NEWSPAPER DEVOTIONAL ARTICLES
January- June, 2000

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

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 4, 2000

    Slowly the coins clinked upon the bare table as the man emptied his pockets. Next his wife emptied her pocket book. Then they looked under the couch cushions and searched all their dresser drawers but the stack was still a mole hill of coins for their mountain of a problem. Carefully, the husband counted the coins and looked bleakly at his wife as he announced, "Four dollars and eighty five cents."
    No words were spoken but each knew the heart of the other. For years they had committed their lives to serving the Lord and confidently told others that God would supply their needs. Now this beggars pile of coins was all they could muster to buy their groceries for a week. Heart broken, they left the coins on the table and went their separate ways.
    As the Husband sat on the porch and stared into the distance, wondering what had gone wrong to make it so he no could longer support his family, his wife suddenly appeared again with a glow in her eyes and determination in her voice. She told her husband that she had been in the bed room praying and God had shown her how to multiply the money they had in order to meet their needs. She told her husband to go into town and use the money to buy the supplies necessary to make a cake. When he returned she immediately baked a cake. As soon as it was done she told her husband to go to town and sell the cake. The Husband then used that money to buy the ingredients necessary to make several more cakes. On his last trip to town that day he sold enough cakes to buy groceries for a week; and they never faced another shortage like that!

(Psa 37:25) "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." No matter how bleak things may look, God has provisions available for His children. Sometimes obtaining that provision is just as easy as baking a cake!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 5, 2000

    As I read different books and magazines I sometimes find a sentence or phrase that "jumps out at me". Today, I would like to share some of these thoughtful thoughts with you in the hopes that they will be a blessing or challenge to you also.

- Courage is fear that has said its prayers
- Live so the preacher will not have to lie at your funeral
- When troubles come we can run away from them, fight against them, or soar above them. The question we should ask is not HOW can I can out of this but WHAT can I get out of this?
- Remember that Hope does not eliminate hurt. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of a loved one.
- What is the difference:
    between Atheists who support no church and members who will not support the one to which they belong?
    between skeptics who do not believe the Bible and negligent Christians who never read it?
    between those who do not believe in Sunday School and those who never attend Sunday School?
    between the people of the world and church members who live like the world? If it quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, and wants to hang around other ducks; then it has a hard job convincing me that it is an eagle!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 11, 2000

    The Doctor said cancer and his heart felt like it would burst from his chest. This kind of thing was supposed to happen to someone else’s wife. Surely there had been some mistake. This couldn’t be happening to him. Slowly the shock spread across his mind and body. More test and final decisions were scheduled next week
    On the drive home not a lot was said. Not a lot could be said. Life went on and day by day brought them closer to their Wednesday appointment when the love of his life would turn from a wife into a patient. Sometimes it did not seem real. Other times it seemed as if it was the only reality he knew.
    For a long time he had met some men early each Tuesday morning at his church for a time of prayer. This Tuesday, when he arrived for prayer, no one else came. When he needed them most it seemed as if everyone had forsaken him. And when he went into the church, the lights would not work and he had to grope his way to the altar. Everything, it seemed, was against him.
    As he fell on his face before God and poured out his heart suddenly the light behind the cross came on. As he gazed transfigured at the cross, suddenly the light left the cross, went to one side of the church and then slowly swept across the church to the other side. Startled into shock, he watched as the light came back to the cross and slowly faded away.
    He didn’t remember how long he gazed at the cross but suddenly he realized that it had become daylight outside and the church had brightened enough until he could see objects clearly. He walked up to the cross and gazed behind it. Unknown to him, the cross was being repaired and someone had taken the light from behind it! Now all he can tell you is that the light from the cross was real; as real as the fact that the doctors could find nothing wrong with his wife the next morning!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 12, 2000

    One of the first things I noticed when I began preparing for my new job as Promotional Director was that there were no trash cans to be found. We were in the process of renovating the offices and all the trash cans had been moved. Every time I had something to throw away I had to hunt and hunt to find a place to put trash.
    I vowed that when I became the director every room would have a trash can so one of the first things I did on my first day at work was to go by a store and purchase a large number of trash cans. That brought up an interesting problem. When we began putting out the new trash cans we found the old trash cans hidden in a closet. But, after looking at how bad the old cans looked, I decided to trash the old trash cans and keep the new ones.
    As I was throwing away the old trash cans a "weird" thought struck me. What turns a trash can bad? These cans were bought to perform a useful function and had done so for many years. Now, suddenly, they were being cast away as no good.
    Several factors contributed to their demise but two stand out- abuse and failure to keep clean. Was that what Paul had in mind when he wrote 1 Cor 9:27 "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Don’t abuse the temple of God (your body) or allow it to become so dirty until it is only fit for the trash heap. What a horrible end to your life that would be!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 18, 2000

    Once two men went to the Temple to Pray. One looked up toward God and told God what a great man he was. The other hung his head in shame and repentance as he called on God for mercy. Jesus said this second man went home justified.
    That's surprising when you look at the "religious" qualifications the first man had. As a Pharisee, he was good in the Eyes of the average Church, good in the Eyes of his Neighbors, and good in his own Eyes (He was convinced everything was alright). Everyone who knew him thought he was a "good old boy".
    Not only was he Good, he also believed in God (Without realizing that the devils also believe in God and tremble- James 2:19). This belief in God caused him to Pray to God, come to Church regularly, Tithe all he had, and even Fast twice a week.
    But the Publican, who could only cry out to God for mercy, went home justified rather than this Pharisee. The reason, the Publican came to God with faith in God's Grace while the Pharisee came trusting in his own Goodness. The Pharisee was good enough to meet the standards of the world and the standards of society; but, sadly, he didn’t meet God’s standards. This made the Pharisee good enough to make it into Hell, but not righteous enough to make it into Heaven.
    Being good enough is not good enough. A person is saved by grace through faith and that not of themselves, it is the gift of God. It is not based on the good works you do, lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). Don't get caught boasting instead of believing.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 19, 2000

    By this time many have abandoned that diet they began the first of the year. It was a good excuse to allow them to over indulge during the holidays but it is not so much fun during the bleak first weeks of January. The spirit was willing but the flesh is weak.
    Dieting goals come and go but let me share a good goal with you that's obtainable; because it is a Godly goal. It is the goal the Apostle Paul gave his "son" in the faith, Timothy--"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Tim 1:5). Paul is telling Timothy that a good Life goal has a three-fold foundation.
    1) Love from a pure heart. This foundation does not take money or talent. It simply means allowing the love of God through Christ Jesus to spring up and take root in your heart. And the obtaining of this goal will delight others as well as yourself.
    2) A Good Conscience. This simply means living in such a way that you don't have to worry about anyone looking in the window of your life. Purity of life will bring great peace to your heart.
    3) A Sincere Faith. This goal means you actually live what you believe about God, the Bible, and godly living. Christianity is not a religion you have but a life you live.
    These are good goals; and if they are put into practice in your life they will change your life in ways a diet never could!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, January 25, 2000

    If someone ever asks you to give a quick comprehensive explanation of Christianity then take them to Titus 2:11_14- "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
    Christianity is God coming to man; not man coming to God. It is not about our abilities but His grace (unmerited favor). Mankind was dead in trespasses and sins and God brought life. Mankind was blinded in iniquity and God sent the light. Mankind hid from God in his nakedness and shame so God became a man in order that we could be clothed in His righteousness.
    Christianity is a changed life- It teaches us that ungodly works and lustful living lead to agony, anguish, and animosity while living according to God’s precepts lead to peace, prosperity, and lasting pleasure.
    Christianity is hope. Hope that the God who first came to redeem us will soon come to receive us unto himself. Hope that the injustice and inhumanity of this present world will one day be replaced with a righteous rule in which the "good guy" wins and evil is put down.
    And, above all, Christianity is Christ; who gave himself for us. Christ is the source of our salvation, the example of our lives, and the goal of our future. We no longer try to live correctly in order to meet the requirement of some law. We live righteous lives because that allows us to maintain unbroken fellowship with Christ; and we have no greater goal.
    That is what Christianity is all about; and it only a prayer away from you today!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, January 26, 2000

    Slowly the breaths became more shallow and less frequent. There was no struggle at the end, it just dawned on everyone that there had been an abnormally long time since the last breath. The nurse was called and she confirmed what we all knew, another child of God had finally made it home.
    The family all gathered around the bed and we prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for the life of this person and asked God to fulfill His promise that the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) would bring peace and strength to this family during this time. Then a marvelous thing happened. Among the tears of sorrow there began to spring smiles of joy as we remembered treasured moments with this person. We remembered her smile, her "cute" sayings, her companionship, and her strength.
    Finally, we began to talk about where she was at right now. The body we knew so well was on the bed before us but the real person (her spirit) had departed to be with the Lord. While we sorrowed, she was walking on streets of gold and viewing wonders beyond the imagination of human minds. And we all looked forward with longing to the day when we could see each other again without pain, sorrow, or sickness.
    If you were to ask me why I labor in the work of the Lord I would have to point to times like this. Because of Christ, lives are changed and death is swallowed up in Victory. Glory!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 1, 2000

    Maybe he was sick. After all, it was the flu season and many were struggling with colds and flu. Maybe he had to work. You know how it is now, more and more businesses are staying open on Sunday. Maybe he had a really good excuse; or maybe he was just plain sorry and slept late! But, whatever the reason, the church I was visiting would have had perfect attendance in Sunday School if just one more person would have come.
    I called this person "the missing one" and pointed out some very important information about him. First of all, this "missing one" should be an object of great concern. Jesus told about a man who had 100 sheep but when one turned up missing he left the 99 in the fold and went seeking "the missing one". Many times we are so happy with the fact that almost everyone is in their place until we never contact "the missing one" and they wander into the wilderness to be devoured by the wolves.
    "The missing one" should also be the object of great compassion. I have ten fingers but if one of them hurts then it affects all of my hands; and the rest of my body. When one part of the "body" of Christ is missing it has an impact on every other part of the body. Someone else has to work harder or something in the church goes lacking because of "the missing one". Rather than scorn them or reject them we should seek to get them back into their place so the body can function as it should.
    When services convene at your church this week make sure you are not "the missing one". And especially make sure that when the roll is called up yonder that you are not "the missing one"!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 2, 2000

    Don’t get me wrong, she was an attractive young lady to begin with. She probably had many invitations for dates and would have been a good "catch" for any young man. But she was not someone you would immediately label as a special beauty.
    But then she began to sing; and the transformation was astonishing. Suddenly, her face radiated energy and enthusiasm and she took on a special glow that turned her from a pretty wall flower into a sparkling rose of exceptional beauty. Through some special process, when she began to sing about the Lord, it seemed as if her entire being was transformed from the normal earthly appearance into something quite extraordinary.
    The Bible tells of another time when something like this happened. Moses had led the children of Israel from captivity in Egypt on a freedom march into the desert. Then God called him to the top of a mountain in order to meet with God and be given the laws and commandments the children of Israel would need to govern their life and conduct.
    When Moses came down from that mountain his face had such a glow until it was recognizable by everyone he met. That is basically what was happening with this young lady. When she began to sing about the Lord and His blessings, her face and countenance were transformed by the Spirit of God. I wonder, do others see this glow when YOU serve the Lord??

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 8, 2000

    The most important information you will ever learn is about why Christ came to earth. The Bible lists 4 distinct reasons why Jesus would leave Heaven and come to earth:
    1) Jesus came to SHOW US GOD- (John 14:9) "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father;" God is no longer a principle we study, or a religion we practice. He is a person we know and love. Jesus showed that God is concerned about our food, our feelings, and our family. He showed that God is more concerned with people than with projects; and, by seeing how God would treat people, we learned how we should live.
    2) Jesus came to SAVE SINNERS- (1 Tim 1:15) "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." Jesus did not come just to show us how to be better; He came to tell us we must be born again. He announced that nothing we could do would pay sin’s debt; and then He paid it for us!
    3) Jesus came to DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL- (1 John 3:8) "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." Jesus has the power to set sin’s captives free and to defeat Satan’s attacks on God’s people.
    4) Jesus came to ABOLISH DEATH: (2 Tim 1:10) "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" Death can no longer dominate me. It is no longer the darkness of despair: it is simply a door to be with God.
    That is why Christ came to earth. But has He come into your heart?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 9, 2000

    It all happened right in front of me. The lady in the car pulled out from the school and you could see that she was really quarreling with her children. In fact, she spent more time looking at them than she did looking at the road. And that is where the problem came in.
    Because this woman was so engaged with her children, she evidently forgot that she was pulling out onto a four lane road and she started going the wrong way in the fast lane! I blinked by lights and waved at her but she sped past me still busily engaged in conversation with her children. Behind me cars were honking and lights were flashing but the last time I saw this woman she was still lost in her own world of child conversation- an accident just waiting to happen.
    I think about that lady sometimes while I am preaching. God has given me a message of deliverance and salvation for people who are going the wrong way. I try my best to warn them that the way they are going will lead to great troubles and eternal pain.
    The problem is not that these people are against God or unconcerned with the future. The problem is their preoccupation with something that blocks out the warning I am giving them. Sadly, many will remain preoccupied, ignore the warnings, and continue down the road to ruin; and the results will be horrible beyond words.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 15, 2000

    It is an old story but it is worth repeating. A pig and a chicken were walking down the road together. They met a man who was dying of hunger. The chicken told the pig that they should do something to help this hungry man and suggested a ham and egg breakfast. The pig replied, "For you that would be dedication. For me that means total commitment!"
    I fear we have too many chickens in our churches when it comes to the matter of commitment. They see the problems, and they want to make a difference, but they are never willing to go beyond dedication to the place of total commitment. Maybe it is time we redefined commitment for them.
    Commitment is not Complacency. Commitment involves active dedication to the work and will of God that requires more than showing up for Church two or three times a week.
    Commitment is not Coercion. Commitment is not doing the right thing simply because someone forces you, or embarrasses you, into performing a certain function. Spurgeon said one time that he doubted a man’s conversion if the man’s will had not yielded to God; and I tend to agree.
    Commitment is not Community. Commitment is not doing something simply because everyone else is doing it that way. Christian commitment means denying self, taking up a cross, and following Christ. The broad way that the crowd travels leads to destruction.
    Check up your life today. When God shows you a need do you commit to "laying an egg" or do you give everything you have?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 16, 2000

    Have you ever seen a washing machine dance? It is not a pretty sight!
    My wife and I recently moved into an unfurnished mobile home. When we put our washing machine into place and started to wash some clothes it "danced" all over the utility room. After much investigation and aggravation, we found that the back legs on the machine had become unscrewed during the move and the machine was very unlevel.
    Have you ever seen a person dance around righteous living? It is not a pretty sight. And, normally, the reason for their problems is that they have become "unlevel". They need to check at least two "legs" in their spiritual life so they can get back to level living.
    First, they need to make sure their life is consistently clean. It is hard to live on the level when your life is a roller coaster of doing right one moment and doing wrong the next. Christlike character in the home and at work, as well as at church, will stabilize your life.
    The second leg to a stable life is complete commitment to Christ. As long as you are dedicated one day and lukewarm the next your life will never level up. You must commit to Christ completely or you will spend your days "dancing" around the things that really matter in life- and that is not a pretty sight. I think about that lady sometimes while I am preaching. God has given me a message of deliverance and salvation for people who are going the wrong way. I try my best to warn them that the way they are going will lead to great troubles and eternal pain.
    The problem is not that these people are against God or unconcerned with the future. The problem is their preoccupation with something that blocks out the warning I am giving them. Sadly, many will remain preoccupied, ignore the warnings, and continue down the road to ruin; and the results will be horrible beyond words.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 22, 2000

    Shawn had been working and was doing fairly good. Then, can you believe this, a car ran into the business where he worked and it had to shut down. Now he was trying to help his dad on some home repairs while he tried to find something else to do; and things were getting pretty tight.
    In the process of repairing the home a set of encyclopedias had been set out on the porch and covered over. Sadly, the cover blew off, rain blew in, and the entire set of encyclopedias was rendered worthless. His dad told him to simply throw the encyclopedias into the truck so they could be carried to the dump. He started to pick them up and throw them away when he noticed the fire out back where they were burning some trash. Since he had a little time he decided to rip the pages out of the encyclopedias and burn them rather than throw them into the dump.
    As he ripped pages to throw into the fire suddenly something caught his eye just before he threw it into the fire. He looked and it was an envelope addressed to him. Curious, he saw that it had not been opened. When he opened it he found a ten dollar bill in a card congratulating him on his graduation. Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord finds ways to supply our needs!
    Now hear the rest of the story. Shawn had graduated from high school over 10 years before and that letter had been in the encyclopedia the entire time. The day he found it was his birthday and it was sent to him by a lady who had just died 5 days before this! He thinks she reminded the Lord about it so it could be used to meet his needs. What do you think?

Miracle Message for Wednesday, February 23, 2000

    Sometimes what they say is not so- "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Mat 7:21_23)
    What an awful feeling it must be when you are finally found out! They "played the game" by professing and prophesying and performing wonderful works but they never came to know Jesus Christ as savior. They were religious but lost.
    What a warning this should be to us. We see wonderful things happen and we think it is the man. These people preached, cast out devils, and did wonderful works but it all happened because it was done in the name of Jesus. The power was in the name, not in the person.
    What an admonition this should be to us to make our calling an election sure (2 Peter 1:10). How earnest we should be to make sure we are in a relationship with Christ instead of a religion with a church. I can’t think that anything more horrible could happen to a person than for them to kneel before the Lord and instead of Him saying, "Well Done" He would say, "I don’t know you!". I’m glad I’m sure that I’m sure that I am SAVED.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, February 29, 2000

    It has been a long day of travel. I began the morning driving nearly thirty miles to the hospital in Pensacola where a member was having surgery. Following that, I drove over to Mobile, Alabama to see another member. Now, the day that began before daylight was ending after dark in a hospital in Atmore, Alabama as I visited one of my "senior saints" who was hospitalized there.
    I was sort of glad this person was the last to visit on this busy day because she was always a joy to visit. In spite of her sickness and her hospital stay she always had a smile and an encouraging word to share with anyone who came by to see her.
    We enjoyed some fellowship for a while, had prayer, and I was just about to leave when she said she needed a drink of water. The nurse decided to roll her bed up so she could drink more easily but when she did this lady’s neck rolled over and she went into a dead faint. I really thought she had passed away!
    The nurse quickly called the doctors and the emergency staff and told me to call the family immediately. After several phone calls, I paced the hall and prayed as I awaited the family. Just about the time the first family member arrived the nurse came out of the room to tell us everything was alright and the situation was not so serious after all. All that had happened was that this lady’s potassium level had dropped too low and it had sent her body into shock.
    That reminds me of what happens when a person’s spiritual level drops too low. Suddenly, a joyful, encouraging Christian can look as if they are about dead! And it brings anxiety to everyone around them. It was amazing to see the difference in this lady when she got her potassium level back up; and you will be amazed at the difference it will make in your life when you bring your spiritual level back up to where it is supposed to be.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 1, 2000

    I had taken my car to a car dealer for some repairs and it was taking a lot longer than expected to get it fixed. I brought my Bible and some study material and I spent the morning catching up on some reading and studying. Now it was almost noon and the car was still not fixed.
    Right beside the dealership was a wooded area so I decided to walk some in the woods and stretch my muscles. I had not walked very far before I came to a large clearing surrounded by the woods. On one edge of the clearing was an old rusty car and curiosity compelled me to check it out.
    As I was looking at this car, suddenly I felt as if I was being watched. I glanced around and did not see anyone at first but the feeling persisted and I looked some more. This time I saw a hunter standing in the shadows directly across the clearing. I waved at him and headed back to the dealership to see if my car was ready.
    As I was walking back through the woods it seemed as if the Lord spoke to me. Many times I go about my daily duties without consciously thinking about the Lord. Sometimes, however, I suddenly "sense" His presence and it stops me in my tracks. Nothing "physical" happens but, just like I felt the stare of this hunter, so I feel the Lord’s eyes upon me. What a joy, and a comfort, it is to "feel" His eyes watching and caring for me. And what a constraint to avoid evil to know He sees all I do.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 7, 2000

    I could not use my mobile phone the other day. The battery was almost dead. The battery was low because I could not charge it. I could not charge it because my battery charger had a broken wire. I could not repair the wire because I had loaned my solder to someone and they had not returned it. And so I could not use my mobile phone to make a call I needed to make.
    Sadly, this same scenario is played out in many churches week after week. The choir would have been a tremendous blessing to the service but all the Altos decided to miss church this Sunday. Because the choir did not sing as it should the congregation lost focus on the service and their minds wandered during the sermon. Because he was obviously not making contact with the people during his message the discouraged pastor failed to preach with power and persuasion. Because the preaching was so poor the lost man who had come to church seeking something to change his life did not feel any conviction and so was not converted.
    This lost man went home without Christ and the inner anger he felt drove him to curse his children and beat his wife. The oldest boy in the family finally grew so frustrated until he picked up a gun and shot his dad. Seeing the police cars and ambulance at the home caused a person who sang Alto in the choir of the local church to investigate the situation. As she gazed on the dead body, the weeping mom, and the struggling boy, she asked herself, "Why couldn’t our church have done something to help this family before the situation got this bad! It is such a shame those people at church don’t care for others as they should."

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 8, 2000

    The three men had struggled for days in the desert heat and now their water was almost gone. As dusk began to fall across the landscape one of them spotted a cave among some rocks. With their last energy they staggered into the cave; but found it only contained rocks and sand. They decided to spend the night and attempt to go on the next morning.
    Each man had a precious few swallows of water in his canteen so they guarded them jealously. Soon two of the men were sleeping the sleep of exhaustion. One man, however, had a plan. He doubted they had enough water for all of them to make it out of the desert so he decided to steal some of the water from the other men while they slept. He crawled around the dark cave and felt among the rocks and sand until he finally found a canteen. Quickly and quietly, he took a long swallow and almost drained the canteen. Then he eased the canteen back where he had found it and crawled back through the darkness to his place of rest.
    Daylight shone its fingers of light into the cave and the men stirred to begin another day. Then is when the awful truth dawned on the thief. As he lifted his canteen from its hiding place he found it was just an empty container. In the darkness of the cave he had crawled around and stolen water from his own canteen!!
    God gives each of us a "canteen" of precious moments and opportunities in our life. Don’t steal them and use them for the devil. Life is mighty dry without the water of life!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 14, 2000

    I Kings 5:3 "David...could not build an house unto the name of the Lord his God for the wars which were about him on every side,..."
    David longed to build a temple for God but the wars that had to be fought to secure his kingdom kept him distracted. I wonder how many Christians also have "wars" that distract them from building the work of God.
    Some Christians are at war with Self. They are constantly fighting the lust that burns them or the anger that defeats them or the bitterness that binds them and so they never have time to devote to building the Lord’s work. If they would only crucify "Self" and allow Christ to rule and reign in their heart and life then the house of God would show tremendous growth.
    Sadly, some Christians are at war with other Saints. They are so busy destroying what others have built until they never have time to build anything for God. Their life is so consumed with making sure every "t" is crossed until they forget the Cross is the "t" they should be majoring on!
    Thankfully, some Christians are at war with Satan over the souls of men. They realize that the "war" they are fighting is not a distraction from building God’s Kingdom; but is a part of building that very kingdom. They have learned, like Nehemiah, to have a spear in one hand and a tool in the other (Neh 4:17) so that Satan is defeated at the same time the walls are build for God.
    The most important job you will do during your life time is to build the Kingdom of God. Don’t allow Satan to distract you into defeat.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 15, 2000

    The Lord told the nation of Israel one time that "in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:"(Isa 30:15). Christians need to realize that the same principle applies to life today. People in the world are under constant stress and pressure and they are looking for something that is stable and secure. And, of course, Christians have that stability in their relationship with Christ.
    Let’s look at three reasons Christians can face the chaos and confusion of life with confidence:
    First- We have the Lord on our side and He is able to handle anything that comes our way: Ps 27:1,3 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? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
    Second- The Holy Spirit lives within us to enable us to be more than conquerors: (2 Cor 5:5_6) Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident,
    Third- We have God’s promise that He will give us the ability to deal with anything life throws at us: (Phil 1:6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
    Be a Confident Christian today. God still reigns!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 21, 2000

    It is wonderful having the Lord as a landlord! After thirty years of living in a parsonage, my wife and I recently moved into a mobile home. We prayed long and hard about where God wanted us to live and what He wanted us to live in. I told people all during our search for a home that if Mike Jones brought a home then Mike Jones would have to pay for it but if God brought our home then God would care for it- and I sure would rather let God care for it than Mike Jones!
    God wondrously worked in every phase of our new home; from someone giving us an acre of land, to God directing us to the home He thought best for us, to the supernatural circumstances that worked through the permits and problems of getting the home set up. We did a tremendous amount of work ourselves but God opened the way for us.
    One of the remaining problems, however, was the fact that our home sits in the middle of a field and it is very boggy and messy when it rains. On a recent Saturday night my wife and I returned home in the rain. As we sat in the car waiting on the rain to slack up my wife suddenly turned to me and said she wanted to pray and thank God for the cement pad she was going to get!
    The next day I spoke at home coming at Mill Branch FWB Church. Following the service the pastor called my wife and I to the front of the church and presented us a check for $3000 to be used to purchase a cement pad! And then he told us that they had received an offering for this money a month before we came!
    Thank God that He cares about cement; and that He listens to the prayers of my princess!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 22, 2000

    The decision for the Church today has basically come down to this- Agonize or Autopsy! Either the Church begins to agonize with God for the purifying fire and the life changing power of the Holy Spirit or it will soon spend its time doing an autopsy on dead and dying churches.
    Prosperity has enabled us to build ultra modern facilities and employ ever larger staffs but lukewarm living by the members and leaders of our churches have turned these buildings into monuments to man’s achievements instead of temples where we worship a holy God. Society grows ever sicker, sin is running rampant, homes are being destroyed; and all the church can do is promote another man made program or seek a worldly consultant to explain why people aren’t attending church or why church members aren’t making a difference in today’s society.
    When will we learn? What must God do to get this lesson home to our hearts? To try to do the work of God without the power of God is like trying to empty the ocean with a pitchfork; you will work yourself to death and never accomplish anything!
    It is not our programs that must change but our prayer life. We don’t need new methods; we need men created anew by the transforming power of God. But churches don’t want this solution because it involves dedication to God and death to self. And without this agonizing prayer we better learn to do autopsies!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, March 28, 2000

    Did you know that the size of your foot is the distance from your wrist to your elbow? Did you know that the cause of all the murmuring when the children of Israel journeyed from Egypt to the promised land was the fact that the women had to wear the same shoes for 40 years! (Deut 29:5 - And you know I am just kidding about the murmuring). Did you know that God said Edom was the place He would put His shoe (Ps 108:9)?
    Did you know that the special place of worship for a child of God is at the Feet of Jesus? When the demon possessed man of Gadara (Mark 5:1) was delivered from his awful situation the people of that country found him at the feet of Jesus. When Martha fumed about her sister’s lack of work in caring for the strangers she was rebuked because Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:39). And did you know that one day we will all bow at His feet because "God also hath highly exalted Jesus, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:9_11)
    Why don’t you get on you knees today and thank God you are on your feet? Why don’t you quit telling God how to run the world and start sitting at the feet of Jesus so God can bring the rest to your soul you so desperately need? And why don’t you stop listening to Satan and start living like a child of God who knows that "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." (Rom 16:20)

Miracle Message for Wednesday, March 29, 2000

    "Who touched my clothes?" What a weird question. The disciples looked at Jesus and wondered if he was having a sun stroke! "Look at the crowd thronging you." they said. "How can you ask about who has touched you?"
    But Jesus knew the difference between the "throng" of the crowd and the "touch" of a need. Those who brushed against Him in the throng were simply part of the crowd. The one who really touched Him caused "virtue" to go out of Him (Mark 5:30); and this virtue brought healing and relief to a woman who was at the end of her rope.
    Many people attend church each week. They come in with the crowd, brush against Jesus during the service, and leave with the same ache in their heart and trouble in their soul. If asked why they were "none bettered but rather grew worst", they would say that the preaching was not adequate or the choir was off key. They might even say they "enjoyed" the service; but their heart still aches and their soul is still troubled.
    Ever so often, however, someone with a need really touches Jesus! Their faith meets the hem of His garment and something supernatural and special happens. And that person is never the same again.
    Church will be going on this Sunday. Will you be part of the throng; or will you really touch Jesus??

    Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 4, 2000

    1) Do God’s work but don’t try to do God’s job- Jesus said, "I will build my church". Don’t fall into the frustration of trying to raise the dead (sinners are dead in trespasses and sin) or make people "do better" in your own strength. The word of God is your weapon. The Spirit of God is your power. You are just an instrument for God to use. Don’t forget that.
    2) Work by Faith- God does not always "pay up on Friday". Work with the realization that God said, "My word will not return void". Don’t judge your success by what you can see. Trust God to use His message in His way to accomplish His work.
    3) Don’t box in believers- God does not make "cookie cutter Christians". We are all part of the body of Christ; but one is a thumb while another may be a knee. One size, or one sermon, does not always fit all.
    4) Climb on the cross before you climb into the pulpit. The pulpit is not a barrier to hide behind so a preacher can say things he does not have the courage to say in a face to face conversation. You go behind that sacred desk as an ambassador for the God of Heaven; it is not your private soap box!
    5) Don’t let the bleating of the ninety and nine make you forget the little lost lamb. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Don’t ever make this less than the main goal of your ministry. Deal with the other needs but focus on this priority.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 5, 2000

    (2 Cor 7:2) "Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man."
    Second Corinthians is the most personal of the writings of Paul. He shares more of his heart, and his heartaches, in this letter than in any of his other writings. In the middle of this book, as he defends himself against some character accusations, he gives this short definition of the characteristics you should look for in a godly man.
    1) We have wronged no man- A good man does not deliberately do harm to others. He seeks to do them right instead of wrong!
    2) We have corrupted no man- Not only had Paul not done physical harm to others, he had never sought to lead them to live wrong. Every man has people he influences. He should be extremely careful about the attitude and actions he leads others to emulate.
    3) We have defrauded no man- One translation of this is "we have cheated or taken advantage of no one". A man of character is someone you can trust. His word is his bond. He is someone you can rely on to give you the best advice, and best price, possible.
    Do you know men of this character. Are YOU one?

Lessons for Living for April 11, 2000

    There are three questions every person needs to answer concerning their relationship to fire.
    First, Are you in the midst of the Fire? Peter talked about the "fiery Trials" that we all must face (1 Pet 4:12 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"). Depending on your reaction to these trials, they will either purify you or destroy you!. When you are going through fiery trials just remember that, like the three Hebrew children, there is someone in the fire with you who is able to bring you through without even the smell of fire about you!
    Secondly, Is the Fire in the midst of you? When the disciples walked with Jesus following His resurrection they felt a burning deep in their heart (Luke 24:32). If you are going to be effective in your daily living for Christ then you need the fire of God burning in your heart to motivate and reassure you. Our God is a consuming Fire (Heb 12:29) but He can only burn away that which we give Him access to.
    Finally, the most important question you will ever answer concerning the fire is this. Will you miss the fire? "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."(Rev 20:15). Is your name in the Book of Life?

Miracle Message for April 12, 2000

    During the height of his basketball career everyone wanted to "be like Mike" because of his tremendous talent and abilities. As Christians, we have some "Heroes" we should emulate also. If I could pick several people to be like, I think I would start by choosing these.
    I want to walk with God like Enoch. What a joy it would be to have a daily Fellowship walk with the Lord that was so close and personal until one day He would just say for me to come home to His house and stay forever!
    I want to be a friend of God like Abraham. Can you imagine how exciting it would be to be such a close friend of God until He would not make a major decision without contacting me about it first! (Gen 18).
    I want to be close to the heart of God like David (Acts 13:22). I want to love the lost as God loves them. I want to crave holiness in the way God craves purity. And I want to sense the heart of God so closely until I never disappoint or fail Him.
    Finally, I want to find Grace in the eyes of God like Noah. In the midst of a wicked world that constantly tempts and tries me I need to know that God looks beyond my faults and sees my needs. I know His love, I enjoy His Friendship, but I need His grace.
    Everyone has people patterns that guide areas of their life. Are your "heroes" making you look "cool" or are they making you more Christian?

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 18, 2000

(1 Cor 15:19) "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
    Isn’t it strange that the Bible describes the world’s most miserable man as one who has hope in Christ; but only in this world! I would have thought the most miserable man in the world would be a man who "looks for love in all the wrong places" or who is a slave to alcohol, drugs, or some other sin. But the Bible declares the most miserable man to be someone who has a false knowledge, and therefore a false hope, of Christ.
    A "Jesus" who is only a good moral example or a powerful teacher will not bring eternal life; or abundant life! Many people are readily willing to admit that Jesus died on the Cross but fail to realize that if the tomb was not empty then the cross had no effect! That is why these "Christians" go around with sadness on their face; there have no real joy in their heart!
Christianity without the empty tomb is a religion that binds us to rules instead of setting us free to really enjoy life with the help, and the hope, we need. Without the resurrection, and the future promises that come with it, the present problems we face will simply overwhelm us.
    If you have "tried Christianity" and found that it failed you, let me encourage you to go beyond Christ’s payment for your sins on the cross. Come to the empty tomb and turn your misery into the marvelous joy of a person who has not only been forgiven of his past but has also been empowered to live in the present. And, best of all, someone who has the assurance that there is life beyond this life and an eternity to rejoice with God.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 19, 2000

There are three great problems that Christians face today.
    1) WEARINESS. Most people are going at such a break neck speed in their daily life until it has become a common thing for many of them to become "weary in well doing". Something has to give in their life, and, all too often, it means they give up their work for God.
    2) WORLDLINESS. The world, the flesh, and the devil all combine to tempt, try, and test today’s believer. More and more people are less and less concerned about the moral failures of today’s society. Christians cry out against wickedness and find that many people look back at them with a blank stare that really says, "Who cares!". This discourages the Christian in his work; and sometimes even causes them to give in to worldliness instead of standing for purity, holiness, and right.
    3) WEAKNESS. The task before us is tremendous and our strength is small. How can we make a difference in our society, and in our life? That is the glory of this Easter season. All around us the world looks dark and dismal but we know that the death on the cross was followed by the empty tomb and the greatest power in the universe was released.
    And that power gives us energy to overcome weariness, desire to deny worldliness, and strength to become more than conquerors thru him that loved us. No wonder we rejoice at Easter!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, April 25, 2000

    Some people say that genuine Faith should remove all fear. They have their Bible verses mixed up! Perfect Love will cast out all fear ( I John 4:18) but genuine Faith will use fear as a motivator to cause us to put works with our Faith.
    Noah’s Faith in God’s prediction of the flood "moved him with fear" (Heb 11:7) so that he prepared an ark to the saving of his family and the condemning of the world. The Faith some people talk about would have allowed Noah to believe in the flood without making any preparations for it; and the results would have been disastrous!
    Moses’ Faith in God’s call on his life caused him to leave the riches and security of Egypt "not fearing the wrath of the king" in order to lead God’s people to the promised land (Heb 11:27). Moses’s Faith caused him to fear failing God more than he feared the anger of Pharaoh. Faith’s fear was a greater motivator than fleshly fear; and millions were delivered from slavery as a result.
    Faith’s Fear should also produce a constant call in our lives for holiness and commitment as we remember the tragic results of Israel’s fall from faith- (Rom 11:19_21) "Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee."
    Finally, remember that Faith’s call for us to come to Christ for forgiveness of sins is often sweet and gentle beyond description. Sometimes, however, Faith must remind us that a hearty fear of Hell brings more people to repentance that a great fondness for Heaven ever will!! And that is a fear that Faith wants you to have.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, April 26, 2000

    You could see him as he crouched by the highway. The look of the hunter was intense upon his face and the moment to spring was milliseconds away.
    I was riding down a country road as I caught this glimpse of a cat. Just before I drove past the cat he sprang at the rat hidden in the grass. Evidently, he must have missed, and, in the excitement of the hunt, he chased the rat into the path of my car.
    This cat must have been a careless cat somewhere in life because, if he had nine lives, he was on his ninth life that day! It all happened so quickly until I was unable to even mash my brakes before the thump, thump. I was as sorry as I could be; but nowhere nearly as sorry as that cat!
    That cat was so intense on doing what he wanted to do; yet death was so sudden and so final. It reminded me again that Jesus said, "Be you therefore ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh." Remember that Death does not always ring the door bell and wait for you to come to the door.
    Maybe you are someone who has had a lot of close calls in your life. I just wonder today how close you are to your "9^th life"? And wondering, I can’t help but ask myself this question, "After your "rat race" is over will you rejoice in Jesus or groan in the despair of tormenting darkness?"

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 2, 2000

    GOD DEFINES TRUTH, NOT YOU- Most people say, "I will try it and if it works then I will know it is true." God says, "You must believe that what I say is true and then it will work!". The word of God is the word of God not because someone declared it to be the word of God but because it is in fact the word of God. You don’t try God’s word, it tries you! You don’t pick the parts of God’s word that you want to follow and disregard the rest. You apply all the word to all your life for all the time.
    YOU MUST COME TO GOD ON HIS TERMS; NOT YOURS- You don’t come to God and say you are willing to "try" His gifts to see if you really like them; and if they meet your needs then you give God a big "thumbs up" and tell Him that you will now condescend to being His servant. God says that if you come to Him as an humble servant willing to trust His love for you and His plan for your life that He will grant you His marvelous mercy and His gracious grace. And, wonder of wonders, when you come to God as a servant He exalts you to the place of an honored son!
    GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE DOES NOT ALWAYS MAKE SENSE- God chooses the Plan that is best for your life; not the one that is best for your ego. God’s definition of success is not the one found in the world’s dictionary. You follow God by Faith and Faith means we must go with God even though we do not know where we are going. But God’s destination for your life is always the very best goal you could ever reach for.
    Finally, did you know that you can ignore God and pretend your life is your own business. But hiding your head in the sand will not keep your soul out of the fire!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 3, 2000

    God’s limits are not meant to limit you; God knows that only within these limitations can we really know what it means to be free indeed. Many people avoid the church and God like they would some dreaded disease because they fear that somehow God will impose fun killing rules on them and they will never be able to really enjoy life again.
    The opposite, of course, is true. Never is a man more of a slave than when he uses his "freedom" to surrender to the captivity of drugs, drink, or lust. Like the mother who has enough love for her child to limit their access to a flaming fire so God imposes limits on mankind in order to prevent hurt and pain.
    Take, for example, the Lord’s basic laws. The fact that you are not supposed to murder other men, or to steal from them, or lie about them is a limit I like. Not wasting my time, energy, and money on the worship of a statue made of wood or stone does not limit my life; it frees me to worship in spirit and in truth instead of being bound by superstition and slavery.
    And, I don’t know about you, but if I have to face a judge who will decide on my eternal destiny then I would prefer not to have just used his name in vain! Sounds like a law I can live with.
    I’m glad my wife "limits" the tea she pours for me to the glass in front of me. Sure would be a messy world otherwise! Remember that when you wonder about God’s Limits.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 9, 2000

    I wonder if the angels in Heaven dread my prayers? Sometimes my needs are so great, and God’s provision so gracious, until I wonder if providing for my needs puts "Potholes" in the pavement of the golden streets of Heaven! Can’t you just see an angel driving an "angel mobile" down Heaven’s main street and every time he hits a bump he says, "Mike has been praying big prayers again".
    Every so often, when the need is really great, and it appears there is no way for the money to come in, I will tell people, "Just remember this, God still paves His streets with gold." After I said this the other day, I began to think about what I said; and that is when I got this picture of the potholes in Heaven’s golden streets.
    Right now I am consistently praying for God to provide over $1 million dollars for His work among Free Will Baptist in South Carolina this year, then I pray for $75,000 for the state promotional office and $300,000 for our state book store, then I pray for $200,000 for our national media commission (of which I happen to be a member) in order for it to go full time, then I pray for $75,000 for our Outreach Ministry in order to send books and materials all over the world, and, finally, I pray for God to provide the needs that my wife and I have as we set up our new home and try to do His work. Sometimes I wonder if you could lose a jeep in the pothole I need from heaven’s golden streets!!
    I’m glad to know there are no "potholes in golden pavement" since God (Eph 3:20) "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,". But I am also glad to know that if God needed to put potholes in His pavement in order to meet my needs then I believe He would!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 10, 2000

Do you know what Adam and Eve did when they left paradise? They raised a little Cain!
    What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden? "Your mother ate us out of house and home."
    Eve had it knocked. She never had to worry about what to wear or if her shoes matched! She didn’t have to wonder if her husband was looking at another woman or if she was being compared to her mother in law. But she made some mistakes and they changed her world; and your world.
    Eve’s first error was listening to the lies of the devil. And if you listen to the lies you end up falling for the falsehoods. Many women today have lost life’s joy because they believe Satan’s lie that they are supposed to be man’s competitor instead of his companion and their marriage is a fight instead of a union.
    Eve’s next error came when she disregarded the divine directives. God said she could have everything but this; she wanted nothing but that! And, as people have learned through the years, breaking God’s rules always ends up breaking you.
    Eve, the mother of all living, (Gen 3:20) ended up being the mother of all dying as she introduced her husband to sin and its wages, death. What a difference it would have been has she ignored the lies of the devil and believed the words of the Lord.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 16, 2000

    Dwight Moody told a story about a stage trip he took in the old west. Finances were tight so when he arrived at the window and saw that First and Second class tickets were more expensive than Third class tickets he decided to buy a Third class ticket. When he got on the stage he was surprised to see that First, Second, and Third class passengers all were seated side by side on the same seats.
    He thought he had made a good deal until they came to a hill and the stage slowed to a halt. Then the stagecoach driver announced that the First class tickets were to remain in their seats, the Second class tickets were to get out and walk, and the Third class tickets were to get behind the stage and push!
    I think what we need in the Church today is a lot more "third class passengers"! We have plenty of people who are seated and satisfied. They are simply along for the ride while others do the work. And we certainly don’t need any more people who simply walk with the wagon and think only of themselves. What we need are more people who are willing to get out and push when the need arises. People who realize that when God gave them a "ticket" to ride on His stage that He called them to service as well as salvation.
    When you go to church this week (you are going to church aren’t you!) remember to go as a "third class passenger". One who is willing to push when the need arises in order to help everyone along in the journey.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 17, 2000

    All of them. Every one. Those in the present. Those in the past. Even those in the future. When Jesus died on the cross as a payment for my sins He paid for ALL OF THEM!
    All of the sins I committed before I became a child of God were paid for. All of the sins I have committed since becoming a child of God were paid for. All of the sins I will still commit before God finally calls me home to that heavenly bliss have already been paid for. Excuse me but, Glory!
    The sad truth today is that men are dying and going to a devil’s hell simply because they will not accept by faith the fact that Jesus has already paid for ALL of their sins. They believe the devil’s lie that they must come to the place that they can be perfect after they are saved before they come to be saved; and so they never get saved. If they only knew that Jesus never expects them to be perfect; just forgiven.
    Of course, as the apostle Paul said, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound. God forbid." The fact that all of our sins have been paid for does not give us license to continue in sinful living or sinful conduct. But the greatness of God’s grace is that it not only pays for our sins but it also motivates us to holy living. We don’t live right in order to be forgiven; we are forgiven so we live right! Remember, He paid for ALL of them. Accept His payment today.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 23, 2000

    The story is told of a man who had promised his wife that he would stop drinking but stopped by the local bar on his way home anyway. When he finally arrived home it was late and his wife had already gone to bed. As he tried to slip into the home he fell on the steps, the bottle he was carrying shattered, and he received numerous cuts. He picked himself up, swept off the steps, eased into the bathroom, and doctored his cuts so his wife would never know what had happened.
    The next morning he was awaken by his wife beating on him and berating him for getting drunk again. He tried to persuade her he had been delayed at work and had not been drinking but she would not believe him. Finally, he asked her how she knew he had been drinking and she replied, "I knew when I got up and saw you had been cut and had put band-aids all over the mirror!"
    We live in a day when many people are putting "band-aids on mirrors" instead of doctoring the real problem. We put band-aids on mirrors when we give our children more toys instead of more time. We put band-aids on mirrors when we seek to find rest by watching riotous living on TV each night instead of by renewing our strength by waiting on the Lord. And we put band-aids on mirrors when we blame sinful life styles on disease instead of the devil.
    Sin captures a person, controls a person, and condemns a person. It is not a life style sickness to be accepted; it is a violation of God’s will that is to be deplored, forgiven, and forsaken. Anything else is simply putting band-aids on mirrors.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 24, 2000

    (Gen 28:17_18) And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. {18} And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
    Jacob has just left home on a journey that would gain him a wife and change his life. At the beginning of this journey he stopped to spend the night and rolled some stones together to put his blanket on for a pillow.
    During the night he had a vision about Heaven and received a Blessing from God. To commemorate this event he took the stones he had used for a pillow and piled them together into a pillar so he could use it at a place to mark a commitment to God.
    Many Christians today are asleep in the pews instead of active in the work of God. They need a fresh vision of Heaven and a spiritual Blessing from God. That would turn their pillows of ease into pillars of dedication; and maybe bring the Revival this country so desperately needs.
    When you go to Church this week are you looking for a place to rest your head or a chance to dedicate your heart to becoming active in the Work God has delegated you to do? Turn your pillow into a pillar and find out how wonderful the Christian life can really be.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, May 30, 2000

    Have you ever wondered why Pastors, who preach mercy and stress compassion with their members, are so hard when one of their own falls? The answer is long and complicated but here are, I believe, the two main reasons for the hard approach Pastors take when another Pastor commits open sins.
    Pastors DEAL IN TRUST. The only method available to Pastors to enable them to help men in this world and prepare them for the next world is the "foolishness of preaching" (1 Cor 1:21). This is only effective if men have faith in the message; and the messenger. Because of this, it is imperative that Pastors build and maintain the confidence of people in the church and the community. And every Pastor knows that when a fellow Pastor commits publicly known sins it not only effects than man but it also splatters mud on every other Pastor.
    Pastors not only deal in Trust but they are GIVEN A TRUST. They are set aside for a Holy Calling by God, the church, and society. This gives them an influence over people that can be extremely dangerous and damaging if misused (Remember Jim Jones and others who used their influence to kill and destroy instead of build and better).
    In time of war, a captured enemy should be treated with kindness and mercy. But a traitor, one who betrays his friends and helps his foes, is not looked upon with that same respect. He has violated TRUST and the consequences can be cruel.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, May 31, 2000

    At first the excitement overcame the inconvenience. As the man came home from work one day he noted that a goose had built a nest in the straw right beside his walk. The kids were all excited and his wife made sure there was food available so the goose could spend all her time sitting on the nest.
    Several days went by, however, and the snapping of the goose as people came up the walk and the honking of the goose at night began to wear out its welcome. No one seemed to know how long it took for a goose egg to hatch so they decided they would just have to be patience and wait.
    One day when the man came home he saw that the goose had wandered over to the water bowl at the storehouse faucet. He thought this would be a perfect time to see if the egg was beginning to crack open yet so he eased over to the nest. You should have seen his face when he discovered that the goose was sitting on a round rock instead of an egg!
    Sometimes churches act like this goose. Instead of being founded on the "Rock" they are just sitting on a rock! Day after day they expect to be fed and cared for but they never produce any new births that will keep men out of Hell and change them into new creatures in Christ. They cluck a lot but that rock they are sitting on will never produce life. By the way, how many people has YOUR church won to Christ this year??

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 6, 2000

    As soon as someone gets caught doing something wrong they begin to make excuses. Here are Four common excuses that will not "hold water".
    1) Don’t say God does not understand what you are going through- (Heb 2:18) For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
    (Heb 4:15_16) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
    2) Don’t say your temptation is different from what anyone else must face- (1 Cor 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:...
    3) Don’t say your temptation is too strong for you to endure- (1 Cor 10:13) ...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
    4) Finally, Don’t blame it on God; it is your own choice- (James 1:13_14) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed
    The Devil CAN’T make you do it and God WON’T make you do it. That leaves the finger pointing directly at YOU. You are going to be tempted. But you CAN endure the temptation and come out victorious. Or you can give in to sin, blame someone else; and still end up suffering the consequences.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 7, 2000

    1) Treat Life as a Treasure to be invested- One day we will be required by God to give account of what we have done with our life. If we have wasted our time, our talent, and our treasures then we will be very uncomfortable looking at the nail scarred hand of our loving Savior as He asks us how we have used our life.
    2) Make your moments into memories- (Psa 90:12) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Don’t allow the rut and routine of life to sap your strength and steal your joy. Take time to listen to birds sing, children laugh, and God whisper. Ten years from now no one will care that you made it to the meeting ten seconds early by driving like a maniac through traffic; but they will remember that you took time to pick a flower and bring it to them.
    3) Put God first; remembering you expect to spend eternity with Him- (1 John 2:17) the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Read God’s Word as if it were the only book that will last forever. Learn to talk with God as you would someone whom you expect to live with a long, long time. Trust Christ as your Savior, Serve Christ as your Lord, and Expect Christ to return any moment as your King
    Live your life knowing your days are numbered but your soul is eternal. Don’t forfeit your future in the few days you have here.

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 13, 2000

    Three times in Scripture men "go to the hogs". The lessons we learn from these incidents are very needful today.
    In the fifth chapter of Mark the story is told of a man possessed with demons who lived in a graveyard. Jesus comes by and cast the demons out but allows them to go into a herd of hogs. The owners of the hogs then come out and, instead of rejoicing in the healing of this man, they ask Jesus to leave their country. Hogs can be a hazard when we value the riches they give more than we value the work of God.
    In the second chapter of his second book Peter tells about men who compromise with sin and play with sin until they come to the place that "they cannot cease from sin" (II Pet 2:14). Peter likens them to "hog that go back to wallow in the mire". Oh, what hazards we face when we allow sin to "vex our righteous souls" and draw us deeper into it’s web. It can cause a sheep to act like a hog; and that is a horrible position to be in.
    Thank God, there is one more "hog story" we need to look at. It is the familiar Bible story about a boy who decided to leave home and ends up in the hog pens. As his wallet flapped empty and his stomach growled more empty than that, he finally realized the high cost of sin. But he left the hog pen and went back to the Father’s house where he found forgiveness and love.
    You can value hogs more than Christ, you can turn from holy living and start acting like a hog, or you can abandon the hogs and come to the Heavenly Father. The choice is yours, but you know you don’t want to live, and die, with the hogs.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 14, 2000

    A pastor who greatly influenced me in my early ministry was Rev Vance Havner. His books and sermons were a great help to me. And I readily related to his call to the ministry at a young age (as I) and his great love for his wife Sara upon whom the Lord never bestowed children (as my wife and I). Through the course of time numerous quotes from his sermons and books have found their way into my thinking and my sermons. Look at these quotes and you will see why.
    "The church has a right to screen out the bugs while it lets in the light. We do it in our houses and we should do it in the house of God."
    "One may be as straight as a gun barrel theologically and as empty as a gun barrel spiritually."
    "People go where they want to go. Where their hearts are their heels will follow."
    "Any philosophy that makes it easier to sin is of the devil."
    "Many churches need to say, ‘Pray for us, Our blower is still blowing but our fire is out’"
    "Some people do not know what they believe, others do not believe what they believe, and many do not practice what they believe!"
    Finally, Think this one through carefully- "Even God cannot fill something that is already full!"

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 20, 2000

    God is love. God love sinners. God wants to save sinners- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
    God’s love for us is so amazing until it confuses the logic and wisdom of the world- (1 John 3:1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
    God’s love for us changes the way we look at other people- (1 John 4:7_11) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
    God’s love is manifested to others in our actions and attitudes- (1 John 4:20_21) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
    God’s love is what you need in your life. God loves to share His love with anyone who comes to Him. Let God love you today.

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 21, 2000

    It all began with a speeding ticket. The policeman was new in his area and he stopped a person for speeding. This person was amazed that anyone would have the gall to give a ticket to HER. After all, she lived in the area and everyone knew her.
    The policeman was polite but firm. Everyone else may know her but he did not know her. What he did know was that she was speeding and endangering the children in the neighborhood and he was going to have to give her a ticket.
    Then an amazing thing happened. When the policeman gave the ticket to the lady he also gave her his name and number and told her to call him when she went to pay her ticket. She did just that and the policeman was able to explain things to the judge in such a way until this lady only received a small fine.
    A "wave at each other in passing" friendship developed between the two. One day the policeman passed this lady’s home and noticed a moving van pulled up to her door. He hated to see this family move and he stopped to say goodbye. As he was leaving the lady asked him if you knew anyone to whom she could give a baby grand piano. They couldn’t move it to their new apartment and they needed to get rid of it.
    And that is how this policeman, who also leads the singing in a small country church, gets to sing to the tune of a baby grand piano as nice as any you find in the big churches up town!

Lessons for Living for Tuesday, June 27, 2000

    His preparation gives me anticipation because I know it is an invitation to the manifestation of His glory that is soon to be revealed. Let me give you an example. Sometimes my daily devotion time with the Lord is so-so, sometimes it is pretty good, and sometimes it is just GREAT.
    One Wednesday recently I had one of those "great" times when it seemed the Lord was extremely near and His word just flowed with meaning. As I sat at my table with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart I knew the Lord was preparing me for something special. Suddenly, I felt like a kid before Christmas as I anticipated what God was going to do. Like the kid at Christmas, I did not know what God had wrapped up for me but I could hardly wait to unwrap the "package" and see what God was doing.
    I had planned to go to a certain church that night but as the day progressed God clearly and distinctly brought another church to mind. When I arrived at that church the Pastor shared how much he needed someone to talk to right then and we had a wonderful time of fellowship. Then this Pastor asked me to speak in his place during services that night. What a time we had as I simply shared with these people what God had shared with me earlier in the day. And, you know what, the people in that congregation needed the message God had given me just as much as I had needed it.
    What a joy to be joined with God in His work on earth. The only thing I can think that could be better will be to be joined with Him in His work for eternity in Heaven. And, boy, does that give me anticipation!

Miracle Message for Wednesday, June 28, 2000

    (Prov 30:28) The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. Did you know that this is the only time the word "spider" is used in scripture? ("Spider’s web" is mentioned twice). For most people, that is enough!
    We were visiting in a church recently and as we came in the door a man came in behind us with a long adjustable cleaning wand. While we talked with some of the people of the church we noticed this man go into the choir, extend the wand, and try to clean something at the very peak of the ceiling.
    The Pastor’s wife came up and she explained what was going on. That morning as she was singing in the choir a spider came down and almost fell into her hair. She told me that if that spider had actually gotten into her hair that her husband would have thought she had a double dose of the Holy Spirit the way she would have yelled and moved!!
    If preachers could get people to fear sin the way they fear spiders we sure would have a lot better churches; and a lot better world! Like spiders, sin is found in the home of the king and the home of the pauper. And like spiders, sin weaves a web that eventually occupies every corner of your home.
    Do you know the best thing to do with spiders? Crush them and clean out their nest. The same goes for sin in you life.