Last Friday I was waking through a place called “Rock City.” The trail suddenly became “narrow.” And the following thoughts came to  mind …

Today’s Bible Lesson …

The Christian life is often compared to a “way” of travel, as in the hymn “Marching to Zion.” In fact, in Acts 9:2 it seems that “this way” was a slanderous “nickname” for those collectively following Jesus. And in Acts 22:4 Saul of Tarsus (pre-conversion Paul) said: “And I (Saul) desired of him (the High Priest) letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of THIS WAY, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound (under arrest, in chains) unto Jerusalem.”

Jesus Himself knew that comparatively speaking those who loved Him (and walked in His Way) would always be in the “minority.” He even said so, in His great Sermon on the Mount! “Strait is the gate, and NARROW is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14

It takes humility (lowliness) to walk through that gate, to pursue that way! “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:25-26, where a “needle’s eye” seems to be pretty small, narrow! Rich men, apart from the working of the Holy Spirit, are often BIG in their own eyes, NOT humble, as a general rule.

If you are saved, have seen the light, praise God! Listen to Luke 13:24. “Strive to enter in at the strait (narrow) gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

Yet all this being said …

I would still like to revel in the fact that we have a “whosoever will” Gospel to preach!

The “door” to the Old Testament Tabernacle was WIDE! Almost disproportionately so! Thirty feet wide, twenty cubits! And the whole eastern side of the Tabernacle was only seventy-five feet wide, fifty cubits! Fellowship with God was encouraged, obviously!

And Jesus’ Death?

It was for not an exclusive few … but the whole world! “And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD.” At least John thought so, 1st John 2:2.

In one sense “narrow.”

In another sense, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

This I am saying … if you are IN … worship God from the bottom of your heart!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

If this Lesson has been a special blessing to you in any way, or an encouragement, text me with a short message to that effect … at 770-844-7627, my cell number. I would love hearing from someone today, one of our readers.

 

Pastor Tim Fluty of the Garrison Creek Baptist Church near Connersville, Indiana

The brief Text Message arrived late last night. From the Pastor where I preached last week in Revival Meeting … near the city of Connersville, Indiana.

It briefly read: “Three souls saved this morning. Revival fires still burning!”

Needless to say, my heart was thrilled.

I am reminded of Paul’s divinely inspired words in Romans 10:13. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Or the answer to that ages old question (“What must I do to be saved?”) as recorded in Acts 16:31. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

Or, maybe better yet, Jesus’ Words in John 5:24. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

The “key” word in each of the cited Verses involves FAITH.

Here’s an even fuller statement, set of instructions: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

It encourages me just knowing that God worked again yesterday (as He does every day) saving souls and encouraging His people.

Hallelujah!

Oh yes, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, here’s maybe the most important question you will ever be asked …  ARE YOU SAVED?

 

 

Debbie and I one year visited a lovely North Carolina Park called “Grandfather Mountain!” But I chose this photo to especially show you the rocks (in the foreground) and trees (in the background). Keep reading and you will understand why …

Today’s Bible thought …

Years ago I saw a used book about trees, specifically trees in the Bible. Then again a few weeks (or was it months) ago I saw a book about trees in general, the benefit they are to society, critically so. And just a few days ago I remembered these three pictures.

Yes, once in Jesus’ Day a (blind) man our Lord healed actually described men as “trees!” (Until Jesus touched him again, that is!) “And he looked up, and said, I see MEN AS TREES, walking.” Mark 8:24, word for word, from the King James Version. Men compared to, likened to trees!

Now I am remembering Psalm 1, that beautiful description of the godly man who “meditates” in the Word, day and night! The Holy Spirit says of him … “And he shall be LIKE A TREE planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3, Wow! This applies to ladies, too.

And now the idea of wind and trees? Yes, once the Holy Spirit (symbolized as “wind,” a soft “breeze”) indicated to David the right time to attack an enemy! How? By gently “going” (“blowing”) in the tops of some nearby mulberry trees! This is meticulously recorded in 2nd Samuel 5:23. “When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the MULBERRY TREES, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.” The “sound of a going,” a thrust of wind! Trees cooperating with the Spirit of God! So should we, for sure!

This tree, on a mountain top in North Carolina, has been so influenced by the prevailing winds that it has grown with all its limbs yielding to the power of those breezes! That’s submission!

Again I remind you of our Lesson topic: “Men as trees!”

But Psalm 92 is even more detailed! “The righteous shall flourish like the PALM TREE: he shall grow like a CEDAR in Lebanon. Those that be PLANTED in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock.” Psalm 92:12-15, if you want to know the exact verses.

This massive oak is literally growing out of rock! Jesus is our Rock!

And Jesus (in His Preaching) used “trees” as object Lessons often. “Even so every good TREE bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt TREE bringeth forth evil fruit. A good TREE cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt TREE bring forth good fruit.” A whole book could be written about this theme, “Spiritual Lessons trees can teach us!” I just used our Lord’s Words from Matthew 7:17-18.

My goal today … I eagerly want us all to begin seeing TREES as “object lessons,” revealing their Creator’s Power and Glory and Truth. One reason being … trees are nearly everywhere … constant reminders of spiritual realities!

Yes … Trees!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, whole books have already been written about the many lessons trees can share with us Christians. Phillip Keller’s little volume entitled “As a Tree Grows” comes to mind. It’s good, too.

 

 

This is a Bible, King James Version, printed in 1613. And I held it in my hands! A priceless Document, beyond doubt. This photo was made in our motel room, in Connersville, Indiana, two or three years ago.

The Bible, God’s Holy Word! That’s about all I ever heard that Old Book called, growing up in rural South Carolina. Mom and Dad both revered the Scriptures, and taught us children to do so as well.

I’m thinking of a verse in Isaiah. God is speaking: “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” And “trembling” is the Hebrew word “chared,” literally “fearful!” Yes, a lowly man who deeply respects God’s Word … will have God’s “Eye” upon Him, in a good sense. It’s Isaiah 66:2, friends.

And Psalm 12:6 teaches us: “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Wow! “Pure” here means “clean!”

Psalm 119:89 adds: “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”

Jesus believed and preached, John 10:35, “The scripture cannot be broken.” The verb “be broken” is “luo,” can never be “dissolved, unloosed, destroyed!”

And I do remember this, a warning repeated throughout all the Bible. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall ADD unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” This again is Jesus talking, folks, Revelation 22:18-19.

Men by the dozens have died that we might have God’s Word in our English tongue.

Yes, I counted it an honor to bring that old Bible home with me … just for that single night.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

I made this picture several months ago in Florida, just north of Pensacola. This cotton field was indeed “white,” waiting for the harvest!

Today’s Bible Thought …

It occurred in John chapter 4, the event we now call “The Woman at the Well” Story. A lady of questionable background. She had met Jesus at a well. Near the Noon hour, in fact, an oddity within itself.

But she soon found a different Kind of Water!

She trusted Jesus as Messiah, her Saviour … and ran back into town to tell everyone!

Not much later she returned … bringing folks with her.

Here’s what she told the crowd, to get them to “follow.”

“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” John 4:29

What happened next?

“Then they (the local people) went out of the city, and came unto him.” John 4:30, on their way to meet Jesus!

And it was at this point, as the multitude approached our Lord, coming out of the City through the grain fields (crops that would not be “ripe” or “white” for four more months) …

Jesus asked His Disciples: “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, LIFT UP YOUR EYES, and LOOK on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35

I really believe dozens of people (in white robes, the common dress of that day) were marching to Jesus! Across the fields of “corn!”

Look!

Look!

Look!

Fields still green (or brown) with grain, prematurely “white” unto harvest!

People, needing the Lord!

Approaching the Son of God!

Trusting He is Messiah!

And that term, “white unto harvest,” has now come into our vocabulary, generally expressing something that is “ready for the picking!”

EVERY TIME I SEE A COTTON FIELD, ONE WHITE WITH THE FRUIT OF THOSE LITTLE PLANTS … I THINK OF JOHN 4:35, OF PEOPLE NEEDING JESUS!

Oh, Lord … help us be soul winners, for Jesus’ Sake.

Remember what Solomon said in Proverbs 11:30 … “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Friend, I suspect YOU know somebody right now who is “near” accepting Jesus!

“Not far from the Kingdom of God!”

Ripe, “white” unto harvest!

Go tell them, one more time, about our Saviour!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell