Refreshing Daily

in God’s Word
Emphasis on

Biblical World
View
 July 2020

A Biblical World View

July 1
 Bible Reading: Proverbs 23:1-10
 Key Verse: Verse 7- “For as he thinketh in his heart, so
is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is
not with thee.”
Key Words: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he

Our thinking is based upon one of two views: either we

look at things from a humanistic view or a Biblical view.
It is highly possible, and in all likelihood probable,
that we view some things from a Biblical view while viewing
other things from a humanistic perspective.
Most of us either were or are being educated in a
humanistic system of...
 Government schools, both high schools and
colleges;
 Secular media, both the printed media and news
media;
 Music industry: even some contemporary
Christian music is full of humanism, and all of the
worldly secular music is;
 Hollywood: both the movie and television
industry is packed with humanism.

In a recent unscientific survey, 90% of parents who

require their children to attend “Christian schools” do not
require their children to have a private time at home in the
Word of God. The same 90% of parents admit that they do
not have their own private devotions, and they also have no
family devotions.
If we are to have a Biblical world view, there are at
least four things we must be willing to do.
1. Be honest and admit that we have been trained in
a humanistic society, and that many of our views
 come, not from God’s Word, but from our
humanistic training.
2. We must be teachable and desire that our view be
changed.
3. We must be faithful in our daily study of God’s
Word, in our church attendance (the church we
attend is extremely important), but be faithful to
all services.
4. Pray and ask God to reveal to you views and
thinking that is not Biblical.
Let me leave you with this one thought: our families
will never be strengthened spiritually until our thinking is
Biblical!!

What to do:
✞Ask God to give you victory over your humanistic
education.
✞Ask God to reveal to you when your thinking is not
Biblical.
✞Be willing to admit when your thinking is wrong and
change it.

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A Biblical View of Jesus

July 2

 Bible Reading: Matthew 16:13-28

 Key Verse: Verse 16 - “And Simon Peter answered and
said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Key Words: Thou art the Christ

The world has a very humanistic view of Jesus. The

cults believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but not God the
Son.
Many believe that he was a good man, and still others
such as the Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet of God.
 But the Scripture is clear on who Jesus is!!! In John
20:28 Thomas said, in reference to Jesus, “My Lord and my
God.”
We are told in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Titus 2:13 tells us, “Looking for that blessed hope, and
the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour
Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 2:6: “Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”
John 5:18: “...making himself equal with God.”
While the world may have a distorted view of God,
God’s Word makes it clear as to who Jesus is.
“Emperor Theodosius denied the deity of Christ.
When his son, Arcadius, was about sixteen, he decided to
make him a partner with himself in the government of the
empire. Among the great men who assembled themselves to
congratulate the new wearer of the imperial purple, was a
Bishop named Amphilocus. He made a handsome address to
the Emperor, and was about to leave, when Theodosius
exclaimed: ‘What! Do you take no notice of my son?’ Then
the Bishop went up to Arcadius, and putting his hands upon
his head said: ‘The Lord bless thee, my son!’ The Emperor,
roused to fury by this slight, exclaimed: ‘What? Is this all the
respect you pay to a prince that I have made of equal dignity
with myself?!’
Amphilocus replied, ‘Sire, you do so highly resent my
apparent neglect of your son, because I do not give him equal
honors with yourself. Then, what must the eternal God think
of you, when you degrade his co-equal, and co-eternal Son, to
the level of one of his creatures?’ The Emperor judged the
reproof to be just.”

What to do:
✞Give to Jesus His due, honor God the Son, and
remember a Biblical view is always the proper view.
 A Biblical View of Rules
July 3

 Bible Reading: Philippians 3:1-16

 Key Verse: Verse 16 - “Nevertheless, whereto we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us
mind the same thing.”
Key Words: walk by the same rule

We have all heard the slogan “no rules, just rights” and
“have it your way.” This seems to be the philosophy of our
day and it’s catching on rapidly. I heard a pastor of a
Pentecostal church say, “Baptists are laden down with rules.
If you are sick of rules, come on over and join us, we don’t
care about rules, we just care about worship.” That statement
is not only unwise, it is unbiblical.
The word rule in the Bible comes from the Hebrew
word mashal. It means to control or to umpire. Can you
imagine a sporting event such as football, basketball, or
baseball with no rules? It would be total anarchy. Can you
imagine driving to work with no rules to guide us on the
highway? (If you think it is pleasant, visit Brazil. Hundreds
of people die daily because of no highway rules.)
The Bible gives us all kinds of rules in order that our
worship of God may be organized and glorifying to God (see I
Corinthians 14:40). Let me share some of those rules with
you.
1. The rule of giving (I Corinthians 16:2).
2. The rule for spiritually feeding the flock (I Peter 5:2-7).
3. The rule of church discipline (Matthew 18:15-20).
4. The rule of dress (I Timothy 2:9).
5. The rule of faithfulness (I Corinthians 4:2 and
Hebrews 10:25).
6. The rule for music (Colossians 3:16).
7. The rule for unity (Ephesians 4:3).
8. The rule for right relationships (Titus 3:1-2).
9. The rule for deaconship (I Timothy 3:8-13).
10. The rule for pastors (I Timothy 3:1-7).
And the list goes on and on. No rules, just rights! What a
humanistic, worldly, unbiblical statement!

What to do:
✞Understand that rules don’t make us rebellious; they
simply reveal the rebellion already in the heart.
✞If you have a problem with rules, change your heart.

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A Biblical View of Our Rights

July 4

 Bible Reading: Judges 21:16-25

 Key Verse: Verse 25 – “In those days there was no
king in Israel: every man did that which was right in
his own eyes.”
Key Words: every man did that which was right in
his own eyes

We live in a day of “rights.” We have children’s rights,

women’s rights, men’s rights, gay rights, animal rights,
environmental rights, minority rights, and the list goes on and
on. Have you ever stopped to consider that with rights we
have responsibilities?
It is so very easy to demand our rights; the hard part is
fulfilling the responsibility once the rights are granted to us.
We as adults have a right to vote, but with that right comes
the responsibility to carry out that right. We have a right to
assemble together on Sunday, but with the right comes the
responsibility to assemble ourselves together.
I have a right to stand up and proclaim the gospel, but
it is my responsibility to live what I preach. You, as a member
of your local church, have a right to sing in the choir; but it is
your responsibility to be faithful at it. You have a right to have
your Sunday School class, whether it be children, youth,
singles, young marrieds, or other adult classes; but you then
have a responsibility to be faithful and support its activities
and functions. You have a right to invite people to church,
and I hope you do; but you have a responsibility to keep a
Godly testimony so as not to diminish God’s glory and hurt
your reputation.
From a Biblical view, the focus should not be on our
rights, but rather on our responsibilities. May God grant us
strength and wisdom as we fulfill our responsibilities.

What to do:
✞Humanism focuses on one’s rights, but Biblically the
focus should be on one’s responsibilities.

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A Biblical View of Global

Warming
July 5

 Bible Reading: II Peter 3:1-13

 Key Verse: Verse 10 - “But the day of the Lord will
come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be burned up.”
Key Words: shall melt with fervent heat

You can’t read, watch, or listen today without hearing

about global warming. Former Vice-President Al Gore and
other humanists have seen to that. Did you know that Global
warming is the increase of the earth’s temperature caused by
the release of CO2 gases (dioxide gases) into the earth’s
atmosphere which is said to be causing a “greenhouse” effect?
If you listen to those (some) in the field of
meteorology, they will tell you that the earth’s temperature is
rising at an enormous rate and this will result in a
deterioration of our health, our weather, our economy, and
our ecosystem. But are you aware that over the last 125 years
the temperature has only risen by 5.5 degrees? That’s an
average of about one degree every 22 ¾ years.
We are told that over the next 92 years the
temperature will rise another 12 degrees. The National
Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, by their own
admission, tell us that they cannot predict the weather with
any accuracy more than 5 to 10 days in advance. Now if they
can’t forecast the weather 10 days in advance, how can they
forecast the temperature 92 years from now?
Did you know that only 13% of all meteorologists
believe in global warming caused by dioxide gases? That
means 87% of their fellow meteorologists disagree with the
theory of global warming. Now, I do believe that there is a
global warming coming, but not one caused by CO 2 gases. The
global warming will be a result of God’s judgment. We read in
II Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in
the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a
great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned
up.”
Now, that’s real global warming! I challenge you to
not fall prey to all that the humanists of the world are saying,
but rather look at things from a Biblical world view. It’s the
Biblical world view where you will find truth, security, and
peace.

What to do:
✞Base your beliefs on the Bible, not humanistic
philosophy.

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A Biblical View of Gambling

July 6

 Bible Reading: I Timothy 6:1-10


 Key Verse: Verse 10 – “For the love of money is the
root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they
have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.”
Key Words: For the love of money is the root of
all evil

According to Gary Palmer, U.S. Congressman

representing Alabama’s 6th District, there is currently two
counties in the State of Alabama whose County
Commissioners plan to build electronic bingo casinos. There
is something that the people of these counties and the
surrounding counties need to know ... you are allowing what
has been called the “crack cocaine of gambling” into your
communities. For all the efforts to sterilize it, cloak it with
false legitimacy by calling it “bingo” and tie it to charities,
electronic bingo is video gambling.
For some reason, humanists believe that gambling is
the answer for funding government education. According to
the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), since
the lottery was introduced in Georgia one out of every 100
teenagers has a gambling problem. Secondly, again according
to Georgia’s DHR, gambling addiction is costing the State of
Georgia $221,000,000 every year. This is four times higher
than when the lottery was introduced in the state. Thirdly,
the lottery is known as the education bill; but in Georgia since
the lottery was introduced, the high school graduation rate
has dropped 6%. What is the number one cause for the drop-
outs? You guessed it, gambling addiction! Fourthly, Georgia
college entrance units dropped 3% since the lottery became
legal.
All of this should be enough for us to vote against the
lottery, but as yet we have not discussed the number one
reason for voting against the lottery. The primary reason we
should oppose the lottery is that it goes against the Word of
God.
1. The lottery goes against the laws of God. Romans
13:8-9 tells us, among other things, that we should not
covet. The word covet means to itch for more. Let me
ask you, when someone buys a lottery ticket, are they
 thinking about a child’s education or are they itching
for more?
2. The lottery goes against the plan of God. In
Deuteronomy 5:13, Ephesians 4:28, and II
Thessalonians 3:10 we are told the way we gain our
possessions is through labor, not through the lottery.
3. The lottery goes against the requirements of God. I
Corinthians 4:2 tells us... “Moreover it is required of
stewards that a man be found faithful.” My money is
not my money but God’s money, and I must give an
account of how I spend God’s money.
4. The lottery goes against the warning of God. In I
Timothy 6:9-10, God warns us against loving and
desiring money.
Many of our politicians have asked that we approve of
gambling; our God has asked that we oppose it. Now, on
whose side are you?

What to do:
✞Pray for believers to understand that gambling is a
sin.
✞Pray for those whose view in this area is not Biblical.

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A Biblical View of the

Resurrection
July 7

 Bible Reading: Acts 26:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 8- “Why should it be thought a thing
incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
Key Words: that God should raise the dead

We read in Acts 26:8, “Why should it be thought a

thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?”
 I often ask myself how it is even possible that men
should doubt the resurrection from the dead. It is far more
incredible that there should be no resurrection. The question
of Paul to King Agrippa was, “Why should it be thought a
thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” If
there is no resurrection, this life really has no meaning; it
becomes hollow and empty. Then God Who created us is a
God of sheer sorrow...is this life all there is? Is life just a few
years of alternating between crying and laughing, mostly
crying, and then death? Then we must say with the Apostle
Paul, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all
men most miserable.” But the resurrection should not be
incredible to us, for all things around us remind us of the
resurrection. The buds on the trees, the flowers in the garden,
the emerging of life after a long winter of inactivity, all point
to the resurrection.
In an ancient tomb in France, buried under the debris,
archaeologists found flower seeds which had been there for
2,000 years! The explorers took the seeds and planted them
and to everyone’s amazement, they grew. Egyptian garden
peas which had been buried for 3,000 years were brought and
planted, and you guessed it, within a few days they had
germinated and broken ground–buried 3,000 years and then
resurrected to life! Why then should it be thought a thing
incredible that God should raise the dead? If God can cause a
lump of clay to become alive at the creation of man, then
again, I ask, how can man not believe in the resurrection? To
me the most incredible thing would be for Jesus to live the life
He lived and then remain dead. Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign:
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Amen and amen! And because He lives, I too can and

will live for eternity. So can you, by believing that Jesus is the
Christ, your Savior. While the world scoffs at the
resurrection, God’s Word proclaims its reality.
What to do:
✞As a believer, proclaim that Jesus lives and that He
rose from the grave.
✞If you are an unbeliever, today accept the reality of
the resurrection and accept Jesus as your Savior.

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A Biblical View of Freedom

July 8

 Bible Reading: John 8:31-45

 Key Verse: Verses 32 – “And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.”
Key Words: the truth shall make you free

The world defines freedom as being loose to do what

they desire. Many Christians have adopted this definition as
well; but a thorough study of the Bible reveals that freedom is
not being free to sin but from sin. Biblical freedom isn’t what
we are free to do, but what we are free from doing.
Child psychologists discovered an interesting truth
several years ago. Contemporary thought assumed that fences
on playgrounds made the children feel restricted in their
recreation. A consensus was then reached to remove the
fences so children wouldn’t feel confined. The opposite effect
occurred. Researchers found that the children became more
inhibited with their activities. They tended to huddle toward
the middle of the playground and exhibited signs of
insecurity. When the fences were replaced, the children
played with greater enthusiasm and freedom. We all need
boundaries – something to define the limits of safety and
security. Humanists believe that boundaries restrict
creativity; but as the children on the playground
demonstrated, real freedom is not what we are free to do but
what we are free from doing.
What to do:
✞Apply Biblical freedom to your life, not humanistic
freedom.

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A Biblical View of Our Economy

July 9

 Bible Reading: Haggai 2:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 8 - “The silver is mine, and the gold
is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Key Words: The silver is mine, and the gold is
mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

The word economy comes from two Greek words

meaning to manage the household.
During Bible times, economics would have been the
managing of your time, talents, temper, and tithe. But over a
period of time, economics became associated solely with
finances.
Today there are just under three hundred nations that
make up all the countries that we call “the world.” Of the
almost three hundred nations, just about all or approximately
95% operate financially “in the red.” Did you know that when
it comes to indebtedness, America leads the way? Right now
we are told that in order for America to be debt-free, every
family in America would need to pay $81,000 to the U. S.
Treasury Department. Now, while you may be able to write
your check, I’m afraid I’m a few dollars shy.
The whole point of this is that we are led to believe
that it is the economy of a country that makes it strong. Not
so!!! There are three Biblical things that make a nation
strong.
1. Its relationship with Israel (Genesis 12:1-3).
2. Its reverence for God (Psalm 33:12).
3. Its righteousness (Proverbs 14:34).
 I believe we would all agree that America is the
strongest nation on the earth – certainly not because of our
economy, but because of our relationship with God and Israel.
If we ever part ways in these two areas, America will become a
poor nation indeed.

What to do:
✞Pray for America and its leaders.
✞Pray for the peace of Israel.

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A Biblical View of Education

July 10

 Bible Reading: John 15:1-11

 Key Verse: Verse 5 - “I am the vine, ye are the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye
can do nothing.”
Key Words: for without me ye can do nothing

During the last 200 years, humanism (man’s wisdom)

has controlled the thinking of the western world. After
conquering European colleges and universities, humanism
spread to America where it has developed a stranglehold on
all public, private, and much of our Christian education.
Recognizing the strategic importance of education and
communication, the humanist developed a monopoly on
magazines, newspapers, television, and the movie and music
industry. The reason humanism is so successful is that it
seems so credible and logical to those who do not understand
the wisdom of God.
 Today’s wave of crime and violence in our streets,
promiscuity, divorce, shattered dreams, and broken hearts
can be laid directly at the doorsteps of humanistic philosophy
– as the Scripture says in Romans 1:22, “Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools.” We have learned
from history that the ultimate end of humanism is always
chaos.
Simply defined, humanism is man’s attempt to solve
his own problems independently of God. Since moral
conditions have worsened in direct proportion to humanistic
influence, you would think that even the humanists would
begin to see the error of their ways.
An obvious example of the futility of humanistic
thinking appears in the United Nations. Eighty-one years ago
the world’s humanist who founded the U.N. promised that it
would solve the problem of war and usher in peace. Since that
time we have had more wars, deaths, international
catastrophes, and terrorist activity than in any comparable
world history. If you doubt that statement, just ask what the
U.N. has done to help the Cambodians, Vietnamese,
Angolans, Ugandans, and other war-torn countries.
One did not have to be a prophet in 1945 when the
U.N. was founded to predict it would never meet its goals.
The reason being is that the Lord warned mankind that
“without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Today we put
our $220 billion a year into our public education system
because we believe money produces a quality education,
which is totally false. God and God alone provides a quality
education. I realize I do not need to remind you, but
righteousness exalts a nation. It has been proven that
humanism is the ruin of a nation.
Let me close by asking, who is teaching your child and
what are they learning? Are they learning a Biblical view of
the world, or are they learning a humanistic view of the
world?

What to do:
✞Make sure both you and your family are Biblical, not
humanistic, in your world view.
 A Biblical View of Peace
July 11

 Bible Reading: Philippians 4

 Key Verse: Verse 7- “And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.”
Key Words: And the peace of God

I read the following and thought you should as well.

Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth

all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.”
According to our text we are unable to get peace; peace
must get us. The word peace means to be whole, complete, to
be as one.
Certainly we understand that we can’t make ourselves
whole, or complete. That comes through God’s grace as we
accept Him as our personal Savior.
We live in a world crying for peace. People buy, cheat,
lie and steal to have peace; but what we must understand is
that peace doesn’t come through natural possessions, but
through Jesus Christ.
Several years ago, a young man who I had not seen for
a while came by my office. As he entered, he said, “Well, how
do you like the new me?” He had changed the way he walked,
the clothes were a different style than he had worn before, his
hair combed differently, it was even a different color! I was
thinking to myself, “Why did he do this?” But he answered
my question before I could ask it aloud. “I’m looking for
peace,” he said. “I thought if I changed from the old me that I
didn’t like, that I could get it.” Then he sadly confessed, “But I
was wrong.”
Unfortunately, many are just like this young man
attempting to be whole, complete as one without going to the
“Giver” of peace, Jesus.
 The Chinese have a proverb that goes like this: “If
there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the
character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be
harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there
will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.”
When Jesus was born, He brought peace: “Peace on
earth, good will toward men.” We will only have peace as we
turn to Jesus as Savior, Supplier, and Sustainer.

What to do:
✞When you finally submit to the reality that life isn’t
about you, but about Jesus, you’ll find peace

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A Biblical View of Handling

Anger
July 12
 Bible Reading: Romans 12
 Key Verse: Verse 19 – “Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is
written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the
Lord.”
Key Words: give place unto wrath

When we become angry with others, we tend to do one

of three things. Some repress their anger, still others
suppress anger, but the vast majority resort to a third solution
– they seek revenge.
Have you every hungered for a little sweet revenge? I
read recently about a story that took place in 1992. Lady
Sarah Graham Moon, at the age of fifty-five, was dumped by
her British aristocratic husband. She sought to get even with
him in the following ways. First, she poured gallons of paint
on his cherished BMW while it was parked in his girlfriend’s
driveway. A week later she cut four inches off the left sleeve
on thirty-two of his tailored suits, $1,600 suits I might add.
The following week she gave away sixty bottles of his finest
wine. Her actions did not go unnoticed; she caught the
attention of the press and became somewhat of a celebrity.
One lady wrote her to share how she had cleaned the toilet
with her unfaithful husband’s toothbrush, then watched with
glee as he brushed his teeth. Of course, none of these can
compare with the revenge of Vera Czermak. When she
learned that her husband had betrayed her, Mrs. Czermak
became suicidal and decided to jump to her death from their
third floor apartment in Prague. Surprisingly, she survived
the jump because she landed on her husband who was leaving
the apartment on his way to work. She lived, he died. She
was charged with murder and is now serving time in prison.
Oh, by the way, Mrs. Moon was sued by her husband
and won. Vengeance really does not pay. Remember, we said
we usually do three things with our anger: we repress it,
suppress it, or attempt to get revenge. But there is another
thing we can do with anger which is far better, and that is
confess it (I John 1:8); and I have found that confession has
far better consequences than the other methods of handling
our anger.

What to do:
✞The humanism of the world today tells us to voice
our anger, to get it out of our system. But Biblically we
should confess our anger to God.

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A Biblical View of Money

July13

 Bible Reading: I Timothy 6:1-10


 Key Verse: Verse 10 – “For the love of money is the
root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they
have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.”
Key Words: For the love of money

In I Timothy 6:10 the Apostle Paul warns Timothy

about loving money. He said, “For the love of money is the
root of all evil: which while some have coveted after, they
have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows.” This verse reveals to us a three-fold
danger in regard to loving money.
1. The love of money causes us to covet.
2. The love of money causes us to err from the faith.
3. The love of money causes us to have many sorrows.
It is for this reason I have developed the philosophy
that I will give more to God each month than I give to
anything or anyone else. My largest financial outgo each
month will always be to God. This philosophy helps me in the
following ways.
 It causes me to place God first in my
finances.
 It causes me to pray about major purchases.
 It keeps me from over-committing myself
financially.
 It keeps me from buying impulsively.
 It keeps me from breaking the first
commandment: “Thou shalt have no other
gods before me.”
 It keeps me from breaking the tenth
commandment: “Thou shalt not covet.”
 It certainly helps me to keep my budget in
line.
 It causes me to ask God to supply rather than
to depend on myself.

I am convinced that many of our church families are

strapped financially simply because they do not apply any
spiritual principles to their purchases. Let me close by saying
something I always say in regard to money, “Show me where
you spend your money, and I will show you where your heart
is.” May our hearts always belong to God and our money will
always follow.

What to do:
✞Love people – use things.

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A Biblical View of Voting
July 14
 Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 1:9-18
 Key Verse: Verse 13 – “Take you wise men, and
understanding, and known among your tribes, and I
will make them rulers over you.”
Key Words: Take you wise men, and
understanding, and known among your tribes,
and I will make them rulers over you

Have you ever given any serious consideration to the

fact that God’s Word tells us how to vote in a political
election? There are three Biblical keys that will give you
knowledge as to how you should vote, not just in the
upcoming election, but every political election.
First of all, you can know who to vote for through
endorsement. Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, except they
be agreed?” We read in II Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And
what communion hath light with darkness?” While we apply
this Scripture to marriage, its context is dealing with idolatry.
You know a person by who endorses them. For example, can
you honestly vote for a person from a Biblical view if they are
endorsed by the ACLU, or the pro-choice group, or by the gay
rights people? Think about it.
Secondly, you can know who to vote for through
evaluations.
 Do they have a record of doing what they say
they will do?
  Evaluate their agenda on social issues such as
terrorism, abortion, education, etc.
Thirdly, you can know who to vote for through
equations. Does their life equate to being a born-again
believer? Have you ever heard them tell about their
relationship with Jesus? What religious group are they
associated with?
Understand that separation of church and state is not
in the Constitution, but even more important, it’s not in the
Bible.
I hope you vote, but I pray you vote Biblically.

What to do:
✞Base your vote on Biblical principles, not man’s
promises.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Being A

Friend of God
July 15

 Bible Reading: James 2:15-26

 Key Verse: Verse 23 – “And the scripture was fulfilled
which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was
called the Friend of God.”
Key Words: and he was called the Friend of God

A recent survey of 12,000 people who said that they

were faithful in their church attendance revealed just how
ignorant the American people are in spiritual matters. For
example:
 Only 57% or 6,840 people out of 12,000
knew where Jesus was born.
 Only 53% knew who Goliath was.
  Only 51% knew where the Ten
Commandments could be found.
 Only 49% knew who led Israel out of Egypt.

By the way, Jesus was born in Bethlehem; Goliath was

the Philistine giant who David killed with his slingshot; the
Ten Commandments are found in the Bible in Exodus,
chapter 20; and Moses led Israel out of Egypt.
The lack of Biblical knowledge to answer these simple
questions emphasizes the need of a more thorough teaching of
God’s Word. If the simple facts of the Bible are unknown,
then what about the deeper truths of God’s Word in such
areas as justification, sanctification, holiness, righteousness,
regeneration, and the judgments of God?
On several occasions I have preached in school chapels
on the subject of being the friend of God. I’ve preached the
message to thousands of “Christian school students” and
before I ever preach the message, I’ve always asked the
students to stand if indeed they are the friend of God. I’ve
never had a student not stand. Then I preach from John
15:14, James 2:23, and James 4:4 on the three requirements
of being the friend of God:
1. obeying the commands of Jesus (John 15:14),
2. believing in God (James 2:23), and
3. not being a friend of the world (James 4:4).
At the close of the message, I re-ask the question,
“Now, how many of you would say, ‘Yes, I am the friend of
God.’?” Fewer than two dozen students out of thousands have
said yes, they are the friend of God – after they have been
taught what the friend of God is. One student said to me after
hearing the message, “I’ve never been taught that; I didn’t
know.” Therein lies the problem in our homes, churches, and
schools. We are simply doing a poor job of teaching our
children spiritual truths.
So today, commit yourself both to be here and to hear
God’s Word as it is taught.

What to do:
 ✞Today apply the three principles that are required to
be a friend of God: 1) be born again, 2) obey the Lord,
and 3) do not be a friend of the world.

A Biblical View of Abortion

July 16

 Bible Reading: Psalm 139

 Key Verse: Verse 13 – “For thou hast possessed my
reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.”
Key Words: thou hast covered me in my mother’s
womb

Abortion is a humanistic way of handling a sin

problem: the problem of sexual immorality when a woman
becomes pregnant out of wedlock, or even when she becomes
pregnant by a partner which is not her husband. Still others
abort their babies because of financial reasons. But as I listen
to the humanists talk, I have yet to hear a Biblical justification
for abortion – simply because there are none.
It has always been God’s plan that man and wife come
together as one flesh, but it is God Who gives life because He
is the Giver of life (Psalm 119:73a).
The Psalmist says in verse 14 of Psalm 139, “I will
praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Now,
in case anyone wonders who made us, God goes on to say in
verse 14, “marvellous are thy works.” We are told in Psalm
127:3b, “the fruit of the womb is his [God’s] reward.” We
have no right to abort what God has created for His pleasure
(Revelation 4:11).
Abortion is a curse to our society and destroys that
which God intends to use for His pleasure.
A professor in a world-acclaimed medical school once
posed this medical situation – and ethical problem – to his
students: “Here’s the family history. The father has syphilis.
The mother has TB. They already have had four children.
The first is blind. The second had died. The third is deaf. The
fourth has TB. Now the mother is pregnant again. The
parents come to you for advice. They are willing to have an
abortion, if you decide they should. What do you say?”
 The students gave various individual opinions, and
then the professor asked them to break into small groups for
“consultation.” All of the groups came back to report that they
would recommend abortion.
“Congratulations,” the professor said, “You just took
the life of Beethoven!”

What to do:
✞Pray for our country in regard to abortion.
✞Be knowledgeable in this area so you can readily
give an answer to every man that desires to bring up
the issue.
✞Pray for politicians to be strong and move forward
in stopping this great depravity.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Disturbing

Others
July 17

 Bible Reading: Acts 16:19-34

 Key Verse: Verse 27 – “And the keeper of the prison
awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors
open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed
himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.”
Key Words: and would have killed himself

I can remember it like it was yesterday: having my

mother crying out with every ounce of energy she could
muster, “M-i-c-h-a-e-l, get back here right now.” It seems as
though Mom didn’t appreciate the fact that I had made our
bathtub the new home to a dozen or so tadpoles. To say the
least, she was upset, and rightly so. She explained to me in
language that could be clearly understood that tadpoles were
not to be a part of the Rouse family, and that I was to “never
pull that little stunt again.” She was disturbed!!
 But you know, there really is nothing wrong with being
disturbed. In Acts 16 after Paul and Silas had prayed and sang
and had an old-fashioned prayer meeting in that Philippian
jail, the earth began to shake and the prison cells all shook
open. Darkness prevailed in that dungeon called a prison and
the guard on duty that night was disturbed. You see, he
thought for sure all the prisoners had fled; and as a result, he
would be tortured and then executed, so he decided to take his
own life until Paul interceded. God disturbed this man and as
a result, he and his family were born again.
King Hezekiah was told that he was going to die in II
Kings, chapter 20. This disturbed the great king. He was so
disturbed that he prayed. Evidently he prayed hard enough
and righteous enough to get God’s attention and God gave
him fifteen more years of life. Being disturbed caused the
great king to humble himself and pray.
Now none of us like to be disturbed; but the truth is
that we’ll never be motivated to action until God uses
something or someone to disturb us.
The other night the phone rang—actually, it was early
morning about 1:00 or so. Now, when the phone rings at that
hour a hundred things begin to run through my mind…are my
parents alright? What about the kids and grandkids? What
about church family? Has something happened to one of the
buildings? Yes, I admit it. I was disturbed. When Linda
answered and I heard her say, “You’ve got the wrong
number,” I breathed a sigh of relief; and then at 1:00 in the
morning, I began to thank God for my parents, daughters,
grandkids, my church family, and for God’s safety and
blessings—all because God used an early morning phone call
to disturb me.
You know, there really is nothing wrong with being
disturbed!! As a matter of fact, I sometimes become disturbed
that you as parents are not disturbed. I have found that
parents as a whole are not disturbed about such things as
their children’s behavior or lack of it. Parents aren’t disturbed
about our youth and their improper uses of things such as cell
phones and the internet.
Speaking of the internet, the Christian Law
Association (CLA) put out the following information.
*12% of the Internet is pornography.
 *The average age of the first Internet exposure to
pornography is eleven.
*90% of all thirteen to sixteen year-olds have viewed
pornography on the Internet. (This includes girls as well.)
*80% of all fifteen to seventeen year-olds have had
what is considered “hard-core” exposure on the Internet on
such things as Myspace.
But strangely enough, parents as a whole make
excuses for their children and fail to get disturbed over sin.
I hope this devotion disturbs you because it’s time for
many parents to become disturbed over the sin permeating
your child.

What to do:
✞Understand that the church has become complacent
and really needs to be disturbed.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Christian

Education
July 18

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 22:1-10

 Key Verse: Verse 6 – “Train up a child in the way he
should go: and when he is old, he will not depart
from it.”
Key Words: train up

Sheltered is a word we hear often concerning Christian

education. Are students sheltered in a Christian school
environment? That depends upon one’s definition of
sheltered. If by sheltered one means out of touch with reality,
inferior curriculum, and a lack of extra-curricular activities,
the answer is an absolute NO. The student in a Christian
school is not sheltered; but on the other hand, if by sheltered
one means a lack of tolerance and protection from abuse of
peers, abusive language, drugs, and in general, the
environment of sin, the answer, so far as I am concerned, is a
resounding YES. We do attempt to shelter.
You do not put young plants into a hothouse to make
them weak; you put them there because they are weak. Our
children are like young tender plants and do need protection
from exposure to the philosophy of “worldly education and
educators.” To train our children in a Christian home and
raise them to love God, the Word of God, and the things of
God, and then intentionally place them in an educational
system that teaches them just the opposite of what you have
taught in the home. To me that is nonsensical. Would one
take a young tender houseplant, nurture it to good health,
then place it outside for the winter? I think not. In that
sense, our plants receive better care than our children.
The Christian school educational environment is not
perfect. It is by no means heaven on earth. But even with
some of its shortcomings, it is certainly nearer to what God
would have us provide for our children than what is available
in secular education where God and His Word are not
welcome!

What to do:
✞ Shelter your children from the world. Amen!

****************************************

A Biblical View of Faith

July 19

 Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-10

 Key Verse: Verse 1 – “Now faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Key Words: Now faith

True faith is obeying God in spite of my feelings, in

spite of my circumstances, or in spite of the apparent
consequences. All of the men and women in Hebrews,
chapter 11, God’s “Hall of Faith” chapter, had to deal with
feelings and emotions. Did you ever walk through a sea? That
could produce some pretty strong feelings – or how about
fighting a proven army – or how about standing up to a
powerful ungodly leader? While these people could not have
predicted the consequences of such events, they trusted God
in spite of their feelings, circumstances, and apparent
consequences...now that’s faith.
The object of faith is God. Everybody has faith in
something – a job, money, friends, a political party. The
difference between the believer and the unbeliever is not that
one has faith and one doesn’t. The difference is that the
believer has faith in God. It is the object of our faith that
makes the believer’s faith real and powerful.
How does one have faith? Three ways:
1. Through God’s Word, Romans 10:17. My
faith will never be developed until I live by God’s
Word.
2. My relationship. I must walk with God. This
is a daily relationship with God, when I seek to
please Him with my words and actions (II
Corinthians 5:7).
3. Doing the will of God. As I do the will of God
for my life, my faith will grow. Oftentimes
people say, “But I don’t know what the will of
God is.” Then do that which you know is His
will: witness to others, pray, read the Word of
God, be faithful to the house of God, tithe, be
honest, etc. You want to have faith? Do the will
of God and your faith will grow (Galatians 3:11).
These three things are necessary to live for God by
faith. My prayer is that we would all now go out and be doers
of the Word, not hearers only.

What to do:
✞Make sure the object of your faith is God and then
move forward.
 A Biblical View of Being
Politically Correct
July 20

 Bible Reading: Psalm 33

 Key Verse: Verse 12 – “Blessed is the nation whose
God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath
chosen for his own inheritance.”
Key Words: Blessed is the nation whose God is the
LORD

There was a time when almost everyone could name

the Ten Commandments; but in today’s world most people,
not only cannot name the Ten Commandments, they appear
to oppose them, if not in action then certainly in word. I can
remember a time when stores were closed on Sunday out of
respect for “the Lord’s day.” But today Sundays are just
another day of business. There was a time when our citizens
stood up and opposed the homosexual lifestyle and pastors
proclaimed “hot and hard” from the pulpit the wickedness of
adultery and promiscuity. Cursing and obscene language
were unthinkable and considered a moral wrong. But today
citizens, when polled on such issues, view them as acceptable
or inconsequential.
My, my, how times have changed! The strong
Christian influence and spiritual standards that helped to
shape our culture have given way to compromise and
paganism. Yes, I said it: paganism (one who is not a
Christian, someone who worships a false god). In the United
States, political leaders, legislative bodies, and our courts have
adopted an anti-Christian attitude and agenda. We have been
so bent on being politically correct that we are spiritually
wrong.
Public institutions and officials now no longer call it
homosexuality; it is called an “alternative lifestyle.”
It is no longer called abortion; the courts call it
“reproductive freedom.”
Instead of calling it fornication and sin, we say that
kids should have “safe sex.”
 Graphic, vulgar language is called “freedom of
expression.”
We live in a society so bent on being politically correct
that we have been spiritually grievous to God.
It is not important that we be politically correct; but it
is extremely important that we be Biblically correct. Amen &
Amen!

What to do:
✞Ask God to guide you through His Word and help
you to be Biblically correct.
✞Understand that political correctness can and will
lead to a humanist philosophy.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Sin

July 21

 Bible Reading: Romans 3:1-26

 Key Verse: Verse 23 – “For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God;”
Key Words: For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God

The Humanist Manifesto espouses three primary

doctrines. First of all, it teaches atheism, that there is no God.
Secondly, it espouses that since there is no God; man must
have evolved into being. Thirdly, since there is no God and
since man evolved into existence, man is amoral in character.
The word amoral means no absolutes. Man must choose for
himself what is moral. What I deem to be immoral, another
person can declare moral, and neither of us are wrong. Each
person decides for himself what is right or wrong, what is true
or false, what is good or evil. These things become a shade of
gray.
Christians today take a stand against atheism and
evolution, but believers all across this great land of ours have
bitten into the humanistic apple of amorality and like the taste
of it, because it allows them to “sin” with a clear conscience.
Is that not what happened in the Garden of Eden?
Remember what kind of tree was forbidden to Adam and Eve?
It was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Allow me,
please, to take you step by step through Satan’s humanistic
scheme to deceive Adam and Eve.
Step One - Christians can’t do anything (the
Christian life is no fun). In Genesis 3:1 Satan misquoted God,
“Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the
garden?” Adam and Eve, if you obey God you can’t do
anything.
Step Two - There is nothing wrong with it. “Ye shall
not surely die.” Thus, Christians all across the land are asking
the humanistic question, “What’s wrong with it?”
Step Three - You don’t need someone telling you
what is good and evil. Decide for yourself. Satan told Adam
and Eve, “Then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as
gods, knowing good and evil.” You can decide for yourself.
Now, isn’t that where Christianity is today? Don’t tell me
what is right or wrong, true or false, good or evil; because in
life there are those things which are a shade of gray and I will
determine for myself what is right or wrong, true or false,
good or evil.
The truth is that many believers are far more
humanistic than they realize, and maybe it’s time that we
fulfill Paul’s admonition in Romans 12:2 and have our minds
renewed. Then we will see that all things are either black or
white, rather than the humanist’s shade of gray.

What to do:
✞ Look at sin from a Biblical view, not a humanistic
view.
 A Biblical View of Drugs
July 22

 Bible Reading: Isaiah 1:1-9

 Key Verse: Verse 2 – “Hear, O heavens, and give ear,
O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished
and brought up children, and they have rebelled
against me.”
Key Words: I have nourished and brought up
children

The context of Isaiah, chapter one, is God’s dealing

with the nation of Israel. But doesn’t it remind you of how we
have to deal with our children, and our parents had to deal
with us?
I read this article some time back and it reminds me of
how parents should be bringing up their children from a
Biblical perspective.
“The other day, a man standing next to me at a store in
our small town read that a meth lab had been found in an old
farm house in the adjoining county, and he asked me a
rhetorical question, ‘Why didn’t we have a drug problem when
you and I were growing up?’ I told him, ‘I did have a drug
problem when I was a kid growing up. I was drug to church
on Sunday...morning and night. I was drug to church for
weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and
community socials no matter what the weather. I was drug by
my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to
the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie,
brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect,
spoke ill of the teacher or preacher...or if I didn’t put forth my
best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to
the kitchen sink if I uttered a profane four-letter word. (I do
know what Lye soap tastes like.) I was drug out to pull weeds
in mom’s garden and flower beds and to clear cockleburs out
of dad’s fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and
neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow
the yard, repair the clothesline or chop some firewood; and if
my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip
for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the
woodshed. Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect
my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are
stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and if today’s children
had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better
place today.’”

What to do:
✞ The right kind of drugs never hurts!!

****************************************

A Biblical View of Honesty

July 23

 Bible Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

 Key Verse: Verse 15 – “Thou shalt not steal.”
Key Words: Thou shalt not steal

Is it just my perception, or have people forgotten the

basic rules of honesty? I read recently about a fruit market in
California where a little boy was cramming grapes in his
mouth as fast as he could. His parents were nowhere in sight.
A clerk at the fruit stand watched helplessly, not knowing
what to do as the little fellow pigged out on the grapes. After
awhile the mother appeared and saw what the little fellow was
doing, but it was her rebuke that shocked me. “Johnny,” she
said, “don’t eat so fast.”
Can this really be the kind of society we live in? Have
we really forgotten the basic rules of honesty so clearly
expressed in the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal”
(Exodus 20:15)? Now, you don’t have to have a doctorate in
Bible interpretation to understand that! The Word of God
clearly states that if we take anything that belongs to someone
else or withhold that which rightly belongs to someone else,
we have broken the Word of God.
Honest work, earning what we have, is the teaching of
God’s Word. While we scoff at government handouts, and
rightly so, we border on being hypocritical if we constantly
give to our children who hold their hands out, not willing to
work for what they want. II Thessalonians 3:10b says, “...that
if any would not work, neither should he eat.” I Timothy 5:8
says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for
those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse
than an infidel.”
Honest work pays!

What to do:
✞ Be ethical and honest, and teach the same to your
children.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Cults

July 24

 Bible Reading: Galatians 1:1-9

 Key Verse: Verse 8 – “But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than
that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed.”
Key Words: But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than t
hat which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed

In his book Handbook of Today’s Religions, Josh

McDowell defines a cult as “a perversion, a distortion of
Biblical Orthodox Christianity and/or a rejection of the
historic teachings of the Christian church.” The Apostle Paul
warned us that there would be false Christs and a false gospel
that would attempt to undermine the work and ministry of the
“true church” (II Corinthians 11:13-15).
Walter Martin defines a cult as “a group of people
polarized around someone’s interpretation of the Bible and is
characterized by major deviations from the teachings of the
early church.”
 A cult is any religion or religious group that meets one
or more of the following items.
1. A cult has “new truth.” Any group that promotes
the false idea that God has revealed Himself in a
special way to them and that they have added
revelation apart from the Bible is a cult. An
example of this would be the Mormons and their
Book of the Mormons.
2. New interpretations of Scripture. Some cults
accept the Bible but say that those “in the
church” interpret the Scripture incorrectly. This
is how original “home churches” started in the
1930’s and by the 1950’s had reached their peak
and were beginning to decline. An example of
this teaching would be Herbert W. Armstrong
and the Worldwide Church of God. Martin also
says that more cults have sprung out of “home
churches” than any other movement.
3. Cults teach “another Jesus.” A primary false
doctrine of all cults is their teaching about Jesus.
While cults accept the fact that Jesus is the Son
of God, they reject the fact that Jesus is God, the
Son!
4. Cults reject Orthodox Christianity. A
characteristic of many cultic groups is a frontal
attack on Orthodox Christianity. The cultic
groups argue that the church has departed from
the faith, thus there is a need for a new church.
5. Non-Biblical teaching on the Trinity is another
sign of a cult. Cults reject on God in three
Persons (The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). I
John 5:7
6. Strong (dictator) leadership. Cults are usually
characterized by one certain figure who
considers himself/herself as a prophet or
prophetess of God with direct access to the
Almighty. This leader develops a following
which grows totally dependent upon him.
7. Salvation by works. Cults always teach salvation
by works: “do this, follow that.”
 One final piece of advice: be careful what you learn
and where you learn it.

What to do:
✞Make sure you know who you are following.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Atheism

July 25

 Bible Reading: Psalm 53

 Key Verse: Verse 1 – “The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done
abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”
Key Words: The fool hath said in his heart, There
is no God

The agnostics say that there is a “god” but which god is

the right god is unknown. Is it the god of the Hindus,
Muslims, or the Christians? The skeptics doubt the existence
of God, but the atheists “flat out” deny that God is or ever will
be. But we that believe the Bible simply take God at His Word
when He says, “In the beginning God...” (Genesis 1:1a); and
when He says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God...” (John 1:1).
In Florida an atheist became incensed over the
preparation of Easter and Passover holidays and decided to
contact the local ACLU about the discrimination inflicted on
atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians
and Jews with all the holidays while the atheists had no
holiday to celebrate.
The ACLU jumped on the opportunity to once again
pick up the cause of the godless and assigned their attorneys
to the case. The cause was brought before a very wise
Christian judge who after listening to the long, passionate
presentation of the ACLU lawyer, promptly banged his gavel
and declared “case dismissed!”
 The lead attorney for the ACLU immediately stood and
objected to the judge’s ruling and said, “Your Honor, how can
you possibly dismiss this case? Surely Christians have other
observances; and the Jews, in addition to Passover...why, they
have Yom Kippur and Hanukkah; and yet my client and all
other atheists have no such holiday.” The judge leaned
forward in his chair and simply said, “Obviously your client is
too confused to know about, or that matter, even celebrate the
atheist holiday!”
The ACLU lawyer pompously said, “We are aware of
no such holiday for atheists. Just when might that be, Your
Honor?” The judge said, “Well, it comes every year on exactly
the same day, April 1st.”
Reminds me of the words of David found in Psalm
53:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.
Corrupt are they and have done abominable iniquity: there
is none that doeth good.”

What to do:
✞Humanism says there is no God. The Bible says
there is.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Our Words

July 26
 Bible Reading: Colossians 4
 Key Verse: Verse 6 – “Let your speech be alway with
grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man.”
Key Words: Let your speech be alway with grace

Do you use profanity? Must you resort to slang words

to impress others? Are you guilty of using those little semi-
curses commonly heard today – words like “darn,” “golly,”
“gee,” “heck,” which are actually disguised forms of something
much worse? Their use shows a lack of refinement and
reveals a quality that is unbecoming to a Christian. The
language of a Spirit-filled believer should always be “with
grace.”
Many people also engage in the irreverent use of the
names of Bible characters and spiritual terms. This denotes
disrespect for God’s Word. How disgusting to listen to people
punctuate their conversations with minced oaths! In their
attempt to appear refined, they use expressions like “Good
Heavens,” “Good Lord,” and other thoughtless phrases. But
what about the worst offense of all – taking the Lord’s name
in vain? Whenever we hear that, we must not remain silent!
A Godly farmer was attending a meeting of an
agricultural society. Some of the men were freely using the
words “devil” and “hell.” He felt uneasy but said nothing.
Then someone said, “Jesus Christ!” Immediately the farmer
spoke up, “Sir, you may speak lightly of YOUR master, but
when you take MY Master’s name in vain, I object! Talk about
your master, the devil, if you want to; but please leave my
Lord out of it.”
To remain silent when someone uses God’s name in
vain is sin (Leviticus 5:1). Today’s text is God’s answer to all
forms of slanguage.

What to do:
✞ Make your words tender and kind for tomorrow you
may have to eat them.
✞ Don’t use slanguage for your language.
P. S. The humanists cry out for freedom of speech,
and I as well believe in freedom of speech; but I also know as a
born-again believer, I am free from the bondage of sinful
words.
 A Biblical View of Honoring
Your Parents
July 27

 Bible Reading: Genesis 26:1-16

 Key Verse: Verse 6 - “And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:”
Key Words: And Isaac dwelt in Gerar

We are taught in Galatians 6:7 that we reap what we

sow. The verse reads as follows, “Be not deceived; God is not
mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap.” This is a simple fact of life, whether good or bad,
whatever you plant in your garden is what you will harvest.
The same principle applies to your relationship and attitude
toward your parents. Today in this devotion, I would like for
you to see with me what God says about honoring and
disobeying your parents.
Four simple points:
1. Honoring your parents produces a reward .
Exodus 20:12, “Honor thy father and thy
mother....” Now notice the reward, “that thy
days may be long upon the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee.” The key to living a long
life is honoring your parents; but if you want to
die young, live a life of dishonoring your parents.
Absalom, the son of King David, would certainly
be a great example of brevity of life because of
the dishonoring of his father. (You can read the
story in II Samuel 15.)
2. Dishonoring your parents classifies you as a
reprobate. Now before you get upset with me,
let me show you (Romans 1:28-30). The word
reprobate means worthless, not just to God, but
to society. Now I believe every one of you would
agree with me that people such as fornicators,
murderers, and inventors of evil things are a
menace to our society. Well, so are those who
are disobedient to their parents.
 3. Honoring your parents reveals your
righteousness. Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children,
obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
I am sixty-seven years old and I have never
known of a person who truly and sincerely
obeyed their parents who wasn’t right in other
areas of their life. Isaac would certainly be a
good example of this principle. He certainly
obeyed his parents and as you read about his life
from God’s Word, you find he was obedient with
all who had authority over him, including God
(Genesis 26:1-6).
4. Dishonoring parents is revealing of the day in
which we live. Read II Timothy 3:1-2. When our
youth, as a whole, are disobedient to their
parents, it reveals that we are living in the last
days, that the Lord is coming soon. Which raises
the question, are you ready if the Lord should
come today? Can you give me a Scriptural
reason why you know you are saved and bound
for heaven?
My prayer for each of you is that you will live for God,
honor your parents, and live a long, happy, and prosperous
life. May God bless you as you are a blessing to God.

What to do:
✞ Honor your parents.
 A Biblical View of the Power of
God
July 28

 Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:12-31

 Key Verse: Verse 12 - “Who hath measured the waters
in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with
the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a
measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and
the hills in a balance?”
Key Words: Who hath measured the waters in
the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with
the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth
in a measure, and weighed the mountains in
scales, and the hills in a balance

The humanists of our day question the power of God;

but I am certainly glad that in times of uncertainty it is good
that God is in control. There is no Scripture that teaches this
lesson any clearer than does Isaiah, chapter 40.
We are told that the oceans of the world contain more
than 340 quintillion gallons of water, yet God holds them “in
the hollow of his hand” (Isaiah 40:12).
The earth weighs 6 sextillion metric tons, yet God
declares in Isaiah 40:15, “Behold, the nations are as a drop of
a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance:
behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.”
Did you know that the universe stretches more than 30
billion light years (200 sextillion miles) but that God can
measure it with His hand? Isaiah 40:12a says, “Who hath
measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted
out heaven with the span?”
Scientists claim there are at least 100 billion galaxies
and that each galaxy is made up of about 100 billion stars.
But notice in Isaiah 40:26 that God knows them all by name,
“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created
these things that bringeth out their host by number, he
calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for
that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”
 It is no wonder that Isaiah ended the chapter with
these words in verse 31, “But they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint.”
Now, what is it that God cannot handle in your life?
No matter what the humanists may say we ought to just stop
for a moment and praise God everyday for His great power.

What to do:
✞Thank God and worship Him because He is worthy!!

****************************************

A Biblical View of the Bible

July 29

 Bible Reading: John 17

 Key Verse: Verse 17 – “Sanctify them through thy
truth: thy word is truth.”
Key Words: thy word is truth

Sometime back, I read the following article in the

editorial section of “The Birmingham News.”

“Because the Bible tells us so.”

“Numerous letter writers have quoted the Bible to
justify irrational human attitudes and behavior, e.g.,
homophobia, capital punishment, religious tolerance, gender
bias.
“How do we know a biblical pronouncement is valid?
‘The Bible is inerrant.’ What makes the Bible inerrant? ‘The
Bible is the written Word of God.’ How do we know the Bible
is the written Word of God? The Bible tells us so: “All
scripture is given by inspiration of God,” II Timothy 3:16.
“This is a perfect example of circular reasoning – the
practice of assuming something in order to prove the very
same thing you assumed.
 “Advocates of Bible inerrancy use the premise that the
Bible is the inerrant Word of God to prove the Bible is the
inerrant Word of God. In other words, the Bible is true
because the Bible says the Bible is true. Without evidence
from an independent source, the premise that the Bible is
inerrant has no validity.
“There is no rational or empirical evidence giving the
Bible the status of unquestioned authority. It’s only
‘authority’ comes from the flawed beliefs of ancient people.
Hence, it contains a plethora of contradictions, scientific
errors and just plain bad advice.”
~David N. Miles, Orange Beach

Mr. Miles and humanists like Mr. Miles could not be

more wrong. While the Bible does declare its accuracy,
history, archaeology, and science also prove the inerrancy of
the Bible. Time and space do not allow an in-depth discussion
in these areas, so let me give you one example for all three
areas.
First, science: Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God
created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:2b, “And the
Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Science
tells us that there are five components that make up the
universe: time, space, matter, power, and motion – “In the
beginning (time), God created (power) the heavens (space)
and the earth (matter)....And the Spirit of God moved
(motion) upon the face of the waters.” Science proves the
Bible.
Secondly, archaeology: The very existence of David
has been verified by an archaeological dig. Part of a
monument was found at Tel Dan in 1993 which refers to the
“house of David” and “King of Israel.” Ahab’s house of Iraq
and pool of Samaria have been found (I Kings 22:38-39).
Thirdly, history: R. D. Wilson who wrote “A Scientific
Investigation of the Old Testament” pointed out that the
names of twenty-nine kings from ten nations (Egypt, Assyria,
Babylon and more) are mentioned not only in the Bible but
are also found on monuments of their own time. Every single
name is transliterated in the Old Testament exactly as it
appears on the archaeological artifact – syllable for syllable,
consonant for consonant. The chronological order of the
kings is correct.
The Bible is inerrant because it says it is and because
science, archaeology, and history prove its inerrancy as well.

What to do:
✞You believe God’s Word by faith, or the humanist’s
way, by your feelings. The choice is your’s.

****************************************

A Biblical View of Same Sex

Unions and Marriages
July 30
 Bible Reading: I Corinthians 6:1-9
 Key Verse: Verse 9 – “Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be
not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves
with mankind,”
Key Words: nor effeminate

The Word of God is clear in regard to marriage:

marriage is male and female, man and woman.
When Jesus was asked about marriage and divorce in
Matthew 19, He went back to the book of Genesis and
reminded them not only about the permanence of marriage,
but also states that marriage is to be between a man and
woman – Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
Have you ever considered that if God had intended for
the human race to be fulfilled through both heterosexual and
homosexual marriage, He would have designed our bodies to
allow reproduction through both means, and He would have
made both means of intimacy healthy and natural? Intimacy
between homosexuals carries a high risk of disease. You read
this in Romans 1:27, “And likewise also the men, leaving the
natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward
another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and
receiving in themselves that recompense of their error
[homosexuality] which was meet.”
Let me encourage you to read Romans, chapter one.
As you do, you will find that man’s degeneration is measured
by his perversion of sex. While many churches in our day are
espousing sexual perversion instead of condemning it, God
says in regard to those who are sexually perverted that “he
gave them up” to live a life of idolatry and gross immorality.
While the humanists of our day applaud sexual freedom, they
fail to understand it’s actually sexual slavery.

What to do:
✞Base your beliefs on God’s Word, not man’s
thoughts.

****************************************

Racism
July 31
 Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:20-27
 Key Verse: Verse 23 – “Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Key Words: Keep thy heart

The American Heritage dictionary defines racism as

the belief that a particular race is superior to other races.
It is totally false to believe that all whites believe that
they are superior to all other races, just as it is false to believe
that all blacks, Hispanics or Asians believe they are superior.
Racism has existed for years. For example, we read in
Nehemiah 4:2, “What do these feeble Jews?” The Jews felt
superior to the Samaritans, John 4:9.
 So what is the answer? Well, removing monuments or
destroying monuments certainly doesn’t help. Changing the
name of Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup, Uncle Ben’s rice or Aunt
Jemima’s pancake mix is not the answer either. The only
thing that will defeat racism in your heart is by replacing it
with Jesus Christ. “Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out
of it are the issues of life.”
I served in Viet Nam and the soldier that had my back
was Randall Shields from Louisiana. He was black. The
person who had his back was Mike Rouse, and yes, I am
white. The thing that caused us to “bond” was our love for
Jesus Christ. So you can curse at other races; you can tear
down monuments, take down pictures and change the names
of buildings, but that will never stop racists from hating. In
fact, it will inflame them. The only answer is Jesus Christ!

What to do:
✞Remember, a heart out of God’s control is heading
for destruction.
I deeply appreciate the help
of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these

people to help, this
devotional would not have
been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse
 is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org