“Check The Facts!”

A group of women from a local Church wanted to get together on a regular basis, and socialize.

It was one ladies turn to be host. She wanted to outdo all the others.

She decided to have mushroom-smothered steak. However, knowing that mushrooms are expensive, she changed her mind. Then her husband said, “Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms?” She said, “No, some wild mushrooms are poison.”

He said, “Well, I see animals eating them and they're OK.” So she decided to give it a try. She picked the mushrooms -- washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak.

Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ol' Spot (the yard dog) a double handful just in case. Ol' Spot ate every bite.

All morning long, she watched Ol' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them.

That afternoon husband and Ol’ Spot, not wanting to be the only two males around, decided to go for a walk.

The meal was a great success. After everyone had finished eating, they relaxed, socialized, and sat around and talked.

About that time, her husband called from his cell phone and said, “I hate to tell you this, but ........Ol' Spot just died.'

At this news, she went into hysterics. She hung up, called the doctor and told him what had happened. The doctor said, “ I think we can take care of it. I‘ll call an ambulance and be there as quick as possible to pump out every ones stomach. “

Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMTs and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes and a stomach pump.

One by one, they took each person and pumped out their stomach.

After it was all over, they sat around moaning and groaning.

About this time, the hosts husband walked in and said, “You know, I've been thinking...that fellow that ran over Ol' Spot never even stopped.”


Always check the facts!

How often we run ahead without all the information we need and regret it later. We do this also with Bibles truths.

The Bible says 2 Tim 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

We are not to just “Take somebody’s word for it” but we are to check and see for sure what the scriptures say for themselves!

We should be as the Bereans of old. They were a group of believers who the Apostle Luke said they “…searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11

Do you know what you believe and why you believe it? If not…then you need to open your Bible and….check the facts!

Think on this, and remember to keep the SON in your eyes!

THANK GOD I’M NOT A TURKEY

When asked to write a school composition entitled, "What I'm most thankful for on Thanksgiving," a student wrote, "I am most thankful that I'm not a turkey!"

I agree! In my opinion, only a turkey WOULDN'T like Thanksgiving!

Sadly for some, Thanksgiving has become Football, Family, & Food – not gratitude to God. Some folks even go so far as to refer to the holiday itself as “TURKEY DAY.” :-(

However today is much more than a holiday celebration, it is a heart condition!

LiteralLy and figuratively I thank God I’m not a turkey!

But I do want to talk turkey in this article.


By definition A turkey is one of a quite few things….
1.) A fowl a particular North American Bird.

Christopher Columbus thought what he discovered was connected to India, and believed the bird he discovered (the turkey) was a type of peacock. He therefore called it 'tuka,' which is 'peacock' in Indian.

It has become the staple of Thanksgiving dinner and I personally look forward to Gooble Gooble-ing some this afternoon!

Also, Turkey is …..
2.) A far away land a country in Western Africa with a rich history.

Another definition of Turkey is theatre jargon for …..

3.) A failure or a flop, of a theatrical production .

Back in the 1800,s during the Thanksgiving holiday season , many third rate production plays were released quickly, put together hastily, to make a quick profit and closed after the first weekend because they were inferior and unsuccessful.

And yet another definition of Turkey is …..

4.) A fINE TRIO of strikes in bowling. Three consecutive strikes are called a “turkey”.

Why? Because during the Great Depression, at Thanksgiving the bowling proprietors would present a live turkey to people who scored three strikes in a row. Since “thirty” sounds like Turkey the term has carried over ever since.


But of course I am referring to what has interestingly become the most common use to the word outside of the bird itself, and that is…..
5.) A foolish person used in a derogatory sense to describe someone who is lacking in either intelligence and/or in character.

Specifically in relation to a lack of appreciation, the biggest turkeys in America today sit AT the table instead of ON it!


Don’t be a turkey today. Give God gratitude for all He gives us….. family, freedom, food and most of all, the forgiveness God grants through the cross.


Today, THANK on these things….and keep the SON in your eyes!!!!




KJV Pastor John M. Keeter
1611 FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH Williamston, NC
____ http://fellowshipbaptistwilliamston.com/

The Value of A Soul

If I were to ask you what your most precious possession is- I wonder what you would answer? Family? Finances? Physical health? Some trivial treasure?

Jesus says your soul is worth more than this whole wide world and everything in it. He asked a rhetorical question in Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

All the wealth in the world all put together- are not worth one single solitary soul!

But what is the soul?

Ancient Greeks sometimes referred to the soul as psyche (as in modern English psychology). Aristotle's works in Latin used the word anima (as in animated), which also means "breath".
Likewise, the Biblical Hebrew word for 'soul' is nefesh, meaning life, or vital breath.

The Bible says Genesis 2:6 "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the earth. And breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living SOUL."

The crowning work of Creation was not an accident of evolution-God wasn’t monkey around when he made man! What set us apart is our God given soul. It is who we are.

You can’t find it with a cat scan or measure it with an MRI, you cant reach it with a needle or a knife....but it is just as real as other invisible things such as thoughts and TV waves…and much more important .

Jesus says if you could have every thing you could get your hands on, unlimited riches and resources, at the expense of your self- you soul-it wouldn’t be worth it. Earthly things will rust and rot away….while the soul remains.

1 John 2:16-17 tells us “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”


Charlemagne the Great was the wealthy, mighty emperor of France. The story is told that when archaeologists entered his tomb they saw treasures that had been buried with him, but found Charlemagne placed sitting on a throne, a crown placed on his head.
When he was discovered, the crown had slipped down around his skull and in his lap was a Bible. It was opened and a bony finger was pointed to Mark 8:36.

Charlemagne knew what we need to know. Even if you gain the whole world, as he almost did, you can’t keep it.

Jesus also said in Mathew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Martyred Missionary Jim Elliott said "He is no fool who is willing to give up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."


From the lips of our Lord this question is being asked of you! Don’t be a loser. Don’t sell out your soul for anything. It isn’t worth it, and if I were you- I wouldn’t miss heaven for the world!!!


Think on this, and keep the SON in your eyes!!!


KJV Pastor John M. Keeter

1611 FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH Williamston, NC
____ http://fellowshipbaptistwilliamston.com/
2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new.” =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Don’t Lose Heart!

Did you enjoy the 2008 Olympics? We watched a multitude of amazing athletic achievements accomplished before an audience of millions and were reminded of biblical truths.
The metaphor of a marathon is used to inspire and instruct us in Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”
Incidentaly, this particular passage inspired the name of this column “The Winning Side” as well as the the closing phrase always used concerning our focus on the Jesus.
Competitors are encouraged by their coaches and the crowds to perservere and not lose heart—even when it appears they are behind. During one of the Olympic races in Bejiing the 2nd and 3rd place runners were disqualifed for accidenally leaving their lanes , and the 4th and fifth place runners won the medals.
What if they hd looked and saw the others leading and slacked off?
There is a verse in the Bible that speaks on this : Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
When we choose to believe we can succeed, instead of chosing to believe we may fail, our heart becomes sick. When a person is sick, they don’t perform up to the level they know they can. In our jobs, schooling and the work of the Lord, we must not lose heart! Half the battle is either won or lost over this issue.
How do we maintain heart?
The Bible says, “Keep (or blockade) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” Proverbs 4:23.
We must give God one hundred percent of all we are. It is full dedication that God blesses.
In this area there can be no compromise: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL thy HEART, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:” Mark 12:30. We must not give up!
Along the way, sometimes we find our heart faltering, or failing. I am reminded of what the song writer said;
“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, oh take and seal it! Seal it for thy courts above.” Although written hundreds of years ago, the sentiment is still the same.
What do we do? The Bible tells us in our text:
Hebrews 12:2-3 “ Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be WEARIED and FAINT in your minds.”

Believer, keep your eye on the prize, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and never lose heart. If you are a Christian, He is waiting for you at life’s finish line!
Think on this, and keep the SON in your eyes!!!

Coming 2 Town

“JESUS CHRIST HAS ALREADY COME TO TOWN!”

Every persons existence can basically be summarized with three words: birth, life, and death.

When we think of the birth, life, and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, three cities instantly come to mind: Bethlehem - where He was born, Nazareth - where He lived, and Jerusalem where He died.
Each city conjures up a different picture. When we think of Jerusalem, we think of the cross. When we think of Nazareth, we think of the carpenter. And when we think of Bethlehem, we think of the cradle.

It is that city which is the focus of today’s thought.
Instead of singing "Santa Christ Is Coming To Town" we must remember that Jesus Christ has ALREADY come to town!

When you think of BethleHEM you can’t help but think of HIM!

Christmas is not about Jingle Bells but Jesus! It isn’t about Rudolph but Redemption! It isn’t about Frosty but Forgiveness! It’s not the Grinch of who-ville it’s the God of whoseover-will! !!

Many great cities existed then, Antioch, Athens, and Alexandria among others, yet little bitty Bethlehem is remembered and revered like none else because one silent night, Jesus came to town! The greatest Christmas gift ever given was wrapped , not in pretty paper, but in swaddling clothes, and Mary brought forth her bundle of joy to the world.

This Obscure, Overlooked, Out of the way backwoods boondocks so seemingly insignificant and isolated ended up a very important piece of the prophetical puzzle. Seven and one half centuries earlier it was prophesied;
Micah 5:2 says……. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Bethlehem is yet another reminder that indeed BIG things come in SMALL packages!

The name itself “Bethlehem” means “House of Bread”, and what better place for the Bread of Life to come from than there? (John 6:35)

As we think about "the little town of Bethlehem" this season, may its prophecy instruct us, its history inform us, and its mystery inspire us to give Jesus our lives, our loyalty, and our love all year long.

As the Philip Brooks hymn “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” says;
“O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.”


Think on these things, and keep the SON in your eyes!



KJV Pastor John M. Keeter

1611 FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH Williamston, NC

____ http://fellowshipbaptistwilliamston.com/
2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new.” =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Yard Dogs & Mushrooms

The Baptist Dinner

A group of country friends from the Cottonwood Baptist Church wanted to get together on a regular basis, socialize, and play games.

The lady of the house was to prepare the meal.

When it came time for Al and Janet to be the hosts - Janet wanted to outdo all the others.

So Janet decided to have mushroom-smothered steak. However, knowing that mushrooms are so expensive, she told her husband, 'No mushrooms -- they cost too much.'

He said, 'Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty in the creek bed.'

She said, 'No, some wild mushrooms are poison.'

He said, 'Well, I see varmints eating them and they're OK.' So Janet decided to give it a try.

She picked a bunch -- washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak.

Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ol' Spot (the yard dog) a double handful. Ol' Spot ate every bite.

All morning long, Janet watched Ol' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them. The meal was a great success and Janet even hired a lady from town to help her serve it. She had on a white apron and a fancy little cap on her head.

After everyone had finished eating, they relaxed, socialized, and started singing playing some music.

About then, the helper lady from town came in and whispered in Janet's ear. She said, 'Mrs. Williams, ........Ol' Spot just died.'

Janet went into hysterics. After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened. The doctor said, 'That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quick as possible. I'll give everyone enemas and I will pump out every ones stomach. Everything will be fine.

'Just keep them calm..'

Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMTs and the doctor had their suitcases,syringes and a stomach pump.

One by one, they took each person into the bathroom, gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach.
After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, Everything will be fine now, and he left.'

They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room and about this time, the helper lady came in and said,

'You know, I've been thinking...that fellow that ran over Ol' Spot never even stopped.'

:-)

Pastor John M. Keeter

FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH Williamston, NC

http://fellowshipbaptistwilliamston.com/
2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new.” =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


__,_._,___

SIN...by any other name.

THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN
Heb 3:7-13

The word sin sounds as sinister as it is. What Leprosy, or Cancer is to the body, SIN is to the soul.
It is SIN that robs the baby of tender affection, SIN that turns marriage into misery, SIN that causes War and riots. SIN that nailed Jesus Christ to the cross.

People no longer fear sin. It is sensationalized and trivialized, promoted as proper and paraded in public. There seems to be no shame today by those who participate in sin. Jeremiah 6:15 says the people forgot how to blush.
We, like they, have become complacent and comfortable in carnality.

Since Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), one would think that he is the most deceitful on all the earth.
However the Bible says...."The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9
What is more deceitful than Satan? According to scripture, your heart is!!!

Sin comes from within!
Our sin separates us from God: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Is. 59:2).

We are so easily doped, we think sin is not that serious.

We even attempt to re-define it by our dictates.

What is sin?

1 John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. "

James 4:17, "Therefore, to him who knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin."

Rom 14:23 " whatever is not of faith is sin."


SIN is........


I. DECEITFUL IN ITS PROMISES

Sin is a LIAR!!! Sin never has, never will, and by the way never can kept the promises it makes!

Sin FACINATES then ASSAINATES!!! Sin flatters,, And it scatters. Sin mutilates, And it alienates. Sin dulls, And it annuls. Sin seizes, And it squeezes. Sin chases, And it disgraces.


A. ITS PROMISES ARE MANY

The Devil know what Lure to use- the same bait wont catch different fish.

You dont catch a Catfish with what you use to hook a Tuna. Same is so for souls.

B. ITS PROMISES ARE DEADLY

" But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (Jas. 1:14-15).

Galatians 6:7-8 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

See how sin has caused such suffering and sorrow!!
Go to the hospital the mental wards the divorce courts and behind bars- ask them! Ask them!

"Hardness" is translated from skleruno, from which name for the disease multiple sclerosis is derived.


II. DECEITFUL IN ITS PRESENTATION


A. IT PRESENTS ITSELF AS SAFE

SIN IS NEVER SAFE. It is always dangerous, destructive, damning and always brings with it disastrous consequences.

It brings DEFEAT, DISGRAE and DESTRUCTION! !!

* You can call Garlic Chanel no 5 but it still stinks! *


III. DECEITFUL IN ITS PRESCRIPTION

Sin offers the cure to itself! I'm not gonna let the Devil tell me how to be delivered by Him!!!

A. Sin Says REMAIN

If you can stop anytime you want, then stop before you get started!!!

B. Sin Says REPLACE

C. Sin Says REFORM

Education is the answer! Environment is the key! Look what sin has done to each!!!

Back on December 20, 1995, an American Airlines jet crashed into a mountainside in Colombia, killing 159 passengers. Months later, airline officials determined that the cause of the crash was an error by the flight captain. As the flight approached the airport from the north, the control tower radioed to the flight captain that he was to fly a straight path over the ?Rozo? navigational radio beacon near the airport. The captain punched the letter ?R? into the on-board computer, which he assumed was the autopilot to fly the plane toward the beacon. Unfortunately, there was another radio beacon with a code name that began with the letter ?R,? the ?Romeo? beacon, 132 miles to the left. The autopilot sent the plane on to the wrong beacon ? with disastrous results.
Accuracy and details are essential not only in navigation but also in religion. Punching in the letter ?R? for any old religion will not do. That will only send you to destruction. The ?R? that we need is not ?religion;? it is ?relationship, ? a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.


D. Sin Say REFUSE

TODAY if you will ?hear His voice!!?


CONCLUSION:

There IS a BALM in GILEAD!!!