Never Look Back

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Once we begin a new life, living for God, we must never begin to look back. Anything that God requires of us, any sacrifice, is well worth it. Why would we allow anything from our past to keep us from the riches in Christ Jesus. Our destination is far greater than anywhere we could go in this life, it's far greater than anything we could have or obtain in this world, it's far greater than any pleasurable moment we could enjoy here. Whatever the cost of being apart of the kingdom of God, it is well worth the price.

Never, ever look back. Keep going forward, because any man that looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God. Any one that would treasure the old man and the old lifestyle more than the their life being born again, is not fit for the kingdom of God. Any man that would rather have his old addictions and attitudes than the new mind he has obtained in the kingdom of God, is not fit for the kingdom of God. Any person that would rather have it their way and do whatever he or she likes rather than do the things which please God, is not fit for the kingdom of God. Anyone who would not what God's standards as their standards and would rather have everything the same as it was before they where born again, is not fit for the kingdom of God.

In Christ Jesus we are new creatures.

II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ (born-again), he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And when the Holy Ghost is guiding us, it will guide us unto all truth. Hence it will not lead us backward to the life before, but rather into the area where our actions please God. Thats why we cannot even take the slightest look back at where we came from, it has nothing to offer us. We become new creatures, with new habits, and new behavior, why? Because we are born-again, and when we are truly born again it is easy for us to learn and adapt. When we are truly born again we will adhere to the Bible and desire the sincere milk of the word so we can grow. So if we reject the word then there is a problem, for when we truly are born again we are babes in Christ and are teachable. Those that are not teachable and not being led into all truth are those that are looking back, and are not fit for the kingdom of God. But those that really have gotten a new heart will be led by the Word of God, and will have no desire to look back.

So let's forget those things which are behind, sin is not something to brag about. And lets focus on the task before us, and that is making it all the way and helping as many as we can to do the same.

-Bro. C

Acts 2:38, obey it! 

Precious

What we have is precious to us. We enjoy going to church, we can not get enough of God's presence. To us we can not see why anyone wouldn't want to know this precious gospel we believe, why would anyone not want to be a new creature in Christ Jesus? We love to sacrifice, and to pray and fast. Reading the Bible is an enjoyment to us, the scriptures speak so loud and clear in our lives. We set aside time to go to church and church events, and we plan our lives around the kingdom of God. We that live for God are those that are willing to lose friends and even family members approval for the gospel's sake, we are those not looking for popularity but rather to please God. The revelation of One God is the very foundation of our doctrine, along with a man must be born again. When the world is saying contrary, we still get excited when Acts 2:38 is preached, it never gets old. We are those that have no problem being set apart from this world in our dress, our appearance, our attitude, our behavior, and our overall lifestyle. We born again believers are those that want to hear good strong preaching that will save the soul, we know how precious our preacher is. Souls are precious to us, we love them enough to tell them the truth. Why are we this way? Because HE is precious to us!


1 Peter 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1 Peter 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 
1 Peter 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

See why we love him so much, why we love truth so much, why we love worship so much, and why we love church so much? Its because he is PRECIOUS to us, because he brought us out of darkness into his marvelous light!

Look what the Lord hath done!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Don't Look For a Shortcut, The Old Paths Are the Original and Only Way!

A tombstone read: 
"Pause, stranger, when you pass me by,
For as you are, so once was I.
As I am now, so will you be.
Then prepare unto death, and follow me."

Pushing the grass aside a bit more, was found the following scratched on the stone, done with a crude instrument:

"To follow you I'm not content. Till I know which way you went."

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait (narrow, one way) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 


The message Bible says it like this: 



Matthew 7:13  "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. 
Matthew 7:14  The way to life--to God!--is vigorous and requires total attention. 


It aint suppose to be easy! Living for God requires us to give him everything we have. 


As the book of Matthew let us know well there are many false prophets in the world that are attempting to use many gimmicks to try to turn the simple from the strait way, the only way, the way that is not always easy. We do not need a new formula, we still need the old paths of righteousness. A lot of 'new' formulas are being used by the enemy to deceive folks in to believing they are saved when in fact are they are on the road to destruction . 

It would be wise of us to follow the strait and narrow, to follow the way that few will travel. It may seem to be the less popular way, but don't consider the circumstances of the path as much as you consider the destination of the way. We may even have a life of afflictions, but if it ends with us hearing, "well done" it will be well worth whatever it took. Just ask the beggar, the rich man had a great natural life but that didn't mean he had a right relationship with God (Luke 16). Whatever it takes I want to commit myself unto his will and way! I'll obey the scriptures and let the world go by. 

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."- Robert Frost 

Don't look for shortcuts, just obey the scriptures. 

-Bro. C

Acts 2:38, obey it! 

Dancing in the Blessed Rain!

Matthew 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Life isn't always fair; if you think it should be and ever will be then you have not lived long enough. Circumstances beyond our control, and sometimes even caused by our own actions happen to everyone. We cannot change that. Things happen to good people that we may never understand. But we cannot question God, he always has everything in control. Remember the Sunday school song, "He has the whole world in his hands," how true that is. When we live for God, we are blessed! You see it is true that it rains on us just like it does the unjust. What seems like 'bad' things happen to us just like it does to heathens that do not want anything to do with God. But you know what the difference is? Our rain is blessed rain! You see the thing the enemy intends to use to destroy is sometimes the very thing God uses to save us. See God always has the bigger picture in mind.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

See we get caught up in day to day life, and how our life is going. God is concerned about us as eternal beings. He wants us to be saved. God never intends to hurt us, only to make us better. You see when it rains on the unjust it destroys them, but when it rains on the righteous it just makes us drawer closer to him and stronger!


Matthew 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Matthew 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Matthew 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Matthew 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

You see we can see the trails and circumstance of life from a different perspective when we are on the rock, I'm sure Noah saw the water differently while he was floating in the ark as the world drowned. God is always going make provision for his people. What other folks that don't have a walk with God would see as the end of the world, we can see as a blessing in disguise. What situations in life that would be a 'flood' of catastrophic proportions to people living for the temporal, is nothing more than just water for the rose that is blooming in our lives when we stay in the will of God.  You see the trails we face when living for God are only blessings in disguise.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Yes it rains on the just, but it's BLESSED rain. Working for us!

1 Corinthians 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Weeping only last for the night, joy always comes in the morning! Dance in the rain, it is blessed!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

To: My beautiful wife

Proverbs 31:29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 

Often with my blogging I don't get to take out time to say much about my beautiful wife, but today I want to take out time to say a few good things about my wife that I love dearly. My wife, she is a diamond for sure. I know every man believes they have the greatest wife, well I know I do. We are quickly approaching one year of marriage, and it has been superb. I'm not one much for words, but honor is due to whom it is due.  Yes I am going to brag on her for a minute, nothing wrong with that. She is beautiful, smart, funny, and God fearing. She works very hard. As hard and as much as I will let her. Every time I am mowing a yard or doing any other job, I can't leave the lawnmower or tools setting for any length of time without her taking them and helping. Often doing a better job than I do. And the list goes on for the many duties she does at home, all without complaint. All while carrying our son, just a few more months! And even more important than working hard, she listens. Even when listening to me makes her be misunderstood, she never refuses to be a good obedient wife. Even when we make major decisions and discuss things together, she always respects my final word. Any decision we make in our household I give answer for. She follows my lead as she is suppose to. She always supports my ministry, and she understands that is what our entire lives will always revolve around. That is and always will be the most important thing to us. And you simply can't ask for a more blessed life than that. Even when feeling so much pressure and life, things hard to be understood, she may bend but never breaks. Always willing to sacrifice and give up what she may "want" for what we know we need. She believes in me. Behind the scenes, where life is really lived,  she does so much while never asking for any credit. She loves the word of God, we have quote downs together. Her Bible looks like a coloring book, from all the marks and notes and highlighted sections. Most of which she marked while searching the Bible for the truth. It fell apart finally, so I gave her a new Bible. She is a living example of "search the scriptures for...these are they that testify of me."And searching the scriptures since a little girl, did just what it should do, led her to Jesus name baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, and even facing great opposition from family and others she clung to truth. So much more could be said, but one thing is certain, if you love truth enough you"ll fight for it.  She follows the teaching of the Bible and the church without murmur and complaint. She prays, never can you go wrong praying. That's one thing we love to do together is praying and studying the Bible, families that pray together stay together.  We have had a lot of obstacles moved in our lives by trying just what Jesus said, "prayer and fasting." God has blessed her with an awesome voice and great musical ability, she can make any instrument with strings sing. We love to make a "joyful" noise unto the Lord all the time. And she loves being faithful to God, and faithful to church. Her calmness, helps me stay calm. So reserved and quiet, in every situation. I could write pages, but I'll stop short. She truly is a great help meet, and that ain't brag,that's fact. I just wanted to take a minute tonight to let my wife know how much I appreciate and love her.  Hopefully you read this Sister Caudle, if you do, don't get angry at me for bragging on you, I just wanted you to know how much of a difference you make. Love you. 

Proverbs 31:30  Favour (charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 

Proverbs 31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. 

-Bro. C

Acts 2:38, read and obey it!  

Compromise Saves No One: But Truth Can Save the World!

Proverbs 23:23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

We must be able to make judgement calls in our lives. We must have the word of God in our hearts so that we can discern between good and evil.

Hebrews 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

We are not trying to condemn anybody when we proclaim the truth, but only trying to help the world know what is right and what is wrong in the eyes of God. And the answer is found in the Bible, which Jesus said would be the very thing we are judged by. So if we want to be saved we are going to have to accept what the Bible says we must do and what it says we must not do. Truth is not optional. We do not hate sinners when we preach against sin, we show love in proclaiming the truth which can save them from sin.

John 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Example: Jesus (God in flesh, and remember God is love) who showed true love toward us stood against sin and made it clear if we do not repent then we perish. Jesus said if you want to be saved you must be baptized. Jesus said if you want to enter into his kingdom (the only everlasting kingdom) then you must be born-again. Jesus called certain people hypocrites and generation of vipers. Paul (the writer that wrote 1 Cor.13 about love) also wrote under the inspiration of God that people living certain sinful lifestyles could not enter into the kingdom of God. John whom wrote so much about love, wrote under the inspiration of God that any man that took or added to the Bible should be cursed. All these men loved, all these cared for people, all these wanted to see souls saved. All these where willing to die for there cause. But all these also stood for the truth at all cost, for they understood that only truth could heal and save PEOPLE.

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

If we love people we have no choice but to preach truth, and stand against sin that looks to destroy the people God loves. So don't hate us for saying repent, we are just doing what God said do. Don't hate us for saying be baptized in Jesus name and for believing in one God, we are just proclaiming the Bible. Don't hate us for preaching the Holy Ghost with others tongues, Jesus did the same thing. Don't hate us for preaching against sin, it isn't because we hate sinners. Its because we hate sin.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have no choice if we want to be saved,  but to love truth and hate lies. I want to see the whole world be saved, but the only thing that can save them is truth.

John 17:17...thy word is truth.

Only truth will set us free!

 I want to see every homosexual be delivered and set free, but compromising truth is not going to do that. I want to see every liar change their direction, but only truth will do that. I don't hate you, I love you that's why I try to tell you what is truth from the word of God because that's the only way to be saved. So don't hate me either for just believing the Bible to be the word of God, and for trying to love you in the same way Jesus does.


Psalms 119:103  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalms 119:104  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

On a final note:
Revelation 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

So if we are going to believe in God then we must believe in his word, and his word lets us know that  in love he reaches out to change our direction. So don't tarry, just repent and live for God.

--Bro. C
Acts 2:38, read it and obey it!

Just a tid-bit for tonight:


God can see your heart, but men can not. Men only know about you by what you say, what you wear, what you do, where you go, whom you are around. Get the picture? What is in your heart can only be a light to the world when it shows in your lifestyle. Ye are the light of the world...so remember men can not see your heart, but they can tell the condition of your heart by your actions. So quit trying to use for an excuse that 'God knows my heart', because yes he does but that doesn't justify sin and ungodliness. If we are going to be saved it is going to be God's way, not our way! Your lifestyle, your fruit shows just what your heart is. Praise God! --Bro. Caudle


More blogs coming soon, just haven't had the time to write much lately. God is so good to us! Acts 2:38, read it and obey it!