Ministry of Helps Online

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.” Genesis 12: 1

We often speak of faith, hear preaching or teaching on faith, talk about someone having faith. But when I look at the life of Abraham in the Old Testament we find a man of faith. Abraham is known in the Scriptures as being a great man of faith. When we think of Abraham’s trademark we think of faith. When I survey his life I cannot help but to think: Talk about Faith! This is a man who left his homeland of the Ur of the Chaldees to look for a land who builder and maker was God. Here is a man who trusted God for a promised Son! One who ultimately took his only son upon Mount Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice as commanded by the Lord! His great faith started here in Genesis 12, with him having to trust God to leave him homeland, his kindred to look for a destination unknown. Abram had to step out by faith and believe God’s Word.  God molded and shaped his faith through little mountain tops of faith throughout his life. In Genesis 22, we find the “Mount Everest” of faith, when he was willing to take his son, Isaac and offer him as a living sacrifice to the Lord. But thank God he intervened and found a ram in the thicket to take the place of his Son! We must be willing to be men and women of faith and step out by faith and trust God’s Word and promises. It is through these situations in his life that God taught him to trust Him for everything. Abraham’s life is not perfect there is times of doubt and loss of patience waiting upon the Lord. But in the end we can look at his life and say, Talk about Faith!

It was this verse that the Lord spoke to my heart concerning leaving my present job of eight years. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But the Lord opened a new door of opportunity in a new place of employment. As the song writer wrote, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at His Word!” It is a life-long process of these little moments of faith so that one day we can face that “Mount Everest” of faith. One day someone might look back and your life and say, Talk about Faith!

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 5:13

We certainly are living in the last days. The Lord is soon to return! One thing we need to make sure of  is where we are going to spend eternity. Have you ever stopped and thought about where you are going to spend eternity? Everyone will spend eternity in one of two places: heaven or hell. Where we spend eternity solely depends on what we do with Jesus Christ. Often when I witness to someone about the Lord Jesus, I will ask them one question. “Are you 100% sure if you were to die right now, that you would go to heaven?”  Would it surprise you if I told you you can know for sure that heaven is your home, and the Lord is your Savior? The Apostle John wrote in I John 5:13, that we can “know” that we have eternal life! I’m glad that I KNOW the Lord Jesus and KNOW for sure that heaven is my home. I was quoting this verse the other day to someone, and I told them that I was not be arrogant about the matter of salvation, I was just taking God at His Word! God promises eternal life to those who trust Him for salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Wouldn’t you like to be 100% sure of where you are going to spend eternity? If so, why not repent of your sins and trust Christ as your personal Savior! He will save you today and secure heaven as your home! The Bible tells us in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

“Till I come, give attendance to reading… I Timothy 4:13

I was thinking the other day, how often I hear how someone just doesn’t like to read. Every once in a while I run across a preacher that doesn’t like to read! My how they are missing out! It was during my devotions that I ran across this particular Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy instructing him to give himself to reading. I was numbered with those who didn’t like to read until I started attending Bible College. It was the advise of one of my professors, to “learn to love  reading.” With that advise I “learned” to love reading books by great men of God. Let me say that this reading does not take away from the daily reading of the Scriptures. The greatest book ever written was God’s book, the Word of God. I suggest every child of God surround themselves with good books by men of God who walked with God and knew God. I have several book shelves filled with good books. I would like to have more! The majority of them I have read, a few I hope to read in the future.

In II Timothy 4:13, the Apostle Paul is set to be executed by the evil emperor Nero. In this verse he makes a request for several items. “The clock that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.” Paul ask for his cloke because he was cold. Secondly, he ask that they bring his books! But especially the parchments. The parchment were the Scriptures at that time.  The Apostle Paul requested his books and the Word of God!

With all of this I would like to suggest a ministry to you. If you are looking for good books at great prices. I recommend Well of Grace Ministries. Bro. Dan Helvey has some great books available for purchase. He visited our church a couple of months ago and brought some of his books. I told him that on two tables he had more books worth having than your average “Christian” book store! I bought a stack myself! So visit his website and if you are looking for a particular book or a good book on a particular subject email him. I plan to add an online store to his site in the future, but for now if you would like to purchase some good books drop him an email. I know he would be delighted to help you out. If you would like to ask me about some good books that I would recommend just let me know.

www.wellofgrace.net

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” John 6:66

I have always thought it was interesting that the verse, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” is John 6:66. The number six in the Bible is the number of man. Man was created on the sixth day of creation. Man sinned in the garden. The first Adam fell in the Garden of Eden; but thank God for the second Adam, the Lord Jesus! God made a way when there was no way (John14:6). Six is just short of seven, seven being perfection or completion. Man falls short of God’s Glory! Also the number of the coming antichrist will be 666, the number of man. Something to think about…

I have come to realize, during this time of year, that many people are hurting. When we think of this time of year, most of us think of Christmas parades, plays and presents. But here recently the Lord has brought the fact to my attention of the hurt that some individuals are experiencing this year. Some are struggling financially, physically, and mentally. The sluggish economy is affecting everyone. People this year are unable to purchase gifts like in years gone by (this is including me!). Others are going through battles physically. Some are experiencing illness or illness of a love one. Many will be affected mentally this year. Perhaps the death of a love one. Or the holiday may bring back the feeling of missing a departed love one. I didn’t write this to depress you! The Lord is still good! But I just wanted to share with you what the Lord has laid on my heart.

What can we do about all this? Turn your hurt and burdens over to the Lord, because He cares. The Bible tells us in I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you”. The Apostle Peter tell us to “cast” our cares upon the Lord! Let the Lord carry the load!  Lastly, I think we ought to keep in mind the fact that people are hurting. Christian need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, by doing so we could be used to help someone else. Maybe just to be an encouragement. Something to think about…

This morning I filled the pulpit for Pastor Issac McDuffie at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Bassett, VA. I love these dear people, they have been such a blessing to this preacher. I have been filling the pulpit for Bro. McDuffie for several years now. I appreciate his kindness and trust that he has in me to serve in this capacity. I filled in some before Bro. McDuffie was called as Tabernacle’s Pastor. I was so surprised when after taking the Pastorate he invited me to fill for him! What a blessing! These dear folk has been such an encouragement and help to me. I always enjoy being a part of the services! Thank you Tabernacle for the opportunity and privilege to preach to you. Pray for Pastor McDuffie and his wife as they travel back some today and return some time Tuesday. May the Lord bless Tabernacle Baptist work for the Lord!

It has certainly been a busy week. I filled the pulpit for my Pastor Sunday night, Monday night was Bible College, Tuesday night was play practice, and tonight (Wed) is Discovery Kids and Teen Discovery at Church! Hallelujah!!! Sometimes I get tired but I thank God for the health and strength to serve the Lord.  All this while still working 40 hours on my job at Walmart as a bike assembler (extra busy this time of year!). Sunday night I preached on the parable of the Great Supper in Luke chapter 14. The parable in this chapter is dealing with the great supper which is a picture of salvation’s call down through the centuries. Thank God we have all been invited to salvation in Jesus Christ! But the fact we have been invited is not enough we must accept the invitation. The servant in this parable declares to the man after being sent to the streets and lanes and bring in the guest, “yet there is still room”. There is still an opportunity to trust Christ as Saviour! The Lord Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Away with the excuses as was the case in this parable. They will not stand in the day of judgment!

The other week this particular Scripture came to mind, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20). One word stand out to me in this verse, and that word is righteousness. Righteousness means simply right living. In my opinion one thing missing from professing Christians today is righteousness!  The word righteousness means holy, decent, upright. As Christians we should life a righteous lifestyle. We should life a holy, decent and upright life. I don’t know about you but I am shocked sometimes when someone tells me they are a Christian! The shock is because of the language, conduct and lifestyle of the individual. Listen, when you tell someone you are a Christian, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise to them! Your lifestyle should reflect a life of righteousness. The Lord Jesus declared in this verse that unless our righteousness far exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees that we would in no case enter into heaven. The Lord was referring to the “self-righteousness” of the Scribes and Pharisees. They had an outward righteousness. The Pharisees were very religious. But inwardly they were unconverted. The Bible tell us in Isaiah 64:6, that our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”. The very best that we can do ourselves is not good enough. The very best “righteousness” that we can produce will not get us into heaven. The answer to all this is to accept the Lord Jesus’ righteousness! The Word of God tell us in Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” God has already made a way to heaven. His name is Jesus Christ! Accept him today and be clothed in His righteousness and live for Him.

This is the first blog for my new website. I am excited to finally be able to publish this new site. Although, it is still a work in progress. One of the “rules” of publishing a website is not to publish it until you are 100% complete.  Let it be known that I have broken that rule. Ministry of Helps Online is a work in progress. The Lord laid this upon my heart several months ago. Ministry of Helps Online has two functions. First, it is to be a website for the Towler family. I plan to post several devotional thoughts and sermon outlines. I will later add a “sermons” page to include some of the best sermons.  Second, it is to be a central point of reference for those looking for help, whether it someone concerned about eternity, the Christian life, or perhaps some area of Christian ministry. My purpose to make some of my favorite and most helpful ministry sites on the internet available for everyone.  I look for this site to be a place that possibly could lead others to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus is by far the best help that anyone could ever receive!