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A Bible Believer Responds To John Piper’s Call For Christians To Not Be Armed

Now to me, the son of a WWII and Korea vet, and the brother to a United States Marine, this sounds like perfectly sound and rational thought processes coming from the desk of Mr. Falwell. And certainly, as a parent, taking every precaution we can to keep our kids safe I am all in favor of both as a Christian and as an American citizen. But John Piper sees it otherwise.

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So John Piper says it’s a sin to call the police when we are being threatened? I say that’s absolute hogwash, and so should you

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Romans 14:4,5 (KJV)

Yesterday the chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary, John Piper, published an article entitled “Should Christians Be Encouraged to Arm Themselves?” In the article he takes issue with Jerry Falwell, Jr. telling his students to go out and get their gun permits. Falwell said this:

“As the president of this university community of nearly 15,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, I take very seriously my responsibility to keep you safe in an increasingly dangerous world. That’s why in 2011 I asked our Board of Trustees to consider a concealed carry policy. It wasn’t because of Islamic terrorism, it was because what happened (just) up the road at Virginia Tech. More than 30 innocent students and faculty were murdered viciously and none of them had the ability to protect themselves. The day that happened, I thought we needed to do something different here at Liberty. We needed to have a way to protect our students, our faculty, so we instituted this free course in 2011. We were part of only a handful of schools in the United States that had taken that position at that time. Now many schools have followed suit. There are dozens and we have had 1,600 people take that course, 950 here now with concealed carry permits, and after I made those remarks on Friday we had 240 sign up for a course tomorrow night. I want to applaud you and thank you for taking steps to make our campus more safe. I recognize that not every one of you will (carry); it’s only for students 21 years and older.” source 

Now to me, the son of a WWII and Korea vet, and the brother to a United States Marine, this sounds like perfectly sound and rational thought processes coming from the desk of Mr. Falwell. And certainly, as a parent, taking every precaution we can to keep our kids safe I am all in favor of both as a Christian and as an American citizen. But John Piper sees it otherwise. Here is an excerpt from his anti-gun article:

“As chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary, I want to send a different message to our students, and to the readers of Desiring God, than Jerry Falwell, Jr. sent to the students of Liberty University in a campus chapel service on December 4. The apostle Peter teaches us that Christians will often find themselves in societies where we should expect and accept unjust mistreatment without retaliation. The early church, as we see her in Acts, expected and endured persecution without armed resistance, but rather with joyful suffering, prayer, and the word of God. A natural instinct is to boil this issue down to the question, “Can I shoot my wife’s assailant?” source

That, in brief, is the essence of Piper’s position, and you can read the entire article here. So let me just add a few brief points from the Bible believer position that I think will help to shed some additional light on the matter.

  1. John Piper’s misapplication of scripture: All through his article, he constantly says things like “Peter never fought back when mistreated”, and “the apostles endured persecution without retaliation”, and so on. Yes, those thing are true, but they need to be read in context. The reason why the apostles never fought back was because the punishments and afflictions they received were because of preaching the gospel specifically, and the Bible does say that in the course of witnessing for Jesus Christ hardships, perils and afflictions certainly will come. When we preach on the street, I have never hit back at any of the mistreatment we have received because when were are ministering we are specifically engaged in preaching the gospel. But I find no verses in the Bible that advise me to just “sit back and take it” when walking down a crowded city street and someone tries to mug me. So based on Piper’s misapplication of scripture, his advice to his daughter would be to “just take it” when attacked by a predator on a college campus or other gathering of people. See how silly his position suddenly becomes? No, the apostles, as seen below, suffered for a very specific cause, for the gospel’s sake, and as such took it without rebuttal. But I dare say that if some crazed lunatic tried to sexually assault Peter’s wife, the tough-as-nails Galilean fisherman would have thrust him through with his sword, and rightly so.
    “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 5:40 (KJV)
  2. John Piper is not rightly dividing the Bible: Paul commands Timothy to “rightly divide” the scripture so that he will not make the mistake of trying to apply Bible verses written to the Jews and place them on the Church. In his article, Piper talks about “enduring to the end” from Matthew 24, a passage specifically written to Jews in the time of Jacob’s trouble. But Christians don’t “endure to the end” because we are 1). sealed until the day of redemption as found in Ephesians 1 & 4, and 2). we will not go through the time of Jacob’s trouble otherwise known as the Great Tribulation. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV)
  3. Many of his points are just ridiculous: One of his main theme points is that the christian should just “trust God” and everything will work itself out. The Bible believing Christian does trust God with the most important thing we have, and that is our souls. We trust Him to take us home to Heaven when we die, we place our eternal destiny in His hands alone. But until that day arrives, we live in a sin-cursed world that currently is ruled by the Devil! God gave us a brain for a reason, He wants us to do some thinking with it. Whenever we travel anywhere in a car, we always ask God to guide our path and get us to and from safely, right? But we also wear our seatbelts! I highly doubt that Piper and his whole family ride around in cars at high speeds unbelted. If Piper’s logic was followed to it’s natural conclusion seat belts would no longer be used because when using them our “faith would be in the seat belts” and not in God’s power to keep us safe. That’s just plain crazy. But yet Piper goes further still when he says that even calling the police when you are in danger “comes from a heart that is out of step with the mind of Christ. If one’s heart is controlled mainly by fear, or anger, or revenge, that sinful disposition may be expressed by using the police as well as taking up arms yourself.” So now it’s a sin to call the police when we are being threatened? Hogwash, and dangerous hogwash at that. “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)

Conclusion: I honestly don’t know much about the ministry or beliefs of John Piper, I run in Bible believing circles and have not come across much if any of his work. But going on this particular article he has written, he comes across as an anti-gun liberal to me. God calls us to trust Him in all we do and with all we have, yet at the same time it is not a lack of faith to exercise and eat right to stay healthy. And it is not a lack of faith when we take common sense precautions to keep our loved ones safe in a sin-cursed world.

Famous media liberal, Geraldo Rivera, who almost always advocates for pacifism, nearly had a thermonuclear meltdown last month when his own daughter was near the Paris Muslim terror attacks. This is what he said:

We need to respond by declaring war on them… if we don’t kill them, they’re going to kill us.” He offered specifics, calling for Russia, the U.S. and our Middle East Allies to join forces in a war against ISIS– even if have to drag the latter in “kicking and screaming.” “I want a massive ground campaign to conquer ISIS once and for all,” Rivera said. source

Lol, every liberal is a pacifist until the day their loved ones are threatened, then they want blood. John Piper is no different. If the evil he so carelessly tells us to “not worry about” and just “trust God” with ever came to land at his doorstep you can best believe his tune would change. Quickly.

If you try and make the Bible say Christians can’t have guns, then we can’t have seat belts either. If you were to ask my opinion on whether or not a Christian should buy a gun, I would give you the same answer I would give you with any other question you might ask. I will tell you to pray about it, and let God do the deciding.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” Ephesians 1:17 (KJV)

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The Children Of The Glory Fellowship Orphanage In Kenya Sleep On Cardboard And Now Operation Africa! Wants To Give Them New Cots And Clean Blankets

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Operation Africa! Has Been Given A New Mission To Provide 44 Mattresses And 44 Blankets For The 84 Children At Glory Fellowship Orphanage Sleeping On Cardboard Floors

The children at Glory Fellowship Orphanage in Kenya are sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder on pieces of cardboard spread across a bare concrete floor. There are no mattresses beneath them and no warm blankets covering them on top. That is an actual photo at the top of this article, showing you how these precious children actually go to sleep every night. What if that was your child, would you be happy with that? I say we do something about it.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 (KJB)

Through Operation Africa!, the Lord has already allowed us to send more than 1,100 King James Bibles to Kenya, provide them with life-saving medicine, and complete a water well and tanker program at the orphanage. Now God has placed another urgent need directly before us: 84 children need 44 mattresses and 44 blankets. This is not a request for luxury. We are talking about the most basic human necessities, like a comfortable place to lay their heads and a clean blanket to keep them warm through the night. These children should not have to spend another night sleeping on cardboard when, together, we have the power to change their situation. We can’t fix all of Africa, but Lord willing, we can fix this.

The Bible does not tell us merely to feel sorry for the fatherless; it tells us to visit them in their affliction. That means seeing the need, stepping into the need and doing something about it. Through Operation Africa!, God has brought these children into our lives and given us an opportunity to put our faith into action. Let’s get every one of these 84 children off the floor, put a clean mattress beneath them and place a warm blanket over top of them. The children will sleep two-to-a-bed. The cots are $45 each, the blankets are $30 each, and we need 44 of both. Altogether that comes to $3,300, a very reasonable price to pay to put all 84 children into the type of sleeping arrangements you would want for your precious children. All of us together should easily be able to do this, pray for this outreach, and come help us!!

If God has prospered you, please take a moment to click on the donate button to help us in this overwhelmingly urgent task of providing the children of Glory Fellowship Orphange with medicine and clean drinking water. We need your prayers, we need your generous financial support, and we need you to stand with us in the closing days of the Church Age. Thank you so very much, TO THE FIGHT!!!


NOTE: If you need a 501 C3 Letter of Donation for tax purposes, please send your donation to:

NTEB Ministries
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Ste. 1272-129
Virginia Beach, VA 23454.

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

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But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORTTO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

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THE BIBLE BELIEVERS SUNDAY SERVICE: I Quit

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I Quit: When God’s Mightiest Servants Reached Their Breaking Point, Lost Their Courage And Discovered That Their Calling Was Stronger Than Their Discouragement

“I Quit” are two words that nearly every servant of God will be tempted to say at some point in the ministry. The Bible does not airbrush its heroes or pretend that men of faith never collapse beneath the burden. Jeremiah decided to stop preaching, Peter returned to his fishing boat, Elijah asked God to let him die, John the Baptist questioned Christ from prison, Moses could no longer carry the people, David became convinced that Saul would eventually kill him, and Paul despaired even of life. These were not weak men playing at ministry; they were mighty servants who discovered that calling does not make the flesh indestructible. The difference was not that they never reached the breaking point—it was that God met them there and refused to allow their darkest moment to become the final chapter. Christian, do you feel like quitting today? This message is for you.

“O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.” Jeremiah 20:7 (KJB)

The Bible Believers Sunday Service: I Quit

I Quit

“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (KJB)

God’s calling does not make His servants immune to exhaustion, fear, disappointment, loneliness, or doubt. God sometimes allows His servants to reach the end of their own strength so they will learn to trust “in God which raiseth the dead.”

MAIN POINT: The breaking point does not have to become the quitting point.

Dispensational Note: Jeremiah and Elijah ministered to Israel under the law and the prophetic program. John the Baptist and Peter ministered in connection with Israel, Messiah, and the kingdom. Paul is our apostle and doctrinal pattern for the present Church Age. These men did not occupy the same dispensational position, but the spiritual principle remains: God’s servants are weak, but God remains faithful.

I. Jeremiah: When Faithful Preaching Brings Reproach

“O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:7-9 (KJB)

A. Jeremiah was faithful, but faithfulness did not protect him from discouragement

Jeremiah preached exactly what God told him to preach. Instead of producing repentance, his preaching produced mockery, opposition, persecution, and reproach. His discouragement was not caused by disobedience. It came while he was faithfully carrying out his calling.

B. Jeremiah allowed his circumstances to distort his perception

When Jeremiah accused the LORD of deceiving him, he was speaking out of anguish, not giving a doctrinal statement about God’s character. God had already warned Jeremiah that the people would fight against him. Jeremiah had not been deceived; he had become overwhelmed by the cost of obeying God.

C. Jeremiah attempted to resign

Jeremiah said:

  • “I will not make mention of him.”
  • I will not “speak any more in his name.”
  • I am finished preaching.
  • I will remain silent.

D. The Word would not release the prophet

Jeremiah could close his mouth, but he could not extinguish the Word burning inside him. The pain of holding back the message became greater than the pain of delivering it. Jeremiah tried to silence the message, but the message would not release the messenger.

II. Peter: When Personal Failure Makes You Go Backward

“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” John 21:3 (KJB)

A. Peter had once appeared fearless

Peter had promised to follow Jesus even unto death. But when confronted during the Lord’s trial, Peter denied Christ three times. His confidence in himself was shattered. That’s a great starting point for the Christian, to have your self-confidence broken. You must decrease, He must increase.

B. Peter returned to something familiar

Peter did not formally say, “I quit.” Nevertheless, his actions indicate retreat. Not knowing what place remained for him, Peter returned to the occupation he had known before Jesus called him.

He could return to the boat, but he could not return to his old life as though Christ had never called him.

C. Peter’s retreat influenced other people

When Peter said, “I go a fishing,” the others answered, “We also go with thee.”

A discouraged leader rarely retreats alone. Other people are watching, and they may follow him into his withdrawal.

D. The Lord allowed Peter’s nets to remain empty

Peter had years of fishing experience, but “that night they caught nothing.” The empty nets demonstrated that Peter could accomplish nothing independently of Christ. Jesus already had fish and bread waiting on the shore. Christ did not need Peter’s catch; Peter needed Christ’s provision.

E. Christ restored Peter through love and recommissioning

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” John 21:15 (KJB)

“He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:16,17 (KJB)

Jesus did not ask Peter whether he still felt brave. Peter’s self-confidence was gone. The question was, “Lovest thou me?”

Peter’s restoration was followed by a renewed commission:

  • “Feed my lambs.”
  • “Feed my sheep.”
  • “Follow me.”

Teaching Truth: Failure said, “Go back.” Jesus Christ said, “Follow me.”

III. Elijah: When Exhaustion Follows a Great Victory

“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 19:4 (KJB)

A. Elijah’s collapse came immediately after his Mount Carmel victory

Elijah had confronted 450 prophets of Baal. God had answered by fire. The people had confessed that the LORD was God.

Then one threat from Jezebel sent Elijah running.

  • Yesterday, Elijah faced 450 prophets.
  • Today, he was afraid of one woman.
  • Yesterday, he prayed for fire to fall.
  • Today, he prayed for his life to end.
  • Yesterday, he stood before a nation.
  • Today, he sat alone beneath a tree.

B. Great victories can be followed by dangerous emotional lows

Spiritual victory does not make the flesh indestructible. Elijah had expended tremendous physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. When the excitement ended, exhaustion, disappointment, fear, and isolation descended upon him.

C. God addressed Elijah’s physical exhaustion

“And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:5-8 (KJB)

God did not begin by rebuking Elijah. He allowed him to sleep, provided food and water, and allowed him to sleep again. Sometimes a servant does not immediately need another sermon. He needs rest, nourishment, and time in the presence of God.

D. Discouragement distorted Elijah’s perception

“And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 1 Kings 19:10 (KJB)

Elijah felt alone, so he concluded that he was alone. But feelings are not facts.

“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18 (KJB)

Elijah saw no one. God saw seven thousand.

E. God restored Elijah in five ways

God gave Elijah:

  1. Rest for his body.
  2. Food for his strength.
  3. Truth for his distorted perspective.
  4. Work for his prophetic calling.
  5. Elisha for companionship.

MAIN POINT: Elijah’s juniper tree was a terrible moment, but it was not the conclusion of his ministry.

IV. John the Baptist: When Circumstances Contradict Expectations

“And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Matthew 11:1-6 (KJB)

A. John had been a mighty and fearless preacher

John had publicly identified Jesus Christ:

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 (KJB)

John had seen the Spirit descend upon Christ. He had identified Jesus as the Son of God. Yet confinement, uncertainty, and approaching death brought him to a moment of doubt.

B. John struggled to reconcile his circumstances with his preaching

John had announced:

  • The coming King.
  • The approaching kingdom.
  • The axe laid to the root.
  • The fan in Christ’s hand.
  • The coming judgment by fire.

Yet Herod remained on the throne, and John remained in prison. The King had come, but John was still bound. Other people were receiving deliverance, but John’s prison door remained shut.

C. John did not understand the interval between the Advents

John belonged to Israel’s prophetic and kingdom program. He saw the prophecies concerning Messiah’s coming, His kingdom, and His judgment, but he did not yet understand the gap between the First and Second Advents or the still-unrevealed mystery of the Church Age.

The prophetic timetable was unfolding differently than John expected.

D. John took his question to the right Person

John did not send his disciples to Herod, the Pharisees, or public opinion. He sent them directly to Jesus Christ.

Faith is not the absence of painful questions. Faith takes those questions to the right Person.

E. Jesus answered John with scriptural evidence

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Matthew 11:4-6 (KJB)

Jesus did not explain every detail or promise that John would be released. He directed John back to the evidence of fulfilled Scripture.

The answer was essentially: Do not judge who I am by the bars surrounding you. Judge who I am by the Word of God.

F. Jesus did not define John by his weakest moment

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:11 (KJB)

John was questioning Jesus, but Jesus was not questioning John’s faithfulness. Christ knew the difference between hardened unbelief and a faithful servant suffering through a dark hour.

MAIN POINT: John’s question did not erase his calling, his courage, or his entire ministry.

V. Moses: When the Burden Becomes Too Heavy

“I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.” Numbers 11:14,15 (KJB)

A. Moses became overwhelmed by responsibility

Moses was attempting to carry the burden of the entire nation. The work truly was too heavy for one man.

B. Moses saw death as his only escape

Overwhelming pressure can narrow a person’s thinking until he can no longer see any solution except escape.

C. God provided shared responsibility

God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders. The LORD did not remove Moses from his calling; He provided other men to help carry the burden.

MAIN POINT: Sometimes the answer is not quitting the work but sharing the weight.

VI. David: When Fear Becomes Greater Than the Promise

“And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.” 1 Samuel 27:1 (KJB)

A. God had promised David the throne

Saul could not kill David without overthrowing the promise and purpose of God.

B. David listened to his heart instead of God’s promise

The verse begins, “David said in his heart.” David looked at Saul’s repeated attacks and concluded, “I shall now perish.” His circumstances appeared more powerful than God’s Word.

C. Discouragement drove David into enemy territory

When a servant stops resting in God’s promises, the world begins to look like a place of safety. David fled into the land of the Philistines because fear told him there was “nothing better.”

MAIN POINT: Discouragement causes us to calculate the future without including the faithfulness of God.

VII. Paul: When a Church-Age Servant Reaches the End of His Strength

“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:” 2 Corinthians But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:8,9 (KJB)

A. Paul was pressed beyond his natural ability

Paul did not say that God would never allow something beyond human strength. He said that he was “pressed out of measure, above strength.” The pressure exceeded Paul’s natural ability to endure it.

B. Paul “despaired even of life”

This was not an immature believer. This was the apostle to the Gentiles. Yet he reached a place where death appeared certain.

C. God was destroying Paul’s self-reliance

The purpose is stated plainly:

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9 (KJB)

God brought Paul to the end of himself so that Paul would place his complete confidence in the God of resurrection.

D. Paul also experienced abandonment

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” 2 Timothy 4:16,17 (KJB)

Every human companion may leave, but the Lord remains.

MAIN POINT: When no man stood with Paul, the Lord stood with him. As it turned out, that was all he needed.

Spiritual Application

  1. Recognize the Different Causes of Discouragement

These servants became discouraged for different reasons:

  • Jeremiah: mockery and rejection.
  • Peter: personal failure and shame.
  • Elijah: exhaustion, fear, and isolation.
  • John: confinement and unmet expectations.
  • Moses: overwhelming responsibility.
  • David: prolonged persecution and fear.
  • Paul: suffering, pressure, and abandonment.

The cause may differ, but the temptation is the same: stop, retreat, isolate yourself, or abandon the calling.

  1. Do Not Make Permanent Decisions During Temporary Collapse

Jeremiah decided never to preach again.

Peter decided to return to fishing.

Elijah asked to die.

David fled into enemy territory.

None of them was seeing clearly at that moment. Exhaustion, fear, humiliation, and loneliness are terrible counselors. Do not make a permanent decision while standing inside a temporary storm.

  1. Distinguish Between Rest and Retreat

Elijah needed sleep and food. Moses needed help carrying the burden. Peter needed restoration. John needed reassurance from Scripture. Rest is not quitting. Receiving help is not weakness. Stepping back long enough to regain strength is not the same as abandoning God’s calling.

  1. Do Not Turn Feelings Into Facts

Elijah felt alone, but seven thousand remained.

David felt certain that Saul would kill him, but God had promised him the throne.

John felt confused by the prison, but Jesus was still the Messiah.

Peter felt finished, but Christ still intended to use him.

Feelings are real, but they are not always reliable.

  1. Return to the Word of God

Jeremiah had the Word burning inside him.

Jesus directed John to the scriptural evidence.

David needed to remember God’s promise.

Paul learned to trust the God who raises the dead.

Discouragement grows when circumstances interpret the Bible. Faith returns when the Bible interprets the circumstances.

  1. Take Your Questions Directly to God

Jeremiah poured out his complaint before the LORD.

Elijah spoke honestly to God.

Moses cried unto the LORD.

John sent his question directly to Jesus.

God already knows the condition of the heart. Honest anguish brought into His presence is better than silent bitterness carried away from Him.

  1. Accept God’s Provision

God may provide:

  • Rest, as He did for Elijah.
  • Help, as He did for Moses.
  • Correction, as He did for David.
  • Scriptural reassurance, as He did for John.
  • Restoration, as He did for Peter.
  • Strength in loneliness, as He did for Paul.
  • Renewed fire for the message, as He did for Jeremiah.

Do not reject the form in which God sends His help. He knows best, let HIM do it.

  1. Remember That Your Retreat Can Affect Others

When Peter said, “I go a fishing,” others followed. Leaders must remember that their responses to discouragement can influence families, churches, ministries, and younger believers. This does not mean pretending to be invincible. It means taking weakness to God before that weakness becomes a path others begin following.

  1. Do Not Define a Servant by His Weakest Moment

Jeremiah was more than his complaint.

Peter was more than his denial.

Elijah was more than his juniper tree.

John was more than his prison question.

Moses was more than his frustration.

David was more than his fearful retreat.

Paul was more than the moment when he despaired even of life.

God recorded their weakness, but He did not allow their weakness to write the final chapter.

  1. Understand What God Is Accomplishing

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 2 Corinthians 1:9 (KJB)

The ultimate purpose is the destruction of self-confidence. God does not need invincible men. There are none. He uses weak men who have learned that His grace, His Word, and His strength are sufficient.

Closing Challenge

Jeremiah tried to silence the message, but the Word burned within him.

Peter tried to return to fishing, but Jesus stood on the shore.

Elijah asked to die, but God fed him and sent him back.

John questioned Christ, but Christ answered him with the Word.

Moses wanted to escape the burden, but God sent men to help him.

David feared he would perish, but God’s promise remained unchanged.

Paul despaired even of life, but the Lord stood with him.

The common thread is not the strength of these men. The common thread is the faithfulness of their God.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 (KJB)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJB)

Final Questions

  • Are you interpreting God through your circumstances, or your circumstances through the Word of God?
  • Are you calling yourself alone when God still has seven thousand?
  • Are you returning to old nets because of one terrible failure?
  • Are you making permanent decisions while physically and emotionally exhausted?
  • Are you looking at prison bars instead of the works of Christ?
  • Are you trying to carry a burden God never intended you to carry alone?
  • Are you trusting in yourself, or “in God which raiseth the dead”?

Final Challenge: Do not quit in the dark what God called you to do in the light. Rest if you must. Receive help when it is offered. Pour out your heart before the Lord. Return to the Word. Then arise, go back to the work, and continue in the strength which God supplies.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39 (KJB)

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

nteb-free-king-james-bible-program-750-550

But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORTTO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

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Life At The Crossroads: Bibles Behind Bars Is Bringing King James Bibles And The Gospel Of Jesus Christ To Men Living Inside A Maximum-Security Missouri Prison

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At Crossroads Correctional Center In Missouri, Bibles Behind Bars Is Putting The Preserved Word Of God Into The Hands Of Men Who Need Truth And Hope Before It Is Too Late

Crossroads Correctional Center is not an abandoned relic from Missouri’s prison history; it is once again an active maximum and medium-security institution housing roughly 1,250 men behind concrete, steel, electrified barriers and coils of razor wire. Closed in 2019 and reopened in 2022, the facility stands as a grim monument to the consequences of choices made, laws broken and lives forever altered. From the air it resembles a cold, mechanical wheel, with cellblocks radiating outward from central corridors and every road ultimately ending at another locked gate. For the men living inside, however, this is not some trivial architectural curiosity or bland government statistic—it is daily life at the Crossroads.

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalms 68:11 (KJB)

There is something hauntingly appropriate about that name, Crossroads, because every man inside that prison has arrived at a crossroads far greater than the one that brought him before a judge. The State of Missouri can confine a man’s body, regulate his movements and determine the hour when his cell door opens, but it cannot prevent the word of God from reaching his heart. This is why the work of Bibles Behind Bars is so necessary and needed, placing the preserved word of God into the hands of prisoners who desperately need truth, hope and the gospel of the grace of God. These men do not need another watered-down paraphrase, religious pamphlet or empty program, they need a King James Bible they can open, read and believe. Some will leave Crossroads through the front gate, while others may never leave at all, but the blood of Jesus Christ can save any sinner who believes. No man is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and no prison wall is thick enough to stop his preserved word. Chaplain Matt at Crossroads wrote to us and said “We have had an influx of inmates hungry for the Word of God and they have been asking for Bibles in mass requests and we about out of Bibles and would appreciate a donation for as many as you can give!” There it is, waist-high and over the plate, let’s hit this thing out of the park.

In addition to Crossroads, we also have pending requests for Bibles from:

  • Orange County Department of Corrections – FL
  • Torrance County Detention Facility – CA
  • Macon County Sheriff’s Office – IL
  • One Bible requested by Mom Nancy for her son in Bay County Jail, Panama City – FL

Christian, the only way this works is if you will lift this ministry up in prayer as often as the Lord brings it to your mind and heart. The only way this works is if you will go above and beyond to help us with this “great commission” the LORD has given us. Come help us, we need you!!

If God has prospered you, please take a moment to click on the donate button to help us in this monumental task of providing King James Bibles, New Testaments, scripture portions, gospel tracts as well as Spanish Bibles to inmates in jails and prisons from Florida to Alaska, and every state in between. We need your prayers, we need your generous financial support, and we need you to stand with us in the closing days of the Church Age. Thank you so very much, TO THE FIGHT!!!


NOTE: If you need a 501 C3 Letter of Donation for tax purposes, please send your donation to:

NTEB Ministries
1340 N Great Neck Rd.
Ste. 1272-129
Virginia Beach, VA 23454.

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

nteb-free-king-james-bible-program-750-550

But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORTTO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

Continue Reading

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