The etymology of the word is interesting.

It derives from “ratio,” a Latin noun meaning “reckoning,” maybe better yet, “reasoning.”

And rationalism (in American culture) has become a way of life. Almost a religion!

Essentially it means man “leaning to one’s own understanding, a peson doing his or her own thinking.”

Yet Proverbs 28:26 clearly proclaims: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.”

Folks, there is another way of thinking. Another worldview. One that’s mandatory for us Believers.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

The Bible feels so strongly about this issue that it actually tells us (not just how to thing) WHAT to think!

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Our detractors call this “mind control, brainwashing.”

The Bible calls it a “renewed mind.”

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

Wow!

Yes, Christianity involves more than a single trip down the aisle!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Rationalism, man’s secular religion of today … leads straight to Hell!

Christianity, on the other hand … a whole new way of thinking … leads straight to Heaven!

Your choice …

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Newspaper?

Newscast?

News Flash?

A News Channel?

I fear that in today’s perverted culture all such designations may be a little “off.” A misnomer! Not that recent events are not (at times) reported, but they are twisted and interpreted through the lens of social liberalism, of political activism.

Proverbs 26:6 gives focus to what I am trying to say: “He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.”

Our “news” messengers today are largely fools! Based on this definition anyway: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works.” Psalm 14:1

A Truth so important God repeats it in Psalm 53:1 … “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity.”

Yes, many “newsmen” and (of course) “newswomen” (otherwise often known as sexy “models”) are not that reliable when it comes to objective journalism.

To heed their “advice” (which has become the essence of newscasting), their “worldview,” the “philosophy” they learned in some godless university … is like “cutting off your own feet!” Or drinking a glass of “poison!”

The solution?

I don’t know.

But I’ve quit reading newspapers.

And watching the “News.”

I use a conservative Internet source or two, otherwise I would not know who is president!

I find myself reading and studying the Bible more. Which, after all, is more up-to-date (and far more accurate) that any mainstream news rag published in our land today.

I do not want to drink their poison.

I do not want my feet amputated.

But Preacher, reading the Bible will tell you nothing about the United States of America!

Right … this apostate country is Biblically quite “incidental” … if recognized at all.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“Let God be true, but every man a liar.” Romans 3:4 (It really matters which “messenger” you hear!)

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Listen to the Apostle Paul: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“Down, but not out!”

And Paul, years later finished his Christin life “with joy” and “with stamina,” having not quit! I’ll show you this in a minute, Bible proof.

“Ups” and “downs,” lots of them at times … but no sustained “stopping” at all!

Solomon well captured this concept … “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

The Hebrew verb “falleth” used here means to completely hit the ground, flat on one’s face! The milder verb “shall fall” means merely “to totter,” or “to stumble!”

The godly man falls hard and gets up again!

The wicked man stumbles and then never regains balance, hitting the ground hard. And stays there, badly incapacitated!

The lost world calls this “staying power” resilience, the Bible calls it “perseverance, endurance,” or even (in the New Testament) “patience.”

And where does one get such faithfulness, determination, steadfastness?

Paul can answer that for us, too: “Being confident of this very thing, that HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6, where the One having begun that good work is None Other than Almighty God! Our Heavenly Father!

Wow!

Yes, Paul was determined to say it, at life’s end … “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

And he did say it, truthfully.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Anyone reading here today having recently fallen? And you’re a child of God? Then GET UP! Maybe even GET UP AGAIN!

And get (back) busy, serving the Lord!

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Remember we’re on our new schedule now, Bible Study every day, but only half the mornings here on the Website. The other days, the Book of Hebrews taught on video! Those are accessible on both YouTube and Facebook.

Let’s all stay “in” the Word, the Word of God!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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A verse from today’s Proverbs chapter (the chapter that numerically matches the day of the month) captivated me. And frightened me a little as well!

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3

We Christians long to be that “prudent,” a Hebrew adjective that can mean “skilled” but often means “crafty.” (Not deceitful, just shrewd, sensible, aware.)

The noun “evil” is spelled “ra” (pronounced “rah”) and most often means “wickedness,” but nearly as often: “adversity, affliction, trouble, harm!”

As in “calamity, misery” maybe even God’s “judgment” on a land or a people.

To “hide” oneself suggests taking proper precaution to evade (if possible) the approaching “hoofbeats” of catastrophe.

The “simple” man, foolish and naïve and unobservant, misses all the “clues” and is plunged right into the vortex of collapse!

The point today?

“Evil is coming” for (to) the United States of America!

Judgment is on the way.

The Bible is clear.

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

Is there a way we Believers in Jesus, we practicing Christians, can foresee the approaching “evil” and prepare ourselves?

What food for thought!

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Lord God, we ask Thee to give us this “prudence, wisdom, discernment!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Financial failure may be one of the first blows we will endure! And that’s just an example I think. With many other bad situations following in its wake.

We as a Nation well may be about to learn the meaning of these quaint words: “the good old days!”

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