This old saying essentially means that the best way to find out if something is good is to test it for yourself. 

On occasion, when Jesus was on earth, someone would show interest in His Person, in His Ministry.

His Response at times seems to have been: “Come and See.” He said that once on record in fact, John 1:39.

In other words, “the proof is in the pudding.” I would go this far, as did David of old … “O taste and see that the LORD is good.” Psalm 34:8

But there is another Biblical way to examine reality …

1 John 2:29 … “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.”

The proof is in this pudding, too!

A man says he is righteous.

That’s fine.

But if he merely SAYS he is righteous and then lives an ungodly life, his profession (testimony) is null and void, empty!

So Christian friends … the proof is again in the pudding, so to speak. If a person claims to be a Christian … watch his life, “taste” his life, listen to his prayers, try his spirit.

And if he is genuine … the “taste” will match the “testimony!”

Are you saved?

Are you living like it?

What kind of “taste” are you leaving in the mouths of those around you?

I suggest that (using Peter’s words now) … “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” … you will also leave graciousness in your path!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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The Title Line here is a quote from Paul, Ephesians 4:14. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.”

James also uses a similar word picture, both men employing nautical terms I believe. “Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm (rudder), whithersoever the governor (pilot, captain) listeth.” James 3:4, his great “tongue” paragraph!

Looks like some kind of “storm” has come. With its gales and dangers and terrors. One that can blow a ship “off course” in a hurry. Or worse!

What do you do when faced with such peril?

I read in a devotional book earlier today (“Streams in the Desert”) where an old, experienced seaman said, “When in a storm, set your course, determine your heading … and stay with it!”

Good advice!

Paul the New Testament Apostle, often in a storm himself, writes … “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed.” Compass set … no deviation … I sail toward the “One in Whom I have believed!”

And the dear Old Testament Patriarch Job, maybe in the greatest Bible storm of all (outside of Jesus on the Cross) writes … “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15, that’s setting a course and sticking with it for sure!

So today dear reader, if your life is foggy and fearful and uncertain … set your inner compass toward Jesus! And stay with Him! “Steadfast, unmoveable!”

“Looking unto Jesus!”Hebrews 12:2

You will never shipwreck heading toward the Rock of Ages!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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I found this interesting Line of Scripture earlier this morning. And the Lord used it to preach me a little Sermon. Particularly about this Nation, the so-called United States of America.

“Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD?” Proverbs 30:9 is actually part of a prayer. “Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches.” So asked this wise Dad trying to teaching his son godly wisdom.

Can you feel the apprehension here?

He (Solomon in his good days) knows that one can have “too much” in this life. So much that he feels no longer “needy” in any area!

Think of the Laodicean Church … “Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” (Revelation 3:17) And apparently that rather lukewarm “nothing” included the Lord Jesus Christ!

I wonder sometimes if our Country has been so blessed with abundance … so “full” … that we have denied the Lord!

That we now wonder “Who is the Lord?” He is surely less known that He once was in our Land.

Of course God can remedy that situation. He can take away our plentitude, can’t He?

Then maybe we would again “seek His Face.”

Or is it too late even for that?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17

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This Phrase is taken from today’s Proverbs chapter, that being Proverbs 28:2 to be exact.

“FOR THE TRANSGRESSION OF A LAND!”

The transgression (“pesha” in Hebrew meaning “rebellion”) of a land?

But everyone knows … land cannot sin! At least not the dirt, the rocks that constitute it physically!

But, and here is the real meaning of this String of Words, the inhabitants of the land can sin, can transgress!

The people can sin!

If this is so, and it is, America is in trouble!

Sexual perversion.

Aborting babies by the millions.

And not just ignoring God any more, but actively rebelling against Him and His Word!

Our Land too (I mean right now) is a Country (proudly it seems) transgressing against God.

And God will hold our Land (our people, us) accountable!

Lord we pray … “In Thy wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Jesus spoke these very words from the old rugged Cross two thousand years ago. In John 19:28, King James Version … “I THIRST!”

He had been hanging there for six hours, dehydrating every minute no doubt. He WAS thirsty!

Jesus was also fulfilling Bible Prophecy!

Two Psalms specifically come to mind …

“My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” Psalm 22:15, the Psalm of the Crucifixion!

Also Psalm 69:21 … “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Also Messianic!

This kind of Thirst can be torturous, if acute. Deadly, if unsatisfied. And Jesus was dying as He uttered that thirsty Cry!

The story is told (I first read it in a little devotional booklet named “Baptist Bread”) of a dying confederate soldier on a Civil War battlefield. He lay between the two opposing armies, the North and the South, right in the middle of that brutal conflict!

As he was expiring he kept crying out in obvious agony, Water! Water! Water!” Please someone … “Water, Water, Water!”

A brave union officer said to his troops (with the battle raging) “I am talking that dying man some water!”

His comrades said, “You will be killed if you leave this trench. Shot upon sight! There’s a war going on around you!”

But up he jumped, canteen in hand, heading for the dying boy. As soon as he was seen … I suspect holding that canteen high and clearly visible … all shooting ceased!

The conflict quieted long enough for the captain to reach the thirst soldier and give him all he could drink. He slaked that gnawing thirst! Then turned, and went back to his men! (Thirsty no more!)

That’s right, miraculously (or mercifully), not a shot was fired until he reached safety!

The power of THIRST!

Wow!

Now back to JESUS! Who is of course a much greater hero! Who is our Saviour!

He thirsted too, dying. But He was raised from the grave … and offers to us that very thing He so needed on the Cross … WATER!

The water of Life!

An inexhaustibvle supply!

“Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Also … “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38, Jesus talking!

Again, Jesus to a woman at a well … “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

The once THIRSTY Jesus is now the Supplier of water to all who come! And I do mean “all.”

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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