New Paddle

My granddaughter, who is four years old, came to me carrying a wooden spoon that she had picked up from a set that my son and his wife had just purchased from the store. She walked over to me and proudly announced "Pa-paw, we got a new paddle." So, I took it from her, turned her around, and spanked her lightly on her hips. She pretended to cry, because she knew that I did not mean a thing by what I did.

Isn't it interesting that, when one person looks at something, he sees it completely different from another person who looks at the same thing? For example, when I look at a Bible, I see a book that I love, one that gives me comfort and spiritual food. Others look at the same book and see something repulsive and irrelevant. I look at a church building and see a place where people of God meet and where great fellowship is enjoyed, while others look at the same church building and either never acknowledge it at all or look upon it with contempt as something completely unnecessary. When I look on the creation of this world, I see it as a wonderful miracle of God, but others see it as a natural phenomenon that took at least billions of years to accomplish.

Now, what makes the difference in the two results of looking at the same thing and seeing two completely different things? Well, I think we can take a lesson from the situation with my granddaughter. I looked at the wooden spoon from the experience that I had had and recognized it as an adult as simply a wooden spoon. My granddaughter, not having had the same experience, and not being an adult, saw it as a paddle.

Those who see the creation as a completely natural phenomenon are seeing the world from a child's perspective, never having experienced the touch of the Master's hand in their lives, not having had the Spirit of God change them from within. After they have experienced the grace of God in their lives, then they will see very clearly that this world is not a self-made compilation of eternal matter; it is a creation of Almighty God. Oh how much more wonderful the world is when we see it through spiritual eyes! How much more sense it makes when we see it through the eyes of the Adult--God Himself!

Christians, do not become disenchanted by the mere guesses of scientists who endeavor to give the source of the miracles they see every day by crediting evolution. Remain faithful to the word of God. One day we all shall stand responsible for our belief in God. If that faith is true and faithful, then it will remain, and we shall grow into maturity, seeing the world as God has made it and not as scientists have imagined it.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Col. 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

I Am The True Vine

In John 15 we find that Jesus is the true vine. Several thoughts can be extracted from the very phrase "I am the true vine."

First, when a vine is mentioned in the Bible, it most usually speaks of a grape vine. The analogy of a vine is used here to illustrate how much we depend upon Jesus as our vine, because we are only the branches, branches which have been grafted in by God's wonderful grace.

When instituting the Lord's Supper, our Lord tells us that the drink is the "fruit of the vine." This fruit is his blood, which he bled forth in redemption for our sins. This is the precious fruit of the Vine, Jesus Christ.

Jesus told his disciples in John 15 that they should bring forth fruit. This is our fruit as branches. The main manifestation of this fruit is love one for the other. We can understand why the branches would love the Vine, because that is the source of their nourishment. In John 6, when the false disciples had gone away from Jesus and followed him no more, Jesus asked the disciples if they, too, would go away. They explained that they had nowhere else to go. But what reason would there be for one branch to love another branch? This commandment, though, Jesus gave to his disciples, that they should love one another.

Then there is a winepress for those who have rejected His warning of judgment. We read in Rev. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Due to the fact that Jesus is the TRUE Vine, there must by assumption be FALSE vines. The scriptures warn us time and time again about false Christs, a false gospel, and a way that seems right to a man. These false Christs preach something besides the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is his death, burial and resurrection.

Have you been grafted into the Vine? Are you a true branch, a child of God, born from above? Do you have your complete trust in Jesus Christ? We are the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:26). Repent of your sins; turn and trust Jesus Christ, his death, burial and resurrection today! Then you will be able to draw from that great nutrition that comes only from the Vine, Jesus Christ; and you will be privileged to share with him the rewards of the fruit of the work of God in your life.

LBC Reunion

Yes, I know I missed the LBC reunion. I don't think I was the only one. I hated to miss, but I have been having problems with my arthrits and Post-Polio Syndrome. In the mornings sometimes it is hard for me to get out of bed because of the pain.

The morning of the reunion I was hurting very much, so I decided to stay in bed for a while. When I finally got up, got my bath, and ate my breakfast, it was almost 11:00 AM. I decided that I did not want to drive all the way to Lexington and find that most everyone had left the reunion.

I understand that there were almost 200 people there. I was signed up and paid up, so I hope someone ate my portion of the meal. I know everyone had a wonderful time, because I have heard from several about it.

Maybe I will be there next time.

Berean Baptist & Sunday

On Saturday evening, April 27, 2007, I was blessed to attend Berean Baptist Church in Batesville, Indiana, where Bro. Toby Huff is pastor. Bro. Huff had belonged to First Baptist Church for a few years, and I had the privilege to be his pastor.

Bro. Toby is doing a good job there as pastor, and God is blessing. We enjoyed music from him and his wife and from some of the members of the church. I preached on the subject of God's rewards and punishments, which was received well.

After the service, we all had ice cream and cookies. Thanks to Toby and Laurie for the good supper at their home.

_______________________________

On Sunday our attendance was good in the morning. The ladies had a lunch and then had a baby shower for Brandy Jacob. Then the ladies met for their monthly meeting. With choir practice at 5:00 PM, the ladies really had a long, busy day.

Evening service was well attended, and we enjoyed as Bro. Gary Niederlehner presented Samaria Missions out of the Morning Star Baptist Church in West Chester, Ohio. This mission work is to the American Indian, and it seems to be getting off the ground with a bang. After the evening service, Bro. and Sister Niederlehner, my grandson, Eric, and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Cracker Barrel. This was a nice close to a wonderful day. May God be glorified.

If you are interested in hearing more about Samaria Baptist Missions, you may call Bro. Gary Niederlehner at 513-777-5463.

Lexington-Bethel Conference

I really enjoyed the fellowship, singing and preaching at Lexington Bethel Baptist Church on Friday, April 27, 2007.

Bro. Rob Jeffries is pastor there. His father, Bro. Jim Jeffries, is pastor emeritus. It was great to see him again. He has been a blessing to so many people, especially preachers, for so many years. Pray for him; he is not in good health.

Bro. Tony Harold preached a great message from Romans Chapter 7. He also sang a wonderful song.

I had the privilege of preaching second, and the congregation were great in their attention. Bro. Carl Morton was there along with Bro. Chuck Hunt and many other folks I had not seen in some time.

After the service we had refreshments. I did not get left until about 10:00 PM. That made it late to arrive home, but I enjoyed the trip, and God blessed.

The conference will continue on Saturday throughout the day. I wish I could have stayed, but I needed to come home and get some things done in Harrison and prepare to go to Berean Baptist Church in Batesville, Indiana, where Bro. Toby Huff is pastor. I will be preaching there Saturday evening at 7:00 PM.

Fish Fry

I visited Dallas and Viola Hall on Thursday evening, April 26,2007. They had invited me some time ago to eat some of the fish they had caught on a fishing trip. I told them I was ready any time for that.

When I entered the home, the fish were still frying; and Viola was preparing some beautiful (and I found out later delicious) vegetables and some salad. We sat down to eat about 5:15 PM.

At 9:30 PM I reminded them that I had been there simply too long and that I should get home. We had a good conversation about the Bible and doctrine and some practical things, and they did not want me to leave; but I just had to go home sometime.

I left about 10:10, and I went home with a full belly and a happy thought of a great visit with some wonderful people.

They are visiting our church at this time. I pray God will lead in their lives.

Dark Is The Valley

Pastor Ronnie Wolfe - April 24, 2007

Dark is the valley
That lies o’er hills and plains.
Its memory darkens
The one o’er whom it reigns.

Deep is the valley
Where dread and fear abound,
This is the valley
Where screams and cries are found.

And in this valley
Men of sin are wont to stay,
For to this valley
They sank so far away.

That lonesome valley
Where no friends are near;
Inside that valley
No escape from lonely fear.

From that valley
The saints have turned away
By God’s grace
Safe from it they stay.

To a mountain
One day they will arrive
From death taken
And made to be alive.

In that mountain
A Savior waits to greet
Each waiting saint
Who stands upon his feet

Looking at Him
With expectant voices cheer
And shout aloud
The joys of being here.

Alas! My friend
The valley waits for you
Who do not turn
And trust the One who’s true.

As you faint
From every doubt and fear,
Rise and stand
Believing He is near.

Trust His blood
And all His work divine.
Hear His words
“Dear sinner, come and dine.”

In that valley
The Devil’s hand will stay,
From that valley
You’ll come without delay.

In the mountain
You will forever dwell,
And you will know
Your soul is saved from Hell.

Oh the mountain
That drips with honey sweet!
Your home forever
To bow at Jesus’ feet.