Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

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 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 sacrifice himself and tolerate things 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 (I Thessalonians 2:2). He was honest in the delivering of the message of God (I Thessalonians 2:3, 5). He was willing to please God at all times, no

Daily Nugget: Besides 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 (I Thessalonians 1:7). It is also important for a church to have a good testimony in the community and be an outstanding example of Christianity. The early church in Thessalonica was one such church that had an excellent testimony. When Paul traveled, he heard others speak well of the Thessalonian ministry (I Thessalonians 1:8). They were particularly noted for their faith (I Thessalonians 1:9). What an 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, deep in their hearts, that the Lord can fix what is missing or is wrong in their lives. They feel a church is a good place to start looking and go with expectations to find what they need. Unfortunately, they often go to a place of worship but find examples and teach

Daily Nugget: In Colossians 3, wives, husbands, children, and servants were reminded how to behave as Christians. Wives are to submit to their husbands (Colossians 3:18). Husbands are to love and be kind to their wives (Colossians 3:19). Children are to obey their parents (Col. 3:20). Even workers have a responsibility to obey their employers (Colossians 3:21). Colossians 4 reminds Christian bosses (“masters”) that they 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 (Colossians 4:1). To keep ourselves humble and to always keep in focus who we are, it is quite important to remember that the universe does not revolve around us. It revolves around God. As He is quite merciful to all of us, especially to those He has forgiven their sins, we too should be understanding to others around us. God knows so much about us, yet he still loves us and gives us many opportunities to get and do rig

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 (Colossians 3:3), as far as God is concerned. We are to bring our bodies under subjection (“mortify” – Colossians 3:5) and no longer let sin control our lives (Colossians 3:5-10). We should put our “old man,” what we used to do and be, far away from us. We are new creatures in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17) and have a fresh start. Our old man should be put away from us. We have a “new man” (Colossians 3:10) that we should put on and strive to spiritually, with God’s goodness and help, “wear” well! Our new attitudes and actions should strive to be: Holy and dear to God’s heart (Colossians 3:12). Merciful to others, as we have received much mercy from God (Colossians 3:12). Kind (Colossians 3:12). Humble (Colossians 3:12). Meek (Colossians 3:12). Longsuffering (Colossians 3:12). Willing to put up with what others do to us, again and again

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, nonbiblical philosophies (Colossians 2:8). Most religions and even many “Christian” denominations teach what their church teaches or what a preacher thinks is right and 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 obedient to the Lord by believing other things are more important than the things of God and pleasing Him (“vain deceit” - Colossians 2:8). No

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. 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 (Colossians 1:9). 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 understand spiritual things (Colossians 1:9). We should want all to learn 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 (Colossians 1:10). Desire that others will be strengthened and develop Christian character (Colossians 1:11).  In a world that has become miserably se

Daily Nugget: Life can be rough, even for Christians. We may face financial hardships, physical problems, relationship challenges, and hosts of other types of trials. What does one do? Where can one run? How can a great burden of grief or heartbreak be tolerated that seems impossible to carry? We are told in the Bible that, as heavy as one’s problems feel, God will not allow one more than he can bear. Whatever we face, God will only let us go through what we can handle with His help. Somehow, the trials many are facing can be endured. “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  With the confidence that God will help, the next avenue of relief from trials and tribulations is prayer. Be thankful for what you do have, ask God to help, and hang on by faith that He will! “Be c

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” (Philippians 3:2) they were cautioned of were:          “… of dogs”.  Although gentiles were often called “dogs,” it would hardly be likely that Paul, 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 fo

Daily Nugget: Philippians 2 teaches a principle that the world, including our public educational system, has not understood for quite some time. Again and again, it is taught that “you are the most important person,” and building one’s self-esteem should be a priority. That is the opposite of what the Bible teaches. Here in this chapter, the Philippians were reminded that instead of building up one’s pride, they should make another’s needs more important than their own. Instead of being prideful about ourselves, we should be humble. “… but in lowliness of mind …” (Philippians 2:3). Verse three says that we should “… esteem others better than themselves.” Instead of being number one, we should be lower in rank. Meeting others’ needs should be important in our lives. Some would be quick to retort, “It wouldn’t be healthy for me if I didn’t feel good about myself.” It is not talking about “feeling good about yourself” here. If you put others’ needs above your own, you will feel better

Daily Nugget: Most people, including Christians, fear and have anxiety about their death. Paul had a much different outlook on his. His attitude was that his life here on this Earth was more important to others than to him (Philippians 1:24). He considered death a gain to him, rather than a great loss. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 That is a much different view than those living for the party scene would have. They look forward to constant excitement and an action-packed life. If they could not be busy doing what they enjoy, they would not be happy. Death and the next life would not be something they would look forward to, as it would differ from what they like. Self-centered people get their enjoyment when they are the center of attention and when their needs are provided. They also would fear an eternal future where they could not get what they wanted and run the show. One seeking political power and money is satisfied when he is running things,

Daily Nugget: Finishing his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds them of one important fact that they and we should never forget. We need to remember that there is a daily spiritual battle going on. We often cannot see the real enemy or who the struggle is against, but it constantly rages. Many times the battle is not between people we think are the reason for our conflicts. The root of conflicts often goes beyond those we do not get along with or those who seem to be making our lives miserable. We may be struggling “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).  A “principality” is a supreme power and can be a prince's territory. Since Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 6:2) and is the author of much spiritual wickedness, it is he that is often the instigator of many of the troubles we face. With this in mind, we need to remember our battle is not aga

Daily Nugget: Ephesians 5 discusses a subject that bristles the hair on the back of many necks. It takes a position that has been hated and rebelled against for generations. Unfortunately, the refusal to follow God’s commandments in this area has resulted in a current divorce rate higher than 50%. Paul discusses, in Ephesians 5:21-33, submissiveness between a married man and woman. According to Noah Webster, submitting is the “yielding or surrendering to an authority.” The first surrendering of authority discussed here is for both husband and wife to surrender to each other (Ephesians 5:21) because they have respect for God’s commandments! They are to submit to each other because God tells them to, and they should know God’s way is always best. God ordained the union between man and woman, so He certainly knows how it will work. No other way will be successful! A wife is also to submit to her husband (Ephesians 5:22). When she is humbling herself to do so, she is doing it “unto the L

This week's Bible View (#796) is available.  Its theme is "Service."  Read it at  https://www.thebibleview.com/2021/the-bible-view-796-service/ .    Printable versions (including Large Print) can be found at   https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html .

Daily Nugget: One of the most valuable assets a Christian can have is his testimony. What others think of a believer is often what they see him do, how he reacts in certain situations, and how they believe a Christian should live (although their view may not always be accurate). Paul gave some advice on how to preserve one’s testimony (Ephesians 4:4). Some of the preacher’s advice included: Do not live like the rest of the world and put the wrong value on things that are not that important (Ephesians 4:17-18). Do not lust after things of this world and be consumed by greed for them (Ephesians 4:19). Do not let your conversation with others be about lust for this world’s things (Ephesians 4:22). Live a righteous life and strive to be a good example (Ephesians 4:24). Let your conversation always be honest and do not lie (Ephesians 4:25). If you get angry, get it right with those involved before the sun goes down (Ephesians 4:26). Do not get close to sin and allow the devil to des

Daily Nugget: Paul learned what he knew and taught because God revealed it (Ephesians 3:3) to him. The people did not have the means to understand God’s commandments unless they came directly from a God-appointed delivery-man. God's completed Word was not available at that time, so Paul was the man God used to teach them. “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,” Ephesians 3:3 As Paul learned and was shown God’s will and way, he shared it with people through his writings. His writings gave people the knowledge God wanted them to have (Ephesians 3:4). Even today, the scriptures that God’s anointed were told to record by Him, not just Paul, are still a media He has chosen to educate and inform people about His teachings. “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” Ephesians 3:4 An unsaved person can read and reread God's words and still not comprehend the meaning or the mind of God until that

Daily Nugget: In Ephesians 2, Paul addressed converted Gentiles (Ephesians 1:1) and reminded them how they became Christians. This crucial action has eluded many religions, even some “Christian” denominations. The distinctions that separate lost, even religious, people from the saved are: A saved person is saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 1:8) because Jesus died on the cross and paid for their sins. Grace is “free, unmerited love” from God. A person is saved, not because one is good looking, worthy of salvation because of superior intelligence, or an exceptional person. All are saved because God is good, and He loves us, and it has nothing to do with whom we are. If we make the first step to believe Jesus died for our sins, God’s love will do the rest. We must go first, not wait to have proof but do as a child does when he accepts what his parents tell him. The child then believes and obeys. We must do the same and trust what God has told us. “For by grace are ye saved throu