NEWSPAPER DEVOTIONAL ARTICLES
July - December, 2002

    These weekly articles were written by Rev Mike Jones for South Carolina Newspapers on a busy Pastor's schedule. Space was limited to around 300 words 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, July 2, 2002

    I had to carry my wife to the Dentist recently. In the center of the waiting room was a book box. The first hour that I waited no one looked inside this book box. Finally, a young girl came in, went straight to the book box, opened it, and began to look through the treasure of books it contained. Soon all the children in the waiting room were busy looking through the box.
    I am a child of God who is waiting for the soon coming return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While I am waiting, I realize God has left us a book full of treasures and truths that needs to be explored. But many days it just sits in its place, gathering dust, while people busy themselves with must less important things. What if, like this little girl, I could open the lid and get people to see the wonderful things contained in this blessed book? It might cause such excitement until soon everyone would want to look into the book!
    Citizens of the United States are blessed with the wonderful privilege of freedom of speech. It is a shame that we use that freedom to gossip, criticize, and complain. What a delight it would be, and what a difference it would make, if we used that freedom to open the lid of God’s Book and show people some of the eternal truths and precious promises it contains.
    One day heaven and earth will pass away but this word of God will endure for ever. Let’s make it our business to use the freedom God has so graciously given us to share God’s Book with all the other children around us. Who knows, it might just lead to them becoming our brother or sister in the Lord!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 3, 2002

    Would I serve God if there was no Hell? Would I serve God if there were no Heaven? Would I chose to chose God if the choice I made had no implications past this present world?
    God has given mankind one of the most awesome privileges available in the universe; freedom of the will. He placed mankind on the earth, set in motion certain circumstances and events, and then allowed these mere mortals to make choices that impact the work of God on the earth. Choices that even determine each person’s relationship with the God of the universe!
    Given this freedom of choice, what would I do if there were no eternal consequences to my actions? Would my love for God win the victory over the lusts and desires of the flesh? Would I work as hard if there were no rewards; would I sacrifice as much if it only mattered for time and not for eternity?
    Heart searching questions that are not easy to answer. I can only say that the motivation for my life’s work and the choices I make is based on my overwhelming love for God. I talk about Heaven and Hell sometimes but it is my desire to serve God; and to please God, that drive me on when tiredness and trouble come my way.
    Make do mistake, there is a Hell to shun and a Heaven to gain but I hope you will chose God today because of his overwhelming love for you. I have never known anyone who choose God who told me later they regretted that choice!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 9, 2002

    During a recent service I shared the speaking duties with Congressman Todd Platts of Pennsylvania. During his speech, Congressman Platts gave an illustration that spoke volumes to me about really caring for someone.
    Congressman Platts’ dad passed away about a year ago. Shortly after his death and funeral, Congressman Platts returned to Washington to resume his duties. One reason he returned so quickly was because President Bush was coming to Congress to attend a meeting and he felt he needed to be part of that meeting. Following the meeting, as President Bush was being escorted back to his car, President Bush called to Congressman Platts and asked him to join him on his walk to the car.
    During that short walk, and for several minutes at the car, President Bush conveyed to Congressman Platts his great sorrow at the lost of his father and sought to encourage him. With all that was going on at that particular time, Congressman Platts related to us how overwhelmed he was that the President would spend time seeking to ease the grief of a first year Congressman.
    If you are going through grief or sorrow today, the President probably will not be able to spend any time with you. But sometimes a caring person is just as good as a caring President. The really important thing is that the person shares the moment and shares the grief.
    Thank God we have a President who cares. But greater still, thank God that He has given us the privilege of sharing the sorrowful time with people all around us. We may not have the power and prestige of the President but we may be just as important to someone in need.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 10, 2002

    Just a word was all it took. As she walked from her car to the door of a church she was visiting she noticed a lady walking by. The lady looked depressed so she smiled and said, "Hello".
    Startled, the lady stopped and asked her where she was going. "To visit the services of this church," she replied. "Hump!", the second lady said. "You will not like it there. I have lived beside this church all my life and not one person from that church has ever invited me to attend their services."
    The first lady smiled and said, "That’s not the way it is at the church I normally attend. Our Pastor is a wonderful man of God and people are really concerned about other people. Why, we just think of ourselves as one big family."
    Long story short. The second lady found out where the first lady normally attended church and visited the next Sunday. Soon she had trusted Christ as her Savior and now these two ladies are best friends as they worship and work together. And it all started because one person cared enough to say, "Hello".
    I watched the glow in the eyes of these ladies as they shared this story with me recently. And I couldn’t help but look a thousand years forward to the streets of Heaven where they will tell this same story over and over. I just wonder how many will miss it there because someone failed to say, "Hello" to them down here.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, July 16, 2002

    At the beginning of a Church service recently the Song Leader announced the opening hymn number and the piano player began playing another song! It seems the Song Leader unintentionally reversed the order of the songs and announced the second song first. It was just a funny little moment for us but it reminded me of some real life situations.
    Sometimes husbands and wives, or parents and children, "sing different songs" because they're on the wrong page through failure to communicate. They "sing" with all the energy and effort they can muster but there will be no Harmony in the Home until they get on the same page. And it is hard to find the right page when you are in the wrong book!
    This incident also reminded me that you need to address a problem as soon as it occurs. Sometimes we think pretending a problem doesn't exist will make it go away but the longer we ignore it the worst the "song" sounds. You need to stop long enough to correct the problem before the disharmony becomes disaster.
    Finally, this incident revealed that a leader with the wrong information can cause a great deal of disorder. Even after the correction people were whispering instead of worshiping; and turning pages instead of turning their heart toward God.
    If your life is all confused maybe you need to check the number of the song you are singing. Jesus can turn chaos into melody but it will only happen when you get on the same page with Him.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, July 17, 2002

    Waiting on my wife to finish a ladies meeting recently, I stopped by a local fast food restaurant so I could get a coke and use a table to write on. Interestingly, several men were in the kiddie picnic area of this restaurant playing chess.
    What a refreshing sight. In this day of video games and reality TV about everything but reality it was great to see some people playing a game that stimulated their mind instead of simply stirring their emotions.
    To some degree, I would like to see something similar happen in churches. People used to expect a preacher to preach long enough so he could develop a thought and help them to gain a deeper appreciation for, and understanding of, the word and work of God. Now they want a mini-sermon sandwiched in between all kinds of entertainment so they can leave church feeling really good but having not a clue about what to do with their teen age son in the back seat who is going deeper and deeper into drugs and the occult.
    I think the time has come that Pastors need to stop running all over the world petting every person and trying to solve every situation. The Disciples said they needed time for prayer and the word. That is still the need today. People are tired of "pop corn preaching". They need the nourishment of "meat and potatoes messages" that will last beyond the door of the church. May it begin this Sunday.

July 24, 2002

AMAZING CHRIST

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 13, 2002

    Why does the fire go out for some people? Why do some people begin the Christian life with such energy and enthusiasm and later become nominal Christians, then no- show Christians, and finally live and act as if they are non-Christians? What happened to their zeal for the Lord’s work and worship? What caused their fire to die down?
    In order to maintain a fire two ingredients are necessary- Fuel and Air. Fuel in the Christian life comes from fellowship with God and His children. Air is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit at work in the Life of Christians ("Spirit" comes from a Greek Word meaning "Air"). The fire begins to falter when either of these ingredients becomes scarce.
    I was raised in a home that was heated with fire wood. One of the first lessons I learned is that wood that is burned has to be replaced or the fire goes out! Guess who had to gather and prepare that firewood? My brothers and I worked long and hard many hot summer days in order to have warmth on cold winter days. I also learned that you cannot fake gathering wood or hope that wood will suddenly materialize and still stay warm when the days grow cold. In the same way, I have learned that I must keep working at my fellowship with God and His people or the "wood pile" dwindles and the fire dies down.
    The air needed for my fellowship fire with God comes from being rightly related to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit lives within the heart of every born again child of God but His ministry in our life cannot function correctly if we grieve Him by the sin we do or quench Him by the good we fail to do. These things decrease the "air" and our fire begins to die down.
    Is your fire still burning? Can you really say, "The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows"? Maybe you need to knock off the old ashes, put on new wood, and open the door so the wind can blow your fire back bright again.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, August 14, 2002

    Sometimes I just like to let the Lord speak in His own behalf. Financial times are difficult for many people right now. I could give you all sorts of sermons and suggestions but, instead, I would like to simple share some verses from the eternal word of God. Read and heed and stand in wonder at God’s provision.

(Isaiah 48:17) Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

(Psalms 35:27) Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

(Joshua 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

(Malachi 3:8-10) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

    God cares about your body, your soul, and your spirit. Cling to His promises and His person - and wonder at His provision!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 20, 2002

    One of the great privileges I have as I work for the Free Will Baptist of South Carolina is that of visiting the missionaries we support. Last year I had the joy of seeing how God is mightily at work in our ministry in India. This year my wife and I are visiting the works in Brazil so that we can more clearly report to the churches in our state what God is doing in Brazil and how our churches can more effectively be a part of reaching our Brazilian brethren.
    One of the rules I have had to learn about traveling is that it is not simply going to an airport, buying a ticket, and going somewhere. When you travel to a different country several additional things are required. In looking at these requirements I saw a good illustration of what it takes to become a child of God.
    The first thing I had to obtain was a passport declaring that I was a citizen of the United States. This passport contains my picture and other vital information and lets everyone know where I am from and who I am. In the same way, it is only when I am ready to declare to God and the world that I am a sinner in need of a Savior that I can begin the process of becoming a child of God (We call this conviction).
    The second thing I must obtain is my ticket to my destination. This must be sent to the embassy of the country I plan to enter, along with my passport, so they will know I am serious about wanting to go to their country. This serious seeking would be called repentance- wanting to leave one country and go to another.
    Finally, the country I want to enter issues a visa. At the border of that country, that is what the agents will look for. The "visa" for Heaven is firm faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. And what a joy when the agent stamps that visa and you can enter that country!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, August 21, 2002

    One of the illustrations God uses to teach Israel about His concern for their actions is the well known story of the visit to the Potter’s House (Jer 18:4-6) where the prophet is told that God is working with His people in the same way that the potter works with clay. Several principles from the potter are important in our living for the Lord.

1) The Potter is personally involved with the clay- (Isaiah 64:8) But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Realizing that we are clay in the hand of the potter gives us tremendous confidence as we rest in the fact that it is not our own efforts and abilities that shape us; but the caring hand of the potter. We are not a "piece of dirt" being shaped by the circumstances of the World, we are clay in the hands of a loving potter.

2) The Potter must be trusted- (Romans 9:21) Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? The Potter’s shaping may not always make "sense" to us but we can always rest in His love. Paul wanted to preach. God allowed him to be "dishonored" by being put in prison. There God continued his shaping by letting him write nearly one third of today’s Bible!

    You can resist God’s hand and become a marred vessel or you can yield to the potter’s touch and become a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the master’s use.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, August 27, 2002

    Sometimes I don’t know how he did it. I really don’t. The day the baby boy, the light of his life, came to him and said he wanted to pretend that he, the father, was already dead so he could get the money that was coming to him from the will must have been a hard day. I can almost imagine the hurt and pain in his heart as he divided everything he had worked so hard to obtain and placed the money into the hands of his sons.
    Then those horrible days when the neighbors would just happen to drop by and tell about how his youngest boy was the life of the party as he dived head first into every kind of sin and shame. I’m sure there must have been many nights when sleep would have been so welcome as he tossed and turned and wondered why his son had gone so far from his childhood teachings.
    But how did he stand it that day when he heard about the hog pen? Money all gone, now his baby boy was friendless, homeless, and trying to survive on hog husks. How his heart must have hurt. What a struggle it must have been each day to sit at his home instead of rushing to the aid of his child. And the inquiring looks from his neighbors as they described how desperate the boy’s plight had become must have cut him to the very quick.
    How did he develop this hog pen patience? How did he learn that there was no need to get the boy out of the mud until he could get the mud out of the boy. His heart hurt, his soul ached, but he waited with that hog pen patience until the day finally came when his baby boy came to himself and set out for the father’s house. Then the party could begin and the joy could overflow because the "dead" son was now alive again.
    God wants you out of the hog pen but He loves you enough to wait until you come to yourself and desire to live at the Father’s home instead of in the hog pen. How low will you go before you look up?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, August 28, 2002

    The Apostle Paul was not only a dedicated preacher but he was also determined to transfer his zeal and vision to the next generation. He knew that Christianity, like every other "movement" is just one generation from extinction. In writing to one of his promising young preachers, Timothy, he listed Four guidelines that every Preacher, and every Christian, should follow.
    1. Stir up your gift- (2 Timothy 1:6) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. God gives us each a task and the ability to perform that task. Work at your work.
    2. Study Down Bible knowledge- (2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The only permanent thing on the earth is the word of God. Learn it to live and live to learn it.
    3. Separate from Sinful behavior- (2 Timothy 2:22) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t debate with sin, flee from it. He who wallows in the mud gets muddy.
    4. Stand Fast til the end- (2 Timothy 4:7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:. In a changing world, hold steadfast to a changeless God.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 3, 2002

    Most of us have heard stories about a child that learned one day that the man they had called father all of their life was actually not their real father. That same story may be played out in a spiritual sense in the very near future. Many people today believe that they are "Children of God" simply because they are born in America or because they are born into the Human Race but the Bible shows us the fallacy of this opinion
    Everyone is born as a Sinners by Birth- Ps 51:5 Behold I as shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;. Men are not born as children of God who then go bad. They are born as sinners who simply follow their sinful nature to do wrong.
    People show who their real father is by the actions of their life- John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do...You don’t have to teach a child to lie about stealing a cookie; he will just naturally do wrong deeds.
    The saddest part of having a Counterfeit Father, however, is the final home he is helping you prepare- Matt 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; vs 40-42 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
    Thankfully, you don’t have to be a child of this counterfeit father. You can be Born Again as a child of God and enjoy all the rewards and privileges that come with having a loving caring father- John 1:12 But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 4, 2002

    The problem with rules is that they keep changing. In the early part of this century it was a sin in our denomination to drink Coca-cola (Rumors about its ingredients) but now half of our preachers drink a coke for breakfast! Things that were an abomination in society 25 years ago are now laughed at on TV and accepted as normal by the corporate world.
    I don’t know all the answers but I do know 3 basic facts that guide my life in the midst of the changing standards of society.
    1) God Pronounces Sin- Sin is a sin because God says it is a sin- period. God declares that sin is "falling short of the glory of God". That simply means that man misses the mark of the way God wants him to live and act. Culture, circumstances, or changing values are not the standard; God sets that.
    2) God Punishes Sin- Society sets rules and guidelines and then determines what will result if those rules are broken. Sadly, the process is run by humans who many times will corrupt judgment or compromise on right. God judges everyone by the same standard; and pronounces the same sentence for all.
    3) God Pardons Sin- God pronounces what is a sin. God decides the punishment for that sin. But then, God steps off the judge’s seat, pays the debt incurred by sin, and declares that man’s sin debt is paid in full- Glory! The only catch is that the Pardon will only be given to those who accept it. Have You?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 10, 2002

    A Sunday School Teacher was having "show and tell" one Sunday Morning. Each Child was supposed to bring some object they could show the class that would illustrate an incident from the Bible. One child brought a piece of wood to represent Jesus dying on the cross. One brought a slingshot to illustrate David killing the giant. One even brought a basket to symbolize Moses being rescued from the Nile River.
    On and on it went until she came to a boy who held a little bird egg in his hand. The Teacher looked at the little egg for awhile before she finally had to ask the boy what truth it represented.
    "Why, teacher," He said. "It represents the time the woman poured perfume on Jesus and Jesus said she had done what she could!".
    That's all God wants from you; just to do what you can. Sadly, many people feel that their service for the Lord is like a bird egg in comparison to what other people do. And because it's so small, they hesitate to offer it at all.
    Just remember that Jesus said the woman who poured perfume on Him would be a memorial for all the world. Your bird egg may not be as big as some hens you know but you'll be amazed at how big it becomes when its presented to God. Just ask the little boy with nothing but a few fish sandwiches for dinner. Jesus used them to feed over five thousand people!
    Keep this truth in mind. God would rather have your "bird egg" in His hand working for Him than to have a dozen hen eggs rotting in the bushes of inactivity.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 11, 2002

    September 11^th, a day that will live in infamy. Terror came to America on a scale we had never seen and the changes from this attack will remain with us for a long time- Long lines at airport security, increased surveillance and suspicion, and even changes in the items you can take to a ball game.
    What did the terrorist accomplish? They took the lives of a lot of innocent people. They destroyed several buildings and damaged another. They helped push America into a year long recession. And they cost America billions of dollars in cleaning up their wreckage, cleaning them out of Afghanistan, and making changes in nearly every public area of our life.
    What did the terrorist fail to do? They failed to defeat America’s spirit or resolve. When it came to America’s heart they simply didn’t get it! They forget that America can take a licking, keep on ticking; and come back stronger than ever. And they found that poking a sleeping bear with a stick is not a wise decision.
    Where was God in all this? Waiting patiently for His people who are called by His name to humble themselves and prayerfully seek His face again. This attack should have been a wake up call for American’s Churches and a stern warning to lukewarm church members about taking God’s protection for granted. May it harden our resolve, soften our heart, and stir us to greater works.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September17, 2002

"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:" (Genesis 3:4)

    He was a wonderful person: Full of life, very outgoing, a people person. Life was good to him. He had a great job, a wonderful family, and seemed to being right in the middle of the American Dream. Then one day someone offered him an extra thrill in the form of crack cocaine. He knew the dangers but he thought he could handle it so he signed on for a little thrill. I remembered that when I heard about his death. His final months were spent alone, broke, with his health destroyed. The thrill had led to a kill. But that was just him. It won’t happen to you. After all, "The serpent said...Ye shall not surely die".
    My friend told me about this one. She was a pretty, precious young lady. Good personality with a very good mind. She could have married well or possibly even climbed the corporate ladder to success. But someone convinced her that living a loose life style was the real way to a thrill. Long sordid story short, one day she found she had AIDS. A few short months later the thrill had led to a kill. But, of course, that will not happen to you. After all, "the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:"
    His name was "Mac" and he was a friend. A brilliant mind was stored in his short little body and he was headed for the riches of silicon valley within the week. Computers were just beginning to bloom and he was set to ride the wave of success and riches. The night before he was to leave for his new life some "friends" took him out to give him a send off party. They told him that he just had to enjoy the thrill of alcohol before he joined the corporate world. The next day he was found face down in a river running through town. The thrill had led to a kill. But it won’t happen to you. After all, "the serpent said...Ye shall not surely die".

Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 18, 2002

    How would you like to see a pig poking around in piles of stinking garbage with a solid gold ring encased with diamonds fastened to his nose? That is the picture drawn in Proverbs about a woman who fails to act like a lady in her standards of life-"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion" (Prov 11:22).
    What an awful picture. Pretty and precious covered with foul, disgusting garbage. Instead of being admired and protected this precious jewel is treated like a common piece of trash. And all because she failed to act with discretion.
    One writer said that discretion is "good breeding and modest carriage". In this scripture it refers to a lady who fails to act like a lady in her talk, her actions, and her demeanor. She talks trash, she dresses trashy, and she acts without modesty or civility.
    This has nothing to do with the cost of her clothing, the extent of her education, or the location of her home. Modesty and discretion are the result of character; and character comes from the heart. Jesus said that wicked words and wicked thoughts come from wicked hearts. In the same way, jewels in swine's snouts come from hearts that need to be changed by the grace of God.
    When the world looks at you today, will it admire you as a jewel or will they treat you as if you are a swine's snout?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, September 24, 2002

    The story is about the nation of Israel but I believe you can readily see the application could apply to modern day America. Listen to God’s lamentation over a good nation gone bad- (Isaiah 5:1-7) Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
    Can’t you just hear the heart of God as He asks that searching question, "What could have been done more to my vineyard?". God has blessed America with natural barriers of protection, abundant natural resources, and the opportunity to model to the rest of the world the principles and practices of a righteousness nation. Instead, we have squandered our resources and developed a life style that glorifies sports, sex, spending, and shameless living.
    When nothing more could be done. When people disregard God and have no respect for His guidelines then the Lord said He would take away the walls of protection and allow briars and thorns to grow up. Will it happen to us? Has it already begun?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, September 25, 2002

    Have you ever gotten a thorn in your finger and couldn’t get it out? It is a constant source of irritation; no matter what you do you always seem to end up hitting that particular place on your finger and causing it to hurt again.
    Several times in scripture God talks about using thorns to get our attention and cause us to turn from a wrong course of action. Let’s look at three of those thorn troubles.

1) The Thorn of Punishment- (Judges 2:2-3) And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

2) The Thorn of Pride- (2 Cor 12:7) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

3) The Thorn of Profit- (Mark 4:18-19) And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

    Has God allowed a thorn into your life for a reason?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 1, 2002

    I travel a lot so I joined an auto club in order to get help if I ever had car trouble. Surprisingly, one of it’s greatest benefits has been something I did not think about when I purchased the plan; discounts at hotels. Being a member of this auto club has saved me the cost of membership many times over in hotel room discounts. The plan turned out to be much more beneficial than I had thought it would be.
    Recently I purchased tires for our van. I was offered a protection plan and I started to turn it down but they said it would allow me to get the tires on the van rotated and balanced in any of their stores so I accepted it. After only a few thousand miles of driving a piece of wood punctured one of my tires so badly until it was beyond repair. Happily, I found that my plan not only balanced my tires but it repaired them or replaced them if they were beyond repair. The plan paid for itself ten times over in this one incident. It was much more beneficial than I thought.
    As a teen age boy I heard one night that I was headed for hell apart from God. I came to Christ and accepted Him as my Savior in order to be redeemed from my awful debt of sin. After I became a child of God, however, I found that missing Hell was nice but gaining Heaven and having a relationship with a living God was wonderful beyond words. I thought Salvation was about my past but I soon found that it dealt much more with my future. It was much more than I thought; and the greatest decision I have ever made.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 2, 2002

    Ezekiel 33:31-32) And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
    I can almost hear them as they leave the Church, "Wasn’t that a lovely sermon today. Our Pastor is such an eloquent speaker. I am so proud to be able to invite our neighbors to come hear him." Proudly they march out of the church, smug in the knowledge that they are better than their neighbors because they came to church and their neighbors did not.
    The sermon was like a song to them. It tickled their ears and pleased their emotions but nothing really changed in their life as a result of hearing it. After all, a song is simply for entertainment.
    No wonder they gossip about their neighbors as they leave church or look forward so much to an afternoon nap to help them get over the partying they did on Saturday night. The Word of God would have changed their hearts but a "sing song sermon" only stirred their emotions and was soon forgotten.
    How about you? Do you pat your foot or change your life as you listen to a sermon?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 8, 2002

    Worry is something that every individual encounters in their life. People worry over their future, their families, their finances, and their health. Many time they even worry over things that never take place. Physical complications can also be a consequence of worry. It's often not what we eat that causes ulcers, but what is eating us !
    Worry often takes a little problem and explodes it into something large that blurs our vision. Did you know that if we were able to take l00 feet of fog from a city of seven blocks and place it into one glass, it would not even make one full glass of water. Little things that worry us are like fog that obscures our sight. God has control over every situation that we face. Worrying over a particular situation only makes things worse for ourselves and for others. Like sitting in a rocking chair; Worry creates a lot of motion, but gets you no where.
    What is the answer to worry? How can I stop worrying? In his great sermon about not worrying, Jesus said the proper thing to do is to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt 6:33). Worry is putting our problems ahead of God's promises. There are more than 8,000 promises in the Bible, and 85% of these promises are given by God to man. God has promised to us His provisions, His presence, and His power. Worry is lack of faith that God will do what He said He would do. John R. Rice said, "Worry is placing a question mark where God has placed a period.".
    Worry is a small trickle of fear that wanders through the mind until it cuts a path into which all other thoughts are drained. It is necessary to remember that God is our strength. Our efforts are little, but with God our efforts become great! We must not allow the words of others nor the circumstances of today to cause us to lose sight of God love and care. Worrying won't help; trusting and obeying God will.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 9, 2002

    (Romans 12:1) 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.

    Is it reasonable for God to require that I put Him first in all my life and actions? That is what would happen if I presented my body as a living sacrifice that was holy and acceptable to God.
    Is it reasonable service that I give up my own wants and desires so that I can devote my energy and efforts toward serving and worshiping God? I get the idea today from most people that God is the one doing the serving and I am the one that is supposed to demand of Him all the health and wealth I need.
    What is this that Paul is talking about when he tells me reasonable service is presenting my body as a living sacrifice? I thought it was my body and I should have the right to do with it as I pleased. The fact that my body is supposed to be the temple of the Holy Spirit should not have any impact, should it?
    Reasonable service. Isn’t that just showing up at church every so often, dropping a little money into the collection plate, and then living the rest of the week as if I had no one to account to but myself. Wouldn’t it be fanatical for me to start to believe that reasonable service meant I really got serious about obeying and serving God? Why, that would make people believe that I thought God was really God!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 15, 2002

    Several recent events concerning Missions and the mail illustrate how God works His purpose in helping missionaries get to the right place at the right time.
    One involves a lady who lived beside a preacher. I mailed out cards to all the Free Will Baptist Pastors in the state telling them that our missionary to Japan was home and would be glad to visit in their churches to share what God was doing in our mission work in Japan. When this lady who lived beside the preacher went to her mailbox recently she saw a card lying on the ground. When the postman had put the mail into the preacher’s mail box he had dropped the postcard about the Missionary to Japan and it was lying on the ground.
    The lady who found the card on the ground did not attend the church where the preacher who lived beside her was pastor but she did want to have the missionary to Japan speak at her ladies group. She just did not know how to get in contact with her. The "dropped" post card provided all the information she needed so she could call and arrange a service. Isn’t it wonderful how God works!
    A Pastor of a local church had ordered some prayer cards of various missionaries from our national office. When the cards arrived they contained several cards for a Korean Missionary who was in the area but was not scheduled to be at this church. Receiving the cards made the Pastor realize that he needed to invite this Korean Missionary for a service. Again God used the mail to provide an open door for a missionary.
    God gives us road signs along life’s path to help us determine the right way to go. Sometimes these signs are in messages. Sometimes He directs through a miracle. And sometimes He just delivers our directions through the US Mail.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 16, 2002

    A missionary to Japan related the following story. While at home on furlough this missionary was visiting in a church service. After telling about the needs of the Church in Japan the missionary spent some time meeting and greeting the people of the congregation. One lady asked the Missionary if there was anything specific that she could do that would really help the work in Japan.
    Caught a little off guard, the missionary thought for a minute and then replied that this person could help if they would pray each day for one of the people in the church in Japan. This person was one of those who would come to church one time and then miss three services. Then they may attend two services and miss the next five. This lack of faithfulness was a matter of real concern to the Missionary.
    The lady to whom the missionary was talking took the need to heart and spent time in prayer each day for this person in Japan that was not faithful to the Lord and His work. Little did she know what was happening. About six months later, she received a letter from the missionary thanking her for her prayers. He informed her that within two weeks after he returned to Japan this unfaithful person had begun attending Church on a regular basis and was now one of the most faithful members of the Church.
    Someone has truly said, "If you cannot go on your feet then go on your knees!". What mission work did you pray for today?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 22, 2002

    Observing Christians in the work place has shown me something interesting about people sharing their faith in Christ. The first thing I noticed was that the further away from their conversion experience a person becomes the less likely they are to be an active witness. Most converts are won by new converts (That is why so many churches are dying. They have not had any recent converts and the present members have lost the excitement of sharing their faith).
    Another thing I have noticed is that many churches have given up on sharing their testimony with others and they are now trying to build their church with programs, promotions, or praise songs instead of with new births. The number attending a service or the excitement of that service has replaced new converts as the barometer of a church’s success. And when you use the world’s methods to accomplish goals cherished by the world you get worldly church members; as evidenced by the dress, actions, and attitude prevalent in many churches today.
    It has always been enlightening to me to realize that a testimony is simply telling others about something that you have witnessed or experienced. Maybe it is so hard for some people to give their testimony because nothing has happened in their life or church recently (If you don’t think that is the case, let a fight break out in church this week and see how long it takes for them to share their "Testimony" with everyone they meet.). Oh, that God would do something "Godly" in our churches and among Christians so they would want to tell everyone they meet about the great God we serve.
    Many preachers ask their congregation, "Can I get a testimony?". The world is silently asking that same question. What will your response be?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 23, 2002

    Is there more to being a good church member than simply warming a pew and putting a dollar in the collection plate each week? Preachers always plead with you to become committed Church members. What do they want? Here are several ideas that can help you become an effective Church member.

ATTEND. No matter how good the preaching and the singing; they will not help you if you are not in attendance. Your weekly appointment with God and His people is not something that should be missed lightly. Include Church in your plans. Develop a weekly attendance practice. Make it a priority.

ADVERTISE. Invite others to attend church with you. Over 70% of people who attend a church for the first time do so because of an invitation from a friend or family member. If the Gospel has the power we claim then you should have no problem in finding something very good to say about your church and it’s services. Make people feel they are missing something very important if they do not attend services with the people of God.

AGONIZE. If the pastor asked you to speak this week you would want everyone you knew praying for you. Spend more time praying for your pastor than you do talking about him! Pray for those who sing. Pray for those who teach. Pray for those who attend. Pray that God will do something in YOUR life.

    Good church members don’t just happen; they are made. Make sure you do your best to be your best this Sunday.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, October 29, 2002

TITHER’S TESTIMONY

            She simply glowed with excitement. My wife and I were at a church sharing slides about our recent trip to visit missionaries in Brazil and, naturally, a fellowship supper was involved. The lady who stood in line with us was so excited until she could hardly contain herself as she shared how God had manifested Himself to her in recent days.
             She had recently gone through a divorce from an abusive husband and was now on her own. Money was very tight but in the midst of praying about having here needs met God seemed to speak to her and tell her that she needed to begin tithing. She almost laughed when she thought about it. How could she give any to God when she did not have enough to meet her own needs. But the thought kept coming back.
            She knew she needed to obey God so the next week she paid her tithes. The first few weeks everything went well but the third week she looked at her bills and knew that if she paid her tithes she would come up $40 short. She weighed the money in her hand for awhile and decided to do what she knew was right and put God first. Then she went to the place where she owed her bill so she could tell them she would be $40 short this month. When she gave the clerk the money the clerk looked at the bill and said something looked wrong. When the clerk checked the bill it was $40 too much (Is there a Glory anywhere in the house?)!
            Next week this same lady had enough to pay all her bills but nothing left over for gas; that is, until she decided to wear some old clothes one day and found $10 in her pocket. I told her I had seen God do things like that over and over. She said it was her first experiences with God’s marvelous provision and it had just energized her testimony. And all because she started putting into practice God’s principles.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, October 30, 2002

WAGGED BY WORRY

            1 Thessalonians 3:3) That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
            “Moved by Affliction”. Pastor Danny Keen (Landmark FWB Church) pointed out an interesting truth about this verse. The word “moved” here means “to wag or to shake” and is used only this one time in scripture. Paul is literally telling the people of Thessalonia that worry about troubles and trials of life should not make us wag like a dog’s tail. Instead, our faith in God’s provision and plan should bring stability rather than shaking.
            Have you been wagged by worry lately. There are many concerns in today’s world. We worry about being shot if we walk out our door, we worry about paying last month’s bills with this month’s money, and we worry about a future that looks increasingly uncertain and war like.
            God does not call us to bury our head in the sand and pretend that everything is great while all around us confusion and chaos reign. He simply tells us to not let these circumstances shake our faith in His love and provision.
            We can twist all around in fear and panic like the violent twitching of a dog’s tail or we can rest in a rock solid God who knows exactly what we are enduring and exactly what needs to be done. Dog is God spelled backward. I believe I will go forward with God instead of being wagged to a stop with worry.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 5, 2002

ASSURED ASSURANCES

            When the Bible said that Abraham was persuaded of the promises of God (Rom 4:21) it declares that he was so persuaded until he “against hope believed in hope”. What a conviction! Christians today need that same kind of Assured Assurance as they face an uncertain world. Thankfully, the Bible gives us three important areas of life that we can have complete assured assurance about
    1) God’s Care: (Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing that Satan, circumstance, or live can throw at us is able to overcome the love that God has for us. God loved us when we were unlovable. Jesus loved us and died for us when we were dead in trespasses and sin. Be assured that God’s love is one constant you can cling to in an ever changing world.
    2) God’s Keeping Power- (2 Timothy 1:12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. You should have an assured assurance about your salvation. The author of our salvation has already conquered death, hell, and the grave; never worry that Satan will be able to overcome you and pull you away from God. You can walk away from God but God will never walk away from you.
    3) God’s Future Plans- (Hebrews 11:13) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. What a privilege to know that we don’t need to know the future as long as we are walking toward it holding God’s Hand!
     I have an assured assurance about God’s Care, my salvation, and the future. Do you?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 6, 2002

PERSUADED

     The word persuade in the Bible is an interesting word. In the Old Testament it comes from a Hebrew word that means to prick or goad. In the New Testament the Greek word means to convince by argument. In the Old Testament the implication is that people are persuaded by physical motivation but in the New Testament persuasion is presented as more of a mental force.
     The difference seems to be that in the Old Testament persuasion was used to get someone to do something that they may not want to do but that someone else wanted them to do. In the New Testament persuasion is often coupled with preaching the Gospel as preachers seek to change people’s mind about their sin and about their need of Jesus Christ as Savior. But it is always recognized that placing Faith in Christ must be an act of Free Will; not coercion.
    With that in mind let me share with you three groups of persuaded people and ask you which group you are in.
            1) Never Persuaded- The brothers of the rich man in Hell were not going to trust Christ no matter what was done (See Lu 16:31)
            2) Almost Persuaded- King Agrippa (Acts 26:28) was close to trusting Christ but we never found where he actually did so.
            3) Fully Persuaded- Thankfully, Some Trust God and walk in obedience to His word: Ro 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 12, 2002

    A Complete Church, functioning as it should has five "fingers" of ministry. If it is missing either of these fingers it will fail to be the complete hand God desires it to be.
    Finger number one is Worship. This is the church looking upward toward God in adoration and praise. Sadly, too many Christians worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.
    Finger number two is Study of God’s Word. This is God declaring His will, His works, and His Way to his people.
    Finger number three is Fellowship with fellow Christians. Fellowship is not simply eating in the same building or sitting together in the same church. Christians are all part of the body of Christ. They have different functions to perform and they need to work together if the body is to accomplish its job. Part of the joy of Christian growth is helping fellow Christians learn how to live and work for the Lord
    Finger number four is Evangelism. God has called His people to declare His glory. In doing that they must declare that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Then they must point men to God’s payment price for their sins (the shed blood of Christ) and help them to see that peace in this life and partnership with God in the next life comes only from trusting in God’s provision and plan.
    The fifth finger is Service. This is showing the world how God would act if He were living on the earth. That is why we are called Christian because we are to be Christ like and Christ spent His life showing forth the love and works of the Heavenly Father.
    Are you part of a "five finger" church? If not, what can you do to help get all the fingers functioning?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 13, 2002

    If ever a man had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, it was the thief on the cross when Jesus was crucified. His story remains an inspiration and a hope to countless multitudes of people and gives us some very important principles.
    First, People must realize that Forgiveness is a gift you receive; not a right you demand. Salvation was given at the last moments of this man’s life but, as the other thief illustrates, it only comes from a repentant heart willing to turn to God and trust Christ as Savior.
    Secondly, the road to Salvation is the same regardless of when you trust Christ. You must turn from the world and make a stand for Christ (He Rebuked the other thief and looked to Christ). You must acknowledge that God has the right to judge you (Do you not Fear God?). You must acknowledge that you are a sinner (We indeed Justly are crucified). You must acknowledged Christ the sinless Son of God (This man has done nothing amiss). You must Prayed for Forgiveness (Lord, Remember me). And you must accepted the word of Christ by Faith (Even though you will still die on the cross yet today you will be with me in Paradise).
    Finally, See that this Thief on the Cross got his Due Reward (We indeed justly- Sin has consequences even when forgiven!) and he had No Rewards to cast at the feet of Jesus- Wasted life.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 19, 2002

    Without anything God can make every thing. With absolutely nothing, God can make something. Listen to how God’s creation power is described - (Psalms 33:6) By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
    We picture God having to mix up something or put something together in order for creation to take place. In reality, God simply speaks and the creation work is done. I am reminded of the story often told about scientist who had grown so smart until they challenged God to a duel of creation. When they met for the contest the scientist scooped up a bucket of dirt to begin their creation process. God simply stated, "No, get your own dirt!". Creation means you start from nothing and end up with something. It does not mean you start with something and end up with something else.
    The work accomplished by God’s simple word is mind boggling. He blessed two fish and five loaves and fed 5000 people. He stood in the midst of a raging storm and simply said, "Peace, be still" and the storm stood still. And most of His healing miracles were done simply by speaking to the disease or the demon. Even in Salvation, Men are saved by Faith but Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. It is the foolishness of preaching the Word of God that brings about conviction and conversion; not the demonstration of abilities, talents, or miracles. It is the Word that does the work.
    People often use their own failures and inabilities as a justification for not trusting Christ or as an excuse to fail to work for God. Remember, God can take nothing and make something by the simple power of His Word. Let His Word do a work in your life today.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 20, 2002

    It started out as a cold, rainy, miserable Monday morning and only got better. My princess does not like to get up early, especially on cold rainy days; and most especially, when she has to go to the doctor. But prodding and pleading got her up and ready and we made the trek through early morning commuters and early morning rain to the doctor’s office.
    The wait was short, the report was good, and a smile was beginning to flicker around the pretty mouth of a princess. I knew what was coming when I saw the sparkle begin to shine in those pretty eyes. In spite of the fact that it was pouring rain and my wife’s favorite breakfast restaurant was all the way across town I knew the answer to my "where do you want to go for breakfast" question before I uttered a word.
    What my wife did not know, however, was that my financial situation was extremely limited. In visiting several churches on Sunday I had given almost all I had to various offerings. I would just have to trust the Lord to make a way so off we went.
    When I drove up to let my wife off at the door of the restaurant a pastor I know was arriving at the same time. He talked with my wife until I parked the van and then, just before we entered the restaurant, he told me he had been given a special offering on Sunday and wanted to share with my wife and I.
    Breakfast was great, God is good, and I would rather be a child of God than anything else in this world.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Ps 150:1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

A disclaimer at the beginning. If you do not agree with my flight of fancy about this then I give you the right to be wrong and still love you! Seriously, Much of this cannot be proven conclusively but I believe something of this sort will transpire.
    "Praise God in the firmament of his power." Can’t you just see it now. We arrive in Heaven and spend a million years praising God for His salvation and His mercy toward us. We settle into our mansion, meet all our neighbors, and tour the celestial city. One day God asks us if we would like to go on a trip. Sounds interesting so we book aboard Heaven’s transportation system (Can’t wait to see what that will be!) and are soon transported into the vast "firmament of God’s power".
    We arrive in strange and wonderful places and see sights that are beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. This is where the really good part comes in. We get to tell the people we meet in these places about the wonderful works and mercy of God. We share about the fact that we were dead in sin and God reached down and saved us and gave us new life through the death of His dear son, Jesus Christ. People all around hang on to our words in amazement and almost unbelief.
    Then we start to share about how God met our needs and kept us safe when we were living on earth. The crowd grows ever larger as our praise of God and His works flow. People nudge each other and sometimes even shout, "Glory!" as the realization of just how great God really is begins to sink in. Finally we leave and go to another place to do it all over again with the startling realization that praise to God is not a ritual we perform but a privilege we enjoy.
    Why it sounds so good until I think I will start praising God now instead of waiting until I get to Heaven.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, November 27, 2002

Ps 150:1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Lu 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

    Those are the only two verses in the Bible in which the phrase "Praise God" are used (Although praise to God is the main theme of the entire Bible). Praising God in his sanctuary is fairly normal but note how and why the disciples praised God in public.
    They praised Him Spontaneously. Praise just seemed to grow out of their heart as they began the last leg of their journey toward Jerusalem. Our public praise of God should be the same. It should flow unrehearsed and unpremeditated from our heart as we journey for the Lord. People who have to make themselves praise God do so from their lips and not from their heart.
    Note how they praised God; with a loud voice. No, I don’t mean you must make a scene and act like a nut to praise God. I do think, however, that some praise should be audible enough that those around you will realize your joy in God and His work.
    Finally, see the reason for praise; the mighty works of God. Surely there are enough of those to give us reason to praise God every day. May His praise pour from YOUR lips today.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 3, 2002

    So many voices. All claiming to be right. How do you know the true from the false when so many whom you thought were true turn out to be false? Church members fail. Pastors turn out to be just as human as anyone else. National leaders reveal dark secret sides that shock and appall. What should you look for in a person in order to know that they are really a follower of God.
    1) They Brag on God- (Malachi 3:16) Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. People who are followers of God and children of God will talk about God as a friend and father. God will not simply be mentioned in their preaching or their piety but in their every day conversation as they talk about how their world has been changed because of their relationship with God.
    2) They Bear Godly Fruit- (Matthew 7:18-20) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. I always tell people that if it quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, and flies like a duck then it better not come my way during hunting season! It is pretty obvious to me that putting an apple tree sign on a lemon tree will not change the face I make when I bite into the fruit. Christians act like Christians because they are Christians at heart.
    3) They Believe God’s Word- (Rom 1:17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. A Christian’s attitudes and actions are built on God’s word and not on afternoon TV shows. It is not what I think but what God says.
    Met any Christians lately?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 4, 2002

    Why do we have so many churches in America and so little change in people’s hearts? Why doesn’t the Sunday Morning crowd make a Monday Morning difference? Maybe the problem is that many church attenders have problems like the problems they are supposed to correct. Here are three signs that point toward a failing, ineffective Church member.
    1) They Grumble about God’s Program- (Num 11:1) And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Delivered from captivity and on their way to the promised land; they still complained about God’s man and God’s plan.
    2) They Gossip about God’s People- Re 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. They are a much better representative of Satan than they are of God.
    3) They Gravitate toward Gold and Pleasures- Lot choose the well watered valley of Sodom and lost his reputation, his family, and his relationship with the Lord. When Church is a chore and the world is your joy, you have a heart problem!

Lessons for living for Tuesday, December 10, 2002

    Do you think there may be some coveting going on at Christmas! The Hebrew word for covet is "Chamad" which means to wrongfully desire. Do you think there may be some "Chamad" connected with the presents that will be opened on Christmas day?
    Do you think that many children will get certain presents not because they are needed, or even best for them, but because they desire to the point of throwing a temper tantrum a certain toy? The value of the toy is in the fact that it is like the one everyone else is getting.
    Is it possible this Christmas that some people will charge things in December that they will be paying interest on in June just because they want a Christmas like everyone else has? Could keeping up with the Smiths put you in the poor house with the Jones!
    It is not wrong to give or receive gifts. It is not wrong to want the very best for someone you love. It become "Chamad" when you let the prosperity or presents that others will receive control your actions, your attitude, and your pocketbook. Here are some guidelines from God’s Word to help keep you in check this Christmas season.
    Ex 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
    Lu 12:15 Jesus said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
    If you are prone to thinking just of yourself then remember this verse- 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
    May God bless you this year with a Christ centered Christmas instead of a "Chamad" Christmas.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 11, 2002

    Tis the season to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, to the earth. A writer once said that, "The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable." And even time itself is numbered from that blessed birth.
    But why did He come? What was His mission? What did He hope to accomplish on earth and in the hearts of men? The answer is found in the two-fold office ascribed to Jesus in the gospel of Matthew as he declares he is writing "the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
    David was a great king and God promised that a perpetual ruler would sit upon his throne and rule in righteousness. Jesus came to complete this promise of God by establishing an eternal kingdom which was not of this world but one that would be administered by an everlasting king on a new earth to come. In the meantime he calls on men to yield themselves to Him with a willing mind and a loving heart. Men are now classified according to whether they bow before Jesus as King or continue to follow the rebellion of Satan.
    Abraham was the father of a nation. In the same way Jesus calls all men to be born again and become part of the family of God. A family in which every member is loved and finds fulfillment in doing the will of the father.
    The Messiah’s Mission then is simple; to establish a kingdom in which we are all kin and properly relate to God.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 17, 2002

    My father-in-law was putting some things in his attic several months ago and accidently left his flash light up there. The next time he needed a light he realized it had been misplaced. He searched through all the drawers and closets in the house, and even crawled under the house trying to locate it but it was not to be found.
    Finally, we decided it must be lost for good and bought him another for a Birthday Present; which is the week before Christmas. When he used his new flashlight to go up into the attic to get some Christmas decorations, guess what he found?
    My father-in-law is not the only one who has lost a light, however. Jesus once asked his disciples, "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?" (Mark 4:21). He meant by this that men tend to lose the light of their testimony when they become too busy (hidden under a bushel) or too lazy (hidden under a bed) to let their light shine.
    It is a constant amazement to me to see the number of Christians who are too busy to do anything for God; or too lazy to obligate themselves to Christian service. In the process of living they have lost the light of life; and have become a stumbling block of obstruction instead of a light house of guidance for people lost in the darkness of sin.
    It doesn't have to be that way. Think back to where you lost your light, go back there, pick it up, clean it up, and let it shine again. God wants your light to shine, the world needs your light to shine, and you will never really be happy unless you shine your light. Find a dark corner where you can shine today. Someone desperately needs your light.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 18, 2002

    Matthew tells about his birth from Joseph's side of the family. Luke gives the details of his birth from Mary's side of the family. John exhausts his vocabulary telling about his birth from God's side of the family. Mark simply ignores his birth.
    Matthew shows the linage of Christ the King. Luke shows the ancestry of Jesus the Man. John declares he was God because his beginning was before the beginning. Mark simply describes Jesus as a servant; and who cares about the blood line of a servant.
    Merchants don't like Mark. Mark didn't talk about gifts and gold and glamour at the birth of Jesus; Mark thought we should celebrate what Jesus did more than when he was born. Merchants like the pageantry and presents of Christmas. Mark liked the person and performance of Jesus. Merchants like decorations. Mark liked doing.
    Jesus declared in Mark that the greatest of all shall be servant of all. Today we believe that the greatest is the one who has the biggest pile of toys when the smoke clears on Christmas morning.
    The babe of Bethlehem is a blessing to behold and deserves to be recognized. But coming to know the servant Savior who went about doing good will fulfill your life instead of emptying your pocketbook. So if you want this Christmas to be really special then get acquainted with the serving Savior Mark describes. You will be amazed at the difference it makes when you recognize the fact that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, December 24, 2002

    The story of the birth of the Christ child in Luke 2:1-17 is a wonderful example of some principles you need to apply to your own life this Christmas season if you would put Christ back in Christmas
    1. "Everyone went to be taxed". Christmas is a time of financial burden brought about by someone else. This census tax involved everyone and caused a great deal of expense but from it God brought great joy. Make sure the joy stays in your giving this year.
    2. "Everyone to his own city". Christmas is a time for family gatherings. It was crowded and someone may even have to sleep in the "stable" but don’t allow a grumpy inn keeper syndrome to develop in your life.
    3. "Her days were accomplished". Realize God has a Time Table. (Christ was born exactly WHEN He should be Exactly WHERE he should be!).
    4. "Wrapped in swaddling clothes because of no room in the inn"- All things work together for the good to them that love the Lord. (The swaddling clothes were a sign to the shepherds).
    5. "The Glory of the Lord shone round about them"- Time to see the marvels of God: Expressions of Love, Joy in the face of a Child, God's love manifest thru His Son.
    6. "Praising God"- Time to sing and rejoice (Be Happy, the Savior is born)
    7. "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us."- Time to find and worship Christ.
    8. "They made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child"- Time to share Christ with someone.
    God became a child in order that you and I could become children of God. Rejoice in that and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, December 25, 2002

    MERRY CHRISTMAS. It has been a great pleasure and a tremendous honor to be able to share these short devotional articles with you for the past 12 years. I look forward (the Lord willing) to many more years of sharing how God is at work in my life and in my world. I believe the greatest adventure possible is living the Christian life, working for God, and anticipating the future bliss that will be ours when we finally see Him face to face whom so long we have known heart to heart.
    I also want to express my appreciation for all the kind comments and positive response I have received from so many of you about how the Lord has used these devotional articles to minister in your life. They are written on a very busy schedule and must be limited to fit in the space provided but much time is spent in prayer and thought so that God can use them to speak to discouraged, distressed, and down trodden hearts.
    I certainly do not have the means or method to give each of you who read this a special gift at Christmas (as much as I want to!) but I can tell you that many of the past devotional articles have been put into booklet form and I would count it a joy to be able to send you a copy- at no cost and with no follow up solicitation. Simply send your request with your name and address to Rev Mike Jones, Minister Ministry, P O Box 13673, Florence, SC 29504- and may God bless you with a GREAT Christmas.