Don’t Let a Wishbone Grow Where a Backbone Should Be

Don’t Let a Wishbone Grow Where a Backbone Should Be

     We were at Grandma's apartment.  Our 3 yr old daughter was surveying every nook and cranny.  That's when I saw it.  She had a small metal object that she was trying to stick into an electric outlet.  My yell froze her in her tracks just before she reached the power.  I had saved my daughter but my Mom was furious that I had scared the socks off of my daughter.  She chewed me out royally.

     Though I thought she was going to call the police about her child-abusing son, she didn't.  Eventually our visit turned out OK.  But the contrast between the closeness of danger and the need to warn the one living dangerously was a mini foretaste of my life's future.

     Christianity has unbelievable benefits in this life and indescribable rewards for all eternity.  All of these are furnished by an awesome loving God who made the toughest love choice beyond all imagination:  "Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?"  (Romans 8:32, TLB)  I wouldn't have chosen you over my child.  You wouldn't have chosen anyone over your child, would you?  But God did!

     So take a little time travel with me.  Let's travel back to Jerusalem to the time just after God's Son was horribly crucified.  We arrive 7 weeks later on the day of Pentecost.  Jesus had already risen and rode a cloud to Heaven.  This is the Sunday when God's Holy Spirit filled the apostles ~ empowering them beyond all human capabilities.

     With the in-dwelt Holy Spirit, Peter did what Jesus had told him to do... turn from the wicked denying of Jesus and help strengthen the others.  So Peter did just that and preached the 1st sermon since Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension.  In Acts 2 his sermon is recorded.

     Now, let's glance back to my Mom's apartment, and my warning scream at my daughter's dangerous close call.  Just as I feared her action had to be stopped at all costs, the Holy Spirit inspired Peter that his audience had to change their ways at all cost.

     Anyone who reads Peter's sermon, even if only casually, will note that his message was a "barn-burner."  It was full of facts, evidences and heavy guilt laying.  Even more, it was to a massive crowd of thousands, who as a nation, had caused Jesus' crucifixion.

     How do we know that he screamed a warning?  Here was His final point: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

     Back to my little girl.  Remember she froze in her tracks and was spared from the close danger?  So ~ here is what Peter's audience said, "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  They were frozen in their tracks.

     Peter's powerfully-delivered sermon now had a Holy Spirit specific invitation:  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  (Acts 2:38-39, NASB)

     As Peter looked at the crowd he hammered home their need to be saved:"With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." (Acts 2:40, NASB)

     So, the crowd having heard his message, believed they had crucified God's Son, were touched to the heart, repented and were immersed to have their sins forgiven and to receive the Holy Spirit to live within.  3,000 of them that day.

     Now let's time travel to 2020.  Preachers nearly everywhere, when asked how a person can be saved, say, "Pray this prayer after me."  When the prayer is completed, they'll conclude with, "Now you're a Christian and the Holy Spirit lives within you." 

     Huh?  What the?  Why didn't the preacher use Peter's words?  "Repent and be baptized to have your sins forgiven."  We need to note a subtle, malicious and utterly dangerous, even eternally deadly, twist that has happened in the last 50 years.

     Far too many churches have hired preachers who have short-changed the Gospel.  Audiences are coaxed into coming forward and praying to receive Salvation.

     Excuse me?  Did the person repent?  Nobody knows because they were not instructed to repent.  Why wasn't repentance preached?  Because the preacher would have had to preach against sin first.  But it takes spiritual guts to tell an audience they are sinful.  When Peter had told them how sinful they were then they repented. 

     When I was ordained to preach, three Elders gave me the following charge to which I had to respond, "I will," or "I will not."  "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."  (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NASB)

     The Apostle Paul had done just that over his entire ministry:  "Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God."  (Acts 20:26-27, NASB)

     I vividly recall a sin-infested believer who crunched knees in his balcony pew in his hurry to run to the front and fall on his knees when the invitation was given.  It sent chills dancing up and down my spine. 

     I still can see, on another day, a middle-aged believer who was so convicted by her sinfulness she came up on the stage in the middle of the sermon and begged for forgiveness.

     Are these true stories duplicated today?  Are they?  What's your answer?

     Why do preachers today often say, "And finally"...as they're close to ending their sermon?  To me it is a lazy habit, kind of like saying, "I know you're tired of listening, so I'm almost done."

     God wants His preachers to not slowly conclude the sermon.  He wants them to build to a crescendo and invite the audience to respond.

     Do you know how the most successful salespeople get the sale?  They build up to a crescendo and ask for the response and then shut up.  Do you know why?  The rule of thumb is.. .at that exact moment... he who speaks first loses. 

     Its the same with preaching.  Ministers need to give a moving invitation with the audience standing, have an invitation song and expect a response.  Too many ministers prefer a softer approach and simply close with prayer.

     How did the most listened to minister in the last 100 years end his sermons?  Billy Graham demanded repentance and closed every sermon with a heart-grabbing song as he bowed his head and prayed for a response.

     Did the Bible preachers close their messages with, "Please bow your heads as we pray...?"  No way! 

     While Paul was imploring Felix to stop sinning and become a Christian ~ Felix became terrified and ordered Paul to quit preaching. 

     "But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”  (Acts 24:25, NASB)

     Paul was in prison and might have been freed had he paid a bribe to King Felix.  Instead Paul preached the 3 concerns of the Holy Spirit with a gigantic but sadly disappointed response.  King Felix was absolutely terrified.  In the Greek this is a pregnant word meaning horribly afraid, fearful. 

     The great men of God in the first part of the 20th Century preached dynamically against sinful life styles and demanded repentance.  They were known as hellfire and brimstone preachers.  Baptistries immersed countless crowds of Jesus' believing, repentant sinners throughout the land.

     But... what has happened in the last 50 years?  Preachers have fallen far short of the Biblical examples.  But why?

     Here's what Paul warned: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3, NASB)

     I wonder how many Preachers today preach the whole counsel of God?  It would seem that they would study what Paul preached to Felix and also Jesus' statement as to what the Holy Spirit wanted preached.

"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;" (John 16:8, NASB)

     So aren't Holy Spirit-led ministers to preach so as to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment today also?

     There's a joke that depicts some preachers.  A preacher sat in the men's meeting and heard the men wrangling over re-shingling the church roof.  A number of the men wanted green shingles but another big group wanted black.  They couldn't reach a decision so they put it off until the next scheduled meeting.

     Shortly after the minister got home an elder who wanted green shingles dropped by and expounded on all the merits of having green shingles. W hen he was done the minister said, "You're right. You're absolutely right."  Later that day an elder from the black shingle group dropped by and expounded on all the merits of having black shingles.  When he was done the minister said, "You're right.  You're absolutely right."  The man left.

     When they were alone, his wife said, "When the man wanted the green shingles you told him, "You're right.  You're absolutely right."  But then when the man wanted black shingles was here you said, "You're right.  You're absolutely right."

     She continued "I think you're nothing but a compromisor." The preacher replied to her, "You're right.  You're absolutely right."

     Grammarist says to preach without compromising is, "...to speak the unvarnished truth, to speak plainly and without embellishment and without softening the hard realities of that truth."

Isaiah 5:20 written 600 BC describes the 2020 world:

     "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,

       who replace darkness with light and light with darkness,

       who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter."

     The Passion Translation footnote to this passage explains "Their moral code is reversed as sin is accepted as something good.  Not content to abandon what is good, they must label it as evil.  Those who abandon the absolute standards of God’s Word will find a reversal of every true virtue.  Good is mocked and evil is embraced.  Light is ridiculed and darkness is worn like a cloak. The sweetness of God is called bitter; the bitterness of sin is called sweet."

     A while back I received an invite to preach at a church as the minister was scheduled to be out of town and it was unlikely that he'd return in time.  I wasn't familiar with the minister but felt that due to the current state of the world, I'd preach the same subject as the Apostle Paul did to King Felix, viz, Sin, Righteous Living and the Judgment to come.  I called it the "A, B, C's of Sin.

     I pointed out how broad spread lust and immorality are today.  Like pornography, dating sites, and unspeakable acts that would make Sodom and Gomorrah blush.  I used a clip from the Internet that read, "So here are the numbers for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil,... the International Olympic Committee will be distributing 350,000 condoms, 100,000 female condoms, and 175,000 packets of lube to 10,500 athletes who will stay in the Olympic Village for 17-day long Olympic Games, which amounts to an average 2.5 condoms per athlete per day."

     Considering Righteous Living I pointed out that huge crowds of people are living so unrighteously that Sexually Transmitted Infections are explosively prevalent everywhere.

     Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• More than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide.
• "Each year, there are an estimated 376 million new infections." (Wellness Center)

     Then I shared God's standards as each of us approaches eternity. Heaven or Hell is a choice. 

     Head towards Heavens: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:22-24, NASB)

     Head towards Hell: "It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community.  I could go on.  "This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know.  If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom."  (Galatians 5:19-21, MSG)

     After the Invitation I went to the exit door to greet people as they left.  Mark, who had invited me to preach, was the first.  He warmly thanked me and stood near by.  Suddenly a man stormed up and confronted me almost nose to nose.  "How dare you come here and preach like that.  I am furious at you and will warn other churches so they'll never invite you!"  Sternly he thundered down the steps and out into the dark Winter night.

     I glanced at Mark who said, "That's our preacher. He got back early."  Then a few more people came out and were pleasant.  A middle-aged, thin woman came slowly towards me.  Her face was ashen and covered with tears.  Her eyes were red and she paused as she took my hand with both of hers.  Tears still trickling she said, "I thank God for your sermon.  We have needed that for a long, long time."  She gave my hand a strong squeeze and quietly headed down the stairs.

     I asked Mark if he knew who she was. I will never, ever forget his exact response: "She's the preacher's wife." 

The Great Judgment Day

T. Marshall Kelly

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Faster Than Immediately

Faster Than Immediately

     Let me go back to a time when I was a bit younger. I had resigned my ministry and had experienced some incidents to which I reacted poorly.  I grew discouraged and before long I was staying away from family, friends and missed some church services.  But then a series of events occurred.

     First I received an unexpected phone call.  "Larry, I'd like you to preach this Sunday night as I'm sick."  It was from the senior minister of a large church.  He had been my mentor earlier in life.

     I was speechless.  I didn't feel worthy to preach to others when my head was so messed up.  But he was the one person to whom I could never say No.

     I knew before I'd get up and preach I needed to get my heart in tune with my Lord.  I knelt and prayed confessing to God that I was essentially back-slidden and ashamed of myself.  For most of a day I prayed over and over for a second chance.  I read Scripture. Listened to gospel songs and prayed some more.  Then I fell asleep.

     When I awoke Saturday I felt humbled and unsure of what to preach.  Should I use an old sermon?

     I prayed for guidance.  Then, it was almost like a voice in my soul, Preach on "Does God Give Second Chances."  It was clear the Lord wanted me to give my heart fully back to him and He wanted me to share with the audience that He is all about second chances.  And third.  And fourth.  And ...

     So I began preparing the message.  I was led to a passage in Luke 22:31-32 that became my text.

     “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

     This moved my heart dynamically.  Here Jesus told Peter that he was going to be tossed around by Satan (which he was and denied Jesus three times).  But then I saw the most awesome words from Jesus to Peter:  "And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  Hallelujah!  The Master told Peter you're going to get another chance.  Turn back to following me and strengthen others.

     Now I knew the Lord was exhorting me to return in fullness of faith and get busy strengthening others.

     Sunday night when I stood behind the pulpit I felt renewed and uplifted.  As I began I noticed the "sick" senior minister was in the audience.  It was a large audience and they were very receptive.  And the Holy Spirit was moving in a powerful way both in my heart but also in the audience. 

     When the Invitation was given to "return to the Lord if you've drifted away.  He will give you another chance."  26 people responded - which was more than I had ever experienced after any other sermon.

     But now I want to tell you the rest of the story.  When I got home my wife and I prayed that I'd give my life back to full-time ministering for God and never stop.  We hit the sheets late that Sunday night.

     And that's when it happened.  The Holy Spirit orchestrated a simultaneous occurrence.  While we slept a Christian man who lived 475 miles away was dispatched to drive to our home.  He was on a mission with a message.

     Early Monday morning I left to go to work.  It was shortly after that when my wife heard a knock on our door.  At the door stood Brother Bullock, a Christian man whom I had only met once ... years ago.  He had driven all night long to give us an invitation to minister to the church where his daughter attended.

     My wife called me and excitedly shared the news.  I was absolutely convicted and knew, not only was the Lord giving me a second chance, He heard and answered our prayers faster than immediately.

     Two weeks later we accepted the offer and moved to begin our new ministry.

     So, if you feel separated from the Lord, drifting instead of marching and uncertain of your eternal future, please do something right now.  God will give you a second chance and as many more chances as it takes to bring you home.

     Jesus uses a metaphor of an earthly father with a son who strayed, left home and became a full prodigal.  But then He says the son realized his sorry condition and knew he needed to go back home to his Father.  So he began the long trek.  But as he put one sandal in front of the other he was uncertain what was waiting over the next hill.

     Jesus supplies the answer to the prodigal's wondering about how his Dad would greet him.  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."   Don't ever doubt that your Heavenly Father isn't anxiously yet patiently waiting with wide open arms to hug you and welcome you home. 

Lord, I Need You

Matt Maher



Please write and ask for spiritual or emotional support

 or to comment on this article send an email to: 

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They Wouldn't Let Her Say Goodbye

They Wouldn't Let Her Say Goodbye

     Have you ever been discouraged, depressed, given up hope, felt like walking away, felt suicidal?  Sometimes that happens to school teachers, healthcare people, lawyers, entertainers, ministers, counselors, mothers, fathers, elderly, youth and people in all walks of life.

     Even our pets experience some of these symptoms.  Wild animals also. Zoologists noted that a chimpanzee mother will carry her dead baby chimp for a week or more.  A lioness kept returning to the clearing where she'd been with her mate when a trophy hunter killed him and took him away.  Mother whales grieve over the death of their newborn or companion and their screams are heard miles away deep in the ocean.

     Every year thousands of deer, elk, and other herding animals are shot by hunters.  Do you think these animals are missed by their mates or offspring?  Do you have any idea what year in the last century had the fewest deer killed?  According to varied sources it was 1943.  Why that year?  It was the year following the release of Walt Disney's Bambi movie. Bambi was a most enjoyable animated mule deer who, in his first winter, saw his mother shot and killed by a hunter.  The grieving Bambi so impacted children and even some adults that many hunters chose to not hunt that season.

     How many stories have been written and songs been sung about a family's pet dog who died or who survived its master.  Tears have been shed that time doesn't remove.

     We are now in the midst of a global pandemic that is resulting in the death of large numbers of people.  Many countries have enacted laws requiring its citizens to self-quarantine themselves.  Story after sad story shows seniors in nursing centers having to wave at their children and grandchildren through the windows as family cannot enter the building.  Sorrowfully for some of those seniors it will be their last wave.  It is the same in most all of the hospitals.  It is horribly obvious if your loved one is infected and transported to a hospital to remember two things: You won't be allowed to accompany or visit them, and you might as well say, "I love you and goodbye," as you may never see them again in this life.

     It is so sad that in some places funerals are not even held as the number of corpses pile up and are being mass cremated according to some sources.  Centenarians are saying, "In all of my 100 years I've never seen anything like this and I pray we'll never see it again."

     I think that 4-letter word has gripped the whole world:  FEAR.  When Jesus walked the earth he slept in a boat that carried his disciples into a horrendous storm.  The storm was seismic in effect causing the boat to be bounced around like a fumbled football.  Though some of them were fishermen by trade, fear gripped them all: "The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25, NIV)  

     Jesus dealt with it by asking them why they were fearful and then he ordered the storm to stop.  And it did  The poet wrote: "The disciples were tossed on a cold raging sea.  But Jesus was sleeping so peacefully. They cried master Oh don't you care that we die?  He spoke these soft words peace be still.  It was the storm that had to die."  

     This pandemic has troubled the world to such an extent that fear, hopelessness and unrequited grief are ubiquitous.  "See you later," isn't heard much.  Tomorrow is as uncertain as the promised check in the mail.  Dreariness arises before the sun in many minds.  Hope clashes with dismay.  But...

     Don't give up hope no matter how bad things seem today because "It is the storm that has to die!"

     Here are some song videos that help with desperate moments.  They will encourage you to not be afraid, not give up hope and trust in the Lord.  I've selected song videos with lyrics so you'll have no trouble understanding the words as you watch.

     This song will lessen your fear and strengthen your faith.  Jesus wants you to not give up.  

"The God On The Mountain" 

Sung by Lynda Randall

     Here is a song that reaches those who feel alone, and have considered doing something desperate. Jesus wants to help you today.  

"You Raise Me Up" 

Sung by Selah

     Have you been told you're not going to make it?  Eternity is knocking at your door.  Do you want to tell your loved ones but don't know how.  Is there a final message you want them to hear?   

"When I'm Gone" 

Sung by Joey and Rory ... just before her death

     Have you lost a loved one.  You feel so empty and alone.  Death is so final.  How you wish you could have just a few moments more... just a few.

"To Say Goodbye" 

Sung by Joey and Rory

     Each of these videos are sung by a human being who has flaws and is not perfect.  Each has chosen to trust the Lord Jesus to forgive their sins and help them in their daily walk on this planet and then carry them home to Heaven for all eternity.  Please, in these fearful times, consider yielding to the Lord Jesus Christ.

"He Will Carry You" 

Sung by Scott Wesley Brown

     And for those who still have doubts ...  

"Jesus Saves" 

Sung by Candy Christmas and David Phelps

Please write and ask for spiritual or emotional support or to comment
on this article send an email to: GodApplause@gmail.com

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It is only $3.99 and makes an ideal heart-touching gift during these troubling times!

County-Wide Scream

County-Wide Scream

     It was a sunny day and windless which made it feel especially hot for a farm on the Oregon Coast.  The farm had about 50 Guernsey and Holstein milk cows and calves and a 1,400 pound Guernsey Bull called Pat.

     I was in my sophomore year working my way through high school on Jack McDonald's dairy farm.  Jack was a true father-figure-role model.  He was the first person I ever heard say grace before meals.  I never heard a single swear word or any unkindness either.  His physique reminded me of a smaller version of the incredible hulk.  He both farmed and logged and was a bit introverted and often communicated with just a nod, smile or gesture.

     Jack also had a sense of humor that sprang up out of the blue.  It made even tense situations calm.  I still recall my first day milking cows.  I was carrying an 86 pound, 10 gallon milk can to the cooler when I tripped and spilled the milk into the creek.  I froze...thinking I'm such a klutz he'll fire me on the spot.

     Jack looked at me with a deadpan face...just about melting me.  Then he smiled broadly and laughed jovially.  "Larry, it's no use crying over spilt milk."  That was an adage as old as the sun, but boy, just like a cow's tail, it swished my stress away.

     Pat, the Bull was staked in the ground with a 20-foot-long- steel cable holding him by a ring in his nose.  He could graze and was relocated when needed.  My boss also anchored him to a deeper stake next to the creek for drinking water.

     I'd seen my boss lead Pat to the creek and or new grazing areas several times.  So, in my eagerness to earn my keep I decided I would take Pat to the creek today.  I unhooked Pat's cable from the stake in his grazing spot and, holding the steel cable tightly, led him down the hillside to the edge of the creek.  Unaware that Jack had just come around the barn corner and was watching, I bent over to hook the cable in the creek-side stake.

     The loudest scream I've ever heard filled the whole county. "Look Out Larry!"  It was Jack's voice and instantly I glanced toward his voice and saw death above me.  The giant- three-quarter-ton bull was up on his hind legs starting to come down on my back.  He would have pummeled me to death instantly.  Immediately I rolled sideways over and over as Pat's front hooves slammed into the ground beside me.

     I was shaking so badly I couldn't even say Thank You.  I learned two valuable lessons that day: Never turn your back on a wild animal.  Bulls have a horrid reputation which they've earned many times over.  It is not wise to ignore a wild or angry critter.

     Better yet was the 2nd Lesson: the Lord often uses people to do His will.  The old story about the man complaining to God that He didn't rescue him from his trauma though he prayed over and over expresses this well.  Heaven's reply was - I sent your neighbor to help you...but you didn't accept him.  Then I sent the fireman - but you turned him down encapsulates this lesson well.  The Lord uses His created beings to do His will.

     He certainly caused my boss to rescue me from instant death for which I'm forever thankful.

     My wife and I watched a true story of a woman, along with her dog, who parked her car at the trailhead and then hiked into a rocky terrain.  A little over a mile in she fell and was injured badly enough that she could barely crawl.  Talk about desperation.  It was scorching hot and she only had a small container of water.  She'd also dropped her cell phone when she fell and couldn't reach it.

     She knew that she'd be missed at home but how would anyone find her out here?  Her dog stayed by her side.  Then the shadows darkened the hillsides and the temperature dropped and chills ran through her body.

     Back home her family had notified authorities and rescue people began a search but darkness shut them down for the night.  The next morning her car was spotted and the search began.  But where was she?  Which direction had she gone?  For hours rescuers scoured the area...but could not find her.  The day grew hotter and her water ran out.  Then she pondered...could my dog help me?

     She looked him squarely in his eyes and said, "Go ~ find help." She gestured to him.  Then she collapsed from the fatigue, pain and lack of sleep.

     At the trailhead rescue camp the chief saw a Golden Labrador coming towards him.  He wondered where he had come from but was interrupted by a question from another rescuer.  Then the Lab came up to the chief, wagged his tail and darted back up the trail and then suddenly paused, turned and looked back at the chief.

     But the chief just looked back at the grid search map.  So the Lab came back to him and nudged his leg and then darted back up the same direction.  The chief said, "I think he is wanting us to follow him."  They set out behind the dog who would run way ahead stopping every little bit and looking back at them.  3 1/2 hours later the Lab turned down the hillside and wagged his tail at them to follow.  In about 20 more minutes they found the woman when the dog led them to her side.  She was rescued.

     The Lord uses a variety of created beings and inanimate objects to work his plans.

     (1)  Balaam's donkey saw an angel blocking the road and after Balaam beat him 3 different times it still obeyed the Lord and refused to go past the angel.  Then the Lord gave the donkey a voice with which to chew out Balaam and tell him God's message.  (Numbers 22:21-39)

     (2)  Moses had fled from Pharaoh and was hiding near Mt. Sinai. Suddenly he saw an angel in flames of fire in a bush that didn't burn up. (Exodus 3:1-6)

     (3)  Jonah was disobedient and fled from God into a ship. God caused a great storm to imperil the ship.  The crewmen threw Jonah overboard.  But he didn't drown he was swallowed by a whale that vomited him on land 3 days later.  (Jonah 1:1-17)

     (4)  Jewish leaders jealously told Jesus to silence the praising crowd as he rode on a donkey into Jerusalem.  Jesus responded, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:40

     (5)  When Pharaoh's army was chasing Israel to the Red Sea's edge God's angel placed the cloud pillar between Israel and the Egyptians.  It was pitch dark on the Egyptian's side and bright and shiny for the Israelites for the entire night.  During the night the Lord brought a fierce east wind causing the waters to divide and drying out the river bed.  In the morning Israel walked across on dry ground with a wall of water on their left and right and got away safely.  (Exodus 14:19-22)

     (6)  When Israel was besieged and captured by the Babylonians the invaders grabbed the gold and silver goblets from the temple.  King Belshazzar gave a great banquet and drank wine from them.  As they drank they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.  But suddenly the banquet was silenced as a human hand appeared on the wall and wrote a death message to the king. (Daniel 5:1-30)

     Have you experienced someone or something unusual that caught your attention?  Have you sensed that you were being helped as you stumbled through a difficult situation?  Were you in a car wreck far from town and hurt badly ~ only to discover that the driver in the car right behind you was a Trauma physician?  Did your Golden Labrador save your child from drowning...when you couldn't get there quickly enough?

     Are these all just coincidences?  Luck?  Happenstance?  Or was the Lord whispering softly: "I'm trying so hard to get your attention.  Come Home my child!"

     For God says, 'Your cry came to me at a favorable time, when the doors of welcome were wide open.  I helped you on a day when salvation was being offered.'  Right now God is ready to welcome you.  Today he is ready to save you."  (2 Corinthians 6:2, TLB)

     Today  the world is battling a horrid pandemic.  Some are turning to or returning to their spiritual roots.  Sadly, faith in the Creator, has been so horribly assaulted by our world's cultures that many don't have a clue how to seek His love nor realize that this life is a preparation for our future destination.

     If you're  anxious, fearful, ill, uncertain of the future and not sure if you'll make it another day ~ write and ask for spiritual or emotional support or prayer.  One very dear woman wrote, "I think of you often and remember all the help you gave me during a really dark couple of times.  In fact I do believe you saved my life."

     Each of us needs to realize that there is an Eternity ahead for which we should prepare.  A wise man, when considering his future, said "He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave."

     There's that soft voice again: "I'm trying so hard to get your attention.  Come Home my child!"

Didn't I Walk On The Water

The Dunaways

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I'm Still Hugging The Holy Spirit

I'm Still Hugging The Holy Spirit

     An opportunity arose for us to broadcast a half-hour program on a local radio station.  Our church was in its infancy and funds were very limited.  We approached Heaven's throne to receive the go-ahead.  After a few days I felt the Lord's assurance that He would supply the funds, so we signed the agreement.

     Then we began praying that the Holy Spirit would lead curious, honest folks to listen.  At the end of the first message we offered free in-home Bible Study videos.

     The next evening our home phone rang.  A local woman asked about having the in-home Bible study.  It was obvious that at least one person had heard the program.  We made an appointment for my wife and I to show her the first video.  Then we began to pray earnestly that she would be a receptive-hearted woman.

     When we met Carolyn she was so cordial and intensely interested that I wished I could hug the Holy Spirit for making this connection.  She had two very young children: Alan and Paula. Carolyn had just recovered from a serious illness and was concerned about her soul's relationship with the Lord.

     I watched her eyes and countenance as the Bible story was playing.  I was astounded when I asked if she had any questions ~ ~ she had a basket full.  She was one of the most perceptive and intelligent people I'd ever met.  We scheduled the next session and left with our hearts full of joy.

     Scripture records the Apostle Peter's very first sermon:

     "When they heard this they were crushed and realized what they had done to Jesus.  Deeply moved, they said to Peter and the other apostles, “What do we need to do, brothers?”

     "Peter replied, “Repent and return to God, and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to have your sins removed.  Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For God’s promise of the Holy Spirit is for you and your families, for those yet to be born and for everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts 2:36-39, TPT)

     Over the next few weeks we completed the studies and read Peter's words to her.  Then she asked, "Can you immerse me?"  The videos had explained God's Plan of Salvation and she believed that Jesus was God's Son, that she no longer wanted to sin against God and wanted to complete her conversion.

     After the baptism Carolyn and her children came to every service: three times a week.  And her curiosity increased and increased.  At the end of any sermon she would quiz us about anything that wasn't absolutely clear to her.  In the adult Sunday School class she kept a notebook of each week's Bible questions and answered them as we worked through the Acts of the Apostles.

     As we walk down life's pathway we meet many people.  Some are more special than others.  She was that kind of a special Christian.  We were not the only ones who felt she was a dear soul.  She invited many town's folks to the services because she was adored in the community.

     Soon Carolyn brought a teenage girl with her.  We learned it was her sister, Lauri.  A week or two later she brought a senior woman ~ her mother, Edith.  Then she brought a woman who owned a laundry in town.  Over a period of six months or so Lauri and Edith both were converted.

     Carolyn was a superb author and entered several contests for writing the best story for a chance to win a prize.  She was so good she won several of them.  This led to the local newspaper hiring her as a reporter.  Faithful to the Lord she used the opportunity to spread the good news whenever she could.

     Carolyn's husband owned a race car and she was the treasurer for the local racing association.  So some of the other driver's wives began to attend with her.   I befriended her husband but he was "too busy" to go to church.  I went a step further and worked on his race car with him and attended a couple of his races.  For some reason it made no difference.  To this day I don't know if he ever yielded to the Lord.

     It was just a pain in her side when she made the doctor appointment.  But it was more than a painful nerve or muscle that he found.  This sweet woman had pancreatic cancer and after a few months went to her eternal home where I'm sure the Lord hugged her and said, "Well done. Welcome home."   I look forward to seeing her when I cross that final river.

     I marveled about a few things.  What if the radio station didn't have a program time available?  What if we hadn't been able to pay for it?  What if she hadn't heard the broadcast?  What if she hadn't just recovered from her illness which sparked the interest in her soul?  What if we hadn't heard the phone call?  But most of all - How many other Carolyns are there out in our neighborhoods just waiting to connect with us?

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Plan of Salvation

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Wrapped In His Loving Arms

Wrapped In His Loving Arms

     A while back I was preaching in a small town where only about 2,300 people lived.  I set out to make a personal call to each family inviting them to church.  I knew it would take some time but I put one foot in front of the other and got at it.

     After a few months I'd reached most of the town and I needed a boost.  My shoes were nearly worn out but the church wasn't flooded with new folks.  It was on a Tuesday morning I prayed for that lift, "Heavenly Father ~ please lead me to someone new who needs the gospel."

     I spent the early part of the day working on Sunday's sermon.  Then, with my wife and little girl, we drove out into the country to have dinner with a church family on their farm.

     On the way home the car coughed and sputtered and ran out of gas.  We coasted to a stop on the edge of the gravelly country road.  It was just getting dark but my wife recognized just where we were.  She said, "That's the graveyard!"   Her nerves were frazzled and she didn't like being stuck next to a cemetery.

     Trying to allay her fears and our little daughter's I said, "I'll hurry in to town - there's a gas station about 2 or 3 miles from here.  It won't take me long."

     I had only gone about a half mile when a car pulled along side of me.  "Do you need help Sir?"

     Embarrassed I told them I'd run out of gas.

     They said, "C'mon, we'll take you."  He opened the door and stepped out of his 2-door Chevy Bel Air coupe to let me get in.  I crawled in and sat on some cardboard as the backseat was missing.

     They were a young couple.  Married a year ago and expecting their first in 3 months.  I instantly liked them.  David and Connie had just moved here from out of state and were living with his mother and brother in a mobile home.

     I asked where their mobile home was.

     They chuckled, "Our house is out in the boonies and that horrendous thunderstorm last weekend caused a flood that washed our access bridge out.  Now we've got to drive an extra mile up to the next county road and come in from the back side."

     Dave turned into the gas station and pulled up to the pumps.  I climbed out and before going inside turned and said, "Thanks so very much for helping me.  I can make it from here."

     Instead of driving off Connie said, "Oh No, we're taking you back to your car."

     So I got the gas can and they drove me to my car and waited until it started and we were able to head to the station.  They followed us all the way.  I gave them a big wave when they left.  It wasn't until later that night that it dawned on me.  I told my wife, "You know what...I prayed this morning that the Holy Spirit would lead me to someone new today.  And He just did."

     We both began praying for Dave and Connie and for wisdom to know just how to proceed.  And the Lord provided the plan.

     I knew just where the washed out bridge had been as the local radio station had broadcast it the day after the thunderstorm.  Midday Saturday we bought a gallon of ice cream and headed to find their mobile home.

     When we pulled up on their lot they warmly greeted us. We spent a couple of hours sharing stories and eating ice cream.  Dave's mom was really special and his brother was a prince of a man.  Before we left we invited them to church.  I had brought a brochure about an in-home Bible study series and offered to share it with them.  All four of them said they'd really like that and also wanted to visit the church.

     The four of them showed up Sunday morning and from that moment on they attended the services regularly, studied the Bible videos and were immersed. 

     Following this I marveled at God's unique timing: If we hadn't run out of gas ~ ~ If they hadn't just moved in  ~ ~  If we hadn't taken ice cream ~ ~ I praise the Lord today for directing the path to their conversion. 

"Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends.  With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.  God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness.  He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost.  He’s giving everyone space and time to change." (2 Peter 3:8-9, MSG)

     Thank you Lord for giving these 4 Eternal Souls space and time to become Christians.  Now they are wrapped in Your loving arms.

Michael W Smith

Mighty To Save

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From A Rut To A Tear Fest

From A Rut To A Tear Fest

     Linda caught me as I headed to my counseling office in the back of the church.  "You've got to do something about Marlene she gives me lip every time I try to get her to follow my advice.  After all, I am in charge of the primary Sunday School classes."

     As her words sunk in I recalled that she seemed to get perturbed periodically.  I tried to recall the last time I saw her smile, let alone laugh.  One of the leaders had said, "I think Linda was baptized in lemon juice."

     I went to the Lord in prayer as I was feeling Linda wasn't the only member uptight right then.  I asked for wisdom to help bring peace and tranquility to the whole church.  Then I waited for His answer.

     A couple of weeks later the Lord laid on my heart what needed to happen.  But it was so unique that I hesitated for a few days.  Church members often don't like change.  At least not a big dose of change.

     And the Lord had given me a huge dose of change.

     The common itinerary for Sunday mornings was 15 minutes of singing.  Followed by prayer, Scripture reading, a communion talk and song, service of communion, followed by a sermon, invitation song, prayer and dismissal.  But a big change was in store for next Sunday.

     The Praise Team led us in a couple of songs after which we began with prayer.  Then a video player performed a heart-warming DVD song onto our large screen.  I had tried to carefully select about 9 or 10 videos expressing the love of God, deep faith, forgiveness, prayer, thankfulness and so on.  I had begged the Lord to soften the hearts of the members as the songs were played.

     The audience watched and listened and some even sang along with the different songs.

     I earnestly prayed that what was coming next would be used by the Holy Spirit to change the atmosphere of the church.  I read the Scripture the Lord had laid on my soul a week ago:

“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God."  (Matthew 5:23-24, MSG)

     We still had communion service to go and so I read this Scripture and said, "In preparation for continuing our worship by taking Communion I challenge you to ponder this teaching of Jesus and get up and go to anyone in the church with whom you have a problem, or who you know has one with you."

     Before I even sat down to pray movement was happening.  First just a couple of people left their pew and headed to make things right, then another, and before long I was hearing a lot of movement, crying, saw hugging and nearly every pew had activity.

     It's hard to recall how long this part of the service lasted but it was quite a while before we served Communion and dismissed.  I noticed people didn't leave but stood around and talked and hugged and hugged and hugged.

     By the way one visitor stood just before the dismissal prayer and she said "This was the most touching church service I've ever been in."

     Personally, I'll always remember that Linda came up and hugged me and never spoke a word as she wiped tears from her face.

     God is so good.  How often do we get in such a routine that we wouldn't dare try something so different from our norm.  Seems like I recall someone saying if you can't change the routine you're in a rut... and do you know what a rut is?  It is a grave with the ends knocked out.  A dictionary described a rut as, "a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change."

     Sometimes we become so predictable we don't give God's Holy Spirit any room or time to affect His purposes in our services.

Holy Spirit

Kim Walker-Smith

This song has been played more than 36 million times.

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