Old Paths Strict Baptist Church

I have been with a so called spiritual group that I thought was real almost two decades but I was led into confusion and begin to question too many things about God Faith Salvation spirituality and the future things of God , more than ten years I felt I am in the wilderness and lost but my Savior was always with me.and you Pastor was an instrument of God for letting me see that hope in my Salvation and see my own condition.

Brought me to tears and while listening the event of my life and how it was oredered by God is in accordance to His perfect will and with that it does makes me feel I come short of His Greatness but makes me appreciate more and more what He has done on that cross and long for His coming.

I was able to see myself and the world we lived in from a differet perspective and with the wisdom of our Lord .

Your admonisions as always pricked my heart , i believe they are messages of our Lord and Saviour . Im new to this site and I first heard you in strict baptist Australia through a brother Enrico Bullecer

I used to go to Kevin price church in Kendal when I was on holiday then I went once it was all shut up what happened to him? It was a man called Andrew who told me about you he was always with Kevin

By way of a ps . . the last sentence in my prior comment should read:Thanks be to God for directing me into the path which led me to Christ, the one thing needful to my never-dying soul.Pastor . . . I would also thank God for raising up such a faithful servant as you are, who has the heart of the Good Shepherd,and is wholly committed to the solemn charge He has given you to feed and care for the flock of God . . his people . . the sheep of his flock. (Ps. 100:3)How blessed I am through your ministry.May the Lord be pleased to add the increase to your labours in the gospel to the praise and glory of His name.

- cont. -Only those who are brought to feel the burden of their sins will be found on that path.They only will hear the voice of love and mercy and come to Christ. (Matt. 11:28-30)Had not the Lord shown me the path I would not have found it. I would yet be treading the path of sin and unbelief. “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known:”(Isaiah 42:16)“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” (Ps. 23:3)That path would never have been known to me except for God's interposing grace. Praise God for bestowing on me the exceeding riches of His grace. (Eph. 1:7)Thanks be to God for not leaving me to languish in my spiritually dead state. As Christ said: “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7) Though a vile and bankrupt sinner, yet in God''s mercy, I was brought to the Light and shown the path which led me to the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” (Eph. 3:8) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Cor. 1:30)Thanks be to God for directing me into the path which led me to Christ, the one thing needful to my never-dyin

Pastor Pickett . . Thank you for opening up this text and directing us into the path that leads to true riches.As you say Pastor . . this great treasure is not to be found amongst the earthly caverns where men dig for precious things. The man of the world cannot discover that which is truly precious, for he can only perceive something of value which will increase his net worth. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.” (Rom. 8:5)For such, it will remain an unknown path.It is a path revealed only to the “spiritual” man but is hid to the “carnal” man. (1 Cor. 2:14)It is a path found only by those upon whom the Holy Spirit has wrought a good work . . a path that leads to the discovery of Christ . . the greatest of all treasures!“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3 It is a path that is humbling to the flesh . . a path that lays man low in the dust . . a path which no man will of his own free will travel, but a path which God himself makes his people willing to tread.Psalm 110:3 “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, . . . “ - continued

By way of a postscript . . To us He has given eternal life . . immortality and the glories that await us in Heaven. (John 10:28-29: John 17:2) What a blessing to be one upon whom God has commended his love and bestowed the exceeding riches of His grace in Christ, who has made us “rich toward God. (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 1:3-7) When we die we leave our worldly possessions and valuables behind, but those who have Christ are quite willing to do so, that they might be with Him, who is that which is most precious to us . . even that “pearl of great price.” (Matt. 13:46; 1 Thess. 4:16-17)“ . . . . Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27)Christ is precious only to those who know Him as I do . . by the grace of God . . as their blessed Saviour and Redeemer God.How good it is to be able sing with all my heart the sublime words of this hymn . . Peace like a river is flooding my soul,Since Christ, my Saviour, maketh me whole;Sweet peace abiding my portion shall be;Jesus, my Saviour, is precious to me.How good it is to know Him as that which is most precious of all . . for He is the “one thing needful”Thank you Pastor Pickett for once again preaching Christ in all His fullness and exalting our most precious Saviour God.

By way of a postscript . . I would add . . Only those whom the Lord has called out of the world and separated unto Himself that we might be a people for His praisefind their comfort in his Word, and in this I greatly rejoice, and find great comfort as well, for it is an evident token that I am His and He is mine!1 Peter 2:8-9:"This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:""Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort."- - 2 Cor. 1:3Thank you Pastor Pickett . . for indeed . . “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.”- - Isaiah 50:4How wonderfully you answer to this passage of Scripture. What a blessing your ministry is to me. To God be the glory!

In seasons when we keenly feel the burden of our sins . . Is. 40:2Micah 7:18In those solemn seasons when we are brought to grieve over our sins . . Matt. 5:4Ps. 130:3-4And God even comforts us when we are chastened of HimHeb. 12:5-6Praise God I too find my comfort in God's precious Word, that word which liveth and abideth forever (1 Pet. 1:23and that word which is forever settled in the heavens. (Ps. 119:89)"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried; he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." 1 Samuel 22:31Praise God . . this I know my blessed experience.A prayer ofttimes on my lips and one He never fails to answer. . “Remember the word unto they servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope.”Psalm 119:49

We are exhorted in God's Word to comfort one another with the comfort wherewith we ouselves are conforted of God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4) Pastor Pickett . . this you have doneHow good of God to give us His Word and what comfort His people are given by it. It is there that God speaks comfortably to them. The Scriptures are indeed a word in season for every care or concern we have.In troublous times . . Ps. 46:1In distressing situations . . Ps. 107When we are anxious . . Ps. 46:10When we are fearful . . Ps. 56:3When we are overwhelmed . . Ps. 56:3When we are assailed by our enemies . . Ps. 138:3, 7When we are cast down . . Ps. 42:5, 11When we are disturbed and agitated . . Mark 4:39When we feel weak and without strength . . Neh. 8:10Jos. 1:9Is. 40:31In times of unrest . . Is. 26:3When we are weighed down by earthly concerns . . Ps. 55:221 Pet. 5:7In times of trial . . 1 Pet. 1:7In times of trouble . . Ps. 20:1-2Ps. 60:11When we are sorely tempted . . 1 Cor. 10:13When we sense we are in the presence of evil Matt. 6:13- continued -

Dear Pastor, As you know, this verse is quoted, in part, by Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:5-9. Hannah prayed with great rejoicing, thanking God for answering her supplication for a child. She said, "...the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich, He bringeth low and lifteth up...He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail." I was amazed to read Hannah's recollection of Dt. 32:39, and to consider how she interpreted this verse in light of her personal condition. She was the barren woman, continually taunted by the arrogant "other woman", Peninnah, who had 5 children. Moses emphasized God's sure judgment upon the many wicked enemies of God and His people, while Hannah emphasized God's gracious lovingkindness in His providence to the humble, trusting heart. Both Moses and Hannah spoke according to one truth - "He killeth and maketh alive". What a wondrous treasure is the Word of God! In Christ, Mrs. Vick

I have often wondered whether or not Satan knew that I was an elect soul all those 37 years of my life, before the LORD revealed himself to me. You mentioned this very subject in your sermon, and based on what you have said, I believe that, yes, Satan knows the elect prior to their conversion, and he tries hard to bring hurt and damage to that one, but is continually restrained by the LORD. Job, I believe, confirms this doctrine. I cannot know (though I reflect upon it so often) how many times I was close to serious mental and physical harm, even in many situations where I should have died or been killed. but the LORD protected me and did not allow that Old Serpent to touch me. Oh, how great, how awesome is our God. Thank you for this wonderful message, Pastor.

One final thought . . What a comfort this verse was to me when I felt such turmoil and unrest in my soul . . Psalm 37:23-24:The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.Thanks be to God who restores his people and restores unto them as well the “joy of their salvation.”- Psalm 51:12