Posted May 12, 2008
LET US PRAY FOR OUR PASTOR
In the light of the emphasis on REVIVAL at the Bible Believer's Fellowship
CHURCH, centered on EAST Route 20 in Tallahassee, much mention has been made
in our midst of the need to be sure to undergird the effort with prayer.
One very important element of that prayer must be to pray for our spiritual
shepherd, leading the way, in a very enthusiastic way. If you have heard Pastor
Young's messages of late, you can tell he is dead serious on calling his people
to pray and expect REVIVAL. WHAT A DIFFERENCE A GOD-SENT REVIVAL COULD MAKE
IN ALL OF OUR LIVES, and it would spread to the community.
The special time of prayer and fasting begins on Monday, May 12 and will continue
until June 20.
Each person knowing about this could participate in praying each day for 30
days and fasting for six hours each day, according to their own choice.
Pastors are especially vulnerable to attacks from God’s enemies. Satan does
not want this effort to be successful.
BE COURAGEOUS! BE STRONG! BE FAITHFUL! BE A PLAYER!
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted April 27, 2008
YOUR PHONE IS RINGING AGAIN!
Well, not really! Last week when you read the “Thought to Consider”, you found
that the subject of REVIVAL was very much the main theme.
Lest you forget, we want you to be reminded that the desire for REVIVAL at
“Bible Believer’s Fellowship” ON Route 20, is very much alive. Pastor Dennis
Young and leaders of the church are living in expectation of a true REVIVAL!
All people are welcome…those who have not accepted Christ as Savior, those
who are very faithful disciples of Christ and those who pretend to be Christians
because they go to church and may put an offering in the plate.
We are dealing with extremely serious matters when we talk with you about
being a true Christian and when as a Christian, you are attempting to live
as Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will
be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).
Talk it up! Pray about it! Ask God to reveal to you what He wants you to do.
We will see you there!
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted April 21, 2008
THE “WATCHWORD” IS 30/6
At the end of this month of April, Pastor Dennis Young, leaders and members
at “Bible Believers Fellowship Church” on Route 20, west of town, have adopted
the “30/6” expression as the goal and means of pleasing the Lord.
The numbers indicate 30 days of prayer and 6 hours a day of fasting, during
those days, beginning perhaps early May, to seek God’s face so that He can
do a profound spiritual work among us, called REVIVAL. We expect that many
people can also come to Christ.
This does not mean just a set of meetings, but rather a deep work of sanctification,
becoming more holy before the Lord, of every person in the congregation and
the satellite churches.
Everyone may have a part and 100% participation is desirable. Watch for further
information and if we meet God’s requirement, our church can make great strides
in becoming more like Jesus Christ.
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted April 14, 2008
WHOM DO YOU HAVE FOR NEIGHBORS?
Fellow believer in Christ as personal Savior! Have you looked around and considered
who your neighbors are? They are many and varied, it is true, but be they
“red, yellow, black or white” many of them are a special “breed.”
To belong to that special group of people, one has to be born of the Spirit
of God, washed by faith thoroughly in the blood of Christ shed at Calvary’s
Cross outside of Jerusalem, almost two thousand years ago. They are royal
because they are children of God and brothers of King Jesus.
To you, some of them may not appear to be that great or that desirable, but
by Divine decree they are of the very highest quality because they have been
purchased by Christ Jesus. Their problem may be a lack of the practice of
grace in their life.
Personally, we may not know a large percentage of Chrisians in this world,
but we are all part of the royal family and the great thing is that we will
spend eternity with them in the presence of the eternal God.
Does the above help you to appreciate your fellow Christians and the One who
made it all possible? I hope so! It does for me!
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted April 7, 2008
SERVING TWO MASTERS
The story is told of a young American, during the Civil War, who was not sure
whether he should support and fight for the Union, or fight for the Confederacy.
Impossible to come to a decision, he chose to wear part of his uniform in
the Union blues, and part of it in the gray of the Confederacy.
What do you think happened? Since he did not dress in a way that his true
loyalty was evident, both armies attempted to kill him.
That tale may seem preposterous, but the soldier’s actions were very similar
to what some professing “Christians” do. They say they love God. They attend
church regularly and even have a part in filling the collection plates on
Sunday. The sad fact is that during the week, in their regular personal, educational
or business pursuits, it would be difficult to determine where their loyalties
really lie.
The Scripture speaks to that problem. Jesus and the apostles recognized during
their ministries the duplicity in the way many, while claiming to be Christians,
lived their lives in a way to confuse any who observed them carefully.
Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other
(Matthew 6:24). The apostle Paul wrote:
“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)
Fellow Christian, be honest now and ask yourself how well you measure up to
the passages in bold print above? Are you primarily loyal to the Lord Jesus
Christ?
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Mar 24, 2008
ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS
Part
I - Jesus' Concern for People
Part II - Jesus Faces Severe Opposition
Part
III - Jesus Fulfills His Ministry at the Cross of Calvary
In our brief consideration of the last days Jesus Christ spent upon the earth,
we now come to the culmination where God’s beloved Son showed His love for
humanity in a powerful way.
The Savior knew exactly what awaited Him upon the Cross, but He did not shirk
His responsibility, for His experience upon the Cross had been in God’s plan
from before the Creation of the universe.
My suggestion to you who read this article on a regular basis would be for
you to read carefully the four accounts of the crucifixion that you will find
in the four gospels.
I trust you will be deeply moved by all you read and that your life will be
sanctified in compliance with Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17 – “Sanctify
them by thy truth, your word is truth
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Mar 18, 2008
ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS
Part
I - Jesus' Concern for People
Part II - Jesus Faces Severe Opposition
Part III - Jesus Fulfills His Ministry at the Cross of Calvary
If you have been reading this series “A Thought to Consider”, you will note
that the format for these next three weeks will be changed in order to give
emphasis to the “greatest story ever told” about the greatest Person who ever
walked on the earth, namely JESUS CHRIST.
When one really thinks about the events of what is called the “Holy Week”,
that is, from Jesus’ visit with Lazarus and his sisters (John 12) to the time
He was upon the Cross of Calvary, the opposition He knew during His ministry
years intensified.
The unbelieving Jewish leaders opposed His teaching; His own people Israel
manifested their hypocrisy; He was falsely put on trial at the urging of the
Jewish mockers; He was denied by Peter; and betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
All the above resistance to the Lord, so full of grace, is hard to believe,
since He had done so much good during His three year ministry and did much
to help and bless people during the Holy Week.
Let us be careful to remember all God’s Son withstood in order to complete
His redemptive work for those who would accept it.
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Mar 11, 2008
ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS
Part I - Jesus' Concern for People
Part II - Jesus Faces Severe Opposition
Part III - Jesus Fulfills His Ministry at the Cross of Calvary
If you have been reading the series "A Thought to Consider", you
will have noted that the format for the next three weeks will be changed in
order to give emphasis to the "greatest story ever told" about the
greatest Person who ever walked on the earth, namely, Jesus Christ.
Jesus' concern for people is dramatically illustrated by the Lord setting
His face toward Jerusalem, at the end of His ministry, knowing full well that
it would end by His giving His life. He was concerned for His chosen people,
the Israelites, and wanted to make them one last offer to accept Him as King
of the Jews. His love for people included thousands of Gentiles who were living
in Jerusalem at the time: "O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem...how often
would I have gathered thy children, together, even as a hen gathereth her
chickens under under wings, and ye would not" (Matt. 23:37).
Though the events of His last week on earth occurred almost 2,000 years ago,
His boundless love made it all possible and is applicable to us today. How
have you responded?
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Mar 01, 2008
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR TRUTH
Yes! It is true. Our fellow-citizens by the millions are looking for spiritual
Truth. The problem is that they know neither where to find Truth, nor can
they recognize it, and are often unwilling to accept it.
It is not difficult to note that Americans are feverishly looking for change.
They change jobs; they change residence, and they change spouses at an unbelievable
rate, but they are also changing “religions.” In a recent survey of 35,000
people by the “Pew Forum on Religion”, it has been found that 28% of them
have left the “faith” of their childhood. If one considers the changes within
Protestantism, the figure rises to 44%. One out of ten Americans are former
Catholics.
What explains that situation? First, they have not found satisfaction in existing
churches or religious societies. Second, there are relatively so few groups
that consistently feature Jesus Christ, His teachings and His death and resurrection,
as the focus and key basis of all Truth found in the Holy Bible. Jesus authoritatively
said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
Americans are restlessly searching. What a great opportunity for us who know
Christ as Savior and have found total satisfaction in Him! Let us be more
and more aggressive, double, triple or even more in our evangelism, prayer
and mentoring of those who have committed themselves to Christ, so that these
searching souls can have the same peace and eternal promises that we know
by God’s grace.” Business as usual is not God’s plan.
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Feb 25, 2008
"I HAVE FAITH"
Has anyone ever said to you, "I have
faith", or have you said it to someone? If so, what does it mean, if
anything? Can faith be measured as a quantity? In the Sermon on the Mount,
Jesus warned against depending on "long" prayers, which "might"
indicate great prayers to obtain an answer.
In reality, when speaking of faith, quality is the characteristic that is
the most important. Jesus reprimanded Peter for his lack of faith, during
his experience of trying to walk to the Lord on the water, "O, thou of
little faith" (Matt. 14:31). Even though the translation was rendered
"little", the Greek word used means that Christ thought the disciple's
prayer was weak and imperfect. What interested Him was the insufficient quality
of Peter's prayer.
What process do you use when you pray? Sometime we forget what we prayed or
we are guilty of doubting that God is really a prayer-answering Person. The
unstable or "double-minded person is mentioned in James 1:5-8 as one
who will not receive anything from the Lord.
Let us go one step further! After you pray, do you thank Him for His answer?
And, on going yet one step further, do you rest assured that the Lord is in
the process of answering, even though you cannot immediately ascertain any
visible results?
From now, let us determine to do quality praying by demonstrating quality
faith. Immediately thank God, with the assurance that in His sovereignty,
He is alaready active and the end result will be a blessing to us.
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Feb 20, 2008
CREATION AND EVOLUTION
Locally, our attention has again been drawn to the conflict between the fact
that a living personal God created our indescribably great universe and the
theory of evolution, championed by Charles Darwin. It is a part of the current
and widespread attempts to discount the absolute truth of the Holy Scripture's
narratives and replace it with the musings of misled scientists.
Many eminent scientists, world-wide, affirm there are no solid and indisputable
proofs to support the evolutionary system. One example: How can one prove
that the evolutionary process started let us say a million years ago or even
earlier? It cannot be done.
Yet many "scientists" go on their "merry way" accepting
what is hypothesis and not fact.
It seems that many educators want to avoid over and over again making even
an honest assessment of what the Bible says repeatedly about the origin of
our universe on its pages. They prefer to follow the unproven conclusions
of Darwin.
Are people really that afraid of the truth and so anxious to want to fill
the minds of our youth with so-called "science," yet unproven?
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Feb 11, 2008
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED?
In this world where there is so much emphasis on the secular and ephemeral
aspects of our existence, and so many distractions away from a sane and lasting
attraction to the things of God, HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED if spiritual matters
are all that important? Why not follow the philosophy of "eat, drink
and be merry, for tomorrow we die?"
There are so many voices discounting the reality of the spiritual elements
of the Holy Bible.
Nothing makes Satan, God's archenemy, any happier than to place doubt about
the Lord's eternal truth in the human heart. Don't be fooled by the devil!
An honest and unbiased examination of the 66 books that make up the Old and
New Testaments will lead you to accept every detail. It would be impossible
for any person or group of persons to fabricate the remarkable historical
facts, archeological proofs and fulfilled prophecies that support the truth
of Holy Scripture. No other so-called "sacred writings" can even
come close to the Bible's majestic beauty.
One final word! From God's Son, who showed total confidence in the Old Testament
and demonstrated in His own life His teaching in the New Testament, we have
every reason to accept at face value what the Bible says. Jesus Christ stated,
"Till heaven and earth pass, one jot and one title shall in no wise pass
from the law until all be fulfilled" Matthew 5:18).
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Feb 04, 2008
NO GOD! NO PEACE! * KNOW GOD! KNOW PEACE!
The title is a rather well-known play on words. As the term "play"
implies, it is often fun to seek a double meaning in a collection of terms
that sound alike, but mean something quite different.
When it comes to life and eternity, the "play on words" becomes
very serious. He or she, who disregards the living God, that is, who does
not KNOW GOD, can have NO lasting PEACE in life and certainly none in eternity.
When confronted by a tombstone in a cemetery with "Rest in Peace"
inscribed on the headstone, one has to wonder if it was true for the person
buried there. It is indeed possible to experience some measure of peace during
a lifetime, but peace in eternity is of much great importance.
The absolutely only way to have and KNOW PEACE of mind and soul, on earth
and in eternity, is to KNOW GOD intimately and personally through Jesus Christ.
Shortly before He was crucified, Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John
14:27).
God is presently waiting for you to KNOW HIM and to KNOW PEACE.
Dr. P. F. Fogle
Posted Jan 28, 2008
PRELIMINARY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS
During the first month of 2008, voters have been busy in their caucuses and
casting their primary ballots. Tuesday, February 5, is called “super Tuesday”
because voting will take place in over twenty States, looking forward to the
national elections in November.
Are you satisfied, so far, with the initial results? Do you realize that our
sovereign God directs the affairs of nations and its people, so that the elections
are very much under His eye and control.
The prophet Daniel, in the Old Testament of the Bible wrote the following:
“He (God), changes the times and seasons: he removeth kings and setteth
up kings…” Daniel 2:21; and “This matter is by decree of the watchers
and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living
may know that the most High ruleth in
the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over
it basest of men.” Daniel 4:17.
We are reminded by Daniel that many evil persons and also many righteous ones
have been leaders of world governments over the centuries.
God may not choose whom you want in office but your confidence in Him must
be total. The Lord is at work. It will be interesting to see whom He places
in the oval office in January 2009.
Dr. P.F. Fogle
Posted Jan 20, 2008
PRAYING TIME FOR AMERICA
It has always been PRAYING TIME for America. For decades many godly and patriotic
minded Americans have upheld the nation, since its inception, in prayer, but,
unfortunately, for the majority, prayer is just a bothersome waste of time,
and because of it, our entire nation is suffering.
Inspiration for this article came after reading the remarks of Pastor Wilbert
Hobbs of the AME Church in Chaires, Florida on January 10 in the “Tallahassee
Democrat.” He was deploring America’s weakness becoming more and more evident.
One evidence for it was that some who propose to be future “leaders”, that
is, attempting to become President of our nation, are weeping – not necessarily
for America, but for themselves. The media has made much of that weakness.
For some, our nation is the strongest in the world. Of late, weakness is more
apparent. Weakness of our thought processes, whereby multitudes no longer
think they need God in their lives. Weakness of the economy manifested by
selling off our financial interests to many different foreign nations. Faulty
decisions made by our leaders are hurting our country more than helping it.
Fellow Christians, will you begin to look beyond the doors of your local church
and what occupies its time? In your mind scan the world and note that it needs
God’s guidance more than ever. We cannot wait for people to come to us, but
we must go to them.
Then, additionally, let the Lord transform your prayer life. How much time
do you personally spend praying to the Lord, so as to show concern for our
current local and global situation?
Dr. P. F. Fogle
posted Jan 03, 2008
RESOLUTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The making of New Year’s resolutions
has long been a practice in American culture.
Honestly, now, how did you do in 2007 regarding declaring and keeping
what you really had intended to do? My
guess is, though it might sound pessimistic, that about 99 out of 100
resolutions fell by the way side.
Have you figured out the reason? Without a doubt, it is because the making and
keeping of resolutions is dependent upon personal human effort. The usual
formula is: “This year I, (capital “I”) resolve to------.” Then, you complete the rest of the thought.
The emphasis is upon “I will do this and that…”
Did you ask anyone’s guidance as to what the resolutions should be? The
emphasis is definitely only upon yourself, and that
accounts mostly for the failures.
Now let us consider opportunities. That is a much more reasonable approach to
our futures as the year 2008 unfolds.
Why? Because opportunities are sought by the “savvy” individual or he/she
follows those presented by others. You
see, more than one individual is involved.
The greatest opportunity that the human race
can take advantage of is the offer by the Eternal God to everyone to accept His
love. It is the love that propelled God’s
only begotten Son to the Cross of Calvary and after three days that released
Him from the power of death, so that we, sinners, can be forgiven of our
sins. It is the love that assures
success, for God is the One who would help us set goals and then carry them to
fruition. God promises good success in Joshua 1:8.
If you are a born again person, perhaps you
have counted too much on yourself in past years, by highlighting your abilities,
and your resources. Let the Lord
take charge of your life. Take advantage of the opportunities He offers,
rather than counting on your resolutions, and you will have a much more successful
and gratifying year 2008.