1st Corinthians 10:5-12, “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
I cringe when I hear pastors being braggadocios, boasting of their success. I heard a sermon today by a popular independent fundamental Baptist pastor. If I mentioned his name everyone would instantly recognize him, if you are a fundamental Baptist. The sermon is about how him and his wife have stayed married for 25 years. Throughout the sermon he boasts that he and his wife have been careful to avoid bad friends, don't let the sun go down upon their wrath each day, take time for each other, go on cabin retreats with a fireplace, take vacations together every year, enjoy one another, et cetera. A few years later his wife was getting deep, damp and dirty with a staff member at the church where her husband was the pastor. She fell into the horrible sin of adultery for a couple months, until they were caught and exposed. The pastor resigned. That pastor is no longer braggadocios about his successful marriage.
I am thinking about another married couple. The fella was a well known pastor of one of the largest independent fundamental Baptist churches in the world. If I mentioned his name everyone would recognize him right away, if you are familiar at all with the independent Baptist movement. He and his wife were both braggadocios of their successful marriage. They both wrote books boasting about their successful marriage. In the wife's book she wrote, “I cannot believe the type of men that some women marry.” She bragged that her future was so bright that she needed to wear sunglasses, and she was wearing sunglasses to enhance her point.
The pastor and his wife relished in boasting publicly about their “happy marriage.” The cocky pastor slandered other preachers, one in particular, hypocritically accusing him publicly of “plowing with someone else's heifer” (referring to Judges 14:18). Although the pastor didn't mention the man's name, everyone knew exactly who he was talking about because his details were so vivid. I knew who he was slandering, and so did the man's mother in the church.
Well, a couple years later that cocky pastor commit adultery with a 17 year old young woman. He was sentenced to over a decade in prison. His ungodly self-righteous wife divorced him and married a different man, a stranger, a bum. This is the arrogant woman who criticized other ladies, saying, “I cannot believe the type of men that some women marry.” Uh huh! Look to thine own ways Ma'am! Some of my ministry readers may have figured out the couples I am talking about. I won't mention their names. I am not anyone's judge (James 4:12).
I wrote this article to warn others not to become haughty and braggadocios in pride just because you've enjoyed good success thus far in life. The proper Christian attitude should always be, “There but for the grace of God go I.” Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Our text passage of Scripture teaches that God has intentionally shared with us the faltering and failure of the Jews in the Wilderness, and then again when 20,000 Jews were killed by God for the sin of complaining, as ensamples (examples). God hates complaining! Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” God has given us hundreds of edifying biographies of Old Testament saints for our LEARNING, that by examining their lives (before, during and after their life on earth), we will find comfort and hope in the Scripture. Whereas they couldn't see their hand in front of their face during their suffering and tribulation, we have been given a privileged look into their lives. We have the special privilege of seeing the outcome of their faith in Christ (Acts 10:43).
I cringe whenever I hear a proud pastor bragging about his successful marriage, his big ministry, his ten thousand sermons or his great character. Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” People compliment and thank me all the time for my website ministry, which the LORD has blessed since 2002 when by God's grace I started my Jesus-is-Savior.com website ministry. I always pass the praise onto the dear LORD. John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
In 2003, by God's grace I started Lovethetruth.com. In 2004, I started Godlovespeople.com. In 2005, I started Dividedbytruth.org. In 2006, I started Soulwinning.info. In 2010, I started SteelC6th.com (since I preach the Gospel this music website is also a ministry). By God's grace, in 2013, I started my Jesusisprecious.org website. Amen and amen! I am not bragging, God forbid. It has only been by God's amazing grace, by His blessed Holy Spirit working through me as a wretched redeemed sinner, that all this has been possible.
Perhaps the greatest comment I have ever received from a web visitor was about 15 years ago. He said, “Thank you for allowing God to do all this through you.” At first I was taken back by his comment. I thought to myself, “Who am I to allow God to do anything?” But then I pondered over his compliment and realized that what he said is 100% biblical. Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”
The Sword of the Lord Is Becoming Toxic
I subscribe to the Sword Of The Lord (located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee), a publication founded in 1934 by the faithful soulwinning evangelist Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980). Brother Rice's successor was Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995). I cherish both of these faithful men of God. Today the ministry is led by Dr. Sheldon Smith, who I am not very impressed with. Dr. Smith values money more than truth. I kindly contacted the Sword of the Lord a couple years ago in 2022 to warn them about Pensacola Christian College (PCC), warning them that PCC is wrong on repentance and the Gospel. I actually found FOUR different plans of salvation at PCC. Tragically, the Sword of the Lord totally ignored me and couldn't care less about right doctrine. For years now the Sword has been promoting PCC in a large advertisement in each publication. 2nd John 1:11, “For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
In Volume XCII, No. 5, dated for March 6, 2026, an article appears on page 15 in the Sword of the Lord written by a pastor's wife, Janet Walsh. Her article is titled, “God Doesn't Need Me, But He Blesses Obedience.” Dear reader, that is junk theology! What do you mean God doesn't need us? You are the only Jesus that someone knows! To someone you are “the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8b). God does need you and me! There are lost sinners that only I can reach. There are lost families members that only you can reach with the Gospel.
Where did that pastor's wife ever get the erroneous idea that God doesn't need us? Get thee behind me, Satan! In Ezekiel 22:30 God said He sought for a man among the people who would “stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” God needed a man, but He couldn't find one. God didn't create another man to meet His need. There was no one! God wasn't looking for a woman. All women preachers are false prophets!
The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2:20, “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.” Paul couldn't find a man who shared his ministry vision and burden, just like God couldn't find a man to stand in the gap in prayer before Him for the land. We are all that God has to work with dear reader. If we do not fulfill God's will for OUR LIFE, there is no one else to fill our shoes. So, yes, God does indeed need you and me, very much.
Please don't ever let some ignorant pastor's wife convince you that God doesn't need you. Regardless of whether it is the Sword of the Lord, BBN (Bible Broadcasting Network), the local church that you attend, or some lifeless religious college—I encourage you dear reader to learn to THINK OBJETIVELY, questioning everything. 1st John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Some of the most dangerous places to be on earth today is in Bible college or a local church. A counterfeit gospel is being preached from nearly every pulpit today. Preachers are like parrots merely repeating what other preachers say. I think for myself.
The Holy Bible prophecies in the Old Testament book of Amos that in the last days there will be a famine, not of food, but of the inspired Words of God. Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” With literally hundreds of English Bible revisions today, the inspired Words of God are being obscured, lost and replaced with Satan's corruptible seed (Genesis 3:15). Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) uses Genesis 3:15 as his text for one of my favorite sermons titled, “The Battle Of The Ages” (1994).
It Is Only By God's Grace That We Can Do Anything
The Christian life is all about God's grace. As believers we don't grow in strength, we grow in grace. 2nd Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” The inspired Word of God teaches that Jesus (our Creator according to John 1:3 - King James Bible only) “giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25b).
1st Corinthians 3:6-7, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” I cannot save anybody! Romans 1:16 clearly identifies “the gospel of Christ” as “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
Carefully notice that no mention is made in Romans 1:16 of repenting of your sins, confessing Jesus publicly, getting water baptized, partaking of sacraments, inviting Jesus into your life, becoming a Christ follower, asking Jesus into your heart, being willing to turn from your past sinful ways, surrendering your will to live an obedient life, living a lifestyle of repentance, nor any other garbage; the inspired Scripture simply promises eternal life to “every one that believeth.” John 6:47, “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
Dear reader, if my website and blog ministry have been a blessing to you, then know that it is only because of God's blessed Holy Spirit working through me as His child. I have no special in road to God. The very same throne of grace that is freely available to help me is also available to you friend, if you are a born again Christian. ...
Hebrews 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.“
I first read and fell in love with this precious passage of Scripture during my first year at Hyles-Anderson College while living in the dorms. Once I read this passage and it burned into my heart the confidence to approach God's throne of grace boldly, I have never forgotten what I learned. Whereas the unsaved sinner has no right to come before God's throne, every redeemed sinner whose faith is in Jesus Christ does. That is a great comfort and confidence!
I have tried carefully over the decades of my ministry not to become braggadocios. My life has been a trainwreck. My marriage has been a nightmare. My health afflictions are many and debilitating. I am a broken sinner saved by the undeserving grace of God. I do not claim to be a good Christian, but God knows that I do truly care. I CARE! The most important job is the one that doesn't get done! Little things are important. Here is a life changing sermon by Dr. Jack Hyles titled, “The Importance Of Five Minutes.”
“Nothing is unimportant! Nothing! Every little detail's important!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Unjust In The Least”
The reason why Pensacola Christian College has FOUR different plans of salvation is simply because they don't care. Just like Romans 16:17-18 says, PCC are in the ministry for the INCOME, not the OUTCOME. Romans 16:18, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” At PCC, they don't pay attention to the details because it's not a priority to them. The accuracy of the Gospel doesn't matter at PCC.
You'll find everything from a free grace Gospel to Lordship Salvation officially being taught at their dungheap for a college. I heard assistant pastor Timothy Zacharias on July 21, 2021 (at a Wednesday evening service) errantly teach that you must repent to change your behavior to get to Heaven. That is another gospel! Such recklessness clearly evidences that they are only in the religious business to make money. PCC take in $175,000,000 each year! I feel sorry for any parent who financially pays for their impressionable child to go to such a blatant cult.
Always Credit God For The Good Things In Your Life
I began this article by mentioning two married couples in the clergy who were braggadocios about their marriages, but years later when calamity struck home and their marriages fell apart, they weren't so cocky. If you have been married for 40 or 50 years, you had better glorify God and testify that it was only by God's goodness, mercy and grace that you didn't end up divorced. Ladies and gentlemen, we don't give God enough due credit...
Daniel 5:23, “But hast lifted up thyself against the LORD of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.”
I cringed today as I heard a fundamentalist Baptist pastor giving all the reasons in a sermon why he and his wife have been married for 25 years. A couple years later when his pretty wife was being banging in bed by another man in the church, he wasn't so arrogant and confident about their marriage success. I refuse to boast about any of my own accomplishments. God is the Potter; We are the clay.
Also, please do not ever commit the foolish sin of boasting that your child is an honor role student without glorifying God, because that child could someday break your heart and wind up serving life in prison, overdose to death on drugs, or shame you in a hundred possible ways. We live in a wicked humanistic society in the United States. McDonald's says, “You Deserve a Break Today,” but the Holy Bible says you deserve to burn in Hell forever. Burger King says, “Have It Your Way!,” but the Holy Bible says to follow God's way.
The food we eat is by God's grace. The roof provided over our head is by God's grace. James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” There are 10,080 minutes in each week. Have we thanked God with even one of those minutes?
Al Capone's Wife Mae Stayed Faithful To Him In Prison
The other carnal pastor's wife I mentioned earlier, who said in her book that she couldn't believe the type of men that some women marry, ended up abandoning her husband while he was rotting in prison and she cruelly married another man. What a wicked thing to do! Marriage vows mean nothing anymore! The marriage license is a worthless piece of paper these days, when courts nationwide allow “no fault divorces” for any reason. What do you mean no fault? You're both at fault!!!
By divorcing her husband while he was alone in prison, that wicked pastor's wife was being self-righteous. She is just as much a rotten sinner as her adulterous husband! She shouldn't have condemned her husband for sinning differently than she did. Do you know that the wife of infamous gangster Al Capone (1899-1947) stayed faithful to him while he rotted in prison serving an 11 year sentence for tax evasion? It's true.
Al Capone contracted the disease syphilis from his years of philandering with harlots. He entered into prison with the disease in 1931, but Penicillin (the cure) wasn't discovered by the military until 1939. So, he went untreated in prison. Capone's brain and bones were eaten with holes by the time he was released from prison in 1939. Yet, his wife Mae Capone stayed faithfully married to Al, until death did they part. Shame on that wicked pastor's wife for divorcing her imperfect husband, when the wife of the world most notorious gangster stayed faithful to her husband. Truly, Christians behave worse than the world sometimes.
There but for the grace of God, go I.
