I FEEL GOOD IN MY SKIN

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

"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?

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

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

"...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"

(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

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?

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

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

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

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

"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

"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?

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...

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?

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

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

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

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' ride into Jerusalem.

The cheering was on! Many from different settings of life stood alone the roadside cheering as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. 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.

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"!