Category: Classics

I do not want to anyone to read this and assume that I have the Christian life mastered.  I do not!  I don’t even think I am close; and the closer I get, the further away I realize I am.  However, there are some principles I have applied that have helped me a lot, and they just might help you too.  Trouble is, most people will not follow them, and I really have trouble understanding why.  The Bible teaches us…

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8). 

In order to have some things, they must be sought after. “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:2) Some things do not come automatic.

I am very happy in my marriage, but many Christians are not.  I don’t worry a lot and I am seldom angry with any one, but many Christians can’t say that.  Although I have had limited income, and no retirement except for Social Security, I have always been quite content with our finances, while many Christians struggle from paycheck to paycheck.  I love my work, I love my church, I enjoy my own company.  I have often been alone, but I haven’t been lonely in over thirty years.  Yet, I know some good people battle those things.

I say all this, not because I am a super Christian.  Most of these things were true about my parents, and for much of my life they were not even saved.  But, it does bother me that these things are not true for a lot of believers.  Our gracious Lord has so many unclaimed blessings awaiting you right here on this earth.  Abundant life is not just for Heaven, it is for here and now.It concerns me that the church and the world have only seen a limited manifestation of God’s power, because as a whole, Christians have refused to yield to the Word of God.  We have handcuffed God in our lives, by keeping His prescription for abundant life, which He freely offered us, locked away.  I have an abundant life.  Do you feel that you have an abundant life?

You became a Christian by obeying God’s Word, that’s the way it works.  That’s the way all things work in the Kingdom.  I read once about a man whose lifelong dream was to board a cruise ship and sail to Europe. He dreamed of walking the streets of Rome and Athens, and to visit the land of his ancestors. He saved every penny until he had enough for his passage. Since money was tight, he brought an extra suitcase filled with cans of beans, boxes of crackers, and bags of powdered lemonade, and that is what he lived on every day.

He would have loved to take part in the many activities offered on the ship; working out in the gym, playing miniature golf, and swimming in the pool. He envied those who went to movies and shows. And, oh, how he yearned for only a taste of the amazing food he saw on the ship.  Every meal appeared to be a feast!  But the man had very little money, so he didn’t feel he could participate in any of these pleasures. He was able to see the cities he had longed to visit, but for the most part of the journey, he stayed in his cabin and ate only his humble food.

On the last day of the cruise, a crew member asked him which of the farewell parties he would be attending. He informed the crew member that he did not have the money to attend.  It was only then, that the man learned that not only the farewell party but almost everything on board the cruise ship—the food, the entertainment, all the activities—had been included in the price of his ticket. Too late, the man realized that he had been living far beneath his privileges.  The question this story raises is, are we living below our privileges, when it comes to the power, gifts, and blessings that are ours as children of God?  Sadly, in our daily lives, there may be little evidence that we are utilizing the resources that God has provided for us.

So, we are faced with a choice. We can be satisfied with a diminished experience as believers and settle for experiences far below our privileges. Or, we can partake of an abundant feast of spiritual opportunity and blessing that has already been purchased for us.  It comes with the price of the ticket, and that was paid for by Jesus.

If you are a good employee, you will try to learn as much as you can about your job.  It matters not if you are an electrician, a salesperson, teacher, or a clerk in a store, you want to learn as much as you can.  Not only might it help you advance financially, it will also make your work easier and more fulfilling.  As people of God, we also need to become experts in applying the principles of God’s Word to our lives.  So many of us are trying to live this life in our own power.  Mom and Dad did that quite successfully for years, but in today’s world most folks are so spoiled and weak, such a feat is quite rare.

Sometimes we complain about the behavior of non-Christians, especially their moral and life style choices.  But, we must remember they do not have our resources, they do not have our knowledge, they do not have our power.  Their lives have not been transformed by the power of Christ.  A far bigger concern for me is Christians who are living lives just as bad, if not worse, than lost people.  Why are our marriages and finances no better than theirs?  Why are our lives just as messed up as theirs?

I know we would all agree that there is saving power in the Gospel.  But, just as there is saving power in the Gospel, there is also enabling power in the Gospel.  There is the power for believers to live an abundant life.  Yet, despite this truth, there are those who are spiritually weak and powerless because they do not avail themselves to the Word of God.  You and I have access to the fruit of the Spirit; Galatians 5:22-23 says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Christian couples, you have the power to have a happy marriage, if you want it bad enough to apply the Scriptures.  You have the power to straighten out your finances, if you want it bad enough to apply the Word.  You have the power to be as faithful to your church as your lost neighbor is to the volunteer fire department or to his civic club, if you are willing to obey the Lord.  You have the power to overcome worry, to forgive the unforgivable, to become longsuffering and patient, to become a model employee, all this is yours, if you want it bad enough to apply the Scriptures.  Yet, so many are living beneath their privilege.

Think of what a glorious thing it is to reach beyond our earthly limitations, to have the eyes of our understanding opened and receive light and knowledge from heavenly sources! It is our privilege and opportunity to seek personal revelation and to learn how to know the truth for ourselves through the sure witness of the Holy Spirit.  Far to often we pass through this life wearied, worrying, and whining. We live beneath our privileges when we allow worldly anchors to keep us away from the abundant joy that comes from our union with Christ. We live beneath our privileges when we fail to partake of the feast of happiness, peace, and joy that God grants so bountifully to His children.

Now, perhaps you think you’ve blown it.  You’ve messed up.  But, know this, your gracious Heavenly Father will not hold those bad decisions against you, He has not been keeping a tally of your wrong turns and He certainly has not removed your name from the Book of Life. Your inheritance is still yours. Stop accepting less than what you deserve. Stop selecting less than you desire and stop doing things that make others wonder if you are really His child. You deserve the best and God has the best for you. It’s time to live the life God intended.  You are royalty so stop living like a peasant.  Take your rightful place in the Kingdom.  It is time to stop living beneath your level of privilege.

This is low hanging fruit.  All can reach it.  Even some lost people have applied the principles of God’s Word to their lives and found blessing.  How much the more should you and I?

Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry for over forty five years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries and Christian Bible College.

The Holiday Season brings so many emotions for me.  Sometimes, I feel like my mind is in the midst of a whirlwind.  I have many pleasant feelings and lots of stressful feelings, too.  Fortunately, the pleasant thoughts far outweigh the bad.  Some of the most pleasant thoughts are about family.  We have traditions that have been kept year after year but have evolved over time.  I have memories from when I was a child to the ones I have as a grandparent.  Each one makes me smile. Continue reading “Redeem The Time… Now!”

Another dream I have for my children is that they will be tough.  I don’t mean calloused or crabby, but I mean strong.  Many people have strong muscles, and there is no shortage of those who would like to tell you so.  I am not impressed with physical strength, but I am impressed with inner strength.  What makes a person strong on the inside? Continue reading “Toughen Up”

As a teenager, I was in positions of leadership.  I was a leader in my youth group, I had my own bus route, and I was a lead puppeteer at my church.  In all of these situations, I was still under an adult’s watchful eye.  If something went wrong, it was not my responsibility to figure out what to do next.  If the bus broke down, I did not have to find a way to fix it. Continue reading “Leadership Is Tough”

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

Proverbs 24:10

When I was a kid, I always found it prudent to confront a big bully from a safe distance.  My bravery at pointing out the guy was a jerk was best displayed from behind a tree fifty yards away.  Such was the courage of a child.  Men of courage prefer to confront enemies face to face. Continue reading “Fighting From A Safe Distance”

One afternoon my husband and I were walking in the park.  We were enjoying the shade of a beautiful oak tree when we saw something that disturbed us.  There was an elderly gentleman in strange clothes weeping on the park bench.  We weren’t sure whether to bother him or not, but we chose to check on him.  We asked him if everything was alright. Continue reading “Wake Up America!”

“And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”   Mark 3:25

Although it has been called such, America has never been an actual “melting pot.”  Most people groups have always maintained their unique culture and identity.  However, America is more divided today than she has ever been.  Quite simply, the United States is a house divided and partisan disagreements run deeper than ever measured. We must reach back to the War Between the States to find periods of US history where the country has been more divided; and even then, we were divided into fewer groups.  We were less fragmented than today.

This division is easier for all to see today than it was then.  During the War Between the States, unless enemy troops were marching through your town or a loved one was in battle, many Americans might go weeks at a time and not be reminded of the war.  Not so today.  The media keeps us constantly aware of the divide.  Plus, social platforms only increase the problem.

Years ago, it was only very limited editorials in the newspaper we had to contend with.  Today, people from a multitude of persuasions are constantly sharing their political and societal views on apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more. The problem is that these platforms have a worldwide audience and with virtually no accountability.  Comments, often totally unfounded, still spark fear, anger, and resentment. Many times, those speaking have no idea of what they are talking about.  But the rambling chatter still takes a toll.  A recent poll suggests that sixty per cent of Americans say our nation’s “best days are in the past”. 

Criminal investigators always ask themselves a crucial question when starting on a new case: Who stands to benefit the most from the crime? So, I ask you this same question: who stands to gain the most from sowing division and hatred in America?  The obvious answer is; those in charge, the ruling class…the government.

The Constitution, although often ignored, is still the law of the land.  Through the Constitution we learn that the citizen is the master over the government.  “We the people” are the ones who hold the power, not a group of elite bureaucrats.  However, government has learned that if they can keep the people fragmented, foolish, and frightened, the power of the people will be diluted.  Government knows that division causes conflict.  Surely this was proven in China/Taiwan, East and West Germany, North and South Korea, and in North and South Vietnam.  Government likes to divide even though the long-term results are seldom favorable.

Of course, government also likes problems, because problems give government an excuse to grow.  Sometimes going so far as to create problems to solve, or implementing programs to address problems that don’t even exist.

First, let’s consider how government likes to create problems so it can grow its power and control. Explaining this is as simple as a study of supply and demand.  For example, racism is a valuable tool for dividing people.  Trouble is, most clear-thinking people, regardless of race or religion, are not racist.  For most rational people, racism doesn’t make any sense, so it doesn’t just happen.  It must be created.  So, when government determines that we are not divided enough because there is a shortage of racism, they create more.  They accomplish this by creating more racism, through short-sighted programs that give preference to a particular race.

Now, I am not saying that racism has never existed, nor am I stating that it does not exist today, I am just saying that it is not a monumental problem for most Americans anymore.  Yet, even at its climax, government at the local, regional, state and federal level always played a role in creating and maintaining racial inequality. A wide range of laws and policies were passed, including everything from who could vote, who could be a citizen, who could own property, where one could live, and various segregation laws, were all government programs to keep us divided.  Government sponsored racism is still being implemented against African-Americans, but it is also being waged against Hispanics, Christians, political conservatives, and straight white men.

Second, Government also likes to exploit hate.  Hate is also a great tool to divide us.  Since government does not think there is enough hate, they are seeking to create more.  Selected prosecution has caused hate.  When one group can riot and be ignored while another group is vigorously prosecuted, that causes hatred to grow.  Things such as gun control, abortion, election legitimacy, climate change, vaccines, and masks can turn one group against another.  Cultural, economic, and political issues generate outrage and hostility. We are constantly being told that the other side does not play fair.  Now, let’s also throw in another ingredient–enmity. It is clear that partisan Americans dislike each other a great deal. The result is politics of fear and rage, where the party in power uses the resources of the government to oppress the other side.

Third, Government also likes Americans to be in debt.  At any time, government feels there is not enough debt in America, they seek to create more.  Taxes have been a method in which a government can modify personal behavior. If the government wants people to stop doing something, it creates a “sin” tax to make it more costly. When a government offers tax incentives for acquiring debt, they are basically stating they want you to purchase things with debt. The government then rewards you when you comply.  The economy hums along best when people buy and buy and buy. Whether or not they need or can afford what they’re buying is beside the point. The government and all the business interests don’t seem to care.

Fourth, Government desires for citizens to be ignorant.  Governments don’t want a population capable of critical thinking, they want obedient workers, people just smart enough to pay taxes and just dumb enough to passively accept what their leaders tell them.  I am not saying we are stupid, just ignorant.  “Stupid” means “unable to learn.” Most American people, are very capable of learning regardless of their social, economic, or educational backgrounds.  “Ignorant” means “lacking knowledge.” It is altogether different from “stupid”, and that’s what the government wants.  They desire American voters to be ignorant of the intricacies of many issues in public policy.  Take socialism for example.  Socialism is a system of government that has been a disaster everywhere it has ever been attempted. Yet: 70 percent of millennials say they will vote for socialist candidates, and an astounding 36 percent of millennials say they approve of communism. These people are dumb as rocks.  We are talking about the mental capacity of a turnip; pathetic ignorance of the highest level.  Where did they obtain this lack of knowledge?  The amazing answer is:  in school.

I mentioned racism earlier.  Crying racism seems to be the very easiest way to take advantage of the ignorance of Americans. Never mind that America is one of the least racist countries on Earth.  Never mind that we recently elected and re-elected a black president in a country that is made up of a population that is 14 percent black.

Our ignorance shows in liberal cities that defunded their police departments and — surprise, surprise — murders and other crimes have skyrocketed. Pretty sure a kindergarten student could have predicted that outcome.

No, Americans aren’t actually stupid, but they are highly ignorant.  Government has systematically brainwashed millions of kids from kindergarten to college into believing that America has been a bad, racist country from our founding.  They were taught that we are bad because we have too many freedoms and that socialism is the only viable system of government.  They have been taught that the only truth can come from far-left media outlets and that only a bigger and more powerful government, void of outdated Constitutional restraints, can cure the ills of our corrupt society.

Fifth, Government has also learned that fear is a good way to divide people while increasing their own power.  So, if there is not enough fear, government seeks to create more.  John Adams observed, “Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it.” The Founding Fathers hoped the American people would possess the virtues and strength to perpetuate liberty. Unfortunately, politicians over the past century have used trick after trick to send Americans scurrying to politicians to protect them.

In the same way that some battered wives cling to their abusive husbands, the more fiascos the government creates, the more some voters cling to rulers. In the days after the 9/11 attacks, polls showed a doubling in the number of people who trusted government to “do the right thing.” The media fanned this blind faith.  The Bush administration exploited this trust to unleash itself at home and abroad, and the nation is still paying the costs of its post-9/11 infatuation with government protection.

Bogus fears can produce real servitude. The Founding Fathers expected the American people to bravely stand up for their rights if their rulers trampled the law. Citizens cannot cower on cue without forfeiting any possibility of keeping government on a leash. If America is to have a rebirth of liberty, it must begin with a rebirth of courage.

Sixth, Government has learned to protect and isolate itself from “We the People.”  Will anyone ever really be held accountable for destroying our republic?  No, not unless the voters wise up.  Political tribalism protects America’s leaders from being held accountable for everything from failed policies to war crimes.  Furthermore, the government has led in the moral decline of its citizens to the point that most don’t acknowledge that we are accountable to God.  So, if leaders are not accountable to God, or to the people, who remains to be accountable to?  Answer, no one!  Mission accomplished!

Government healthcare, welfare, and education, are all failed programs.  But Washington is in love with itself, so once you gain political power, it means never having to say you’re sorry.  It’s not that ordinary Americans never get what they want from the political system. It’s just that they only get what they want if the elites in control want the same thing.

No, government cannot be trusted.  The irony is that most Americans know this, but they still want to give it more power.  According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, only 24 percent of Americans trust the federal government, down from over 70 percent during the late 1950s.  So, why do we keep voting for guys we can’t trust?  When will we learn that man lives by production, government lives by confiscation and redistribution?

America may be divided, but yet in many ways we are still a unified country, bonded together by more than we might think.  On the surface it may sound like I despise my country.  I do not!  I love my country; I just don’t care much for the government because the government seems to despise our country.  Recent government actions are not consistent with a free republic.  My hope is that once again all Americans will come together under the Constitution, under one flag and pledge allegiance, under one God, to one country.

You see, Jesus said: “… if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”  Those words were true when He said them, and they are still true today.

Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry for over forty-five years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries and Christian Bible College.

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

John 17:4

As a boy, I always had tremendous respect and love for my father.  In my eyes, there was no greater man on earth. There were so many times that my respect for him, and my fear of disappointing him, kept me out of trouble.  I regret to say it did not always keep me on the right path, but it did on many occasions. My advice to fathers and sons today would for sons to honor and give heed to the counsel of their fathers, and for fathers to be worthy of that high regard. Continue reading “Love For The Father”

Misery is having the flu visit your home.  The flu, COVID, or any other sickness is a visitor that wears out its welcome.  About the time one person gets well, another person gets sick.  You live in dread that the “bug” will start over again once everyone gets well.  I am not too big of a baby about most things, but I don’t like to get sick.  I always tell the Lord I don’t have time to be sick.  Regardless, one of the best things about being sick is getting well. I have a new appreciation of sleeping at night and getting up in the morning feeling well. Continue reading “Memories Of Mom”

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (second Adam) was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

I Corinthians 15:45-47

“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”

Genesis 3:16

I don’t think there is any sadder story in the world than the third chapter of Genesis. While the facts of the fall of man are contained in just a few verses, what we read details the origin of all human sorrow, death, disease, and heartache. Every sad thing that has ever happened started right there. In this story, we read about the brokenness in the relationship between mankind and God and how that will influence the relationship between man and woman.

Yet, even in this tragic introduction of death and hardship to the world, there is light. Labor will be hard now, but the rewards of hard work are still a blessing.  Childbearing will bring much pain, but the curse does not remove from us the joy of our children. There is pain, but beauty and hope will still exist. While tension has been introduced to the relationship between man and woman, love has not been removed. Even in the curse, God gave us great hope for His undoing of it. God made us enemies of the serpent forever but not enemies of each other.  Furthermore, even in that awful moment, God began his great plan to restore us to Himself.

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Genesis 3:15

What we see in the Bible is how God has undertaken a plan for the undoing of this curse.  Ultimately, the curse is broken in the person of Christ Jesus. In His death, we see what we deserved; in His resurrection we see what we have been freely given. We have a final answer to the curse. But God did not undo the curse in one moment.  God chose to work it out slowly and deliberately until the desired result is reached.

It has been said that when we are changed in Christ, we still have to work out what He worked in. We are charged to go about the rest of our lives being conformed into the image of Christ (Romans 12:2). When we are made into His people, we are made into the workers whom He is using now to build His kingdom.

When Paul instructs the church how to effectively live this Christian life, he mentions the curse as a foundational reason for some of the rules God has implemented in the church. For example, take a look at this controversial statement; a statement that even many conservative Christians have a problem with.

“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

I Timothy 2:12–14

 Wow!  That is certainly a divisive and politically charged statement!  Why in the world is Paul referencing the order in which we were created, or the mistake Eve made, as though these facts were relevant to anything in the modern world?  What possible relevance does this have in the modern church?  Trouble is, these facts must be relevant, because God has instructed Paul to mention them.  Perhaps, as unpopular as they may be, they are important because our lives today are still all about undoing the curse in Christ.

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”

Genesis 3:1

Ladies, you cannot go back to the garden as Eve and choose not to listen to the serpent in the first place. You can’t go back to that moment and be undeceived. You can’t go back to that first great leadership moment of womankind and undo the damage that was done.

And men, neither can we go back either.  We can’t refuse to follow a deceived Eve. We can’t go back and cry out to God to forgive us for eating of the forbidden fruit. We can’t go back and refuse to usher death into the world. Instead, we are here, after the fact.  You and I cannot undo the tragic moment recorded in Genesis.  Therefore, while God is methodically undoing the damage, we are still living under   some of the restrictions imposed.

The ultimate undoing of the original sin will be accomplished only in Christ, in due time.  In the meantime, the literal and figurative thorns and thistles will still prick us from time to time.   Yet, while it is true that we can’t go back and be undeceived by the serpent in the garden, we can be undeceived by the serpent now. Ladies, and men, that is why it is so important for us to refuse to listen to any “Hath God really said . . .” conversations that the serpent starts up now; and he does it quite often.

Just think about how many conversations we have today that take us right back to the garden.  How well are you handling the “Hath God really said…” statements in your life?  How often do you make the same mistake as Eve?  Let’s ponder over a few:

“Hath God really said that with rare exception ladies need to follow the lead of their husband?”

“Hath God really said that ladies will constantly have to fight against the desire to rule over their husbands?”

“Hath God really said that husband’s ought to lead their families and love their wives as Christ loves the church?”

“Hath God really said we must be faithful to the church?”

“Hath God really said that I can’t set up a confession booth and forgive men of their sin?”

“Hath God really said that I can’t modify, change around, or rewrite the Scriptures as I see fit?”

And that’s just a small sample of the “Hath God really said” statements of the serpent that we often ignore today.

Ladies, just like your husbands, you must learn to recognize the serpent in these conversations. Although I can appreciate anyone with an honest desire to serve our Lord, yet no church enriching knowledge will ever be found in listening to anyone who has decided not to listen to God; men or women.  In the church today, we have a disobedience pattern as old as Eden. Women are still being deceived into distrusting God’s intention in His word, and men are choosing to listen to those women over God. This is a death path, and it has been heavily trod. But there is another path, the path of life.  The life I speak of is both eternal and abundant.

How can we find this path of life? It is in the presence of God. It is in obedience, offered to the God who equips us for it. It is in trusting in His purposes, whether we understand them or not, whether we agree with them or not.  The more we do that, the more we will see the great work God is accomplishing by undoing of our first failure in the garden. In us, through the Holy Spirit, He is building a new garden, a new dwelling place for His glory (Ephesians 2:22).

Did Eve understand all of God’s intentions in the garden? No, she didn’t, and that is why she could be deceived. Do you understand perfectly why God calls you to glorify Him through acting like a Christian lady who is in submission to His word? The moment is similar, and we too are vulnerable. Let’s not play the role of the first Eve to the first Adam, but instead take up the part of the second Eve to the second Adam.

That second Adam laid down His life for His deceived bride. He took our penalty, and through His death and resurrection has brought us life. Choose to remember what God hath said, and to joyfully obey it. Trust His plan. Because through this mysterious gift of gladly embracing our roles, we will be used of God for the greater furtherance of His kingdom. There is nothing little about our obedience now, just as there was nothing little about Eve’s disobedience then.

What glory would there have been in the garden if Eve had not listened to the serpent? The way for us to find out is to not listen to Him now.

I speak to mothers, ladies, young girls, I speak to the Second Eve.  Do not listen to the “Hath God really saids” of the serpent.  Today, I do not focus so much on your role as a wife or mother, but to your role as the Second Eve—not to your husband—but to the Second Adam.  Because what awaits you in obedience to God is always glory, a more delightful glory than you could ever imagine.

You will lose nothing in your obedience, even to the rules that you may not like, understand, or personally agree with.  Don’t be deceived by the serpent.

Dr. Worthington has been in the ministry for over forty five years and serves as President of Pathway Ministries and Christian Bible College.