Journey of a Lamb

LEAP DAY: ANY PLANS?

2012-02-29T08:08:00.000-05:00

This is "Leap Day" and it usually happens every four years according to the Gregorian Calendar. (If you use a Hebrew Calendar then you simply get one extra month every 19 years.) Imagine a year with 13 months instead of 12!

Now this is probably a little too much of a science lesson for me but I am reminded of Joshua10:13. It says, "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the people defeated their enemies..."The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and waited to go down for a full day (Joshua 10:13 NCV)." Joshua prayed for this miracle and God's divine intervention enabled the children of Israel time to defeat their enemy.

Now I am not praying for the "sun to stand still and the moon to stop" but sometimes I have to admit that I do say "I wish I had more time." Well I do! This year gives me an extra day. Now that I have an extra day on my calendar for this year, what will I do with it? Will it become absorbed into the other 365 days and just become another day?

Time is the most valuable thing that any of us have. Once time is spent it cannot be retrieve. Life goes on, regardless if we plan for it or not.

My prayer really should not be "Lord, give me more time," but "Lord, help me to use my time wisely. Help me to add value to the life of others by doing for others what they cannot do for themselves. Help me to speak words of encouragement when I speak and to know how to listen with my heart. To point out the strengths in others lives and not their weaknesses..."

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 KJV)

"Lord, help me to spend this day, and every day wisely helping others!"

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2011-12-05T07:51:00.001-05:00

"Goals are visions and dreams with work clothes on," states Dave Ramsey in his book "EntreLeadership".

Several months ago one of my friends posted in a social media network that he was in the process of laying aside the books he wanted to read in the next 12 months. The point is, being intentional about what goes into the mind.

Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of Philippians 4:8 is "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."

So for several weeks I have been thinking on what to read in the next year and intentionally this morning I set aside a section on my book shelf, and placed these books there for the months ahead. (Some of these books were gifts given to me for Christmas.) I realize that during the year new books will come available and so I only put about 50% of the books aside that I plan to read. The other 50% I read during the year will be books given to me, books loaned to me, or books I purchase.

Obviously we all have likes and dislikes in the book world but below is a few of the books, based on what I read this year, that I would recommend to be a good read. You may want to read the reviews on these books to see if they are something that would benefit you.

"The Difference Maker", John Maxwell

"ReThink Your Life", Stan Toler

"Mississippi Wind", Dennis Patterson

"The 360 degree Leader", John Maxwell

"Ordering Your Private World," Gordon MacDonald

"The Church God Blesses", Jim Cymbala

"Radical Together" David Platt

"Purpose Driven Life" Rick Warren

"Simultaneous Principles" Frank Tunstell

"A Resilient Life", Gordan MacDonald

"The Purpose of Christmas", Rick Warren

"Unwrapping His Presence", by Chris Maxwell

My reading plan also should include reading the bible through and I love to start my day with a short "daily devotional" as well.

Being realistic now I have to decide how much time a day I want to spend reading and then set aside that time each day for that purpose. Since one of the most recent polls indicates that the average person will spend 10 hours watching television, movies, or on the Internet each day, a hour or two each day reading sounds reasonable to me but I know may not be realistic for everyone. Circumstances in life sometimes will alter that plan but I encourage you to be intentional about what goes into your mind this coming year and set aside at least 30 minutes of your day to read the bible.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year, one filled with joy and happiness as you walk through your journey with God.

A Father's Day Tribute

2011-06-17T15:20:00.001-04:00

In the year 1944 an average price of a new home cost $3,450.00. Youcould purchase a loaf of bread for ten cent and buy twenty-five gallons ofgas for what the average price of one gallon of gas costtoday! This was also the year that Franklin D. Rooseveltwas elected to his fourth term as president of the United States of America.

While all of the above was true for the year1944, something else with less recognitionwas happening in a little South Georgia (USA) country church called “Dunn’sChapel.” It was a cool March evening and you could hearLelia Graham, the church organist, bearing down on the old pipe organ andthe congregation began to sing an old church hymn. Something like "Amazing Grace" or one of the newer songs like "There is Power in the Blood".

When C.T. Piper, the evangelist, gave the “altar call” a red-headed 15 yearold boy was among many that responded and came to the altar. (This event might not have made the historybooks on earth but I can’t help but think somewhere beyond cyberspace there isa record of this revival.) In thisrevival for two weeks many responded to the altar, lives were changed and menand women were called to the ministry.

The 15 year old boy later in the week accepted the call to preach and hispastor, J.W. Roland, encouraged him greatly to pursue the call on his life. This started a new journey for this youngboy. It was at the age of 16 that he waslicensed and commissioned by his church to preach and faithfully served as anevangelist, and later as a pastor for over 50 years of ministry. (He later served “Dunn’s Chapel” as pastorwhile in his teens, possibly only 17 or 18 years of age.)

I personally read the life history of this young man and can tell you thatthere were a lot of joyful moments and a lot of disappointments in his life. He lived to be 67 years of age and on ayellow legal pad wrote, weeks before his death, I want to serve Him (God) the best I can the rest of my life.” I was privileged to spend the last threedays with this man in Atlanta, Georgia duringa conference with other ministerial colleagues of his. With only about 23 hours to live, unknowinglyto him, he stood before his colleagues and confesses while in tears that “the one thing I regret is not spending moretime with my children when they were growing up.” And I can tell you that this man did spendcountless hours with his children but still did not feel like it was enough.

This man was my dad and he was the best friend that I ever had! He taught me how to play ball, how to fish,and how to drive. But the most importantthing he taught me is how to love God, to serve God, and how to finish thisrace well. I recently stated to someone “agood beginning does not guarantee a good ending” in which they replied “a goodbeginning does not guarantee a good ending, but it sure helps!” and I mustagree. This Father’s Day I pay tributeto my dad for helping me to start well in life and teaching me by the examplehe lived, how to finish well!

(This blog is a tribute to my dad, Billy Lamb, who mentored me and was agreat influence in my life.)

GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE

2011-05-20T10:01:00.001-04:00

It all started this morning when I went to use the mouse on my computer and it was doing crazy things, my first thoughts was "my computer has a virus." I happen to pick up the mouse in desperation to get it to work correctly and realized that there was a “mustard-seed size" of paper wedge by the sensor that causes a "distraction" to the mouse, causing a malfunction. I chuckled as I thought how easy it is for us to imagine the worse, even with our computer. Once I removed the tiny piece of paper the mouse worked properly.

People get up every morning of the week thinking the worse. Being very transparent this morning just a few days ago I got up feeling down. This is somewhat not my nature. Why was I feeling down? I really don't know. Maybe a chemical imbalance; maybe some medicine I took the night before to relieve me of some aches and pains; or maybe simply an attack of Satan. I really don't know why but I know how I felt. Facing reality I prayed through out the day for God's strength.

At the end of the day it occurred to me that I had weathered through the storm. There was a sense of peace that came over me as I realized that I had made it through the storm and "this house" still stands. I penned these words in my bible that evening: Thank you God for your grace and mercy that followed me today. I made it another day and my faith in you is stronger than the day before.

I am sure there will be another day that Satan will try my faith but thanks be to God who gives me unmerited favor and his mercies are new every morning!

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3: 22 & 23

IT'S JUST A HABIT!

2011-05-17T07:31:00.002-04:00

The word "habit" means, "pattern of behavior or customary practice". In my opinion it is very closely associated to the word "addiction." Habits are something that all of us have. One unknown author wrote, "Habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of." Another writer stated that "The second half of a man's life is made up of nothing but the habits he has acquired during the first half."

In reading and studying 2 Peter 1 recently I was reminded to take a look at my habits. The first thing I had to do was to come to realization and admit that I have habits. The second thing I had to admit is that some of my habits are annoying to others. And third I had to confess that some of the habits I have, I have had most of my life! (Habits like pouting when we don't get our way! The difference is that when I was a child, I didn't care who saw me pout and in fact wanted people to notice that I was pouting. Now that I am an adult I try to pout only when no one is looking, and I no longer call it pouting but just call it "being in a bad mood.”)

Bad habits like "saying goodbye on the phone to someone first" when they are the one that called. Or bad habits like "not looking up when I am walking" and almost having three head-on “walking collisions” recently. Bad habits like “checking facebook” way too often are one of those habits that I have added to my collection of habits in the second-half of my life. "I am sure of this one thing" (as the Apostle Paul would say) that these are not the only bad habits I have but I didn't want to hang out too much of my laundry in this blog. However, all of these are things I need to work on.

Not all of my habits are bad. Simple habits like saying "yes sir" and "no sir". Habits like saying "thank you" every time the waiter or waitress refills my glass of tea at the local restaurant (which may be quite often). Habits like "holding the door open for the person that may be following me into a building, even if they are several steps away." Some habits are as simple as getting out of bed in the morning time. These habits I hope that I will always have. Then there are more serious habits I have, and continue to work on like reading my bible daily and spending time in prayer and meditation on a daily basis.

Then there are things (or habits) that I need to add:

"Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness; add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God; and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love. If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 NCV

What habits do you need to get rid of and which habits do you need to keep? Is there change that needs to happen in your life? Howard Hendricks, in his book Teaching to Change Lives challenges his readers to "write down somewhere...your answer to this question: How have you changed...be very specific. You say you're growing. Okay...how?"

What about you? How you change lately? Are there old habits that need to be broken and new habits that need to be added?

Godly Mothers and Wives

2011-05-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

Pastor Tim has been using Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest this year as his morning devotional guide. He has made reference to it in his postings as well as sermons. It is the most powerful devotional guide I have found and is now in print in over 40 languages.

Doing a little research, I found that it was first published in 1927 and has been in print ever since; over 70 years. But, since Chambers died in 1917 how could he have written a book that was published 10 years later? Who actually wrote it and the more than 30 titles that bear his name?

The answer: his Godly wife.

Gertrude (Hobbs) Chambers, nicknamed “Biddy” by her husband, suddenly became a widow and single mother of a four year old at the age of 33, when Oswald Chambers died unexpectedly while serving as a YMCA chaplain in Egypt during WW I. When Oswald died, he had published one book.

Oswald and Biddy had one daughter, Kathleen who remembers her mother as a loving mother with a gift for hospitality. But God had uniquely prepared Biddy for what became her life’s work; transcribing her husband’s sermons into books. She did this for most of the rest of her life.

Biddy was a sickly young girl, and had studied shorthand from a book. By the time she was old enough to work, she could take dictation at 250 words a minute; faster than most of can talk, particularly those of us from the south. Little did she know that God was preparing her for her life’s work.

Oswald and Biddy had both felt called to ministry. They founded the Bible Training College to fulfill that call. They operated the college, and ministered to a large number of students until Oswald left to minister to soldiers in Egypt. That school touched innumerable lives during its short existence, sending many to the mission field.

For most of their seven years of marriage, during lectures in his bible school as well as sermons in England and Egypt, Biddy was there, taking verbatim notes of his every word. I don’t find any record of either of them saying why she took these notes, but there is no doubt that God had a hand in it.

After Oswald’s death, Biddy returned to England with her daughter. She operated what amounted to a boarding house to ministerial students. In addition to being a mother to her daughter, she spent countless hours poring through her notes of his sermons, turning them in to the books we think of as Oswald Chambers’ books. Over the next 40+ years, she remained in the background as many around the world continue to read what she wrote down and edited. Without her, Oswald Chambers’ timeless words would probably not be known. Without her we would have never read a single page of My Utmost for His Highest.

I thought that this Mother’s Day would be a good time for this story, not just for her, but to honor all of the Godly mothers and wives around us, who do all the “behind the scenes” work in our homes, our churches, and our lives.

God Bless You! God Bless You All!

Happy Mother’s Day!

This is a guest post by Bill Davis, who occasionally guest posts here. You can see his blog at http://chickenroadwisdom.blogspot.com/

EASTER MORNING

2011-04-24T05:00:00.001-04:00

"He is not here, He is risen. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you..."

After hearing these words Matthew's writing tells us it was "Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary" that ran quickly to tell Jesus' followers what had happen. Matthew 28:8 (NCV) says, "The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus' followers what had happen."

Talking about mixed emotions! The women were "afraid but also very happy". This is not exactly what they expected to find when they arrived at the tomb but they were very glad to know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He lives.

Today as you celebrate Easter remember what Easter is about, remember that He is no longer in the tomb, and that He lives today. My prayer is that all of us will have a real sense of urgency to tell others that Jesus is alive!

I rejoice today because my Lord and Savior live!

He lives, He lives, I know He lives. He lives within my heart!

HOW IS YOUR MEMORY?

2011-04-23T06:30:00.003-04:00

One of my friends once stated that he used to have a pretty good memory but was now to the point that he could hide his own Easter eggs. Memory is a funny thing. Some things seems to be imprinted on our mind while other things we forget immediately.

During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that has been imprinted on the minds of many.

Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.

On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.

Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.

What is it that you remember the most about this week? What event or words have laid heavy in your mind and on your heart? What is it that leaves a lasting impression on your mind? Today, may we remember the events of this week and at the same time look with expectation of great things to happen on Easter Sunday!

Scripture for today: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56

GOOD FRIDAY

2011-04-22T06:27:00.000-04:00

I wondered what hurt Jesus the most. Was it when they tied him and led him to Pilate, the governor? Was it when he heard that Judas had hanged himself? Was it the cry of the people to "crucify him, crucify him"? Was it the beating with whips? Was it the crowning with a crown of thorns? Was it when the people bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King, of the Jews!" Was it when some spit on him? Was it when some of the soldiers "cast lots" for his clothing? Was it the insults from the people that walked by and said, "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!" Or was it the nails being driven through the hands and feet of Jesus that hurt Him the most?

Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on his hurts. No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!" Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.

My prayer today is: "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life." For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).

Scripture for today: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37

WHAT ARE THEY POURING?

2011-04-21T06:22:00.000-04:00

It is Thursday evening and Jesus sat down with his disciples for the Passover meal. During the course of the evening Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Then he did a very symbolic thing in taking a cup, probably pouring into the cup, thanked God for it and gave it to his followers. Another part of that passage of scripture tells us that Jesus "poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet" (John 13:5). Jesus also had spent the last three and a half years "pouring into" the lives of his disciples his teachings and about righteous living.

Think about it for a moment. Who are those that has "poured" into your life? People that has invested time, money, and patience into your life? People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you. The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad. He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up. He just kept pouring. Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw. Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring. Some intentionally and others probably not knowing the impact they have on my life. Thank God for those that will invest in others!

Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw. Our heavenly Father sees potential in you that no one else can see and will pour into your lives, if you will allow Him to do so.

Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?

Scripture for today: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30

The Price that Jesus Paid

2011-04-20T06:39:00.000-04:00

"During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple, and at night he went out of the city and stayed on the Mount of Olives. Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him." Luke 21:37, 38

Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching. It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day. The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.

At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives." This is the same place that:

Jesus often resorted (Luke 22:39)
Jesus often spent the night when in Jerusalem (John 7:53-8:1)
Jesus preached a great sermon on the end time (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3)
Jesus' Triumphal Entry began (Luke 19:37)
Jesus' terrible agony in the Garden of Gethsemane took place (Mark 14:26-42)
Jesus' ascension took place (Acts 1:12)

By Wednesday morning most likely Judas had went to the priests and teachers of the law and talked to them about a way to hand Jesus over to them. They agreed on a plan and Judas watched for a time that Jesus was away from the crowd to betray him. For thirty pieces of silver, what is believe to be the price of a slave in that day, Judas will soon betray the Lord.

Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites. He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?" I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"

There is nothing in my life that has or ever will compare to the suffering that Jesus did for me. There is no personal experiences that I could ever share that would measure up to what Jesus did for us. Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him. Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."

The bottom line is that He died for me and you!

My prayer today is "God help me to be more sensitive to the price that you paid for me!"

Scripture for today: Matthew 23, 24; Mark 12:35 - Mark 13:37; Luke 20:41 - 21:36

FACING LIFE CHALLENGES

2011-04-19T06:34:00.004-04:00

The last week of Jesus' ministry on earth, before his crucifixion, he spent a lot of time teaching and a lot of time dealing with confrontation. On one of these days during this week Jesus was challenge by the chief priests and the scribes, along with the elders of his day with the question, "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus was teaching in the temple when the "religious people" of his day brutally interrupted him and questioned his rights to be teaching in the temple. Imagine, someone challenging Jesus and his right to teach while in the temple!

This is really no comparison but several years ago I was preaching when a visitor stood up in the middle of the church service and claimed that God had given him the other half of my sermon, and spent the next ten minutes trying to preach it! Needless to say this confusion was not of God and disrupted that particular church service. I felt at that moment that my authority to preach the word had just been challenge. To this day I am not for sure that as a young pastor I responded wisely to the challenge.

But Jesus knew how to answer every challenge of life. When Jesus was asked the question ("Who gave you this authority?)" he in returned asked a question. Jesus asked the religious leaders "When John baptized people, did that come from God or just from other people?" The religious leaders feared that if they said, "it came from God," then Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?" And if the religious leaders said that it came from people they were afraid of the crowd, because the crowd believed that John was indeed a prophet.

The religious leaders answered, "We don't know!" Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things." It seems that Jesus always had the right answer for every challenge, and sometime Jesus just didn't answer at all!

The point is that we are challenge daily, but we do not have to answer every challenge. Some challenges are nothing more than a distraction and is not worth the energy that we invest in the fight. If Jesus had answered every question and accepted every challenge, he never would have made it to the cross and died for my sin during "Holy Week". I am glad that Jesus was wise enough to see that some challenges was no more than an attempt from the enemy to cause a distraction

Don't feel pressured into accepting every challenge in life. You too need to make it to the foot of the cross and some challenges will hinder your vision of the place that Jesus died for you. There are some things I know I have to confront with God's help, but I believe there are some things that I hear God saying, "let me take care of this for you."

Thank you Lord for the challenges of life that I never have to confront because you have my front and my back side!

"But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:12 NIV)

Scripture for today: Matthew 21:23-46; Matthew 22:1-46;Luke 20:1-40

HOLY WEEK - MONDAY MORNING!

2011-04-18T06:36:00.000-04:00

I wonder how Jesus felt the morning after Jerusalem. Sunday was a very emotional time for many. There were some that was giving praise to Christ and then we read of Jesus’ weeping over the hearts of the people in the city. How did Jesus sleep that night? Was it a short night for Jesus? No doubt before he started his day Jesus probably found a quite place of prayer to the Father, to discuss the events of the day before, as well as to discuss the events of that day.

I turned this morning to Matthew’s account of the Monday before the crucifixion of Christ and I read of one of the first things that Jesus did upon entering the city was he went to the temple. There he found things happening that were displeasing to him and states “It is written ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (or a hideout for robbers).’”

I have heard for years the story of Jesus going into the temple and casting out all them that sold and bought in the temple, overturning the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves in the temple. This always seems to be the emphasis place on this scripture and many times told like we had bragging rights that Jesus would do this.

But in studying this week, the last week of the life of Christ on earth, I was reminded that this is not all that he did on this visit to the temple. The blind and the lame came to him and he healed them. The aftermath of the day before was some of the children was crying out “Hosanna to the son of David” (Matthew 21:14-16). Many good things happened at the temple that day as well.

As you journey with me through scripture this week and look at some of the events of Christ hopefully we too recognized that we have bragging rights!

Scriptures for today: Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48

THE DAY JESUS WEPT

2011-04-17T16:59:00.000-04:00

This week as we enter into the week of the crucifixion of Christ and a week before that noted event, His Resurrection, I encourage you to follow each day of the life of Christ as recorded in scripture. Today in the Christian church is known as Palm Sunday. Read Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-44 of Jesus' triumph entrance into Jerusalem.

The cheering was on! Many from different settings of life stood alone the roadside cheering as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Maybe Bartimaeus, the one that was blind but now could see. Maybe Zacchaeus who had paid back his debt to society and had made peace with God. Maybe the lepers who skin had been cleansed and now they were rejoicing for the healing that the Lord had given them. No doubt many that had been touch by the life of Christ. They even took their coats and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road as they cheered praises to the Son of God.

But the cheering soon stopped as they noticed Jesus weeping. He was not weeping because he would soon face death but he was weeping for the city. Jerusalem had rejected the way of peace. This is one of two occasions that I find recorded of Jesus weeping. (The other time is at the foot of the grave of his friend, Lazarus.) I believe that there was an emotional outburst of tears that flowed from the Master's face as he looked beyond the city and saw the condition of the heart of the people in the city. Maybe there is tears flowing from the Master's face today as he looks again on the condition of this world.

As you begin this journey with me in following the scriptures that relates to the Lamb's journey the week before his crucifixion, has the cheering stopped in your life? Do you find your life in disarray?

If so, my prayer for you today that as you read the scriptures this week and follow this daily devotion for Holy Week that you will find peace like a river that is overflowing at it's river banks!

Thanks for following with me in scripture this remarkable "Journey of a Lamb"!

I WANTED TO BE A POLICEMAN

2011-04-05T16:27:00.000-04:00

I was asked as a first grader in school "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My response was, "I want to be a policeman!" I was fascinated by the policeman (Mr. Hoggnett) in the uniform that patrolled the traffic at "Unity Elementary School", where I attended.

I recently used the quote by J. Wallace Hamilton, "Every person's life is a diary in which he or she means to write one story and is forced to write yet another."

Life is a funny thing. It never turns out the way that we thought that it would. Culture, education, dreams, and decisions we make, all help to write down on unseen pages the story of our life and it never turns out the way that we planned.

But there are some absolute truths about our life that we can be certain about.

God KNEW you before you were ever born.

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Jeremiah 1:5

God has GREATER plans for us than what we have for ourselves.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Isaiah 55:8

God is ALWAYS writing a new chapter in our life.

"Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening....I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land." Isaiah 43:19

Being a P-olicemen would not have been a bad thing but I am glad that God called me to be a P-astor and a P-reacher instead. (At least I had the first letter correct.) How did you start out writing your life story and has it turned out different than you planned?

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SING IN THE CHOIR!

2011-03-26T09:01:00.093-04:00

As a child, growing up in a small church environment, anyone could go to the choir. With only two rows of church pews in the choir I stood in front of the first pew singing from the top of my lungs "When old age is stealing on, and my strength is almost gone, Hold to my hand, dear Lord I pray." (At the age of five I am sure I knew exactly what I was singing about.) But it was a joy to sing in the choir.

In the third grade I thought I would try out for the school choir, but failed miserably. I loved music so that I took flute, guitar, accordion (my mom's idea), and piano lessons but never seem to master any of these instruments. However, after watching some of America's reality shows recently, I may... well, just a thought.

It is true that Thomas Edison, the great inventor of 1,093 US patents in his name (as well as many in Germany, United Kingdom, and France) stated "Many of life's failures by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."

So if you come by the church where I serve as the lead pastor and I'm sitting at the piano playing and singing, don't laugh, just remember I may be close to success as a very talented singer and musician.

Don't give up; you may be close to conquering your life long dream!

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

2011-03-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

It was Esther, around 480 B.C. that Mordecai stated to her, "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther was an ordinary woman with an extraordinary challenge. “She is a Jew in a foreign land and a woman in a male-dominated world- a minority within a minority. But God raised her up at exactly the right time.” (John Maxwell)

Later, around the years of 445 B.C. Nehemiah had a burden for the people of Jerusalem and shares his burden with King Artaxerxes. With the queen by his side, the king asked Nehemiah how long would this journey be? Nehemiah was able to give him a time it would take and also speak to him about the building materials that were needed (Nehemiah 2:6-8). The king gave him permission and provision to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem.

It was Winston Churchill that states, "There comes a special moment in everyone's life, a moment for which the person is born. That special opportunity, when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission-a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment he finds greatness. It is his finest hour."

For all of us there are times in our life for in which we are born. It may not mean living in the king’s palace or rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem but it does mean fulfilling a purpose in life. Sometimes it is the simple things that God places in your life to do, that make a world of difference for someone.

I use to visit a friend of mine in one of the local nursing facilities that had a room mate (Earnest) that was in his 30's and had a terminal illness. After finding out that Earnest was in the hospital I paid him a visit. To me it was an ordinary visit: conversation, prayer, and I left the room.

That's when I realize something was a little different about this visit. Outside the room door on the third floor of the Tanner Hospital stood a young nurse with tears streaming down her cheeks. With a broken heart she said to me, “thank you for visiting with Earnest today, no one has been to see Earnest since he has been in the hospital.” I must admit that I was feeling pretty good about the moment. I realized that I had not only made a difference in Earnest’s life that day, but in this young nurse as well. I told her I would be back and the next day I did, only to find out that Earnest had passed away shortly after I left the room.

I can not relate to you the number of last time opportunities that God gave me to minister to someone but I also know deep down in my heart there are many missed opportunities that God would have given me if only I had been more sensitive to his direction in my life.

My prayer is that:

“Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer.” Psalm 5:3 NCV

HALF-TIME

2011-02-07T10:34:00.047-05:00

A few years ago I felt a need to change some things in my life. I felt that my devotional time was not all that it needed to be and not all that I had promised God. I stepped down from a couple of responsibilities I had and refused to take on any other obligations that would distract me of the time that I felt needed to accomplish my goal. Recently, in reading a book called Half Time, by Bob Buford (a good read) I begin to realize that I was probably in the "half time" of my life and began to have a different perspective of the second half.

In the United States of America every year millions of viewers sit and watch the "half-time" show of the Super Bowl (football) game. The show has changed over the past 5 decades. It has gone from marching bands, to popular music acts such as "New Kids on the Block", and "Michael Jackson", to the more recent performance of the group "Blackeye Peas" at the XLV Super Bowl. While some people thought that they were the best since their New Year's lunch "I've gotta a feeling" after reading some of the reviews, that the group "Blackeye Peas" does not appeal to everyone's taste.

Something else is happening while the entertainment is taking place on the playing field. Back in the locker rooms the players of the game are "strategically planning", "healing the wounded", and working on their "second wind" for the second half of the game.

"Half-time" is great for those in ministry as well. It is a great time to assess disappointments and victories, deal with the wounded, and also give us a chance to get a second wind.

It is most likely that I have reached the "half-time" of my life, and probably well into "third quarter" of the game. Some would say that the "clock is my worse enemy" but in reality "time could be my best friend"! Jesus said it well when he said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34).

I am thankful for the "time-outs" that I have left and possibly the "two-minute" warning but I don't plan to "delay the game." However, in the second half of my life I do plan to often "take a knee" and bow before the Father because I want to finish well!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked (offensive) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

FEELING LIKE A "HEEL"?

2011-01-31T05:52:00.000-05:00

It is probably 80 % of the time that if you feel like a "heel" it's because of the tongue. (The other 20% because of what you do.)

I was sharing with someone recently of some of the discipline I received in grade school. Only paddled once but wrote a lot of "I will not _____" sentences. It was in my last day at Junior High School I was sitting in the school auditorium, after class, writing "I will not ________ ______________ __________" some 200 times. I am too embarrassed to tell what I did but rest assure today I still feel like a heel for doing such a foolish thing.

My dad, being the religious man that he was, tried to correct this "foolishness" by using what Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." It is true that it did drive it "far from me" but every once in a while I still do a foolish thing. Sometimes doing a foolish thing is simply saying the wrong thing, or as we call it, "putting our foot in our mouth." Psalm 38:5 says, "My wounds sink and are corrupt because of my foolishness."

I believe "foolishness" is something that probably many of us have to work on. I enjoy "good clean fun" as we call it, but sometimes even I can take my "foolishness" too far. So now that I have confessed, here's my prayer:

"God help me with my foolishness. You know that in your word it says that this is something 'bound in the heart of a child.' True, my daddy tried to drive it out of me with leather but because of my tongue I still struggle and sometimes feel like a heel. God, save my soul (and sole) from so much foolishness!"

I usually go to the shoe repair shop in the small community in which I live to have my shoe's resole and the owner of the shoe shop will laugh and say, "Yes Sir, I can save your sole!" So off to the shoe shop!

THE BIG BAD WOLF

2011-01-26T07:46:00.003-05:00

It was the nursery rhyme The Big Bad Wolf that I thought of this morning as the wind was whipping between the two buildings behind my office window. It has been 40 plus years since I heard this nursery rhyme, and now there are several versions of this story, but the part I remember is I will huff and I will puff and I will blow your house down!

Job 1:19 tells us that a "wind" (not a wolf) blew down the house of Job's children - Suddenly a great wind came from the desert, hitting all four corners of the house at once, the house fell in on the young people, and they are all dead..."

With a risk of sounding negative for just a moment, every day of our lives there is one that would like to "blow our house down" (or destroy you). Jesus said it well when he said, "A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life-life in all its fullness"(John 10:10). But the focus is not on the "thief" trying to destroy us but Jesus giving us fullness of life.

There are days that we will feel the wind from the storm. There are days we will feel like that Satan is outside our door huffing and puffing and threatening to blow our house down. There are days that we do feel the pressures of life. But when we walk in the fullness of life, the abundant life that Christ speaks of, we can weather any storm.

The Apostle Paul gave us some inside information on how to build our house that will stand against these storms (I Corinthians 3):

Laying a good foundation
Being careful how we build
Using the right materials to build with

With these principles in place Satan can huff and puff and threaten all he wants, but "me and my house will serve the Lord!" (Joshua 24:15).

...There is another character that I learned about 40 plus years ago. In Sunday School we sung about "the sly old fox." (The fox and the wolf are both from the same family, the Canidae family.) "The devil he is a sly old fox, if I could catch him I put him in a box. Lock that box and throw away the key for the many old tricks he's played on me..."

I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS...

2011-01-21T07:44:00.000-05:00

"I remember you, the kindness of your youth..." Jeremiah 2:2a

Oswald Chambers in his devotional "His Utmost For His Highest" brings out this thought that made me reflect on my youth this morning. He asked the question, "Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me?...How much kindness have I shown Him this past week?...Am I as full of the extravagance of love to Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Does He find me recalling the time when I did not care for anything but Himself?... Am I so in love with Him that take no account of where I go? or am I watching for the respect due to me; weighing how much service I ought to give?"

These are very provoking questions that at the end of the week that we probably ought to ask ourselves. As a youth I lived in a Christian home and lived what some would defined as a "sheltered life." There were certain things that as a youth, my parents "sheltered" me from. To some degree I still live a sheltered life, but now of my own choice. I choose not to put myself in uncomfortable situations, and when I find myself in that situation I am looking for an escape. I want to be kind to God as I were as a youth. To me it is important that I love him as much, and more, as I did in my youth and to show him that love.

My prayer today is "God help me to show my kindness to you as I did in my youth." I remember those days...

WHAT IS "JAWING?"

2011-01-10T12:58:00.002-05:00

Webster (online) dictionary defines "jawing" as scolding, clamorous, or abusive talk." This is a word that I have heard used frequently during some of the recent pro-football games by the commentators when two or more players from opposite teams would get nose to nose and helmet to helmet and "talk with loud abusive language."

I am reminded of someone else that did a lot of "jawing". One of the greatest battles in the bible is mentioned in I Samuel 17. Eighty times, at least, Goliath "get in the face" of the Israelites and "jaws." Why did Goliath spend so much time talking in place of fighting, when he was such a huge fellow? I believe that Goliath wanted to intimidate his opponent. Saul and the Israelites heard Goliath and they would tremble and run. Goliath was literally winning the battle just by running his mouth!

But David could jaw too and he came out and jawed back at Goliath saying, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of t he armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. this day will the lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (I Samuel 17:45, 46)"

The result of Goliath's jawing is that he literally lost his head! I bet (just an expression of speech) he didn't do anymore "jawing." Maybe Goliath should have fought the battle before David arrived in the camp instead of all of that "jawing".

The moral of the story is that Satan likes to run his mouth with a lot of loud abusive talk. But David finished up his speech to Goliath with "...for the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands." If you will trust God with your life and your battles, He will fight your battles for you. Do not be intimidated by all of the loud abusive talk that the devil does. He's all mouth!

I ALSO WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU MUCH MORE!

2011-01-04T07:03:00.001-05:00

"I also would have given you much more!" is the word that I hear ringing in my ears of what God is saying to King David. Read 2 Samuel 7 and hear the words of King David giving thanks to God for "bringing him this far." Hear David telling God "with your blessing let my family always be blessed."

It sounds like David is on a journey headed toward success. But then in 2 Samuel 11 we see that David's journey takes a left turn. It is John Maxwell that states, "When we stop growing, we stop leading. When we stop sacrificing, we stop succeeding." Many times people ask the question, what happened? Things were going so well for them and then they take a wrong turn.

In over 30 years of pastoral ministry I have seen many lay leaders and pastors take a wrong turn. I have sat and listen to pastors and lay leaders relate how that they could not blame anyone but themselves for their sin. (I heard other pastors and lay leaders wanting to blame someone else for the wrong turn in their life, as well.) It is a sad day because the blessing of God stops when we stop being obedient to his word. It is like stopping up a kitchen sink with yesterday's grease. Grease hardens and stops the flow as sin will harden our heart and stop the flow of God's wonderful blessings in our lives.

But, God ...would have given you much more!

Thirty-four years ago, as a 16 year old grocery clerk one day I spoke with the Keebler Sales Representative that was busy stocking the cookie shelf. I begin to witness to him about God and what he had done in my life. As I told him about Jesus he stood there with tears in his eyes and told me that he "once was a missionary" for God. God would have done much more in his life but somewhere, somehow, he had made a wrong turn in his life. Thank God for his saving grace that brings forgiveness and restoration in our lives. Today, thirty-four years later, I still vividly remember that incident of speaking with this total stranger about Jesus. Maybe it was as much for me as for him!

God still has much that he wants to do for you! God blessed King David but the fact is that God had much more for him then what he ever received. (Read of King David's sin in 2 Samuel 11 & 12). The fact is that God has much more that he wants to give you, as well. It is my prayer today that you will be able to walk out your journey with God, receiving all of the blessings that have your name on them. For God has great things that He wants to give YOU!

Don't Call Me Stupid!

2011-01-03T06:29:00.008-05:00

"Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid" (Proverbs 12:1). Now I don't make it a habit of calling folks "stupid". (That is one of those "s" words that as a kid I learned that in using cost me a "mouth washing" Kinder like "foot washing," both will bring about a great sense of humility.) But in several translations of the bible this is the word that is used to translate the word "brutish". Call them brutish or stupid, it makes no difference, the point is they are the folks that hates correction.

Reading recently about King Saul and King David in the Bible, I see this contrast. Saul seems to be one that hated correction while David was one that was acceptable to instruction. Samuel spoke to Saul about a burnt offering that he made to God, which was not acceptable. Saul shows no sign of repentance in that episode. On the other hand King David was confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin with Bathsheba, and David had a repentant heart. There is a great difference!

Recently I have been reminded of the thought, "What is God saying?" It is my prayer that if it is correction or instruction in my life that I will listen every morning to what God is saying. God help me to always spend time listening to you before I spend time speaking for you! I don't want folks labeling me "stupid" because I fail to accept correction.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-14T07:09:00.000-05:00

One of the most difficult tasks for some of us is to be able to make decisions. It starts out as a kid when we can't decide what toys to play with, rather we should go with mother or daddy, or what we wanted for Christmas. This phobia of making decision continues all through life. Some of us deal with it better than others. I know adults today that can't seem to make decisions. While we may blame it on the wrong size, often the day after Christmas many will stand in long lines ready to return something that they decided they did not want.

In my devotion time this morning I read of a great military leader by the name of Hoshea. He was a great military leader, but only after there was an identity change. Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua (Numbers 13:16), and while the name by itself did not bring this change, there was a transformation in the identity of this leader. Joshua was very decisive in his leadership skills. (Read Joshua 13 through 19 and see a man that was very decisive in dividing the land among the different tribes.) He showed great skills in delegating, organizing and leading the nation of Israel. The words that many hear this great military leader say, "...choose you this day whom ye will serve...for me and my house will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

John Maxwell states, "Leaders cannot afford to be indecisive; they must give clear and specific directions." It use to be that I was undecided about what I wanted for Christmas. Now I am face with the temptation of "Decidophobia - the fear of making decisions" (http://phobialist.com/). It is a battle that many of us face almost daily. To be a leader you must be able to make decisions and feel confident about the decisions that you made. No "second guessing" your decisions!

You may be face with difficult decisions today. You may have in the pass been very indecisive about your decisions. I pray that God's spirit will enable you today to make the right decisions and then enable you to have peace about your decisions.

Over 16 years ago I was given Isaiah 52:12 "For ye shall not go out with haste, nor by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward (your rear guard). God has your back side when you make decisions based on God's word and your relationship with Him.

Merry Christmas, and by the way, do you know what you want for Christmas?

COMING IN SECOND

2010-10-15T10:31:00.002-04:00

I recently finish reading the bible through for the year and started over again. (I figured I would get a head start for next year.) In Genesis 5 we have "the family tree" of Adam. Adam lived 930 years and he died. Seth, a son that according to scripture looked much like Adam, lived 912 years and he died. A grandson of Adam, Enosh, lived to be 905 years and he died. Methuselah is recorded to have lived 969 years and he died. Almost everyone have heard the name "Methuselah" as being the oldest living man recorded in scripture.

But what about Jared, Who? That's right, Jared. Jared was the great-great-great-great grandson of Adam (or something like that). You know, his son was Enoch, the one who "...walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24)."

Jared lived to be 962 years of age and died. Only seven years younger than his grandson, Methuselah. Jared came in second in this chapter of the oldest living, but went unnoticed throughout the generations of time. Almost everybody in the Bible Belt of America have heard of Methuselah, but mention Jared in the bible and their response may be, WHO?

Sometimes we too come in second. Sometimes we too are the one that our name are forgotten. Sometime we too are the one that "almost" achieved the same thing the one that got the spot light achieved. But with God there is no "second place". God loves you as much as He loves anyone else. The song writer said it well when he penned,

"The love of God is greater far, Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

It shall forever more endure, The saints' and angels' song."

"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." John 3:16

CAN YOU SEE NOW?

2010-09-21T08:19:00.000-04:00

"Charlie Brown holds up his hands before his friend Lucy and says, 'These are hands which may some day accomplish great things. These are hands which may some day do marvelous works! They may build mighty bridges, or heal the sick, or hit home runs, write soul-stirring novels! These are hands which may some day change the course of destiny!' Lucy, who always sees things as they are, replies, 'They've got jelly on them."

Luke 8 Jesus heals a blind man and asked him the question, "Can you see now?" The blind man said, "Yes, I see people, but they look like trees walking around." This man's vision was distorted but when Jesus touched the man eyes again and the man opened his eyes wide, his eyes were healed.
Maybe the man just needed to open his eyes wide!

Maybe we just need to open our eyes wide and see the big picture and sees things as they really are. In 2 Corinthians 4 the Apostle, Paul, speaks of what he saw -

trouble on every side - but not distressed
perplexed -but not in despair
persecuted - but not forsaken
cast down -but not destroyed
outward man perishing - inward man being renewed daily
light affliction for a moment - much greater reward that will last throughout eternity

When we look at the big picture we can see beyond the suffering and see God's glory.

Prayer today: Lord, regardless of what I might go through, help me to see the "big picture" and know that mercy and grace will follow me all the days of my life!

The End?

2010-08-26T10:05:00.002-04:00

Someone said in Sunday school last Sunday, "As far as I know, the Word (the bible) never wears out!"

On my shelf sits a New Testament that was given to me for Christmas when I was a child. Many things that I have owned in my lifetime no longer exist but ironically this bible seem to have stayed in my possession. I didn't intentionally save this bible, it just happen to hang around. The cover is well worn and if you look in the front of it you will see the drawings that appears to be that of a small child...me!

I remember well those days of taking this bible and pretending that I was preaching to Mr. Bugs, Mr. Donald, and the rest of the stuff animal gang. (They were a rough bunch of overly stuffed animals.) I don't think any of them ever got saved, but they sure "got preached" the word! I felt a call on my life even then to preach the Word, but did not accept that calling until later in life.

In turning through this bible this morning reminiscing I noticed on the last page the words at the bottom imprinted "The End". Somewhere as a child I wrote beside it "No End". This morning in my devotion I was reminded of the scripture "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away"(Matthew 24:35). I quickly grabbed a penned and wrote, "Definitely No End." The bible may be worn but the Word lives on. It never wears out. It is always relevant. When it goes forth it will not return void and it will accomplish what it was sent out to do.

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).

Many has tried to destroy, compromise, or discredit God's Word but it has and will always stand the test. You can count on the Word, it will help you during this life's journey that you are on. Paul instructs Timothy to "Study, to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15).

My prayer today is, "Lord help me to be diligent in studying your Word."

Missed Opportunities

2010-08-19T08:25:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago, after being on the disabled list, I was once again able to play softball with the church league. The last time I played I suffered from a broken wrist/arm in two places, and suffered wearing a cast for the next five weeks. As my cast was being removed I laughably asked the nurse practitioner if I could play softball, now that my cast was off. Surprisingly she said "yes", as long as you don't slide and you wear your brace." A answer I was not expecting to hear!

I must admit that fear came over me as I begin to remember the night of the broken arm. "Do I really want to do this again?" Will I be tempted to slide again?" I am a very competitive person and I know I will give it my best. Reluctantly I agreed to EH that night for the game.

First time up to bat, first pitch, first swing and I hit the ball out into the center field. A solid hit and probably the best hit for me of the season. I ran all the way to third base, and was noticing that the coach on third was waving me to go home. I got half way home and realized that there was a good chance I would be very tempted to slide, so I ran back to third. A triple was not bad after five weeks on the disabled list, but I could have had a in-park home run. It would have been my first, but I let fear cause me to miss the opportunity.

Every day of our lives God is giving us opportunities. Sometimes we get to third and we stop because we become afraid; afraid of being hurt, afraid of losing something, afraid of being embarrassed, or sometimes just of afraid of being afraid. Possibly never again will I hit a ball so well and have that opportunity. It was truly a Kodak moment that I missed.

My prayer today is: "God help me to take hold of every opportunity that you give me, and also help me to have courage to run home (if I ever hit the ball that well again!)

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

IT'S NOT ABOUT WORKING HARDER, BUT WORKING SMARTER

2010-08-03T12:40:00.007-04:00

In the book of Haggai we read of workers that worked harder but not smarter. It had been several years that the temple in Jerusalem had been untouched. Men and Women was working hard in those days, but had their priorities in the wrong place. God sent the prophet Haggai to bring correction into their lives.

This story reminds me of my childhood days of doing "landscaping" (formally known as grass cutting), and "car detailing" (formally known as cleaning automobiles.) Isn't it odd how we can change the name of a profession and make more money.

I was always taught to work hard. In any job that I have ever done I was taught to give it my best. While this is and has not been a bad principle to live by, I must admit that sometimes if I had worked smarter instead of harder, I would have accomplished more in life.

My prayer is from a bookmark (author unknown) that I found in my desk drawer this morning.

"Lord, I have too much to do, but's it's all important. Help me to set priorities so that I don't feel lost in the pace and the pressure. Give me wisdom and energy to accomplish what's necessary without wasting time or effort. And help me make the best use of my day, remembering that time is a precious gift from You."

John Maxwell says, "Activity does not always mean accomplishment. The issue is not, 'Will my calendar be full?' but 'What will fill my calendar?'"

Will it take a prophet like Haggai to say, "Think about what you have done..You have planted much, but you harvest little...You earn money, but then you lose it all as if you had put it into a purse full of holes...Think about what you have done. Go up the mountains, bring back wood, and build the Temple. Then I will be pleased with it and be honored, says ,the Lord." Haggai 1:7-8

"Lord, help me to work smarter and not necessarily harder."

That Old Buzzard

2010-07-20T15:02:00.012-04:00

One Sunday morning recently, while driving back from Savannah, Georgia (USA), I had a buzzard almost fly into the side of my red convertible mustang. I caught myself ducking...and thinking about my next blog.

In case you're not familiar with what a buzzard is they are sometimes called vultures. Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. If he is frightened away from his "buzzard feast", he will return as soon as he feels it is safe.

I begin to research "buzzards" and quickly found that there is a book out titled, "The Buzzards Are Circling, But God's Not Finished With Me Yet", by Stan Toler. Another book on the market about buzzards is "Don't Let the Buzzards Get Your Children" by Barbara Middletonand. In reading the review of this book it appears to use the story in 2 Samuel 25 (The Bible) about a mother by the name of Rizpah. (For my preacher friends, this is a great sermon for Mother's Day). "Oh Lord, I Wish I Was A Buzzard" and "Where Buzzard's fly" was two other books on the market.

So I am not the first to use the analogy of a buzzard. But what can I say? A buzzard is a buzzard no matter what species they are and from what part of the world they are from. A buzzard is not something that many folks want as a pet. I don't see any pictures hanging on your walls of a buzzard! Most folks consider them an ugly creature. No one tries to dress up a buzzard. It is like putting perfume on a skunk. It is still a skunk.

Satan is who he is. No matter how this world may try to disguise him, he is still Satan. Like a buzzard he keeps circling his prey hoping to find opportunity to have a "buzzard feast". Jesus puts it a little kinder to Peter when he said, "Satan desires to sift you as wheat."

I guess the moral of this blog is, "when going through this life's journey watch out for that old buzzard (Satan). He is like a vulture looking for a place to land!

Route 95

2010-07-13T11:30:00.010-04:00

Forty-five years ago I attended my grandfather's funeral in a small South Georgia (USA) church on a hot summer day. The nearest thing to air condition was the fans the funeral home provided. I remember at the end of the service crying as the Hearst, carrying the body of my grandfather, pulled away from the front of the church. My heart was broken. At the age of six I never dreamed that I would stand and preach to a group of people in that same church building.

But again, 15 years later, I traveled 200 miles to that South Georgia town to preach. It was so hot that day that the pastor of the church compared it with hell by saying "hell will be hotter than this." It was a great opportunity for me to preach in the church that my grandparent's use to attend.

This past week I traveled back to that same South Georgia town, walked back into that building, this time not to attend my grandfather's funeral, nor to preach as a young preacher, but to finalize the sell of the church property for the organization in which I am a part of. The church congregation had relocated and the money from the sell of the property will be used to improve the facility they are now using.

This is a new chapter in the life of this church, and I truly believe is a great move for this church. I am convinced that the building served it's purpose for the organization that I am a part of and it was time to release it for someone else to carry on the work in that community. I am thankful that I had the privilege to be a part of this transition. I journeyed back by the building one last time to give thanks to God for the many lives that had been changed during the time that we had this facility. I stood at the altar and asked God's blessings on the next group. I drove away feeling that this is a new beginning for the existing congregation that relocated as well as for this community. I know that somehow in God's sovereignty He has a plan.

This journey that God has us on may take us on a detour from time to time but some how we always seem to come back to our roots. If I live to be 95 (45 years from now), I wonder where this journey will take me - probably to the Nursing Home :)

"Lord, make me to know my end,And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am..." (Psalm 39:4 NKJV).

2010-07-10T08:46:00.003-04:00

Several weeks ago, Bro. Tim asked me to consider posting an occasional guest blog. I didn’t think that I could adequately speak to a Lamb’s journey but agreed to try. I pray that he will soon be at full speed and again filling these pages with his own words. Bill Davis

I remember growing up in a small church in Empire; visiting speakers had to stay with people in the church. There was no Hampton or Holiday Inn Express and if there had been the church couldn’t afford to pay for it. Since it was only my mother and me in our home, often we’d have guests.
A missionary spent a few days with us when I was about five, or so. She was home on furlough from somewhere in Asia; China or maybe Hong Kong. She looked frail and undernourished to me. I overheard her tell my mother that the thing she had missed from home while she was on the mission field was whole milk. She was only able to get powdered milk. I was so sad to hear her say that when she got home, she couldn’t drink it because it was too rich for her body to deal with.
I asked her why she didn’t stay home long enough to get herself stronger so that she could again enjoy drinking milk. I’ll never forget her answer. She said, “My body is not my own, I was bought with a price.” She went on to say that she must take care of some necessary business and then go back to the mission field that God had called her to.
Even at that young age, at some level, I understood what she meant. Those words have stuck with me for many years and I understand them better now that I did then. God had clearly shown her what her calling was for that season of her life. What a blessing! Many times we don’t really know what we should be doing for the kingdom of God. Are we impatient? Are we not listening? Is our mission not to our liking, requiring more humility that we can muster?
Clara H. Scott took the words from Psalms 119:18 and said this more clearly than I can when she wrote:
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

(Suffering with a broke arm and a cast on, I appreciate Bill Davis being a guest writer for me this week. He is a greater writer that you would enjoy reading his blog at http://chickenroadwisdom.blogspot.com/) Tim Lamb

I FEEL GOOD IN MY SKIN

2010-06-16T10:16:00.003-04:00

I feel good in my skin was the words of a very successful pastor that I recently heard speak at a conference. By this statement I was challenged to examine my "skin", that is to examine where I am at with God.

Physically we may:

Exercise to feel better about the skin that we are in
Go to the beach and get a tan
Or decide we would like to have a "tattoo" or have a "body piercing" to feel better about the skin that we are in.

The fact is that we all of us are constantly searching for ways to feel better about ourselves.

But the real question is spiritually. Do you feel good about your relationship with Christ? Do you feel a sense of satisfaction with where God has you? In the Bible, an Apostle by the name of Paul speaks about being part of one body but having different gifts, talents, etc. All of us have a place in that body. Have you found your place? I encourage you to find out where God wants you.

There is nothing better than knowing that you are doing what God has called you to do. This is not meant to be a boastful statement, but I do feel good in my skin. I know what it is to not be in the center of God's will, and I know the sense of satisfaction to walk in His will. At the moment, "I feel good in my skin."

Tribute to a Man of Faith

2010-06-16T08:22:00.007-04:00

"You are over exposing yourself" was the words of John W. Swails, which went to be with the Lord this past Saturday evening. According to one of the minister's that did the eulogy of this "hero of faith" he once stated that if you preached more than 30 or 35 minutes "you are over exposing yourself." And then he goes on to say "cut your sermon in 1/2 if you are preaching more than 30 minutes." (This is probably a lesson that a lot of us preachers could learn.)

Another quote that this hero of faith stated was "the devil is in the condemning business and he has helpers, but God is not in the condemning business." John W. Swails was a great man of faith and a bible scholar. I believe that God strategically places us around people that can help us in our walk with God, and I am thankful to know this man of faith.

Paul states in II Timothy 4:5 & 6 (New Century Version) says, My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I believe that describes John W. Swails and others that allow God to use them to help reach others for Christ.

In my life time, if I can make half the impact that this man made on the life's of others, then I will be most grateful to the God that I serve.

To read more about John W. Swails click on the following link:
http://www.hughsnews.com/the-bio-of-john-washington-swails-jr-november-26-1915-june-12-2010

WHO'S LISTED IN YOUR BOOK?

2010-05-19T07:56:00.003-04:00

In the last several days I have devoted time to reading two different books, with events that separated them by over 3000 years. One is The Three Sucess Secrets of Shamgar. The other is "Let's Roll" by Lisa Beamer. (I have other books of this nature on my book shelf like The Simultaneous Principle, by Frank G. Tunstall, Azusa East by Dr. Doug Beacham, and Old Time Power by Vinson Synan.) All of the above are great books that deals with history and does a great job in complimenting men and women of great faith in God.

I was especially captivated with the story of Shamgar. It is taken from the bible in Judges 3:31 & 5:6. In less than 50 words it tells us of a farmer that single handed killed 600 Philistines with a ox goad. The three basic points mentioned in The Three Success Secrets of Shamgar were:

Start where you are
Use what you have
Do all you can

There are many people, both young and old, that I would consider great men and ladies of faith. I am grateful that I am surrounded by people that love God and in my book (which is unwritten) they are listed among the heroes of faith!

Who's listed in your book?

OUT ON LOAN

2010-05-11T06:49:00.014-04:00

When you understand that everything you have is on loan, you are better prepared to release it when the owner (God) wants it back. (Charles Swindoll)

One of the more inspiring verses in the bible this week for me as been in Job 1:20-22. All of us know the story of Job and sometimes we hear folks say, "I feel like Job." But how did Job really feel?

When Job received the news that he had lost his property, his seven sons, and three daughters "Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped." The bible doesn't say how long he sat there after hearing the sad news but the point is "Job arose and worshiped God." In this verse there are many verbs that described vividly how Job worshiped God. And the writer also states that in all of this that Job did not sin nor blame God.

Job realized what he had, even his children were on loan from God and that he was not sole owner of any of these things. Job was not stuck on "stuff". The Psalmist writes, "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein." Everything belongs to Him! Therefore Job was better prepared to release these things back to God.

It is true that Job grieved over his lost but he knew that God was a sovereign God that always knows best.

My prayer today: Lord, help me to always know that what I have belong to you, and that it is just out on loan!

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

2010-05-03T06:20:00.012-04:00

"...on behalf of 49 babies saved and 10 new believers (since Jan!) we appreciate your support." I started my Monday morning reading a thank you card that was handed to me last night after church. (EPHC recently gave a modest donation to a Women's Clinic that serves those in unplanned pregnancies.) I'm glad that God gave us this opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile ministry.

This is just one of many ways that we can make a difference in the lives of others. God has given all of us opportunities to make a difference. One verse that God reminded me of several years ago is where Jesus said, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things." Sometimes we are looking for that opportunity to do something huge for someone like we are looking for that huge check in the mail (and it never arrives.) I encourage you to look for those little things that you can do this week to make a difference in the life of someone.

It may be that encouraging word, that faithful prayer, or that pleasant smile that makes a difference in the life of your friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor this week. I once heard a pastor that is now the leader of his denomination, state that every morning he spent about 30 minutes writing notes of encouragement to others. I have another friend that is great at calling other minister friends, and giving words of encouragement. This really is sometimes better than a check in the mail and will last longer too:)

Have a bless day and be a blessing to others!

HGTV "This Kitchen Is Dated"

2010-04-27T07:10:00.008-04:00

(Fishing at St. Simon's Island)
Have you ever watched HGTV and heard them say, "This kitchen is dated"? A lot of things we can look at (houses, clothes, movies, songs, etc.) and know the generation in which they were built, made, or created. But God is neither "out of date", nor "dated". God is always relevant for the time!

Recently in my travel I visited the beautiful St. Simon's Islands, Georgia (USA) and had the privileged to visit areas where John and Charles Wesley both did missionary work. The same God that they preached about in the 1700's is the same God that we preach about today. It is the God that Asaph writes about and is recorded in Psalm 77:13, "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?"

In Psalm 77 we hear Asaph crying out to God in distress. The first few verses we hear him say, "I cry out to God...I was in deep trouble...I am too distressed even to pray!" (NLT) The writer did not sense God's divine presence but he would not give up. All night long he prayed with his hands lifted toward heaven, even though his soul was not comforted.

But then...Asaph begin to think on the times that his nights was filled with joy. He remembered all the things that the Lord had done. He begin to meditate on these things and would not allow them to leave his mind. "They are constantly in my thoughts, I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works" (Psalm 77:12 NLT). Asaph went from thinking about self to worshiping the Lord.

My prayer today:
God, help me today to not be distress with circumstances but to remember the wonders that you have done and to worship you!

Upside Down World

2010-04-21T07:16:00.007-04:00

Isn't it amazing how that something that happens across the world can turn things upside down in your world? The Volcano that happened in Iceland last week no doubt has and will effect millions of people around the world. Thousands of people stranded in airports in Europe. (Even a couple of folks from Empire, Georgia). Millions of dollars the airlines are losing due to this catastrophe.

God is constantly allowing things to happen in this world to get our attention. Maybe to turn our world upside down, so that we are not so independent on ourself and more dependent on God. Other events like 9/11 and the killings at the Amish school in October of 2006 will forever have effect on all of our lives.

It is in Psalms 126 that the Psalmist writes " Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."

Many today is in captivity because of different world events that has brought sadness and discomfort in their lives. But if we will be faithful to pray (sow in tears) then I do believe that we will reap in joy! God is truly a sovereign God that is in control of all things. I believe the bible teaches me that "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose."

My prayer for all that reads this blog, that while at the moment their life may be full of sadness, that their life will be filled with joy!

WHO IS JESUS?

2010-04-14T07:24:00.005-04:00

In a couple of weeks I will be preaching in the church that I "cut my teeth" on the back of the pews and I received a higher education from the shrubs that stood beside the church building. (For some reason or another I had to occasionally bring mother one of the limbs from the shrubs.)

There are many great memories I have of spending my childhood in this church with a lot of great people. One of them is when the choir would sing "I Want to Know More About My Lord." I am very grateful for something that was place in my heart that gave me a desire to know more about Him!

This is probably one of the reasons I recently picked up a book at "Books-A-Million" by Charles Swindoll, titled "The Greatest Life of All, Jesus". Charles Swindoll tells in this book of a survey that was taken in a mall in Frisco, Texas a few years ago. The question was asked among mostly 20 to 40 years of age, middle class people, "Who is Jesus?" Some of the answers were:

"That's a trick question. I don't know how to answer that."

"He was, you know... He was just another person that found religion and all that, so it's ...I mean...He's nothing like....He's, of course, a good person and all that..."

"He is...uh...Help me out here. Jesus Christ is, uh...the Son of God?"

There is an occasion in the bible that Jesus was in an home teaching when a man was let down from the roof top. The "religious leaders" was thinking "Who is this man speaking as if he was God?" They too, if a survey had been taken, would probably have had some of the same response some approximately 2000 years ago, "He is...uh...Help me out here. Jesus Christ is, uh..."

Now understand that I am not "poking fun" at anyone but just to say, "Lord, help me know more about you so that I can help others know you better."

Knowing about Jesus is knowing Him personally as Lord of your life!

The Howling Dog

2010-04-12T06:24:00.009-04:00

For the past 16 years I have lived in a very rural community on the "other side of the railroad tracks." Approximately 1 minute and 49 seconds before I hear the train coming, my daughter's pet, "Max", (a mix between a fyce and a miniature collie) will begin howling. (I read that dogs ears are 40 times more sensitive then ours and I believe Max's ears must be about 60 times more sensitive:) Max cannot stand the sound of the train! Every morning, very early, Max warns us that the train is coming! I mean "very early!"

In reading Revelation 22:12 & 13 in the NCV this morning, it reads "Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring my reward with me, and I will repay each one of you for what you have done. I am alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Max sounds the alarm for me when the train comes but I am sounding the alarm this morning that Jesus is coming soon. I have heard this all of my life, and I still believe it to be true. I truly believe that it could be any moment. I believe the Father is about to say "Go gather my children home."

My prayer to the Lord this morning is as John writes in Revelation 22:20 "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

And my prayer for you and me this morning is:
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all. Amen." (John 22:21 NCV)

Have a wonderful day in the Lord. It could be today!

Shackled with Guilt

2010-04-08T17:02:00.006-04:00

The only time I've ever been "shackled" was 31 years ago when I was accused of being involved in a speed chase in Coweta County. Of course, you know that this is just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time=)

About an hour later, after searching me and my car, being handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the deputy's car, they decided that I was not guilty. (I am to this day very grateful to the policeman that finally admitted that I was not the one that out ran him.) It is not a good feeling to be shackled!

Many people have never been shackled with irons but they are walking around "Shackled with Guilt". In Psalms 32 David relates how he felt when he was "shacked with guilt". He talks about when "he kept silent", or kept things to himself he felt weak inside. David relates how that he felt like that his strength was gone as if he had been in the heat of the summer. David relates how that it was like being in a barren land. In reality David was feeling guilty about his sin! Probably after the time that he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, killed.

Then David said, "Then I confessed my sins to you and didn't hide my guilt. I said, 'I will confess my sins to the Lord' and you forgave my guilt." (Psalms 32:5 NCV)

Thank God that we can find forgiveness through Christ and that we do not have to walk around "Shackled with Guilt".

Cutting The Wrong End of the Fishing Line

2010-04-06T07:40:00.001-04:00

It is not my intent to write something daily (maybe weekly) but doing a blog can be contagious! Not contagious in the sense of the flu or a virus that leaves you feeling bad but in the sense of something that leaves you with a satisfaction once completed. In my devotion this morning I meditated on the thought of "finishing well."

John Maxwell states "Leaders can undo their accomplishments by failing to finish well." It is like tying a hook on your fishing line and then when you go to cut the excess line off, you cut the wrong end. Of course, I know you have never done anything like that!

In my devotion this morning I looked at a few of the leaders in the bible that started well but failed to finish strong. 2 Chronicles gives us some of these examples. Asa was one of these that seem to start well. 2 Chronicles 15:2 gives us a principle that Asa started out living by: "The Lord is with you when you are with Him."

Later in 2 Chronicles 16 we see Asa beginning to depend on man instead of God. He was warned by God's prophet but it just seem to make Asa angry and the result was that he imprisoned God's prophet.

Another thing about following man instead of God is that we seem to take our problems out on others when things are not going well, and Asa did just that. 2 Chronicles 16:10 tells us that "Asa oppressed some of the people at that time." Like many leaders that start out well, Asa undone much of what he had accomplish as a great leader.

It is my prayer that I will not undo what few accomplishments I might have made (and that I will quit cutting the wrong end of the fishing line:)

Jesus Loves Me This I Know

2010-04-05T06:45:00.000-04:00

"For he is good; and his mercy endureth forever" seem to be words that was sung repeatedly in Solomon's temple. In my devotion this morning I read the following story that I would like to share some of the highlights of the story.

1Tim Lahaye, in one of his more recent books (Jesus, Why The World Is Still Fascinated By Him), tells the story of a singer by the name of Kenny that goes into a high security prison to entertain. As he is squeezed through the doorway into the tight security area, the prisoners began in an angry voice to chant "Music! Music! Music!" This six foot five man with his cowboy boots on, trembled as he looked up to heaven, in one of the known toughest prisons in the nation, and prayed Lord, what do you want me to say to these men? He begin to strum a few chords on his guitar and before he realized it he was singing a song that he had learned as a child:

"Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so."

The prisoners began to chant again, but this time with tears flowing down the cheeks of many of the prisoners they were telling Kenny to sing it again! As he begin to sing again, several of the prisoners began to join in and sing with him. Through this song God had melted the hearts of many of those "hard hearted" prisoners.

My point is that God is good and that His love is everlasting and can melt the hearts of those that do not know what it is to have joy.

My older sister and I attempted to sing this song when we were children in church. I am so glad that a long time ago I learned the basic truth that Jesus, loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!

"...For he is good, and his mercy endureth forever..." 2 Chronicles 5:13

1Jesus, Why The World Is Still Fascinated By Him, pg. 146-148 by Tim LaHaye

Easter Morning

2010-04-04T05:29:00.000-04:00

"He is not here, He is risen. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you..."

After hearing these words Matthew's writing tells us it was "Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary" that ran quickly to tell Jesus' followers what had happen. Matthew 28:8 (NCV) says, "The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus' followers what had happen."

Talking about mixed emotions! The women was "afraid but also very happy". This is not exactly what they expected to find when they arrived at the tomb but they were very glad to know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He lives.

Today as you celebrate Easter remember what Easter is about, remember that He is no longer in the tomb, and that He lives today. My prayer is that all of us will have a real sense of urgency to tell others that Jesus is alive!

I rejoice today because my Lord and Savior lives!

He lives, He lives, I know He lives. He lives within my heart!

How Is Your Memory?

2010-04-03T03:01:00.000-04:00

One of my friends recently stated that he used to have a pretty good memory but was now to the point that he could hide his own Easter eggs. Memory is a funny thing. Some things seems to be imprinted on our mind while other things we forget immediately.

During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his resurrection we see several things that has been imprinted on the minds of many.

Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.

On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus about "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." They were able to quote him. I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.

Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus. But still fear in in their heart until Jesus appears "right in the midst of them and said, Peace be with you."

Peter especially was remembering the experience where he denied knowing Jesus and Matthew 26:75 tells us that "Peter remembered the words of Jesus...went out, and wept bitterly. One translation said that Peter cried painfully. There was a imprint on the mind of Peter that he could not forget!

I am sure there are many other examples we could use but I think you get the idea. What are some things that Christ has imprinted not only on your mind but in your heart? Growing up in a Christian home there are bible verses, songs, and Christian people that I will never forget. Sunday School teachers and church leaders that will always have a (good) lasting impression on my life. (I manage to forget about those experiences that was not quite so good.)

While I wait patiently for Easter Sunday I live in great expectation of tomorrow, remembering some good things about the past but looking for greater things in the future! Thank God that we can have "selected" memory.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13)"

What hurt me the most is...

2010-04-02T06:54:00.000-04:00

In reading the account in Matthew 27 this morning I wondered what hurt Jesus the most. Was it when they tied him and led him to Pilate, the governor? Was it when he heard that Judas had hanged himself? Was it the cry of the people to crucify him? Was it the beating with whips? Was it the crowning with a crown of thorns? Was it when the people bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King, of the Jews!" Was it when some spit on him? Was it when some of the soldiers "cast lots" for his clothing? Was it the insults from the people that walked by and said, "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!" Or was it the nailing Jesus to the cross that hurt Him the most?

I have heard folks say "What hurt me the most is..." But no where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." He was willing to suffer for you and for me that we might have everlasting life.

I am glad that Jesus didn't just dwell on his hurts but when "He was on the cross I was on his mind."

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:6 & 7 KJV)

What Are They Pouring?

2010-04-01T03:01:00.000-04:00

Jesus sat down with his disciples for the Passover meal. During the course of the evening Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Then he did a very symbolic thing in taking a cup, probably pouring into the cup, thanked God for it and gave it to his followers. Another part of that passage of scripture do tell us that Jesus "poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet (John 13:5)."

Now that is strictly my imagination that Jesus "poured into the cup" but it is not my imagination that Jesus poured water into the bowl nor into the lives of his disciples during the evening meal. In fact Jesus had spent the last three and a half years "pouring into" the lives of his disciples His teachings.

I am hesitant to name "my hero's of faith" but one of them was my dad. He poured into my life the first 35 years of my life. There are others that are "pouring" into my life daily. Some I know personally, others by just an acquaintance, and others that I personally do not know but I read behind some of their great and inspiring writings.

The wine that was being poured into the cup is symbolic of His blood and the water poured into the bowl was symbolic of a cleansing. My question during Holy Week for you is do you have someone "pouring" into your life? Maybe a family member or a friend?

I encourage you to look around and find those that can pour into your life good things.

Being a Good Example

2010-03-31T06:26:00.000-04:00

I have been blessed with great people in my life to be able to follow their example. But this was and is not the situation for everyone. The last week of Jesus' journey on earth before his crucifixion we hear him telling the crowds and his followers about the scribes (teachers of the law) and the Pharisees. About how their lives are not good examples to follow. About how they do things to be seen of others. Jesus does not stop there. He goes farther in calling them hypocrites and speaks of how they are hindering people that wants to enter the kingdom of heaven, from entering.

It seems like that through out the scriptures God warns us of people like the scribes and Pharisees. "How their lives are not good examples to follow". I believe that the Apostle Paul challenges us to examine our lives to know that we are of God. I wonder what Jesus would be saying about some of us, if we lived in this setting over 2000 years ago?

My prayer this morning during Holy Week is that during our journey here on earth that we will indeed be that good example for others to follow.

Making Every Minute Count

2010-03-29T06:05:00.000-04:00

Making every minute count is on my mind this morning as I study the life of Christ during Holy Week. One of the first things that Jesus did upon entering the city was he went to the temple. There he found things happening that was displeasing to him and states "It is written My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (or a hideout for robbers)." Fortunately Jesus did not just turn around and walk out because of what was happening in the temple, but after dealing with those that was buying and selling in the temple, he begin to heal the blind and the lame that came to him there in the temple.

I have heard all of my life the story of Jesus going into the temple and casting out all them that sold and bought in the temple, overturning the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves in the temple. This always seems to be the emphasis place on this scripture. But in studying this week, the last week of the life of Christ on earth, I was reminded that this is not all that he did on this visit to the temple. He healed the blind and the lame and listened to the children cry out "Hosanna to the son of David".

In fact he leaves the temple that evening, goes to Bethany for the night, and returns early the next morning to begin teaching in the temple. On the way back he teaches a lesson on faith and prayer and says, And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. It sounds like to me that Jesus made good use of his time and made every minute count during His journey as the true Lamb of God! Have a bless day!

Holy Week

2010-03-28T06:54:00.000-04:00