Vol. 34, No. 7 July, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!
July 4, 1776—July 4, 2010
234 years young
When the extremists who signed the Declaration Of Independence assembled in Philadelphia from over the thirteen colonies, the first thing to greet them was an anonymous note found on the speaker’s table. It said, “Take care, a plot is framed for your destruction and all of you shall be destroyed.”
When the final vote was taken in Independence Hall on July 4, every man who signed the Declaration Of Independence took his life in his hands. If Washington’s ragged, outnumbered army could not repulse the British, every signer would be tried for treason to the British Crown. Have you ever wondered what happened to the fifty six men who signed the Declaration of independence pledging their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor that this Nation under God would not perish from the earth? Five were captured and tortured by the British. Nine fought and died from wounds and hardships of war. Twelve had their homes pillaged and burned. Two lost their sons in battle. Another had two sons captured. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she lay dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His mill and fields were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in caves and forests, and returned to find his wife had died and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and heartbreak. Morris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Carter Braxton of Virginia saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and property to pay his debts and died destitute. Vandals and soldiers looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall. Walton. McKean, Hayward, Rutledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. urged General Washington to fire on his (Nelson’s) home which British General Cornwallis had taken over for his headquarters. Washington did, and Nelson too, died broke. Who were these patriots? Twenty four were Lawyers and Justices, eleven were Merchants, nine were Farmers. These men whom we call patriots today were regarded as rascals by moderates of the time who counseled; “Come and let us reason with the king.” They all signed the Declaration Of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. King George would brand them as traitors. They knew they would be tracked down, persecuted and killed, which they were. (author unknown).
BLESSED IS THE NATION
By Pastor George mills
“Blessed is the nation whose God is
The Lord.” (Psa. 33:12).
Blessed is the nation,
Whose God is the Lord.
Blessed are the people,
Who trust in His Word.
Who hold to the motto,
“In God is our trust.”
While nations who forget Him,
Crumple into dust.
Blessed are the rulers,
Who from God, daily seek,
Grace to make, and keep us strong,
And help for the weak.
Blessed are the people,
Who to Him daily pray,
Blessed is the nation,
When God is it’s stay.
Blessed are the families,
Who for Christ make their stand,
Blessed are the Preachers,
Who proclaim Christ to the land.
Blessed are the children,
Who feed on His Word,
Blessed is the nation,
Whose God is the Lord.
“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”
AMERICA, MY HOME
By Pastor George Mills
America my home,
The place of my birth,
America the greatest,
Nation on earth.
Freedom to be,
Whatever I Choose,
But caution with freedom,
Lest we abuse.
And just take for granted,
God’s Favor and Love,
And forget all the blessings,
That come from above.
America your destiny,
Surely is laid,
On the pages of the Bible,
Thus clearly said,
“Blessed is the Nation,
Whose God is the Lord,
Blessed are the people,
Who honor His Word.”
And may it be stated,
By each generation,
That God is the Founder,
Of this Great Nation.
May foes all about us,
Learn from the past,
That those who oppose us,
Never do last.
Let each live with pride,
So that generations to come,
Say, Thank God for America,
America, My Home.
And may we state proudly,
With all of it’s worth,
America, the greatest,
Nation on earth!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
AMERICA, BLESS GOD!
This, being the July edition of the WILDERNESS, I trust that each of us will celebrate the Birthday of this Nation with pride, and self examination;
“Am I a grateful, loyal, patriotic, voting, honest, hardworking, volunteering, loving God and Country American?”
Every day, pray for America. I am much concerned about the direction this new administration is trying to take us. Pray for our leaders, our Military, our position in the world as leader. This nation does NOT owe an apology to the world. The American taxpayer has fed much of the world since World War 2. Our Military stationed around the world has kept the world safe. I am proud of that. I am proud to be called an AMERICAN. Pastor George Mills
With that said, may I share with you another kind of examination;
A SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION
By Pastor George Mills
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the Faith, prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves how that Christ is in you except ye be reprobates?”
The issue is, “Am I really saved? Do I belong to the Household of Faith? Or am I just a pretender?” This seems to bother so many people. I trust that this will be a great help to you. If you are a new Christian, or if you have been saved for many years, I believe these things will be a help, an encouragement to all.
Several years ago as a Doctor was examining me, he asked me, “How long since you had a physical examination?” “I can’t remember Doc.” He replied, “If you can’t remember, it’s been too long. I had some pains in my chest that I thought would go away, but did not. Soon I found myself on the way to the hospital. Thank God they found nothing wrong with my heart. (Probably ate too much spaghetti). The Doctor told me that with periodical examinations they can keep up with my physical condition. I have tried to do that on a regular basis since then. I praise God for good health.
There is a SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION. Spiritual points to check to prove our SPIRITUAL condition. God wants you to be saved, to know that you are saved, and to live a happy Christian life.
The Apostle John is the only Gospel writer who states the purpose for writing two of his Books:
John 20:30-31; But these are written that YE MIGHT BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His Name.” John says that he wrote the 21 chapters of the Gospel of John to give us proof, the evidence, everything we need in order to be saved.
The little Book of First John is the second Book where John clearly states his purpose for writing; “These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, THAT YE MAY KNOW that ye have eternal life (1Jn 5:13). God wants you to know that. I am aware that there are many who say “you just can’t know for sure,” but what does God say about that? Let us check a few points in this small, but powerful Book of First John.
But FIRST. Let’s look on the negative side. Let me share with you some things that you cannot trust. You cannot know for sure that you are saved by these things…
FIRST. You cannot know that you are saved by your feelings. So many seek some emotional experience that really touches his/her feelings to assure of salvation. You can’t trust your feelings. The Bible says that we are saved by GRACE alone, and apart from feelings. (Eph 2:8-9). You cannot live by your feelings. If you find someone who lives by “feelings,” that person is the most on-off, in-out, hot-cold person in town. Your feelings change, from moment to moment they change. Can you imagine a salvation based on feelings? I am glad that our Salvation is anchored in the UNCHANGING WORD OF GOD, (KJB) and not our feelings.
SECOND. You cannot know that you are saved by the WORKS that you do. Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe that Salvation produces works, (Eph 2:10) but many have the idea that the works they do really save them. The Bible gives the illustration about a man who stood and bragged about his works, his good living, his gifts, and his religion, but God did not honor him because he was trusting in himself, that his works produced righteousness. For sure, he looked good, but none of his good works saved him. (Lk 18:10-14). Mt. 7:21-22 says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name? And in Thy Name have cast out devils? And in thy Name have done MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity.” Now, please do not misunderstand. When you are saved, you will want to work for God. You will want to do that which pleases Him. But there is not one work you can do in order to be saved. We must trust in the FINISHED WORK of Jesus Christ. If any of you are trying to be saved by your good works, you are going about it wrong. FIRST, you receive Christ, and then you work for Him.
THIRD. You cannot know that you are saved by what others say about you. In the Book Of Acts, ch. 10:1-2 a man by the name of Cornelius had a reputation of being a just man. Everybody said that if there was ever a Christian, Cornelius was that Christian. But the bible says in Acts 11, that the Apostle Peter was sent to the house of Cornelius to tell him how to be saved, (Ch 11:13-14). He was a good, honest, decent man but he was not a saved man until Peter led him to Christ. It is good to live in such a manner to cause others to take note of that life, but they were wrong about his being saved. You CANNOT KNOW by what others say. Do not base your salvation on the opinion of others. Base everything on the Eternal, Unchanging Word of the Living God.
NOW, on the positive side of our SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION…Let’s ask some Spiritual questions we get from our study in First John. Your answers will determine your Spiritual condition.
1. WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE CHURCH? What does the Church mean to you? Do you love the Church? John says, “We KNOW that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren, (the Church) (1Jn 3:14). When I first got saved, (August, 1960) my attitude toward the Church changed. Before, I very seldom attended. If the Church was there on the corner, or if it had moved away, it mattered not to me. I had no love for the Church. However, one day, I met the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave His Life for the Church. He gave His Life for me. When I trusted Him as my Saviour, I fell in love with His Church. I love good Bible (KJB) Preaching. I love the beautiful Hymns of the Church. I love the Church. I am proud to be a part of His Church. We KNOW that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.” How about you. Do you love the Church, or do you seldom attend? Do you talk bad about the Church? Do you have to be begged, primed, and pumped in order to get you to attend? What’s your attitude toward the Church?
2. WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SIN? Please read carefully 1John 3:4-10. These verses clearly teach us that sin is NOT normal for the Christian. Do you have an appetite for sin? Can you sin, or have a lifestyle that is contrary to the clear teaching of the Word of God, and get by with it. If you can, and the Holy Spirit does not convict you about it, SOMETHING IS WRONG! I realize that all of us fall short, that we do fail God. This is not to offer a crutch or an excuse. There is none. When a believer sins, it hurts, it hurts our conscience, and it hurts our Saviour. That’s why He gave us the wonderful promise in 1John 1:9) “If we (Christians) confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Unconfessed sin brings on the chastening hand of God to His erring child, (Heb 12:5-11). What is your attitude about sin? Did you pass the sin test?
3. WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE BIBLE? Do you love God’s Word? Or is the Bible too demanding, too harsh? The Bible (KJB) says in 1John 5:2-3, “By this we KNOW that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His Commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His Commandments, and His Commandments are NOT GRIEVOUS.” The believer loves the Word of God and will arrange his/her life accordingly. “His Commandments are not grievous.” “His delight is in the Law of the Lord.”
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway.” What is your attitude toward the Holy Bible?
4. WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE HOLY SPIRIT?
“And hereby we KNOW that He abideth in us by the Spirit which He hath given us.” (1John 3:24). “Hereby KNOW we that we dwell in Him and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit.” (1John 4:13). Today there is much confusion concerning the Holy Spirit. So much confusion in fact, that the Holy Spirit is scarcely mentioned any more. Confusion comes when man refuses to believe what the Bible says concerning the Holy Spirit…
He seeks us, Jn. 16:8.
He seals us, Eph 4:30.
He secures us, Ro. 8:16.
He speaks to us, Jn. 16:13-15.
There is so much, much more.
The Holy Spirit came into our lives the instant we received Christ. That’s a matter of fact, and not feelings. He is there in your heart and mine since we have trusted Jesus. He seeks to guide, teach, and reveal Christ every day.
What is your attitude toward the Holy Spirit? Is He in your life?
5. WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD JESUS?
What is your relationship with the Saviour? Do you love Him? Are you grateful that He paid our sin debt in full when He died and rose again? The Bible says, “He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath NOT the Son of God hath NOT life.” Christ is not in your heart and life if you have never asked Him in. You must, by faith alone, receive Him into your heart. He will not come in unbidden by you. Today, do you know beyond all doubt that He is your Saviour? You may ask, “How do I receive Him?” The Bible says, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” If you have not done that, I hope that you will just now.
Did you pass this SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION?
As I stated in the beginning of this message, my Doctor gave me a PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. He said to me as I was dismissed from the hospital,
“We have checked all we know to check, you are alright. You have passed your examination.” I left feeling good. I felt good because I passed the examination. Today, as I prepare this message I feel good because I have passed this SPIRITUAL EXAMINATION.
God is good!
THINK ABOUT IT…If suddenly my Bible was taken away and I would never see another Bible again, If I could never attend Church again, if I was separated from anything of a Spiritual nature, I would still know that I am saved because I have trusted Christ, and the Holy Spirit is my constant witness.
Jesus Christ…The Answer today, yesterday, and forever!
KNOW YOUR BIBLE!!!
The Definite Article
Sometimes, very early in the morning I will watch television. Occasionally I see a TV evangelist selling his new ‘study bible.’ This one puts his comments within the body of scripture. In promoting his ‘bible’ he often states how wrong the King James translators were. I suppose the best way to sell something is to point out the weakness in a similar product. The evangelist frequently states that the King James translators left out THE DEFINITE ARTICLE in Romans 7:17. He means that the translators left out a THE in that verse. He says that the verse should read, “It is no more I that do it but THE sin that dwelleth in me.” May I say again that there is nothing wrong with your Bible, (King James) Bible. Pointing out supposedly ‘mistakes’ and ‘errors’ got us in the fix we are in today. Satan got to Eve in that manner…”Yea, hath God said?” as he spoke to Eve. Now, God had said, “In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt SURELY die.” The serpent said to Eve, “The DEFINITE ARTICLE was left out of that verse. That verse should read, “Thou shalt ‘NOT’ surely die.” “See, the definite article, ‘NOT’ was left out”. Satan has been at this for a long time. I do not know of a more definite article than the definite article “NOT.” Satan says, “You see Eve, in reality, that verse says, “Ye shall ‘NOT’ surely die. See the definite article?”
Eve answered, “Oh, now I see…”
THE REST IS HISTORY
(If you don’t like the text, just add a definite article.)
(From the latest up-dated version)
FROM MY HEART
By Mildred Mills
I LOVE MY COUNTRY
I love my country! America is my country! I was born in America and I plan to die in America if the Lord tarries. I love the patriotic songs that were written about my country and tears come to my eyes when I hear them.
We live across the Highway from the Jacksonville Naval Air Station and every morning around sunrise a bugle call is sounded, a signal to arise for the first Military formation of the day and the raising of our Flag, my country’s Flag! Then at sundown we hear the bugle sound Retreat, the time when our Flag, my Flag is lowered for the night. We hear it loud and clear and whatever we might be doing we stop for that few seconds in honor of our country, my country! Even our grandsons, nine and six years old will stop playing, stand at attention and salute while the bugle sounds. They know that this is the thing to do because Papa and Mimi have taught them to respect their country, my country! They salute the American Flag out of respect for their country. They may not understand fully but they know it is a time to be still and pay attention. Their little hand goes up to their head and they stand at attention with a salute. One day they might have to fight for their country, my country! Their Papa fought for their country. Papa’s Dad fought for our country, and one of our sons served six years in the United States Army. Two of our grandsons are serving in my country’s Military. One in the Coast Guard for six years, and one in the United States Army for four years and is to be deployed to Iraq to fight for our country, my country! Yes, I love my country and my heart breaks when I hear and see the disrespect that some have for America. My country is God’s country, like it or not! Some have tried and are still trying to remove God from America, but “God shall prevail!” The disrespect will be put to a halt one day when God says, “enough!” Across the highway we see them bringing our young guys back home from a foreign country where they have given their lives to protect my country from the enemy. The streets are lined with people weeping and standing at attention while the hearse drives by. Another young man has given his life for his country, my country!
I say to them in America that disrespect our country, my country, just leave it and go live in a country that was not founded on the basic principles of the Word of God. After you have lived in another country for awhile, repent of your disrespect for America, come back and enjoy the blessings of God.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! And may God continue to bless the Greatest Nation on earth!
“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”
Thomas Jefferson, 1802
“I have tried several times to be saved, and I didn’t feel a thing. What’s wrong?”
Stop trying and start trusting. Nowhere in the Bible are we taught that some “feeling” comes with getting saved. We are saved by receiving Jesus Christ as our Saviour. This is by Grace through Faith alone, and apart from all feelings, emotions, works, baptisms, etc. In Salvation, we take God at His Word. We believe what He said. Assurance comes as we, day by day learn to trust His Word. As we read the Word of God and pray, assurance will grow. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Once I heard the following little story. I trust that you will see the truth it seeks to tell…
“Three little men were walking on a wall; FEELING, FACT, and FAITH.
Mr. Feeling had an awful fall, and Mr. Faith turned back, but Mr. Fact brought them both back.”
I am glad that when feelings are gone, and I cannot find faith, that the FACT of the Word of God says “I am a child of God because I have trusted Christ alone.” (1John 5:11-13)