NEWSPAPER DEVOTIONAL ARTICLES
January- June 2002

    These weekly articles were written by Rev Mike Jones for South Carolina Area Newspaper on a busy Pastor's schedule. Space was limited to around 300 words per article so in depth exposition is not possible.
    To receive Devotional articles like this each week via E-mail simply request them by clicking on the envelope at the right.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 1, 2002

BIBLE BLESSINGS

            Looking for a way to change your life for the better in 2002? Try adding a daily regiment of reading God’s Word. It will produce positive changes in your character and conduct that will be a blessing to you and to all around you. Here are just a few things that reading and meditating on the Word of God can do for you.

            1) Produce a Clean Life- Ps 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. It has been wisely said that the Word of God will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Word of God. A daily “bath” in the word helps clean up the daily defilement you receive from walking in the world.

            2) Give Victory over Sin- Ps 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Jesus used the word of God to defeat Satan’s attacks and so can you. You do not have to live in defeat and despair, victorious living is found in applying God’s Word to life’s problems.

            3) Generate a Deeper Understanding of Life- Ps 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Life is a puzzle. Disease, death, and destruction come knocking on your door when you least expect it. You can grit your teeth and try to bear it or you can allow the Word of God to give you hope and help in the midst of all circumstances.

            4) Bring Peace to your heart and life- Ps 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. It is the Word of God that produces Faith in our heart which leads us to trust Jesus Christ as our Savior; thus allowing us to have peace with God. It is the Word of God that gives us a Heavenly view of the chaos all around us; thus enabling us to distinguish between temporary problems and eternal potential!

            God’s Word can made a difference in your life. But only if you take the time to make it a part of your daily routine- then it will revolutionize your actions and your attitude.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 2, 2002

THE JAMES GENERATION

            What goal would I like to see adopted by Christians for the coming year? Easy answer for me. The goal I would like to see Christians strive toward this year is for them to become the “James Generation”.

            The Bible book of James is built on the premise that “Faith without works is dead, being alone”. In other words, a religion that stirs your mind without changing the way you live is utterly worthless. Putting our Faith to work is a principle I would like to see Christians live by in the coming year (and always!).

            A “James Generation” would stop hiding inside Church walls and begin making a difference in their community. A “James Generation” would demand an end to ear tickling placebo devotions and expect Bible based, life changing, Principle packed, sermons. They would no longer go to Church just to learn how to feel good; they would realize that feeling good came when they denied themselves, took up their cross, and followed the example of Jesus in all areas of their life.

            Society continues it downward spiral of blasphemous talk, sexual glorification, and self indulgence. Yet, we have never had more churches; and never have they been better equipped to do the task assigned to them by God. The problem seems to be an abundance of talk with very little action. The only thing that will change this is if we become a “James Generation”.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 8, 2002

5 KEYS TO RESISTING TEMPTATION

            Temptation tempts us by sneaking into our mind and heart. Temptation tramples us by suddenly stampeding the desire for wrong desires into our life. Temptation taunts us by exposing the beauty and pleasure of sin and then singing her siren song of unmet needs. Temptation is a foe we all must fight. Here are some ways to win the battles.

1. GUARD YOUR GOING- (Prov 4:14-15) Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. If you walk by the Devil’s house you will be invited in!

2. TRANSFORM YOUR THINKING- (Rom 12:1-2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Recognize Temptation as a harm to defeat you instead of a help to delight you.

3. EXERCISE SELF CONTROL- (1 Cor 9:27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. The limits you put on your life will end up giving you more pleasure than the pleasure you limited would have given you.

4. BE ACCOUNTABLE- (James 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, .... Ever notice how easy it is to overcome temptation when others are watching? Remember that.

5. RELY ON GOD’S HELP- (1 Cor 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Don’t allow sin’s spotlight to blind you to God’s search light that is pointing the way to avoid wrecking on life’s rocks. God wants you to win and He will help you.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 9, 2002

MAKING FAITH WORK

            Recently, I came across a simple statement by the apostle Paul that just exploded with meaning in my mind- (Gal 5:6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. What a principle! The energizing force in Faith is Love. When I simply try to educate the mind of people who struggle with Faith I am dealing with the wrong need. It is not that they can’t understand just as well as anyone else; the problem stems from a hindrance or blockage in their love relationship with God.

            Faith comes by education (Rom 10:17) but its motivating force stems from love. Sometimes a person is abandoned or abused by their parents, a close friend, or a mate. Many times these people find it difficult to have the right kind of faith because they have been “burned” before by someone they trusted. Their mind will say they trust God but their heart is afraid to make that complete leap of trust which is the very foundation of faith.

            This exposes the hindrance to Faith as fear; fear of total commitment or fear of lack of ability to build a lasting relationship. And these are exactly the reasons unsaved people give me as to why they are not willing to come to Christ for Salvation; they fear the changes that will take place in their life or they fear they can’t “hold out” if they decide for God.

            The answer to this fear is to understand fully the love that God has for you (There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: (I John 4:18)). I pray you will truly see God’s love today. It will cause your faith to work and your life to change.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 15, 2002

LEARNERS LEARNING

            Paul talked about people who would be “ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Tim 3:7). Sadly, that seems to be happening in many churches today. Teachers and teaching resources are supposed to be better than ever but the moral climate continues to become increasingly worse.

            I don’t think the problem comes from the fact that the Bible has suddenly become irrelevant or that God can no longer bring about change in the hearts and lives of people. I believe the main problem is that teachers are teaching in such a way that learners are not learning.

            There are 3 test of teaching that determines if real learning has taken place. Keep them in mind the next time you prepare a Sunday School lesson or preach a sermon. Learning only takes place when the Student can:

             1) Rethink the Thought. If the learner can only repeat back to you what you have said to them then they are memorizing the message instead of learning the truth. A lesson must be given in such a way until the student can translate the truth being taught into something that is understandable to them.

            2) Apply the Application. Knowledge in the head that can not be translated into activity in the life has little use. If you want students to be “better people” then tell them how they can achieve that goal.

            3) Pass the Principle. If the student cannot pass back to you; and to others, the objective of the lesson then they have not really learned it yet. It become their own when they able to give it away!

            Jesus said that men have become “dull of hearing”. Maybe if teachers will sharpen their teaching then it will help with the hearing.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 16, 2002

YOU ARE A WINNER

            Evidently my Dad had it wrong. He told me that hard work would eventually pay off. Or providing a product that would benefit people would absolutely lead to success. But evidently my Dad did not know how the system really works.

            So I am thinking about going into a new business. I plan to begin allowing people to give me a $100 dollar bill every time they feel down. In return, I will give them back a stack of $74 one dollar bills and say to them, “You are a winner!”. That stack of one dollar bills will make them think they have really hit the jack pot, (and when they finally do the math, it should really help their education!), and it will make me filthy rich.

            Think of all the good I could do with money flowing in like that. I could buy groceries for the kids going hungry because their dad had given me all the grocery money so I could tell him he was a winner. Or I could buy clothes or pay rent for all the “winners”. Wow, wouldn’t that be great.

            The only problem I have with this scheme is that I will have to face God one day; and I’m afraid He would not declare me a winner for taking advantage of people’s weakness- (Jeremiah 17:11) As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 22, 2002

TEACHER TIT-BITS

            The Bible declares that Teaching is more important than performing miracles or being able to heal people- I Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, AFTER THAT miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. With that in mind let me share some Tit-bits about teaching that may help you in this extremely important part of the work of God.

            Teaching is assembling a time bomb in a classroom- marked for explosion at a later date and in a different location.

            Teachers should question more answers instead of answering more questions.

            The higher your predictability, the lower your impact. For teaching to be exciting you must get excited about teaching.

            Teaching is what you do, learning is what your students do. What is important is not what you do as a teacher, but what the learners do as a result of what you do (Example of music lessons. You don’t go to the recital to hear the teacher play but to hear your child play!)

            In the teaching of every lessons someone must suffer. If the teacher does not suffer before the class then the students will suffer during the class! If preparation is not make weekly then presentation will be made weakly.

            One Final Thought: Ro 2:2-23 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 23. 2002

WALKER’S WORTH

            The sun had yet to peek above the horizon. It was bitterly cold and I hated getting out of the house but my van windows had to be scrapped off (one of these days I will have a carport!) so I could see how to drive to work. As I looked past the van toward the highway I noticed a person walking on the road. Closer inspection revealed a lady walking on this bitterly cold day as part of her diet program.

            I had just finished my devotions in my warm house when I saw this lady walking. Somehow her courage and dedication brought shame and reproach to my hurried Bible reading and prayers. How would I have reacted if God would have told me to stand outside in the cold to show that I really meant business when I was spending time with Him? Was my dedication that day more a “sop” to God or a desire for a blessing than it was a commitment of my life and talents to the service of my God and my King?

            Daily I tell God that I want to walk with Him that day. But what if that walk required a pre-dawn stroll in the bitter cold? The lady who was walking was seeking to lose a few pounds so she could look better to others and feel better about herself. What am I willing to do in order to do a better job of showing Jesus in my life and to become a better servant of God?

            May God help me that my commitment to Him will push me to walk in the cold as well as read in comfort.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 29, 2002

PERSONAL MESSENGER

            Recently the bank where we do business closed. Generous Free Will Baptists in South Carolina give over a Million Dollars a year to the work of God through our office so I thought it would be easy to find another bank. Bad thought.

            Over a dozen banks later I was confounded at the attitude of banks. They simply didn’t seem very interested in our money. They would read me their terms off a chart and say I could take it or leave it; and I promptly left it. Finally, I went to the bank I knew I should have gone to the entire time. In five minutes they changed their terms to meet the terms I wanted and we were busy signing papers.

            Why didn’t I go to this bank first? It is all the way across town and I hated the thought of fighting Florence traffic every day to make my deposit. Here is the “Glory” part. Not only did this bank agree to my terms but they provide a messenger that comes by my office every day to pick up my deposits and return my receipts! I’ll bank with a bank like that.

            When I first heard about Christ I knew I needed to accept Him as my personal Savior but, like a lot of people, I listened to Satan’s lie that I couldn’t live the Christian life. When I finally repented of my sins and trusted Christ I found a wonderful thing; the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in my body to give me the strength and wisdom I need so I can live for God (Excuse me but “Glory!”).

            Thank God for salvation and for the wonderful Holy Spirit who deposits my “prayer check” at the throne of God every day so I can live for God down here and be prepared to meet Him up there.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 30, 2002

CONTEMNED COUNSEL

 Ps 107:10-12 (Some) sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

      Sitting in Darkness and in the Shadow of death, bound in affliction and iron- What a horrible way to live. Why would God allow such things to happen to His people? What would bring about such a state of affairs?

      They rebelled against the words of God (Ignored what God told them) and Contemned the Counsel of the most High. The word “Contemned” here means to hold in contempt, to despise, disdain, or scorn. We could translate it, “They laughed at God’s Advice”.

      Lesson for us to learn. When you refuse to listen to God the consequences can be catastrophic. You lose the Light of God’s direction (sitting in Darkness), the dread of death becomes your constant companion (in the Shadow of Death), and habits and hardships capture your life (bound in affliction and iron).

      So what are you doing about God’s guidance in your life? Do you seek by prayer and the reading of God’s Word to learn the path God has for you to walk or do you holding in contempt the counsel of your creator? It makes a difference, in this life and in the eternity to come.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 5, 2002

OOPS

      A friend told me this supposedly true story. A woman was taking a shower when her 2 year old came into the bathroom and wrapped himself in toilet paper. He looked so cute until she ran and got her camera and took several pictures. When the pictures came back she and her husband decided to use them in their Christmas cards that year. Not long after they had mailed out the cards a friend called and told them to take a really hard look at the picture. That is when the woman noticed that in taking the picture of her child she had also included her nude reflection in the bathroom mirror! OOPS!

      I wonder if that is the sort of thing the writer of Hebrews was referring to when he said, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in (God’s ) sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13)

      What a shock it is going to be for many people when they find that everything about their life is completely exposed before God. They live life for the laughs but what will happen when they see that the heart of their heart is “naked and opened” before God?

      Thankfully, God can change an “OOPS” into a “Glory!”. Jesus died on a cruel cross in order that whosoever will may come to God and receive a robe of righteousness to cover their nakedness and make them a part of God’s family. So if a sudden picture would expose you in an embarrassing way why don’t you come to Christ and let Him reflect His righteousness instead of your shame.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 6, 2002

CITRIS

      In a recent Pastor’s workshop, Rev Jerry Norris shared with the Pastors six methods of witnessing. He called it “CITRIS” witnessing because that is the first letter of each method.

      Witnessing for Jesus is one of the most important duties of a Christian so I thought it would be good to share these methods with the readers of this column.

       Confrontational Witnessing. You confront the person to whom you are talking with the indisputable facts of a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun and you show them the only door to Heaven is Jesus Christ.

      Intellectual Witnessing. Paul in the book of Acts many times would use a logical, scholarly approach to get men to see their need of turning from self to the Savior.

      Testimonial Witnessing. When Jesus healed the Blind Man, the Blind Man then testified that this one thing I know, “I was blind but now I see!” One of the most effective witnesses is one who is testifying of something that happened to them personally.

      Relational Witnessing. You build a relationship and then use that as a foundation for telling someone about Christ.

      Invitational Witnessing. You don’t just share information you give the person an opportunity to respond to Christ.

      Service Witnessing. You witness through your life and actions so the person will want to hear what you say.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 12, 2002

COLD CHRISTIANS

      Why are so many Christians failing to make a difference in their family and community? I believe the answer lies in the fact that too many Christians have the wrong temperature; they are cold instead of hot. Instead of being an example of God’s work they have become a need of God’s work!

      What would cause such a horrible condition? It begins when they lose their first love. They begin to covet what the world has instead of cry over where the world is going. This leads them to straddle the fence of life as they put one foot in God’s camp and one foot in the world. Suddenly hot dedication has become lukewarm living.

      Then the weeds begin to grow in their life-“the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and their life becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19). And when the fruit fails their principles begin to plummet. Things they knew were a sin while they were close to God they now think might be all right under certain circumstances.

      Gradually, bad thoughts, bad language, and bad companions all sprout among the weeds and combine to defeat their Christian Life. Self needs and wants become the primary concern in their life and God’s ways become an irritant and a nuisance. Christianity has changed from a relationship with God into a bothersome religion that they must endure to keep face in society and give them hope of Heaven some distant day.

      Cold Christianity, the worst thing that could happen to a person (2 Peter 2:20-21). One final question. When God takes your temperature today, what will it read?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 13, 2002

NEGLECT

      Love survives almost everything; except neglect. Troubles and tribulations seem to make love thrive instead of decline. Sickness and circumstances make love grow instead of withering it away. But Neglect, that is a Love Killer.

      Love is such a weird animal anyway. It causes nearly normal Teens to go completely crazy. It makes sensible Adults act like crazed Teenagers. And it motivates people to agree to live with someone that gets on their last nerve and acts in a way that would be unthinkable for them to put up with in someone else. Yet, one of the few things that will wound this animal is to be neglected, disregarded, or shirked.

      Amazingly, that same principle applies in a relationship with God. God comes to us in Love and expects us to return that Love to Him. No matter how much we serve or give or do it is all hollow to God unless done from a heart of Love. And the eyes of God see right through love that is faked.

      If I never read my wife’s love letters, if I never talked with her except when I really needed something, if I tried to spend all my time with others instead of with her; our Love would suffer and shrivel. If I never read the Bible, never pray except in an emergency, and seldom attend Church my relationship with God will begin to deteriorate and dry up.

      Love survives almost everything except neglect. Are you neglecting it? 

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 19, 2002

SEX STANDARDS

      I believe that the need of intimacy was recognized from the very beginning by God and He immediately made provision for the man by providing him a wife. I believe that God instituted this intimacy to be enjoyed within the boundaries of a Marriage relationship. I believe that if a man and woman marry and follow the sexual guidelines listed in the Word of God then they will be fulfilled sexually, physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.

      I believe that sexual relationships outside of marriage are wrong in any generation and any culture. I believe that pornography, perversion, pedophilia, and prostitution are wrong. I believe that sexually acts in marriage should be mutually agreed upon and regularly engaged in (I Corinthians 7:1-5)

      I believe that Marriage is a public commitment made by a man and a woman for the fulfillment of God’s plan for their life. I believe that if a man or woman is not willing to make such a commitment then living together will not correct the flaw or justify the wrong before God. I believe that Marriage should be a life long commitment of faithfulness and fidelity of a man and woman to each other, “until death do us part”.

      Society today has determined to use sexual titillation as a means to sell products, get viewers for TV programs and Movies, and appeal to the baser instincts of the human animal. If you fall into the sexual trap it will destroy your health, your home, and your holiness. Within the boundaries set by God it is a great friend. Outside those boundaries it is a ferocious foe. And every day you must make the choice about which side of the fence you will walk on.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 20, 2002

FENCED IN BY FAITH

      Recently I went back to the Church I used to Pastor in order to allow my wife to attend the Ladies Meeting. After the service I drove behind the church in order to see how the remodeling work on the Sanctuary was progressing. That is when I noticed heavy equipment across the ditch cleaning up around a cemetery. When I came to the stop sign to go out onto the main road I noticed a new name sign pointing toward where the cemetery was being cleaned.

      The question I asked my wife was, “What about all those graves outside the cemetery that are being driven over by the equipment making the fenced in cemetery more accessible. It appears that only the fenced in graves are important.”

      After thinking about it for awhile, I began to realize that Christians are a lot like those fenced in graves. A Christian lives his life “fenced in” by the grace of God which limits the trials and tribulations that can come his way. At his death a Christian is “fenced in” by his faith as he goes to be with God while those without the fence face the terrible torment of their fatal choice.

       Even when Christ returns in glory it will be the “Dead in Christ” who come with Him. Those “without the fence” will be left until the final judgement morning when they will be judged by the King of kings and Lord of lords.

      I may be so poor until I will be buried outside the fence of man’s cemetery but I’m glad I’m inside the fence of God’s Love.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 26, 2002

FEAR OF FLYING

      All his life he talked about wanting to visit Hawaii and see the beauties of this tropical island. Finally, friends and family decided to surprise him on his retirement with an all expense paid trip to Hawaii. Imagine their shock when they presented him his gift and he began to wail in distress. Finally, he calmed down enough to tell them that the reason he had not gone to Hawaii before was because he had an overwhelming fear of flying! He was not prepared to follow his dream when it finally came true!

      One thing I have noticed in my study of the life of Jesus is that He did not invite people to be saved! That was his purpose (The Son of man is come to seek and save that which is lost- Matt 18:11) but it was not His Invitation. His invitation always involved people denying themselves, taking up their cross, and following Him. Jesus did not simply ask people to put their Faith in Him, He required that they commit to Follow Him.

      I believe that many people will spend eternity apart from God because they are willing to BECOME a Christian but they are not willing to BE a Christian! They are willing to make a profession of faith in Christ but they are not willing to allow Christ to control their life and change their actions. To them salvation is simply granting God the privilege of their faith. But Christ always called men to abandon their life style and accept His life goals- Fishermen were to become fishers of men. Matthew would stop colleting taxes and begin giving out bread.

      God wants you to be saved. You desperately need to be saved. But it is more than dreaming about Heaven. It is being willing to get on the “plane” and make the trip.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 27, 2002

LOCKED IN

      The phone call came late at night; and as a very great surprise. The local police department was calling to tell the assistant manager that there was a person locked in the store where she worked and someone needed to come unlock the door! The shopper had come into the store right at closing time and no one had seen her when a last scan was made of the premises.

      The store manager said that several announcements had been made over the PA system saying that the store was closing but the shopper had evidently ignored them. The Shopper was so busy with her shopping until she did not realize there was no one else in the store until she decided to leave and found the doors were locked.

      Sadly, there is coming a day when people will not be locked in; they will be locked out! It happened in Noah’s day when people ignored God’s warning because they were so absorbed in their own concerns. Then came that fatal day when the rain drops started falling and their knocks on the door of the ark were ignored. Locked out, forever.

      Soon it will happen again. God has sent warning after warning about His soon coming Judgment but people are so absorbed with life here until they don’t stop to think about life here after. Suddenly, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, the door will close and they will be locked out. And when Jesus closes a door, no manager, or anyone else, can open it!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 5, 2002

STRANGE SERVICES

      Been a strange week of services. Sunday night everyone showed up at the church I attended because the Pastor had recently passed away. Monday night the preacher did not show up at the Revival I attended. Tuesday night at another Revival things went pretty “normal”. Wednesday night no one showed up at the Church I attended but me!

      Wednesday night when I arrived the Church was dark and cold and ten minutes after time to start it was still dark and cold. Can’t defeat me, I’ll go to another Church. Arrived at another church and it was dark and cold. Finally found some people back in the fellowship building but they were about finished with their brief service before having a fellowship meal and I didn’t want to barge in on that so God and I met together for Prayer in my van and I went home.

      Reminded me of a short Revival I was in many years ago. God simply would not give me any messages to preach. I prayed and cried and begged and ended up every night simply giving a different version of my testimony. I don’t know what the people in that revival learned that week but this preacher learned that a messenger without a message is a mighty bad thing! I also learned that if everybody shows up but the Lord you are still in big trouble. In the same way I found Wednesday night that if no one shows up but you and the Lord you can still have a “Prayer Meeting” that is sweet and good.

      I hope you have great services at your church this week. But remember this, if the Lord is not the honored guest then your church will be cold and dark; no matter how high the thermostat or how bright the lights.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 6, 2002

PASSING IMPACT

      The air from the truck ahead of me brushed aside all the trash and paper and sent it sailing off the road. I thought to myself, “Even after it passage this truck did some good”. That was significant to me because my heart was sorrowing over the death of a Pastor and wondering about God’s timing.

      The widow of the deceased Pastor decided to have normal Sunday Services since she knew her husband would have wanted it that way. I had the privilege of attending the Sunday Night Service. The young Assistant Pastor, who had suddenly been thrust into an extremely stressful situation, was led of God to preach a sermon that the deceased Pastor had preached several years before.

      The Assistant Pastor said that God had used this message to speak to his Heart and he felt it could be used to speak to the hearts of the church during this sorrowing time. It was a great message about how David had encouraged himself in the Lord during a time of great personal tragedy and stress. The fact that it was first preached by the deceased Pastor only added to the impact and meaning of the message that night.

      All of us are on a journey through life. After we pass, will we still have an impact for good or will we simply disappear from sight?... by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4) 

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 12, 2002

FROST

      One day I will have a carport. Until I do many cold winter mornings greet me with a glaze of frost on my windshield. Like most people I am lazy and don’t want to stay outside in the cold longer than necessary so I take an old credit card and scrape a clean place in front of where I sit to drive. Then I begin my daily drive to work with the heat turned wide open. Before many miles have passed my windshield is clean and I am beginning to thaw out.

      One day God’s Church will be called home and trials and temptations will be over. Until then a cold sinful world tries to put a “frost”over its vision and keep it from getting to work for the Lord. Thankfully, God’s credit card (Grace) is available to make a hole in the frosted windshield and allows the Church to get on the road for God.

      But the “driving”is still difficult and the vision is still impaired. What is needed is some hearts full of love that radiates the warmth of the Spirit that lives within the followers of Christ. Then the entire “windshield”will defrost and the vision will be clear so that the Church can see all the obstacles and opportunities around it instead of just seeing the road ahead. It is wonderful to be on the way to Heaven. It is even greater if we can work and witness for our king along the way so he will be able to give us a “well done”when we finally arrive at our destination.

      Some churches are standing still because they can’t see where they are going. Others are blindly traveling down life’s road bumping into obstacles and running over innocent people because their windshield is frosted over. May they find God’s Grace and turn on God’s heat so their vision will clear and they can clearly see God’s path for their progress.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 13, 2002

FIREWOOD

      I stopped by a local grocery store to get some items. As I walked up I noticed a huge stack of firewood that reached from the door to the middle of the front wall. My immediate thought, “Boy, things are really getting rough when your local grocery store starts heating its building with firewood!”. Of course, we know that the firewood was for sale and intended for use by others but it did give me a quick double take about this store.

      Sometimes I wonder if people who visit in our churches might look at the way we do things and think we are still “heating with firewood”. Don’t get me wrong, I believe there is only one way to heaven (Faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ) and this message must never change. I wonder, however, if the methods we are using to convey this message aren’t like clinging to firewood instead of enjoying the benefits and blessing of electric heat.

      Seeing the words to a song on a projection screen instead of trying to squint at them in a heavy song book does not distract me from worship of God, it helps me. Reading the bulletin announcements on a screen before church instead of letting the preacher waste ten minutes telling them to me during the service gives me more time to enjoy the preaching of God’s word; and I like that.

      I used to have to cut and collect firewood in order to stay warm. I am GLAD things changed. I hope the church I attend will not waste all its time and energy using firewood when God had provided so many easier ways to heat his Church.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 19, 2002

DO YOU HAVE A PERFECT HATRED?

(Psalms 139:21-22) Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

      If you asked the average church member if they had a “Perfect Hatred” for God’s enemies they would think you had gone completely crazy. Immediately, they would respond that they were Christians and that they did not hate anything. Sadly, this is a serious problem today; and a major reason the Church has become increasingly ineffective in changing the world for Christ.

      As Christians, we realize and proclaim that the Love of God extends to everyone. We are to turn the other cheek and accept persecution for the cause of Christ with a meek attitude. But what we are not to do is to confuse loving the sinner with accepting an apathetic attitude toward sin and wrong. If our heart, like the heart of God, does not hate the consequences of sin in the life of a person then we are bound for defeat in our mission for God.

      When God looked down at the sins of men, He did not see a minor fault that needed a little tweaking; He saw a situation so serious until only the precious Son of God, Jesus Christ could pay the debt and provide the redemption that mankind so desperately needed. How then should I respond to those who refuse to acknowledge Christ or openly deny Christ except to be grieved to the very depth of my heart? Grieved enough to hate sin and Satan with a “perfect hatred”.

      Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:(Psalms 97:10). Hate it enough to make a stand for God. Hate it enough to snatch sinners out of the flames of eternal fire. Hate it with a perfect hatred.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 20, 2002

THINGS FOR THOUGHT

      Your Coffin may already be waiting for you in the local Mortuary! (James 4:14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

      You will die with the same relationship you have with God right now unless you make a change- (Ecclesiastes 11:3) If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

      Blaming others will not take the blame from you when you face God’s Judgment- (1 Corinthians 3:13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (Romans 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

      Being wrong about eternity will make you eternally wrong- (Revelation 20:13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. ...and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

      Thinking about getting right with God will not make you right with God. Think about that!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 26, 2002

BUFFET OR BRING YOUR OWN

      Everyone knows that Free Will Baptists will be in charge of the marriage supper of the Lamb! For some reason they have always thought that meeting and eating were siamese twins; eternally tied together! So it is not unusual for food and fellowship to be a part of a Free Will Baptist services.

      I found myself in an unusual circumstance in one of those regular church dinners recently. A fifty foot food bar was laid out with some of the best cooking and desserts you could imagine. Plates were piled high before people were half way down the bar and the common complaint was the fact that there were far too many choices. But when I sat down with my assortment of delicious food I noticed that the man across the table was eating some not so appetizing looking food from a plastic container. The story was simple, a recent heart attack and doctors orders had caused him to skip the buffet bar and stick to food that was good for his heart and his diet.

      Satan has a huge”buffet bar”of lust, lies, and worldly pleasures laid out before men. Everyone seems to be eating and the food looks so delicious until it seems strange to bring your own. It is only when you accept the fact that Satan’s food is bad for your heart and goes against God’s orders that you realize the need of steering clear of the buffet bar.

      Easter is the Super Bowl, World Series week for Christians. This is the week to which every thing else in Christianity is tied. The cross paid the cost of our sins and the empty tomb stamped God’s big “Paid in Full”on Satan’s claim on our life. What a shame it is that in spite of God going to such lengths to show us the seriousness of sin we still eat at Satan’s buffet and end up with heart problems that can bring about eternal death.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 27, 2002

PROVIDENTIAL PENNIES

      It started with rising early to attend a ground breaking service at a church 3 hours from home. Two hours into the trip some coffee was needed so I stopped at a service station. Coffee was only 5 cents- Glory!

      The services were very good at the Church but all of the services, singing, and lunch made for a 5 hour service. Now I have the 3 hour drive back home ahead of me. It had been a cold, wet day at the ground breaking and the drive back in a warm van made my eyes so heavy it was hard to keep them open.

      Here was the problem, my wife’s birthday was the night before and I had spent all my money taking her to supper. I keep a “hid away”twenty for emergencies when I travel but someone had needed that the week before and I had given it to them. Not realizing how broke I was I got some fries to munch on from the fast food place beside the service station. The cost came to $1.04 but I only pulled 2 cents from my pocket. I started to reach for more but the clerk said that was fine and took $1.02.

      Then I got my coffee at the service station. Cost for a refill cup was 31 cents; which was exactly all I had left! Throughout the day God had “counted my pennies”for me so that I would have exactly what I needed. What a great God we serve.

      Listen to God’s voice all the time and He will always provide exactly what you need- down to the penny!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 2, 2002

THE PATH

      If you don’t know where you are going you will not know when you get there! He who aims at nothing normally hits it. When the blind lead the blind both will probably end up in the ditch. On and on I could go, but you get the picture. Some people have so much trouble in life because they are stumbling through life instead of heading toward a goal. Here are three things about life’s path you need to know.

      1) You have a Path to FIND- (Matthew 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Anyone can go through the wide gate and down the broad way to destruction but the narrow way that leads to life is for those who find it. And you will not find it without seeking it. And you will not seek it until you realize you are going the wrong way.

      2) You have a Path to FOLLOW- (Psalms 16:11) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Jesus always called men to “Follow me” because He was leading them down the Path of Life. And the directions down that path are available to all who will listen- (Isaiah 30:21) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

      3) You have a Path to FINISH- (2 Timothy 4:6-7) For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:. When you find the path and follow the path you will look forward to the day you finish the trip because the destination to which it leads is eternal bliss beyond description.

      Where is the path you are on leading you?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 3, 2002

LIFE CHANGING FAITH

      Why has Christianity made so little difference in the lives of so many people? They claim to be Christians but they split churches if they don’t get their way, they divorce at the same rate as non Christians, and there is no noticeable difference between them and other “good moral” people. They live within the boundaries of society’s expectations of a “church”person but their character and conduct never undergoes the life altering transformation preached by Pastors and looked for by the world.

      The answer, I believe, lies in the “Faith” that these people have in God. Many people seem to believe that a man named Jesus died to pay their sin debt and they have been told that their belief in this fact now assures them of Heaven some day. They know that they are supposed to live differently because they have “accepted” Christ but they don’t have the information nor the inclination to go beyond adopting superficial social standards as a result of this “faith”.

        The word Faith in the Bible comes from a Greek word meaning 1) A Personal Trust, 2) A firm Reliance, and 3) A confident Surrender. It goes far beyond believing historical facts about someone. It is a life changing, attitude altering, action applying, heart belief that changes your conduct and character as well as altering your eternal destination. It is so radical until Jesus called it being Born Again. Does your Faith fit this description?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 9, 2002

WILDERNESS WORD

      (Luke 3:1-2) Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

      One of the most important things that could ever happen in the life of a person or of a nation is that the Word of the Lord would be given to them. In a day of a multiplicity of Bible Versions and an almost uncountable proliferation of denominations and beliefs, it is extremely important that we receive a clear understandable Word from the Lord.

      Note who the Word did NOT come to: 1) The Roman Emperor, Tiberius Caesar. He ruled most of the then known world and claimed to be god but the word of God did not come to him. 2) The Governors of Israel- Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, and Lysanias . These men ruled over God's chosen people in God's chosen place but the Word of the Lord did not come to them. 3) The High Priests of the Temple- Annas and his son in law, Caiaphas were the high priests in charge of the Temple services and the religious life of the Nation but the Word of the Lord did not come to them.

      The Word came to a man wandering in the Wilderness named John. Doesn't it always? The People God chooses to communicate to are almost invariably those that have been placed into the Wilderness for some reason. Moses was set to become ruler of Egypt but he could not rule himself and it was only after he had tended sheep in the wilderness for 40 years that the Word of God came to Him. Paul was well educated in all the religious laws of his day but God had to send him into the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry so he could get the Word from the Lord that would transform the world for Christ. And even Jesus did not begin His public ministry until He went thru his wilderness school.

      Are you in the Wilderness today? Maybe God has you there so you can finally hear a word from the Lord.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 10, 2002

TRUST AND CONFIDENCE

      In recent months I have been seeking a more understandable way to define Faith. When I visited and preached in India I soon realized “Faith” was a word I used a lot but it was not always understood the same way by the person to whom I was talking. It soon became evident that the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is not faith. Both of them have faith. The difference is in the object of their faith.

      A Greek definition of “Faith” as used by Jesus is “Trust and confidence that springs from your faith in God”. I had to read that definition several times before I really began to grasp it. Using this definition you can say that the Object of your Faith is Jehovah God. But it is not enough to believe that Jehovah God exists. Faith as defined here means that your belief in God produces a Trust and Confidence that impacts your entire life.

      The best illustration I can give for this is the example of a Trapeze artist. In order for him to perform as he should he must have trust and confidence that when he releases his hold on his trapeze and launches out into the air that the person on the other trapeze can and will catch him. It is an irreversible decision that is profoundly dependent on whom his trust and confidence is based.

      You say you have Faith in God. My question is this, “What has happened in your life that can only be explained as a result of the Trust and Confidence that springs from your faith in God?”

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 16, 2002

BELOVED BELIEVERS

      I like the fact that God likes me! It is a joy to my soul to know that God so loved Mike Jones until He gave His only begotten Son that if Mike Jones would believe in Him Mike Jones would not perish but would have eternal life. God loved me when I was unlovable. The Holy Spirit continued to call me even after repeated rejections on my part. Jesus died to pay my sin debt even though I had nothing too offer God except the filthy rags of my self righteous works. What a Great God!

      It is this love of God that helps me understand that Salvation is not a reward for my Faith but a result of God’s Grace. God chose me before I chose Him! John, the beloved disciple, had this in mind when he wrote to the Church. Five times he calls the Church “Beloved” and each time he gives an indication of how we should live as beloved believers in Christ.

      1) The Beloved’s Change:1Jo 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.

      2) The Beloved’s Confidence: 1Jo 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

      3) The Beloved’s Caution: 1Jo 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.

      4) The Beloved’s Compassion: 1Jo 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

      5) The Beloved’s Command: 1Jo 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

      A Beloved Believer is the best honor given to man. Does it describe you?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 17, 2002

SUDDEN DEATH STABILITY

      It had been a good day of services but a tiring one as I was doing another 500 mile week end. The Sun was hot, I was on the last 50 miles of this 200 mile segment, and the Sunday afternoon traffic was, as usual, bumper to bumper. We had finally cleared Columbia congestion and everyone was settling in to get sorted out around 70mph. I was going over the night’s sermon in my mind while thinking I might need a cup of coffee to make it the rest of the way home.

      Suddenly, I noticed a cloud of blue smoke just ahead of me. Then I saw cars and big trucks scattering into the median and sides of the road like a disturbed ant hill. I hit the brake to cut off cruise control when the car ahead of me suddenly darted into the median and left me with a view of an obstacle in my lane that occupied the entire lane. Someone had lost the bed liner out of their truck right in the middle of the road!

      I added my tire smoke to the cloud of blue smoke hanging over the area and was blessed enough that the other lane was occupied with motorcycles who had pulled over leaving me enough room to squeeze between them and the bed liner.

      In a second’s time someone could have hit that bed liner and caused a multi-car crash and I could have been right in the middle of it. If so I was ready to meet God. Are You?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 23.2002

ROTTEN SEED

      The Prophet Joel records an interesting observation as he describes God’s coming judgement upon his nation- “The seed is rotten under the clods” (Joel 1:17). The Seed was good seed but the circumstances were so bad until they had rotted instead of springing forth into life and fruitfulness.

      Christians would like to think that all the seed they plant will spring up and produce much fruit but it simply does not happen that way. Sometimes it is the fault of the soil where the seed is sown. One of the most important parables taught by Jesus was the parable about how different soil conditions influence the growth of the seed that was being sown. Some fell by the wayside where the birds devoured them, some fell on stony ground where they had short lived lives, and some fell into land saturated with weeds which choked out their effectiveness. Only a few of the seed fell on good ground; and even those produced differing amounts of fruit.

      Soil impacts seed; but so do seasons. Any farmer knows that you plant in the spring, cultivate in the summer, reap in the fall, and rest and prepare in the winter. God knew that preachers would have to go through these seasons so He instructed them to keep their sense of urgency in season and out of season- preparing the ground and keeping the weeds from suffocating the young plants is just as important as rejoicing when the fruit arrives.

      Soil and seasons are significant but human “seed” also have the factor of self will. Some “seed” just make up their mind that they do not want to leave the familiarity and security of the dirt in which they are living so the sunshine’s warmth makes them rot instead of bloom into a new life of fruitfulness. And it is sad beyond words to look across a field that should be blooming with beauty and smell only rotting seed.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 24, 2002

DEATH BENEFITS

      We could hardly believe the crowd. Monday night at 8:30pm found this country café packed out. My wife and I had been to a local funeral home and decided to stop for a sandwich and coffee since we had not had a chance to get supper before we came to the funeral home.

      A closer inspection of the crowd found that many of the other patrons that night must have had the same idea. I commented to my wife that while the family who had lost a loved one was in sorrow this small restaurant was experiencing a night to make the owner very happy. They were reaping the benefits of a death.

      But they were not the only people who were benefitting that night. The lady who lay in a coffin a short distance from this restaurant was finally free from pain, problems, and troubles. Death had not destroyed her; it had enabled her to leave the confines of her human body and enter the bliss of Heaven.

       The family who stood beside that cold casket also benefitted that night. They benefitted from the love and concern of many friends and loved ones. They benefitted from the comfort and support of the blessed Holy Spirit. And they benefitted from the hope that Christians have that the end is not the end for a child of God.

      Jesus came to conquer death and turn it from a blight and a burden into the great blessing of eternal and abundant life. And that is a benefit to everyone!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 30, 2002

PSALMS BLESSED MAN

      Happiness is sought by many but achieved by few. The word “blessed” in the Bible means “Oh, how very happy” and is used to describe the abundant life God desires for His children. But how do we become “Blessed”? Seven times the Psalmist tells us how to be a “Blessed Man”.

1) Happy in the man who avoids the wrong counsel and companions- Ps 1:1 ¶ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2) Happy is the man who is right with God- Ps 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3) Happy is the man who has confidence in the Lord-Ps 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Ps 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

4) Happy is the man who knows his part in God’s plan- Ps 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

5) Happy is the man who depends on the power of God- Ps 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6) Happy is the man whom God loves enough to discipline- Ps 94:12 ¶ Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

7) Happy is the man who Respects God enough to obey His word- Ps 112:1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

      Gods Wants to Bless you; but you must make yourself “blessable!”

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 1, 2002

UTILIZE THE WORD

      Rev Todd Parrish, pastor of Temple FWB Church in Darlington and Director of the State CTS (Youth Competition) board gave some good advice to the youth of our state before they began their competition for a chance at the National Competition. Most of these young people know more about Bible facts and trivia that any three adults in the average church; yet we are continually concerned that they transfer this head knowledge into heart action. That is why Brother Todd stressed three areas of importance in learning the word of God.

1) Gaze into the Word. Look closely at the word of God as a word from God instead of a source of interesting saying and information. Looking at a portrait of your aunt will not enable you to comb your hair correctly; you need a mirror for that!

2) Grasp the Word of God. If you memorize Psalm 23 and do not have a personal relationship with the shepherd of Psalm 23 then you have missed the most important aspect of the Bible. If you know how many times sin is mentioned in the Bible but you still allow sin to control your life then you are in sad shape.

3) Grow in the Word of God. Don’t just learn enough to satisfy the judges in the Youth Competition. Remember that God is the ultimate judge and the final score He gives you will be the one that really matters.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 7, 2002

CROWN MOUNTAIN

(Revelation 4:10-11) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

      How they sparkled and shone. Some were little more than bands of gold while others were so encrusted with jewels and precious stones until the gold was almost invisible. But how the mountain grew at the feet of Jesus as person after person cast their crowns before He who had left Heaven’s glory to come to earth and shed His precious blood that sinful man might become a child of God and a citizen of Heaven.

      The Bible lists 5 crowns that Believers can obtain- (1) The Proper use of your Talents Crown (I Cor 9:25). (2) The Pure Living Crown (II Tim 4:8). (3) The Personal Soul Winner’s Crown (I Thess 2:19). (4) The Pastor’s Crown (I Peter 5:4). And (5) The Perseverance under Trial Crown (James 1:2).

      Sometimes I hear people say there will be no tears in Heaven. According to Scripture (Rev 7:17 ) God will wipe away our tears when we arrive and then will wipe away our tears at the end of the millennium when crying will cease forever (Rev 21:4). I wonder if the tears that are shed in between these times are shed by those who look at Crown Mountain and realize how foolishly they wasted the time and talents God had so graciously given them.

      Preachers preach “Payday, Someday” to lost men on a regular basis. Maybe they need to preach “Crown Mountain Accountability” just as regularly.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 8, 2002

LIFE’S SONG

(Isaiah 26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

      “Perfect Peace”, the very words sound sweet to my ears. I used to live in a small town where I was five minutes from the bank, the post office, the grocery store, and the restaurants. Now I work in a town where you can spend a half hour fighting traffic just to get to the bank. I used to walk to work, now I drive to work in rush hour traffic at a crawl!

      I am constantly amazed at the people who drive to work each morning that have “left their brain in bed”. They dart and weave and constantly strain against traffic in order to get to work 3 seconds earlier. And then they are grouchy all day because of the stress that began their day.

      Peace; the word means accord, agreement, or harmony. Harmony is a good illustration. People who sing in harmony know the song is made up of different parts at different times. They realize that out shouting everyone else or constantly getting ahead of the other singers will not make for beautiful music.

      One man described Perfect Peace as a mind free from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts. Another definition could be someone who follows God’s direction as they sing life’s song. And what a difference it will make when life’s song contains verses that are abundant instead of a battle.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 14, 2002

STRENGTH LIMITATIONS

      A major problem in Christian circles today is the practice of taking a verse out of context and then making it say what we want it to say. How many people have you heard proudly proclaim that they “Could do all things through Christ which strengthened them” (Phil 4:13) and then end up with more failures that successes in their life? They failed because they tried to push the meaning of the verse beyond what God intended.

      What it doesn't mean- I can't fly! I can't sing. In fact, I find it difficult to lose the 15 lbs of extra fat I'm carrying around each day! I also can't keep my hair from falling out or my body from deteriorating. Why, I can't even make people come to Church!!

      So this is not a "Magic Verse" that allows me to become a god. It has tremendous promise but it also has it's limitations.

      What it really means- Look at the Context of the Verse- Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Not withstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction (Phil 4:11-14).

      Paul usually earned his living as a tent maker while he did his mission work. Like anyone traveling from city to city, this was not a very stable living. Sometimes he would get along great; other times he went hungry! Sometimes he could buy a new suit and sometimes he couldn't even get patches for the suit he had!

      It is in this context that he makes the statement of verse 13. He isn't saying he's superman through Christ; he is simply proclaiming that he is able to face anything life sends his way through the strength he receives from the indwelling Christ. And that is certainly worth knowing.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 15, 2002

BUILDING STRENGTH

      The Purpose of Strength- To allow us to walk and work for the Lord- (Psa 71:16) I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

      The Peculiarities of Strength-

                        A) Perfected in Weakness- Strength does not come from Human effort or education; it’s source is faith in, and dependance on, God. (2 Corinthians 12:9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

                        B) Gained by Waiting- The Power of Patience. How we long to run ahead of God and accomplish things in our time and our way. How gently God calls us to His side to learn of Him and lean on Him as He delicately infuses His strength and purpose into the very core of our soul. (Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

      The Person of Strength- Jesus Christ. (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.

      Knowing about Him will not help; we must Abide IN Him to find the source of Abundant life and abiding fruit.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 21, 2002

PROBLEM PERSPECTIVE

      First came the news that her son had been killed in the crash of his ultra-light airplane. Then, on the day of his funeral, just as she was getting ready to go to the church, her husband passed away and she had to leave him a corpse in the bed while she went to her son’s funeral. Her husband’s funeral, two days later, was on Mother’s Day. Tell me again what kind of problems you were complaining about today.

      Sometimes getting a perspective on our problems can be a real help. But many times we are so wrapped up in what is happening to us until we find it difficult to get any perspective beyond our own pain and trouble. In cases like that, let me give you two principles to cling to as you battle your burden.

      First, God is Able. God is able to sustain you in any situation you face. Rest in His loving care. God is able to provide the power and wisdom you need to make changes that will change your condition. Look for His plan in your problem. God is able to turn a thunder storm into a drought breaking rain that brings forth future life giving fruit. Don’t doubt in the dark what God has promised in the light.

      Finally, Remember that “this too shall pass”. The problem is not permanent (Even if it lasts all your life you will look back a million years from now and consider it very small in the perspective of paradise with God). The problem with problems is that they attempt to kill our hope. Doubt brings despair and suddenly a problem has grown from a groan into a giant.

      Whatever you are facing today, you and God CAN handle it. Just remember that God said He would never leave or forsake you. Underneath are the everlasting arms, rest in their strength and security today.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 22, 2002

GENERATIONAL TRUTH

      Pr 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. Is it possible that such a thing should happen? Will there be a generation of people who dishonor their parents and disregard the laws and standards of God? Surprisingly enough, it is a very real possibility.

      Nations forget God in a Generation- (Ex 1:6,8) And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. In one Generation the children of Israel went from the palace to the pits! How quickly the nation of Egypt forgot God. In the same way, America has, in one generation, accepted God being kicked out of our schools, our society, and our standards.

      Churches can lose their vision of God in a Generation- Jg 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. In one generation the religious leadership of the nation died and “every man did that which was right in hi own sight.” How horrible when the blind must look to the blind for leadership!

      God’s punishment of sin can last a generation- Nu 32:13 And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed. A nation’s unbelief led to an entire generation “wandering in the wilderness” instead of enjoying the pleasures of the promised land. Will it happen to us?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 28, 2002

PERSECUTION EXPECTED

      Most people who attend churches today want to hear, "Something GOOD is going to happen to you" rather than "Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give you the crown of life"! Most church members are not interested in what it cost to be a Christian; their interest is in what they can gain by being one. "What shall we have therefore" has replaced "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me”.

      Christ told the Church at Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) to faithfully endure; even unto death. That kind of perseverance is sadly needed today. People leave churches these days if someone fails to speak to them! Or if they don't like the singing. Or for almost any other reason you can think of. They have no loyalty to the church and the work of God; all they care about is having their needs met!

      This kind of Church member wilts in the heat of persecution and runs off to a “church” where less is required of them. After all, they joined God's army because they had a problem they wanted solved and they liked the retirement plan offered by Christianity. They never expected to actually be called on to fight in God's battles or suffer as God's soldiers.

      God is not looking for religious trouble makers who blame God for the trouble that comes their way as a result of their arrogance or anger. Nor is He looking for whiners who think that every head ache or back ache is the cross they have to carry for God. He is looking, however, for people who will stand for God and Right and endure the persecution that results from that stand.

      In His last private conversation with His disciples, Jesus stressed a fact that we would do well to heed today- Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;...

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 29, 2002

BETTER THAN BIRDS

(Matthew 6:26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

      In the middle of a passage teaching us to spend more time trusting God and less time worrying about our needs, God makes a great statement. He declares that He takes care of the birds and we are better than birds.

      We are better than birds because God has given mankind dominion over the birds and all other creatures- (Genesis 1:26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

      We are better than birds because man is indued with a soul; a privilege not given to birds- (Genesis 2:7) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Birds have a life span. Man is created for eternity.

      We are better than birds because the only begotten son of God, Jesus Christ, came from Heaven to Earth to redeem men, not birds- Is there a Glory anywhere in the house!

      Feeling down today; remember that although birds can fly, and sing, and look simply beautiful; God said you were better than birds.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 4, 2002

UNCAR GARAGE

      It became obvious as soon as we drove up. Some people had very generously allowed us to use their vacation apartment for a few days of rest and relaxation and when we pushed the garage door opener it was very obvious that our car would not fit inside the garage. I shrugged it off and did not think anything more about it until the next morning when I went for my morning walk. That is when I saw that everyone had to park their car in front of their garage instead of in their garage because all the garages were built too small for a car to safely enter.

      The builder had built row after row of these fabulous apartment homes, each with its own garage, but everyone had been forced to use the garage as a mini storage shed because it could not be used to shelter their car. The builder had saved a foot or two on each garage and the owners had lost a valuable asset to their home and car.

      Sadly, this same principle is being applied to lives today. People are so interesting in cutting corners and putting show over substance until they leave no room for God in their life. Oh, they have a place they show people to make them believe that God is part of their life but, in reality, its not big enough for God to enter and He must remain outside their home. They included God in their original plans but other things kept putting the squeeze on Him and soon, like the cars for the “uncar garage”, God was regulated to waiting on the sidewalk until they found a reason to use Him.

      Re 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 5, 2002

THE SWITCH

      My wife found the switch to the light in the living room today. Not bad, we have only been living in this home for two and a half years!

      When we moved into the home we put in a ceiling fan with a light attachment. Pull chains came down from the fan and my wife had always used these chains to turn the fan or the light on and off. As we were moving in, she decided she wanted a cabinet in a certain place. Putting the cabinet there covered the light switch so she did not know there was a light switch for the living room. It was only after she began quarreling about there being no switch that I pointed out to her where it was.

      Sadly, some churches are like this. The people in the church have gotten so used to pulling strings to get things to happen until they have completely forgotten the real source of power. Some decoration or organization in the Church has hid the “power switch” and the Church has learned to function by pulling the right string the right number of times.

      Offerings are received, revivals are held, functions are performed; but there is never any real evidence of a life changing, sin defeating, God. Someone desperately needs to share the real source of power so people will stop pulling strings and begin praying powerful prayers.

      God is not dead, we just need to find the switch and turn the power back on.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 11, 2002

NEW SONG

      I like it when Church is a melody instead of a misery. I like it when people stand around after church and glory in God’s blessings during the service instead of gossiping about neighbors or gloating about ball team victories. I like it when people leave church with a song in their heart and a smile on their lips.

      When I visited churches in Nepal and India, it was stifling hot with, at the most, a tin roof over a block building. The “hole in the wall” windows allowed some fresh air to come inside but they also provided easy access for critters, noise, and dust. No pews meant everyone sat on a hard cement floor; and large crowds meant everyone was crowded together. Poverty knocked at the door of almost every one present and hunger gnawed at the stomach of many.

      But, how they sang! For hours as they waited for me to come share the word of God, they would sing about Scripture and about the joy that had come into their heart as a result of trusting Christ. The entire neighborhood heard their music; and wondered at their joy.

      Many times, as I leave an air conditioned church with padded pews and soft carpet floors where people have droned out the first and last verse of a hymn and tried to stay awake during the message, I watch with wonder at the smiles that appear on people’s faces as they leave. The same smile that was sorely missing during the service.

      I believe that if the people in the Church get a warm heart and a new song on their lips then services will be a melody instead of a misery; and the community around them will take notice and want to be part of such a life changing movement- (Psalms 40:3) And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 12, 2002

FATHER’S WILL

      To know the will of God is the greatest Knowledge;

      To find the will of God is the greatest Discovery;

      To do the will of God is the greatest Achievement.

      Will a father do the will of the Father; that is the big question today. There are many ways to define a successful father but I can think of nothing that would give a better definition than that of a man who consistently and continually does the will of the Heavenly Father.

      A 19 year old man is suddenly thrown from the safety of home and school into the pressure of finding a job and performing the work that it requires. At the same time, he finds and marries the girl of his dreams. Suddenly, his carefree existence is besieged by house payments, car payments, insurance payments, and bills he never knew existed.

      Then one faithful day his wife freezes his heart with fear and joy all in one overwhelming emotion when she announces that he is going to become a father. That is when it really hits him. He needs help and he needs it very badly!

      This is the place where the wise father reaches out with all his heart to a loving Heavenly Father for strength and wisdom. And that is when he discovers that the greatest achievement of his life, as a man and as a father, will be in finding and doing the will of God in his life and in his leadership of his family.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 18, 2002

TRAIN TROUBLE

      It was time for my every four year eye exam. Since I am legally blind without my glasses I figure getting an eye exam every four years is not a bad idea. And besides, I have to get them examined in order to get my driver’s license any way.

      On the way to the Optometrist I had to stop to allow a train to pass. It was long and time consuming and put me behind schedule. When I was almost at the Optometrist I had to cross the railroad track again. Guest what? That same train made it to the crossing just as I did and I had to wait for it to pass again!

      Several lessons were learned. Sometimes a problem repeats itself in a very short time. Lesson two: Sometimes problems can be prevented if you listen to God’s “still small voice”- I kept getting nudged to go the long way but I kept deciding to go the short way; which actually took longer! Lesson three: The second time you face a trouble it is easier if you learn from the first time- I knew exactly when the train was almost past: all of the last cars were loaded with pipes.

      Paul told the Corinthians that God “comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4). Troubles are not only troubles, they are teachers; if we let them teach us. They can make us angry and bitter or they can develop us so that we can assist others. It depends on how we react to the “trains” that block our way.

      I pray your troubles will be few today; but, if they come, I pray they will teach you about God’s love and draw you closer to God’s heart.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 19, 2002

BLINDED TO SEE

      Optometrist do a strange thing; they make you blind in order that they can help you see. When I emerged from a recent eye exam into the bright morning sun I was almost totally blind. They dilate your eyes as part of the exam and that makes seeing in bright light extremely difficult.

      Several things immediately came to mind. Driving through Florence traffic from the Optometrist office to my office was going to be an “exciting” experience- I sure was glad I was prayed up! And I had a very busy day ahead of me; most of it working on computers and reading reports, which would be interesting when I could hardly see.

       Sometimes God does things that I am in the blind about. He will allow a sickness or a circumstance that does not make any sense to me. I want to learn the lesson; I am just not sure what it is that I am supposed to be learning!

      During times like this I have learned to trust God’s heart even when I can’t understand what His hand is doing. Like the Optometrist who has to “blind” me in order to check my sight, I have come to realize that God sometimes must help me grow by using methods that seem to be hurting me while they are actually helping me.

      If you are blinded by troubles or trials and you are stumbling through life, remember that God is still on the throne. Just hold His hand while you wait for your vision to clear.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 25, 2002

GAS MONEY

      I had just turned Sixteen and had gotten my night license. Now I could go off at night without having to beg a ride or ask my parents to carry me.

      A Church in Florence asked me to come up and speak for the night service and I was excited about speaking as well as the adventure of driving by myself at night. That is, until I looked at the gas gauge when I was about half way to Florence and saw that it was already on the empty mark; and so was my wallet.

      One of my brothers had used the car for a date on Saturday night and had failed to put any gas in the car. Now I did not know if I would be able to make it to Florence, and I was sure I couldn't make it back. I felt it was time for prayer.

      I made it to the Church and we had a good service. Following the service I talked with several people about how good God was; all the time wondering, in the back of my mind, how I was going to get home. Finally I started to get in the car and see how far God would take me. Just at that time one of the deacons walked up and told me how much he enjoyed the message. As he shook hands with me he passed me two dollars. Back then two dollars would buy you six gallons of gas!

      I think of those two dollars often as I travel. God knows if a sparrow falls to the ground. He knows how many hairs there are on my head. And He knows exactly how much gas is in my car and how much money is in my wallet. As long as I'm going for Him, I believe He'll find a way to make sure there is enough gas in the tank to take me where I need to go. And it sure is great working for a "boss" like that!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 26, 2002

DELIGHTFUL DEVOTIONS

      One Wednesday recently I had one of those “great” times in my devotions when it seemed the Lord was extremely near and His word just flowed with meaning. As I sat at my table with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart I knew the Lord was preparing me for something special. Suddenly, I felt like a kid at Christmas as I anticipated what God was going to do. I did not know what God had wrapped up for me but I could hardly wait to unwrap the “package” and see what God was doing.

      I had planned to go to a certain church that night but as the day progressed God clearly and distinctly brought another church to mind. When I arrived at that church, the Pastor shared how much he needed someone to talk to right then and we had a wonderful time of fellowship. Then this Pastor asked me to speak in his place during services that night. What a time we had as I simply shared with these people what God had shared with me earlier in the day. And, you know what, the people in that congregation needed the message God had given me just as much as I had needed it.

      Sometimes my daily devotion time with the Lord is so-so, sometimes it is pretty good, and sometimes it is just GREAT. But always, I know He is preparing to either bless me or make me a blessing to others. And that makes my heart leap with joy every time I come before His throne or open His book.