NEWSPAPER DEVOTIONAL ARTICLES
January - June, 2005

    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.
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        Rev Mike Jones, Minister Ministry
        2434 Allen Road, Effingham, S C 29541
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By Rev Mike Jones

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Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 4, 2005

ALIVE IN 2005

    Sadly, multitudes of people will continue to work and function in the coming year but their life will be dreary drudgery as they simply exist instead of really live. Some will seek to ease their pain in the destructive world of drugs and drink. Others will seek escape in sexual encounters or endless parties. Most will simply hide at work during the day and numb their mind in front of a TV at night.
    This is not what you want for your life. You want your life to have purpose and meaning. You want to be able to look yourself in the mirror each morning and feel good about who you are and what you are doing. That will not happen by accident. You must realize that you cannot become what you want to be by remaining what you are and determine to make some changes in your life and your life style.
    Here are three things that can help you change your priorities and purpose in the coming year. 1) Commit yourself completely and unreservedly to the Lord. He loves you and you can trust yourself to His will and His care. 2) Consistently share your faith with those around you. If you had the cure for cancer wouldn’t it give you great joy to share it with others. Faith in Christ is more important than a cure for cancer. 3) Confidently face the future knowing that in life or in death you are more than a conqueror because of your faith in Jesus Christ. What an exciting life is ahead of you!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 5, 2004

    For the past 5 years I have passed it twice a day almost every day. It is a big building and you would think it would be hard to miss. The problem arises from the fact that it is directly across the street from the county jail. For some reason I almost always look at the jail when I pass instead of looking the other direction toward the Public Works building.
    I thought of this recently when I was giving directions to my home. I did not tell the person that I lived a couple of miles pass the Public Works building. I told them I lived a couple of miles past the county jail. Most people know where the jail is located but few know where the Public Works building is located; even though it is directly across the street!
    Many of you pass at least one church on your way to work or school each day. Sadly, you could probably tell me if you passed a fast food restaurant but you would probably be hard pressed to tell me if you passed a church.
    A new year of opportunities is upon us. Take the time to stop at church and see what is going on. If it is Bible believing, Bible teaching church then its activities will be much more important than anything going on at your local fast food restaurant. You might just be surprised what you will find when you take your eyes off the "jail" and look across the street.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 11, 2005

    Harold Willmington in his "Guide to the Bible" gives some interesting facts about the Gospels. He shows that the Gospels describe Christ saving sinners under a tree, up a tree, and on a tree. In the Gospels Christ demonstrates His authority over nature by calming a raging sea and by cursing a fruitless tree. The Gospels pull back the curtain and allow us to overhear the voice of God coming from heaven above and the pleas of men coming from hell beneath. Within it's pages harlots are forgiven and hypocrites are condemned.
    The Gospels record that Jesus performed 36 Miracles, told 38 Parables, prayed 19 Prayers, preached 16 sermons, made 45 Predictions, and fulfilled 37 Old Testament Prophecies. He converted 27 souls, gave10 proofs of his deity, experienced 15 kinds of suffering, and appeared 10 times following His resurrection. The Gospels are indeed the "good news" about the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
    Wouldn’t it be wonderful this year if your Pastor spent the entire year preaching from the Gospel of Luke (or John or Mark or Matthew). What an exciting anticipation it would be each week to go to church knowing you would hear more about the greatest story ever told. And what an impact it would have on your life if you could realize that Christianity is about Christ instead of simply guidelines for what is right and wrong.
    Jesus made an astonishing statement, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32). What if we believed that enough to actually teach about Christ every week for a year? I believe it would change our character, change our churches, and have a tremendous impact on our communities. Why don’t we make this year the year of the Gospel?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 12, 2005

    The word "standard" has a variety of meanings. A standard is a flag representing a nation to which soldiers rally in time of battle. A standard is a fixed unit used as a guideline to measure all other units. And a standard is a type of conduct expected of everyone within a certain area or school of thought.
    Isn’t it amazing the different standards that guide a person? A man who would murder another man at the drop of a hat would never consider hurting a kitten? Or a Drug dealer who would lead a nine year old into the horrible slavery of drug addiction without a second thought would think you beyond contempt if you broke your promise to him? Everything depends on a man’s "standards" of morality.
    What are your standards based upon? Are they based on your personality preferences? Are they governed by the things that empower you such as your money or your job? Do they come from the prevalent sentiments of society? Or do you get your standards from the eternal principles of the Word of God?
    For a long time a "Foot" was the length of the king’s foot. That made building a building very difficult when the king died! Today men are realizing that sliding standards sound like fun but they lead to fractured families, fighting fans, and trashy TV. We don’t need standards that change with every whim in Hollywood. We need the stable standards found in God’s Word.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 18, 2005

    The first song in God’s hymn book (Psalm one) tells us that a man is "blessed" if he does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, if he does not take a stand with sinners, and if he does not sit around with those who mock God’s law. Paul goes even further than this when he tells us we are to "Abstain from all appearance of evil."(1 Thess. 5:22). The Psalmist exhorted us not to "hang around" with sinners. Paul tells us to "kick it up a notch" and to even stay away from activities and actions that would appear to be evil.
    We are certainly not talking about trying to live in isolation like a monk. Nor are we talking about trying to live according to everyone’s preferences (That would probably drive you crazy because there would be no way you could please everyone!). The commandment Paul gives is to make us aware of the impact we have on others by our appearance as well as by our actions.
    I could go into a bar today, order a coke, sit there and drink it, and the word about the preacher being a hard down drunk would make it back to the house before I did! It would not be that I did evil, it would be that there was the "appearance of evil". Remember that this week when you are making choices about where you will go and what you will do; and remember that a ruined reputation is a heavy piece of luggage to carry.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 19, 2005

    I have the opportunity to visit in many churches during the course of a year because of my position. It is a great joy to see the wonderful talent that God has given many members of our churches. It is also wonderful to experience the friendship and fellowship that is a part of the family of God at worship.
    My wife and I try to arrive in time for Sunday School because we think Sunday School is an important part of the service. It is a great blessing to see the quality of the teaching and to witness the dedication of the teacher. There are, however, several problems areas that we have noticed in almost every Church we visit.
    1) No one is at the front door of the Church to direct visitors- Do we go into the church for an opening assembly? Where does the class for our age group meet?
    2) At the beginning of the class, many times several offering baskets are passed around. What are they for- Class party? Benevolent Fund? Flowers for sick? General Fund?
    3) What Scripture are you using to teach the Sunday School lesson- Many Sundays, if I did not know the Bible really well so I could figure out where the teacher is teaching from then my wife and I would sit the entire lesson "in the dark".
    Make sure your visitors are remembered this Sunday. After all, you should really want them to be there!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 25, 2005

    The new year has been so busy for me until I have not had the opportunity to look at any "new year’s resolutions". In my prayer time recently, however, I took the time to stand back, look at my ministry, and try to determine what I needed to work on this year so I can be the Christian worker God wants me to be. As I prayed for guidance God led me to change my Bible reading for that day to the book of Colossians. In chapter one of that book, the apostle Paul tells the Colossian Christians that he is praying for four things in their life. Like a neon sign, God said to me, "These are goals I want you to attain also."
    The first Goal was that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Oh, how I long for that! I want every day of my life to be lived in the perfect will of God.
    The second Goal was that they might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. How my heart just leaped when I read that. That is the cry of my soul each day.
    Goal number three was for them to be fruitful in every good work. Over and over I look at my work and ask myself if I am making a difference for God. Am I simply going through the motions or do I produce fruit for the Lord?
    The final goal was that they would increase in the knowledge of God. My soul craves this. My purpose in life is not simply to serve God but to know God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
    I thank God for pointing me in the right direction with some good goals this year. I hope you will make them your goals also.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 26, 2005

    And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. (1 Thess 4:11-12)
    Paul is giving the Thessalonian Christians some good advice about the way they should live their lives. 3 important principles are given for us to practice so we can go beyond "Sunday Morning Church Attenders" into Community Changing Christianity.
    Paul uses an interesting word to begin his instructions. He tells us to "Study" to do these things. The word "Study" means to "make it your ambition to put these actions into practice". For the next few weeks, this is exactly what I want us to do. I want us to look at how we can "study" to be quiet, to do our own business, and to work with our own hands.
    Why should we worry about this? What difference does it make if these principles are practiced in our life? Paul answers these questions by declaring that practicing these principles will cause us to "command the respect" of non-Christian society around us while providing for the needs of the Christian community to which we belong. That, I believe, is something well worth "studying" to know how to do.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 1, 2005

    Recently our denomination was blessed to have several Hispanic missionaries come to our area to begin mission works in order to reach our fast growing Hispanic population. In the true spirit of the Savior they represent, they have arrived without a "place to lay their head". Finding them lodging because a primary priority.
    One of our churches has a mobile home for a Youth Pastor but they presently have no Youth Pastor so they volunteered to let one of the missionary families live in this home for awhile. The next problem was that the Youth Pastor mobile home was unfurnished. In stepped another church to provide the needed furnishing (Isn’t it wonderful to see God at work!).
    All of this led to the Pastor of the Church which has the mobile home and the Pastor whose church was furnishing the furniture having to borrow a truck to transport the furniture to the mobile home. All went well until they loaded the furniture and then ran out of gas on the way to deliver it! Sad preachers stuck on a deserted country road with a dark cold winter night fast approaching are a pitiful sight to behold.
    Later it was determined that someone had stolen almost all the gas out of the borrowed truck the night before they borrowed it. Take heed. When you are attempting to do good Satan will try to discourage or defeat you in any way possible. The good news is that these preachers were rescued, the furniture was delivered, and these missionaries are happily living in their new home reaching people with the gospel of Christ. God wins again- Glory!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, Feb 2, 2005

    "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
    Last week we introduced "Three Practical Practices" that will help us improve our lives in the coming year. Today we want to look at the first of these practices- Tranquility of Spirit.
    Paul told the Thessalonians to "Study to be quiet". There are two ways this statement can be viewed: First- To learn not to make noise (Literally, "To keep your mouth closed"). Wouldn’t that be a great principle for people to practice!! The second meaning, "To seek to have a tranquil spirit" seems, however, to be the principle Paul is exhorting us to practice.
    "Tranquility of spirit" means we are at Peace with God, with those around us, and with ourselves. This gives us quiet steady dependability in our lives which is what all of us should strive to attain. This "tranquility of spirit" is not something that just happens in our life. We must "study to be quiet" by making it our ambition to put this principle to work in all of the circumstances life throws our way. But what a difference it will make when people see "tranquility of spirit" operating in our life.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 8, 2005

    It is always interesting when the Lord "hedges me in" so I maintain my free will while at the same time doing what He wants me to do. My wife and I had planned to go to a church having revival recently. Several circumstances too long to explain in this article caused us to end up going to another church instead. As soon as I arrived at this church I heard that the Pastor had just been called away to an emergency. Now I think I understand what God is doing.
    I love God’s sense of humor. The Pastor did not know I was coming to his church that night so he called a lay speaker from the Church and told him to speak at the service. So why all this "hedging" around to get me to the service if someone else was going to speak? As soon as the speaker began his sermon I knew the answer. Several months before this person had come by my office and I had given him a sermon outline to use sometime. That is what he preached that night. So I got to preach without preaching!
    Next morning I was sharing this with my assistant and he suddenly burst out in laughter. "I was asked to preach unexpectedly last night and I used one of your sermon outlines also." he said. So I got to preach in two different churches without preaching anywhere!
    Many parents today are teaching their children lessons they learned in Sunday School as children. Many members tell their co-workers what their preacher preached the Sunday before. Like the ripples from a rock thrown into a pond, your work for God may reach places you had never imagined so do it well and do it faithfully.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 9, 2005

    "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
    The first Practical Practice we examined was that we "study to be quiet". Today we want to look at Practical Practice number two- "Study to do your own business". It does not say "mind your own business"; it says we are to "do our own business". It is true that minding your own business is a good practice to practice and minding someone else’s business is a bad practice that can lead to some hard circumstances- Prov 26:17 "He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears". It may seem easy to grab a dog but it sure is hard to let loose!!
    To "do your own business", however, means you determine to handle your own affairs well. God has a plan for each person and when each person does his "own business" then society functions as it should. God gives each person a personality and a potential at birth. The world flourishes when we learn to blend these different abilities and attitudes into a working organism where everyone "does their own business" with energy and enthusiasm.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 15, 2005

    In basic training our Sergeant was a rough tough no nonsense type of guy. He would push us through the mud and the blood and call us "sissies" if we showed any fear. One day I was on "KP" and the Sergeant was inspecting the facilities. At the time I was making Jell-O for several thousand men. I had a huge vat of liquid Jell-O mixed up and I would simply dip huge trays into the vat, fill them with Jell-O, and then sit them in the large refrigerator to solidify.
    When I dipped one tray into the vat I noticed something moving and saw that a mouse had been hiding in the tray and he was now a Jell-O covered mouse. The Sergeant was coming by at the time so I asked him what to do. He hastily backed away and said, "I don’t care what you do. Just keep that mouse away from me!". Our rough tough Sergeant was afraid of mice!
    Sometimes a man who would laugh at blazing guns will cower in the presence of a mouse. It is not always logical but it is a truth. Samson laughed at the armies sent against him but he feared the mouse of Delilah’s disapproval so much until he told her how he could be defeated. Peter drew his sword against the multitude who came to capture Christ but a mouse of a maid made him swear and deny he even knew Christ.
    I don’t know what "mouse" fills you with fear; I just know that the same God who defeats Satan as a roaring lion can help you deal with the little things in your life that are overcoming you and robbing you of the victory. God wants you to triumph in life, even over mice!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 16, 2005

    "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
    The third Practical Practice commanded is to "work with your own hands". Honest work renews the mind, refreshes the body, and eases the conscience. The reason so many people come home from work exhausted is because almost all work is done with computers or other machinery that leaves our minds exhausted at the end of the day. We waste hours sitting in front of a TV each night because we are too mentally tired to do anything else.
    Try this for a month. Two nights a week leave your TV off and "work with your hands"- play board games with the kids, clean the closet, bake a cake for a neighbor, do woodwork, build those shelves you have always wanted in the closet. You will be amazed at how refreshed your mind will become, and how much better you will feel, when you don’t continually soak your mind in the sewage spuing from your TV.
    Paul has given us three practical principles we are to practice- Endeavor to maintain a tranquil spirit, find your place in society so you can do your own business, and learn to balance your life with physical and mental activities. No wonder he declares that practicing these principles will command the respect of the non-Christian world.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 22, 2005

    In Christian Service there should never be any Unemployment! EVERY member of the Body of Christ is vital to the Mission God has given it to fulfill and it hurts all of the body when any of the body fails to function as it should. I know everyone is busy in today’s society- some are busy doing important work, some are busy doing unimportant work, and some are busy just being busy! I’m not trying to add more work to your schedule, I am simply trying to get you to see that you need to prioritize your work with the knowledge of what is important for eternity.
    We do not need Christians to be "no shows" at their job for God. That puts an extra burden on the other workers. Nor do we need Christians who "just show" and fail to get involved in God’s work. That discourages and disappoints those who are trying to do all they can for God. What we need are Christians who show up, stand up, and speak up, so that the weak, the wicked, and the wayward find the help they need at God’s house.
    Every knee bent in prayer helps empower God’s work. Every sermon or Sunday School lesson given allows God’s word to work in the hearts and minds of people. Every nickel contributed, every pew dusted, every choir special sung, and every bulletin distributed is a needed part of God’s work. There is something that everyone can do and there is something that everyone should do. Don’t be an unemployed Christian. Find, and fill, your place in God’s work this week.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 23, 2005

    Sometimes the easy things are not so easy after all. My wife and I were celebrating our 35^th anniversary and she wanted to go to a Greek restaurant. As we waited on our food to arrive I noticed the waitress at the next table. It was obvious from her appearance that she was Hispanic and it was obvious from her actions that she did not understand English very well. Orders that were easy for the other waitresses were very difficult for a Mexican girl taking orders for Greek items from American citizens speaking with a southern drawl!!
    Churches need to consider people like this Hispanic girl when they conduct their services. Many things that are easy for people who speak "church" are very difficult for those who are not familiar with religious language. Remember that Jesus had to explain "born again" to Nicodemus and He constantly had to clarify the meaning of parables to His disciples. Sometimes things that are easy are not so easy if you don’t understand what is being said.
    When people fail to respond to the Gospel message maybe the problem is the understanding ear instead of the rebellious heart. Let’s make it our goal to communicate in such a way until even "Greek" will be understood by those who attend our services.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 1, 2005

    The most consistent, and the most devastating, problem in Christian circles today is the practice of pre-sin sins. Pre-sin sins are those sins that precede, and lead up to, a sin. In almost every case the pre-sin sin is not thought of as a "really bad" sin so it is tolerated and ignored until it leads past the pre-sin into the "real" sin that people condemn.
    Some examples of pre-sin sins are the lust that leads to adultery, the hatred that leads to murder, and the coveting that leads to robbery. Most people consider the pre-sin of lust that leads to adultery to be a "minor" infraction that is almost innocent. Consider, however, the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Jesus considered the "pre-sin" to be equal to the "sin".
    Note also how the pre-sin of hatred is categorized- First John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." Murder does not just happen, there is a path of "pre-sin" that leads to the act. Hurt feelings lead to temper. Temper leads to hatred. Hatred leads to murder. Many people nourish and pet their "pre-sin" of hurt feelings when things don’t go their way and they use that to justify their temper. They really don’t think they are doing wrong until suddenly the monster of murder (whether physical murder or character assassination) jumps into motion and the "pre-sin" has become a "real" sin.
    The weeds of wickedness are thorny briers with an awful smell. Remember, however, that they begin with a seed of sin that is so small until it is often ignored- and that is the problem.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 2, 2005

    Jonathan Edwards, the great American preacher, struggled with the assurance of his salvation during his early years. He was a good moral person who studied hard and was well liked by his fellow students. Over and over his friends would tell him that he should not doubt his relationship with God but Jonathan Edwards kept insisting something was wrong. Finally, one of his friends demanded that he explain what exactly kept him from feeling as if he were really saved. His answer is very revealing, "I do not think I am saved because I do not delight in God!".
    "Delighting in God" is the missing ingredient in many professing Christians today. They have pretty good morals and are well thought of in society but they do not really "Delight in God". They do not desire to be in God’s Presence; they do not enjoy being with God’s People; and they do not crave God’s Plan for their life. They want to die with their "heaven insurance" paid up but there is no hunger to spend time with God and let God take control of their life.
    Upon what do you base your hope of Heaven? The stock answer is believing that Jesus is the Son of God but can you really believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins and not have an overwhelming desire to spend time with Him and work for Him? Can you really be right with God if you do not delight in God?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 8, 2005

    During my devotion time recently I asked the Lord to give me several principles that people needed to practice. Almost immediately the following three principles seemed to "pop" into my brain. I believe they are very practical; but very important. Hope they will help you.
    1) DON’T WORSHIP YOUR WORK. Many people seem to get all their self worth from their work. If you are able, you should work, and you should enjoy your work, but don’t turn your work into the only driving force in your life. Don’t serve your work, make work your servant.
    Work is wonderful when it allows you to be creative and make enough money to support your family. Remember, however, that your job is part of your life; not all of life.
    2) DON’T FORGET YOUR FAMILY. The scriptures state that (1 Tim 3:5) if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? God recognized early, and stated often, the importance of family relationships. Yet, many people treat their family like dirt while treating the people who come into their work (whom they hardly know) with respect and dignity. Find ways this week to let your family know they are important to you and that you value them in your life.
    3) DON’T BE WEARY IN WELL DOING. An increasingly sinful society and the demands of life cause many people to put their relationship with, and their work for, God on the "back burner". More and more they find less and less time for Bible reading, periods of prayer, and church activities. God has promised that if we spend time with Him that it will bring refreshment to our exhausted life. Keep that in mind as you plan you week.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 9, 2005

    Recently someone shared a number of short sayings about marriage with me and I thought they would be helpful to others who are married, or who are contemplating getting married.
    A bridegroom is a man who spends a lot of money on a new suit that nobody notices.
    A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple- French Proverb
    An ideal wife is any woman who has an ideal husband
    Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads that sew people together through the years- Simone Signoret
    Don’t marry for money; you can borrow it cheaper- Scottish Proverb
    It takes two to make a marriage a success and only one to make it a failure- H Samuel
    Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.
    Let the wife make her husband glad to come home. Let the Husband make his wife sorry to see him leave.
    Marriage halves our griefs, doubles our joys, and quadruples our expenses.
    Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing any one who comes between them. S Smith
    "My wife is an angel" said one man. The other replied, "You are so very lucky, mine is still alive"!
    And one final quote- When a marriage works, nothing on earth can take its place- Helen Douglas. To which I add a hardy "Amen".

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 15, 2005

    March 19^th will mark my 43^rd year of being a child of God. It has gotten sweeter and sweeter as the years have gone by. The change that has taken place in my life is astonishing. I began my journey knowing little, and caring less, about the Bible but now I daily read, and weekly preach, the wonderful good news found in the word of God. I started out distrustful of Church members and of things "religious" but I now call complete strangers "Brothers" and "Sisters" and count it a tremendous privilege to be part of such a family.
    I have found that a relationship with Christ satisfies every area of my life. Being a Christian is mentally challenging, emotionally invigorating, and spiritually fulfilling. It is a joy to wake up in the morning knowing I belong to God. It is a delight to work each day knowing that what I do has eternal value. It is peaceful beyond words to lay down each night with the knowledge that "To live is Christ and to die is gain". Being a Christian is just great!
    Christ is a rock that I stand on, a Savior that I trust in, and a Friend that I expect one day to see face to face. My relationship with Christ paid for my past sins, changed my present life, and put anticipation into my future. Christianity is not a "death insurance" policy I reluctantly carry just to play it safe. It is abundant life now and eternal life to come. I have served the Lord for 43 years now and the only thing I regret is that I did not begin the journey sooner.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 16, 2005

    My dear and lovely wife celebrates her birthday today. It is a significant birthday for her since it is one that ends in a zero (and that is all I will say about that!!). For some reason people tend to examine their goals in life more closely on a "zero" birthday. With that in mind I want to share with you four questions that will help focus your life.
    1) Where do you want to go? Many people simply drift along on the river of life going where the current of circumstances carry them. You must know where you are headed if you plan to reach a specific destination.
    2) How do you plan to get there? Plan a plan and then figure out how to work that plan. You don’t lose 20 pounds by thinking it. You decide to regularly eat less and exercise more.
    3) What are you doing about it? A dream becomes a nightmare if you do not put "feet" on it. Ask yourself every day what you are doing to reach the goals you have set for your life.
    4) When will you start? Delay is deadly. You cannot change what you are if you do not start the process. The first step must be made before any other step can take place.
    Don’t "zero" out your life this year. Get busy finding, and doing, God’s purpose for your life.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 22, 2005

    Free may be free but that does not mean it is without cost. Somewhere along the line someone had to pay. This time of year as we look closely at the sacrifice of Christ on the cross reminds us about that concerning the free gift of salvation offered by God. Salvation comes to us free and freely but it was tremendously costly to provide. It cost Christ the comfort of Heaven, the rejection of men, and the pain of crucifixion in order to purchase our "free" salvation. We get the good stuff because he was willing to go through all the bad stuff!
    The amount you are willing to pay for something is directly proportionally to the value you place on it. I would not give you ten cents for a ticket to a professional basketball game but other people would sacrifice greatly for that same ticket. Again, it is a question of value.
    Look in the mirror today and realize that God thought you were so valuable until He paid the largest price Heaven had to offer in order to redeem you and make you one of His own! What a shame it would be if you thought so little of this expense gift that is so freely given until you neglected to receive it and one day had to face God unprepared for eternity.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 23, 2005

RESURRECTION REQUIRED

    As I travel across the United States and into other countries, I find a multitude of religious beliefs. Everyone thinks their brand of religion is right and their "god" is the only true God. As I listen to the doctrines and observe the behavior of various religions I am struck by the good qualities I find in all of them. Naturally, the question I must ask myself is "What give me the right to believe that the religion I promote is any better than these other religions?" The answer goes to the very heart of Christianity.
    If all religions are "equal" and followers simply chose the religious guidelines that fit their personality the best then it would appear that we need a course of study in our schools at the early grade levels showing the various strengths and weakness of different religions. This would give each person an opportunity to make up their own mind and allow them to chose the religious guidelines to guide their life that fit their own personality and preferences.
    In order to make this fair, however, there would have to be one fact presented that would tip the scale completely toward Christianity. While all religions may have good teachings only Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead and ascended back to God. That changes everything! Now it is no longer just a set of guidelines to help me enjoy the short life I have on earth. Now it is about eternity and only Christ passed the resurrection required test!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 29, 2005

    Little Richard was not so little after all. As we waited to board our flight to Nashville a large entourage of people were allowed to board the plane before everyone else. A few curious questions produced the information that this group was centered around "Little Richard". A few more curious questions revealed that "Little Richard" was a famous rock and roll singer.
    When we landed in Nashville everyone had to wait until this entourage left the plane before we were allowed to deplane. Finally, my assistant and I got off the plane and headed to collect our luggage. When I rounded a corner in the baggage pick up area I bumped head on into "Little Richard" as he waited for his group to pick up their luggage. I don’t know how he got his name but he was not so little . In fact he was as tall as I am.
    I guess my claim to fame would have to be that I have not met a lot of worldly famous people! I don’t normally find myself in those society circles. I have, however, met a number of missionaries, ministers, and dedicated Christian church members. Most of them are not "famous" in the eyes of the world today but I can tell you that when I "run into them" they stand very tall in my eyes. Their sacrifice and commitment is making a difference in the world today and will make them really famous in the days to come.
    I don’t begrudge "Little Richard" his fame or his star status. If people want to honor him for his musical ability then that is up to them. I’m just glad I have the happy privilege of regularly walking and talking with people who stand tall with God. They have real fame that is enduring and will still bring them honor a million years from today.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 30, 2005

    The plane rumbled and shook as it increased its speed down the runway. Suddenly the nose of the plane lifted off the ground and the ungainly rolling plane became an elegant flying bird as we soared away from Atlanta and began our journey to Nashville. Just as the plane lost its contact with the earth and started sailing on the wings of the wind the child in the seat ahead of me simply squealed with glee. Evidently this was her first flight and she was so excited to be airborne until she could hardly contain herself. Her excitement infected everyone and soon even the most travel weary veterans looked at each other with a smile on their face as they remembered back to their first flight.
    I have never been to Heaven and it may be that the rumbling and shaking as I prepare to leave this world may be a little frightening and unnerving. I pray, however, that I will have the same joyful anticipation and gleeful enthusiasm that was exhibited by this young girl as I begin my Heavenly flight. After all, that "flight" will be taking me to my new permanent home where I will enjoy peace and joy with the Lord forever.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 5, 2005

    Recently I saw two slogans on church signs that played off on the word "ready". The message of each was so important until I thought I would share them with you.
    "If you are not ready to forgive then you are not ready". This slogan means, of course, that if you are not ready to forgive others then you are not ready to meet God and claim His forgiveness of your sins. It comes from the sermon by Jesus in which He declared, "If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:26). It goes past the cheap easy believing practiced by many in churches today. Instead, it demands a faith in God that changes your relationship with men as well as your relationship with God. Being ready to meet God is changed from an abstract religious principle you "believe in " into a real life heart changing relationship that impacts the way you feel about, and act toward, other people.
    The other slogan was a reverse of the way the thought is normally presented, "Jesus is ready. Are you coming?". Normally it is written, "Jesus is coming. Are you ready?". I like the new version! It warns us that the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is "ready" (near) and then asked the most important question in life, "When Jesus comes for His bride will you be one of those going back with Him?" That is something each of us should prayerfully and carefully consider.
    Are you ready to forgive others with the same forgiveness you seek? Are you ready to fly away with the Lord no matter when He comes? Remember, if you are not ready when the Lord is ready then it will be too late to be ready!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 6, 2005

    Numerous times in scripture (162 in case you are interested) the phrase "the Lord is" is used. Several of these statements about the Lord declare marvelous and mighty truths. Let’s look at several of them.
    The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (Lamentations 3:24). What an acknowledgment. God is my allotment in life. Then another "the Lord is" verse declares that since God is my portion then that is all I need- The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1).
    The Lord is all I need because I can rest in complete dependence on Him- The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. (Ex 15:2). The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; (2 Samuel 22:2 ). The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1). Fear has to fly because the Lord is my helper- So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Heb 13:6)
    Last, but certainly not least, the Lord is all I need because His character deals with my corrupt sinful nature and provides a way for reconciliation- The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. (Ps 145:8).

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 12, 2005

    Dr. Sidlow Baxter, in his classic overview of the Bible, "Explore the Book", gives three ways that Christians can hasten the return of the Lord. He states that hastening the return of the Lord is the duty of Christians based on Second Peter 3:12 "Looking for and hasting the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"
    How can Christians hasten the return of the Lord? First we can daily LONG for His appearing remembering that He is coming for them who "Love His appearing" (II Tim 4:8). How sad it is to hear many Christians give the impression to the unbelieving world that they would rather live in this sin cursed world instead of depart for the joys of Heaven. There is something wrong with that picture!
    Secondly, Christians can hasten the return of the Lord by daily PRAYING for His appearing, remembering that the last prayer of the Bible is "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rev 22:20). I hear people praying for health, wealth, and comfort in this world but I can’t remember the last time I heard someone earnestly pray for the Lord to return and take us home with Him.
    Finally, Christians can hasten the return of the Lord by daily seeking to WIN SOULS. One day someone will win that final person who will complete the Church and God will tell Jesus the wedding is ready and He can go get His bride. Glory! What a day that will be!
    Are you doing all you can to hasten the return of the Lord? Or have you "settled in Sodom" where you wallow in the mud with the hogs instead of longing to fly to the heights with the eagles?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 13, 2005

    People sometimes ask me how the moral and spiritual state of America dropped to such a low level in such a quick time. I tell them that my opinion is no better than their opinion but I can give them a divine opinion that describes exactly what is happening in Society today. It is found in Paul’s letter to the Romans as Rome headed down the same slippery path of moral collapse that America is on today.
    Romans 1:25-32 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
    And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 19, 2005

    One of the most haunting passages in scripture is First Corinthians 13:3 "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." This scripture declares that acts of goodness and even extreme sacrifice do not measure up if they are not motivated by genuine love.
    The Government has tried to convince us for years that if you throw enough money at a problem that it will solve the problem. All of us realize how false this is by now. A good example would be many of the housing projects the government sponsors. Instead of elevating people to a better living, many housing projects are pockets of poverty and crime. Better housing without better hope turned to despair, disrespect, and drugs.
    This example should show us that people do not need just money, they need loving concern that will enable them to use the money they have, or receive, correctly. That takes more than programs; that takes involvement on a personal level.
    The perfect example of this is shown in God’s Love for mankind. When man sinned, he incurred the penalty of death. God could have looked at the extreme cost of paying this debt and abandoned man to sin’s eternal penalty. Instead, God actually became a man and suffered on a cross to pay this debt and make salvation available to all.
    This is the kind of love God offers to you today. What a difference it would make in your life if you would accept this love. And what a difference it would make in our world if we all would demonstrate this kind of love.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 20, 2005

    (1 John 2:11) But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
    Hatred is a hard master. It controls the way you live ("Walketh in darkness") and the motivation of your life ("Knoweth not whither he goeth"). And by doing so, it slowly destroys your health, your relationship with other, and your joy.
    But hatred does something even worst- it eventually blinds you! ("because that darkness hath blinded his eyes"). In a cave in the Smoky Mountains are some blind trout. When people began using the cave they thought it would be good to stock it with trout. To their great horror, they found that trout who live in the darkness of a cave all the time actually lose their sight.
    When a person allows hatred to live in his heart it causes him to walk in the darkness of his own bitter spirit until he becomes blind like these trout. Hugging that hatred to your heart may seem a great comfort at first but how horrible it becomes as you increasingly find yourself blinded to the beauties all around you because of the cloud of darkness surrounding your life.
    There is a way out of this darkness- He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. (1 John 2:10)

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 26, 2005

    One of the benefits of being a Christian is that we are able to call upon a God who hears and answers prayer. But HOW does God answer those prayers? Does the answer come in some magical puff from Heaven or does God use other methods? During my time serving the Lord I have experienced 3 different ways God answers prayer.
    1) Providential Provision- Many times God has miraculously provided the answer. Often He would do this by instructing someone else to provide my need. This is not a case of me subtly hinting that I had a need and then the other person feeling obligated to supply that need. That makes everyone involved feel bad. This provision came because I would tell God and God would lay the need on the heart of the other person. This way, when the provision comes, it brings Glory to God, a blessing to the person giving (It is more blessed to give than to receive) and a blessing to me as I see God answer prayer.
    2) Providential Payment- God would lower my normal expenses for a time in order for me to accumulate the money required to purchase my need. The provision is no less real simply because it came over time instead of instantaneous.
    3) Personal Provision- Sometimes God would answer my prayer by saying that He did not need to intervene in any way since He had provided what I needed already if I would simply use my resources wisely. Answers like this develop me as a person as well as provide my needs.
    God uses many methods to meet our needs. The answer is available if the request is made. Many times, however, "we have not because we ask not" (James 4:2).

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 27, 2005

    Answered Prayer should be a normal part of the Christian life. God delights in hearing our prayers and, since He is a wonderful loving God, He also delights in giving His children the blessings they need. Sometimes, however, God lets us know that certain circumstances in our life are there for a reason and prayer will not change them. That is an important lesson to learn.
    God’s great servant, Moses, disobeyed God about striking the rock and circumstances were set in motion in his life that God said Prayer would not change- Deut 3:25-26 "I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the Lord was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the Lord said unto me, let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter".
    God’s great apostle, Paul, was given a "thorn in the flesh" by God in order to perfect his life. Prayer would do harm instead of bring help in this situation. II Cor 12:8-9 "For this (thorn in the flesh) I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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."
    If there are things in your life that prayer will not help just remember that God’s eyes never leave you even when His ears will not hear you. Accept God’s will and trust God’s heart.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 3, 2005

    Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. (2 Chronicles 22:2-3)
    This is the time of year when we normally praise all the good qualities of a mom and ignore any bad characteristics she may have. Sometimes, however, we need to realize the tremendous influence for bad, as well as good, that can be exerted on a child by a mother. Such was the case with king Ahaziah as his mother counseled him to do wrong with the power he had inherited.
    Why, you may ask, would a mother give her child wicked advice instead of good advice? The answer lies in the fact that a mother is still a human being with a sinful nature that must be redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ and changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Until that takes place a mother can be controlled by the desire for riches, power, and pleasure just like anyone else. Sadly, this wickedness in the mother can be imparted to the child by the natural respect a child has for his mother’s advice.
    Every mother should become a Christian believer because of the eternal good it will do for them. But they should also consider the great harm that can be done to their own children if their children’s actions and wisdom are tainted by the mother’s sinful nature. Why don’t you give your family the best present they could receive this Mother’s Day by allowing Christ to change your heart and mind so that you will provide a good example and good advice to your family.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 4, 2005

    During the early beginning of the Christian Church several of its key leaders were captured by king Herod. He immediately put James, the brother of John, to death by the sword but kept Peter alive. He then had his advisors take a poll of the people and found that most people approved of what he had done. That led him to put Peter under guard until he could be executed in front of all the people following the holy holiday of Passover.
    The possibility of losing two of its key leaders brought distress to the church so they began a constant Prayer Meeting asking God to intervene. No church buildings had yet been built so they had to meet somewhere to pray. Immediately the mother of John Mark volunteered the use of her home. That sounds like a good mom! Someone who is willing to serve and sacrifice so that the work of God can go forward.
    Most men would simply think that it was nice that she offered a place to pray. Mothers know the real story. A constant prayer meeting at her home meant constant cooking (these prayer meeting participates had to eat!), constant cleaning (crowds produce disorder), and very little rest. Thank God for the willingness of Moms to give of themselves for their family and for the faith.
    The "rest of this story" is that the prayer meeting worked, Peter was delivered, and the church went forward instead of suffering a major defeat in its infancy. And it happened because a Mom was willing to host a prayer meeting!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 10, 2005

    I have been preaching for 43 years and I have learned that sermons produce numerous responses. Sometimes people get angry with me because the Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword (Heb 4:12) and it cuts them to the quick. Sometimes people rejoice greatly that the preached Word of God speaks to their heart in a special way or meets a particular need. Most times, however, they simply smile at the door, tell me it was a good sermon, and couldn't tell you what it was about a week from then if their life depended on it!
    In one of His foundational parables (Mark 4:14-20), Jesus gave His disciples four basic ways that people would response to the Word of God. I try to keep these in mind as I preach each week. Amazingly, the first thing Jesus said was that Satan would come to some people and immediately take away the Word that was sown in their heart before it could take root. I "ponder" that a lot!
    Secondly, Jesus said that some people would hear the Word but a hard heart would not allow it to put down roots so they would soon abandon its work in their life. Others hear the Word and start well but soon the everyday circumstances of life and the desire for worldly goods crowd out its impact and suffocate its fruit. Only the last group hear and receive the Word in such a way that it produces fruit in their lives.
    In the same way that a blind man can be in the presence of light and still not have sight so a person can hear the Word of God and remain unchanged. And what a sad thing it is to stumble blindly into eternity when the light of the world offers you sight as well as light.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 11, 2005

    As I read and study the word of God I keep coming across verses of scripture that speak to my heart about the seriousness of serving God. This is important for me because many people today seem to take their relationship with the Lord very lightly and, as a result, the testimony of the Church in the world today has been discredited. Here are a few principles we need to look at again if we are to retain our Christian testimony.
    God has no favorites who can do wrong and get by with it- But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Colossians 3:25)
    If you tell God you are going to do something then you had better keep your promise- When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. (Deuteronomy 23:21)
    Failure to produce spiritual fruit should be a matter of tremendous concern- I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:1-2)
    Christianity is not a club you join. It is a cross you carry. If it does not change you then it will not change those around you; and that is a tragedy beyond words.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 17, 2005

    It had been a busy week that was heading into a busier week end. As I was traveled home from work in order to pack my clothes and go to Greenville for three services in the upstate of South Carolina over the next 2 days I was thinking about my yard. My grass needed cutting badly and I knew I did not have a "grass cutting slot" in my time card anytime soon. Praise the Lord! When I arrived home I noticed immediately that someone had cut my grass for me- Glory! What a great blessing.
    As I drove up under my carport I noticed a lawn mower sitting at the back of the carport. I assumed the person who had cut the grass had left his mower until he could pick it up later. When I entered the house I asked my wife who had cut the grass so I could call and thank them. She told me that the person who had cut the grass had also left the keys to the lawn mower and it was now my mower- Is there a Glory anywhere in the house!!
    Only 2 weeks before my wife and I had begun praying for a new lawn mower to replace the 10 year old model we had been using that was becoming worn out. We were praying for God to provide us a new lawn mower in the next couple of years and He gave us one in a couple of weeks! And God did not give us an off brand special, He gave us a brand new John Deere- Glory! Excuse my English but "Ain’t God good!".
    This is just another time that God did "exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think" (Eph 3:20) just because we prayed and sought His face. He is a wonderful God and I delight in being His servant.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 18, 2005

    This is the time of year when students are trying to remember all they were supposed to learn during the year so they can pass all those tests headed their way. But what is the teacher had to take a test to see if real teaching had taken place? Here are 3 principles that would be part of such a test. Real 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 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 "turns on a light bulb" in their mind.
    2) Apply the Application. Knowledge in the head that can not be translated into activity in the life has little use- "Faith without works is dead". If you want students to be "better people" then tell them what they must do in order to 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!
    Multitudes of people go through church educational systems each year. They memorize answers about Noah, Jonah, and Paul but they seldom produce change in their community. Maybe that would change if Sunday School teachers were given this basis test about their teaching.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 24, 2005

    Normally spitting in someone’s face is a sign of extreme reproach and was used so in the persecution of Christ- Mt 26:67 "Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands." On several occasions, however, Jesus surprises people by using spit in His healing process.
    Once people brought a man to Jesus who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Instead of simply saying a word of healing, Jesus puts his fingers into the ears of the man. Then He spit on his finger and touches the tongue of the man before He prays and the man is healed. Unusual to say the least!
    Another time He heals a blind man by spitting on the ground to make a mud ball to put on the blind man’s eyes. He then tells the blind man to go wash in a certain pool and he will receive his sight. For another blind man, Jesus spits directly onto his eyes and the man begins to vaguely see. After a second touch by Jesus the man begins to see clearly. Strange healing methods!
    Most times in scripture Jesus simply spoke a word and people were healed. Why did He use spit on these occasions? The common denominator in the "spit" cases is that these people did not approach Jesus for healing until they were brought or urged by others to come. They did not have enough faith to seek Jesus on their own so Jesus had to build their faith in the healing process by using spit as a physical sign. When people had enough faith to come on their own then a simple word was all that was needed for their healing.
    Does Jesus need to "spit in your face" to get you to trust in Him? Or will you believe in His love and come to Him to have your needs met today?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 25, 2005

    This is the time of year when many young people are graduating from schools and colleges. With great excitement, and an almost equal amount of fear, they venture forth into the "real world" of day to day living. They are leaving the "infant" stage of being cared for and instructed by parents and teachers and are entering the "young adult" period of their life which will demand that they make major decisions and begin to pay their own way. They must soon choose a job, a life mate, and a direction for their life.
    If I could have any input during this transitional time it would be to inform them that they need God’s wisdom and direction in their life now more than ever. I would encourage them to draw near to God with all their heart, mind, and soul because they are venturing forth into a world that will try its best to discourage, disgrace, and defeat them. Society will try to get them to abandon their morals and join the vast throng bowing each night before the god of pleasure, party, and personal gratification. While this may sound like fun, such activity will drain their pocketbook, damage their health, and leave life long scars on their life and reputation.
    Near to the heart of God, under His protecting wing, is where you will find peace, protection, provision, and boundless joy. Live an abundant life, draw near to God.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 31, 2005

    ... I will bless thee, ... and thou shalt be a blessing: (Genesis 12:2)
    Recently the Lord blessed me with a new lawn mower (Glory!). Before I began telling anyone about this blessing from the Lord someone came by my office to visit. As he was leaving he said he had a special prayer request he wanted me to help him pray about. He said he had just been talking with a young lady who could hardly use her right arm and who was having to cut her 2 acres of grass with a push mower. He wanted us to pray for the Lord to provide a riding mower for this lady!
    Seeing God at work, I told him about how the Lord had blessed me with a new mower much sooner that I expected and asked him if he would be willing to fix up my old mower so this lady could use it. He said he would be glad to work on it for her. He brought it by my office today on his way to give it to this young lady. The oil had been changed, everything had been checked, and the entire mower had been freshly painted. It almost looked brand new.
    Many times God blesses us with finances or other things in order to see what we will do with what He has given us. If we are stingy and greedy then He knows we cannot be trusted to do what is right and good with the resources He wants to gives us. If He observes that we can be trusted with blessings then He delights in blessing us in order that we may bless others.
    "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 1, 2005

    My wife needed gas in her car so I drove her car to the post office instead of driving the office van. When I came out of the Post Office I noticed a young man with the hood up on his car. The weather had turned warm and his battery had decided to stop working. Normally I would have jumped into the van, pulled up beside him, and used the jumper cables I always carry to get his engine started. But I had driven my wife’s car and all I could do was wish him well and pray for someone to come along with jumper cables that would help him.
    Here was an excellent opportunity to help someone and try to show the love of Christ to them but I missed the blessing. The need was real and my desire to help was genuine but I did not have what I needed to help the need so I had to miss the opportunity.
    Several times in life I have been approached by someone needing spiritual insight or spiritual wisdom. Later that day I would finally get around to doing my daily Bible reading and find that if I would have had my devotions at my regular time then God would have provided the insight or wisdom I needed. I had missed an opportunity to be a blessing because I was not prepared.
    "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (1 Peter 3:15)

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 7, 2005

    "And when Samlah was dead, Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. And when Shaul was dead, Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead." (1 Chronicles 1:48-49)
    There was a time I could name all the presidents of the United States. It would be difficult for me to do so today. Age and apathy have caught up with me and it is hard to remember them all. I do know this, we have had some pretty good men as president during my lifetime and some pretty rotten scandals but, thankfully, we have weathered them all and still survive as a nation. Presidents come and presidents go but the country continues to sail on; in spite of who is president more than because of who is president.
    In the first chapter of the book of Chronicles you can read time after time about someone who lived and died and then someone else "reigned in his stead". They were "top dog" for awhile but eventually they died and someone else took their power and their position. I keep that fact constantly in mind.
    Life is short and death is sure. One day someone else will do my job, live in my house, and serve in my stead. The question is not if it will happen but when it will happen. If all my "eggs" were in an earthly basket then the fact that someone else will "reign in my stead" would be devastating. Because of my heavenly hope it really does not bother me. After all, while someone else is "reigning in my stead" down here I will be reigning with the Son of God up there. And that is a swap I will make any day!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 8, 2005

    "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early." (Hosea 5:15)
    Hosea is a strange book of the Bible! It is built around the fact that God tells a preacher to marry a prostitute. Can you imagine the pastor of a big Baptist church standing up in the pulpit this Sunday and telling everyone that God had told him to marry a local prostitute? Can you imagine her reception the first Sunday she came to church as the Pastor’s wife? Such was the "pickle" Hosea was put in by the command of God.
Then, to add "fuel to the fire", Hosea was told to preach a message that ended by stating that God was going home and leaving the nation to fend for itself. Boy, talk about popular preachers!
    Can you conceive of what would happen today if God left America? No more divine protection. No more divine provision. Like multitudes of empires before us we would see how quickly and completely our glory and power would vanish if God left us to our own resources.
God does not want to "go home and leave us". All He asks is that we admit our wrong doing and seek His presence. And if we will do that, He will take us home with Him when He goes!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 14, 2005

    Ps 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
    I love preachers but sometimes they aggravate me. Once in a while I will tell a preacher about how the Lord has blessed me and he will act a lot more skeptical than he does elated. It is almost as if he cannot really believe that God still performs special acts for His children. I was thinking of this recently during my prayer time.
    A multitude of things, including a recent bout of sickness by my wife, had stretched us very thin financially. As I was praying for God to meet my needs I decided to ask Him to do something so extraordinary until even preachers would believe God did it!
    Around the middle of the day I was sitting at my desk working when I received a phone call from the office of the doctor who had conducted a heart test on my wife. It was the business manager of this office and her first words were, "Would it be alright with you if we cut the bill you owe our office in half?". After a moment of stunned silence I said it would be great and she told me the total of the new bill.
    Because my wife’s regular doctor was out of town this was a new doctor that we had never used before and we had received no kind of bill from him yet so we had not communicated with him in any way. I am still astonished at how extraordinarily extraordinary it was for us to receive this phone call. You can believe what you want but I believe God worked just because He wanted to do something special.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 15, 2005

    "The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. If a man be just, ...he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD."
    "If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, ...he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him." (Ezekiel 18:1-13)
    The cry throughout the land had become, "The problem is our parents!" as the younger generation blamed their father’s generation for the troubles and trials they were enduring. God made it very plain, however, that blaming parents did not absolve the children from personal responsibility for their own actions.
    The example and testimony of a godly father is wonderful and is to be commended but righteousness with God is not an inherited trait. Every man must answer to God for his own actions and attitudes. Bragging on your father for his goodness or blaming your father for his "sour grapes" does not change your own accountability to God.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 21, 2005

    I wonder who takes out the trash in Heaven and where the garbage dump is located? The word for "Hell" is the word used for the garbage dump outside of Jerusalem. Will someone dump our garbage onto the heads of those who occupy hell?
    I wonder if TV in Heaven will show reruns of history? I would be very interested in seeing what really happened during many incidents described in the Bible. Can you imagine what it must have been like on the day the entire world was flooded? And I want to see what happened during the "silent years" the Bible fails to describe between the time Jesus is left at the temple and the time He is baptized by John the Baptist.
    I wonder what doctors, lawyers, and funeral directors will do in Heaven after spending their entire life learning an occupation that is not practiced in Heaven? I wonder if everyone will have a telephone and, if so, who will maintain them and operate the system? I wonder if the fruit from the tree of life will give juice or will water from the river of life be the only way to quench our thirst?
    I wonder if we will walk everywhere or have a car that never breaks down nor needs gas! New Jerusalem is over a thousand miles wide, high, and deep so traveling those golden streets on foot would be interesting.
    I wonder if many people who expect to end up in Heaven will be sadly disappointed at the judgment bar of God when they find that their good intentions and their good works do not meet God’s requirements for entrance?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 22, 2005

    I knew something was up the way she was holding her head. The preacher and his wife had come by my office for some information and they were getting ready to leave. "Mike, I hate to share this but I need to tell you about my husband," she said. "He encouraged our young people to raise some money for the Children’s Home and as a reward he said he would take them bowling. Everyone was having a good time until the last frame of the game. That’s when it happened. Just as the preacher walked up to let go of his bowling ball the floor let go of his feet and he came down right on his back side. He had so much momentum until he ended up twirling around and around as the bowling ball streaked down the lane. All of the kids just laughed and hooted and exclaimed that they did not know the preacher had become a break dancer!"
    I assured her that I would report his actions to the proper authorities and we all had a good laugh. I was thinking about it later and marveling about what a great joy it is to be part of the family of God. We can do good things for those in need, have good clean fun that involves all ages, and even laugh at our mistakes. We don’t have to resort to cursing or sexual innuendos or drunken partying like those weird people on TV. We just enjoy life, rejoice in God’s goodness, laugh about "break dance preachers", and bask in being children of God.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 28, 2005

    About one o’clock in the afternoon I began to feel tired and I wondered why. As I sat for a moment and reviewed what I had done so far that day I began to understand. After my early morning devotional time I had gone to a local store and picked up breakfast for my ailing mother. On the way to work I had stopped for cards for several couples celebrating their 50^th anniversary before I went to the post office and picked up the mail.
    Once I arrived at work I made some sales from our book store to assist a church with its Sunday service, made several calls and copies for our State Home Mission board, recorded and deposited nearly ten thousand dollars from churches for various ministries, performed several activities for our National Media Commission, counseled someone about a need over the phone, showed several people how to obtain medicine, and worked on my Sunday sermon.
    A liberal press and liberal politicians want to destroy Christianity and turn America into a godless society. They think Christians are the ones keeping America from becoming the enlightened utopia they long to achieve. I think Christians are the salt of society and if we are removed then society will become so rotten until the stink will reach to the Heaven these liberals do not believe is real.
    I had the privilege of impacting many different areas of society today because of my Christian values. I know I am a very little frog in a very big pond but I sure am glad I can make a little difference because of the change Christ made in my life! What a horrible world it would be if there were no Christians and a sin sick society was the only hope we had!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 29, 2005

    I had been in Gastonia, N.C. that morning so the four hour trip to this church had me arriving shortly after they began their evening service. It was a special joint service with several other churches and the parking lot was filled to overflowing so I had to park behind the family life center. Walking to the front door of the church I noticed a van parked in the middle of a drive way. As I got closer I realized it was a locksmith and he was working on one of the cars in the parking lot. Later that night I found that it was a lady I knew who had accidentally locked her keys in her car.
    As I talked with this lady she told me she did not want to take her pocket book into the crowded church so she left it, along with her keys, in the car since her husband had another set of keys. During the service she needed to go out to the car so she got her husband’s set of keys but she laid this set of keys on the front seat while she got what she needed and then forgot they were there until she closed the door!
    She could see the keys and she desperately wanted them but she could not get them without some help. In the same way, People today know that a relationship with Jesus will change their life but the key always seems to be behind a "locked door". Aren’t you glad the Holy Spirit has the wisdom and power to open that door if we will humbly call out to Him in prayer?