June 11 , 2021
Truth Is Fallen in …
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The educational scene is now so corrupt that they are rewriting the textbooks to accommodate the cultural revolution , the woke mobs and those who hate America .
The entertainment industry ( film , TV , internet , music ) is pol - luted with filth that defies decency . Utilizing drama , comedy and music , they are selling im - morality every hour of the day .
Where news was once reported with some degree of accuracy , most of the networks are now leftist propaganda machines .
The religious crowd has also faltered and forfeited its hold on truth . Entire denominations are coming apart at the seams be - cause their leadership has sold them out . The gathering of what I will call our imperfect storm has replaced the thunder in the pulpit with winds of change .
Truth is now viewed through the lens of relevance which means it can be twisted to fit whatever the societal demands require . “ Con - temporary ” theology reflects what men are thinking rather than what God has said .
“ Contemporary ” ministry is built on what pleases the culture . “ Contemporary ” is by and large a negative term when it is attached to church . It is in reality a fad that leaves a vast amount of God ’ s truth in absentia .
Without Truth , Equity Cannot Happen
“… and equity cannot enter .”— Vs . 14 .
The demands for “ judgment … justice … equity ” ( vs . 14 ) are all front-page news in 2021 , but they remain elusive because truth has been set aside .
Editor ’ s Notes
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14,000 ) is a neighbor to Murfrees - boro , just forty miles to the east .
The Calvary Baptist Church of McMinnville is a growing church under the leadership of Pastor Tom Fittis . Although their present location is in town at 525 West End Avenue , they have a new piece of property at 610 Myers Lane . The property sits right on Highway 705 which is a major traffic artery .
For now they have a very nice open-air tabernacle on the new property which is where they hold their Thursday night meetings . In addition to the seating in the taber - nacle , they have an FM translator which enables people to sit in their cars if they choose .
Since it was a very warm , early sum mer night , several people elected to stay in their airconditioned vehicles . The church also livestreamed the service . Conse quently , we had three separate audiences .
Brother Fittis does things first class . The property , including the buildings , is crisp , clean and well maintained .
The people welcomed me warmly and I felt right at home when I stood to preach . Several of them related “ Sword stories ” to me . I ’ m always thrilled to hear the testimonies of how the Lord has used and is using the Sword of the Lord to touch the lives of people .
After the service they had an ice cream fellowship which was a very
In its place we have the indoc - trination of evolution , the scams of socialism , the hoax of humanism , the pursuit of pleasure , the rea - soning of revisionism , the lunacy of lies and the forfeiture of the Christian faith .
These seven devastating realities are a foundation of sand ( Matt . 7:26 , 27 ). They are a glaring reflec - tion of the character of far too many people in our present society . Until there is a recognition of the fact that “ sand ” is not solid , the desired results will not come . Jesus told us ( vss . 24 , 25 ) that the man who builds on “ the rock ” is the one who will survive the storms .
When God ’ s truth goes missing , “ equity cannot enter .” Men who do as they please will not only displease God but they also will not please their peers . Evil pro - liferates where truth is not present . When the truth of God is not welcome , pride , prejudice and perverseness parade pompously through the streets .
Is it any wonder that America is teetering on the brink today ? Well , let ’ s not forget
1 . Truth Is the Cornerstone of Our Freedom !
Jesus said ,
“ And ye shall know the truth , and the truth shall make you free .”— John 8:32 .
2 . Jesus Is the Personification of Truth
“ And the Word was made flesh , and dwelt among us , ( and we beheld his glory , the glory as of the only begotten of the Father ,) full of grace and truth .”
“ For the law was given by Moses , but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ .”— John 1:14 , 17 .
“ Jesus saith unto him , I am the way , the truth , and the life : no man
good idea on a warm night .
If you live in the McMinnville area , let me encourage you to go see Brother Fittis and the folks at Calvary Baptist Church .
Making a Difference Radio Reaching Far and Wide
Each day Monday through Friday we are on the air with our Making a Difference broadcast with the FBN network ( fbnradio . com ) plus WEYY 88.7 FM in Carrollton , Geor - gia ; WLVF 90.3 FM in Haines City , Florida ; WYTJ 89.3 FM ( Linton , Indiana ); and swordofthelord . com / makingadifference — that ’ s 57 sta - tions .
With the tremendous technology of these stations , we are on the air almost everywhere . So one way or another , you should be able to hear the broadcast wherever you are in the world .
Making a Difference is the radio voice of the Sword of the Lord . We will do on the air what we do in print . The Bible is the same . The convictions are the same . The doctrine is the same . The stand is the same . The boldness is the same . The fervency is the same . The encouragement is the same .
If you will make it a habit to tune in each day or as often as you can , we will do our best to be a blessing to you .
Please pray that the Lord will add His special touch to every broadcast . Our efforts will fall way short without His help , but we know He will bless when we stay true and stand tall .
SWORD OF THE LORD 3
cometh unto the Father , but by me .”— 14:6 .
When you are looking for the truth , whom do you ask ? In one word : Jesus .
3 . The Holy Spirit Teaches Us the Truth
“ Howbeit when he , the Spirit of truth , is come , he will guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself ; but whatsoever he shall hear , that shall he speak : and he will shew you things to come .”— 16:13 .
4 . The Christian Lifestyle Is Built on Truth
“ Sanctify them through thy truth : thy word is truth .”— 17:17 .
“ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee : bind them about thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart .”— Prov . 3:3 .
“ Buy the truth , and sell it not ; also wisdom , and instruction , and under - standing .”— 23:23 .
“ But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty , not walking in craftiness , nor handling the word of God deceitfully ; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man ’ s conscience in the sight of God .”— II Cor . 4:2 .
5 . We Look to the Word of God for Truth
“ For the word of the LORD is right ; and all his works are done in truth .”— Ps . 33:4 .
“ Study to shew thyself approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of truth .”— II Tim . 2:15 .
Marxism is not the source of truth . Socialism is a pseudopolitical fallacy devoid of truth . Humanism is a truthless philosophy . The one infallible , totally reliable source for truth is the Bible , the God-inspired Word .
When You Pray
In Matthew , chapter 6 , you ’ ll find a reference on this theme four separate times . They are “ when thou prayest ” ( vss . 5 , 6 ), “ when ye pray ” ( vs . 7 ) and “ After this manner therefore pray ye ” ( vs . 9 ).
In these verses Jesus gives very pointed , detailed instruction about the dos and don ’ ts of prayer . As I read them , I ’ m reminded of another day when one of the disciples said , “ Lord , teach us to pray ” ( Luke 11:1 ).
In both the Matthew and Luke settings He gave the “ ask … seek , and … knock ” ( Matt . 7:7 , 8 ; Luke 11:9 , 10 ) encouragement . So we are well advised to listen to His tutoring on the matter .
“ When you pray ” strongly sug - gests that you and I should find the time and do it . As we do , there are so many , many things about which we should communicate with our heavenly Father . Let me suggest a few things .
1 . Let ’ s be grateful and tell Him so .
2 . Let ’ s keep a clean slate with Him . Forgiveness is a blessing He will give .
3 . Let ’ s pray for wisdom . 4 . Let ’ s ask for His protection . 5 . Let ’ s seek His provisions . 6 . Let ’ s claim His promises . 7 . Let ’ s pray for health .
8 . Let ’ s pray for souls to be saved .
9 . Let ’ s ask for power to be a soul winner .
10 . Let ’ s pray for our preachers .
6 . God ’ s Truth Is Eternal !
“ For the LORD is good ; his mercy is everlasting ; and his truth endureth to all generations .”— Ps . 100:5 .
“ Thy word is true from the be - ginning : and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever .”— 119:160 .
7 . The Truth Should Be the Substance of Our Witness
“ Wherefore putting away lying , speak every man truth with his neighbour : for we are members one of another .”— Eph . 4:25 .
Here are the nuggets , the details .
“ 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 .”— Phil . 4:8 .
“ Stand therefore , having your loins girt about with truth , and having on the breastplate of righteousness .”— Eph . 6:14 .
But truth can be offensive so you can expect that some family and friends will not like truth .
“ Am I therefore become your enemy , because I tell you the truth ?”— Gal . 4:16 .
Conclusion
Truth is one of God ’ s major commodities . It should also be major for us .
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11 . Let ’ s pray for our churches . 12 . Let ’ s pray for revival .
13 . Let ’ s pray for our nation ’ s lead ers .
14 . Let ’ s pray for our country . 15 . Let ’ s pray for our families .
16 . Let ’ s pray for friends who are ill .
17 . Let ’ s pray for friends who are grieving .
18 . Let ’ s pray for resources for the Lord ’ s work .
19 . Let ’ s pray for special requests that come to us .
20 . Let ’ s pray for strength to stay on track in our Christian life .
As you look at my list , use it as a starter for your own prayer list . “ When you pray ” is such a special privilege and it fills a great need . So let ’ s not miss out on it and let ’ s not mess it up .
You may pray at length or you can pray briefly ; just be sure you pray .
And “ when you pray ” would you be so kind as to include the Sword of the Lord and me on your list ? Thank you for doing so .
This and That
Betty and I are absolutely thrilled beyond words to tell you about the birth of our first greatgrandbaby . She is Quinsey Lillian Foxx , the dauaghter of our oldest grandaughter Jessica and her husband Zack .
Quincey was born in the early evening of May 28 . She weighted in at 9 pounds , 1 ounce . Since they live in South Carolina , you can
The Preacher ’ s Dilemma
Shallow preaching , like shallow water , soon loses its freshness . And perennial freshness is essential to perennial effectiveness . The average minister realizes this and he might have little difficulty keeping his pulpit ministry fresh if that were his only responsibility .
But in the degree that his minis - trations prove helpful , the demands upon him are multiplied , so much so as to threaten the very sources of his power .
Here is the lifelong dilemma of the conscientious minister . More time spent in the study , drawing upon his devotional and intellect - ual resources , will help to keep him fresh . But how can he refuse the increasing demands for his service ?
Many a minister who at twentyfive was regarded as exceptional in attainment and promise , is quite mediocre at forty-five . The early success which brought him into prominence has become his undoing . Finding it hard to de - cline the many calls to service , he has not taken the time necessary to feed his own soul .
He has not , through study and unhurried communication with God , kept the ever-flowing fountain of his ministry replenished with a sufficient inflow of fresh experience . Instead of a growing store of spiritual resources to share with others , there has been a progres - sive spiritual impoverishment .
And with this there has come a corresponding decline in oppor - tunities to minister . Thus a brilliant beginning has run out in futility and frustration .
In a recent conversation between two men , one was eagerly inquiring about the progress of a mutual friend in the ministry . “ I am very much afraid ,” replied the other , “ that he is doomed to mediocrity .”
What was wrong ? His exceptional popularity as a minister had so widened his field of service that he had spread himself too thin . His wider ministry had not com - pensated for the forfeiture of the deeper ministry with which he had begun .
As with the stream that was said to be three feet deep , three miles
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imagine that we will be headed that way sometime soon .
What a blessing and , yes , we are excited and thankful !
During COVID we did not have Sword tours for obvious reasons ; but with everything opening back up , that is starting to change . People are starting to travel so we are getting visitors again .
This week ( May 24 – 28 ) we have had five groups come see us and take the tour of the Sword of the Lord headquarters . It is a 30- to 45-minute walkthrough that most people find fascinating and en - joyable . If you are coming to Middle Tennessee , we welcome you to stop in during our business hours Monday through Friday . The tour is free and I ’ m confident you will be happy you came .
God bless , dear friends . Until next time ,