PAIN

I EXIST WITH PAIN EVERYDAY, I HAVE NO PROBLEM BEING A CHRISTIAN AND HAVING PAIN

WE COULD GET ALL INTELLECTUAL AND TRY TO EXPLAIN WHERE DOES PAIN COME FROM OR WHY DO CHRISTIANS SOMETIMES EXPERIENCE PAIN BUT, IN MY SIMPLE WAY; I”LL TELL YOU WHAT I THINK

SIN CAME INTO THE WORLD, DEATH FOLLOWED. Pain became a part of man”s existence.

NO ONE IS EXEMPT, ALL EXPERIENCE PAIN IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. A PERSON WHO SAYS HE DOES NOT IS A LIAR! THERE ARE THOSE WHO DENY, THOSE WHO REJECT AS MUCH AS THEY CAN AND THOSE WHO ACCEPT.

I DO NOT ACCEPT, BUT, I TRY NOT TO LIE EITHER. PAIN CAN BE PHYSICAL OR IT CAN BE EMOTIONAL BUT. THE BOTTOM LINE; IN THIS LIFE THERE IS PAIN

IN MY CONDITION OF BEING HANDICAPPED, I FEEL PAIN ON A DAILY BASIS, I COULD GIVE IN AND MOAN ABOUT IT OR GET UP AND ALLOW GOD TO USE ME THROUGH IT!

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL TYPES OF PAIN AND I’m HERE TO TELL YOU, IT”S THE WAY THEY HANDLE IT THAT COUNTS

HAVING PAIN OF ANY KIND DOES NOT MAKE YOU ANY LESS A CHRISTIAN BUT, WE DO SEE WHERE OUR LOYALTIES LAY.

GOD NEVER PROMISED US AN EASY LIFE BUT, HE DID SAY HE”D BE WITH US. THE REASON HE SAID THAT, HE KNEW WE WOULD HAVE ROUGH TIMES; OF MANY KINDS.

DEPRESSED, OUT OF SORT, OR IN A LOT OF PHYSICAL PAIN;SEEK HELP!

SOMETIMES IT DOES”NT COME OVER NIGHT, RELIEVE I MEAN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES AWILE, THE QUESTION IS; ARE YOU WILLING TO SUFFER IF NEED BE?

I’M NOT GOING TO LIE, I HATE PAIN BUT, WHAT I HATE THE MOST IS HAVING TO LIVE THROUGH IT OVER AND OVER.

WE CHOOSE TO BE A SLAVE TO A PAIN RIDDLED LIFE OR WE CHOOSE TO BE MASTER OVER IT!

LORD, WE ARE ALL CREATURE OF YOUR MAKING, A LOT OF US ARE IN A PAIN RIDDLED STATE; WE NEED YOU TO TOUCH OUR LIVES. HELP US I LRAY, DELIVER US TODAY. AMEN!!!


R.L.

In the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we sometimes forget the real reason we celebrate the season.

The liberals have tried to take His name from Christmas and replace it with happy holidays, but we must carry the torch!

The world has commercialized it and it’s all about getting presents, but we know the true meaning.

It” about God coming as a baby, knowing before He camel He would die

Imagine, the love it must have taken, knowing before hand the abuse and ridicule. How He loves us, thank God He came!

Through Him, all mankind has the opportunity to be saved. That’s why Satan hates His name so much.

We wonder why the world wants His name taken out of society, it’s because it’s in His name we are saved. The world is blinded and knows no better.

We have set aside this day to celebrate His birth, let’s remember who He is ans why he came.

Lord, help us to never! forget the true meaning of Christmas and let us tell all of His saving grace. Amen!!!

RL

It’s been cold here for a week, I try to stay `inside. The only problem is I feel like a prisoner.

Have you ever felt like a prisoner to something, locked in and no way out?

I have and let me tell you, it suck!

I got into a habit of dipping, it started out just a little every now and then. But, it soon engulfed my life. I felt, I had to have one or I’d freak out.

It had gotten so bad, I would go to sleep eith a dip in my mouth. I was hooked! This little substance had control over me.

During the stroke of 2005, the Lord supernaturally delivered me, I no longer dip. This is not the norm, usually one has to go through a procedure

One thing I have come to hate, something having control of my life.

I got real frustrated this week, I looked at my disadvantages and had a “Feel sorry for Ricky Day” It did not last long but as long as it lasted; I felt horrible.

I know staying inside is no big thing to you
But, to me it’s a biggie; I feel closed in and bored.

Maybe there’s a thing in your life that you’ve tried to shake it off, never give up; keep on trying

It may not be today, tomorrow or this year, don’t get discouraged; victory is around the bend.

Lord, we need your strength, to do that wich seems impossible. You are the God of the Possible, help us to see with eyes of faith; to believe and overcome!! Amen.


RL

I love this time of year, not too cold not to hot; just right.

It’s just before Thanksgiving, Paula my wife has already started cooking treats and snacks. On Thanksgiving day, all of our kids, grand kids and niece’s and nephews will be here. A houseful of relatives.

We will eat and get to full and then watch the children as they play.

I will set and listen as our girls talk about old times and then argue about some trivial point.

Then we we go back and eat some more and play games until it starts to get dark and parts of our family leaves. Since none of them are avid hunter, they stay until dark.

Then the following Saturday, we put up the Christmas tree. The two girls living at home, help my wife. It’s a joy to watch them put up the lights and ornaments

It’s so festive here, I love it. They say people who have been depressed, find it more depressing this time of year but, not me.

I love the season, the feeling in the air and all the activities.

The best is having our family together, I think it’s precious.

There is one thing I don’t like, since the stroke of 2005; I haven’t been able to eat my favorite food, roasted pecans.

Lord , during this time my heart goes out to those in foreign lands. Those who serve our country. Men and women who can’t be home. Bless each and everyone. Also here at home, those who are without a home, a family or a warm meal. Bless them all in Jesus name.

Amen!!!

RL

My heart goes out to the child that get bullied. So much aggravation and needless fears. These kinds of scares emotionally can change a person’s heart. To become black and cold. Talk about trust issues, a major problem Bullying is not new, it’s been around a long time. We just have more of it, so we pay more attention I know what I’m about to share, does not fit every situation When I was `12, I was only 3’ feet tall. I was picked on by a lot of kids. There was this one, who would pick me up over his head One day, he picked me up and thew me against the wall. I cried, people laughed and I felt humiliated. I swore that day no more. I had enough. I decided to stand up for myself no matter how it turned out. The next day, sure enough he came my way Before he picked me up, I shouted, meet me outside. We went outside and I drew a line in the sand I said, I dare you to step across the line, you might whip me but, you’ll know I was there. He looked at me bewildered, threw his hands at me and walked off. I was elated, I thought I was in for a beating. From that day on, no one picked on me. Some times a person just has to take a stand. Do what it takes, no matter what. So it is in our walk with God, we are always being pushed around. There comes a time we must say, enough’s enough. It hurts to lt someone go, it hurts to stand when all else is falling around you. Sometimes it hurts when the junk in our life keeps us from God, t’s time to let go and let God. Lord, we are full of stuff, we need You to remove all, so we can truly love and be loved! Amen!!! RL

Setting in my room as the sun shines in, my mind takes me to a time of innocence; a time almost forgot

It was when I was 15 and life was full of energy and exorbitance.

We were learning to drive and could taste freedom around the corner. No longer were we dependant on others to take us anywhere, we had our license and the world suddenly became a bit more available.

My brother gave me his old car and bought him another, I was ready to go. Ready to go anywhere. We are so juvenile in our thinking, one does not go off at age 15. First he must become skillful and master the art

So it is in our walk with the Lord, we must learn how to walk before we can run, we must have a proven track record.

When I first started driving, I ran in the ditch, into other cars and out of gas. At first my track record was not so good. But, as I continued to drive, it got better.

As a Christian, at first I was full of the Spirit and did not know what to do. I did some crazy things that gave me the reputation of being flaky.

Then I asked my pastor to teach me and as I matured in the faith, being mentored; I soon had a good track record.

Using wisdom in your walk with God or in any area of your life, will take you far.

Soon in my driving, I was driving everywhere, only because I had built up confidence and was not afraid.

So in my walk with the Lord, I had been mentored and traveled down many a road and no longer was I afraid

Lord, in our lives we need You to take us by the hand, via by someone else or through our own lives experiences. Help us to mature in Your most Holy Faith.

Amen!!!

RL

Sunday, our Youth did a program to honor our veterans, no; it wasn’t Veterans Day

It reminded me of the 6-8 grades, we had chapel once a week. It was like clockwork, we always sang patriotic songs .

I can remember songs and quotes from our forefathers, that we learned in chapel. Not only did we learn about American courage and how much our forefathers loved God, we heard the Bible being read

This was in the day that was not supposed to be. I wasn’t a Christian at the time but, I remember

Our school was one of the first to be integrated but, there was very little fighting. I look back now and I contribute that to the Godly man and women who were not afraid to teach us such things.

Today our schools are of a different time, our teachers are in a fight, just to make it through the day. There is no chapel to teach them the Word or about our forefathers. The kids of today know nothing of their Godly heritage, they are taught instead that our forefathers were heathen and agnostics.

As a church and parents, it’s up to us! To teach them all we know and some we don’t. Mostly we need to teach them the Word and proper conduct.

The buck stops at home, we can blame the school, the church but, it starts at home

Lord, help us to teach our kids and yes grandkids who You are and how they are to act properly.

Amen!!!


RL

As I write this, it’s raining outside, dreary and depressing. This could be your world, one filled with nothing to look forward to or just plain hopeless.

Satan loves a mind bent on feeling this way, He thrives on peoples fears and feelings of worthlessness

We must learn to RESIST him and in doing so, he MUST flee!! But, a prerequisite is we must first obey God.

I cannot count the many times I disobeyed God and yet I still am surprised when Satan is crouching by. So many times we inadvertently blame God but, it’s our fault.

If I had done what He had taught me in His Word, I would not be in this or that mess.

I know from being a pastor, I am not alone, we all have shall I say MISSED IT!
We are nothing but children, we must constantly be reminded or at least I do.

So if it’s raining and you feel hopeless,, Flee from those thoughts; OBEY GOD and then TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAY
S And then he will flee!


Lord, forgive us for we are but children! Amen!!!


RL

KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP

In college I was in a club that studied what other religions believed. We even went to their places of worship to discuss what we felt was contrary to the Bible.

I loved it, the thrill of debate!! The leader thrived to share with us his knowledge.

I remember one time, we went to a certain place. As soon as we took a seat, two large men came up and asked us to leave/ They escorted us out from their congregation and politely said, don’t come back!

Years later, I was married. My wife and I both worked third shift. One morning around ten a.m. before we went to bed, we saw two guys coming door to door

I knew by their dress, who they were, so did my wife. She blurted out, leave them alone, if they come here! I replied, I’m not going to promise a thing. She went off to bed and I entertained the door to door guests

Before the discussion was over, one of them was crying, I loved the vigorous communication.

I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE ONE THAT CRIED LEFT THE DENOMINATION

As I grew a little bit older, I came to understand that spiritual ping pong as I call it is wrong most of the time, at least with me.

The reason was I enjoyed showing off my knowledge.

I believe to much knowledge puffs up ones ego, at least it did mine.

The only true way for someone to know our Lord is by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Know His Word and pray fervently, then talk as friends. Let God be the One who convicts, not you!

Lord, help us to realize and see, You are the One who brings people to reality of Your truth, through the Holy Spirit! Amen!!!!


RL

This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice, be glad and rightly divide the Word.



TIMING IS EVERYTHING



They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 and they said to them, "The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." 22 Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all." – Exodus 5:20-23



The people might have replied, “Aaron and Moses, we’re not telling you what to say but you have just made everything worse by what you say is obedience to God. You have made all of us stink in Pharaoh’s opinion. You have just made things worse.” Sometimes God has to make his people discouraged or discontent before He does His greatest deliverance for them. Then we know it was God and not our own doing.



Pharaoh’s opinion, God could care less. Pharaoh had to dry and get hard like those bricks the Hebrew’s were making so that God could break Him. God was not interested in a compromise with this false god ruler of the Egyptians. God was going to take him down and making the lines of division clearer and the labor more intensive. It was the right course. The people of Israel still had too much contentment in Egypt . They needed to get as much Egypt as possible out of their blood. The people were crying out to God because of their taskmasters and the burdens placed upon them and this was before Moses arrived. Now they would cry out the louder. This would ready their stubborn hearts for a walk in the desert with God.



God had already warned Moses, “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go (Exodus 3:19-20).” God had a plan and in God’s plan He said, “He will let you go.” Pharaoh was just a man.



Les we forget, Moses is in the middle and God is working on two fronts. He will harden and humble Pharaoh. He will further humble and set free the Hebrews because of the covenant He made with Abraham (Exodus 2:24). Yet God does this kind of thing in his own sweet time. We must remember that when God is ready to move we better be ready to strike out with Him. Wait on the Lord He will ready everything. His timing is perfect.



Grace and Peace and Joy to you all be multiplied,


Bill

FORGOT



The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. – Psalm 9:17


One of my chief lines as a child caught in disobedience was “I forgot”. Often it was just that. Some commit crimes of passion and I committed a crime of excitement. You might say I got so caught up in the moment that I forgot I was suppose to be, sitting, being quiet or not in participation. My parents told me that my memory was going to get me in trouble which it has.

I’m not alone. One of the chief weaknesses of God’s people is a mind and heart of forgetfulness. We are admonished in scripture not to forget.



Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: - Psalm 103:2



Here is a great admonition. Lost people and sinners saved by grace do forget God. They go about living their lives like He isn’t interested in them or their sinful ways. This mindset is wrong. Jesus is proof.



But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me." 15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. 16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. – Isaiah 49:14-16 NKJV



What we know of God is that he does not forget his chosen. He has chosen not too but there are other things God has chosen not to remember. He has chosen not to remember sins that have been forgiven.



No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." – Jeremiah 31:34 KJV



Isn’t it wonderful that he can chose to forget our sins even when we have often chosen to forgotten him and his commandments. He forgives and chooses not to remember.



We forget a blessing when we forget to ask of God and spend time alone with Him. Your Father waits.



Grace and Peace and Joy to you all be multiplied,


Bill

HALLOWED BE THY NAME

Matthew 6:9


After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. – Matthew 6:9 KJV


How do you do this? How one hallowed God’s name and what does that mean anyway? To hallowed means “to hold in reverence” or “to treat as holy” which is to esteem, prize, honor and adore. To treat God’s with respect in this way is to hallowed his name. It is not to pronounce His name in a certain way or at a certain time. God is already holy. He doesn’t need us to make that so. So we do not hallowed God’s name by outwardly calling Him by a certain name. We hallowed God by ordering our thoughts and conduct so that we, as his children and chosen possession, honor Him.



"Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. – Ezekiel 36:22


How did they do this? A careful reading of Ezekiel shows that they profaned the name of God by their sinful actions. God said that they were to be holy for He is holy. They forgot God in that they forgot how to act. Their actions were supposed to reflect upon the goodness of God. Their actions were dishonoring. Maybe you’ve heard someone say that this child of theirs dishonored their family name. Someone had a family that was highly respected in the community and their child did something that was out of character and did not reflect favorably upon the whole.



There is a young lady in our town that had a bumper sticker that read, “I hate mean people.” I have often thought about that. More than once I have heard of others who go to church or are members of a family, even a pastor’s family, who have gotten mean, called the school and chewed on some staff person of teacher. Yes, we are protective towards our children but remember the scripture says, “Let you kindness be evident to all.” We hallow God’s name by our conduct.



When we say, “Hallowed be thy name” we are saying that the order and conduct of my life today will not dishonor but honor the holy family of God of which I am a part. Others associate me with the body of Christ.



For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. – John 5:22-23 NKJ



Consider again the holy name by which you are called, “Christian,” follower of Christ Way . Really, will others know that we are Christians by our love for one another and for the lost?



First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. – 2 Timothy 2:1-4



Do you attract others to your God by your conduct?



Grace and Peace and Joy to you all be multiplied,


Bill

CROSS AND NAILS
John 20:25


So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." – John 20:25

Historical evidence has affirmed that the Greek word for cross (stauros) was used to represent a variety of wooden structures used for execution. It included ones resembling the shapes of a T, +, X, and an upright stake. How is it that we know that Jesus was not crucified on a stake? The view of a cross is supported by the above text.

If our Lord Jesus had been crucified on a stake then only one nail would have been used for His hands. The text clearly reads “in his hands the mark of the nails” in the plural.

And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. – Matthew 27:37

If Jesus would have been crucified on a stake the text would have read that they placed the charge against him over his hands. Again, best sense is made by the argument that this structure was a cross.

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." – John 21:18-19

Where would Peter go and what kind of death would Peter die with his arms stretched out? History records for us that Peter also went to crucifixion with his arms outstretched, not up stretched. I tell you these things because there are some who take pleasure in creating a smoke of confusion to distract your witness of the truth. Devote yourself to studying the truth. You have nothing to fear as a people of the book. Tell them of your wonderful savior and rightly divide the Word before them and bring the truth home.


Bill

WHAT IS TRUTH?

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." 37 Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." 38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" – John 18:33-38

We have heard it said, “It is the honest truth.” which usually means, “It is the truth as we know it.” Pilate, like many of us, had heard so many testimonies that run contrary that he had come to question truth. The honest truth is most often a rare find. Hidden motives, a dark side or opt outs are the case rather than the exception. She didn’t lie. She just changed her mind. Oh, didn’t you know that this was predicated upon such and such.

We are not all knowing creatures. We all live by a certain measure of faith. That faith may be in others, natural processes or laws and in the way we have come to know our universe and its routines in our lives. These have become truths for us. We predicate our spiritual beliefs upon that which we know so little about and look for that premise, foundation or experience upon which we move forward with life. Often times we get hard nosed and frustrated. If something looms as an apparent contradicting we look for why it appears so. The reason for this is that we have come to accept that our premise as rock solid honest universal truth. You either believe in this way or you believe that all truth is relative, good during a certain space or time but much like a floating rock.

Pilate was a man caught in midst of battling forces over truth and his place as an official of Rome . It was not an easy place to be. He saw hypocrisy and he had a sense of the right direction, but then there was Rome . He wanted to appease, or find a place of reason but it was not to be so with this crowd. He allowed evil to prevail.

Often we can allow people to work out their differences and come to some point of toleration and peace yet when a great light shines where is darkness to hide? It cries out, “Crucify the Light, we don’t want that truth because it threatens everything!”

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” In the way this it is stated there is no middle ground. Here is a premise we either accept or reject. If Jesus is who He claimed to be then there is nothing more important than getting to know Him. It is from this point we move forward into life and look backward into time for those things that testify of Him. Then we build our faith upon what we see revealed and the changes He is making in our life experience.

He bears witness of the truth about what I am and the truth about who He is and what He has come to make of me. We listen to Him and He speaks to us. Are you after this truth that is not relative but an honest truth?

Grace and Peace and Joy to you all be multiplied,


Bill

A good friend of mine named Bill Martin will be writing for my blog for a time . . .

THE ENDURING WORD OF GOD & HIS ENDURING CHURCH And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:11-16 The building up of the church is the business of God. The scripture teaches that God adds to his church daily such as should be saved. In the above text we are told that God places within the church leaders and servants for this task. Where do you fit in within this body of believers? Maybe your part is a humble one. Maybe you are one of the supporting structures or an instructor of children. Wherever it is you are a important. To Peter Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against his church. This means that his church has always prevailed as has its teachings. Those who say this is not so are calling our Lord Jesus a liar. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21 "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever. "And this word is the good news that was preached to you. – 1 Peter 1:24-25 God established his church and it will not fall into apostasy because the Word of the Lord remains forever. This would also contradict what we are taught in Matthew 28:19-20. In addition, no church is the savior of God’s Word but neither is the church without it. God has preserved it for us and in some cases He has delivered it to His chosen despite those who would have hidden it from His chosen. The church has and will endure because the Word of God is forever. Jesus is Wonderful! Grace and Peace and Joy to you all be multiplied, Bill

My Story

In 1997, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. For the next six months, I put my life on hold. I was blessed to have a job with a boss, who said if he needed me he’d beep. So during the day, I tried to spend time with Mom. She lived for six months and passed away. After she died, I felt a release to do short term missionary work and I did. I was no longer with the poultry company, I was driving a truck. Because I was able to, I visited five countries from August-December. It was great and I was overwhelmed. In December 1997, my pastor asked me to take over the youth. After much prayer, and a strategy given to me by the Holy Spirit, I said yes. So in January, I became a forty-two year old youth pastor. The strategy I was given, was quite simple.

The following is a short version-

• Growth
• Ministry
• Leadership

When we began, we had twenty-two youth. Our first year was dedicated to growth and grow we did.
We went from twenty-two to forty- five! It was amazing to stand back and see God work!

The second year was even more amazing!

We had a Drama team, Street ministry and a dance team. My hometown only has fifteen-hundred population, We saw one hundred-twenty six people make a decision for Christ! I told you it was amazing! All I did was let the youth take charge and set back to watch. That’s when trouble started. I knew to take the youth to another level, I had to spend more time with them.

I was working three jobs, one full-time and two part-time. I knew to be able to spend time, the part-time jobs had to go. So, I went to my pastor and talked to him, about taking up a love offering once a month; to supplement my income. He said, all I needed was help. The more he talked, the madder I got. When I left his office, I knew I was going to leave the church and start my own! That’s what we do, we get mad at the man of God IN CHARGE and either run him off or leave. Well, I left! That’s when we started Grace Fellowship. We started with twenty-two and our first year grew to sixty-five. I had taken a night job to supplement my income. I should have been satisfied, the church was growing and I would soon be full-time.

But, I was depressed unfulfilled and angry. I was really depressed, I asked the Elders to let me step down. They said let them pray for a week and see what the Lord says. The next Sunday, they cane back and told me the following, since the church was new and had been started because of my vision; they asked me to stay until May eleventh and they would close the church. I agreed and then we agreed on the closing of the church.

It was hard to preach those last three months, my depression only got worse. Finally the day came and we shut the doors, that’s when depression really hit. That was in 2003. By mid 2004 I was smoking dipping and hooked on porn. I was cold toward my family and friends. I had made secret plans to leave my family. I felt they would be better off without me. The job I had lined up would not start until September 2005. In December 2004, my best friend told me he and his wife had a big surprise for our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. They gave us an all expense paid trip to Hawaii.

So in June, we flew to Hawaii. We arrived on June eighteen. We loved Hawaii, did not want to leave. On the way back the blinding headaches start, when we got home they got worse. I had landed a teaching job and was going to give my two week notice but on June twenty-six at work, I had a stroke.

My wife and oldest daughter drove like speedsters coming to my place of work, it only took her ten minutes, by the time they arrived; I could not walk and barely mumble. My wife is a nurse and knew seconds were precious. She took me straight to the hospital. She had called ahead, they met us at the emergency room; with a gurney!

The rest of the story I don’t remember, it was told to me by my family. When I got there, they immediately ran a CAT scan and a MRI. Three hours later, they came back and told my family, he’ll be okay; he just had a light stroke. That was late Monday night Tuesday morning their speech therapist came in and worked with me.

After she took Paula out of the room and told her, get prepared it’s not over. That was Tuesday morning. By Wednesday evening I could not breath or swallow. They put in a trache and a feeding tube. By Wednesday afternoon, I was in ice. I could not move, I could only blink my eyes. The doctors told my family I would not live and if I did; I would be in a wheelchair and on a ventilator the rest of my life.

My oldest daughter screamed out, I DON’T BELIEVE YOU, GOD WILL BE TRIUMPHANT! Paula got on the phone and called my old pastor’s wife and told her. As soon as Paula hung up, she got on the phone. By Wednesday night, the waiting area was filled with people with pillows, they came to pray all night. I was laying in ice knowing things looked pretty grim I prayed.

Later that night I was asleep and dreamed of 1982. Paula and I lived in Cedar Hill Texas. Paula drove to Mississippi, to see her parents and I was home alone. It was Saturday night and I had dug in to watch a Doctor Who marathon. I was in the rocking chair setting in front of the TV. I was in the marathon thirty minutes, when I heard an audible voice. I thought someone was in the house so I took my bat and went looking. No one was in the house, so I went back to my marathon. Not five minutes later, I heard the voice say clearly, "I will never let you go". I knew then the voice was God!

I fell on my knees crying and shaking. You see, I had been working so much, Sunday had become my sleep day. I stayed on the floor crying for what seemed like hours but, when I got up I knew I had been visited. I went to church, from then on no matter how I felt. That night in ice, I did not know how close to death I was but, I knew I was going to be alright. I stayed in ice for two weeks, then they transferred me to another hospital specializing in weaning you off the ventilator.

When the drugs had worn off, I no longer had desires for smoking, dipping or porn. My old pastor and I were reconciled miraculously and still are to this day.

RL

God Shows Up

The most I was moved in college was by a speaker who came from India.

He came from America, he and his wife. He had sweat and toiled for a year, not seeing any fruit. He decided they would go home.

He was just about to get on the train, when a little Indian girl tugged on his pant legs.

She was carrying a tract he had been passing out, crying, she said in her language, I want to know this man.

Overwhelmed, he asked his wife to get off the train. They went back and before he died, they had started an orphanage and hospital.

It may look to you in you set of circumstances, that God is not working but, if you will pray and wait, you will see the salvation of the Lord!

Be very attentive because the answer you seek might be no.

Lord, give us the strength we need to hang in and wait on You! I can only speak for myself, I need You to help me, I am a poor example on patience. Amen!!!

RL

I want to thank you for my family and my friends, they are such a foundation of support.

You are the only God, there is no other. Allah is not God or any other. I praise you for all the little things we take for granted, like the air we breath and the breakfast we had this morning.

Bless and protect all my friends this morning I beg, because the enemy would try and cause them harm but, You oh Lord are our protection.

You are our Father and You will protect those who abide under the shadow of the Almighty!

Oh! Lord cause us to rise and proclaim Your name and praise You in all situations.

We are frail and bankrupt oh God, we need to have Your Spirit fill us over and over.

Teach us to travail and linger oh God!! For in You we find our true happiness.


RL

Oh Lord how long will you allow the evil doers to go on?

Does Your ears not hear the words of Your people who make daily intercession.

Let our pleas be heard and please continue to watch over us.
Thank You oh God for Your hands of protection that is with us everyday!

I ask that You protect those on foreign soils and help us to see Your hands in our lives here in America. Bless President Obama and all the Representatives and Senators, their jobs are so important.

We know so many are against Israel, protect her and keep her safe.

We so need Your direction for the upcoming election, help us to vote according to Your will and not party

Help us to keep our eyes focused on You and become more like Your Son. Amen!!!


RL

A DEAR FRIEND


I have a unique friend, I met him while I was preaching at his church in 1974. I was only 16.

When I first met him, my first impression was; What a weird person.

We all make first impressions, good or bad. Thank God we get to know people better.

I was in college in Lakeland, FL, it was 1978 and I had just purchased a book called Pilgrim’s Regress by C. S. Lewis.

One Saturday, I had off from work and school, I picked up the book to read. The first ten pages or so were boring, so I threw it down.

It wasn’t that the book was bad, I just did not preserve through.

Later after college, I picked it back up and made myself read the book. It so happens, that it was one of the best books I’ve ever read.

Friendship is like that. I had to persevere with my friend and he me, now we are the best of friends.

Friendship is like that book, it had to grow on me and I had to be in the right place to receive.

In many of my friendships, I’m sure that many people’s first impressions of me were wrong but, after a time I begin to wear on them and they got into a better place

A guideline I use is this, I try and see them as Jesus would and hope they look at me in the same light.

In doing so with my friend, I see a man who truly has a heart of the Father, he is the most trustworthy person I have ever known.

If I had not persevered with that book, I would have missed out on the best book I’ve ever read.

We must also persevere in relationships, who knows you maybe missing out on the best one yet!

Lord, help us all to persevere in all our relationships as You do with us! `Amen!!!


RL

My wife and I are buying a much larger home, my in-laws are also moving in and helping with the bills.

We have been in the process of remodeling now, for a few weeks.

If not for the help of our church family, we would never be able to move in.

We have pulled up carpet, torn down a wall, painted and torn out cabinets. I am amazed at the church and their participation.

Most houses in this town have problems with their foundation, it’s the Mississippi clay. Rather you are on a slab or conventional foundation; you have problems.

Well whoever built this house knew what he was doing, he brought in loads of dirt and packed it down, then he poured the slab. In thirty years, this house is one of the few that doesn’t.

It’s so important to build your house on a good foundation.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit wants to do some remodeling on us just as we have on this house. You see, we could have moved in like it was but, we want to make a few changes.

When the Holy Spirit moves in, He remodels as He goes. Sometimes, according to how much stuff He has to change; as in my case. It’s a life long thing.

As a Christian, we enter into The Way with a lot of garbage and ffor us all it takes a life time to filter through the mess.

Lord, we all are in desperate need of remodeling, come Holy Spirit and mold us like clay! Amen!!


RL

WHOM SHALL I FEAR

I have walked a rough road in my short life of 54 and I can tell you from experience faith is a substance you obtain when the time is right.

When I went through the stoke of 2005, only when it happened did I obtain the faith I needed.

But, I did learn one valuable lesson, fear paralyzes faith.

Fear is the opposite of faith and will cause you to walk in doubt.

When I hade the stroke, I knew it was bad. But, the Lord had helped me over the years to gather a lot of scriptures together and put them in my heart.

I used those scriptures to help conquer fear and His faith flooded my soul. During the whole process, I walked on a different plane.

I no longer fear death I know who my Rock is. I still have problems but, I can honestly say; He is my hope.

Today some of you who read this are going through some hard times, I have been there. Faith cometh by hearing the Word; saturated your Spirit man with the Word and ask God to invade your heart and know He will be the Victor for you as He is for me.

Lord, only in You do we live and breath. Help us, who are in dangerous waters. We need Your faith in us, demolishing down all kinds of fears. Make the faith in us strong and Victorious! Amen!!!


RL

An Unexpected Reaction

It was our 2nd pastorate, we had been there 6 months.

A wonderful couple in the church, who had been married 40 or 50 years had suffered a horrendous health issue.

The woman had suffered a massive stroke and had to be put in the nursing home.

The old gentleman was doing the best he could but, the medical bills were too much.

One Sunday night as I was about through preaching, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to take up a love offering for him.

I had no time to talk to the deacons, so I told the people give if they could and if not now, the following Sunday
I never thought in my widest dreams that anyone would get mad, boy was I wrong!

As I was leaving the church, the head deacon rushed up, poked his finger hard as he could in my chest and said; don’t ever do that again without talking to me!

I’m a fairly calm guy but, I got real upset. I poked him in the chest and said, sir I suggest you kneel and pray with me in this parking lot or I will be forced to use you as a punching bag!

To my surprise, he calmly knelt and we prayed.

It was only by the grace of God, I reacted like that I was a brown belt and am not intimadated by anyone but, I had to be a leader and someone who leads a flock. How would it look if I got pur in jail for fighting.

You never know how you will react, only your relationship with the Lord will tell. Pray for restraint, your actions affect others as well as you.

Lord it is only by grace that we act as You want us to. Help us to reprepresent You honorably. Amen!!!


RL

THE COW

I Remember being young and thinking you were indestructible. It’s not we went around thinking that, we just did some stupid things, even when we were saved.

I remember one time, I owned a Pontiac Satellite. It was metallic green, had wide tires for racing and was jacked up in the back. It was so high, that the front had a good view of the road up front.

Remember, I was a Christian. One night, I picked up my cousin and we drove into the country to see our girlfriends.

On the way over, my cousin was picking on me saying things like, this thing won’t even burn rubber taking off.

I held out, all the way to their house. On the way back, I had taken all the verbal abuse that I could stand. I gave it gas and boy did it go. He cried, it still won’t burn rubber. I had taken all I could take.

I starting slowing down and out of nowhere, I hit a cow and my coke and glasses went flying. I don’t even remember what my cousin did. Finally as we came to our senses, we got out and looked at the cow.

We thought we had killed it. Of course, no one in the community claimed the cow.

Then all of a sudden after it had been 20 minutes, the cow jumped up and ran off.

Thank God it was alright. The car was okay also, it only busted out the passenger side headlight and bent the bumper.


The reason I’m sharing this, I know people do dumb thing from time to time; at least I do and I want them to know God is there.

I could write you a list on what not to do but, all in all; He was there for me.

That does not give us the right to do such things but, if we do it’s good to know.

Lord, thank You for protecting us in our ignorance no matter what age. Amen!!!


RL

Count the Cost

I have a friend, who is of another nationality. She was a Hindu until she asked Jesus into her heart.

Her family was well off and were so mad at her for embracing Christianity, her Mother and Dad locked her in a closet and then shipped her off to spend the summer with her Grandmother in India.

Knowing the choice she made could cost her everything she held dear, she chose to follow Christ. Happily, her Mom and Dad still associate with her.

How would you react? Imagine the cost! Do you know, that’s what following Christ is about.

Do we really take in consideration the price He paid or are we so spoiled that we never give it a second thought! It’s so easy here in America, we have Christian radio and the gospel is at our every beck and call.

In other countries it is not so, they are killed and mimed for the gospel.

We here are so shielded and so far from the evil, we tend to relax and forget the cost!

Lord! Create within me a heart to feel the pain, of what my brother and sister go through. Amen!!!

RL

His Word!

I remember a skit someone did a long time ago.

It was about a world without a Bible, the only Bible you had was what you had memorized. Imagine, no written word.

Tonight, I saw a movie and there was only one Bible left, in the whole world.

This one man would do anything, to get his hands on it, even murder. I told my wife, take all the blood and cussing out ; Hollywood made a good Christian movie.

But, both the skit and the movie are true. If the world continues on the path she is on, what you have memorized could be the only Bible you have.

We here in America have really polluted the Word with our Western ways. We have translation after translation.

I believe, the more translations we have, the further away we get. But, that leads to the question, which one do I memorize? My answer is the earlier the translation the better.

I personally memorized th King James version, only because I find it flows poetically. The bottom line is get God’s Word in your heart, because one day the only Word left may be you!

Lord, lead us to your Word that we can hid in our hearts! Amen.


RL

KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP

In college I was in a club that studied what other religions believed. We even went to their places of worship to discuss what we felt was contrary to the Bible.

I loved it, the thrill of debate!! The leader thrived to share with us his knowledge.

I remember one time, we went to a certain place. As soon as we took a seat, two large men came up and asked us to leave. They escorted us out from their congregation and politely said, don’t come back!

Years later, I was married. My wife and I both worked third shift. One morning around ten a.m. before we went to bed, we saw two guys coming door to door.

I knew by their dress, who they were, so did my wife. She blurted out, leave them alone, if they come here! I replied, I’m not going to promise a thing. She went off to bed and I entertained the door to door guests.

Before the discussion was over, one of them was crying, I loved the vigorous communication.

I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE ONE THAT CRIED LEFT THE DENOMINATION

As I grew a little bit older, I came to understand that spiritual ping pong as I call it is wrong most of the time, at least with me.

The reason was I enjoyed showing off my knowledge.

I believe to much knowledge puffs up ones ego, at least it did mine.

The only true way for someone to know our Lord is by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Know His Word and pray fervently, then talk as friends. Let God be the One who convicts, not you!

Lord, help us to realize and see, You are the One who brings people to reality of Your truth, through the Holy Spirit! Amen!!!!


RL

Doom and Dismay

What we are hearing today is not something new, David Wilkerson has been saying things for years

It was 1985, we were at our first church. The title of my sermon was “Upcoming Financial Disaster”.

I knew then if the politicians of our day did not change their greedy ways, it would be the ruin of live as we knew it.

Today, the crisis we face can not be blamed on one party; it took both unwilling to do the right thing.

I’m no prophet or Apostle but, I know right now the only way we can avert this oncoming financial gloom, the church as a whole must fast and pray.

Our whole country is in turmoil and man does not have the answers, Obama doesn’t and I know who does.

The answer is found in Him, church! Wake up and be relevant in the world of today, the time for setting in the front seat is now!

Lord! Wake up the sleeping church and bring us to the realization as a whole, we need to seek you and you alone. Amen!!!!!


RL

A TRUE MAN OF GOD

I have walked in the way of the cross for a long time and I have met a lot of people.

I’m not impressed with money or fame, the question I ask myself, is he or she really following the ways of the cross.

Love is the greatest, that’s what 1 Cor. 13 tells us but, I also look for humility.

Today, I was visited by a friend who walks in honest humility; not fake. It was so easy to talk with him, I felt as though I was taking a hot bath; things in my life were being washed away.

I have only known a few men of such manner.

I know the reason some people are that way and I strive to one day get there. Being in the constant presence of God has a way of molding our lives in His Son’s image.

Just think, if we were to get to the secret place and learn to abide, maybe our shadow would effect peoples lives like Peter’s life did!

Don’t take for granted the people that God has brought into your lives, we need each other to make us jealous, to want more of Him.

Lord I was so privileged to have in my home a servant of Yours and I pray we both made each other jealous. To know You and serve You is all I want to do. Amen!!!


RL

Dreams

Interpretation of dreams have been around since Joseph.

When we moved back home, my wife will tell you I dreamed every night. Were all the dreams from God or too much pizza!

I had a method I used, to decide if they were from God or not. If I dreamed a dream and vividly remembered it in three days, I would try and get in touch with the person and relate the dream.

I could set here all night and tell you true stories but, lack of time and space but I will tell one.

I have a friend who lives in Dallas, she was married to another friend.

In my dream, he was on drugs and being unfaithful. I called and was going to tell her the dream. Before I told her, she burst into tears and told me what he was doing,

It was just like my dream, he was being unfaithful

Nine out of ten times, my dreams came true; some good, some not so good

LAST Tuesday I had a dream, a friend I have not seen since 1976; was in the dream. Another friend and I were laying hands on him and praying.

Last Friday I called my friend, who now lives in South Dakota; after I told him, he told me he is coming to Mississippi Monday.

Talk about coincidences will get to see him Tuesday. The other friend is in China.

So if you dream, don’t dismiss it as to much pizza!

Lord help us to hear from you, let us not take things so lightly. Amen!!!!!


RL

For the next several weeks I will be on a sabbatical and will not be writing. If I have something on my mind and have time to write, I will. The reason, is because I will be with my family remodeling a house.

Yesterday, I spoke on prophets; I would like to share a story that happened to me.

There was this Full Gospel Businessman’s convention in Jackson. Ms.; I went with some of my friend’s.

I shall never forget, I never have to this day.

Kenneth Summrall was speaking and all during the service, a man kept looking back at me; he was scaring me to death.

After the service, he came back to where I was. He said, may I speak to you. Well, I was only 15 and even back then you had to be careful.

I said, If my friends can stay, you can talk. He said okay. Now you must know, back then at an early age, I wasn’t used to so called prophets or prophecy. He said, I don’t usually speak to strangers but, God wants you to hear something’s tonight.

Very skeptical, I said; go on. Now what you’re about to read is something I have never forgotten.

I never had seen this man, nor have I seen him since.

He said, your Mom and Dad are alcoholics, you are picked on in school and your nickname is turd.He went on and specifically told me things then he started telling me my future.

He said, one day you will own a van and travel the states, you will even go to Mexico in a van. You will also go to England and preach God’s word/

About 96% of what he told me was and is true, I have owned 2 vans, went to Mexico and England. There is only about 4% yet to come to pass.

That’s why I have problems with so called prophets, tell me point blank or excuse me shut up.

We need men of God who will not bow down to the almighty dollar! What we need is someone who will speak specifics

It’s time we stand up and say we are men of God or not

Do we really believe!

Lord, speak to us as you have in the past and shake us up from our apathetic state! Amen!!!


Ricky

We had communion today and I was reminded of the first time that I held communion.


my wife and I were in our early twenties, we had been called to a small Baptist church in the country..
It was a fine church, one I was proud to say I pastored. The people knew that this was our first church and made allowances.

We had just gotten through with the song service and I was going to do communion.

I was so nervous, I read the scripture and asked the deacons to come up.

I knew the order of service but, I was so nervous I forgot.

Instead of the breaking of bread, I passed out the grape juice. My wife motioned for me and told me what I was doing.

I had started with the ceremonial drink first and that’s what we did and then the bread. I was so embarrassed and ashamed.

The people of the church knew it was backwards but, they never said a word. It wasn’t until years later we talked and laughed.

In the kingdom of God, we all make mistakes. I hope when we do, we know that our Maker is up in Heaven smiling!

Lord, help us to take things serious but, learn to laugh at our mistakes and go on. Amen!!!


Ricky

Have you ever been embarrassed before? Well, I have and I would like to share it with you.

I was 14, a manager for the basketball team. We were traveling by bus one night to an away game My Dad had decided to get drunk before I left, he shouted out as I was leaving, I’m going to that game!

The team was doing good. It looked like they might go to state.

When we got there, we headed straight to the locker room and the boys started suiting up. I’ll never forget it, it was during the 3rd quarter.

My Dad showed up drunk and everyone saw him. The police had to escort him outside, because he was causing a disturbance

The rest of my school days, I carried the image of my Dad that night.

There are some of you that have your moment and it’s still balled up on the inside.

As long as you allow it to fester it will. Jesus said, Come ALL who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

We all have stuff we carry inside, we need to learn to lay it at His feet.

Lord take all we have that effect us and allow Your blood to cover them all, we need You Jesus. Amen!!!


Ricky

Only the Lord tests hearts but, it is not to see if we pass or fail. He wants to see the reflection of His Son in our lives.

My youngest daughter, who is in high school has been fretting over stat tests for months.

Here in Mississippi, if you don’t pass your state tests, you don’t graduate.

We found out today she passed and in 2012 she will be able to graduate I’m so glad that when God tests heats, He is looking to see our reactions.

We say we are Christians but, how are our reactions? Are our reactions Godly or not, I know sometimes I react in a bad way.

I know in my heart, that I need a lot more work.

Lord, create within us a heart you can be proud of Mold us and shape us oh God! Amen!!!


Ricky

I want to share the funniest story from my past, that I can remember.

When we were small, we had a Nanny that cooked for us.

One Friday, she was preparing lunch and we were playing outside. She called us in and as usual, lunch started out great. She was a great cook most of the time.

Then she brought in dessert, chocolate pudding. I filled my bowl and took a spoon.

I put it into my mouth and thought I was going to die! It was so salty, it was drying up my blood!

My sister and brother did the same thing When she was making the pudding, the salt box somehow spilled into the pudding.

She picked up the box thinking only a little had spilled in but, in actuality, half a box. When we threw it out, the dogs would not eat it.

Somethings in life look good enough to eat but, on the inside it tastes terrible.

It is each person’s responsibility to check out what’s being preached behind the pulpit. It might sound great but, as you dig deeper it might stink.

Lord, help us to rightly understand Your truth. Let us be good stewards of the word. Amen!!!


Ricky

I remember one time when I was 3, my Dad left me in a car

The reason it is memorable, was because it was in the summer.

My Dad had a habit, he loved to play dominoes for money. He parked the car and said, I’ll be right back.

How was I to know any different, I was only 3. It was the month of July and it was HOT!

The car had to be 110 degrees and I was wringing wet, from head to toe. I can’t remember his name but one of my Dad’s buddies walked by me and an hour later he walked by me again.

He opened the door and picked me up, took me to a 5 and 10 store and bought me a toy sword, then he took me to a soda shoppe and bought me some ice cream.

We were gone at least an hour. While we were gone, my Dad came back and saw that I was gone.

He thought maybe someone had kidnapped me and was out of his mind.

My Dad went to all the stores on the right side of main street; we were on the left getting ice cream.

When the gentleman was walking me back, my Dad saw me licking an ice cream cone and swinging a sword; he just took of his cap and sighed.

After a tongue lashing from the gentleman, my Mother gave him one too when he got home.

I would never leave a child in a blistering car and I pray you never will.

My Dad was an alcoholic and a gambler, not a good combination.

Thank God Abba Father loves us more, so much more than our earthly fathers. He is always near and never leaves us.

As a song of Don Francisco’s says, I DON’T CARE WHERE YOU BEEN SLEEPING, I DON’T CARE WHO MADE YOUR BED

His love is everlasting and NOTHING can separate us from Him, not even ourselves.

Lord, open our eyes to your eternal love. Amen!!!


Ricky

Last weekend, a good friend of mine had her 2 year old son to drown.

I can not imagine the feeling of hurt try must feel.

I want to talk about death for a second, it leaves such a heavy mark on man. Yet Solomon tells us that we should cry when someone’s born and laugh when they die.

I’m almost to that point, I want my wife to throw a party at my passing, I don’t want anyone crying for me.

You see, I know for a fact, when I die I will be with Jesus. No more wheelchairs or pain, I’ll be rejoicing.

I had a hard time when a close friend died and now my friend’s baby boy.

I have learned in my short 54 years, all our days are numbered. If you are 2 or 22 or 102.

When those days are over, you go home. The thing you must make sure of, are you ready.

I know the 2 year old I spoke of is in His arms now and I know when I die, I too will be hugging Jesus.

You see, salvation has nothing to do with me; it’s all Him and the best thing, it’s free for the asking.

I don’t know who or what condition you’re soul is, I do however know a way to fix it! It’s through Him and only Him.

Lord have mercy on us, because we are all sinners. Amen!!!



RL

Every year, the nursing home my wife works at has state inspection.

They very meticulously go over all their procedures.

The pressure of the week is nerve racking for my wife.

This time, a woman brings a Laguna to show the residents. A inspector sees it and almost has a fit.

The animal is endangered and can’t be given shots and carries germs that can cause certain illnesses.

So all the residents who touched the animal are being watched for 48 hours.

We might think this ridiculous but, it’s for the protection of the residents.
In Christianity, there are things we must do, we might think of them as being ridiculous but, they are for the preservation of your soul.

Don’t grow weary of doing good.

Lord, give us Your eternal strength and help us to do the things necessary. Amen!!!


RL

Today is Father’s Day and I would like to share one of my happiest moments in my life.

I was7 years old and hated school. So I convinced a friend of man to miss the bus to school.

He did and here we were, a pair of hooligans. We had not been home 15 minutes, when my Dad pulled in the driveway.

He was a rural, way out in the country, mail carrier. He did not want to take us to school, so we rode with him on his route.

It was the best day of my life, we ate hot dogs for lunch and ice cream for a snack It was great until we got home around 6 p.m.

Our mother’s were fit to be tied. They hugged us and then they spanked us because, my Dad had not left them a note saying where we were.

So when they got home and we were not on the bus, they thought something was wrong.

They were waiting until daddy came home before calling the police.

It was still the best day of my life, even though I was grounded from playing with my best friend for a month and my Mom would take me to school from then on.

Lord, let us be assured, that no matter where we are You always know where we are. Amen!!!


RL.

The scariest and funniest time I ever had was at Christ for the Nations Bible Institute in Dallas.

It was during summer school on a beautiful summer night, I believe it was on a Tuesday.

A bunch of us went bowling. We left the bowling alley a couple minutes to curfew.


I had a small Celica jammed packed with guys. I knew the only way we might make it in time was for me to drive fast, I told the boys to hold on!

We were almost home when I topped a hill and saw the lights, I had been caught by a policeman!

I told the boys to be quiet, I would handle this. When the policeman came up to my window, I had my license pulled out and waiting.

He came up to my window and said, do you know how fast you were going/ I replied in a deaf mute kind of way, me deaf; me deaf. The officer fell out laughing and told me to go on but, slow down!

We made it back to school late, but did not get caught, until morning!

In this life, there are rules we must obey; even if we don’t like them. The Lord tell us that we must obey those in charge.

Speeding is a sin, no two ways about it, I was sinning and I was caught. Luckily the person doing the stopping had pity on some college kids who need acting lessons!

Breaking man’s law costs us money but, breaking His laws can have eternal consequences.

Lord, keep us on the straight path and help us see Your Ways clearly. Amen!!!


RL

Who is the strongman? I believe it is Satan and I believe he has been bound.

The only access he has now, is what we give him.

Our lives are so filled with business and it’s so easy to allow the enemy a foothold. I am amazed at how we fill up our lives.

A foothold can turn into a stronghold, if we allow whatever it is to go on. When it becomes a stronghold, it’s so much harder to remove.

When I first got married I had a stronghold, among many. It really made our lives uneasy. It wasn’t a big thing but, a stronghold none the less.

I knew if my marriage was to exist, I knew that this thorn had to go.
It took awhile but, God gave me the victory. Trust me, it was not easy.

Over the years, the Lord has had to help me destroy footholds and strongholds in my life.

I would do a study on strongholds and footholds but, my eyesight prevents me. Find the definition of both words and imagine in your mind, what might be in your life and ask God to help.

Lord, take away all strongholds and footholds in Jesus name! I ask in His name, to demolish all enemy activity!

Help us to walk in your Spirit and power oh Lord Amen!!!


RL

My wife reads me a book each month. This month we are reading a book by Dr Don Colbert.

In 1998, I was asked to go with an American choir to Australia. Trust me, it was not my voice I knew the director.

Anyway, two or three weeks before we were to leave; the director looses his voice.

He went to MD”s and finally a voice specialist. After a myriad of tests, the doctor came in an asked, do you drink water? My friend said no.

The doctor said, there’s your problem your vocal chords are dried out.

So my friend started drinking water and has never had a problem since.

It’s funny, the first chapter of this book is dedicated to water.

Jesus is the living water, without Him our spiritual man dries up. We need His word in our lives, without it we die. That’s how important it is to us.

Lord, come to us and quench our thirst for we are dry and dying without you! Amen!!!!


RL

This afternoon, my wife and I picked up our 3rd daughter from the airport.

She had flown to Virginia to see her boyfriend.

Why is it that most girls don’t feel whole unless they have a boy!

I have 4 girls and all of them are the same. I don’t know why, I have loved and shown love to each.

Are all girls like that before they get married?

My self worth is found in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am made whole by His existence in and through me. My relationship with my wife can only be complete in Him.

I know some men and women who have taken a vow of celibacy. I have enjoyed being married and having kids.

Mostly everyone I know, enjoys being married. I am just now getting to the place where I understand why some choose not to marry.

Whether married or not, it does not matter. What matters, is your heart given to God?

Lord, help us all to give ourselves to You. Fill our lives with Your essence. Amen!!!


RL

When man was created, he had dominion over all the earth. Everything was subservient to Adam.

Then he mucked it up for us all and sinned, in doing so; the earth no longer listened to him.

In the Old Testament, you had Moses speaking to a Rock, Sampson using superhuman strength and Ezekiel speaking to dry bones.

Then we come to the New Testament. We find Jesus speaking to the deaf, blind, trees and even dead people.

Before the Son of God left this earth, He gave His disciples the keys to the Kingdom.

That’s the reason why they walked in authority even before the Holy Spirit came,

Now we are getting to the point I want to make

Who am I?

The Bible says I am a joint heir with Christ Jesus, that means if I walk in faith; the earth HAS to listen tome. I don’t know about you but, I want to walk in that anointing.

If we abide in that anointing, the elements of this world Must obey us.

When I was 16 or 17, a tornado was headed straight for the school, a bunch of us Christians knew we were going to be okay. We prayed and as we prayed, we commanded the tornado to disappear.

They got all the students in the hall and just before it hit, it disappeared; go figure!

This week on face book, I saw a 8 month old baby healed from a coma. To see the thing of God manifest in our lives, we must walk in the Spirit!

Lord, teach us You children to walk in the Sprit and help us to exercise our faith; so we can please you. Amen!!!


RL

One of the biggest lies that the enemy uses is, Christians can’t have fun,

Now depending on your definition of fun, your views might be biased. I was saved at age 14 but, I lived enough life, for an 18 year old.

It does not matter what your definition, this was funny!

I was reminded of this today, when I talked with a friend I have known since 1978.

One day, a friend or two of mine from Lakewood, Colorado went to see this person and his newly married bride.

The lived in Greely Colorado in a basement apartment while going to college.
My friend from Lakewood suggested, when we got to the apartment’ if he answer the door we would jump him.

We all three agreed, jump on the male if he opens the door.

When we got there, my friend knocked on the door. The male answered the door, we all four toppled into the living room.

You would have thought we were enemies, heads were jarred, fist and elbows were flying.

The man from Greely somehow managed to get up. We jumped on him again, only this time we knocked their wall to the bedroom completely down.

When it came down, the brides eyes went flaming red! She is only 5ft tall but, let me tell you that day; we were all afraid!

Needless to say, we were back the next day, putting up a wall and painting,

I look back on it now and know it was young men using no wisdom but, I must confess; it was a blast and I wish I could do it again!

I was a Christian, so are my friends , we were just letting off some male bravado!

I must say, it was one of the best times of my life!

I know my sense of fun probably is not yours, it’s just when I’m around them my animal instincts take over.

If you are a Christian, your heart changes and your definition of fun changes. I’m not going to lie, I love to party and I loved certain things but, I have no desire to be that way no longer.

I can have fun doing other things that I know are wholesome and clean and they do not have tearing down walls as one of them.

Lord, show us Your definition of fun and help us to enjoy this new life You have given to us. Amen!!!!


RL