Bob Jones Academy Friends

“When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.”

- Walter Payton

Weekly Devotional

Life Verse

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119.165

I remember vividly when I was a junior in high school at Bob Jones Academy sitting in English class as my fellow students recited their “life verses.” I remember it so well because I was embarrassed that, not only did I not have a “life verse,” but I also had never even heard of the concept of choosing one.

Everyone was kind as our teacher explained that a life verse was a verse we would choose that we could easily call upon in difficult times or when we wanted to remember a special grace or relationship between us and our Savior. I contemplated carefully as one recited Philippians 4.13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Another quoted, Philippians 1.21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” And yet another claimed, I Corinthians 15.10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” One suggested John 3.30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I found a rich enjoyment in knowing that my classmates loved the same Savior as I and that they had already attached themselves to a special portion of God’s Word upon which they leaned when experiencing life.

The verse I soon chose was Galatians 2.20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” It is a verse that reminds me that my life is in the hands of God for Him to use as He sees fit – a life that lives only at His pleasure and for His pleasure. It reminds me of my sacred responsibility to be consumed by God rather than just seeing Him as an add-on to my life.

Several years later as I was experiencing some rather difficult days as a pastor, the Lord brought to me another powerful verse from the Psalms, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119.165) It is more than simply “knowing” God’s Word – it is “loving” God’s Word. As the trials and difficulties of life sometimes seem overwhelming, we can turn to God knowing that He never leaves nor forsakes us. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me….” (Psalm 23.4) Loving God’s Law keeps us close to the One who is able to keep us from falling. (Jude 1.24)

Other than my personal salvation in and through my Savior Jesus Christ, the greatest decision of my life involved the one I would spend my life with – my wife. While sitting in the Dating Parlor at Bob Jones University, Nancy and I chose a life verse for us as a couple. “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34.3)

The path God chose for us has not always been smooth; however, I never walk alone. I have a Savior with whom I walk and a wonderful wife who walks together with me. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Weekly Devotional

Feel Good Religion

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” Proverbs 23.7

Christianity, today, is suffering from a malady that has overtaken reason and sound doctrine. The modern contemporary philosophy within Christendom has removed many eager believers from having their feet planted firmly on solid ground. The church has devolved into a gathering around entertainment, coffee shops, and even hair salons – all driven by a great desire by the attendees for something to help them feel good about themselves.

The Apostle Paul warned us: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (II Timothy 4.3, 4)

Compare, for example, modern worship services with those recorded in the Bible. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, gatherings were for the sake of learning the Scriptures. The meetings had relatively few frills and were saturated with the reading of God’s Word. On one occasion, when the disciples (believers) gathered on Sunday to share a meal, Paul preached so long that a young man, Eutycus, nodded off in sleep and fell from the third story loft – dying in the process. The sermon was delayed long enough for Paul to raise the dead, allowing the young man to eat, then continued until morning. (Acts 20)

Do you remember those old-fashioned, all-night prayer meetings when we gathered to pray for the lost? Do you remember those old-time evangelists who preached for hours rather than minutes? Do you remember attending Sunday School or Bible study when no one prepared coffee or donuts – when the major item of interest was learning God’s Word?

Early in my ministry, the church in which I served invited Dr. J. Harold Smith to come for a week of meetings. On Sunday morning, we combined Sunday School and church so he would have enough time to preach his famous sermon: “God’s Three Deadlines.” The service began normally with some congregational singing, offering, and announcements. He took the pulpit around 10:30 and preached until after 12:30. Some years later, I visited a church in Columbia, South Carolina to hear one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Dolphus Price. He preached for nearly two hours on the crucifixion of Christ. So real was his message that, when he finished, I checked my watch thinking he had only been preaching for a few minutes.

Unfortunately, the modern Christian often attends church in order to get a feel-good experience about themselves or to be entertained. While we all know that happy feelings are fleeting, those seeking these feelings are drawn to the church’s fellowships more for that than for learning the Word. Not convinced? Take away the coffee, donuts and worship leaders and see how many faithfully attend to only hear the preaching.

The word “feel” occurs only seven times in the Bible; however, only twice does it refer to something other than the sense of touch. (Job 20.20; Ecclesiastes 8.5) In those two verses, the Hebrew word is “yada” – a word that indicates “understanding, knowledge, and reason.” The word “thinketh” in our text is unique (sha’ar) – only appearing once in Scripture and indicating “reasoning, calculating or reckoning.”

Modern counseling has drifted along with the modern church from “What are you thinking” to “How are you feeling?” The result is devastating! At times we feel extreme grief; however, at other times we feel abundant elation. If our relationship with our Savior is based upon our feelings, our faith will flutter like a dry leaf in the wind.

The biblical imperative is to think the right thoughts. “Keep {guard, protect} thy heart {inner man, mind, thought process} with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4.23) Thinking the right thoughts protects us from being carried about by various winds of doctrine. (Ephesians 4.14-16)

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4.8)

Weekly Devotional

The Pursuit of Christ

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3.12-14

These verses, and those surrounding them, are filled with doctrine, promise and hope. Paul’s pursuit is mentioned in the preceding two verses: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3.10, 11) There he expresses his heart’s desire to be a part of the resurrection through a personal knowledge of the One offering this blessing. In this he mentions his “struggle” that brings him to this reality.

He does not say that he has not “already attained,” but rather that his pursuit of Christ is driven with the same fervor as if he had not attained. The fact is that Paul is pursuing something that he already possesses. Paul says, “I follow after.” (diōkō - “to pursue, chase, to run after”) He then suggests his great desire to “apprehend” the knowledge of and the power of Christ’s resurrection, sufferings and conformity to Christ’s submission unto death.

Interestingly enough is the fact that those things he pursues are exactly those things for which Christ has pursued him and caught him. God’s Word says that there is none righteous and none who seek after God. (Romans 3.10, 11) As humanity races headlong toward their own desires and away from God (Romans 3.12), God in His loving grace apprehends (katalambanō - “to lay hold of so as to make one’s own”) the hopeless and helpless soul and claims him for His own. Having taken hold of the fleeing sinner, God then arrests the attention of the one giving flight and offers him something he had before been unable to see – an offer of eternal life. Having been apprehended by God, the sin-weary soul responds by pursuing Him who has already claimed possession.

This scene may be illustrated by observing a frightened child. There was an occasion when our youngest daughter found herself being chased by one of our roosters – a gamecock. She was about five years old and running for dear life across our pasture as the gamecock pursued. As she ran one of her rubber boots went flying into the air. A few yards further, the other boot went flying. I moved toward her trying to get to her before the rooster could attack (my daughter was quite fast). When she got close, my daughter jumped into my arms – I hugged her tight and she responded. Seeing me, the bird executed a hasty retreat. I had apprehended my daughter and she responded by apprehending me.

When we are apprehended by God, He bestows upon us “eternal life.” Eternal life begins at the moment God apprehends us, and, it is eternal from that point on. It is a life secured by the only security company which is eternal and all-powerful – the fullness of the Godhead. Safe in the arms of our loving heavenly Father and His dear Son, our condition is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.

The more we learn and understand, the stronger becomes our desire to learn and understand more. We find ourselves apprehending the One who has already apprehended us.

This Day In History

October 31, 1517

Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, challenging the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The ripple effects of Luther’s actions influenced the religious diversity seen in America today.

Sunday evening at First Emmanuel Baptist Church, we begin an exciting study in the Feasts and Festivals of the Old Testament. Special emphasis will be given to how they apply to the New Testament believer and especially how they point to our Savior.

Join us at 6:30, November 3, at 10665 Dorchester Road, Summerville, SC for a time of learning and fellowship.

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Proverbs 29.2

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." II Corinthians 6.14-18

It is quite amazing to see so many who have professed salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ - who have expressed their own sinfulness which has been cleansed by the blood - to see them stand in judgment of others who profess and proclaim the same Lord. How shallow must the doctrine of salvation be for someone to claim reconciliation for themselves (by faith through grace) yet deny it for others!

Oh, how we limit the ability of God's Holy Spirit in His work of regeneration!

Weekly Devotional

Rich in Substance

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3.9

Little Johnnie was attending his first Sunday morning church service after having been brought up in Junior church. Things were different in Big church. There were no coloring pages. There were no action songs. There was a group of people in robes who seemed sad as they sang and everyone else listened. When they were done, a few people said, “Amen.” Johnnie wasn’t sure what that meant.

As the morning service progressed, a man approached the funny table at the front and said, “Would the ushers please come forward to receive the morning tithes and offerings. Some men gathered at the front of the church with plates and after prayer they made their way down the aisles collecting money.

This was more than Little Johnnie could stand. He tugged at his father’s coat sleeve and said, “Dad, what are they doing?” His father quietly explained that these men were taking up offerings to help spread the Good News that Jesus saves.

Little Johnnie was perplexed. He didn’t know what to do! He had no money to offer. As the man with the collection plate neared, Little Johnnie became frantic. What can I give! He had an idea. When the man got close, Little Johnnie reached out and took the plate from him and laid it on the floor. Very cautiously he stepped inside the plate. Well, Little Johnnie’s father was aghast. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

Little Johnnie said, “Dad, everyone was giving something; but, I had nothing to give so I’m giving myself.”

It seems that Little Johnnie had a better grasp of what God desires as an offering than many grown-ups. As a matter of fact, the word “substance” is a word that suggests personal wealth. It indicates what you have – not what you suppose you may get in the future or what you hope to have.

While not everyone can offer great amounts of money or talents, each person has worth because you have been created in the image of God to reflect Him in your life. You can give what you have. God asks, “What is in your hand?” That is what He desires.

Then as you grow and mature, He asks for the first fruits of your increase. As you become more effective in the role determined by God for your life, He will bless you with so much more and allow you to be a greater blessing.

The bottom line is: Give yourself (whatever that may entail) and offer God the increase (as He blesses); and your life will be so full of Him that you’ll not be able to contain it all.

This Day In History

October 21, 1805

Admiral Horatio Nelson led the British to victory against the French and Spanish, preventing Napoleon's plans to invade Britain. Nelson's tactics had a lasting influence on naval warfare, including that of the U.S.