AN EARLY REMINDER

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By Ken Blue

I awake every morning with the rising of the sun.
My purpose is to announce that a new day has begun.
Many are pleased with my work; every day they count on me.
They arise and going forth; they meet that day’s destiny.

I am sure I annoy some, who wish that I’d be quiet,
But God has programmed me to proclaim the approaching light.
My familiar voice never changes; always sounding the same.
But God can use it differently; His message to proclaim.

Was a morning like all others; the day had just begun,
And little did I know, I would be serving God’s dear Son.
Twice, I made proclamation; remaining silent I kept,
For somewhere in the darkest night, poor Simon Peter wept.

I have added purpose now, though my duties are routine.
I’m still announcing the morning light with its coming beams.
I am also a reminder, to each before they start,
Not to boast about today, for no one can know his heart.

“And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Mark 13:72.

IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT, YOU CAN’T FIX IT

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THE NEED FOR FEEDBACK

FEEDBACK
Card from Al Hughes’ church in Port Orchard, WA.

By Ken Blue

It is obvious that each person has, what is called “a blind spot.” That is an area where we cannot see. Not only is this factual relating to our vision, it is also true in all other areas of life. Others see what we are blind to. We need their help in pointing these areas out, if we are truly interested in improving our ministry and personal lives.

Recently, I was having lunch with a fellow pastor in Vancouver, Washington, and we were discussing this very matter. He reached to the center piece on the table and pulled out a card which asks for our evaluation of the restaurant. The questions ranged from the quality of the food to the cleanliness of the establishment. There was no place for your name. You were simply instructed to leave it for your server.

Pastor Al Hughes, along with a few other wise pastors, have seen the need and value of having as many eyes as possible surveying their church and noting the impression the church makes on them. Brother Hughes has allowed me to post the card and message they are implementing FEEDBACK

Ken Blanchard, the co-author of “The One Minute Manager,” said, “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” “Feedback” is information about reactions to a product, service, or a person’s performance of a task, used as a basis for improvement. Organizations need feedback from their clientele and constituents to improve how they serve and relate to them.

A local church is no different. People need to communicate feedback to the church leadership so they can evaluate how to better meet the needs of the congregation. Sometimes people leave a church without ever giving a solid reason why. When asked why they are leaving they are very evasive. Consequently, the church can never correct the problem.

Therefore, I am asking you to take a few minutes to complete the “Help Us, Help YOU” feedback card enclosed in this bulletin (more cards are available on the information table in the foyer). You will notice, there is no place to put your name, therefore your feedback will be anonymous. After completing the card please put it in the offering plate or you may mail it to the church. In the future, one of these feedback cards will be included with every welcome letter we mail to first time attenders at BBC.

Hopefully, the information on these cards will help us to help you have a more meaningful worship experience and walk with the Lord at BBC. Thank you in advance for your feedback! God bless you.

FROM THE OBVIOUS TO THE BIZARRE

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By Ken Blue

“Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.” Proverbs 1:17. “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” Numbers 22:12 .

Not all of God’s warnings are written in Scripture. Many are made evident in the natural events of everyday life; sometimes He uses the bizarre.

The story concerning Balaam illustrates this principle clearly. Balaam was requested by King Balak, to come and curse Israel. He was promises untold wealth if he would comply. He went to God for direction, and was told clearly not to go. But, Balaam was determined and sought for ways to comply without Gods approval.

While on his journey, an angel unseen by him, stood in the path and turned aside this beast of burden. “And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.” Numbers 22:23. As far as Balaam was concerned, the donkey was simply being stubborn and going his own way. That too was what Balaam was doing.

Again Balaam drives him own and the donkey crushes his foot against a wall in order to stop the madness. But Balaam is determined to go forward. “And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.” Numbers 22:25.

Still ignorant of the angel standing in his path to turn him back, Balaam beats the donkey all the more. Finally, the beast falls to the ground before the angel. Balaam is now so angry he would kill the donkey if he had his sword. Just then, God opens Balaam’s eyes and he sees the angel of the Lord.

God had used what appeared to Balaam as natural events to turn him back from his wicked mission. But, Balaam not only ignored the clear command of God, he ignored the three natural events intended to detour him. So, God resorted to the bizarre. God used the donkey to rebuke him! “But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.” 2 Peter 2:16.

Man is in a sorry state when God must use a brute beast to rebuke or correct him. We have an example of this before us, and as bazaar is it was, he still did not repent and retreat. Another example is that of Jonah. He was told to go to Nineveh, but he did everything possible to not go. God gave him three days in the belly of a whale to reconsider. He did and he reluctantly went. The final example is the crowing of a rooster in the early morning hours that broke Peter’s heart and brought him to repentance. “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75.

You and I have the Word of God, and we should be quick to obey. In addition, we have the events of everyday life to warn and instruct. Hopefully, none of us will be so dense and disobedient that God must resort to the bazaar to get our attention.

WHY CHRISTIANS DO NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO HEAL

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To  Heal or not to heal

By Ken Blue

Perhaps nothing has discredited Christianity or deceived more Christians than the “gifts and healing ministry.” These naive and misguided souls believe that the Kingdom ministry, offered to Israel during the transition period, is intended for the church, the body of Christ today.

We live in the dispensation of free grace. The sign ministry was designed to convince unbelieving Israel that Jesus was their Old Testament Messiah. With Israel’s rejection, the signs have been temporally set aside. This is easy to prove from Scripture and experience. When the Lord came to earth, He came to establish His earthly kingdom with the nation of Israel. Signs and wonders were a part of that ministry. However, when it became evident in the Acts period that Israel would not repent, the healing ministry disappeared with them.

Those who believe the miracle sign ministry is still here must be willing to admit that things are as they were in the Gospels and the Acts period. To believe otherwise, would be dishonest and deceitful. We say with assurance and confidence, that no believer has the gifts of healing or any of the miraculous gifts today. If we really believe those gifts are for the church and continue today, it should be easy to prove. Remember, the purpose of signs was to convince the unbelieving Jews that their Messiah had arrived.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…don’t fall for the healing hoax[/perfectpullquote]

Now let me ask you a few simple questions. If the signs are present today, wouldn’t they be an extension of those in the Gospels and Acts? Let’s see. Do you know any miracle worker who can turn water into wine? Do you know any who can feed thousands of people with a little bread and a few fish? Do you know anyone who was dead three days or more and called back to life by a faith healer? Do you know of one who was retarded and made whole in their mind through one with the gift of healing? Can you give us the name and address of any of the above, to whom we may write?

We hear a lot about those who claim to cast out devils and speak in tongues; but why stop there? Don’t you believe the rest of the verses? “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18.

We don’t expect to receive any positive responses to the above. Why? Because no one possesses the miracle ministry gifts today. The above text and others like them were for a different time, people, and purpose. This is the dispensation of Grace, and God’s grace is sufficient for you in your infirmities. So don’t fall for the healing hoax. You don’t have healing authority nor does anyone else.

BRINGING DOWN THE MIGHTY

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Bringing down the mighty with money and sex

Bringing down the mightyBy Ken Blue

“And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. Numbers 22:7. “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?”Numbers 24:13. “A.nd Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.” Numbers 25:1-2

The story of Balaam may be one of the most mystifying in Scripture. However, his craftiness is as old as time. When the monetary reward offered could not produce the desired curse, Balaam came up with another plan that works almost every time.

We have witnessed, in our decade, the fall of some of the most powerful men in the world. Most were in politics; some were in pulpits. Many have gone to prison because of greed for money; others have been dismissed and gone away in shame; losing everything, because of their lust and greed.

[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]Money and the lust for sex never fails to bring down the mighty![/pullquote]

If money fails in bringing down the mighty, lust for sex will certainly do it. One should read the account in Numbers for the full story and it’s sad results. Balaam tried desperately to get God to curse Israel. Although he was offered unlimited wealth, God refused to allow the curse. Sidestepping that approach, he advised Balak to send beautiful women to invite Israel to a welcoming feast. The devastating results can be found in Numbers 25.

Samson was one of the greats of the Old Testament, and he did many mighty exploits for God. But, his lust for Delilah left him blind and doing the work of an ass at the mill. David, the sweet Psalmist and King of Israel, was brought to ruin because of his lust for Bathsheba. The kingdom of Israel was lost because of his sin. Reuben, Jacobs’s firstborn son, lost the birthright and all things associated with it because of his affair with his father’s Concubine, Bilhah.

The reader must understand that all Satan’s apples have worms. You cannot win in the game of sin. The Devil knows our every weakness and that is where he strikes. The only advice that will work in; “flee youthful lust” and “resist the Devil and he will flee from you.” (2 Tim. 2:22 & James 4:7). “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalms 119:11. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12.