Alex Burt from Athens, GA & Founder of ‘Until All Hear’

To learn more about Alex & ‘Until All Hear’ visit: UntilAllhear.com .

Daily Devotional 9-17-20

The Freedom of a Christian

This is an excerpt from “The Freedom of the Christian” written by Martin Luther and translated and edited by Adam Francisco (1517 Publishing, 2020).

o that we might understand what a Christian is and what freedom Christ has acquired and given them, I make these two assertions:

A Christian is completely free, subject to nothing and no one.

A Christian is a dutiful servant, subject to everyone.

These two assertions are clearly illustrated in 1 Corinthians 9:19: “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all.”

Likewise, in Romans 13:8, St. Paul writes, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other.” Love, however, can be described as service and is subject to whatever one loves. For this reason, it is said of Christ in Galatians 4:4, “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.”

These two contradictory sayings about freedom and service can be understood in view of the fact that every Christian has two natures—spiritual and physical. With regard to the soul, one is spiritual, new, and inward-facing. Regarding flesh and blood, one is physical, old, and outward-facing. I write of freedom and service in view of these seemingly contradictory distinctions.

We first consider the inward and spiritual part of a person and what makes them free and righteous. Clearly nothing external can make one free and righteous because this freedom and righteousness are not bodily or external. How does the soul benefit if the body is free? Alternatively, how does it harm the soul if the body is suffering? Neither of these things affect the soul. They do not free it, bind it, or make it righteous or wicked.

Additionally, the soul does not benefit if the body is adorned with liturgical garments like the clergy. Neither does it benefit just by being present in church, praying, fasting, going on a pilgrimage, or any other sort of good work that the body might do. Something entirely different must make the soul righteous and give it freedom, for all these things could just as well be done by a wicked person, a fraud, or a hypocrite. In fact, assuming these things make one righteous does nothing but create hypocrites.

Nothing on earth or in heaven is able to make the soul alive, righteous, free, and Christian apart from the Gospel, the Word of God preached by Christ. As Christ says in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” In John 14:6, he says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” And in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” So we can be certain that the soul can do without everything but the Word of God. Without the Word of God, nothing can help it. If it has the Word of God, it needs nothing else. It has everything it needs in the Word in abundance—happiness, peace, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and freedom.

The Word shows you how your entire life and pursuit of good works are nothing to God. They must forever be put to death, along with every other effort of yours.

You might ask, “What is the Word that provides such immeasurable grace, and how do I use it?” The answer is, “Nothing but the preaching of Christ in accordance with the Gospel communicated in such a way that you hear God speaking to you.” The Word shows you how your entire life and pursuit of good works are nothing to God. They must forever be put to death, along with every other effort of yours. And when you really believe you are guilty and when you are in complete despair, you must confess that Hosea 13:9 is true of you: “O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper. It is only in me that you have your help.”(1) This is so you may be pulled away from yourself and your death. God then places his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, before you so that you are faced with the Word of life and comfort. You are to surrender to this Word with steadfast faith and trust in God, and all your sins will be forgiven. Victory will be yours, and you will be righteous and completely free. As St. Paul says in Romans 1:16, “The righteous shall live by faith,” and, in Romans 10:4, he explains, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

It is right, then, for every Christian to regard only the Word and Christ as their good work and spiritual discipline. Nothing else can make you a Christian. It is as Christ responds to the Jews (in John 6:29) when they ask him what they should do in order to perform good works. He says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent,” the only one whom God the Father set apart for that purpose.

Therefore, true faith in Christ is a priceless gift. It brings with it every blessing and removes all ungodliness. As it is written in Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Paul writes in Romans 10:10, “For with the heart one believes and is justified.”

From: https://www.1517.org/articles/the-freedom-of-the-christian

Daily Devotional 9-16-20

Blessing in a Troubled World

Happiness is something we long for. Yet happiness is elusive and, at best, momentary. Where then can we find the riches of a lasting experience that satisfies the depths of our soul?

Today we turn to the first of Jesus’ Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.

Blessed. Some translations use ‘happy’ instead of blessed, but happy is subjective, a poor substitute for the word blessed that Jesus uses. The blessed will generally be profoundly happy, but blessedness is not simply happiness. To be blessed means to be approved, or to find approval. When Jesus says, blessed, he is speaking of the people who have God’s approval.

This is profound. If God is at the heart of the universe, there can be no higher blessing than to be approved by him. Jesus’ words here challenge us to ask, ‘Whose blessing do I want more: the blessing or approval of people around me, or God’s?’

Now the blessing, or approval of family and friends, Facebook or Instagram followers isn’t wrong in itself. It is just that Jesus wants us to see that God’s blessing is infinite in value. If this is our desire, then his beatitudes speak to us very personally and very deeply.

In the opening segment of his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 through 7), Jesus identifies eight blessings. They are not eight top suggestions, nor are they characteristics of eight different types of people. So searching of our character are these beatitudes, that they reveal that none of us is capable of living up to them in order to get into heaven. They are Jesus’ expectations of all who turn to him.

Poverty of spirit is not financial destitution or material poverty – none of the disciples were materially destitute. We can forget that while men like Peter or Matthew weren’t necessarily millionaires, they certainly weren’t materially impoverished. Simon Peter ran a fishing business with his brother and other partners. Matthew had sufficient funds to host a large dinner party.

But what they both realized was that they had a need only Jesus could satisfy. When confronted with Jesus’ power and purity, Simon Peter knew that a deep gulf existed between himself and Jesus. ‘Depart from me Lord’, he said, ‘for I am a sinner.’ For his part Matthew saw that there was more to life than making money. Called to follow Jesus he handed over the tax office to others, and turned to Jesus.

It is to people like this that Jesus says, Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.

The English word ‘poor’ is used to translate a number of Old Testament words. One word we find in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, refers to the materially hard up (Proverbs 19:1, 7, 22). Another word refers people who are powerless (Job 20:19, Psalm 82:3f). Other words speak of the poor as the needy (Psalm 140:12), and the socially under-privileged or oppressed (Isaiah 3:14f).

Most importantly, in the pages of the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms and Isaiah the poor turn to God for help. Knowing the reality of their spiritual need, they turn to God, whose nature is always to have mercy.

Poor is often found as a metaphor for the ‘outsider’. To be poor in spirit is to know that we are outsiders as far as God is concerned.

The eight Beatitudes or Blessings form an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. Any doubts we might have about the poverty of our relationship with God are exposed as Jesus moves on to explain the deeper meaning of God’s commandments – to hate someone is to commit murder; to lust after someone to whom you are not married is to commit adultery.

Like a laser light, Jesus’ Sermon reveals everything about us – not just our actions, but our very thoughts and words. His Sermon removes our self-delusions and awaken within us a genuine poverty of spirit.

To be poor in spirit is to acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy. It is exemplified by the guilty publican in the story Jesus told. The publican prayed from a corner in the Temple, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ Poverty of spirit is being honest with God about ourselves. It’s the admission of our impotence without God’s work of salvation in our lives.

The kingdom of heaven. Matthew uses the phrase kingdom of heaven in the same way that Mark and Luke speak of the kingdom of God. Jewish man that he was, Matthew was reluctant to use the word, God. It was too holy, too majestic.

Kingdom of God speaks of God’s great power and glory and his rightful and good rule over his creation. It is a majestic theme – one that inspires the very best within us, for it opens up an eternity of grand and beautiful possibilities for us.

Where is a rich and lasting blessing to be found – one that reaches the depths of our soul? It is to be found in a heartfelt experience of turning to God and knowing him. We need to come to him and acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy, emptying ourselves of self-righteousness, moral self-esteem, and personal pride. It is only when we are empty of these things, that Jesus will fill us with new life and assure us of God’s approval.

Truly God’s blessing and his kingdom belong to the poor in spirit.

From: https://anglicanconnection.com/blessing-in-a-troubled-world/

The Samuel Davies School of Evangelism

Are you an evangelist or are praying about beginning to evangelize and are looking for Biblical and practical training?

Then pray about participating in the Samuel Davies School of Evangelism .

There are two parts:

• Classroom study .  The topics offered over a three year cycle are listed below.  If you complete them you will have earned an Associates Degree from Graham Bible College.

– Theology 1&2 (3 Credits each)

– Counseling 1&2 (3 Credits each)

– Homiletics 1&2 (3 Credits each)

– Church History 1&2 (3 Credits each)

– Intro to Greek (3 Credits)

– OT Survey (3 Credits)

– NT Survey (3 Credits)

– Evangelism (3 Credits)

• Practical application : annually around the NASCAR Race at the Bristol Motor Speedway in August is a four day training led by seasoned Church planter, Pastor and evangelist Rev. Al Baker.

 You will learn the practical ways to prepare to preach; to pray and to actually preach the Gospel in the open air.  These classes taught by seasoned open air preaching evangelists prepare for your next steps in Gospel preaching ministry.

RTC’s Latest News

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

“Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:14&16b

You know, I often feel a sense that God has called me to this ministry work “for such a time a this”. That, like Esther, God has worked in my life from the day I was born until now, giving me experiences, teaching me lessons, and working out circumstances for me to do what He has called me to do right now. I’m grateful and humbled to get to do this work and serve the men and women of Law Enforcement in the love and name of Jesus. What a blessing it is to be in this place!

The men and women of Law Enforcement have had it rough over the last many months. This nationwide trouble has had it’s impact on our police officers as well. Thankfully, we haven’t had the same level of protests or unrest here that other areas of our country have experienced, but this fact doesn’t eliminate the emotional impact that this time is having on our officers. That’s why I know that it is a vital time for police officers to be supported spiritually and emotionally and I am thankful that you all have had a hand in praying for this ministry and giving financially to support that effort.

In the pictures above, two are from a recent swearing in ceremony of our newest police officers. I was honored to present each of them with a bible and to be able to pray for them at the beginning of their careers. I was so tankful to God that even in these times, men and women are stepping up to do the hard work of serving and protecting our community. We should all be proud and thankful for this diverse and brave group of new servants in our community!

The other two pictures are of me putting out two more of our coffee makers and supplies for our officers. These machines are located in our two training areas of the police department so folks can get a cup of coffee while they attend their required training.

Here’s some other news….

I’ve started meeting weekly with fellow PCA pastor and Richland County Sheriff’s Chaplain Bobby Farmer along with Dr. Michael Langston, Professor of Chaplaincy at CIU and new RCSD Chaplain. We meet to pray, fellowship, encourage each other, and discuss ways to grow first responder chaplaincy in our area.

Recently, I started an online counseling/mental health coach course with the American Association of Christian Counselors. Counseling needs have increased for me so this basic course will be very helpful.

Our ministry was profiled on the front page of the Guardian Newsletter which is the national publication for the PCA’s chaplain ministries. This was such an honor! You can see that Newsletter here.

Prayer Requests

Please praise God for no violence during our most recent protests.

Keep praying for the emotional and spiritual needs of our police officers. Many are hurting and discouraged. Pray that many find their comfort and hope in Jesus.

Pray for our leaders. Chief Holbrook showed much appreciation when I recently told him that my churches and supporters were praying, not only for him, but for all of our officers.

Pray for productive discussions about justice, race, and policing in our city. God cares about each of these things. He will indeed help us as we seek His face for the peace and well being of our city.

Please remember that we can only commit to this work the way we do because of the faithful prayers and generous gifts of God’s people, and that faithfulness on your part is bearing fruit in our city! Do you know other individuals, churches or businesses who may be interested in supporting this work? Please tell them about us!

Daily Devotional 9-15-20

Confronting the Darkness

 Charles Colson speaks of a modern “return to the Dark Ages.” When I think of the original Dark Ages, I think of a period when culture was in decline and the progress of knowledge was static.

But today we read of the problem of the explosion of knowledge. It is a time when information and communications are big business. We hear the cry from the universities that knowledge in every field of investigation is increasing so rapidly that no one can assimilate it, even in the most narrow of specialties. The age of the “expert” is over. The word expert must now be defined in relative terms.

If knowledge is light and the light is exploding in magnitude, how can we speak of a new Dark Ages? The darkness is in the heart. It is a darkness produced by a shroud covering the face of God.

Thirty years ago, I read a book written by the Jewish philosopher and theologian Martin Buber. Buber’s book had an ominous title: The Eclipse of God. That is the eclipse of our age. A shadow has passed over the glory of God. We are a people who will not have God in our thinking. We have returned to Plato’s cave, in which we prefer the dancing shadows on the wall of ungrounded opinion over the light of truth.

Coram Deo

Ask God to dispel the darkness in your own mind, soul, and spirit through His marvelous light.

Passages for Further Study

Hosea 4:1

Luke 11:52

Habakkuk 2:14

From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/confronting-darkness/

Jaycen Saab – Founder of AppalachiaCry Ministries

Raised Roman Catholic, Jaycen did not arrive at true saving faith until his adult years. After chasing the world and it’s offerings, God brought him to salvation during the death of a loved one. He has a burden for the lost and false converts and desires to herald the Gospel anywhere a crowd may be. When not on the streets, he enjoys the privilege of filling in the pulpit doing itinerant preaching. He’s married with 4 children who join him sometimes for evangelism. He enjoys spending time with his wife and family. He is the founder of AppalachiaCry Ministries.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jaycen.saab/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appalachiacry/
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaycensaab
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/AppalachiaCry
 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVRdPdhzulVc4P2-0vGUcQw
 Website: https://appalachiacry.com/

Training tonight at 7pm CST / 8pm EST

“Using Wordsearch on the Go!”  

If you have a mobile device that downloads the desktop version of Wordsearch Bible, Fantastic! You are all set to go! However, many of us are looking to use Wordsearch Bible on our smart phones, iPad or another computer on the go! You will learn how to use the Wordsearch Bible mobile app as well as the web app so you can study the word of God, wherever the Lord may take you .

Below is the link to register as well as the live link if you need to access the webinar one it starts.

Monday 09/14/20 “Using Wordsearch on the Go!”: Registration Link Live Link

Also I have added new and upcoming webinars for the rest of the year. View and Register for upcoming webinars

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me!

I look forward to seeing you in the webinar!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Heath J. Pucel

Lead Trainer

LearnWordsearch.com

1-888-706-6383 (Monday-Saturday, 7a-7p)

1-920-423-5676 mobile with WiFi connection

Check out our training opportunitites: www.learnwordsearch.com

Daily Devotional 9-14-20

The Burdens of Life

 There are a lot of people in the world today who are bearing burdens far too great for them. What kind of burdens are they? Jesus talks about them in Luke 11:46. He is talking to the church lawyers; they are the worst kind. He says to them, “Woe to you lawyers, as well, for you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear.” These church lawyers believe in salvation by works. They weigh people down with the burden of trying to measure up. It’s the burden of proving yourself to God. The only problem is, you have to be perfect. It’s a burden too hard to bear.

A lot of people today think they have something to prove. They think they have to prove themselves. In the process they also find out it’s a heavy burden. They wind up with frail nerves and ulcers. The thing is, these heavy burdens show us that we are frail. They show us we are weak. They show us our inabilities and sinfulness. But when this happens, we should recognize those weaknesses and sins. Trying to hide them only compounds the burden.

You see, Jesus Christ offers himself to people who recognize their own frailties and sinfulness. Listen, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Now, when you accept the invitation of Christ, you quit trying to prove yourself. It’s too big a burden. Rather, you trust in Jesus Christ. And you find God through a confession of sin and faith in Christ.

To help you understand this idea, click here and listen to “Seeking and Finding.”

From: http://dennyprutow.com/daily-devotions/

Daily Devotional 9-11-20

Add No Stumbling Block

The enmity of the world is bitter in its assault against the people of Christ. Men will forgive a thousand faults in others, but they will magnify the most trivial offense in the followers of Jesus. Instead of vainly regretting this, let us make it work for us, and since so many are watching for our collapse, let it be a special motive for walking very carefully before God. If we live carelessly, the watching world will soon see it, and multiple tongues will spread the story, exaggerated and emblazoned by the zeal of slander.

They will shout triumphantly, “See! See how these Christians act! They are hypocrites to everyone.” And so great damage will be done to the cause of Christ, and His name will be greatly maligned. The cross of Christ is in itself an offense to the world; let us take care that we add no offense of our own. It is “a stumbling block to Jews”1: Let us ensure that we put no stumbling blocks where there are enough already. “Folly to Gentiles”: let us not add our folly to give apparent reason for the scorn with which the worldly deride the Gospel. How concerned we should be with ourselves! How rigid with our consciences!

In the presence of adversaries who will misrepresent our best deeds and impugn our motives if they cannot censure our actions, we should be circumspect! Like pilgrims we travel under suspicion through Vanity Fair. Not only are we under surveillance, but there are more spies than we imagine, at home and at work. If we fall into the enemies’ hands, we may sooner expect generosity from a wolf or mercy from a fiend than anything like patience with our infirmities from those who spice their infidelity toward God with scandals against His people. Lord, lead us always; do not allow our enemies to trip us up!

From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE