A Modern Letter From Birmingham Jail – Dr. John Diamond

Posted on March 19, 2021 by ccpastormike

To my Fellow Clergymen:

We live in a very strange and divisive time. No matter the time, as believers in Christ we must respond to the culture of our day with both truth and love (Ephesians 4:15). As we attempt to live up to that Biblical mandate, we must recognize that there are two very powerful voices arising in America in response to the various unlawful acts that have been committed against the American people by their government in the midst of the pandemic (sic). In the first case, one group desires to appease the current culture. This group believes that by going-along-to-get-along, peace can be found. However, by not standing for individual liberty, this group essentially allows themselves (and their posterity) to become enslaved to a system of power mongers who rule by fiat. On the other hand, another group of people wants to take justice into their own hands by picking up firearms and waging a revolution that they believe will restore our Constitutional Republic to what our founding fathers intended it to be.

Many Americans are increasingly expressing their desire to bring to justice those in power who are responsible for the great overreach of their authority. These two aforementioned positions (indifference and violence) are both morally and theologically unacceptable for Christians; especially when there is still another lawful and Biblical course of action we can take.

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MUST READ for Every Christian and Especially Ministry Leaders

Posted on February 19, 2021 by ccpastormike

One of the most important aspects of the American War for Independence was the Christian pulpits and patriot preachers who stood in them each week, exhorting the
American colonists in their God-given liberty that was worth fighting for.

The armed force most feared by the British was the Black Robed Regiment — pastors who preached with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper or rifle in the other. The most admired patriot pastor, Peter Muhlenberg, on January 21, 1776 told his congregation: “There is a time for all things; a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times
have passed away. There is a time to fight, and that time has come!”

Never has government so resembled a foreign master. Never have armed enforcers of state and federal tyrants more closely resembled those British redcoats, with their
unquestioning obedience to lawless orders. As Muhlenberg said, that time has come.

Let us take up the cause of Christ and the Constitution, instructing the repentant remnant in their authority so they will perform their duty to enforce the Constitution, which safeguards our Christian liberties.

You may order a signed copy of this important book by sending a donation/ministry gift of $10 which covers the cost of shipping. Send to:

Mike Spaulding

PO Box 3007

Elida, OH 45807

James: A Commentary for the Remnant Body of Jesus Christ

Posted on January 28, 2021 by ccpastormike

My newest commentary is now available. From my Introduction:

The book of James is an oft-quoted and oft-misunderstood book. How can those two things be true simultaneously?

James is quoted often when it comes to passages of Scripture that inform us about our communication. James has much to say about how we should speak. James also warns us of the great danger ever lurking in the shadows to be unbridled if we do not guard our speech.

James is often misunderstood when compared to Paul’s writings. This is particularly true when it comes to discussing the doctrine of justification. Some admit to being confused by what Paul says and what James says. Let me be another voice in the many that say there is no contradiction between Paul and James. Paul speaks of justification by faith alone. James does not deny that. In fact, James’ focus is not on the means or process of salvation at all. James is focused on what the Christian life will look like after someone is born again. Thus arguably the most quoted passage in James – “Faith without works is dead.”

James reminds us that walking by faith with God is a call to action. Head knowledge alone is worthless. James reminds us that Christianity informs the culture in which it is present. True faith is not a cloistered, monastic, cerebral exercise.

Let’s get out into the streets of our communities and press the case of Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which anyone can be saved.

That is our message in every age – only Jesus saves. I pray you will demonstrate Holy Spirit boldness and courage. We need you today more than ever.

I encourage you to have your Bible open and study along with me in these chapters of the book of James. May our great God and Father bless your efforts.

Blessings in the mighty name of Jesus!

Signed copies available for a suggested donation of $23 which includes shipping cost. You may send a check for that amount to me at:

Dr. Mike Spaulding

PO Box 3007

Elida, OH 45807

You may use PayPal by sending the suggested donation to – Or by PayPal studies@thetransformingword.com

Or credit card online through this link – http://www.thetransformingword.com

Learning From Jonah – Pastor Mike Spaulding

Posted on January 19, 2021 by ccpastormike

When was the last time you studied the book of Jonah? It is a short read, with only four chapters. But, oh, how powerful are the spiritual insights contained in those four chapters.

I have referred to Jonah as a perfect party planner – a pity party planner that is. When we read through the book of Jonah the following points are significant for our understanding of how to avoid planning and carrying out our own pity party.

(1) Set up your self-centered shelter where you can sulk. We see that in Jonah 4:5.

Then Jonah went out from the city and sat east of it. There he made a shelter for himself and sat under it in the shade until he could see what would happen in the city.

(2) Seek happiness in what is unimportant. That is Jonah 4:6.

So the Lord God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant.

(3) Be dismayed when God removes what is hindering you from serving Him. Jonah 4:7.

But God appointed a worm when dawn came the next day and it attacked the plant and it withered.

(4) Think the whole world is against you and life is not worth living when God is merely drawing you back to Himself. Jonah 4:8.

When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.”

(5) The result of your well-orchestrated pity party is misery. Jonah 4:9.

Then God said to Jonah, “Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?” And he said, “I have good reason to be angry, even to death.”

Throwing a pity party is a steady descent into an emotional abyss. BUT, there is hope even there! Psalm 69:14-15 says:

Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink;
May I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters. May the flood of water not overflow me
Nor the deep swallow me up, Nor the pit shut its mouth on me.

God is gracious and loving even when we are wallowing in self-pity. Jonah 4:10-11 shows us that God walks Jonah out of his emotionally distressed state and back into the reality of His love for people.

Then the Lord said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

Have you considered who the 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and their left hand are? Those 120,000 persons are children. God concerned Himself with the children of Ninevah. Jonah was too focused on himself and his desires to understand God’s love for those Jonah thought untouchable.

What is God showing us today through this prophet? God is reminding us that He is the One who sets His love upon people and desires that they hear the life-saving message of salvation in Jesus Christ. We must never get to a place where we think God is mistaken for sending us to people we believe are not worthy of the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. What might have been the outcome of your life if people thought that way about you?

There is no benefit to resisting what God is leading you to do. When we allow our stubbornness to foment rebellion against God we are setting ourselves up for heartache and distress. Self-pity exhibits a heart that is not surrendered to God and does not have God’s perspective.

So how should we respond when God calls us to go somewhere on assignment for Him or do something for Him? We should respond by saying, “Yes Lord, I will go or I will speak as You lead me.” In our day of increasing darkness, the only light, the only hope we have to offer anyone is that God is in control of all the affairs of man; that God is still saving people, and that God is still calling His people to unity so that His mission in the world will be completed. What matters to God is that His people are found faithful to tell everyone He sends us to that Jesus saves. Romans 15:7 reminds us to pursue the bond of unity with love for one another so that in our common lives we honor God.

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Ephesians 4:32 is of paramount importance for healthy body life.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Christians are strong when we love one another. May we increase our efforts to love God, obeying Him in all things for the salvation of all those yet to be added to His glorious eternal kingdom. While we are here in this world let us show appreciation for one another and encourage the brethren daily. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us of this.

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

God’s abundant blessings and favor be upon all of you today.

Pastor Mike

You may support The Transforming Word Ministry by sending your gifts to:

Dr. Mike Spaulding
PO Box 3007
Lima, OH 45807

Online at http://www.thetransformingword.com
Or by PayPal studies@thetransformingword.com

A Much Needed Reminder – Pastor Mike Spaulding

Posted on January 1, 2021 by ccpastormike

Welcome to 2021! If you are like me to any degree, you are not sad to see 2020 go away. Here in Ohio, we have experienced things I never thought possible, most of them instigated by our Governor and his enablers in the state’s senate and house.

Have you considered that 2021 may be a continuation of 2020? What makes us think that once the calendar turns to 2021 things will change? There is certainly nothing magical about a new day or year under the same circumstances. What Americans are experiencing right now will not change unless Americans determine to take appropriate action to change their circumstances.

One thing among many that 2020 has cemented in the consciousness of a growing number of Americans is this – elected representatives at both the state and federal level do not respect those they claim to represent. This disrespect has been decades in the making but has finally been unveiled for even the casual observer to notice. The year 2020 pulled back the curtain, rent every remaining thread of illusion that politicians are not simply wholly owned by corporations, foreign governments, and their financial bag-men otherwise known as lobbyists, notwithstanding their periodic reelection speeches to the contrary.