Category: Just for Youth

by: Jonathan Painter

“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.”

On April 4, 2014, the auditorium of the Heritage Baptist Church in Lawrence, Kansas was brilliantly decorated with trimmings of pink and grey as I stood next to Pastor Hanks waiting for my bride to appear on her father’s arm at the back door. I watched the bridesmaids come down the aisle adorned in very modest and matching dresses, and to my left stood my groomsman clad is sharp grey suits. Any moment the time would come when I would see the girl I had come to love, the one I determined to give my life to. As I stood there like a penguin in my black tux and bow tie, I felt a slight urge to glance at my watch, but feared it would be quite inappropriate for the moment since I had anywhere from 100 to 200 people in front of me who couldn’t decide whether to watch me or the back door. All of the sudden it happened! There she was, my beautiful bride, adorned in white, and escorted by her father’s sure arm. She came down the aisle cautiously, patiently, soaking in every moment of her last walk as a part of her father’s household.

When I descended the steps on the platform and her father placed her hand in mine, it was the first time I had ever held a girl’s hand. When the preacher pronounced us man and wife and I kissed her, it was the first time I had ever kissed a girl’s lips. There is no greater joy for a man than to be able to look at his wife with a clear conscience and honestly tell her that she is the first, and only one he has done this with.

So often we think of purity as abstaining from sexual activity with a person of the opposite gender, and true we should be pure in this, but purity runs much deeper than this. The Bible makes it very clear, “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is not good for a man to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (I Corinthians 7:1) What does this mean? DO NOT TOUCH SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE GENDER! That means, boys keep your hands off the girls! Young ladies don’t let that boy wipe his dirty paws on you! KEEP THYSELF PURE! It is a good thing for a lady to be able to walk an aisle in a white dress and be able to tell her groom that she has never known a man, but it is a better thing to be able to tell him you have never kissed a man. However, it is the greatest thing to stand and tell your groom that you have never had any physical contact with a man, this is purity at its highest peak!

Never forget that every time you let that boy caress you, you are giving away purity that should be for your husband someday. Every time you let that girl rub your shoulders, you are giving away purity and pleasure that should belong to your wife someday. The purity of physical contact should only be given to the person you exchange vows with at a marriage altar, and not to anyone else but your spouse. If you don’t have a spouse, you have no business giving your purity away. I can say this now from experience, the sweetest wedding gift you can give to your spouse and receive from your spouse is the priceless purity as a whole that has been saved specially for them. This is truly purity at its peak.

Jonathan Painter
Youth Pastor
Lincoln Baptist Church
Lincoln, Nebraska

by: Joe Grande

Have you ever attended a meeting where God gave a wonderful revival? I’m not just talking about another meeting, but one of the best you have ever had. I think of the Scripture in Proverbs 22:29, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Our most important business is that of our life. A revival reminds us of that.

The Bible says we are His workmanship. We are God’s work! It should be our daily business to be about the business of allowing God to help us build up our lives for HIM! The way God uses a revival to do that is by bringing us to a place of decision, and hopefully we respond by making that decision to do what God wants us to do.

Making a decision is the easy part. It is the keeping of that decision after the revival is over that is the challenge. That is where we must be diligent in our business. Note the words, “…he shall stand…he shall not stand” in Proverbs 22:29. The Christian who will continue to stand for Christ is the one who makes a decision for the Lord and then purposes through diligence to keep that decision.

Someone has said: When someone kneels at the altar to make a decision for Christ, the Devil follows you down and kneels behind you, painting a target on your back. How true that is. I have listed a practical guide that I read and wrote down years ago on how to help you keep your decisions. I have added my input to them.

1. Expect resistance – The mountaintop is always worth the climb.

2. Schedule decisions – Add some basic schedule into your life. If you decided to have daily devotions, try using the principle of, “No Bible, No Breakfast.” Set up a time and place, and do it! Follow through on your decisions!

3. Clean house – Get rid of anything and everything that poses a threat to following God with all your heart.

4. Use the philosophy of replacement – This is best illustrated with music. If you decided to get rid of ungodly music, you MUST replace this with godly music. You simply can’t just stop listening to music altogether, or you will once again fall back into old habits. This can be applied to many areas of our life.

5. Don’t miss church on Sunday – While this applies wholeheartedly to the Sunday after a revival, it ought to be a principle which we strive to live by every week as Christians.

6. Tell a leader so you can be accountable – For example, a young person should tell his/her parents first and foremost! They know you better than anyone. Trust them. Obey them. Love them, Tell them! If as an adult your decision is something you feel comfortable with sharing, you could tell your pastor or a spiritual friend.

7. Realize you only have to keep your decision today – Little by little, inch by inch, life is a cinch. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

8. Don’t be overwhelmed – Trust in God! That’s the key to the whole thing. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

If you follow this guide it will help you to continue to build yourself up in the Lord.

Pastor Joe Grande
Faith Baptist Church
Bakersfield, CA

by: Robert Nacci

Matthew 9:35-38, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

Compassion is not only for a lost and dying world, but compassion is also for one another, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the family of God.

Yes, we know what Bible tells us about showing compassion for the lost and for each other, but my concern is that it is all a head knowledge of what the Bible says and not a heart knowledge that stirs us to action. Sometimes I feel we get this idea that we are saved and all is right with the world, and that we are saved and we are better than those who are not. Christians are not better than those who are lost, because the Bible tells us, “such were some of you.” We were once that sinner who was lost in need of salvation. Salvation does not make us better, rather I would say that it makes us blessed.

We look at our backslidden brothers and sisters in Christ and tell ourselves that it is their problem; they have to get right. Yes they do, but again the Bible commands us, “ye which are spiritual, restore such a one.” We tell ourselves we’re right with God so we’re better because of that. Again, just because we may not be in a backslidden state does not make us better than those who are because it could very well be us at some point.

It is not our job to play God, and I will continue to make that statement until the day I die. It is our job to point them to the Saviour, to show them they are a sinner in need of salvation. I’m afraid we’ve started to do God’s job for Him when we feel the need to make someone feel guilty because of their sin. When in reality, all we need to do is crack open a Bible and show them their need of a Saviour. When soul winning is done right, the person will see that they are guilty before God and will see their need of a Saviour. We don’t need to play God.

We then move onto the backslider, and you know what we do with them? We put them on the back pew, we talk about them, we criticize them, we analyze them and we do everything except what the Bible commands; restore them. Pray for them. Love them. Show them that it’s still time to get right with God. Do you know someone who is backslidden? If so, pray for them, call them, visit them, love them, and show them that you care and that God cares and that it’s still time to get right with God. Whatever you do, don’t talk about them, criticize them, or analyze them because nine times out of ten you’ll just drive them away.

There is a need in our churches today of compassionate Christians for sinful souls. I want to challenge you with the question, are you a compassionate Christian for sinful souls, and like Christ, are you moved with compassion? To answer that question, we first must know what compassion is.

The word “compassion,” as it is used in the Bible means, “To be moved inwardly; to yearn with tender mercy, affection, pity and empathy.” It refers to the deepest possible feelings. The phrase, “moved with compassion” means to be moved in the “inner organs”. It has the same idea as our modern expression, “From the bottom of my heart.” Someone defined compassion as, “Sympathy coupled with a desire to help.” Sympathy means, “The capacity to share feelings, to enter into the same feelings, to feel the same thing”. So, compassion is “sharing the feelings of others and possessing a desire to help them in their trouble.”

In our passage, we see that Christ was moved with compassion. But what moved Him? The first four words of our verse; “But when He saw.” If we’re ever to be moved with compassion for people, we must see them. See what?

1. We must see their depravity in sin.

The Lord Jesus Christ was moved with compassion because these people were lost under a burdensome load of sin. The same is true today. Look around you, you can’t miss or deny the fact that there are people hurting, longing, and are in need of being reached by a compassionate Christian for their sinful soul.

Ephesians 2:1-3 says, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

Psalm 38:4 says, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”

To be moved with compassion like Christ, we must see their depravity in sin.

2. We must see their destiny in Hell.

The Lord Jesus Christ was moved with compassion because He could see the end from the beginning. He knew that apart from Him, they would all be in Hell. No wonder He was moved with compassion. Jesus doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell. Christians need the same vision. If we really believe in Hell like we say we do, then why aren’t we telling more men, women, boys and girls about the Saviour? Even the people in Hell are concerned about the lost.

Luke 16:27-31 says, “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

There are people all around you who will die and go to Hell. Will they go without you having told them?

Ezekiel 33:8 says, “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”

Romans 10:14 says, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”

If we are ever to be moved with compassion, we must see their heart need. We must see their need for a Saviour. We must see their depravity in sin; their destiny is Hell. We must see it. That’s the only way it will touch our hearts and move us to compassion.

Lamentations 3:51 says, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart…”

If we ever have any hope of reaching our world for Christ, we must see their need. Their need is that of a Saviour. We can’t be concerned about how someone looks, that they look dirty, scary, they look this or they look that, NO! We can’t worry about the fact that they may look less desirable than someone else, or that they don’t look like they’re worth the time or the effort. We can’t be concerned that they don’t look like any change will ever take place, that they don’t talk right, look right or act right. Again I say, it is not our job to play God. God is not willing any should perish. As Christians, we need to get past the outward appearance of people. We just need to have a passion, a burning passion for souls. Our church doors should be open to all. That is why the church is here. That is why churches like the one I am in and the one you are in exist, to be a hospital for sinful souls. I encourage you when they do come in, be a friend to them. Take the time with them. Sit with them. Care for them and show them the love of Jesus.

Remember, you that at one time, you and I could have been that sinner who perhaps no one wanted to take the time with, but praise God, they did. When we get pass the outward and see the inward need, it will move to compassion.

3. Seeing the need will move us with compassion.

We see examples of this in the Bible. Nehemiah was moved when he saw and heard of the ruined walls in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1:3-4 says, “And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,”

The Apostle Paul was stirred when he saw the city of Athens given to Idols. Acts 17:16 says, “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ was moved with compassion when he saw the people without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 says, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

Seeing will move you with compassion, but it needs to go even a step further than just seeing the need and being moved with compassion. Compassion should lead to action.

4. Compassion Must Be Followed By Action

Nehemiah, Paul, and Jesus could have very well stopped at just being moved with compassion, but they didn’t. Nehemiah saw the need, was moved, and acted by rallying the people together to rebuild the walls. Paul saw the need, was moved and acted by delivering one of the greatest messages the Bible ever records on Mars’ Hill. Our Lord Jesus Christ saw the need of fallen man, was moved and acted by giving His life for us on the cross of Calvary. Compassion must be followed by action.

We see the need of our world and we say it moves us to compassion and concern, yet we don’t do anything about it. There’s something wrong with that. Compassion must be followed by action. Do we have concern and compassion for people as our Lord did here in our text? Let me tell you a few things about compassion and concern.

Compassion and concern will send us out on soul winning. Compassion and concern will keep us busy telling the story even when people are hard and unresponsive. Compassion and concern will cause a church to purchase what’s needed to send the Gospel to untouched areas of the community. Yes, every method will be used to win others. Compassion and concern will cause us to speak to others. Compassion and concern will cause us to obey our Lord’s command to witness (Acts 1:8). Compassion and concern will build a warm friendly church. In short, if we really have the compassion and concern as we claim, it will move us to action.

Without compassion and concern, the altars are empty. Without compassion and concern, missionary giving drops to a new low. Without compassion and concern, the services of the church are stereotypical and dead. Without compassion and concern, souls remain lost.

So, you ask what our action must be if we’re moved with compassion after seeing the need of the people around us. It is simple, make a difference.

Jude 1:22 says, “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

How do we make a difference you ask? Simple: “Go ye.” Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

I close with this illustration. While walking home from school, a boy named Mark noticed the boy ahead of him had stumbled to the ground and dropped everything he was carrying. Mark hurried to the boy’s side and helped him collect his belongings. Surprisingly, the boy was carrying an especially hefty load. There was a baseball glove and bat, a couple of sweaters, a small tape recorder, and an armful of books. Mark helped him carry the things home and his new friend, Bill, was most appreciative of his compassion. During the walk home, Mark discovered Bill was struggling in school and had just broken up with his girlfriend. When they arrived at Bill’s house, he invited Mark in for a Coke and they spent the rest of the afternoon talking, laughing, and watching TV. Although the two boys never became real close friends, they kept up with each other throughout the rest of junior high and high school. Several weeks before graduation, Bill approached Mark and asked him if he remembered that day they met when Mark helped him with all of his stuff. Mark nodded as he remembered. Bill then asked, “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things that day?” Without pausing for an answer, Bill explained he had cleaned out his locker and was going home to take his life. He had been storing away sleeping pills and was headed home to end it all when Mark happened along to help him out. Bill told Mark how that simple act of compassion inspired him to go on living. He said, “Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you saved my life.” Imagine how many times our small, seemingly insignificant gestures of concern may reignite the flame of life and inspire someone to continue on.

Thankfully, compassion has a way of doing that. You never know what a little compassion will accomplish. Remember, compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone. It is more than pity. Compassion is a desire to reach out and make a difference in the life of someone else. In truth, compassion is a desire to be Christ to someone else. Again I ask, are you a compassionate Christian for sinful souls, and like Christ are you moved with compassion and doing something to see them saved? Or, have you gotten to the point where you’ve become cold, callused and uncaring? If that’s the case, today is the day to reignite that passion for souls in your life. Today is the day for you to once again become a compassionate Christian for sinful souls.

Robert Nacci
Youth Pastor
Lighthouse Independent Baptist Church
Philadelphia, PA

by: Jonathan Painter

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

It happens in youth departments across America every day, people decide to go their own way and turn their backs on their parents, their church, and their God. Undoubtedly it is a daily struggle that young people deal with as their closest friends fall away from that code of living that is considered righteous by biblical standards. We mourn in our hearts as we watch our wayward comrades fall prey to the pulling influence of this present world. You have a choice to make. Will you follow your friends into the world, or will you stay true to God and to all that is Holy? You must ask yourself, what will I do?

Hopefully, in such a situation this will only be the first time you ask yourself this question. It is very possible, if not probable, that after your wayward friend has had their season in sin, you may very well see them again in Sunday school, in teen church, and out soul winning. Again you must ask yourself, “What will I do?”

The verse above is very plain, when one of your comrades has fallen we need to leave the door open for restoration. Don’t try to “pal around” with them while they are in the world, but don’t turn up your nose to them when they are coming back. When they come home it is time to befriend them once again and let them know that they are welcome back at home. I am afraid that far too often we are reluctant to let somebody come home again because we are afraid of becoming “contaminated”. What will you do? Your reaction to someone’s return from their worldly plight could determine the fate of their restoration.

In closing, let me emphasize the fact that we are still commanded to separate from this world, and that if one of our friends goes out into the world to live its sinful lifestyles, we are not go out into the world and try to get them. Do not go where they go and hang out with them on a worldly terrace in the name of trying to restore them. In doing so, you would simply be setting yourself up for a fall; however, pray for them, and when they come back embrace them, engage in spiritual activities with them and make them feel totally welcome when they come back home. What will you do when they’re coming home?

Jonathan Painter
Youth Pastor
Lincoln Baptist Church
Lincoln, Nebraska

by: Jason Watford

The Bible teaches in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” For years as a child, teenager, and even a four-year Bible college student, I honestly wondered what that verse meant and what exactly faith was. Don’t get me wrong, I heard many sermons on it, heard many illustrations about it, and had many great men sit down and try to explain it to me, but I never really “got it” until one day in my own personal life I was forced to come hand and hand with this word “faith.” I personally believe that every Christian should and will have to make a decision in their life that they will have to step out on “faith” and just believe and trust God. Allow me to take a few paragraphs and try to personally explain what faith is and how to “step out on faith” based on Hebrews 11:8-10.

September 2012 was probably the biggest step of faith that my family and I had to take. We were doing quite well, and seemingly the Lord was prospering us. We were financially doing well. I was also leading an adult Sunday school class, Vice-President of a Bible college, working on staff at a good church, when I knew in my heart that God wanted more from me. I KNEW that the Lord wanted me to pastor and it was burning inside of me. It is really hard to explain how a person knows God’s calling, but I couldn’t sleep. I just wanted to love people and pastor very badly. Because of this desire, my family began looking for a church to pastor. We left the church where we were and went to candidate for a church that I just knew HAD to be God’s will. To make a long story short, I lost the vote by one person. We had sold our house, had no job, nowhere to go, and my wife was expecting. The night we lost the vote by one person, I read Hebrews 11:8-10 and noticed what Abraham did. These verses changed the way my wife and I looked at our situation and changed our outlook on faith.

Hebrews 11:8-10 says, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place, which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED; and he WENT OUT, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacle with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he LOOKED for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

The formula for faith is simple. Obey. Move. Look. When God tells you to do something the first step is obedience. Obedience is faith. You cannot have faith without obedience. It’s impossible.

Next, is to move and do what God told you to do. Abraham “went out” and left his country not knowing where he was going. I’m sure he was scared, but his obedience led to faith, and his moving led even more to faith. I do not know what college you are to go to; however, if God told you to go to Bible college then you should obey, move and then look. Look for God to come through. Has God ever really let you down?

I now pastor some wonderful people in Seven Springs, North Carolina. When my family came here eight months ago there were 30 people, and last Sunday we had over 200 by the grace of God. God knows what He is doing and knows where to put His children. Have faith in God by obeying Him, making any moves necessary to follow Him, and looking for Him to come through as He always does.

Jason Watford
Pastor
Spring Creek Baptist Church
Seven Springs, North Carolina

by: Jonathan Painter

Deuteronomy 32:31-33, “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:  Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.”

In the verses above, I have specifically made bold two phrases and underlined two phrases because they correspond with one another. The vine of Sodom produces the poison of dragons, and the fields of Gomorrah contain the asp with his venomous bite. With this in mind let us discuss, the wine of Sodom and the venom of Gomorrah as it deals with the sin of sodomy.

Let me preface this article by first stating that I do indeed realize that this is a delicate topic that must be handled with extreme caution by the author. I will in no way violate the laws of appropriateness as it would pertain to youthful minds. On the same note, I fear that we shy away from this topic while the world screams about its perverted view concerning this topic on a daily basis. Someone needs to step up for the right and defend our children, this is what I will try to do in this article.

Satan has an agenda to blind the minds of our youth into believing that a lifestyle of Sodomy is totally acceptable and normal; however, the simple facts speak for themselves. “Gay and bisexual men remain at the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” says Jonathan Mermin, the director of the CDC’s division of HIV/AIDS prevention.” (CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)… The following statement was found on an internet news site. “While homosexualists have actively suppressed such statistics in the past and focused on portraying HIV/AIDS as a disease affecting the whole population in an equal fashion, the statistics’ increasing undeniability has forced their hand. Rather than admit any inherent problem with homosexual practice itself, however, the apparent prevalence of disease among practicing homosexuals has led them to switch tactics and use these statistics to urge governments and other organizations to increase support to the homosexual communities.” The above statements were not taken from Christian writings, but from purely medical and secular viewpoints. Statistics only back up the Biblical truth found in our opening verses.

The vines of Sodom produce dragon’s poison, and the fields of Gomorrah contain the venomous asps. Don’t drink of the vines of Sodom, my friend, and don’t play in the fields of Gomorrah! Sodomy is sin, not a disease, though it can cause a disease that is extremely lethal. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…” Am I so extreme to call sodomy sin? Men choose to sin, just as sodomy is sin. Science has been unable to conclusively prove that sodomy is something with which you are born. “At best, the evidence for a genetic and/or biological basis to homosexual orientation is inconclusive. In fact, since the early 1990s, numerous studies attempting to establish a genetic cause for homosexuality have not proven to be valid or repeatable…” That statement was issued by a family advocacy organization. Everywhere we turn it seems as though the only answer to sodomy is that it is a conscious choice made by individuals who violate biblical moral principles, thus it is labeled as sin. James 1:15 says, “…and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

This article is not meant to bring about malicious hate towards sodomites. The sodomite is a sinner in need of a Saviour just as much as the drunk and the liar. Sin is sin, and a sinner is a sinner, therefore let’s follow Christ’s example in hating the sin, but loving the sinner. I have absolutely no problem with leading a sodomite to Christ, they need Jesus too. I despise the lifestyle, I love the soul of the individual. They are people just like you and me, though they have been poisoned by the vine of Sodom, and bitten by the asps of Gomorrah.

Jonathan Painter
Youth Pastor
Lincoln Baptist Church
Lincoln, NE

by: Justin Cox

I am a 33 year old, God called, independent fundamental Baptist evangelist. Yes, I have seen some of the flaws, the faults, the idiocies and the indiscretions of my movement, but I am not going anywhere. I am still, happily and unashamedly, an “IFBer.” Go figure, huh?

While I recognize the wrongs in many “camps” and the errors on many sides, I assure you, I don’t have leaving fever and I am not looking to “jump the fence” of the #oldpaths. So, I would greatly appreciate it if you (you know who you are) would not lump me in with them (the ones you are apparently so grieved over). Please don’t speak for me and tell me where I am, where I am headed and why.

You Don’t Know Me!

But, here is my perspective, if you care to take the time to get to know me. Can you hold your breath a moment, keep your mouth shut, mind calm and hang with me all the way to the end of my coming rant? I thank you in advance for doing so…

Independent fundamental Baptists are fully initiated into an era where men who once took a stand are now standing against those who still stand where they once stood.

But will those who still stand, stand still & stand strong against those who oppose themselves?

I am reminded of the 3,000 men of Israel who came to Samson at Etam in Judges 15. Samson was not worried about his brethren binding him, rather was concerned as to wether or not they themselves would try to fall on him. I don’t believe he was afraid that they would kill him as much as he was afraid that he may have been forced to kill some of them. If need be, to defeat the Philistines at Lehi, I am convinced that Samson would have cut down some Hebrews in order to preserve himself and eliminate the true enemy.

What frame of mind had the multitude of Samson’s kin come to that they would bind and deliver their own judge into the hands of the oppressing heathen? Simple. They had yielded to a greater fear for the enemy than for the God they still had not returned to. They came to a self-deceived resignation in a belief that throwing one of their own to the dogs was the only way to avoid catastrophe. They no longer stood where they and their fathers once stood, and they now stood against the one man standing in the place they had abandoned.

If this is not happening on many levels and in many places within our movement, I am the Lochness Monster.

What, if anything, is the answer to this? Very simple. Proverbs 12:7 says, ”The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.” The answer is to remain in the refuge of righteousness, refuse to retreat from, or in other words, STAND IN, ON, WITH AND FOR GOD. PERIOD!

I for one, refuse to surrender my biblical and historical identity of “Independent fundamental Baptist” to those who give us a bad name simply because of the mistakes they’ve made. Do we stop drinking water because Fox News shows a clip of a wicked movie star drinking water? No! Do we stop driving to avoid being associated with drunk drivers? No! Do we stop wearing clothes because murderers wear clothes and we would rather not be lumped in with them? No! Do we stop singing Amazing Grace because catholics, cults and carnal churches sing it from time to time? No! Do we stop using the King James Bible because the Mormons use it? No!

So, why in the name of all things logical do so many think it’s so ingenious to drop the identity of “Independent” and “Fundamental” and “Baptist” for such foolish and petty reasons as, “We don’t want people to think we are like ________, so we will just call ourselves, “Planetary Sight Scriptural Gathering” or some such nonsense? All they have done is embraced worldly wisdom to prove a point, but have surrendered truth to those who abuse the truth because of how they abuse it! HOW LUDICROUS!

Some throw the baby out with the bath water, while others, against all odds, have actually managed to throw out the baby while keeping the bath water! As God’s people, why don’t we just determine the keep the baby in the Water of the Word?

Don’t throw your standards out the window because of Pharisees who love standards more than Christ! Keep biblical standards for the right reasons and let the Pharisees flail! Don’t throw your biblical traditions into the garbage dump just because some Sadducees emphasize human tradition over Holy Truth! Keep your scriptural, spiritual traditions while the Sadducees wallow in their ignorance! Don’t relinquish your identity because others who claim the same identity live lives that contradict it! Keep your identity and forget about the hypocrites who think that having a beam in their eye makes a great fashion statement!

God help us!

My generation, by and large, has embraced the wisdom of Solomon at the expense of common sense.

The last generation(s), like David, knew something of FIGHTING, STANDING & CONQUERING. They stood for this and they stood against that. They drew lines in the sand, and even when it would have been “ok” to drink from Bethlehem’s well, they knew something of self denial, sacrifice and PRACTICAL sanctification. In other words, they withheld some things from themselves for the greater good.

This generation, my peers, have seemingly tapped into a needed “deeper” study and presentation of Scripture, but know little to nothing of application through personal, spiritual battle, standing and self denial. They “withhold not anything from their eyes.” They are being turned aside after hundreds of strange women and not yet considering the utter VANITY of it all.

While many young men in authoritative ministry positions have rightly made much of deep study and searching the Scriptures, they have also ignorantly laid aside the RIGHT traditions of the David’s who went before them simply because they don’t find a plainly spelled out verse or passage that says, “women shall not wear pants,” or “don’t smoke,” or “keep Hollywood out of your home and mind,” or “it might be a good idea to dress nice for the assembled worship of Jehovah.” Forget the weaving together of several clear principles to lead us to a dogmatic path! Sheer idiocy shares the pulpit with great content. STUNNING!

Standards are dropped, convictions are forsaken, stands are abandoned and applicable holiness is considered “Phariseeism.” I say to these wise men of God, “You have gotten wisdom, but with all thy getting you have ignored understanding.” Wisdom and common sense, unfortunately, don’t always go hand in hand.

I am sickened, saddened and severely angered by what I am seeing and hearing from “my generation”. The preaching may be deeper, but the living is much shallower. The study may be more intense, involved and the richness of truth presented in a more profound and nourishing manner, but the application of such is (gag) horribly lacking.

Why not a balance? Why can’t we have deep, nutrient rich messages WITH deep, practically sanctified and separated living? Why can’t the “Solomon” men of God who are taking the baton keep the baby and the bath water? Why such insane knee jerking and pendulum swinging?

God help us if the resulting NEXT generation is Rehoboam and Jeroboam!

God please help us all!!!

Evangelist Justin Cox
Harned, KY

by: Abdel Judeh

The Bible says in Isaiah 62:6, “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.” In Bible days, the cities were walled. A city was vulnerable to an attack if the walls were down or if they were breached. As you read the story of Nehemiah, it will dawn on you just how important the walls were. Equally important were the watchmen. They were placed in strategic positions on the wall, and they were to warn the people if an attack was coming. While the city slept, the watchmen looked into the night and waited for signs of danger. In the event that an enemy decided to attack, the watchman’s voice would thunder throughout the city calling on men to defend the walls. Let me ask you a question? How valuable was a silent watchman? If a watchman fell asleep or simply was neglectful in sounding the alarm it would mean the destruction of the entire city.

I ask you the same question posed in Isaiah 21:11, “Watchman, what of the night?” May I answer and say that the night is as dark as it’s ever been. Wicked organizations like Planned Parenthood push their ungodly agenda. The legalization of drugs and gay marriage reveal the moral decline of America. Decreased church attendance points to the fact that the night is dark. The atheist societies in America are growing and they are assaulting every reference to Jesus Christ in the public arena. The prince and power of the air has more tools at his disposal than he has ever had, and he has gained ground on the church in this hour. I ask you again, “Watchman, what of the night?” I think you will agree – it’s as dark as it’s ever been.

I ask you a second question, why have the watchmen grown silent? The night is dark, the enemy is advancing, but it is eerily quiet in our churches and youth groups.

Where are the watchmen who will lift their voice and thunder out against the threat of the enemy? Where are the watchmen who are proclaiming that the battle must be fought, yet reminding us that the victory has been won through Jesus Christ? We have abandoned our post as watchmen and settled for a comfortable spot in the center of the city where we can blend in with everyone else. Our preachers have traded preaching for “talks.” Instead of soul winning we prefer to “connect.” While we are talking and connecting, the enemy is assaulting. Words like “separation” and “holiness” give off a negative vibe even among the brethren – yet, they’re not negative words in the eyes of Almighty God! We’ve grown silent, refusing to speak up. Afraid to step out and reluctant to get in! All the while, the night grows darker and the enemy advances towards the city.

My heart is stirred! What began as a simple article has turned into a passionate plea for VOICES! We need men and women of courage, who will take their post above the crowd and lift their voices against the enemy! I have decided to be a voice for Jesus Christ. Join Me! Use your voice to proclaim Jesus and save a city! “Ye that make mention of The Lord, KEEP NOT SILENCE.”

Abdel Judeh
Youth Pastor
Landmark Baptist Church
Parkersburg, WV

by: Jonathan Painter

I am not a huge major league baseball fan, but I do know enough about the sport and the league to know that many young players once looked up to Alex Rodriguez as a player that they would like to be like someday. In many young men’s minds he was an icon, but now he is facing charges from the Major League Baseball Association and is being accused of cheating. Some say that Alex Rodriguez will never play again, so what are all the onlookers to do? What will happen to all those who wanted to be just like him? Will they quit playing baseball since their hero has fallen? I dare say not, they will continue to swing the bat and field the ball. They must simply move on.

Undoubtedly you have, or have had people in your life who you would consider to be a hero in your world. Is it okay to have such people in our lives? Many Christians would call this “idol-worship” to have a hero; however, if your hero, or role model, is held in proper perspective, then I feel there is no problem with having one.

The first thing to keep in mind is that your hero is human. Humans make mistakes. Oftentimes a young man feels that God has called him to preach, when this happens he will generally begin to look-up to a more experienced and seasoned preacher. This preacher becomes his hero. Unfortunately, if his hero falls by the wayside, what will the young man do? If he idolizes the preacher, then he too will fall away, but if he is secure enough in his own call and beliefs, then he will continue down the path God has set for him. DO NOT IDOLIZE YOUR HEROES! Focus on their strengths, but realize they do have weaknesses. Do not assume that everything they do is one hundred percent the way it must be done. If your hero falls down, you must keep on going.

When you have a role-model or a hero, focus on their strengths and begin to develop those strengths in your own life. For example, one of my heroes is Dr. Hyles. One thing that was a great strength of Dr. Hyles was discipline. As I try to mold my own character as a young man, I have tried to add a great deal of discipline to my life. Where did I get the desire to have great discipline? I got the desire to have discipline by watching the affect it had on Dr. Hyles’ life.

Never forget, that it is a good thing to have heroes; yet, pick heroes whose strength is found in loving God, His Book and His Son. Realize that they too are human and that they will make mistakes. While observing your heroes in action, focus on their strengths and do not adopt their weaknesses in your own life. A hero is a good thing, when held in proper perspective. So, you must face the question, “Who is your Hero?”

Jonathan Painter
Youth Pastor
Lincoln Baptist Church
Lincoln, NE

by: Josh Goddard

1 Samuel 13:14, “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.”

David’s walk with God was so intense and complete that for the rest of history He was known as the man after God’s own heart. As with many men throughout the Bible, David had a great desire to please God with his life. But, more than that, David wanted to be God’s friend. He wanted to walk with Him, and talk with Him, and “abide in the secret place of the most high.” There is something very special about the young man who walks with God. The problem today is that we do not have many young men with a desire to walk with God. We have a bunch of spoiled, world-loving teens and young adults who only want to spend time with their TV, video games, and movies. No one cares about time with God any more. No one wants to be God’s friend. All they care about are their own desires.

If we could get you young men and ladies to understand the importance of a personal walk with God, we wouldn’t have to deal with most of the messes they get into. Walking with God will solve most of your problems as a young person and will pave the way to successful adulthood. David’s life was very blessed by God! Why? Because he learned some very important things as a young man.

1. David learned to be alone.

The best way to get close to someone is be alone with them. This generation of young people hates to be alone. Your lives are filled with the constant noise of the world. Your iPod is turned on as soon as you get out of bed. The TV is switched on soon after that, and it is still on when you get home from school. The earbuds are in while you do your homework and your free time is spent playing video games of browsing the internet. If you do ever have a quiet time forced on you because of school or church, you usually spend it texting. We live in a noisy world!

Never is anyone alone. You are constantly with something other than God. No wonder we can’t find many young people who will serve God with their lives. We don’t have any young men who take the time to get alone with God. Our lives are so full of the world we don’t have any time for Him!

1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;”

Ecclesiastes 9:17 says, “The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”

Get alone with God! Turn everything off, go somewhere where there is no music, no cell phone, no friends and just get used to being alone.

2. David would talk to God.

I wonder how many young people ever spend time talking to God? It is not a very popular thing to do nowadays. You don’t just show up to school and say, “I talked to God today.”

David learned at a very young age to talk to God. I’m not talking about praying before you eat lunch either, I am talking about telling God your fears, your trials, problems, heartaches; giving God your praise, thanks, gratefulness, and even your complaints. Tell Him about the good things in life and about the bad. The happy and the sad. Ask Him for help and give Him your cares.

In Psalm 5:3, David says, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

In Psalm 25:1-2 David says, “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee:let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

All through the book of Psalms David shows us how to talk to God. God wants to hear from you! He always has and He always will. It is up to us to take the time to pray.

3. David wanted God to lead him.

Over and over again David begged for God to lead and direct him. Our prayer should be:

Lord, as I go to school, lead me.
When I am at church, lead me.
In choosing my friends, lead me.
Lead me in how I treat my family.
Lead me in what I choose to do on vacation.
Lead me in my sports.
Lead me while I go Soul winning.
When the time comes to make decisions, lead me.
Lead me, God, lead me.

We are to be “ Praying without ceasing.”

We are prone to wander, and without God leading us we will end in destruction.

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

You may say, “I’ve never tried to walk with God before.” Give it a try! You will never be happier than when you are walking with God. You will find a contentment that is beyond imagination. Your joy will be full. Walk with God, young person! There is a world out there that needs you!

Josh Goddard
Assistant Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Wildomar, CA