Russell will be back soon

RUSSELL SANDERS

11-26-2025

FALSE GIFTS

____________________

Proverbs 25:14 says, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” This speaks of false prophets and preachers who twist a biblical word into appeasing words contrary to what the Word actually says. They are often called the “people pleasers.” They falsely claim to bring the word of God. By giving “feel good” words they are often rewarded with many offerings. Some have even amassed considerable wealth. Sadly, they do not preach a balanced biblical word and may likely be leading people toward the gates of hell.

It is not our place to condemn them, but it is our place to caution and warn people about them. One must learn to examine a message given in light of the entire word of God. This requires both reading and studying the Bible, something that few people [even Christians] actually do.

If you know your Bible, then you are less likely to be deceived by false teachings, but how will you know if what you hear is false if you do not read it? Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

The Holy Spirit will write God’s word upon our heart, but the word is written on our hearts as we read it. If we never read the word, how can it be written upon our hearts?

You can easily be deceived by a false prophet or preacher if you do not know the word. You must read your bible. Read it, study it, and pray. Then read it again, study it, and pray. Let the Holy Spirit write the word upon your heart. Then meditate upon it.

HELEN SANDERS

11-28-2025

BE THE LIGHT

______________________

Across our neighborhood many of the residents have put up Christmas decorations. It is beautiful to see the shining lights at night. We have also done some decorating. 

As I was decorating and putting up some lights outside, I heard that familiar voice of the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t an audible voice, but the inner man speaking to me. He said that the lights were beautiful, but too often we focus on the lights instead of the “light giver.” Then He went on to say that we need to take our light into the darkness of the world and let it shine.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6 it says, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

God’s light shined on us and brought us out of darkness, now we must do the same to those that are still in darkness. There are those that will never turn to the light because John 3:19-20 says, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” This does not mean that we should not share the light, but it means when we share the light, we are no longer responsible for their decision. But if we do not share the light, how will they ever turn to it? 

As we enter the Christmas season, let the light of God in you shine brighter than the artificial lights that will be seen everywhere. Souls will be added to God’s kingdom when we share the gospel and the light of God.