Roots by the River

I would like to remind Christians of what they have in Christ in this present world. The unbeliever may know the words, especially if they were raised in an evangelical church, but know nothing of the experience the words describe. 1. We have peace with God (Romans 5:1) 2. We have become slaves to God (Romans 6:22) 3. The Spirit of God dwells in us (Romans 8:9-16) 4. We have been given the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24) 5. We have been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) 6. Streams of living water flow from us (John 7:37-39) There are many doctrinally correct people in Evangelical churches who do not have the spiritual victory that the scriptures describe as normal to the Christian life. If they are Christians, they have bought into the lie that spiritual defeat is normal and right. There is a possibility that they have not been saved. They are not defeated Christians. They are just not Christians! Jesus does a better job of saving than they evidence in their liv...

Over the years I have read the Bible but I did not keep track. The first time I read the Bible through was in the first year of our marriage (1952-53). I read four chapters every morning in the Old Testament and two chapters every evening in the New Testament. The result was I read the Old Testament in nine months and the New Testament two and one half times in the same period. I had been a Christian four and one half years before I started. However, before I did this reading I had memorized at least two hundred verses of scripture. I found out that many of these verses which had been memorized were memorized out of context. I had to unlearn some of what I thought I had learned. Maybe eight years ago, I followed a “Youth With a Mission” one-year Bible reading program. I did this for maybe three years. Then four years ago I stated using a reading schedule put together by Robert Murray M’Cheyne called “Light on the Way.” In one year the Old Testament is read once, the New Testa...

I would like to remind us of where we were , and for people who have not yet received the Savior, where they are . When were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. Romans 6:20 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Ephesians 2:1-2 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Colossians 1:13 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[b] your evil behavior. Colossians 1:21 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. Colossians 2:13 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and ha...

Over the last few years I have been hearing rumors of my retirement. My job description has bee changed several times by transferring responsibilities and discontinuing others but that is not he same as quitting. Over the last year or two I have transferred administration of CCM, pasturing staff, travelling to bookstores and quite a bit of personal ministry to Matt Meyer. He has not complained. Five years ago I quit taking conferences out of town. More recently I moved my office to our home for counseling, and later quit preaching at the Chinese Church in Pullman. Then last Thursday we made a bi-lateral decision (God and I) for me to quit preaching, going to church and counseling here in the home. All of the above have been down because Bessie has become increasingly frail and needs me even if I am not much help. I am honoring previously made commitments (I am speaking at CRF at the University of Idaho on February 8, 2010 at 7:30 pm on “Life between the Sexes.” If you need a ref...

Here is a note to bring you up to date on my returning the $500 to the Treasury Department. I wrote the check on April 16, 2009. It was returned to me by the Senator. It was sent again on June 6 to the US Treasury, certified mail. It was signed for on June 24. It was finally cashed on August 10. My last e-mail on the subject, it had not yet been cashed. So cheer up, it is possible to return money to the government.