing Together by Building Together

Chapter 4- Perseverance amidst Problems

Chapter 5- Internal Troubles during Important Times

Chapter 6- Dealing with Distractions

Chapter 7- Watching over the Work

Chapter 8- The Working of God's Word

Chapter 9- The Reestablishing of a Right Relationship with God

Chapter 10- God's Word and our Works

Chapter 11- The Offering of Ourselves

Chapter 12- The Joy of a Job Well Done (from verses 43-47)

Chapter 13- The Sanctification of our Sanctuary

I hope that these might be a help. May the Lord bless each of you as you continue to serve him!

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: Please remember to pray for our Vacation Bible School which begins Monday night (7-6-09). As of right now we have signed up 95 children. Please pray that God would speak to their hearts this week and that the Lord would use this to see parents saved.

SALEM BAPTIST BROADCAST

Due to illness, our church has some members that are no longer able to be present with us during our services. So over the past few months we have looked into posting our church's preaching services to the web. Now, we have made our services readily available on this blog and also @ http://sermon.net/salembaptistchurchcinci . This Sunday we will be privileged to have with us Evangelist Joe Bryant. Check back next week and we should have his preaching messages added.

KEEP THY HEART

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23

The Bible, in this verse of Scripture, states that the Christian should, “keep thy heart with all diligence.” This verse gives a command and also a caution. The command is to "keep thy heart". The word "keep" speaks of guarding, and watching over. The caution is the words "with all diligence". The word "diligence" means to care for intently. This verse teaches the believer that he is not to allow the devil, anyone, or anything turn his heart from from God. How may we do this?

I. Be Diligent to have an Assured Heart

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:22, 23, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

II. Be Diligent to have a Cleansed Heart

SCRIPTURE: Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

III. Be Diligent to have a Fixed Heart

SCRIPTURE: Ps 108:1 A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.”

SCRIPTURE: Ps 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

IV. Be Diligent to have a Seeking Heart

SCRIPTURE: Ps 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

SCRIPTURE: Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

V. Be Diligent to have a Loving Heart

SCRIPTURE: Mr 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

VI. Be Diligent to have a Established Heart

SCRIPTURE:Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.