Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

There will be no other devotion until Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. Today’s Nugget: In the previous letter to the Thessalonians, Paul discussed the rapture (I Thes. 4:16-16). He also wrote about the Day of the Lord (I Thes. 5:2), which encompasses the time after the real church is removed from the Earth. In this chapter, he reiterates what he has already written to the Thessalonians about. He tells them again about the rapture: “…our gathering together unto him.” (vs. 1). He continues to tell them about other things that will happen after the church is gone. The preacher tells them about the coming of the son of perdition. He also calls this man the “man of sin” (vs. 3) and the “Wicked”(vs. 8). John identified this man that is being spoken of, Satan’s world dictator, as the antichrist. Before this antichrist comes, there must be come a “falling away first” (vs. 3). This “falling away” is the departure from the truths of the Word of God. While that has and is happening even today, t

Daily Nugget: From time to time one will be heard saying’ “I cannot believe a loving God would send a burning hell!” In many places throughout the Word of God the horrible place of torment is described; here it reinstates that, no matter what man thinks, some will go there (vs. 8-9). anyone to These scriptures tell us six horrifying facts about Hell. Hell is: A place of “flaming fire” (vs. 8). With many trying to sanitize and be polite in describing it, it is a place that no one should ever want to go; it is a place with pain and torment from eternally-burning flames. A punishment that is God’s “vengeance” (vs. 8). There are many that mock and laugh at the things of God — now. Some even curse the Creator’s name. No matter how others treat God, there is a payday someday for their behavior: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7  A place for “… them that know not God …” (vs. 8). Many also say, “I can’t believe Go

Daily Nugget: Chapter 4 of I Thessalonians left-off telling about the rapture of all saints — living and dead. The beginning of chapter 5 (vss. 1-11) chronologically continues what is prophesied to happen in the future. “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.” I Thes. 5:1 “Times and seasons” (vs. 1) refers to things that will be happening on the earth. Paul knew that the church would not need to know about those matters, as they would not be here on the earth. They will be raptured out of here (I Thes. 4:16-18). After the rapture, however, another important prophesied event will occur. It will not be experienced by the raptured church, but those that remain on the earth will be going through this horrific time. This time is called the “day of the Lord”. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” I Thes. 5:2 The “day of the Lord” is the beginning of the terrible things (Isaiah 13:9, Joe

Excerpts from Jonathan Edwards 1741 Sermon that encouraged many to be saved and altered many lives. The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome you, and is dreadfully provoked. His wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire. He is of purer eyes than to bear you in his sight; you are ten thousand times as abominable in His eyes as the most hateful, venomous serpent is in ours. insect over the fire, abhors You have offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince; and yet it is nothing but his hand that holds you from falling into the fire every moment. It is to be ascribed to nothing else that you did not go to hell last night; that you were suffered to awake again in this world, after you closed your eyes to sleep. And there is no other reason to be given why you have not dropped into hell since you arose in the morning, but that God's hand has

Daily Nugget: Hundreds of biblical prophecies have been fulfilled. In this chapter, there is one mentioned that will be the next to be fulfilled. Billions, in the last two thousand years, have been waiting for this one (vs. 13-18) to be accomplished. It is the great catching up of the dead in Christ and the Christians that are living (vss. 16- 17) at that time. The Greek word for “caught up” (vs. 17) is “harpazō”, and it means “to catch away, to seize, pluck, pull, and take by force”. It is very similar to the English word “rapture”, which means “transport, seizing away”. Although “rapture” is not used in the preserved King James text, this futuristic happening is often referred to by that name. When the Lord shouts, the archangel’s voice is sounded, and God’s trumpet is blown the rapture will occur (vs. 16). The first to ascend will be the dead in Christ. Those that have trusted Christ as Saviour and died will be called up. Their souls are already joined with him (II Cor. 5:8, E

Daily Nugget: Paul was going through “afflictions and distresses” (vs. 7). Although the hard times were  challenging to him, the faith of the Thessalonians encouraged him. Perhaps it was their encouragement to him that God would use to see the preacher through his tribulations. Perhaps it was the great work for Christ they had done for others that encouraged him. However, they showed it, their faith and trust in a living, helping God was a light in his darkness. We all go through hard times. None is exempt. However, as a Christian, we should have great hope that whatever happens to us is in the hands of our great God. Even though it seems like an impossible load we are carrying at times, somehow, if we draw nigh unto God and trust in his leadership, he will guide us safely to the other side. That faith will help when the next trial comes our way. That kind of faith will also show others, that do not have the faith, that there is another way to handle rough times rather than panic an

Daily Nugget: Serving in a ministry is not as simple as it may appear to many that only see what happens on Sunday morning. Be it as a pastor, Sunday school teacher, bus route worker, deaf interpreter, or a soul-winner there is much more involved than just being prepared for a sermon, lesson, or whatever one is led to do. The most important preparation must be first done in one’s heart. One must be willing to give sacrificially of himself and tolerate things that one normally would not want to have any part of. Christ is our ultimate example of what one should be willing to be and give. He gave it all to further the Father’s cause. Here in I Thessalonians 2, Paul also illustrates what is required to help others when he ministered to the Christians in Thessalonica: He was willing to face persecutions and confrontations – sometimes from other Christians (vs. 2). He was honest in the delivering of the message of God (vss. 3, 5). He was willing to please God at all times, no ma

Daily Nugget: Other than one’s salvation, one of the most valuable assets a Christian has is his testimony — what others think of him and what kind of Christian example he is (vs. 7). It is also important for a church to also have a good testimony in the community and also to be an outstanding example of Christianity. The early church in Thessalonica was one such church that did have a good testimony. When Paul traveled, he heard others speak well of the Thessalonian’s ministry (vs. 8). They were particularly noted for their faith (vs. 9). What encouragement it must have been to the preacher to hear others speak well of the church. The world is looking for something that is different. Many feel, down deep in their hearts, that the Lord can fix what is missing in their life — although they may not be able to put their finger on what actually is causing the emptiness in their life. They feel a church is a good place to start looking and go with expectations to find what they are l

The one task that all Christians are responsible to do for the Lord is to tell others  how to go to Heaven — winning souls.  If we are saved, God wants us to tell people what the Bible says one should do to go to Heaven.  The actual salvation of a soul is the Holy Spirit’s job, but our ministry is to be the delivery boy of the Good News that Jesus loves them, can save them, and will change their lives.  Most of us are saved because someone told us how! Here is some of what the Bible teaches about how to win souls: One is often saved by the effort of another.   Telling others how to have an eternity with Christ is achieved by labor, and this labor is not always easy.  “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that  winneth  souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30    “Winneth” implies that an effort must be made so that a person does not “lose” and go to hell. The Calvinistic belief that a person will get saved only if it is ordained of God is not biblical!  Salvation is “For

Daily Nugget: In the preceding chapter wives, husbands, children, and servants were reminded of how they are to behave in their situations as Christians. Wives are to submit to their husbands (Col. 3:18). Husbands are to love and be kind to their wives (Col. 3:19). Children are to obey their parents (Col. 3:20). Even workers have a responsibility to obey their employers (Col 3:21). This chapter reminds Christian bosses (“masters”), that they also have a Christian responsibility to treat their employees properly. An admonition was given to them to remember that they also have a Master in heaven (vs. 1). To keep ourselves humble and to always keep in focus who we really are, it is quite important to remember that the universe does not revolve around us. It revolves around God, and He is quite merciful to all of us, especially to those He has forgiven their sins, we too should be merciful to others around us. God knows so much about us, yet he still loves us, and still gives us ma

Daily Nugget: When a person is saved, his whole life should change. He is forgiven, and his sins are forgotten. Our old ways are dead and hidden (vs. 3), as far as God is concerned. We are to bring our bodies under subjection (“mortify” – vs. 5), and no longer let sin to have any control in our lives (vss. 5-10). We should put our “old man”, what we used to do and be, far away from us. We are new creatures in Christ (II Cor. 5:17) and have a fresh new start. Our old man should be put away from us. We have a “new man” (vs. 10) that we should put on and strive, with God’s goodness and help, to “wear” well! Our new attitudes and actions should strive to be: Holy and dear to God’s heart (vs. 12). Merciful to others, as we have received much mercy from God (vs. 12). Kind (vs. 12). Humble (vs. 12). Meek (vs. 12). Longsuffering (vs. 12). Willing to put up with what others do to us, again and again (“forbearing” – vs. 13). Forgive what others do to us and to others. God certainly

Daily Nugget: Like most preachers, Paul spent some of his time warning those he had discipled of the  dangers lurking to weaken them or destroy their testimonies and intentions. Once we are saved we cannot lose our salvation, but we certainly can be of no use to the cause of Christ. Here are the preacher’s warnings to the Colossians concerning false teachings that could harm their walk for the Lord including: Not being spoiled (robbed) spiritually through humanistic, unbiblical philosophies (vs. 8). The majority of religions and even many “Christian” denominations teach what their church teaches or what a preacher thinks is right; not necessarily what the Scriptures teach. The only teaching that is important is not what you think, or what I think is right, but “what saith the Lord” — about any matter! Not being robbed spiritually of being able to be obedient to the Lord by believing other things are more important than the things of God and pleasing Him (“vain deceit” - vs. 8). N

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Daily Nugget: The Bible repeatedly emphasizes how important it is to be concerned about other people. Our natural flesh sometimes wants to be jealous of others, or ignore their needs completely. In this chapter, Paul is an example of how we should genuinely be concerned about others. The preacher reminds us, by his concern for the Colossian Christians, that we should: Continually pray for others’ needs (vs. 9). A habit of faithfully praying for others and their needs will ease any hard feelings we have for them, will keep us humble, and will help keep us from exhibiting a selfish nature. Desire that others will know God’s will and have an understanding of spiritual things (vs. 9). We should want all to know all they can about the things of God. Desire that others will produce Christian “fruits”, and that they will do much for the cause of Christ (vs. 10). Desire that others will be strengthened and develop Christian character (vs. 11). In a world that has become miserably se

Daily Nugget: Sometimes, life can be plain rough; even for Christians. We may face financial hardships, physical problems, relationship challenges, and hosts of other types of trials. What do you do? Where do you run to? How do you escape the load of a burden you sometimes just cannot imagine yourselves bearing? We are told in the Bible that, as heavy as one’s burdens feel, God will never allow one more than he can bear: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13  Whatever we face, God will only allow us to go through what we can handle with His help. Somehow, the immense trials so many are facing can be handled by them. With the faith that God will help them, the next avenue of relief from trials and tribulations is prayer: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thi

Daily Nugget: The early church had many of the problems our churches have today. Here the Philippian church was warned of three particular dangers. The three “bewares” (vs. 2) cautioned of: “… of dogs”. Although, gentiles were often called “dogs”, it would hardly be likely that Paul, who was a missionary to the Gentiles, would warn the Philippians (many of whom were converted gentiles, to look out for themselves. He may have been referring to the false shepherds (pastors) that were only in the ministry for themselves, as described in Isaiah 52:8-11. “The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, … All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his