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A LOT LIKE ME

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lot like me

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

 

Do you ever feel that, you’re not all you should be?

If you have, then you know that, you’re a lot like me.

 

Do you ever feel alone, though it cannot be?

If you have, then you know that, you’re a lot like me.

 

Do you ever feel as cold, as the arctic sea?

If you have, then you know that, you’re a lot like me.

 

Do you ever feel like a dead leaf on a tree?

If you have, then you know that, you’re a lot like me.

 

Do you ever read the Book; its words closed to thee?

If you have, then you know that, you’re a lot like me.

 

Do you ever pray, and the skies seem brass to thee?

If you have, then you know that, you’re a lot like me.

 

Have you ever wept your way back, where you should be?

If you have, then you know that, you’re a lot like me.

WHY I THANK GOD AND PRAY FOR AMERICA

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Pray for america

pray for america

By Ken Blue

Certainly, I am not proud of what many Americans do, and in many cases some cause us shame, anger, and embarrassment. Nor am I thrilled over the behavior of many of our Baptist brethren. The same could be said about being a Christian. However, I am thankful that I am a Christian. I gladly embrace most of the doctrines of the Baptist churches, and I am glad that I was born and raised in America.

If your family was wayward, would you not pray for them? If sin was in your church, would you pray for your church? Then why in God’s name would you not pray for America to stay God’s judgment on it? I cannot agree with those Baptist who are in step with Jeremiah Wright who says he does not want God to bless America, but rather to “damn America.”

I have had the privilege to visit most countries in this world, and I would not trade America for all of them! America is plagued with great wickedness, but she still has more churches that preach the gospel, more missionaries going to foreign countries, and more Bibles and churches than any other nations. Why wouldn’t the powers of darkness seek her destruction?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We should pray for America.[/pullquote]

Should we pray for America? Of course we should. America is not more wicked than Israel is or was, yet Paul prayed that they might be saved (Romans 10:1). A nation is made up of people. To pray for America is to pray for the salvation of the people.

Finally, when we show disrespect for America we dishonor the thousands who have, and are laying down their lives for it. It is because of the grace of God and the sacrifice of others that we have the freedoms we enjoy in this country. I refuse to show ingratitude because of the wicked within the nation.  Rather, let us thank God for a great country where we have freedom of religion, and unlimited opportunities to get the gospel to a lost world. Let us pray for America!

PASS THE BUCKETS AND PRAY

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Prayer and activity go hand in hand.

By Ken Blue

“It is recorded of D. L. Moody that, upon one of his journeys across the Atlantic there was a fire in the hold of the ship. The crew and some volunteers stood in line to pass buckets of water. A friend said to Moody, ‘Mr. Moody, let us go to the other end of the ship, and engage in prayer.’ The common-sense evangelist replied, ‘Not so, sir; we stand right here and pass buckets and pray hard all the time.’ How like Moody this was! He believed that prayer and work were the two hands of the one person: that they should never be separated.—Christian Herald (London).” There is the attitude among some that the less organized the work, the more spiritual one is.

Some time ago I wrote an article about plans and methods to reach a larger segment of one’s community. In that article I failed to mention the Holy Spirit. I receive a scathing response reprimanding me of the omission. Of course the respondent does not, and never has pastored a church, nor did he give his name. Typically, he was fresh out of Bible College; Wasp are always largest when first hatched.

I remember one of my Bible teachers telling us, “If you think yelling ‘amen’ in this class will give you a passing grade, you are in for a big surprise. I expect you to study and get a passing grade.” I discovered that he meant exactly what he said.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Activity is never an excuse to neglect prayer, nor is prayer an excuse to not work your smartest[/pullquote]

Prayer should precede everything. It is wise to pray before you answer your phone. You would think this would be understood, and I think the mature believer does. I am confident that neither writer nor reader prays enough. The Scriptures are clear on the subject of prayer. We need to pray more.

Now, I do not mean any disrespect by the following, but you can pray till you are blue in the face; and God will not mow your lawn for you. He will not sing in the choir, teach a Bible class, clean the buildings, wash the windows, preach the sermon, organize the ministry of your church, or drive a church bus. These, and many other things, are the practical side of the ministry, and must be done by men and women with understanding.

You don’t have to set down the bucket to pray while fighting a fire; pray and grab another bucket. Activity is never an excuse to neglect prayer, nor is prayer an excuse to not work your smartest; they are the two hands of the one person.

FASTING

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TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST

By Ken Blue

“Fasting humbles the soul before God (Psalm 35:13); chastens the soul (Psalm 69:10); and crucifies the appetites and denies them so as to give the entire time to prayer (2 Samuel 12:16-23; Matthew 4:1-11).  It manifests earnestness before God to the exclusion of all else (1 Cor. 7:5); shows obedience; demonstrates the mastery of man over appetites; aids in victory over temptation; helps to attain power over demons; develops faith; crucifies unbelief; and aids in prayer (Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 17:14-21). —Dake’s Topics.

The doctrine of fasting, like many others, can become a form of legalism and bondage to God’s people. That one should fast and pray, there is no doubt; but when it is taught as a regimented practice, it leads to self-righteousness.

There is no rule as to when and how often one should fast. The Bible demonstrates that fasting was practiced when some great decision, feat, danger or testing was being faced. We see that some fasted one day, three days, seven days, fourteen days, 21 days, and forty days. The doctrine should be taught, but never set as a routine or habit. It should spring from a soul in desperation.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Fasting can become a form of legalism or a source of power.[/perfectpullquote]

There is no magic in fasting. Unless it is understood and practiced according to Scripture, it will have an adverse effect on those who practice it. Jesus says that fasting should not be to impress others. “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:16-18. Note also, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” Luke 18:11-12. Fasting did not help this crowd. In fact, it added to their inward problem. It might be best if no one knows when you are fasting.

The old Negro song says, “Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.” That is the right approach to fasting. As we have said, when you are facing a great need in your life, and the Spirit of God is moving you to prayer and fasting, that is the right time to do it. Like many doctrines in Scripture, it can become a form of legalism or a source of power. We need not fear that God’s people will fast to often; the warning and concern is stated above.