Twelve Symbols in the Bible

Twelve symbols are chosen in the Word of God to represent its uses and the range and scope of its application to all our needs. We class them under seven divisions:

1. The mirror - to show us ourselves as we are and may be.—James 1:25

2. The laver - to wash away our sin and defilement.—Ephesians 5:26

3. The lamp and light - to guide us in the right way.—Psalm 119:105

4. The mild, bread, strong meat, and honey - affording sustenance and satisfaction to the believer at all stages of spiritual development.—Hebrews 5:12-14; Psalm 19:10

5. the fine gold - to enrich us with heavenly treasure.—Psalm 19:10

6. The fire, hammer, and sword - to be used in the work and warfare of life.—Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17

7. The seed - to beget souls in God's image and to plant harvest fields for God.—James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Matthew 13

Enabled for the Evil Day - Fear

Fear is a very real thing, but there is an evil day when that fear overwhelms us. One of the first things Paul wrote to Timothy was "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."—II Tim. 1:7.

There is an evil day of temptation, an evil day of doubt, and an evil day of fear. But there is an answer to this fear; and under the inspiration of God it comes from David himself:

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."—Psalm 56:3.

We need the Lord more than we realize. We need authority in our lives, but we need to understand that God places authority over us to be our protector. When authority is in place, it will help us; but we also need the armor of God for our protection. 

We ignore the Lord's instructions to our own destruction. If we neglect to do what God has told us to do, we will pay a heavy price. 

We must "put on the whole armour of God so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Enabled for the Evil Day - Doubt

Wouldn't it be wonderful if your faith was so strong, your confidence in God such that when you got around people their doubts would just dissolve? 

Sometimes doubt comes when we are having the greatest day of our Christian life. We go through a revival, God is working, decisions are being made, and we're getting victory - then it suddenly collapses.

In prison, John the Baptist - about to be killed for his boldness - sent one of his disciples to Jesus to ask "Are You really who You said You are? Are You really who I've been preaching You are? Are You really the One that I've been telling people about?"

If doubt can pounce on someone like John the Baptist, it can just as easily attack us. 

The Devil and his minions are continually after us. They want to alter the way we think. They want us to believe that good is evil and evil is good. They want us to put great value on things that are of no value and to place little value on things that are valuable.

He wants us to doubt God and His Word. All of these Bible versions on the market are not there by coincidence. There is a satanic plan behind every single one of them so you will doubt the real Word of God.

Enabled for the Evil Day - Discouragement

One of the Devil's greatest tools is the tool of discouragement. If we don't deal with discouragement, it can and most likely will lead to despair. Even a Christian who is strong in the faith can become discouraged.

Even the great prophet Elijah was discouraged at times.

"And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."—I Kings 19:3-4

He wanted to die. He didn't think he could take any more. 

"And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my like, to take it away."—I Kings 19:9-10

Elijah was looking at himself. Then he looked at others. He was telling God how faithful he had been and the children of Israel hadn't. 

Here is the danger. We can get our eyes off the Lord and onto ourselves and others. Where are you looking? At yourself, others, or the Lord?

One of two things will happen when we look at others. Either we'll get proud because we think we're doing better, or we'll get discouraged because others are doing better than we are.

We must keep our eyes on the Lord.

—adapted from the January 1, 2016 issue of the Sword of the Lord newspaper. Written by Dr. Dennis Leatherman of Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church, Oakland, Maryland

Because of the Resurrection...

Enabled for the Evil Day - Temptation

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."—Ephesians 6:12-13

Whether we like it or not, we are involved in a spiritual warfare. This isn't a physical conflict with the Devil; it is a spiritual battle, a conflict in the heart and mind. It is a battle for how we see things. It is a battle of values. It's a battle for what we trust in, believe in and understand to be true. 

Because of these battles, we are told to "take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

What is the evil day?

This evil day can be any day when the Devil lays evil, wicked and morally diseased opportunities in our path.

1. The evil day of temptation.

There are certain days when temptations are more intense, sometimes to the point of almost overwhelming us. The Bible says "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (I Cor. 10:13).

There are times when Satan comes in like a flood and seeks to tempt the child of God in unusual ways. 

• Satan strikes where we are weakest
• Satan is an expert justifying our disobedience to the Lord
• Satan never quits

we are in a continuous spiritual warfare, and it is very real. The battle begins in our mind. Satan wants to get our minds off God so we will not be controlled by His Word.

—adapted from the January 1, 2016 issue of the Sword of the Lord newspaper. Written by Dr. Dennis Leatherman of Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church, Oakland, Maryland

The Anvil and the Hammer

Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith's door

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,

"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"

"Just one," said he; and then with a twinkling eye,

"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, I thought, the anvil of God's Word

For ages skeptic blows have beaten upon;

Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone.

—John Clifford

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #7

God is Waiting for you to Pray

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not"—Jeremiah 33:3.

God delights to hear and answer prayer. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."—Philippians 4:6.

Have you ever experienced God answering your prayers? We'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment below!

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #6

Don't Let Iniquities Separate You From God

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear"—Isaiah 59:2.

So many times the channel to God's throne of grace is blocked  by some stubborn will or spirit. When we are sincere, the Lord will call to our attention the hindrances to our prayers. Then we can confess them and be forgiven. 

So many Christians go through their routines day after day without seeing results.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles of Getting Your Prayers Answered - #5

Ask in Faith

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."—James 1:5-8.

You can get you rprayers answered, but it is essential that you believe God's promises and develop a trust and confidence. When you have met God's conditions, then pray and believe.

Remember, it is vital that our believing be based on His Word given to us in the Bible and not on some experience. 

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #4

Pray With a Proper Motive

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts"—James 4:3.

Here is a case of selfishness and James minces no words about it. He is blunt and pointed in telling us not to expect answers to that kind of prayer.

This type of individual looks upon God as a big welfare department, doling out assistance like a federal giveaway program instead of as our Heavenly Father, giving all that we request to help us run our program.

God wants us to be stewards and ambassadors representing His cause on this planet. When we join His program, He supplies the wherewithal to accomplish His purpose.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #3

Allow the Holy Spirit to Assist You in Praying

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."—Romans 8:26.

• The Holy Spirit convicted and alerted us to our need of a Saviour when we were lost (John 16:7-11).
• He gave us birth into the family of God (John 3:6). 
• He came into our lives and took up abode in our bodies (Romans 8:9-11). 
• He leads us in the path that is in harmony with the Bible (Romans 8:14). 
• He fills us with His presence and power (Ephesians 5:18). 
• He manifests in our lives the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). 
• And finally, He assists us in our praying (Romans 8:26).

We must be conscious of His help and allow Him to impress us with right and wrong things for which to pray. Since He knows what God's will is, the Holy Spirit does not permit us to continue to pray for things outside God's plan, but He will impress us as to what to pray for and when to pray.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles to Getting Your Prayers Answered - #2

Pray According to His Will.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."—I John 5:14-15.

Be careful that you don't let your personal desires lead you astray from God's will. The power of suggestion from others also must be carefully guarded against. Every experience must be tested and analyzed to make sure of His will.

Someone has suggested six tests that will prove God's will in a given situation:

• The test of Scripture. Does it agree with the Bible?
• The test of facts. Do I have enough light on the matter to decide?
• The test of motives. Is the true reason behind my action right and proper?
• The test of time. Is it just a passing fancy that will fade away, or is it a permanent need?
• The test of opportunity. What about open and closed doors?
• The test of peace. Do I have a settled peace about a given matter?

The will of God can be obvious. The salvation of the soul is always His will. (II Pet. 3:9). Second, it is God's will that all His children be sanctified, dedicated Christians. (I Thess. 4:3). Third, it is God's will that we live clean, separated lives. (Rom. 12:2). Fourth, it is God's will that we be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18). 

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

Basic Principles of Getting Your Prayers Answered - #1

Prayer isn't complicated.
Any believer can talk to God and get results. There is no magic formula, no secret code. The Bible simply says "Ask" but it has a dual meaning. It means to ask one time; it also means to keep on asking. We are to ask and ask, and we will keep on receiving and receiving.

The following blog posts will give some basic requirements given in the Bible for getting from God what you ask.

The first one we share today:

A Right Relationship with the Lord

Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). It doesn't say it might be done but it shall be done.

Oliver B. Greene said,
"There are two conditions here that must be met if we expect God to keep His promise: First - "If ye abide in me" and Second - "If...my words abide in you."

Abiding in Christ means full surrender of heart, spirit and body. John R. Rice points out that those who are 'wrapped up' with Christ and His Word will want what Christ wants and thus be able to ask for the desires of their hearts.

—taken from the booklet 'You Can Get Your Prayers Answered' by Dr. Tom Wallace. You can purchase this booklet and read the unabridged version here.

You Can Get Your Prayers Answered

"Ask and ye shall receive."—John 16:24

"Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."—John 15:7

James, the brother of our Lord, said, "Ye have not, because ye ask not" (James 4:2). God has much more for all of us; what a shame we don't take advantage of the privilege we have of asking!

Prayer is not complicated. Any believer can talk to God and get results. There is no magic formula, no secret code. The Bible simply says "Ask" but it has a dual meaning. It means to ask one time; it also means to keep on asking. We are to ask and ask, and we will keep on receiving and receiving.

Dr. R.A. Torrey stated, "Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God."

If that be true, all we need do is determine whether what we ask is in the will of God. If it is, then we can have it. George Mueller, who saw thousands of answers to his prayers, explained how he did it:

1. One must come to complete dependence on the merits of Christ as the only claim of blessing.
2. One must separate himself from any known sin.
3. One must have faith in God's Word.
4. One must ask in accordance with God's will.
5. There must be an importunity or continuous asking and supplication until the answer comes.

These great men were not God's pets with some "in" that the rest of us do not have, for Peter by divine inspiration, said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34).

Who's Approval Matters?

I remember when I was a boy how my dear mother would draw me to herself and speak to me so solemnly of the importance of trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and I would say to her; "Well, Mother, I would like to do it, but the boys will laugh at me."

Mother used to say, "Harry, remember. They may laugh you into Hell, but they can never laugh you out of it."

And oh how that used to go home to me, and it stayed with me all through the years. Yes, men may sneer and ridicule and not understand us as we come out for Christ, but after all, His is the only approval worth having.

—H.A. Ironside

Saturday Sampler - Jed Cartwright and the Lighthouse Mystery

Enjoy a sample of our newest release, Jed Cartwright and the Lighthouse Mystery!

Jed Cartwright and the Lighthouse Mystery-Sample

Home Sweet Home

Home - a world of strife shut out, a world of love shut in.

Home - a place where the small are great, and the great are small.

Home - the father's kingdom, the mother's world, and the children's paradise.

Home - where we grumble the most and are treated the best.

Home - the center of our affection, round which our hearts' best wishes twine.

Home - the place where our stomachs get three square meals a day and our hearts a thousand.

—Charles M. Crowe

Learning From Lincoln

Few people have the tact that President Lincoln had when dealing with a situation that tempts one to use harsh measures.

When the darkest clouds of the Civil War were hovering over the Capitol, many things done by the generals were not approved by either Lincoln or Secretary of War Stanton. Lincoln would take a long time to ponder over new situations, but Stanton would at times lose his temper and explode.

One day, Stanton came to see Lincoln about the doings of a certain general. Listening quietly, Lincoln let Stanton show his anger, and when the latter exclaimed, "I would like to write him a letter and tell him what I think of him!" Lincoln remarked quietly, "Well, why not do so? Sit down and write him a letter, saying all that you have said to me."

Stanton was surprised, for he thought that President Lincoln would object to this. He declared that he would take the president at his word.

Two days later, he brought Lincoln the letter he had written and read it to him. When Stanton had finished, Lincoln smiled and remarked, "That is all right. You have said all you told me you would. Now, what are you going to do with this letter?"

"Why, I am going to send it to him, of course."

"I wouldn't," replied the president quickly. "Throw it in the wastebasket."

"What, after spending two days on it?" exclaimed Stanton.

"Yes, it took you two days to write it, and it did you a lot of good. You feel a great deal better now, and that is all that is necessary."

The letter went into the wastebasket, and Stanton learned an important lesson.

What do you think was the "important lesson" learned from the president? Could it be that he learned the following:

1. Don't react in anger.

2. You don't have to say everything you think.

3. You sometimes can wisely leave well enough alone.

4. Seeking confidential counsel can keep you from making a misstep.

5. Harshness is not a good approach.

6. Kindness seasoned with mercy is always in order.

7. A wrong response to someone else's wrongdoing can make a bad situation even worse.

—Adapted from Capitol Voice

Just How Important is Faith?

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."—Romans 5:1

1. We are saved by faith. (Eph. 2:8,9; Gal. 3:26; Acts 16:30,31)

2. We are justified by faith. (Rom. 3:26-28; 5:1; Gal. 2:16)

3. We are accounted righteous by faith. (Rom. 4:2-8)

4. We are sanctified by faith. (Acts 15:9; 26:18)

5. We live the Christian life by faith. (Rom. 1:17; II Cor. 5:7; Gal. 2:20)

6. We are overcomers by faith. (I John 5:2-4)

7. We are heirs by faith. (Rom. 4:13-16)

Why Should Christians Know the Scriptures?

Knowing the Scriptures

II Timothy 3:14-17—"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

1. It builds up. "And to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up."—Acts 20:32
2. It produces faith. "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."—Romans 10:17
3. It produces fruit. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."—John 15:7
4. It convicts of sin. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword."—Hebrews 4:12
5. It gives peace. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."—Psalm 119:165
6. It corrects wrong. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God...for correction"— II Timothy 3:16
7. It confirms right. "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed."—John 8:31
8. It comforts the heart. "This is my comfort in my affliction."—Psalm 119:50
9. It settles. "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."—Psalm 119:89
10. It keeps us from sin. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."—Psalm 119:11
11. It produces love. "Obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love."—I Peter 1:22
12. It gives warning. "And they are written for our admonition."—I Corinthians 10:11
13. It gives knowledge. "These things have I written unto you...that ye may know."—I John 5:13

Can We Avoid Trial and Error?

You hear it often. We all say it. When we don't know exactly what we're doing, when we can't figure out how to go about something or once we've finally succeeded at something, we shrug and say "It came about through trial and error—a good bit of trial and a lot of error."

A major part of both "trial" and "error" could be avoided if:

1. We gave God His proper place.

2. We did not insist on doing things our own way—in the flesh.

3. We were yielded to the supreme authority of the Word of God.

4. We quit bucking the God-given authorities in our life.

5. We placed a high priority on the local church.

6. We sought answers to our prayers.

7. We would walk a Spirit-filled walk.

It seems pretty silly and a whole lot carnal when you think about it. On things so clearly given in the Scripture, we should cease from the "trial and error" approach and by faith surrender to do exactly what the Lord has said to do.

Why Christians Shouldn't Drink Alcohol, part five

To start reading the series at the beginning, start here.

Drinking Steals the Future From You

"Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant."—Isaiah 56:12

You cannot go hog wild "this day" without having it negatively impact upon "to morrow." Alcohol promises things "more abundant", but its words are lies. If you give it place today, it will rob you of what you might have been in the future.

Conclusions:

Obviously, the Bible says a lot about the consumption of alcohol. Its message is pretty clear to me. In a word, the word is don't. This report on the result of the consumption of alcohol in America is proof positive that all the Bible says about it is true.

If you have been drinking, let me urge you to set it aside, pour it all out, repent before God and admit it is a sin, and then follow the Lord's guidance into an alcohol-free life.

Why Christians Shouldn't Drink Alcohol, part four

Thank you for joining us as we discuss why Christians shouldn't drink alcohol. We recommend you start from the beginning...here!

Alcohol Causes People to Err in Judgment

"But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest  and the prophet have erred through strong drink they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean."—Isaiah 28:7-8

When alcohol gets its hold, as it inevitably will, it creates a crisis. Poor vision, bad judgment, error upon error, vomiting and filth are the results it produces.

Drinking Among Friends Prohibited

"Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! Thou are filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory."—Habakkuk 2:15-16

You are here warned against sharing alcohol with others. This warning comes replete with the unsavory details of what happens when alcohol is included. Shameful things are bound to happen. The sensible thing to do is deal with the cause—just don't drink.

Why Christians Shouldn't Drink Alcohol, Part Three

Thank you for joining us as we discuss why Christians shouldn't drink alcohol. We recommend you start from the beginning of the series...here!

Alcohol Leads You Into Sin

"Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things."—Proverbs 23:33

Adultery easily results when the mind is polluted with alcohol. When the mind is under the control of alcohol, "perverse" things are much more likely to occur.

Alcohol Distorts Reality

"yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."—Proverbs 23:34-35

When you take alcohol into your body, your mind is adversely affected. Who lies "down in the midst of the sea" to take a nap? Who tries to lie down to sleep high atop the rigging of a ship's sails? Only the guy under the influence would do so because his thinking is warped by the alcohol in his system.

Why We Believe Christians Shouldn't Drink Alcohol, part two.

Part two of a five-part series. You can start reading from the beginning here.

Poverty Results From Alcohol

"Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags."—Proverbs 23:20-21

No one becomes a drunkard until that first drink has been taken, but that first drink frequently leads to a second drink and soon to drunkenness. And, yes, gluttony is also a sin. They are mentioned here together because they both are unproductive and are apt to bring you to poverty (leaving you penniless, even homeless.)

God Warns Us—Don't Look in the Wine Cup

"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright."—Proverbs 23:31

Simple enough. Don't look at it. Don't go there. Don't drink it.

Alcohol Is a Deadly Poison

"At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."—Proverbs 23:32

If you are careful, you can play around with snakes for a time and probably not get bitten. But if you continue to play with them, "at the last" they will bite you. Who in his right mind plays with venomous snakes? In that very vein, the Bible warns about the poison of alcohol. It may seem harmless at first, but it will destroy you "at the last."

Why We Believe Christians Shouldn't Drink Alcohol

The Bible Provides the Bedrock on Which Our Position is Built.

While we appreciate the information published by the Post and the Inquirer—abnd as grateful as we are for the study produced by the Centers for Disease Control—that is not the primary reason we have preached with a fervent advocacy against drinking alcohol.

We have built our case and taken our cue from the Holy Scriptures, our precious Bible which is the Word of God. Here are some of the scriptural warnings that should teach us and guide us.

Deception and Mockery

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."—Proverbs 20:1.

Wine is often the gateway to the stronger stuff. It is supposedly a harmless amount of alcohol, but it routinely starts people down the trail to tragedy. And this verse tells us why. It is a mocker and a deceiver! Very simply, it lures you in with false promises and then laughs at you once you're hooked.

Bad News in the Bottle

"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine."—Proverbs 23:29-30

So if you're looking for trouble, just look into a bottle or can where alcohol awaits you. Woe. Contention. Sorrow. Babbling. Wounds without cause. Redness of eyes. That's what you may expect when you give yourself to alcohol.

...start the series at the beginning here!

American's Drinking Themselves to Death!

Two Major Liberal Newspapers Document the Tragedies of Alcohol

Just two days before Christmas 2015, the article from the Washington Post was reprinted in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Both of these big-city newspapers brandished the headline and then gave meticulous detail of this entrenched national tragedy. These papers are certainly not Christian. No one would accuse them of some fundamental Baptist bias or attack them as "Bible thumpers." But the article was forthright in its presentation of the facts.

They report that "new federal data" shows death from "alcohol-induced causes" last year (2014) was more than thirty thousand people. In addition, when you include death from drunk driving and other accidents and homicides where drinking is a factor, the total "would be closer to ninety thousand."

The Sword of the Lord has been relentless through all the years in exposing the dangers of alcohol as well as the evil associated with it. For our stand, we have been branded as fanatical by a variety of people. Despite the fact that our views on alcohol are unpopular with a lot of people, we have continued to speak loudly and speak often about it.

Now we have the Centers for Disease Control and two very liberal, secular papers who are providing this evidence for the public that makes our position look very good.

A Lot of Christians Have Gone Soft on Alcohol.

Many Christians now try to rationalize the use of alcohol in moderation. 

Such thinking is not sound. Furthermore, it flies in the face of some very clear Bible instructions against it.

In this day, we do not need to give into the liquor lobby and to the carnal propensities of the flesh. We need to be standing up, speaking clearly, and sounding off against alcohol in all its forms.

...to be continued.