Something for Nothing *NEW*

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

A free gift?

Everyone wants something for nothing. I am amazed at how many sensible, intelligent people fall for offers of getting something for free on the internet. Whether it be the Nigerian scam, offers for free gift cards for joining a group online, or offers of free virtual coins or whatever on facebook, people hazard their finances and computer equipment just to try and get something for free.
I wonder how many folks have had to wipeout their harddrives because of a virus they got while looking for a free lunch.
Regardless of how many times I warn friends about the danger of visiting certain sites, copying codes into their browsers, and the like, I still see them do it over and over. Then I notice they have the exact virus I tried to warn them about.
They put their faith in the most ridiculous scams, regardless of the cost.

Doesn't anyone know the old adage: If it looks too good to be true, it's probably not?

Then there's the exception to that rule: The God of the universe robed himself in human flesh, came to earth to walk as we walk, and GAVE himself as a sacrifice that we might not see death.
There is no catch.

• We don't have to give over our bank account info
• No one asks us for our private passwords
• We don't have to harrass our friends with endless emails asking for help in a scam
• We do absolutely nothing

Yet, so many refuse to put their faith in such a simple plan.

Could it be that God made it too simple? I don't think so.

Friend, God has a plan for every person on earth.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Jesus died on the cross for all of us. If we only place our faith in his free gift, we have life eternal.

Yes, you CAN get something for nothing.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The Finisher of Our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...


Do yourselves a favor, today. Read Hebrews 11:1-12:3

Don't just read it, though. Read it ALOUD! Make a Shakespearean production out of it. It's all pretty much in "modern" English. Not a thee or thou can be found. The only ye is in the last verse.

When you get to verse 32 start the hand gestures as a good Shakespearean actor/actress would. If that's a little weird, just imagine you are.

I have just read it, it would seem, for the first time. I love it when God just out of the blue takes a passage you have never gotten excited about and makes it electrifying. I know, I know. You are asking why I would not have already found this passage on faith exciting. Well, I cannot answer that. I've always been excited about my faith. My biggest question for the "lose your salvation," Armenian sort is how on earth can you not believe God will complete what he started.

But because faith is just that, "faith," I don't really need such an uplifting passage to soothe my soul. But that has all changed tonight. Look what all God did to fulfill his promises before our age. I don't need physical kingdoms subdued or live lion's mouths stopped. I hope I am never stoned or sawed asunder.

But in the spiritual sense he has done all those same things for us. A few he has done physically for us. His only begotten Son did give his life for us. He had no ram in the thicket because he WAS that ram.

If that don't set you afire, your wood's wet.

But none of this is why I wrote this email.

I record Extreme Makeover Home Edition on the computer to watch later on my laptop. It comes on during the Sunday Evening service. I have oft told friends my favorite part of the show. It is not seeing all the cool carpentry and flat panel tv's. It's not the awesome demolitions that occur on most shows. Although, the house they blew up with nitro was pretty amazing.

My favorite part is seeing the reactions when they move the bus and show the family their new home.

At the beginning of the show Ty promises to build the home. All through the week they get updates of the progress. But it is at that exact moment that their "faith" is made "sight."

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...

It's great to have faith, but one day we won't need faith anymore. The families on that show know of the show's reputation. They have great expectations. But the looks on their faces reveal how better sight is than faith.
Don't call me a heretic. Here on earth we walk by faith, not by sight. But some glorious morning when God calls us home, when Christ proves that he is the "finisher" of our faith, when we see him for what he is, it is SIGHT that will cause us to sing that song of the redeemed.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Just as my elder friend, Bro Carlton won't need his cane, my crippled friend, Bro Jim won't need his chair, I won't need my faith.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Is your wood dry, yet? Are you about to call Bro Boruff and ask him how to have a Baptacostal runnin' fit?

If I ever wanted my little muses to mean something to somebody, it is now. This Bible study has done so much for me tonight. Writing this muse was a good vent, and caused further study.

I look forward to the moment we, as heavenly saints, finally see that which is promised. It will be worth it all. Pardon me while I sing one of my favorite songs: (written by a Baptist Preacher, too)

I'm looking now across that river
to where my faith is gonna end in sight.
There's just a few more days to labor,
Then I will take, my heavenly flight

Beulah Land I'm longing for you,
and someday on thee I'll stand.
There my home shall be eternal.
Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah land

Bro Ralph Fiscus

"What have you done today that only a Christian would do?" -anon

Cal Ripken

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,


I’m not much of a sport’s fan, but I do have my favorite athletes. One of my favorite baseball players is Cal Ripken, Jr. He’s retired, but his record still stands.

You see, on Sep 6th, 1995 he went down in history for a feat that will probably never happen again. He beat Lou Gehrig's record and put his name forever in the history books. It wasn’t a record for the most hits, homers, RBI’s, or even stolen bases. He forged his name in the annals of baseball as the Iron Man. He showcased no superhuman attributes. He simply showed up ready for work and started in 2,131 games consecutively.

He characterizes it as 2,131 times that the manager deemed him fit to play. He was “chosen” each game day.

This is an affirmation that hits home and actually hurts when I think about it. Am I showing up for work on God’s field? Does Christ have reason to choose me each day to do even the smallest task for him?

Life takes many turns and often God’s will seems almost hidden from our view. I pray that I still seek, and oft find that will. For only there will I be “chosen” to hit the field.

Strong Drink

Proverbs 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

A young boy, about nine years old was sitting on his Grandpa’s back porch anxiously awaiting his Grandpa’s return so they could go fishing. His Grandpa had gone next door to visit his neighbor. After several hours, the boy’s Grandma came out and inquired as to where the Grandpa was. Upon returning from the neighbor’s the Grandma scooped up the young boy and took him home to his parents. His Grandpa had just ended a long dry spell by getting drunk with moonshine that his neighbor had bought.
He never wanted to hurt his grandson. After all, that boy was his favorite of about five grandsons. But, you see, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:” (Proverbs 20:1). He let his thirst for booze overcome the strongest of all emotions, love.

It still hurts when I recount this story, because if you haven’t already figured it out, I was that young boy. I spent every Saturday fishing, cutting grass, or both with my Grandpa. He stood about 6’3” and was the strongest man I knew. He was never in a war, but was my hero just the same. He rarely spoke of his days in jail around me because he only wanted me to see his good deeds.

But on that day he taught me a lesson that I never forgot. I felt the bite and sting of booze long before taking my first sip. This one incident played the most significant part in keeping me from alcohol for many years. I wanted no part in such sorrow.

I wish I could say I never submitted to the temptation of booze, but I eventually did. Alone in Germany, I felt it was safe because there was no one around to hurt. I didn’t rationalize it like that consciously, but seeing how I shied away from booze after getting married I can only guess that is how I felt deep down. Either way, God has taken that thirst from me, so I never have to sit in sorrow knowing the pain I inflicted on my own grandson some day.

Alcoholism is not a disease; it’s just sinful drunkenness. But do not discount this powerful tool of Satan. Look at your own children, or others you love. Can you ever see yourself going into such a rage as to harm one of them? I hope not.
My Grandpa never wanted to hurt me, but he did. Sober he could barely stand to spank me. But under the spell of the serpent’s toxin, his actions hurt me more than any spanking I ever got. How do I know this as truth? I remember getting many spankings as a child, but I cannot remember a single one by itself. But the bite and sting of booze I got that Saturday morning is just as fresh as ever. The scene is so clear in my mind, I could draw you a picture.

My Grandpa later had a testimony of accepting Christ. I am certain this same incident showed him the depth of his depravity. He withered away to just a shadow of his former self as chemotherapy failed to stop the cancer which had began in his alcohol-weakened liver. I can only imagine the tears he must have shed if God allowed him to see me drinking. But what joy there must have been when both he and my father saw my head and heart bowed toward God on the day I got saved. Praise God that we become new creatures once we put our faith in him.

I’m not really sure what affirmations can be drawn from this. But I thank you for taking the time to read a very personal story.



Ralph Fiscus

Isaiah 38

I have to say that I do not believe that I have ever actually read this chapter. I’ve flown through the words of this chapter many times. I have a bad habit of recognizing a Bible “story” and immediately I start speed-reading, but not this time. I came across verse seventeen while researching another matter. Read it again and see if something grabs your attention this time. This verse caused me to look at the whole chapter.

We’ve all known the story. Isaiah goes to a sick King Hezekiah and informs him that God says he will die. This was no mere doctor’s opinion. This was prophecy!

Can you even begin to imagine? The man whom you know to be closer to God than any other man on Earth tells you that God said to set your house in order. Before I could begin to imagine what I would do, I realized that I have already gotten this message. Not from one Man of God, but from many.

Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death

Not even from just men, but from God’s own Son.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Both verses speak of a death without God. It was the knowledge of this death that caused me to seek God. Was Hezekiah’s response any different? Do you see him making any effort to prepare his loved ones for his departing? Is he checking his life insurance policy? No, he does the same thing I did back on February 26th of 1997. Upon realization of his condition, he sought not to be consoled, but went straight to the Great Physician for his healing.

At first we are not given much of the text of his prayer, but in his psalm he recounts his prayer to us. Look at his confidence:

Isaiah 38:16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.

This is not a “hope so” declaration! He already knows the answer. When is the last time you heard anyone speak about Hezekiah’s faith?

Then comes my favorite verse of the chapter:

Isaiah 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

When I saw the last part of that verse, I pondered it. Then God brought another, more familiar verse to my mind:

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.

Again, notice the last part of this verse and apply it to the last phrase of Isaiah 38:17.

In our bitterness, God’s love for us has caused Him to deliver our soul from the pit of corruption, and to put that which placed us in that pit behind him to never be seen by holy eyes again.

God has cast our sins behind his back, and then tells us in scripture that he will not turn back to look upon it.

This is illustrated all thoughout scripture, but it’s amazing how God can bring to light that same “old story” in new ways if we just allow Him to by reading His Word.

We should strive to keep the old “us” in the same place God put our sins. If our face is set toward God, the demons of our past will be forever behind us. This is my prayer for myself and I hope it is yours as well.



Ralph Fiscus