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

One of the best thing my wife and I did was have children.

I can not lie we were blessed, our kids have never given us any real trouble.

One of my fondest memories is when our two oldest were jumping on their bed.

The oldest was jumping on the bed, she decided to do a somersault on the bed. The problem is, when she turned her flip, her foot hit the wall and went through the wall.

They were horrified, what would they do. Finally after pondering, they decided to put a poster over it.

Surely they thought, we would never look behind one of their posters.

The problem, our redhead who was 7 was guilt ridden and could not hold it in.

That night, while her sister stayed over at her aunts; she could stand it no longer.

She crawled into my lap, tears running down her cheek she proceeded to tell us what had taken place.

I laughed and told her mankind has been trying to hide sin since sin came into the world.

We do something wring and hide it, hoping no one will notice.

That’s what I did one night when I was about 7. A cousin of mine was over, he made me so mad I picked up a knife and threw it as he slammed a door behind him.

The knife stuck in the door and I was horrified, how was I going to hide the hole in the door?

I stuck some gum in the hole and prayed they’d miss it

No such luck, it was the first thing they noticed when they came home. My Dad asked me what happened and I told him the truth.

Though I did not escape punishment, I found out that the truth is always better, even if it does mean you still suffer the consequences.

Today, even when we sin and confess, there are still consequences. We can try and hide our failings but, sooner or later, we will face the one who sees all.

Lord, search out the corridors of our hearts and expose all hidden sin, some we ourselves may have forgotten. Amen!!!!!


RL

As a Christian, you never can tell who’s watching.

Our actions will point people to or away from Christ

A couple years ago, a knock came on our door. My wife answered, standing before her was a slender man dressed nicely.

Not knowing who he was, she asked; may I help you. He told her his name and that he wanted to see me.

He came into our living room and set down and said to me, you don’t know who I am do you? I said, to be honest no!

He preceded to tell me his name, I could not believe it. I remember a big hefty kid, that stayed stoned all the time.

This is what he told me. I came to the youth group doped up moat the time. You never knew but, I was paying attention.

I craved to have what I saw in you. Then one day, I remembered a sermon you preached and asked Jesus into my heart, I now go to a Pentecostal church and help with the youth

I was overwhelmed, I almost boo-wooed uncontrollably.

Always try and be a good example, you never know who’s life is hanging in the balance.

Lord, help us to be good ambassadors for Your kingdom. Amen!!!


RL

When I was able to preach, a few years before the stroke; something happened I had a good friend, I had known him since I was 15 years old You know how we must acknowledge the anointing in peoples’ lives, I acknowledged it in his life I saw in him a world calling and I looked at him with envey. I knew in my life, it did not have the calling. He spurred me on, just being around him He ran a coffee house, I went, he went preaching, I went I would go spend the night, just to pray with him. Someone heard me praying one time, thought I was he! I saw that man leave his calling, it crushed me to no emd. I don’t know why some leave and some don’t, I just know my heart burned That’s what we are to do to one another, spur one another on. The ones on the road to Emmaus said, did not our hearts burn. We need to have a fire within us, so others will burn. Lord, consume us in the passion of your love! Amen!!! RL

When I was at the ages of 4,5 and 6 I had a recurring dream.
I dreamed I was captured by the Zulu tribe and they were going to burn me at he stake!

At the last possible second, Tarzan would save me.

I loved that dream, I had a personal savior. I think I watched a lot of Tarzan!

That’s how a lot of people are today, they are waiting to the last possible second and hoping they have a Savior!

The only problem with that scenario, is we don’t know how many days on this earth we have.

Last week my son-in-laws grandfather died at age 80. A man drowned at Roosevelt at age 22

We do not know our days, only He does. I made my choice a long time ago and He has always been by my side.

Come to the Lord and lay down your sorrows and burdens and believe He will do what He said.

It won’t be easy but, it will be worth it in the long run. Eternity is so much better than this life!

Lord help us to see why You died for us, open our eyes to the reality of eternity! Amen!!!!


RL

When I was growing up, I used to raise Sherman Sheppard’s; my favorite one was one I called Suzie.

I had this dog trained so good, she never left my side. She would take a step only if I would.

One day, some bigger boys came into my yard and started picking on me. Suzie was asleep under the house.

They harassed me till I could take it no more and that’s when I yelled for her.

She came from underneath the house and immediately say the situation and started growling. The older boys thought nothing of her

She saw they were not scared and jumped on the biggest. She held him pinned and in his face, growled; showing her teeth. Instantly, that scared them all, the boy on the ground wet himself!

I called her off and boy did they run!

While I was away at college, she died. She just about all I asked and never complain

We have a manual called the Bible, it tells us what pleases Him but yet, we find ourselves in other places.

Suzie lived to please me and usually did, we need to live to please God!

Lord, we so often lose our objective, pleasing You! Help us all see the real purpose for being here. Amen!!!!


RL

We are buying a home, it’s not new, only new to us.

I never knew there was so much to purchasing a different dwelling! We are looking at paint, flooring, ceiling fans and so much more.

It’s like we’re buying a new home. It’s already nice, just some renovations. It’s things we feel would suite us better, not that the home really needs it.

We are tearing down one wall and moving one out, counter tops, painting and replacing a shower to accommodate my special needs.

Our souls are kind of like this house, when we are saved from darkness. The Holy Spirit comes in and slowly makes a change, to accommodate His style

You see, it’s not that some of us aren’t okay, He just wants to make it more homy.

Our bodies are to be the home or abode of the Holy Spirit, so if sometimes you feel some demolition going on it’s just Him making Himself at home.

Lord, come make your abode in us and do whatever it takes to feel more at home!! Amen!!!!


RL

I spent 3 or 4 hours with a friend and his 85 year old Dad today, he helped me take care of some business.

We have been friends since 1974, go figure!

I take friendships serious, as should we all. At first I did not like him but, the more I hung around him; the more of his heart I saw

I think sometimes, just because a person is different, we tend to shut them out

A lot of my friends will tell you, I have always been a little different and it takes awhile to warm up to me.

I believe we are all different, like snowflakes; we are all different.

The common denominator is, we who love Jesus, have been stamped on the heart with Hi seal.

It does not matter what we argue over, as long as we love each other at the end!

I myself love variety, it keeps me thriving. I have one friend, who believes something’s I do not. If you caught us on one of our rare day, you’d wonder if we were friends.

What I am trying to say, come together and focus on Him. He is worthy and we need to/ put aside all the dividers and seek Him!

Lord, draw us to You and help us lay aside the stuff that divides! Amen!!!!!!!!!!

RL

I like the Glen Beck show on Fox. All this week he has been talking about the history of Israel.

Since my youth, America has been for Israel and now I see our flavor loosing it’s taste.

The events the other say has left a lot of turmoil in the Middle East.

As born again believers, we must voice our opinion about Israel, we need to rally all the support we can.

The news did not say much about North Korea sinking a South Korean ship, killing 125 sailors but when Israel boards a ship to inspect, 3 people get killed and they make a whole show on TV about it

I don’t condone killing period but, I do expect the news to report the new correctly.

I hate that both peoples got killed, I think a UN reprimand should be issued to both countries.

But, I believe most of all, America should always be close to Israel!

Lord help us be in prayer all over America for Israel!


RL

It’s funny, the things we remember. My brother was 14 and I was 11, our Dad left my brother in charge of the gas station.

It was a slow Saturday and we were bored. We found some balloons, probably from the grand opening.

Being as young as we were, we thought nothing of tossing a few water balloons.

It was okay just among us but you know precarious little boys.

We got next to the road and started throwing them at passing car.

We were having a blast, until one of the vehicles was our Moms. She turned in and made both of us come to the stations office!

She whipped us within an inch of our lives,we thought. Then our Dad came back from playing dominoes and we got it again!

Why am I telling you this? Because sin is fun! Come on be honest, be real, sin is fun. I love to get drunk but, I know it hurts me.

I know a lot of deacons who like to look but, don’t touch philosophy. I don’t because I know it causes one to do more than look.

I used to love porn but now, I hate it because it steals your heart from your spouse.

These are but a few, there are many others. Face it, sin is fun!

The only problem is, it separates us from God.We become dark on the inside, pretty soon we have lost our purpose.

Jesus can wash us clean, take the darkness away. If we’ll let Him!


RL

Saturday I went to my niece;s house in Decatur. We had a great time, I ate too much.
Then yesterday, we had a family reunion and guess what; I ate too much again

I love getting together with family but, I need to watch what I eat, my ulcerated colitis is on like a vengeance!

Today, we went to a large home decorating store and bought some ceiling fans. Before we got out of the store, I had an accident! Talk about being embarrassed, I felt like I was a rat!

In life, there are times we all feel like an amoeba. Small and wanting to hide.

We have two ways to look at it, the end of the world or I can deal with it

Sometimes in life, stuff happens and we need to be able to deal with them in a Godly manner.

Sometimes life throws a curve ball and we need to be able to learn how we can manage it or you’ll never get on base.

Lord, help us to handle life's curve balls in such a way, that it pleases you. Amen!!


RL