GOD'S WAY IS BEST

When will we as Christians ever learn that God's way is the best way?  No matter what facets of our lives, no matter what situation we encounter, no matter how much we think we know, always remember God's way is best!

Scripture tells us in Pslam 37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He will bring it to pass.  It seems, today, that many Christians insist on clinging to their own ways when it comes to serving God.  They don't want to let go of their old habits and in some cases they are reluctant to give up their old lifestyle.  These individuals are some of the most miserable people in the church.  Why?  In a nutshell, they lack spiritual victory in their lives.

Listen folks, if we are to enjoy God's best for our lives we must yield our way, our will, our work and our walk entirely to Him.  We must commit our time, our talent and yes even our treasure to Him.  We must be willing to deny ourselves for the benefit of others.  This is all a part of commitment to God.

We as Christians often fail to trust in God as we should.  If we continually rely on our own strength we will continually fail.  We sometimes depend too much on doctors, lawyers and friends.  Now don't take me wrong.  I'm not advocating the exclusion of these influences in our lives.  We should be thankful for the help of others, but our ultimate trust must be in God.  Remember, bank accounts may fail, money markets may fail, but Jesus never fails!

God rewards those who are totally committed to Him.  God rewards His people by enabling us to be a blessing to others.   God will use a totally committed person to reach out to others and in doing so will draw others to Him.  

God's way is best.  He not only rewards the faithful in this life, but He rewards us also in the next life - eternally.  After all, folks, that's what really matters.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE

1 Cor. 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

The problems you face in your life will either defeat you or develop you – depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God desires to use the problems we face for good in their lives. They tend to react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit these problems might bring.

Remember, God never allows us to be tested beyond what He knows we can handle (I Cor. 10:13).

Five ways God desires to use the problems in your life:

God uses problems to DIRECT you ( 1 Peter 1:6-7)

Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways. Under God's will, adversity may come:

• as a test to strengthen our faith (I Peter 1:6-7)
• as a test to strengthen our actions (I Cor. 3:13-15)
• as a preparation for us to comfort others (II Cor. 1:3-5)
• to manifest the life of Christ (II Cor. 4:8-10, 12, 16)

God uses problems to INSPECT you (James 1:2-4)

People are like tea bags...if you want to see what's inside of them just drop them into hot water! Has God tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you?

Our faith can only reach full maturity when faced with difficulties and opposition. Trials are sometimes brought into a believer's life so that God can test his faith. Scripture no where teaches that troubles in life are always an indication that God is displeased with us. Troubles can be a sign that He recognizes our firm commitment to Him (Job 1-2).

God uses problems to CORRECT you (Psalm 119: 67, 71)

Some lessons we only learn through pain and failure. It is likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something by losing it (health, money, a relationship, etc.)

God uses problems to PROTECT you (Genesis 50:20)

A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Several years ago, a man was fired from his job for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem – but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were discovered.

God uses problems to PERFECT you (Romans 5:3-4)

Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship with God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. We can rejoice when we run into problems...they can help us learn to be patient. Patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

Here's the point: God is at work in your life – even when you don't recognize it or

understand it. It's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him. Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way. When we get to Heaven, what could be more wonderful than to be greeted by someone who says, “I'm so happy to see you...you know I would not be here if it weren't for you.

The next time you face a problem, ask your self what God is doing in you.  

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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CHANGE IS IN THE AIR!

From time to time in one's life change occurs.  There are various reasons for the changes that take place.  Today, Cindy and I stand at a crossroads in our life.  Change is in the air for us.

We will be moving back to Springfield, IL in less than three weeks.  There are a few reasons for this move but suffice it to say it's a God thing.  We both believe God has ordained this move.  While it will have an economic impact on us, we believe it will bring about positive health benefits for both of us.  We also believe this move will rekindle the fire in our bellies that we both feel we need in order to do the things God has called us to do.

I thought for a period of time that God was perhaps leading us out of our current work in Atterberry.  However, that is not the case.  We will continue to pastor in Atterberry.  We love our church family!   We fit uniquely into this church family.  Cindy and I believe that, too, is a God thing.  Our church family supports this move for us knowing it will have health benefits for us.  The church will also benefit for us being healthier and feeling better.  

Each time I walk into the house I see empty boxes and packed boxes stacked against the wall.  It serves to remind me that God is working all things out for HIS good (Romans 8:28).  I've been emphasizing in my preaching the last year or so that GOD HAS A PLAN for each of us.  It doesn't matter how young or how old we are.  God still has a plan.  Sometimes it takes a change to see God's plan fully enacted in one's life.  

This change will also allow us to pursue additional outreaches that God has laid on our heart.  While we already provide teaching and preaching via You Tube we will be starting a podcast that can be streamed or downloaded and listened to at a later time.  We will keep you posted on the podcast as we get it together and it becomes available.

If you are interested in hearing any of the preaching and teaching we do you may go to  www.youtube.com and type in Pastor Ray Spellbrink or atterberrybaptist in to the search area.  We've had people request we put our preaching and teaching on line.  This was a feasible means to do this.  

During this time of transition we ask for your prayers.   We are confident this is a God thing.  We are excited about what God has in store as well as what other means of outreach He may  lead us in to.

Stay tuned!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray 

THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!

We owe a great debt to the early church. They evangelized their world.  They took the great commission seriously (Matt 28:18-20).   Because of their faithfulness we have the gospel message today.

They faced the same challenges we face today.   Christians are a minority compared to the population of the world.  Christians are commissioned to reach the world with the gospel.  People are born at a much quicker rate than they are being born again.  Yet the early church accomplished great things without the advantages we have today.  They had the reputation of turning the world upside down!  (Acts 17:6).  What did those early Christians have that we need?

They were on fire for Jesus!  “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:3).   This was evidence of the Holy Spirit working through them.  The effect of this evidence was souls were won to Jesus and churches were planted.

The world needs to see the church on fire!  It's not enough to be fundamental – we must be on fire!  It's not enough to be doctrinally sound – we may be sound asleep!  It's not enough to be preaching – we must be pleading.   It's not enough to be Bible believing – the Word of God must be burning deep within us! It's been said, “So afraid of wild fire, we have settled for no fire at all.”  We need to get the fire back in our lives and our churches!

The early church found true fellowship in Jesus (Acts 2:41-46). “...in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).  Once divided, now they were bound together in love.  The basis of their fellowship was “the apostles doctrine”.  The apostles doctrine was, in a nutshell, Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  They based their fellowship on truth – they were real.  They celebrated the gospel in their daily lives.  Do we have that kind of fellowship?   If not, what are we going to do to achieve it?

These early Christians were fully surrendered to Jesus (Acts 4:18-20).  “For we cannot but speak...”  They couldn't help themselves – they had to speak the things they seen and heard.  They laid everything on the altar.  To some this meant financial loss.  To some this meant prison.  To some this meant martyrdom.   No wonder they were effective!

Today there are too many Christians trying to save their own lives.  As a result they actually lose their lives.  “For whosoever shall save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it” (Matt 16:25).  You don't know life until you know Jesus!  They also lose their impact for Jesus

We need a true move of God!  We need a genuine move of the Holy Spirit!  We need a double dose of the Holy Ghost!   If we followed the example of the early church and the New Testament believers, I believe we would see that mighty move of God we so need in our day.

Do we long for the fire and fellowship of the early church?  Are we willing to make their kind of surrender – their kind of commitment - to receive this move of God?  Are you hungry for a mighty move of God?  Do you long for more?  Do you desire God to do His work in your life?

Let's do what we need to do to have the move of God we need to have.  Let's expect it!  If we will do that, truly, the best is yet to come!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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HIGH EXPECTATIONS

God has high expectations for His people.  If you're saved, God has high expectations for you.  God obviously expects more from His people.  There are legitimate reasons why the world, the church, and our Lord Jesus, Himself, may expect more from Christians than from the rest of mankind

Why are there such high expectations of Christians?  Christians profess more.  We claim to be something more than the world.  We often claim to be more than other Christians.  Christians, in fact, are more.  We have been changed by the power of God.  We are now children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.  Christians possess more.  As believers, we have the internal presence of the Holy Spirit.  We have heavenly resources at our disposal (prayer, anointing, Holy Spirit leading).  Christians promise more.  We have great potential in Jesus!  We “can do all things through Christ” (Phil 4:13).  Christians know more.  We have the Word of God to instruct us.  We understand so much more about life, the world and eternity as we read God's Word.  Christians expect more.  We expect things from God; why shouldn't God expect things from us?  We expect things of other Christians, why not of ourselves?

What are these expectations?  Many of these expectations can be found in Matthew 5.  We are to be an example (Vs 13-16).  If seasoning has no flavor, it has no value.  If Christians make no effort to affect the world around us, then we are of little value to God.  If we are too much like the world, we are worthless.  What kind of an example are you?  We are to be a people of obedience (Vs 17-20).  Some of those in the crowd were experts at telling others what to do, but they themselves missed the central point of God's laws.  Jesus made it clear that obeying God's law is more important that explaining it.  How are you at obeying God yourself?  Gentleness should be a staple of the Christian life (Vs 21-26).  Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God.  If we have a problem with a brother or sister, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible.  We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others.  Our attitude toward others reflects our relationship with God.  We are to be a people of purity (Vs 27-32).  When Jesus said to get rid of your hand or your eye, He was speaking figuratively.  He didn't mean to literally pluck out your eye, because even a blind person can lust.  But if that were the only choice, it would be better to go into heaven with one eye or hand than to go to hell with two.  We sometimes tolerate sins in our lives that, left unchecked, could eventually destroy us.  It is better to experience the pain of removal – of getting sin out of our lives - than to allow the sin to bring judgment and condemnation.  It's important that we examine our lives for anything that causes us to sin, and take every necessary action to remove it.  Truthfulness is a trait that should be part of every Christian’s life (Vs 33-37).  Oaths or vows were common, but Jesus told His followers not to use them – their word alone should be enough.  Are you known as a person of your word?  Dare I say it?  Patience is an important characteristic of the Christian life (Vs 38-42).  When we are wronged, often our first reaction is to get even.  Instead, Jesus said we should do good to those who wrong us!  Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love and forgive.  This is not natural – it's supernatural.  Only God can give us the strength to love as He does.  Instead of planning vengeance, pray for those who hurt you.  Love is a powerful weapon for the Christian(Vs 43-48).  By telling us not to retaliate, Jesus keeps us from taking the law into our own hands.  By loving and praying for our enemies, we can overcome evil with good.  If you love your enemies and treat them well, you will truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life.  This is possible only for those who give themselves fully to God, because only He can deliver people from natural selfishness.  We must trust the Holy Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we man not feel love.

Why should we be concerned about meeting these expectations?  There are some very good reasons why God's people should measure up to these high expectations.  Because we are known by our fruits.  People should not judge, but they will.  There should be a differentness about Christians.  Because our works will be revealed.  Don't worry about not judging – Jesus will take care of that.  This is a matter of motives.  We can stop the talk of the enemy.  We can't stop all criticism, but we shouldn't create any either.  A godly life does silence the critics.  Because doing so will glorify God.  The more things are out of character the more they glorify.  We glorify God most by becoming like Him.  Because it brings peace to our own conscience.  We know we are doing what is right.  We know that we are doing what pleases God.

How we live is of great significance.  The salvation of Christ is not in sin, but from sin.  We are to be different!  God has high expectations of His people.  I challenge you to search out your own life today. See how you measure up – not to man’s – but to God’s expectations!

Until next time…enjoy the journey!

Ray

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DOES GOD REALLY SUPPLY OUR NEEDS?

Phil 4:15-19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

AMPLIFIED - “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”

Many Christians, today, struggle with questions regarding God's supply in spite of the clear statement of Philippians 4:19. We'll pray and ask God to meet a particular need and then we question and wonder if He will actually do it. It's important for us to have right teaching on this subject. Let's look at what God's Word really says about His provision.

This thought from the above Scripture is a straightforward expression.  It is unconditional. There are no obvious conditions here. I would hate to be in a position to need His supply if I had not been meeting my obligations to the Lord and had been selfish in regard to the needs of others.  God's supply is unlimited.  It identifies God as making the provision.  It speaks of “all” your needs.  It bases everything on God's riches in glory.  It involves Jesus.   It is unspecified.  It doesn't say exactly what He will do.  It doesn't say how He will do it.  It doesn’t say when He will do it.  It states merely that He WILL do it!  You can take that to the bank!

We've all been through experiences in which it appeared our needs were not met.  We've all been through experiences in which our needs have been met but not as or when we thought they should be.  The question comes to mind, “Does God really meet all our needs?”   This question is, no doubt, asked by Christians often.

What about those times when it appears He doesn't meet our needs?  Did God forget about us?  Is He unconcerned about our situation?  Let's take a look at some “why's” of what appears to be unanswered prayer.  Perhaps our need wasn't really a need.  We become accustomed to a specific lifestyle. We often think of something as a need when in actuality it is a want.  The truth is God actually provides many of our wants.  It's a matter of timing. God always has His own reasons for His timing.  Sometimes the need is supplied but not in the way you wanted it to be.  Consider Israel in the wilderness.  God gave them what they needed, when they needed it.  He give it to them in ways of His choosing rather than theirs.  He gave it in ways at times not even visible, in ways designed to test them, in ways also designed to humble them.  God knows best exactly how to meet our needs if we will but trust Him.

Sometimes the need we are praying for is not our greatest need.  We have many needs, but we see the temporal and physical as the most important.  God sees our spiritual needs as our greatest needs.  God may not supply one need because that need is being used in the process of meeting another more important one.  Meeting the need the way we want it, in the time we want would not bring Him ultimate glory.   The meeting of needs is a means of His glorification.  He usually does things so as to bring glory to Himself ahead of bringing comfort to us.

All our needs are occasions for blessing and glory.  God does meet needs.  Don't give up. Remember, He works in His way and in His own time. He often works in ways we cannot see.  But rest assured, He's working on our behalf.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS

Jeremiah 6:16 (The Message) “God's message yet again: Go stand at the crossroads and look around.  Ask for directions to the old road, the tried-and-true road.  Then take it.  Discover the right route for your souls.  But they said, 'Nothing doing. We aren't going that way'”

In this verse, we're given the image of a traveler who came to a fork in the road. He had the opportunity to go anyway he desired, but God tells him to ask for "the old paths, where is the good way."   Instead of just traveling blindly on, this traveler was to stop and ask for directions.  God wants His people, today, to travel the right path – the old path.  He wants them on a path that will lead them in His direction.

While this word of correction was spoken to the Jews many years ago, there is a lesson in this verse for the modern church today. It is my opinion that God would still have His people to ask for the old paths. We must be sure we are walking the path which God has ordained, the one that He can bless, the one that honors Him

The command that God issued to His people was for them not to allow themselves to be lead astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day.  They were to look at men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others who walked the path of obedience and holiness before the Lord and they were to seek that path for themselves.  God's command is that they not just go any way, but that they take the time to find the right path, that old, well-worn path that represents the best way.

So many in our day are leading millions off into Hell because they're changing some of the road signs of the faith.

Allow me to share a few of the road signs that are being changed in our day:

• Salvation Through The Blood - Heb. 9:22
• Belief In The Scriptures - 2 Tim. 3:16; Ps 119:89. (There are 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 41,173 verses; 774,746 words; 3,566,480 in the Bible. It is every ounce the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God)
• Love For The Church - Heb. 10:25  
• The Reality Of Heaven And Hell-John 14:1-3 
• Ps 9:17 “For the wicked shall be turned into hell...” 
• The Value Of The Human Soul - Mark 8:36-37 
• The Soon Return Of Jesus - I Thes 4:13-18
• The Holiness Of God -We try to bring God down to man's level. He is holy - Is 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:16
  

God's promise to those who walk in His paths is they will find rest for their souls.  That is, in His paths, we can be assured of three great truths.  We can be sure that we will arrive at the proper destination!   When we take God's highway, we can be sure that it will end in His presence!  We can travel in safety knowing that God is guarding our way.  Not only will we end up where we want to be, but we will get there in the safest, most peaceful manner possible.  We can know that while we are on God's path, the deepest needs of our soul will be met!  There will be fellowship with Him and joy in His presence at the end of the way!

However, those who fail to ask for the old paths will find themselves walking in the ways of destruction and misery.   When we turn our backs on the way God has chosen as the right way we will find that the way is difficult, there is no peace or safety and the destination is even in question.   There is a reward for those who will walk in God's pathway!

This text tells us that some decided that they would not walk in the Lord's will and in the Lord's path.  The results of their choice is chastisement and destruction (Vs 17-30).  There is a high price to pay for refusing to walk in God's will!

We are living in a day when many are refusing to walk in the old paths.  Either the old way is too narrow, or they feel that God just doesn't know what He is talking about

Yet, no matter what the world does, let us, the people of God, stand tall in the old way.  Let us be unashamed of being old fashioned Christians!  Let us hold our heads high and walk in the way God has ordained without apology and without backing down.  Let us be everything the Lord commanded us to be in His Word (1 Cor. 15:58).

The old way isn't the popular way!  It is being abandoned daily by people who have decided that new is better.   They are leaving the Bible, the old songs of the faith, old fashioned worship, praising the Lord, and old time Bible preaching.  Yet, God has not changed!! (Heb. 13:8).  I can find no room to change myself.  I think I'll ask for the old paths and walk in them.  How about you?   The enemies are changing the signs, but the Lord knows the way. Let's ask Him and He will lead

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost this blog.