Back in the days of the typewriter, (For those of you who are too young to know about typewriters, they were machines with keys like a computer, but without the…)  oh never mind!  As I was saying, when I was younger and learning to type, my father made me practice by repeatedly typing the sentence, Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  I have since learned that a teacher, Charles Weller, introduced the sentence as a typing drill to increase the speed of young typists.  To this day, I can nearly double my typing speed if I type only that sentence, though I have found it makes a very boring letter and confuses my recipients.

  Surely Mr. Weller could not have known how apropos his little typing drill would be in 2018.  No, not to nimble the fingers of young typists, but as a statement of truth, a fitting call to action!  It is a fearful thing to gaze upon the weakening moral fiber of our nation, to examine the many spiritual, social, economic and political dividing lines that make us anything but, One Nation Under God.  Never has there been a greater need than today for good men to come to the aid of our country.

  But how does one become a good man?  I believe the answer can be found in the words of an old hymn, Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee.  A man can do very little himself, but when he becomes a tool in the hand of Omnipotence, the possibilities are limitless.  We need men who will give themselves wholly to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, who has purchased our forgiveness with His own blood.  By His death, burial and resurrection He has earned the right to declare us innocent and restore us to a right relationship with the Almighty!  All it requires on our part is personal faith, dependence upon the person of Jesus Christ.  We call it, getting saved.

  We celebrate our fathers this week.  We also remember the fathers of our nation who forged our beloved republic in hard times.  Many of them were possessed by the Spirit of God.  How about you?  Happy Father’s Day!

 Have you noticed that even in our beloved haven of central Maine, we are plagued with events that rival big city happenings?  It is not uncommon to be threatened on the highway by some hurried individual who has no regard for your life or the safety of your family.  We frequently hear news of shootings, drug deals that end in violence, rape, child molestation, thefts in broad daylight, incest, burglary, vandalism and even cold blooded murder of unsuspecting strangers.  Many are asking, WHY?

  Take a good look around and tell me what you see.  Both parents work while many children raise themselves under the tutelage of a hireling.  The few individuals who determine what airs on the television have filled our homes and minds with Hollywood’s larger than life portrayals of the unspeakable.  We are entertained by the very things that appall us in real life.  Video games allow gamers to look down the barrel and pull the trigger, or wield a blade to brutalize their supposed enemy or chosen victim.  The driving beat of today’s music, along with lyrics that promote immorality, crime and terror, is blasting away into the ears and minds of the unwary.  Pornography is displayed in “ads” on popular “family friendly” web sites.  

  God has been kicked out of schools, government offices and many–if not most–homes.  Churches have become entertainment centers and social clubs where one can hear sermonettes that are designed to boost self esteem rather than confront them with eternal, life changing truth.  Those who have the answer have grown weary and have ceased to speak out for fear of rejection or persecution.  AND WE DARE TO ASK WHY things are as they are?

  Man’s way of doing things is not working so well, but Jesus Christ came that we might have abundant, eternal life.  The solutions to our problems are not hidden; we need only look to Christ for the answers.  He said, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12).”

  It has been a joy for my wife and me to be involved in what still seems like our new ministry at Corinth Baptist Church, since my installation as pastor in November 2016.  There is something about those first months of being involved in a new adventure that is exciting and very fulfilling.  The experience reminds me of the day I was accepted into the family of God.  What a thrill to view life from a new perspective, as His child.

  How about you, are you a part of the family?  I would be delighted if you would allow me to share again the good news of God’s love.  Perhaps you have heard of how Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, came to this earth two thousand years ago to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem.  He was buried, but, as the Scriptures had predicted, He rose from the dead on the third day and is alive today at God the Father’s right hand.

  One might ask, Why would God’s Son come to earth and die?  The answer is simply,  because the price of forgiveness requires it… forgiveness for your sin and mine.  The book of Hebrews tells us that, Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness).  Maybe you wish to join me, and thousands of others, who have discovered God’s great love!  But you need to know, there is only one way; Jesus saith…, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. (John 14:6).  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved… (Acts 16:31).

  Jesus died to purchase your forgiveness.  If you will see yourself as a sinner, and accept His victorious death as payment for your sins, God is ready to adopt you into His family.  The Word of God says,  But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: (John 1:12).”

  I would love to hear that you have found the joy of knowing God personally through faith in His Son.  If I can assist you in finding The Way please call me at the number listed below.

  The diversity of answers to this question might surprise you.  Some say, “Well, I was raised in a Christian family,” or, “I try to treat people right” or “I live a pretty clean life.”  Others rest in the fact that they were baptized, confirmed or are faithful to a church.  There is a common thread in all of these answers, …the object of their faith.  Man has believed for centuries that he is the master of his own fate.  Our “can do” attitude has been extended even into the spiritual realm.  Most believe that their eternal destiny will be determined by their ability to appease God on judgment day.

  In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.  God has revealed that …we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  There is none righteous, no, not one: (Rom. 3:10).  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Clearly, the best of men are unfit for the Kingdom of Heaven, and unable to alter their eternal plight.

  Confronted with these Bible truths, some have abandoned faith in their own ability to satisfy God’s just requirements.  In desperation they ask, “What must I do to be saved?”  When one humbles himself enough to ask this question, there is hope!

  In answer to the searching soul, Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).  Jesus, who is God in the flesh, died on the cross to purchase your forgiveness.  Because He arose from the grave, …he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25).

  May I show you the ONLY path that leads to real life?  Would you allow me to introduce you to the ONLY WAY?  His name is Jesus, and He alone can put you in good standing with God.

  Some of us at our church are involved in a little rebuilding project.  We become more excited with every completed step.  As things begin to take shape, I am reminded of one of the great building projects of the Bible, the rebuilding of the city walls around Jerusalem.  Israel’s Babylonian captivity had ended and their new masters, the kings of Persia, were more gentle.  An envoy of dedicated Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem and aid in a rebuild effort already begun.  The next order of business was the massive city wall that had been reduced to heaps of rubble.

  After the project was begun, Nehemiah reports, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6).  But their advancements were not without opposition.  The workers on the wall were ridiculed, they fought discouragement, greed among themselves, and cleverly laid traps by the enemies of their cause.  In spite of it all, the walls were miraculously finished in fifty-two days, an accomplishment that is pretty impressive even by the most advanced modern industrial standards.

  In our country, we are surrounded by the rubbish of crumbling walls built by our godly forefathers.  There are enormous tasks before us if we would rebuild the moral, spiritual, economic and civil foundations upon which our country was founded.  It is utterly amazing what can be accomplished when people have a mind to work, but we must remember, what is accomplished by the people is only the concerted effort of individuals.

  God’s Word says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13).”  According to this verse, our faith in Christ is vital if we would save our country.  Why?  “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it… (Psalm 127:1.)”  Would you be willing to help?  Do you have a mind to work?  Step #1  “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved… (Acts 16:31).”