Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church

Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church
174 Rockhouse Rd
Tomahawk , KY 41262
alt: 606-298-0051
wardjack@bellsouth.net

The Pastors Pen

The Pastors Pen is published each Wednesday in the Mountain Citizen weekly newspaper of Inez, Kentucky.

Pastors Pen 11/27/2019
Thanksgiving
Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.
Psalm 75:1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn't make it.
Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
"But you must!" implored his companion. "The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'"
Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? The following are nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:
One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Any rabbi could have done it."
One said, "I was already much improved."
In his book FOLK PSALMS OF FAITH, Ray Stedman tells of an experience H.A. Ironside had in a crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside invited his to have a seat. Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, "Do you have a headache?" Ironside replied, "No, I don't." The other man asked, "Well, is there something wrong with your food?" Ironside replied, "No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat." The man said, "Oh, you're one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don't have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!" Ironside said, "Yes, you're just like my dog. That's what he does too!"
The first American Thanksgiving didn't occur in 1621 when a group of Pilgrims shared a feast with a group of friendly Indians. The first recorded thanksgiving took place in Virginia more than 11 years earlier, and it wasn't a feast. The winter of 1610 at Jamestown had reduced a group of 409 settlers to 60. The survivors prayed for help, without knowing when or how it might come. When help arrived, in the form of a ship filled with food and supplies from England, a prayer meeting was held to give thanks to God.
The Pastors Pen 11/20/2019
Are You Interested Or Committed?

A pastor shared an experience he had a few years ago that really opened his eyes to the parable of the seeds that failed to take root on different types of soil. He had just lead a wildly successful evangelistic crusade. Many people signed commitment cards indicating that they wanted to commit their lives to Jesus. But only a week after the crusade, when the pastor visited some of these people, he discovered that many of them had already lost their enthusiasm.

A single mother, overwhelmed by her family's needs, had quickly lost the joy she'd found during the evangelistic services. A teenager decided against becoming a Christian because he feared his friends' ridicule. A businessman decided that he wasn't ready to let his faith change his life. He retreated back to his old comfort zone.

That happens. We live in a world of people with good intentions. But good intentions won't get it done. To make a difference in the world requires a high level of commitment.

In his book, The One Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard says, "There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses."

Matthew 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

There are four types of soil or human hearts described in this passage.
1. Hard hearts. They start out with some interest and good intentions, but in the end they reject the truth of God.
2. Shallow hearts. They also have good intentions, God’s word has peeked their interest, but when trouble comes they go back to their comfortable old life.
3. Unfaithful hearts. They also have good intentions, they are very interested, but with a lack commitment, the world and its pleasures soon overcomes them.
4. Fruitful hearts. Unlike the other three, these people don’t have good intentions, they are not just interested, they have total commitment! God’s word challenges them to take up their cross daily and follow the Lord. They accept no excuses! Only these kind of hearts can produce fruit!

Elijah said, “if the Lord be God follow Him, if not then follow Baal.” What kind of heart do you have?
Pastors Pen 11/13/2019
Christians in Jeopardy

Of course, in America, we do not stand in jeopardy of our lives (in other countries they do); however, the DEDICATED Christian is in jeopardy of several things: When you determine to live for Jesus you will sometimes jeopardize friendships and relationships. Not everyone will be happy about you being a Christian.

One day John Wesley was riding on his horse when it dawned on him he had not been persecuted for three days. "Maybe I've sinned or been disobedient," he said. He got off his horse, and got on his knees. A redneck on other side of road recognized the evangelist and threw a rock at him. It bounced off the road, just missing Wesley. Wesley leaped to his feet and shouted, "Thanks be to God! Everything's all right. I still have God's presence with me."

When you decide to be more than the average "run of the mill" Christian, you may jeopardize your job or your position in society. Christianity is still not very popular today.

The following are just a little idea of how fast we, as Christians, are losing our liberties in America.
A publicly owned cemetery in California does not permit commemorative planters in the shape of a cross.
City seals in Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Illinois may not include symbols that acknowledge the presence of religion.
Pastors may not offer invocations or benedictions at public school graduation ceremonies.
Pastors may not use the name of Jesus Christ when offering invocations at government meetings.
A criminal successfully challenged his sentence because a judge read from the Bible during the sentencing hearing.
Custom license plates may not bear the words "PRAY" in the State of Oregon, "GOD 4 US" in the State of Virginia, or "THANK GOD" in the State of Utah.
Mayors may not proclaim Christian values, such as praying or reading the Bible, without fear of litigation.
A public-school student in Virginia, told to write her autobiography in English class, was forced to change her own life story when she acknowledged the importance of Jesus in her life.

The University of Minnesota, Texas State University, Brown University, UC Berkeley, George Washington University, and Virginia Tech are among many that have not allowed conservatives to speak at their college campus. Their crime? They dared believe and promote a Biblical world view on sexuality and life in general. So much for free speech! The Bible is even called a “hateful” book on most college campuses today.

A Christian doctor at was fired in Britain for refusing to call a six-foot tall bearded man as “she.” A long time Christian medical researcher and doctor at Johns Hopkins was charged with ethical violations and suspended for saying that gender transitioning is child abuse. He instead retired.

Recently Pro-life displays with Bible verses have been vandalized and defaced at Northern Kentucky, Georgetown, DC and Marquette universities. A UC Santa Barbara professor assaulted a pro-life speaker for quoting the Bible and that professor is still employed! Many colleges ban pro-life speakers to avoid riots and out of control mobs. Churches have been picketed and vandalized for having Biblical views of sexuality and abortion. Again, so much for free speech!

Finally, A war memorial in Oregon cannot be erected in the shape of a cross.
Can you see why I say, as soldiers of the cross we stand in jeopardy? I want to ask you a question: are you willing to put on the uniform of Christ-receive Him as your Savior, and live for Him, regardless of the cost? Can I ask you, what is your level of commitment is today? Do you live like you know Him?
Pastors Pen 11/6/2019
A True Christian

What is as Christian? A person who follows the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and in devotion. They have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior and seek to live for Him each day. That’s what a Christian is. But how do you recognize a Christian? They can be recognized because they do the things Jesus did. What did Jesus do?

Here is the test of a true believer. Exactly what did Jesus do?

1. First of all He went to the synogogue (church). How many Christians blessed with able bodies and health don’t even bother going to church anymore. They miss most every Sunday, but they sure don’t miss their children’s or grandchildren’s events. They don’t miss UK ball games, or their favorite TV program. They wouldn’t drive one mile to go to church but would drive all day to get to the beach. “Well that’s different!” Yes it is, and that’s the problem. The world is more attractive, more valuable to us than worshipping and praising our Savior Jesus.

2. He went to pray. How many Christians don’t have a regular, consistent time of prayer? Most do not even think of praying. The Bible says in Matthew 6:6 “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” We need to get alone with God and pray. That’s what Jesus Did. You want to change your life? Have a prayer life!

3. He went to work as a carpenter and later in ministry. He was busy working, preaching and teaching. We should work. We should earn or earned our own way. We should not be depending upon others if we are able bodied. We should not be lazy.

Jesus also had a ministry. Every Christian should have a ministry if you are good mind. Whether it be prayer, (everyone can pray) Bible reading, encouraging others, being faithful in church attendance, teaching, studying, witnessing, visiting, calling, writing, helping out your church, speaking, using social media for God’s glory, singing, serving, comforting others, being righteous, encouraging others, or just loving people. We can all have some sort of ministry.

Jesus went among the people with Gods message. He was an active member of society. He didn’t sit at home all the time. How many of us sit at home and watch TV all the time? Going for days without even talking to another human outside of your home. Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

4. He went to the cross. The cross is our test of who we love the most. Who do we love most? Ourselves or Jesus? Have we surrendered everything to follow Christ? Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” We all have a cross to bear. We all will suffer some sort of persecution, criticism and backlash if we follow Jesus.

It rains on the just and the unjust so don’t think something is wrong with you if bad things happen. God works all things to His glory and your good. Romans 8:28

Just being faithful to Jesus day after day, week after week, month after month and year after can be your cross for it is very difficult and hard in a society that does not value Jesus. Obviously it’s hard because so few people do it!

5. He went to heaven. That is where Jesus is. That’s where will go when we die and be with Him! This is the goal for everyone who follows Jesus.

Conclusion: The greatest thing we can do, and the greatest knowledge in life is to know God and the greatest blessing in life is to be known by Him. You should be thankful that you know Him.....but most of all that He knows you and know that He has already done everything to provide His salvation for you!
The Pastors Pen 10/30/2019
I Like My Way Better
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
DL Moody was heard witnessing to a young man. A lady from his church walked by and said to him…“I don’t like the way you witness to people.“ Mr Moody replied “Well, I don’t like it either, how would you do it?“ She replied, “I wouldn’t do it at all, I like my way better.“
David Livingstone went to darkest Africa as a lone missionary. After some time his missions committee wrote to him saying, "Some people would like to join you. What’s the easiest road to get where you are?" He replied, "If they’re looking for the easiest road, tell them to stay in England. I want people who will come, even if there’s no road at all!" Sometimes the pathway of the Christian life appears to change from a smooth-surfaced road to a stony track to no road at all. But most people like their way better.
In A Slow and Certain Light, Elizabeth Elliot tells of two adventurers who stopped by to see her, all loaded with equipment for the rain forest east of the Andes. They sought no advice, just a few phrases to converse with the Indians. She writes, "Sometimes we come to God as the two adventurers came to me—confident and, we think, well-informed and well-equipped. But has it occurred to us that with all our accumulation of stuff, something is missing?" She suggests that we often ask God for too little. "We know what we need—a yes or no answer, please, to a simple question. Or perhaps a road sign. Something quick and easy to point the way. What we really ought to have is the Guide himself. Maps, road signs, a few useful phrases are good things, but infinitely better is someone who has been there before and knows the way, but most people still like their way better.
Back when the telegraph was the fastest means of long-distance communication, there was a story about a young man who applied for a job as a Morse code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, noisy office. In the background a telegraph clacked away. A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office. The young man completed his form and sat down with seven other waiting applicants.
After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. Why had this man been so bold? They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet. They took more than a little satisfaction in assuming the young man who went into the office would be reprimanded for his presumption and summarily disqualified for the job.
Within a few minutes the young man emerged from the inner office escorted by the interviewer, who announced to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has been filled by this young man."
The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and then one spoke up, "Wait a minute! I don’t understand. He was the last one to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair."
The employer responded, "All the time you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. So the job is his." Those who liked their way better….missed the right way.
In life there are many rights and wrongs. But in spiritual things there is only one way, one right path, one way that leads to life. That way is not found in a creed, a government, a religion, a secret yet to be discovered. It is found only in Jesus Christ. You can’t find a better way to get to God. You can’t find eternal life your way, you have to come to Him His way if you are going to have eternal life. John 14:6 I am the way…the truth…and the life…no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Pastors Pen 10/16/2019
"Feel Like It."
I rather like the story Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick once related from his own childhood days. His father had said to his mother, upon leaving the house one Saturday in the morning hours: "Tell Harry that he can cut the grass today, if he feels like it." Then, halfway down the walk, his father turned once more to add: "And tell Harry that he had better feel like it."
Well, in its own rather humorous way, there is something essential about life wrapped up in that. For there is a difference between knowing we are supposed to do something, and 'feeling like" doing it. There is a difference between a sense of obligation and a sense of generosity. There is a difference between obedience and desire. And the one of those weighs us down, while the other lifts us up.
We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:9 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
We love Him and serve Him not because we ought to or need to, even those both of those are true, but that is not enough to motivate us to serve Him for the right motive. I John 5:3-5 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
We are motivated and then overcome through the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to a cruel cross to die for us. We are motivated by a God who gave His only begotten Son to die for us so that we might have true forgiveness for all of our sins and then we can live through Him and for Him. for only through this selfless act can we obtain so much in this life and the hope of a greater life to come.
We then serve faithfully and dutifully whether we feel like it or not. Our soldiers serve faithfully in Iraq because of love of country and devotion to duty and out of that love they fulfill that duty. They may not feel like going to war but they do. So we serve not because we feel like it but because we love Christ and out of that love comes the desire to obey Him and serve Him dutifully.
I’m sure Jesus didn’t “feel” like getting beaten and crucified for your sins and mine but He did it anyway! Will you serve Him now? Will you serve Him out of love, gratitude and devotion to duty or wait until you feel like it?
Pastors Pen 10/9/2019
Story of the Prince

John 1:14 “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.”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

We affirm a belief in the Son, Jesus Christ. We say that God took on human form, came and lived among us, suffered the same trials that we suffered, experienced the same feelings that we experienced. Jesus was purely human and purely divine. Jesus was God incarnate. Jesus never drew attention to himself but always pointed to God.

Soren Kiekegard, the great Danish theologian of another century tells a story of a prince who wanted to find a maiden suitable to be his queen. One day while running an errand in the local village for his father he passed through a poor section. As he glanced out the windows of the carriage his eyes fell upon a beautiful peasant maiden. During the ensuing days he often passed by the young lady and soon fell in love. But he had a problem. How would he seek her hand?

He could order her to marry him. But even a prince wants his bride to marry him freely and voluntarily and not through coercion. He could put on his most splendid uniform and drive up to her front door in a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be certain that the maiden loved him or was simply overwhelmed with all of the splendor. The prince came up with another solution. He would give up his kingly robe. He moved, into the village, entering not with a crown but in the garb of a peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns, and talked their language. In time the maiden grew to love him for who he was and because he had first loved her.

This very simple, almost child like story, written by one of the most brilliant minds of our time explains what we Christians mean by the incarnation. God came and lived among us. I am glad that this happened for two reasons. One, it shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is with us, that he is on our side, and that he loves us, and that He wants to save us from our sins. Secondly, it gives us a first hand view of what the mind of God is really all about. When people ask what God is like, we as Christians point to the person of Jesus Christ. God himself is incomprehensible. But in Jesus Christ we get a glimpse of his glory. In the person of Jesus we are told that God, that mysterious one that created the stars and the universe, that God is willing to go all of the way, even to a cross, so that a single person may be redeemed, that a single person might know forgiveness of sin and come into a personal relationship with Him, that's what God is like.
Pastors Pen 10/2/2019
Shifting Sand

Matthew 7:26-27

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: 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.”
In the 1990's the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" was finally reopened to the public, after having been closed for several years. During that time, engineers completed a 25 million dollar renovation project designed to stabilize the tower. They removed 110 tons of dirt, and reduced its famous lean by about sixteen inches. Why was this necessary? Because the tower has been tilting further and further away from vertical for hundreds of years, to the point that the top of the 185-foot tower was seventeen feet further south than the bottom, and Italian authorities were concerned that if nothing was done, it would soon collapse. What was the problem? Bad design? Poor workmanship? An inferior grade of marble? No. The problem was what was underneath. The tower was built on the shifting sands of a former estuary. The soil was not stable enough to support a monument of this size. The tower had no firm foundation.
You may not know this but the Tower is simply the bell tower of the local church cathedral. A fitting reminder for that a life built on the shifting sands of human logic, human reasoning and worldly pursuits will eventually collapse. The scripture in Matthew tells us that just because you say you know the Lord, Lord doesn’t mean He knows you. Many people believe in Him, but don’t believe ON Him. Acts tells us that to be saved we must believe ON the Lord Jesus Christ. What does that mean? We repent of our sins and place them upon Jesus Christ, who bore our sins on the cross. And if we place upon Him, our trust, our love and our very lives, He becomes the rock of our salvation.
The Bible says that it is foolish to build your house upon the sand. Then to build your life on the shifting sand of the good deeds that you do, the accomplishments that you make, or your own hopes and plans is also foolish. This is an unsure foundation. It will eventually crumble away and God will say to you…”I never knew you, depart from me..”
The Bible tells us that the word of God is our one and only sure and firm foundation. When the rains of trials come to you, the flood waters of trouble try to drown you, the great winds of fear blow upon you, and temptation and sin beat upon you daily, you will stand if your trust is placed upon the rock of ages, Jesus Christ!
The Pastors Pen

9/25/2019
Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover
1 Kings 2:5-6 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his head go down to the grave in peace.
Joab spent his entire life as the Commander in Chief of the armies of the Nation of Israel. He was David's handpicked general.   David was God's anointed king over Israel and he was a type and a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is also God's anointed king. Joab served David all of his life only to be slain, at the command of David, at the end of his life.
Joab's downfall can be attributed to one simple truth. He had loyalty to David, but he did not have real love for David. No one would have questioned his loyalty. To put it bluntly, Joab was not on the inside what he pretended to be on the outside.
Joab believed all of the right things about David. He believed that David was God's savior. He knew that what armor could not do, spears could not do, soldiers could not do, chariots could not do, God did through David.
Joab was always on the front line of the battle fighting for David. It thrilled his heart to fight for David's honor. He loved to march under the banner of the king. He loved to fight in the name of the king. Likewise on the outside, there are many church members who seemingly have that same type of loyalty to King Jesus. They come to church. Perhaps they sing in the choir. They may even put money in the plate. They may even work in the church. But they are going to wind up with the same fate that Joab faced.
Abner for a comparison, had spent almost his entire life fighting David, a general of Saul's army, trying to topple David from the throne and put another man in his place.
It is so obvious to see the change that came in Abner’s life by what he says to David, "Then Abner said to David, 'I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.' II Sam. 3:21. Here was a man who had fought David all of his life, and now he was saying, "I'm going to spend the rest of my life bringing all the men and women to you that I can to serve you and to obey you."   It is a sure sign that a sinner has become a saint when he wants to be a soul-winner.
Compare Abner’s attitude with that of Joab…."Then Joab …..took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom's heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. 1 Kings 2:14-15) In cold-blooded fashion, once, twice, thrice he throws a spear right into the very heart of the son of the king.
Joab's problem was, he did not love the king, and he did not love what the king loved. I want to ask you a question. If you say you love Jesus…. do you love what Jesus loves? Do you love who Jesus loves?
The Pastors Pen 9/18/2019
Our Biggest Enemy
As believers we have three enemies. There are three problems that we encounter in victory in the Christian life. There is first of all the enemy on the outside. That's the world around us. There is also the enemy outside of us that is the devil. Then the Bible also tells us we have an enemy on the inside and that's the flesh. There is a member in my church who gives me more problems than any other member. This member has been a constant problem to me all of these nearly 15 years I've been here. The member I'm referring to is myself. I have more problems with me than I have with anybody else. My biggest problem, my greatest enemy is that old flesh.
The Bible says in Romans 7:18 - "in me (my flesh) dwells no good thing." The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:3 that we are not to put confidence in our flesh. If you think you can win battles in your flesh, you are going to be sadly mistaken. The enemy of the believer is the flesh. So, when we try to win victories in the flesh we cater to the very enemy that defeats us on the inside. The Bible says that we can have victory over the flesh. In Galatians 5:16 the Bible says, "walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." In Joshua chapter 8 God‘s people in the victory of the city of Ai, which means a heap of ruins, we can see how we get victory over the flesh in our daily lives as believers.
It's not going to be an easy matter for God‘s people. They are going to have to struggle. They have lost some ground to the enemy. In Joshua chapter seven they lost a battle to Ai. They lost ground. Sin was discovered in the camp. Sin had to be dealt with. It slowed down their progress with the Lord.
It's never easy to recover lost ground in your Christian life. Have you every heard someone say, "every day away from Jesus will take you three days to get back to him." I used to wonder where in the world they got a statement like that. Then one day I was reading the account of Jesus going to the temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve. The Bible says that Mary and Joseph got separated from Jesus and they went one days journey away from Jerusalem and realized Jesus wasn't there. Then they spent three days before they found Him. One day away from Jesus and it will take three days to get back to Him. Thirty minutes of sin, sometimes, can cost a believer thirty hears of testimony. When you lose your testimony for the Lord, it's not easy to get it back. That's why we need to be very careful that we don't get unconfessed sin in our lives. That’s why we need to be very particular that we keep our testimony strong and vibrant and radiant for the Lord. If you ever lose your testimony it will take you a while to regain that testimony and that respect.
My biggest enemy is me. Your biggest enemy is you! Galatians 5:13 tells us how we should live. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. We are free, but not free to use others to please our flesh. We are free to love and serve others through and for our Lord Jesus Christ!
Pastors Pen 9/11/2019
Keeping On - Practicing
By 1993, baseball player Nolan Ryan reached an incredible 5,744 strikeouts, and had seven no hitters. Ryan was a phenomenal baseball player.
In his rookie year, 26 years earlier, Gil Hodges was the manager of the Mets, and was impatient with Ryan. Although Ryan could consistently throw the ball over ninety miles an hour, most of the time it didn't go over the plate. He was walking everybody, hitting a lot of people, too. Hodges told Ryan at the beginning of a particular game that he was to pitch better in that game or he would pull him out and trade him. He would be finished.
Ryan went into that game trying to do his best, determined that he was going to succeed. He was miserable. He walked something like seven or eight batters in four innings. Hodges took him out. Later that season he was traded to the Angels.
After the game Richard Reeves went down into the locker room to interview the players. He noticed Nolan Ryan was apart from the others, looking into a mirror, obviously having difficulty tying his tie. Reeves got closer to him and noticed that there were tears in his eyes. He was crying. He couldn't see to tie his tie because of the tears.
Reeves remembered that incident on the occasion of celebrating Nolan Ryan as one of the immortals of baseball. He remembered that this legendary man, Nolan Ryan, BEGAN his long string of success thinking he had failed. But he kept on working. He kept on practicing. He kept on doing his job.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Do you feel like giving up in your Christian life? Do you feel like life is just to hard? Are you tired? Are you ready to quit?
Some members said to an eighty year old pilgrim of the faith who was known for his getting up early and spending time in reading the Bible and praying…“Why don’t you just sleep in? You’ve done a terrific job all these years….there’s no need to keep this going is there? You’ve done your job, you’ve done your share.“ He replied…“Shall I not run with all my might now that I see the finish line in view.“
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Get back in the game. Don’t quit! You can think about it…but don’t do it! Keep on keeping on for the Lord, for His glory and your joy.
Pastors Pen 9/4/2019
Once Saved Always Saved-- Part Two

One of the reasons why people get confused about eternal security is because they look at people who call themselves Christians, but don't live like Christians, and think that eternal security is just a cheap form of eternal fire insurance. Not everyone who says they are a sheep are a sheep. Not everyone who says they are saved are saved.

I have seen people all my ministry who walk down the aisle, got into a baptistery, and were never heard from again. I call them "alka-seltzer" Christians. You drop them in some water, they fizzle for a little while, and they disappear. We have all known people who came to church, got baptized, maybe sang in the choir, maybe even taught Sunday School, but now you can't find them, and if you do, they'll tell you they no longer believe in Jesus. The faith that fizzles at the finish was faulty from the first. 1 Jn. 2:19 says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us." A sheep cannot turn into a goat, a horse cannot turn into a cow, a dog cannot turn into a cat, and a child of God can never turn into a child of Satan.

"And I give them eternal life. (v.28) Eternal security does not depend on what you do for God, it depends on what God has done for you. Eternal life is not a prize you achieve, it is a gift you receive. But notice that eternal life is something given now. Jesus did not say "and I will give them eternal life," He said, "I give them eternal life." Eternal life is not something you get when you die, it is something you have when you believe. It is not something you will get in the sweet by-and-by, it is something you have in the nasty now-and-now. Jesus said in Jn. 3:36, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life."

Also take note that it is ETERNAL life. You know that the word eternal means forever. If you were saved today, but five years later you lost your salvation, then you did not have eternal life, you had five-year life. Heb. 10:14, "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."

He says in v.28, "neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." But then he said in v.29, "and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." So what he tells us is, we are in His grip and we and he are in the Father's grip. Your security is not based on your holding on to God, it is based on His holding on to you. So you know what that means? That means that you are only as secure as God is. The very honor of God is at stake in this entire matter of eternal security. One great Bible scholar put it this way: He said, if any of God's sheep were to "perish [it] would necessarily entail a defeated Father...a disappointed Son...and a disgraced Holy Spirit."
Pastors Pen 8/28/2019
ONCE SAVED--ALWAYS SAVED Part One

John 10:27-29My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand

There was a man who lived in a small southern town, and after twenty years of shaving himself every morning, he decided he had had enough. He told his wife he wanted to go down to the local barber, just for once, and get shaved himself. When he put on his hat and coat, went to the barbershop, which was owned by the pastor of the Baptist church, the barber's wife, whose name was Grace, was working, so she is the one that shaved him. After she shaved him she said, "That will be $20." Well, he thought the price was extremely high, but since she was the pastor's wife he paid the bill and went to work.

The next morning the man looked in the mirror, and to his amazement his face was as smooth as it had been when he left the barbershop the day before. He thought to himself, "I must admit that is not too bad of a shave. At least I don't need to get a shave everyday." The next morning his face was still smooth, and the next one, and the next one. Two weeks later that man still couldn't find any trace of whiskers on his face at all. There was no beard whatsoever. He couldn't believe it.

He returned to the barbershop and there was the pastor's wife who had shaved him. He said, "Grace, I have come to apologize. I thought $20 was awfully high for a shave, but this is incredible. It's been two weeks and my beard still hasn't started growing back." She didn't even change expression when she replied, "You shouldn't be surprised, you were shaved by Grace, and once shaved always shaved."

In John 10:27-29 It is interesting that he uses the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep to illustrate the principle of eternal security. If you will remember, the following three statements it will help clarify this in your mind:
1. The shepherd is solely responsible for the salvation of the
sheep.
2. The shepherd is solely responsible for the safety of the sheep.
3. The shepherd is solely responsible for the security of the sheep.

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice." (v.27) True sheep listen and can hear the voice of the Good Shepherd named Jesus. Jesus also said, "and I know them." The people who know Jesus and who are known by Jesus, are linked by faith to Jesus. Jesus went on to say in v.14, "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." It is one thing to KNOW ABOUT the Shepherd, it is another thing to KNOW the Shepherd. In Mt. 7:23 Jesus talked about certain people who would stand before him one day, thinking they were going to get into heaven. But Jesus is going to say to them, "I will declare to them I NEVER knew you."

Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship. Salvation is not attained by WHAT you know; it is in WHO you know. You are not a Christian because of WHO you are, but because of WHOSE you are. Next Week Part Two.
Pastors Pen 8/21/2019
What Are You Anchored To?

Hebrews 6:19 “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast….”
A ship or boat has to be anchored or it will drift away. The other day we were on our boat and we saw a very nice spot on the lake and decided to anchor there and enjoy the beach area. I thought I had my boat anchored. I looked up and without even realizing it we had drifted way down the shore line. Well I then re-anchored.   The boat finally seemed secure. A little while later several boats sped by and the wake tossed our boat around as is usual when boats pass by. No problem I thought. A few minutes later to my shock we had drifted down the shore line again. This time we went even further down the shore line. We decided to leave that area and anchor somewhere else.

The point is this….. Practically, If you are not anchored properly in a boat you will drift away.
Spiritually, if you are not anchored properly in Jesus you will drift away from God. It’s not the anchor’s fault. It‘s not the boats fault. It’s the one who chooses to let down the anchor who must assure that the boat is anchors securely.

I found this poem written by L C Taylor…

This anchor holds in day of adversity,
When all else threatens to give way.
This anchor keeps my vessel from drifting,
Never letting my ship run astray.

This anchor holds midst angry seas battering,
When waves and winds battle for my soul.
This anchor holds in the lonely night hours,
When darkness levy my spirit less bold.

This anchor holds with vigil over me,
Surveying waters lest my ship drift away.
This anchor is trustworthy and faithful,
Making unanxious my passageway.

This anchor holds fast though life is fleeing,
When death’s icy fingers my life grasps for.
This anchor will never let me falter,
Till my ship moors on that sacred shore

This anchor holds in the Judgment,
When the elements melt with fervent heat.
This anchor will calm and quiet my spirit,
Shoring me on with mercy and peace.

***********
This anchor holding me is Jesus.
My ship is in his arrant control.
He is my one hope! He is my comfort!
He is the anchor of my soul!

Pastor Jack Ward is on facebook under the name “Jack Ward” and iTunes under “Tomahawk Missionary Baptist.” Hear Pastor Jack each Sunday Morning at 10:30 Am on WSIP FM 98.9.    Check out the website tomahawkmbc.com
8/14/2019
HOW TO SURVIVE IN A STRANGE WORLD
Year ago Dear Abby recorded a powerful story. A young man from a wealthy family was about to graduate from high school. It was a custom in their affluent community for parents to give their graduating children a new car, and the boy and his dad had spent weeks visiting one dealership after another. The week before graduation they found the perfect car. They boy was certain it would be in the driveway on graduation night.
One the eve of his graduation, however, his father handed him a small package wrapped in colorful paper. The Father said the package contained the most valuable gift the Father could think of. It was a Bible! The boy was so angry he threw the Bible down and stormed out of the house. He and his father never saw each other again.
Several years later the news of the father's death finally brought the son home again. Following the funeral, he sat alone one evening, going through his father's possessions that he was to inherit when he came across the Bible his dad had given him.
Overwhelmed by grief, he brushed away the dust and cracked it open for the first time. When he did, a cashier's check dated the day of his high school graduation fell into his lap --in the exact amount of the car they had chosen together. The gift had been there all along but he had turned away.
The most valuable gift the Father has given us is the word of God. The only way we can learn to live with all of the pressure, problems, and perplexities of life is to learn how to live in the word of God. We are to preach the word.
1) Dr. Robert G. Lee in his sermon "A Charge to Keep” says the word is
Wonderful in its inspiration.
Wonderful in its unification.
Wonderful in its translation.
Wonderful in its preservation.
Wonderful in its salvation.
Wonderful in its sanctification.
Wonderful in its consummation.
It attracts the simple minds and confounds the deepest thinkers. It is always up-to-date and meets today's needs. It is so complete in its coverage of all human conditions.
Recognize its divine authority and bow to it. Own its glorious supremacy and obey it. Confess it blessed sufficiency and rejoice in it. Cling to its holy integrity and testify to it.
Cherish its precious truths and feed on it. Know its blessed truth and walk in the light of it.
The only way we can learn to survive and meet the demands of this day is to learn how to live in the word. What do you think about this Bible?
When you look at it is not expensive china that you can't touch and hath to handle with caution.
We don't write on it fragile do not break. It was made to be handled.
You don't put it on a shelf to collect dust and say isn't that a beautiful Bible.
The word is to be EXAMINED, the word is to be EXPERIENCED, to be EXPRESSED.
Have you examined, experienced and expressed the Bible?
Pastors Pen 8/7/2019
Will AI Take Over The World

From the New Sun: BRITAIN’S greatest living scientist is convinced cyborgs will rule the planet by the end of this century.   James Lovelock is predicting a world where artificial intelligence takes control because they will be able to think tens of thousands of times faster than us.   The prospect of cyborgs — part human part machine — taking over has long been the subject of nightmarish science fiction such as 2001 Space Odyssey and The Terminator.

But Mr Lovelock, who will turn 100 in a few days, claims although they will rule the roost, they will not kill us.   He told the Mail: “The idea that they will replace us is silly. We would co-exist with them just as we co-exist with plants.”

In fact, he believes, they will need us and we will co-exist with them, although as subordinates.
He said: “I get very irritated when people think of our successors as being convenient butlers or slaves that will do everything we want and they are under our control. “They will view us much in the way that we view plants – slower.

“We are now preparing to hand the gift of knowing on to new forms of intelligent beings. Do not be depressed by this. “We have played our part.” Mr Lovelock believes the rise of the cyborgs to becoming the dominant species is part of evolution. And since the fitness survive, it will be them who inherit the world.

Former Google and Microsoft exec Kai-Fu Lee believes robots will steal half of all current jobs in the world within 15 years.   Workers in many fields face a crisis "akin to that faced by farmers during the industrial revolution", says former Google and Microsoft exec Kai-Fu Lee.—The New Sun.

Remember not long after the flood destroyed the world Nimrod and his followers tried to build a tower to heaven to escape the judgment of God for they feared another flood. This time man I believe hopes to use artificial intelligence in order that he can live forever and circumvent and escape the judgment of God.

From Got Questions.org--The phrase technological singularity specifically refers to that theoretical moment when artificial intelligence reaches a tipping point, after which it self-improves without human input and beyond human ability. The concept of technological singularity also assumes that processing power will advance forever. But there are the natural laws of the universe. The rate of growth in computing technology eventually runs into the limits of physics; scientists and computer experts agree there is a “hard limit” to how fast certain technologies can operate. Since the complexity required to simulate a human mind is so far beyond even theoretical designs, there is no objective reason to say that true artificial intelligence can exist, let alone that it will exist.

But God has put a check and balance in order here. Spiritually, we understand our own limits because, being creations of God (Genesis 1:27), we can’t outdo God’s creative power (Isaiah 55:8–9). Also, God’s depiction of the future does not seem to include any kind of technological singularity.—Got Questions.org.
Pastors Pen 7/31/2019
Loneliness

Chip Ingram notes: "In his landmark book Bowling Alone, Robert Putman makes the case that loneliness is America’s new epidemic. People are searching for a place to belong. In the 1970s, it wasn’t uncommon for someone to leave a job that paid well and go off into the woods in order to 'find himself.' The issue of the existential sixties and seventies was one of identity. Who am I and why am I here? The issue of the twenty-first century appears to be 'where do I belong?' Belonging is a God-given human need. We all need and want the security of belonging to a family, belonging to a group, belonging to a team, belonging with people who need us just like we need them in a healthy and productive way. The fragmentation of the family and the rapid growth in technology have made people more mobile and isolated than ever before. The aching need to belong is at an all-time high"

An article by Medical News Today about the health effects of loneliness. Quoting the article, it states that "there is evidence that the risk of developing and dying from heart disease can depend on the strength of one's social network of friends and family."

Warren Clark is a senior analyst with Housing, Family and Social Statistics Division, Statistics Canada. He prepared a survey on Canadian Social Trends. In an age of high-tech communication Clark reveals how we are "terminally in touch...yet many people live alone." Families have decreased from 4 to 2.6 members but houses are larger, from 5 to 6 rooms. We want private bathrooms and private space. The age of people sitting in the same room and being in meaningful activity and relationship is a lost gift of healthy social interaction. On average we spend six hours alone every day.

We have more churches, more Christian literature, and more Iphones and apps; more Bible reading-plans, more social networks for podcasts and simulcasts than was dreamed possible a few years ago. Yet the stories of loneliness and isolation are staggering.

Why is this? Why are we all lonely yet have all these social media devices! We have gotten more tech savy and less actual engagement with other people. I see people at sporting events watching their phones instead of the games and hardly anyone talking to each other. Even at family gatherings people are looking at their phones instead of looking at each other One thing for sure the only thing that will accompany us to heaven is the word of God! No texting, no facebook, no messaging, no smart devices, and no apps will be in heaven.

Here is the cure for loneliness. Put the devices down when we are with others. I suggest we first spend time with God, read the Bible and pray, go to church to fellowship with others and engage with our families and friends. We need face to face human contact! In heaven we will fellowship with others face to face! Jesus said now we see through a glass darkly but then in heaven face to face!
Pastors Pen7/24/2019
Things Can Change Very Quickly

Within the last two weeks, our planet has experienced an average of more than 677 earthquakes of magnitude 1.5 or greater per day. That means that the number of global earthquakes right now is more than 3 times above normal. And the number of very large earthquakes is at a frighteningly high level as well. None of this is “normal”.

What is going on? We if you know me…. you know what I think. This is the last of the last days. Not only are people feeling unrest and instability but the planet itself is experiencing great unrest and instability.

Jesus told us that in the last days in Matthew 24:7 “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

Nation threatening nation. Kingdoms against kingdoms which literally means ethnic group against ethnic group. Famines, lack of food for many, pestilences, many diseases and earthquakes in divers places which means numerous localities.

We are seeing an increase in all of the above. Mark 13:8 says that there will be “troubles” along with famine. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” The world for “troubles” is calamities. Things are going to escalate where there is going to be a lot of suffering.

People tend to believe everything will be just fine. We go along with our happy care free lives day after day worried only about our own personal troubles. That’s what Great Britain and Europe thought also in 1937. Two years later everything changed. America had no idea in 1937 that they would be in a World War in four years that would cost the lives of 416,800 young men and women. Americans did not realize in 1861 that the skirmish at Fort Sumter would lead to the death of 620,000 soldiers and another 250,000 civilians before it ended in 1865. No one saw it coming when the ground began to quiver in Tangshan, China in 1976. 655,000 people were killed in less than five minutes!

Please heed this warning from God….Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived, God is not mocked whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.” We have sown rebellion against God. Hosea 8:7 “For they have sown the wind and they shall reap the whirlwind.” We have sown useless, wicked and godless things and we are going to reap much more wickedness and godless things than we have sown!

Do not fear, fear not, or do not be afraid is in the King James Bible 365 times! Exactly one per day. We really need that assurance from God today’s world! Many say that the world is “falling apart!” Bible believers say it is only “Falling into place” as God told us and has prepared us in His word.

God is warning us but more than that He is preparing us by these earthquakes and natural disasters. God wants us to be ready by the fact that people have increased in godlessness and total depravity. It’s time to repent and turn to Jesus Christ before it’s too late. Things can change overnight in our lives.
Pastors Pen 7/17/2019

Savior or Judge
I remember reading about Bob Ingersol, an American infidel. He made fun of every tenet of the Christian faith and one day Robert Ingersol was making fun of the idea of judgment. He was laughing at judgment and telling folks there's not going to be a judgment. There was an old drunk in the audience listening to Ingersol deny the judgment. In a little while the old drunk said, "Amen, Brother Bob. I hope you're right, I'm counting on that."
They tell me that in the human brain, every detail of your past life is preserved. It's just like it's a strip of movie film, complete with a sound track. There will come a time in eternal judgment when the God of this universe, with sovereign power, will touch the lives of those who stand before Him in judgment. Every detail of your life will be brought before you.
Let me ask you a question. Would you like every detail of your life to be put on these print magazines and television magazines today so that the whole world might see? How are you going to stand in judgment? I have good news for you. You won't have to stand in judgment. The good news of what Jesus did at the cross is that 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ endured your judgment for you and when you come to Him and get to know God through the Lord Jesus Christ your judgment has already passed and the Bible says, "There is therefore now no condemnation (no judgment) to them which are in Christ Jesus." I settled my case out of court. Praise God. No judgment if you know Christ.
I read the other day where someone said that Jesus didn’t condemn anyone for practicing homosexuality or adultery while He was on this earth. Their point was that if Jesus didn’t condemn these actions then we shouldn’t either.
They are partly right. Jesus didn’t outright condemn any sinner, but that doesn’t mean He condoned their sin. Jesus came to this earth the first time to “seek and save that which was lost.“ Luke 19:10. But the second time He comes He will come to judge this earth with fire. He came the first time to save sinners, He will come the second time to judge sin.
Don’t me mistaken into thinking that God will over look your sin. Let me give you some very good advice….If the Bible condemns it, then you had better flee from it! You had better be sure that Jesus Christ has washed your sins away by His precious blood.
The world situation is getting worse and worse. Iran, Russia and Israel may have war, the US might have to go to war with Iran, China and North Korea. There is unrest in every corner of the world. Surely Jesus is coming soon! Are you ready to meet Him as your Savior or your judge? You have the choice. But you must make it while you have a chance. Decide today that Jesus Christ will be your Savior and Lord.
The Pastors Pen 7/10/2019
WHAT OCCUPIES YOUR HEART

I squirmed a bit as I forced myself to listen to my friend cataloging her problems. After three hours, I interrupted her gently to ask, "If you were to draw a circle to represent your life, what would be in the center? She thought a moment, then said, "My problems." My friend spoke the truth.

A week later, I sat across the hospital bed on which lay my younger sister, Joy, who had just been diagnosed with acute leukemia. Gray and perspiring, with a swath of bandages encasing her throat from a biopsy, Joy talked to a student nurse who was interviewing terminally ill people to see if there was any way she could help them.

"Oh, Jan, I'm a bit fearful of the pain and process of dying--but I'm not afraid of death! It'll just be a change of residence for me," I heard my sister, her face radiant from within, say to this student nurse. And for forty-five minutes, Joy explained the good news of Jesus Christ to Jan.

Afterward, I thought, both my friend and sister have serious problems. Yet one's walking I despair, and the other in joy. What makes the difference? Then I realized what it was. My friend's heart was occupied with her problems; my sister's heart was occupied with the Living God. Carol Mayhall Today's Christian Woman, Vol. 20, no. 2.)

Our problems always seem to make their way to the center of our hearts. We don’t want them to but they slither their way there every time. Jesus said “My peace I give unto you. My peace I leave with you.” We know that all things will eventually work out to our good and to His glory! Just wait upon the Lord. That’s the hard part. That’s where the rubber meets the road. “The waiting is the hardest part” as singer Tom Petty said in a song once.

I am always interested in how people react to desperate or sad situations. In my experience as a pastor and deacon for thirty years I have discovered that God gave the human heart a great resilience in times of extreme emotional distress. I have seen people die of sickness and injury and I have seen them recover from these same events. Bottom line is this. People who know Jesus Christ face adversity differently. I know you have heard all the stories of great faith in the midst of trials and storms. But when it happens to you, only then will you find out for yourself. I know that there is a peace that surpasses all understanding for the believer in Jesus Christ. Because I’ve seen it in others and experienced it myself.

There is an old story about a pastor leaving a church. At his farewell dinner, he tried to encourage one of the pillar members, “Don’t be so sad. The next pastor might be better than me.” She replied, “That’s what they said last time, but it wasn’t true.” Then there are some people you just can’t cheer up no matter what you do.

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Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church
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Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church

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