tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67202250561990913182024-03-27T18:55:05.097-05:00Pulpit TruthCharles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-13266360148097636302024-03-25T16:33:00.000-05:002024-03-25T16:33:20.408-05:0020 - 35 - 40<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"We walk by faith, not by sight."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #222222;">2 Corinthians 5:7<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The natural man has no understanding of this
powerful statement. Those who are spiritually dead do not have the capacity to
comprehend such rich truth. Although they exercise certain measures of faith
each day, they do not know how to walk or live by the biblical principles of
faith. Those who have no relationship with Christ must rely upon their own
knowledge, understanding, and experiences to make choices and decisions. Many
times, they will choose based upon a limited ability of humanistic reasoning. Using
their five senses, coupled with the input of family or friends, they will decide
upon a course of action that seems most pleasurable, attainable, desirable,
profitable or manageable. In other words, natural man will select what he or
she thinks, or feels, will give them the greatest measure of satisfaction or
happiness. Such reasoning can often lead to personally disastrous and
long-term, painful consequences. For those of us who have been saved, however,
our choices and decisions in life must not be marked by humanistic reasoning,
but by divine revelation. As we face crossroads in life, we must sincerely ask:
"What is God saying to me?" Or, "How is the Holy Spirit leading
me?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It should come as no surprise that our lives,
and the way we make choices and decisions in our lives, should be radically
different than the non-believer. Everything about our lives should be marked by
faith. In fact, the Bible says in Romans 14 that "whatever is not of faith
is sin." As I invest time in quiet reflection upon my
life, my family, and my ministry, I realize that I am not writing from a place
of personal and spiritual perfection. I have so much more room to grow and mature in
Christ, yet I am also so grateful for His grace, mercy and patience shown to me
over and over again. During this year, three important milestones are being realized in my life that deserve recognition for the Lord's leadership, and praise
for His faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">On </span><st1:date day="4" month="3" year="2019"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">the 4th of March</span></st1:date><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Tammy and I celebrated twenty years of being in our "Faith
House" in the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Craig</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Springs</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> community near </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sturgis</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. When we surrendered to the Lord's leadership in transitioning from a
pastoral responsibility to an itinerant ministry of conducting church revivals,
evangelistic crusades, and mission trips in 1997, we were uprooting our family
and launching out into a sea of uncharted waters. We didn't have a place to
live, but we did have a town to go to as God's Spirit had confirmed to us that we
were to trust Him for a place to call home in my very small hometown in
the Mississippi Delta. As we closed the door of ministry at the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Thrasher</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Church near Booneville</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Miss., He opened
the door for us to live in the parsonage of the Baptist church that I attended
as a boy in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Duncan</span></st1:city></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. There was much for us to learn in this move of faith, and life was
not always filled with warm sunshine, refreshing breezes, and beautiful
flowers. Yet through it all, God was good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We knew that we would not be in the </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Delta</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> for a long
time, but there was no revelation concerning any kind of move, so we sought to
be content and wait on Him. Friends tried to convince us to move to the </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Lebanon</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tennessee</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> area east
of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Nashville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, while others wanted us to relocate to </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Brandon</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
near </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jackson</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. Both of these were in places where I was preaching quite a bit in
local churches, and very close to major airports that would make travel much
easier. But as we prayed, there was no response from Heaven. We were learning
that whenever He doesn't speak, we should remain focused on the task at hand,
keep serving Him in faith, and realize that His silence either means no, or it
might mean wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Returning home from a meeting in January of
2001, Tammy showed me an architectural drawing of a small house in a Southern
Living magazine. Praying together about what she was believing God was showing
her, gave us the overwhelming confirmation that we were to trust Him for the
construction of this house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we prayed
about the where, His revelation was almost instantaneous. The Lord showed us
that we could trust Him for our "Faith House" in the rural community that
Tammy called home. The process was slow, yet there was nothing that we could do
to get things moving at a faster pace. I was traveling and preaching, often
times in different countries around the world, and Tammy was busy
home-schooling our girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In His wonderful providence, I was reconnected with a
pastor at a </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> church (Meadowview Baptist) who invited me to return and preach to his
people. That opportunity led to our meeting a building contractor in the church
who desired to talk with us about our plans. Eventually, this also provided us a place to stay in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Starkville during the construction phase of our home</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> through the generosity of Meadowview Church giving us the keys to their mission house.
As everything was falling into place to finally get started, my phone began to
ring with churches wanting me to talk with them concerning
their need for a pastor. Ten different congregations from communities in Arkansas, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Alabama</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, and </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tennessee</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> were
convinced that I was to be their next pastor. (And this doesn't include the
invitation to assume a staff position in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Honolulu</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hawaii</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, but
that's another story!) Praying about all of this gave us the assurance to
politely turn down those opportunities and trust Him for our new home. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The building process began in the summer of
2003, and we spent our first night in our country home on </span><st1:date day="4" month="3" year="2004"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">March the 4th the following year</span></st1:date><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We did all of this by His divine guidance. The Lord gave us leadership to
trust Him, and confirmed this move over and over again during the three years
it took for the initial revelation to become a living reality. Amen!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A second major milestone in my life occurred March 26th. That date marked my 35th anniversary of having
surrendered to God's call to preach His gospel. It was on Easter </span><st1:date day="26" month="3" year="1989"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sunday, March 26, 1989,</span></st1:date><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> that I stood before the congregation of the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Friendship</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Church near Sturgis</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> and
nervously told them of my calling. Tammy and I had no idea what all would
happen in our future, but we were confident in the One who saved us and was
calling us. We were eventually led to trust Him for a place to serve that would
put us within driving distance of </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Memphis</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tennessee</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> so that I
could attend Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Without either of us
trying to manipulate our circumstances, He allowed us to move a few miles south
of Myrtle, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> to the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">New</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Oak</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Grove</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Church</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> as their pastor. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;">My ignorance was demoralizing, my lack of
experience was numbing, and my school assignments were, at times, distressing.
Yet in spite of it all, God was so good. We had recently celebrated Apryl's first birthday when we
moved there in December of 1989, and Laurie was added to our family the
following year. A growing family and a growing church were both extremely
demanding, and a unique encounter with the Spirit of God in the summer of 1992
led me to believe that it was time to end my formal, educational training at seminary.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Later that same year, I once again was confronted
by the Lord concerning a change. He revealed to me to prepare for a move to the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Thrasher</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Church</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Prentiss County</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.
This church was well known in north </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> due
to its rapid growth, and for its disheartening experience of losing their
pastor following a long battle with cancer. I kept this revelation to myself,
and prayed earnestly that His will would be done, in His way, and in His
timing. There was no request for a resume. No political maneuvering of any
kind. And no denominational friends were contacted to give words of affirmation
on my behalf. I simply prayed and waited. What God starts, God will finish, and
in March of 1993, I became the pastor of that church. Three weeks later, the
buildings burned. God was good in allowing us to rebuild, and to see Him work
in the hearts of many precious people. It was also during this time that doors
began to open for me to preach outside of my community. Eight revival campaigns
a year grew to ten, then twelve, then sixteen, then twenty. I would normally
preach to my folks during the Sunday services, then travel to the other
churches for Monday thru Wednesday, or Friday, church revivals, then back to my
pulpit the following Lord's Day. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;">As I have already stated, we transitioned in
ministry when we moved to my Mississippi Delta hometown in 1997. We had no idea
how we would make our financial obligations, no guaranteed income, and no real
understanding of what we would be doing. Our only focus was to hear and obey
Him as He led us according to His plans. The places to which I traveled and the
people that I met were amazing experiences of His goodness. It is still hard to
believe that a simple man with a simple message could have gone to all of the
places to which I have journeyed. God has been so wonderful to us. Amen!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The final milestone for our family will be realized on
</span><st1:date day="15" month="9" year="2019"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">September the 15th of this year</span></st1:date><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, which marks the 40th
anniversary of our marriage. When Tammy and I exchanged our vows so many years
ago, only one year had passed since my conversion experience. The day after I
cried out to Jesus to save me, I was waiting for Tammy to come to Carpenter
Hall on the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">State</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> campus. It was there that I had my first encounter of God's voice
outside of personal conviction of sin. He revealed to me that I would marry
that beautiful girl, and by faith I believed Him! Many folks who knew my past,
however, were certain that our marriage was doomed for failure. More than one
individual who had attended </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Delta</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">State</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">University</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
with me before I moved to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, confided in me that the DSU community had labeled me a
"crazy" man who would surely die at a young age, and possibly cause
the death of others as well. Yes, the truth hurts, but the grace of God heals,
and it does much more, it transforms!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I cannot even begin to understand how some
people possess such a flippant and casual attitude towards marriage. Multiple
partners, multiple marriages, multiple divorces, living together outside of
marriage, etc. This is NOT the plan of God. By His grace, we have grown
together, dreamed together, laughed together, wept together, argued together,
and STAYED together. I have often told Tammy that in our relationship, I got a
priceless treasure, and she got a gag-gift! We have not had a perfect marriage,
for how can two imperfect people have a perfect anything? But we have had a
very fulfilling marriage. By God's grace we will continue to love each other
with His love; we will continue to serve each other with His humility; we will
continue to forgive each other with His longsuffering; and we will continue to
help each other with His strength. Amen! God is so wonderfully good, praise His
name!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our lives are a testimony of what He has done,
what He is doing, and what He shall do. Our responsibility has been simple:
hear and obey. Yet this should not be the experiences of just a few of the
redeemed, it should be the norm for all of the redeemed. Amen! As you look back
upon your life story, do you see experiences of faith being exercised in your
journey? Do you make it a priority to hear and obey the voice of the Lord in
making your personal and family decisions? This is the only way to insure that
His will is being realized in your life. We are not to pattern ourselves after
the world, making choices and decisions based upon humanistic reasoning.
Instead, we need to experience divine revelation, for the Bible clearly says
that we should "walk by faith, and not by sight."</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-53110370261313556772024-03-12T17:59:00.000-05:002024-03-12T17:59:10.241-05:00Experiencing God<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">"I looked for
someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the
gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no
one. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery
anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares
the Sovereign Lord." Ezekiel 22:30-31<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Like many of you, my life
has been impacted by the teaching ministry of the late Henry Blackaby. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Little did I know
when I first walked through the </span><u style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Experiencing God</u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Bible study, that I
would one day get to spend time with him when I served as a trustee of the
International Mission Board. As a leader on our Prayer First Committee, I had invited Dr. Blackaby to come and lead a Prayer Summit for all of our trustees
and executive staff. It was a very special time of getting to know more
personally one of my spiritual heroes. As I have pondered upon my faith journey, I realize that many of those who uniquely shaped my life have now departed this temporal life for eternity. Below is a powerful
statement concerning revival that Dr. Blackaby wrote quite a few years ago as a
foreword to a book on revival. I have edited his words just a bit for this post. I pray that his words will inspire and challenge you to seek Him in these days in
which we live...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Our nation stands on the
brink of the Judgment of God. Many sensitive leaders believe we may have
"crossed the line" and judgment is inevitable. God's people no longer
possess a holy fear of God. And when God's people no longer fear Him, they no
longer fear sin. When they no longer fear sin, they are of no use to God for
the redemption of the nation or the world. God's blessing and often His
Presence is removed. I believe we are at this point now.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I grew up in </span><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Western Canada</span></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, with an awesome sense of the lostness of the
nation. When I mentioned my burden to God's people, I would consistently hear,
"Don't expect God to do in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Canada</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> what He has done in other parts of the world.
</span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Canada</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> is different. The people just don't respond
the same." My heart would sink, and I would cry out to God, "But
Lord, You are the same! Would You not show me and Your people Your heart's
desire to bring the people of this nation to Yourself."</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">God opened my eyes and my
heart, and I became aware that my relatives had graduated from Spurgeon's
College in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">London</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">England</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, seeing waves of revival constantly. My uncle
and aunt were missionaries in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">China</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> during the great Shantung </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Revival and</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> sent
home glowing letters and pictures of that mighty move of God. Then, God let me
pastor in </span></span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Saskatoon</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Saskatchewan</span></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Canada</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> during the great "Canadian Revival"
in the early 1970's, where I witnessed the Mighty Hand of God at work, first
among His Own people, then among the lost. My life was forever changed. I was
later asked to direct the office of Prayer and Spiritual Awakening for the Home
Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, where I traveled across the
nation and around the world bringing the message of Revival. I have seen some
amazing moments of a "deep touch of God." But my heart is deeply
grieved over what I see among the people of God today, in the midst of an
escalating moral and spiritual decline in the nation. This nation is heading
toward the judgment of God, and God's people, especially our spiritual leaders,
are "asleep," as were the disciples in the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Garden</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Gethsemane</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Now I am sending out an
urgent plea, for God's people seem disoriented to God: to His Voice, to His
Presence, to His Activity, and especially to His Warnings in the Scripture.
They are disoriented to His Word and to His Ways. They are unaccustomed to
prayer, the urgent prayer that is needed for Revival. And they are far from the
holy people of God He intended us to be, especially in our relationship to Him,
and therefore to His people. For these reasons, I offer these urgent pleas:</i></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Pastors must turn now to an intimate
relationship with God, and live holy lives before Him.</i></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Deacons/elders must return to a vital
relationship with God that allows Him to work through them to bring
spiritual unity, peace, love, healing and fellowship to God's people.</i></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Other leaders (Bible study teachers,
youth leaders, music ministers, men and women's group leaders) must return
to the Scriptures as the absolute necessity of instruction for God's
people.</i></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Denominational workers must return to the
heart of God for His people and stop "using His people" for
their purposes, and then assist them to "practice everything that I have
commanded them."</i></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Evangelists and missionaries must give
attention to the spiritual condition of God's people, to assist them to be
holy, as He is holy, so God can fill them with His Presence, Power and
Glory, and work through them to touch a lost world with His great
salvation.</i></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>I am pleading with God to
raise up and thrust forth true prophets, who will fearlessly proclaim His
message to His people, regardless of the cost to themselves, and it will be
costly (Matt. 5:10-12). I plead with God to raise up "spiritual prophets"
who long for a display of the glory of God, and not merely "spiritual
politicians" who are looking to maintain a comfortable and financially
rewarding ministry position.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Now is the time for God's
people to (1) return seriously to God's Word, with the heart intention to live
it out in life, radically; (2) return to serious, urgent prayer, the kind of
prayer that will move the hand of God; (3) a return to the eternal intention of
God for the corporate life of His people, as a "royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God. (1 Peter 2:9-10)</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Thank you, Dr. Blackaby, for being a unique vessel of grace to touch countless lives as you taught us how</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> to Experience God.
And I simply say, "Amen, and AMEN!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-86291600146507915302024-01-17T10:07:00.000-06:002024-01-17T10:07:11.637-06:00The Great Awakening<p> </p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"If my people who are called by my name will humble
themselves,<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked
ways, then<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and
heal their land."<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">2 Chronicles 7:14</span></i></b></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Great Awakening: Spiritual Revival in Colonial </span></u><st1:country-region><st1:place><u><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">America</span></u></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> is
a powerful, yet brief, documentary of the work of the Spirit of God in the very
critical, developing years of our nation. Listed below is a synopsis of the
incredible truths that I have gleaned from watching this video multiple times.
Watch it prayerfully. Watch it together as a family. Show it to your Sunday
School class or home Bible study group. And dear pastor, I would encourage you
to watch it personally and present it to your congregation. Please read my
thoughts and watch the video...</span></p>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Some 100-150 years following the arrival of the Pilgrims and
Puritans upon the North American shores, a steep spiritual decline
occurred as many of the newer settlers were more focused upon material
prosperity available in the </span><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">New World</span></st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> rather than
religious liberty.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Established congregations, in a vain attempt to remain relevant
among a growing population disinterested in the things of God, began to
promote church membership among those who had no experience of personal
conversion. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Age of Reason, a cultural philosophy and godless worldview
originating in </span><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Europe</span></st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> that denied
the inspiration and authority of scripture, began to be the accepted
viewpoint of those desiring to be associated with an educated and
enlightened society.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">During this time of extreme spiritual decline, a Dutch Reformed
circuit riding evangelist began traveling among the wilderness communities
of </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">New Jersey</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> and </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">New York</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, preaching
the necessity of the new birth and the accompanying evidences of that
birth in the lives of true believers. His ministry was vehemently opposed
at the beginning, but his preaching eventually resulted in the mass
conversion of both ministers and church members who possessed a "form
of godliness but denied the power thereof." <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">William Tennent, along with his son, Gilbert, having a great
burden for these newly converted ministers, opened a training school for
these men in Pennsylvania that became known as the Log College, as the
established Bible colleges and seminaries did not emphasize biblical conversion.
Gilbert began to preach a powerful message that would be widely distributed
via print in the larger cities entitled "The Dangers of an
Unconverted Ministry."<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">These small, flickering flames of awakening were only beginning,
and would eventually explode across the developing colonies of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> through the
preaching and teaching of giant men of faith like Jonathan Edwards, George
Whitefield, John Wesley, and others. Churches and pastors that embraced
this work of God witnessed phenomenal growth, while new congregations of
Methodist churches were established that followed the teachings of Wesley.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">As the spiritual fires began to increase in intensity and spread
to new areas, fierce opposition began to arise within established churches
and denominations. The work of the Spirit of God among the general
population through the fiery preaching of anointed men was attacked by
those who decried this type of activity. <b>Liberal pastors and
denominational leaders labeled the awakening as being too emotional; the
awakening evangelists promoted a vulgar gospel demanding personal
repentance of sin; and that these types of services were to be completely
avoided as they displayed no measure of respectable religion.</b> (Whether you read the Bible or church history, you will always find unregenerate religious leaders vehemently opposing the true work of God's Spirit. Sadly, I have often seen this with my own eyes.)<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">THE DISSENTERS: In the southern colonies, a wave of awakening
bypassed the established denominational network of churches, giving rise
to an ever-expanding number of laymen who would hold services in their
homes and read the printed messages of Whitefield and other preachers.
This eventually led to the building of "meeting houses" when the
homes of host families were too small to hold the gatherings. This work ultimately
led to an experience of church planting, as evangelistic pastors arrived
who began to see God establish Bible believing Presbyterian and Baptist
churches in the frontier areas of the south.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">The floodgates of amazing grace were now open from the </span><st1:place style="color: #222222;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">New England</span></st1:place><span style="color: #222222;"> colonies all
the way down into the deep south. The radical working of God's Spirit
transformed countless lives and saturated communities with bold, Bible
believing homes and churches. Without this undeniable work of God's grace,
these struggling colonies probably would have never had the vision, nor the
faith, to declare independence from the only superpower in the world at
that time. The dream of establishing a nation that would embrace a
constitutional philosophy of limited government, religious freedom, and
the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all citizens
was based upon a biblical worldview of personal morality and
responsibility. “Blessed is the nation whose
God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own
inheritance” (Psalm 33:12)</span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I pray that you will watch this brief yet powerful
documentary. I pray that you will understand that without a divine intervention
of spiritual awakening today, our country will not be able to continue as a
shining light in the midst of global darkness. And I pray that you will join me
in crying out before it's too late: "DO IT AGAIN, LORD, DO IT AGAIN!"
Amen...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://youtu.be/vELS8e8hATk?si=Mty9Wf31ZXcXOyXP">https://youtu.be/vELS8e8hATk?si=Mty9Wf31ZXcXOyXP</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-61609556591402610972023-11-01T18:00:00.002-05:002023-11-01T20:30:39.491-05:00The Monster That We Have Created<h4 style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><i>"I will build My church, and the gates of Hell <br /></i><i>shall not prevail against it."<br /></i><i>Matthew 16:18b</i></h4><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the classic novel written by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein decided that his ultimate purpose was to recreate life following the horrible sting of death. He assembled a corpse and subsequently brought his creation back across the abyss of eternity. He discovered, however, that what he had done was to create what he called a “fiend;” a “demon;” a “monster.” In the remaining years of his life, Dr. Frankenstein worked to destroy the beast that he had so foolishly and wickedly created.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus was enjoying an intimate conversation with His disciples as they traveled to the tourist area of Caesarea Philippi. They were discussing the religious talk of that day and what others were saying of Him. Listening carefully to His men, He eventually asked them the big question: “But who do you say that I am?” The heart of Peter, that rugged fisherman that we all love and many of us can identify with, was supernaturally moved to answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” he boldly proclaimed.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Oh, friend, you did not come up with that answer on your own,” Jesus replied (my translation), “that kind of response is a word from my Father in Heaven.”</div><div><br /></div><div>The following statements from the lips of Jesus are those that everyone in ministry should know and love. He spoke of this great confession from Peter as being our foundation for biblical power. He certainly was not naming Simon Peter as the first Pope, nor was He establishing some order of apostolic authority. Jesus was simply saying that the great truth of who He was and is, gives us the empowerment to conquer spiritual enemies in His mighty name. And within this dialogue concerning our possessing authority, Jesus said, “I will build My church.” Thank God that He did not say Peter would build His church. And praise His wonderful name that He did not say that you and I would shoulder the responsibility of building His church. With boldlness and clarity, and without any type of elaborate explanation, he said, “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH!”</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Have it Your Way</i></b></div><div> </div><div>Over the years, I have become increasingly burdened with the mindset of church leaders that disregard this teaching of Christ. As a result, they labor tirelessly in a vain effort to see their churches grow. When I was in seminary in the early 1990's, church growth was the hot topic on campus, in conferences, and at our annual conventions. This emphasis became so dominant among evangelicals, that a polluted form of humanistic reasoning slowly entered the recesses of our conservative decision-making and now dominates much of what we do at the local church level. And what is this polluted form of humanistic reasoning? Pragmatism.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, you might be asking: “What is pragmatism?” It is the philosophy that believes the end justifies the means. In other words, whatever your particular goal is in life, anything and everything is considered acceptable behavior in the pursuit of accomplishing that stated goal. Taken in context of church work, specifically within the emphasis of numerical growth, pragmatism allows us to embrace questionable methods and ministry ideas, all in the name of reaching our target audience and successfully achieving our set goals.</div><div><br /></div><div>This philosophy introduces the Burger King mentality into the body of Christ, which entices church attendees to come and have it their way. You remember the little jingle, don't you? "Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce; special orders don't upset us, all we ask is that you let us serve it your way!" In order to be successful, churches today build interest by pampering to the fleshly demands of carnal members. Entertainment is often the primary focus, not true biblical worship. Key words like atonement, and phrases like the blood of Christ are purposely ignored. After all, such terminology is considered old-fashioned, divisive, and unimportant to the modern thinker. With entertainment and fresh methodology driving the engine to reach the goal, converts know very little about the ugliness of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the demands of discipleship. As one faith hero of mine once stated in a sermon, “We now have redemption without regeneration, salvation without repentance, justification without sanctification, and Christianity without a cross!” To put it quite bluntly, friend, there is no such animal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now this kind of thinking is not entirely new to the church. I remember the stupidity of yesterday, and addressed it already in a previous post, when pastors would display their God-fearing attitudes by swallowing live goldfish on Sunday mornings when some attendance goal was successfully reached, or preaching from the roof, or kissing a pig, or having the deacons throw pies in their faces, etc. (<a href="https://pulpittruth.blogspot.com/2023/09/play-stupid-games-win-stupid-prizes.html">Pulpit Truth: Play Stupid Games; Win Stupid Prizes</a>) Today, however, we have taken pragmatism to a whole new level of absurdity. And why? Because we no longer believe that the “gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation.” Like Abraham and Sarah in the Old Testament, we have lost our confidence in the word and promises of God. Therefore, the logical thing to do is to realize that God needs our help, and then invite that cute, little Egyptian handmaiden to move into the tent with us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Someone might be tempted to say: "Yes, Jesus said what He said all those years ago. But this world today is a different place with a post-modern worldview. We live among a society that no longer views truth as our grandparents did." (I would whole-heartedly agree with that last statement, but at least our grandparents knew what a woman was!) But pragmatists would argue that we need to do things differently to help Jesus grow His church. They would state that people no longer want a Bible sermon from an authoritative pulpit. (Think of Adrian Rogers at this point, as he was called a "dinosaur" by an instructor at a church planting seminar that I was attending several years ago.) Pragmatists see nothing wrong with incorporating secular songs, dramatic dance, appealing aromas, and cute PowerPoint presentations to be the highlight of their fifteen-minute spiritual dialogues. And the sad reality is that we have multitudes of worldly pastors who will be more than happy to oblige the reasoning of pragmatism. After all, success is giving the consumers what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. Therefore, we absolutely must bring cute Egyptian handmaidens into our tents to appeal to those without a biblical worldview, to keep them coming back, and to maybe one day have the privilege of sneaking the gospel to them through the back door when their defenses are down.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember a few years ago being in a service at a large church in North Carolina. Following a few simple introductions, the lights went down, the praise team mounted the stage, multiple strobe lights began flashing, incredibly loud music began playing, and then slowly moving down from the ceiling in the darkness was the largest “disco ball” that I had ever seen. I’m not sure we worshiped, but the people went wild with excitement. Another church I know about had several weeks devoted to using the “American Idol” theme in their services, with the platform converted to look like the highly successful FOX television program. Each service opened with a song voted on and selected by the congregation via social media. One of these was Garth Brook’s wonderful hymn, “I Got Friends in Low Places.” One acquaintance with extensive experience in church planting told me how they played Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Beatles, among others, as their prelude to worship. Now please don’t judge me when I confess I might crank up “Sweet Home Alabama” a little too loud whenever I hear it while scanning my radio, but it doesn’t prepare me to see Jesus in the beauty of His holiness. When a man discovered years ago that I was involved in a church plant intentionally targeting our collegiate population, he testified how their church had implemented elaborate activities to keep this age group continuing to attend. When I asked for an explanation, he said, “Fun and games, man, it’s got to be fun and games!” Another experience I had was observing the antics of overgrown, muscled-bound men who were using incredible feats of strength to do the work of evangelism. I don't believe that they practiced the spiritual discipline of fasting while praying, as they were all too powerfully built to miss many meals. They held everyone's attention while trying to perform certain antics with their huge muscles that normal men could never do, while one of them quoted a verse of scripture entirely out of context. You know the one: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." It was somewhat like trying to learn spiritual truth from Hulk Hogan. The more I watched, the more sick I felt in my stomach. It was such an unholy carnival of flesh on parade, all done in the name of Jesus, that the Holy Spirit within me wanted to throw up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this the way of Christ? I don’t think so. The Bible says, "Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth." (Psalm 96:9) And the Bible also says, “Whatever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23) When Jesus was once questioned “what should we do so that we might accomplish the work of God?” He responded, “This is the work of God, that you should believe on Him whom He has sent.” The Bible is our guidebook for both our faith AND our practice. I rejected years ago the pragmatic mindset that was often repeated in conservative circles: "We should never change the message in the church, but we must always be changing the methods of the church!" Hogwash was my response then, and it still is today. Reading His word reminds me (therein might be the problem, church leaders who never read His word) that He alone is the architect and builder, the designer and the contractor, and the only eternal head of the church! In this age in which we live we do not need worldly, stupid gimmicks; cute and novel ideas from some social influencer; nor do we need soulish methods implemented by prayerless leaders in hopes of accomplishing some strategic, measurable goal. Away with that kind of carnal foolishness! Today, more than ever, we need Godly leaders who display the love of Christ, who have gained the mind of Christ, who have acquired the courage of Christ, and who now possess the power of Christ to charge forward against the gates of Hell with the gospel of Christ! AMEN! Then, and only then, will we see individual lives, families, and communities touched and transformed for the glory of God.</div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><i>Welcome to McDonalds</i></span></b><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Now before some of you begin to gloat and say,
“Yeah, get ‘em Brother Charles! These new seminary boys with soul patches, long
hair, and flip-flops need to get right!” YOU need to know something: The
monster I see that we have created is a two-headed beast. Not only have we
missed the mark by embracing the Burger King philosophy (pragmatism), we have
also missed the mark by seeking to implement the McDonalds mindset. Let me
explain…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">It was during those awkward early teen years that I
was foolish enough to order food from Mickey D’s the way I wanted it. I still
remember those hateful stares coming from across the counter. Others stepped
from the kitchen area to see who would dare suggest something could be ordered
differently than designed or approved by Ray Kroc. Everyone seemed upset,
including family and friends, because this unheard-of tactic snatched the fast
right out of fast food. Through this experience, I learned that McDonalds built
its empire on consistency. Everything is the same no matter where a restaurant
might be located. A Big Mac made in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Alabama</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222;">
will taste just like a Big Mac made in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Alaska</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222;">,
which will taste just like a Big Mac made in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Arizona</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222;">,
which will taste… Well, you get the picture.</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“What in the world does this have to do with the
church?” you might be asking. Well, friend, just as Burger King promotes
pragmatism, McDonalds markets traditionalism. Keep it the same, make no
changes, don’t rock the boat! Traditionalism is just as much of a monster as
pragmatism, and both create confusion and chaos in the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">church</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> of
</span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jesus Christ</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. I’ve
heard some dumb things in my life coming from the lips of church leaders. Here
are four off the top of my head:</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Boys, when you get in the pulpit, make sure you
have your 1611, or it ain’t God’s word.”</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Now I do not want to fire bullets at the most
enduring English version of the Bible, the King James Version, but I always
wanted to comment to those with this mentality that they themselves are not
preaching from the 1611 version, but from the revised 1769 edition.</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“If it’s not a piano or an organ, it will not be in
this church.”</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Okay, please show me in the Bible where these two
musical instruments are the only ones ordained of God for His glory. By the
way, I can show you multiple verses where singers were accompanied by many
varied instruments to support and enhance their worship experience.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“These contemporary Christian songs are of the
Devil.”</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Oh my, must I even comment on this one? If you do
not have access to great contemporary, Christian music, you are missing out on
wonderful songs that will touch your heart and lift you into the presence of
God Almighty! Don't believe me? Click on this one: </span><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://youtu.be/dhU-Omwg2rU?si=isfdWUEmfWhNLYgM">https://youtu.be/dhU-Omwg2rU?si=isfdWUEmfWhNLYgM</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“My Brother, you must put on the tie before
speaking to the body of Christ.”</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">I admit, I did not hear this one with my own ears.
I learned of this statement from a friend on the mission field in </span><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Africa</span></st1:place><span style="color: #222222;">.
Men who were to address the church were not to do so without proper attire,
which in this case, was a necktie. The missionary laughed and told me about an
old, grimy clip-on tie hanging off the pulpit in case someone needed it. Do you
wonder where this teaching came from? It probably is based upon the British and
American mindset of being properly dressed in order to experience proper
worship. The emphasis, therefore, is placed on man’s outward appearance. Is it
just me, or do you remember God Himself having to remind one of His men that He
does not see as a man sees, for man is impressed by outward appearances, while
God looks deep inside at the heart?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Oh, how foolish we are when we embrace tradition to
the degree that we miss the activity of God! I well remember the deep,
passionate arguments that unfolded when I suggested that the best way to ensure our finishing the worship service by the </span><st1:time hour="12" minute="0"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">noon</span></st1:time><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
hour on Sunday would be to start earlier. The way some people responded with
such misguided zeal, you would think the Bible says: “Thou shalt worship the
Lord thy God at </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="0"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">eleven o’clock</span></st1:time><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> on
Sunday morning, and only at </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="0"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">eleven
o’clock</span></st1:time><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> on Sunday morning shalt thou worship Him!”</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Please read the following quote carefully. It is
worth your attention:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Most of us are familiar with </span></i><st1:state><st1:place><i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Washington</span></i></st1:place></st1:state><i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></i><st1:city><st1:place><i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Irving</span></i></st1:place></st1:city><i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’s intriguing little tale, Rip
Van Winkle. Though written years ago, it has a startling relevance for the
church today. You will remember that Rip had been slumbering away on a grassy
knoll in the Catskill Mountains for twenty years, during which time the
thirteen British colonies had become the thirteen, newly formed United States
of America. Poor old Rip had slept through the Revolution – and there is the
story’s relevance for us today.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The fact that the church is living
and attempting to minister in a revolutionary atmosphere should be obvious to
all. Everything seems to be in a state of radical change. All aspects of
society are in a flux. Foundations long accepted as valid are being shaken. No
segment of the so-called establishment escapes questioning. The only certainty
appears that nothing will ever quite be the same again. But the most
disquieting element of this sociological revolution is that often the “sleeping
Rip Van Winkle” of the hour is none other than the church. Christians, who
should be on the cutting edge of this changing scene and moving society towards
God, are often found slumbering away on some grassy knoll of irrelevance or
unrealistic traditionalism while the world all but explodes and fragments
around them.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In the light of such a situation, it
is vital for the church to come alive to the contemporary social atmosphere and
address itself to the problems this revolution precipitates. I do not believe
that the church is absolutely dead and in need of a decent burial, as some
critics advocate. Rather, it more or less finds itself, at least in some of its
institutionalized forms, in the grip of irrelevancy and needs to be awakened
and updated. And if God’s people can be shaken from their slumbers and made to
see the tremendous evangelistic challenge of this turbulent hour, great things
can be done. Moreover, it may just be that the disturbing voices being heard in
our world today will be used to awaken the sleepers.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">That quote sounds very much like what is being said
today in numerous circles in an attempt to awaken the church to relevancy. But
those words were written when I was ten years old, having been published in
1972 by Dr. Lewis Drummond while he was teaching at Spurgeon’s College in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">London</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222;">. He
was moved by the lack of spiritual power and the unwillingness to implement
changes in the evangelical churches of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Great
Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222;">. Today, that once-great
missional church that was used of God to exalt Christ around the world is
nearly a spiritual wasteland.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">What is God’s word to the church today? It is a
very simple one: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be
zealous and repent… He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.” The philosophies of pragmatism and traditionalism both lead to
empty, vain religious activity. Jesus said that He would build His church.
Trust Him to do just that, and then be amazed at what He can accomplish. Amen!</span></p></div>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-51723106671091047922023-10-18T09:16:00.001-05:002023-10-18T11:46:47.106-05:00The Assembly of the Dead<div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">"Why do you seek
the living among the dead?" Luke 24:5</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Two angelic messengers
asked this powerful question to those fearful women who had made their way to
the tomb on Sunday morning in order to </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left;">ensure</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"> that Jesus had a more proper
burial. But the One they believed needed appropriate spices added to His grave
clothes, had already walked out of His borrowed tomb. The sting of death had
been swallowed up in victory, and His glorious gospel was about to embark on a
global tour that continues to change lives around the world - Amen!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I remember several
years ago, while traveling in itinerant ministry, how the Lord led me to only
speak on these weighty subjects of biblical revival: a continual lifestyle of
repentance, personal humility revealed through brokenness, and the need to be
emptied of self and filled with the Spirit in order to accomplish the eternal
work of God. As I was obedient to what I believed was His will, I noticed how
few church members wanted to hear these truths. Although He gave me great
liberty and fresh anointing to preach His word, the responses during these
meetings were always the same: personal indifference and corporate unconcern.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.05pt center 243.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Knowing that I was
doing what He required of me, I began asking for a demonstration of His mighty
power at work in and among His people. There were times when I wept at how
callous the hearts of church members were to God's truth. Easter season was
approaching at that time, and I was re-reading the gospel accounts of this most
blessed event, when I saw Luke 24:5 in a whole different light. As I had been
burdened to pray for a work among God's people, desiring to see church members
repent of their sin and renew their love for Jesus in order to experience
abundant life in His grace, God seemed to ask me: "Charles, why do you
seek the living among the dead?" In other words, why are you looking for a
demonstration of the abiding life of Christ in those people who might be
considered religious, who wear a Baptist label, yet remain spiritually dead?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.05pt center 243.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Alarming statistics
are once again moving me when I read that we have some 13.5 million Southern
Baptists on our church rolls, but on any given Sunday just 3.6 million of those members will be actively involved in the life of their church. This means that only about
25% of members actually attend, while the other 75% rarely see the need for
worship, fellowship and discipleship. Now I understand that some certainly have
legitimate reasons for non-participation, but this would only represent a very
small minority. Most are absent because of illegitimate excuses! They are not
enthusiastically involved in the life of the church because they don't want to
be. Which reminds me of another verse: "They went out from us, but they
were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with
us; but <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">they went out</span> that
they might be made manifest, that they were not of us." 1 John 2:19</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We
need to experience an awakening among the membership rolls of our Southern
Baptist, as well as other evangelical, Bible-believing churches. The lost in
our communities will not be interested in the gospel of Jesus Christ until they
see a demonstration of His life in those who name His name, and especially in
those who proclaim His name! In October of 1740, the great evangelist George
Whitefield said, "The reason why many congregations have been so dead, is
because dead men preach to them. </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Oh,</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> that the Lord may quicken and revive them
for His own </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">name's</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> sake! For how can dead men beget living children?" I was
stirred recently when reading this testimony by a devotional writer concerning a man named Brett: "It
was a natural step for Brett to attend a Christian college and study the Bible.
After all, he’d been around people who knew Jesus his whole life - at home, at
school, at church. He was even using his college studies to prepare himself for a career in Christian
work and ministry. But at the age of twenty-one, as he sat with the small congregation
in an old country church and listened to a pastor preach from 1 John, he made a
startling discovery. He realized that he was depending upon his own understanding and the trappings of his religious traditions, and that he’d never truly
received salvation in Jesus Christ. He felt the Lord tugging at his heart that
day with a sobering message: “You don’t know Me!” That very day, Brett repented
of his sin and placed his faith in Christ alone. Today, his deep passion for
Jesus and His marvelous salvation is no secret. It comes through loud and clear
every time he steps behind the pulpit and preaches the word of God."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Please
join me in praying for a heart breaking, sin killing, life changing move of
God's Spirit within our convention, and in our churches, beginning in our
pulpits! AMEN!!</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="text-align: center;"><i><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></i></span><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">"A man who wanders from the way of understanding,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">will rest in the assembly of the</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">dead.</span><b><i>" Proverbs 21:16</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><div>"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have </div><div>forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." Hosea 4:6</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></i></b></div></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-76860882752397913262023-10-04T13:53:00.000-05:002023-10-04T13:53:02.120-05:00Progressive Salvation<h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="text Rom-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></i></b></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="text Rom-5-2" id="en-NKJV-28050" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span class="text Rom-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span class="text Rom-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span class="text Rom-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Romans 5:1-2</span></i></b></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="text Rom-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="text Rom-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">The word 'progressive' used today in a cultural, educational, or political setting is not looked upon favorably by a conservative like me. So, when you look at the title of this Bible study, you might question my sanity. No, beloved, I am not talking about some liberal type of religious experience that has no saving merit. But I do want us to consider this important subject using the historical meaning of the word progressive.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Before this word was hijacked by certain radical elements of our society, the word simply meant to move in a forward, methodical motion; or to proceed in steps, continuing steadily by measurable increments. Embracing this definition and thinking biblically about salvation, one might believe that nothing about gaining a right standing with God through the Lord Jesus Christ would be considered progressive. And that belief would be mostly correct, but not entirely. Let me explain using theological terms that you should be familiar with...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>REGENERATION</i></b>, </span>or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It might take years, or only a few moments, for a person to fully experience this unique and divine activity of grace. As the work of conviction leads a person to a saving knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ, they are wonderfully, supernaturally, personally, instantaneously, and eternally saved. HALLELUJAH!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">JUSTIFICATION</i> is a legal term found in the scriptures whereby God, in His gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness, declares all sinners who repent and believe in Christ as being perfectly righteous, completely holy, and eternally pure. This work of grace brings the believer unto a relationship of overwhelming peace with God, as justification means that God looks upon those who have been saved and He sees the sinlessness and righteousness of His Son. Therefore, the holy eyes of God look upon us just as if we never sinned. HALLELUJAH!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><b><i>SANCTIFICATION</i></b> is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life. Sanctification is related to personal holiness. Abiding, learning, obeying, and maturing in holiness as a believer is another aspect of God's amazing work of grace. It is His will that we bear fruit, which speaks of our inner character being displayed through our outer conduct in a way that brings glory to the One Who has saved us and is transforming us. HALLELUJAH!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">GLORIFICATION</i> is the culmination of our salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. The Bible clearly states that one day all of those who have experienced regeneration, or the new birth, will enter into the presence of the God Almighty forever. Amen! For most of the saved throughout the ages, that entrance has been realized via the doors of death. In the future, a wonderful event will unfold that will usher countless believers into His presence at one glorious moment of time, which is called the rapture. No matter the details concerning the process of our glorification, it is a promise of God that will one day be fulfilled to all of the redeemed. HALLELUJAH!</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;">Now, let's look at those important terms that are firmly associated with regeneration in a little different light...</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><b><i>Justification</i></b>: This is my POSITION in Christ - because of His sacrificial death on the cross and my oneness in Him, I am saved from the PENALTY of sin!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><i><b>Sanctification</b></i>: This is my CONDITON of becoming like Christ - because of the Holy Spirit living and working in me, I am being saved from the POWER of sin!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><i><b>Glorification</b></i>: This is my EXPECTATION of being like Christ - because of His promise to one day take me where He is, I will be saved from the very PRESENCE of sin!</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;">Great and marvelous truth, is it not? It certainly is, yet the reason for this devotional and its title is based upon the reality of personal experience with vast numbers of unregenerate church members. Who are these people? They are the ones who claim a type of salvation experience that dismisses God's work of sanctification. They claim to be saved and on the way to Heaven, but they give no evidence to support their claims. Therefore, they embrace the principles of justification and glorification (though they would never use these terms because they have no idea that they exist or what they mean) while denying the reality of sanctification. Listen friend, if someone testifies of being saved and on their way to Heaven, they should consistently display a 'progressive' salvation that reveals a sustained spiritual growth in measurable ways. This does not mean that we reach a place of sinless perfection in this life, but it does mean that others should be able to observe spiritual fruit in our lives, which proves the reality of the inner working of the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus said, "</span><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">You will know them by their fruits... Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit... Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."</span></div></div><div></div><p></p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="text Rom-5-2" id="en-NKJV-28050" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><i>Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:3-6</i></span></h4><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><ol style="background-color: white; border-spacing: 0px 11px; border: 0px; color: #222222; display: table; font-family: DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6, "Proxima Nova", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Segoe UI", "Nimbus Sans L", "Liberation Sans", "Open Sans", FreeSans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: -11px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="module--definitions__definition" style="border: 0px; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></li><li class="module--definitions__definition" style="border: 0px; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></li></ol>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-36511456991000615812023-09-27T06:00:00.002-05:002024-02-14T11:03:25.640-06:00Where's the Desire for Revival?<p> </p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">"So continuing
DAILY with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">from house to house,
they ate their food with gladness and simplicity<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">of heart, praising God
and having favor with all the people. And the Lord<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">added to the church
DAILY those who were being saved."<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Acts 2:46-47</span></i></b></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have been re-reading
several classic books on the subject of revival over the summer, as well as
some that have been recently published concerning this very important issue regarding
the people of God. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Any committed and
compassionate follower of Christ realizes that the current political climate,
along with the hateful rhetoric of unbelievers toward anyone with a
conservative viewpoint, is a sign of God's judgments being fulfilled. I believe
that if we do not experience a </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Heaven-sent</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> revival among the body of Christ, we
are only beginning to see the tip of the iceberg of what awaits us in the days,
months and years to come, as vile and vicious God-haters strengthen their grip
on our nation. Church history, however, reveals that when God moves in mighty
power among His people in revival, it culminates in an incredible awakening
that ushers multitudes into His kingdom. The result is a dramatic change in the
spiritual and moral condition of a people, and the intensifying judgment of God
is postponed as multitudes begin to seek Him and His saving grace.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.05pt center 243.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Book of Acts is
looked upon as the pinnacle of truth concerning the experience of revival and
awakening in and through the body of Christ. No blood washed believer should be
able to read this book without a tear in their eye, a longing in their heart,
and a cry in their voice that says, "Do it again, Lord, do it again!"
The breathtaking testimony of what God was doing begins to avalanche on the
great Day of Pentecost. Thousands were brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ, and they quickly identified with His death, burial, and resurrection
through their obedience of baptism. As God worked, the city of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> was shaken with His
presence. These new believers had such an appetite for God's word and a longing
for His presence, that the Bible says they gathered DAILY to worship and
fellowship with one another. The testimony also reveals that as the body of
Christ was filled with His Spirit, God was awakening and saving men and women
on a DAILY basis. Wow! What an awesome revelation of God working in an
incredible way! Praise His Name!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.05pt center 243.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It was about twenty
years ago that I was privileged to preach at a </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">First</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Church</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> in one our most notable
towns in north </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Mississippi</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. The pastor had
previously served in the ministry of evangelism for several years while living
in another state. He and his wife were so gracious in their inviting Tammy to
join me for this special Sunday evangelistic event. As they treated us to
lunch, he shared a deep burden on his heart. "Charles," he said,
"please give me your opinion on a matter. I have shared many testimonies
of my experiences as an </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">evangelist and</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> have dropped occasional hints that we
should set aside a special time to seek the Lord in an </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">old-fashioned</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> revival
meeting. Whenever I approach this subject, however, many of my key leaders
voice their opposition to such an idea. 'Bro. Tom,' they say, 'we love you, but
please don't ask us to come to church several nights in a row. We are an
extremely busy people, and we just don't have time today for those kinds of
services that were so prominent just a few years ago.' What do you think, Bro. Charles?"</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.05pt center 243.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I immediately opened my
Bible and read these verses from the Book of Acts. "Pastor, here's what I
believe: The early church so longed to encounter the presence of God corporately, that they
could not endure a </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">twenty-four-hour</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> period without assembling together. They
desired to worship Christ and to share a witness of His love
and grace with those who might join them in this special season of divine blessing. And their desire was to experience this TOGETHER!" I believe the key word is desire. This is something that they wanted to </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">do;</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> they were not forced to gather daily. i know that coming together </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">every day</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> to
fulfill an obligation of attendance is not going to mature someone to become a
super-saint. However, when church members display their desire to AVOID coming
together on a DAILY basis, even if for a brief period of time, that shows a very
real and deep problem of their own spiritually immature condition.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.05pt center 243.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It has amazed me over
the years how many churches never utilize those who have been called into the
ministry of evangelism. Some choose to neglect this gift because of an
unfortunate experience in the past with someone who was not a man after God's
own heart. Others, however, simply do not consider using those with special
gifts of revival and evangelism because they believe less is more. In other words,
those events placed on the calendars of the past will not be considered today,
because our folks are very busy people with very demanding schedules. I believe
that we as church leaders have simply coddled to the demands of mostly carnal
members. Not only do we not dare suggest some type of revival campaign, but now
the trend is to eliminate Sunday evening services as well. After all, families
today rush to and fro from school and work to fulfill important obligations all
over the community, so let's help them out by asking less and less of their
time, focus, and energy when it comes to the things of God. Amen? Or, oh my?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 112.05pt center 243.0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We cannot force the
Spirit of God to work, and putting an event on the church calendar does not
guarantee His presence and power. However, if the heart of our churches does
not look something like the heart of the church revealed in the Book of Acts,
longing to be together in order to experience Him, something is terribly wrong.
And the heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">"Seek
the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.<br /></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;<br /></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">
Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him;<br /></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">
And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."<br /></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Isaiah 55:6-7</span></i></b></h4>
Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-21880242902833432612023-09-13T13:22:00.001-05:002023-09-13T13:22:46.715-05:00Play Stupid Games; Win Stupid Prizes<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="text 2Cor-10-3" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></i></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="text 2Cor-10-3" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. </span><span class="text 2Cor-10-4" id="en-NKJV-28976" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling </span></i></b><b><i><span class="text 2Cor-10-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">down</span></i></b><b><i><span class="text 2Cor-10-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"> strongholds, </span><span class="text 2Cor-10-5" id="en-NKJV-28977" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."</span></i></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="text 2Cor-10-5" style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">2 Corinthians 10:3-5</span></i></b></h3><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will never forget the morning that I received wonderful, scriptural advice from an older pastor and dear friend. It was not only good advice, but a loving rebuke as well, one that I desperately needed. For some reason, he and I were the only ones in our carpool on that Tuesday morning headed to the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary campus in Memphis, Tenn. As I was unusually quiet, Bro. Mike asked me if I was feeling alright. When I assured him that I was fine, he asked about my family, and I told him that everyone was feeling well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Bro. Charles," he said, "if you and your family are all doing good, how about the church? I can tell that something is bothering you. Is everything okay at the church?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Well, to be totally honest, I'm very disappointed in what happened at the church. I had challenged our church to break a numerical goal of having 100 in Sunday School for three consecutive Sundays, and I would preach the morning sermon off of the roof. We had over 100 in the previous two Sundays, but this past Sunday, we fell just short." (Just to give some context, when I first arrived at this church, we ran around twenty in Sunday School. Within eighteen months, we were averaging 80-85, but had seemed to hit an invisible ceiling that I desperately wanted to break through. I had seen a pastor's photo preaching from the roof of his church when his congregation succeeded in hitting a numerical goal in our state paper several weeks before, and I thought that would be good challenge with an unforgettable result. Not only could I get my photo in the Mississippi Baptist Record, but I could also submit it to the New Albany Gazette as well. Then everyone would know that New Oak Grove Baptist Church in Union County, Mississippi was led by a real man of God! LOL)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">After a few moments of thoughtful silence, my friend replied, "Bro. Charles, quit pouting about not preaching from the roof, and get in God's pulpit and preach the truth." As I heard these words, I began to feel my face flush with anger. In my mind I thought, "You say one more word to me, Mike Sledge, and I'll grab your steering wheel, jerk this car over to the shoulder of the road, and whip your butt in this highway ditch!" That's what I thought, I'm very ashamed to admit, but the words never came out of my mouth. We were both silent for the rest of the commute.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arriving on campus, I was so frustrated that I skipped my eight o'clock class and went to the prayer chapel. It was in this little room that God broke my heart. He broke my heart over my inner response of intense anger at my friend, and He broke my heart over the ridiculous challenge that I proposed to my people, as it was nothing more than a vain attempt to have a spotlight shining on me because our church accomplished some numerical goal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since this idea didn't originate with me, I'm sure that many others have performed similar, stupid stunts. Let's gather a big crowd, or collect a big offering, and I'll preach from the roof; or I'll swallow live goldfish; or I'll eat a habanero pepper; or I'll let the children throw pies in my face; or we'll rent a dunking tank and the deacons, the staff, and I will take turns being dunked in water. Hallelujah - God most certainly will be impressed with us! Don't you think so?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now let's be honest, too many times we focus upon the trivial and foolish when we vainly attempt to perform the assignments that God has given us. As He has placed upon my heart a renewed vision of countless souls around the world, across our nation, and in our communities hurting, suffering, and dying, He has also renewed my burden over the reality of so many of our churches playing stupid games. I recently posted via social media about one of our larger churches in America beginning their </span>worship<span style="font-family: inherit;"> service with their </span>husband-and-wife<span style="font-family: inherit;"> pastoral team coming out on the platform dressed as Woody the Sheriff and Bo-Peep from the Toy Story movies. She tried to sound as if she had a southern accent. It was hellish. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I attempted to continue to watch it, my heart seethed. Why the shenanigans? Why the foolishness? Why display such childish stupidity in the name of Jesus? WHAT'S WRONG WITH US? People are going to HELL, people, wake up already and let's be THE CHURCH!! The Bible says that we "are <span style="background-color: white;">a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of </span><span style="background-color: white;">darkness into His marvelous </span></span>light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:9-12)</p><p>I've had enough of the pie throwing, roof preaching, goldfish swallowing, pepper eating, water dunking, and prancing around on stage like cartoon characters church services. Where are the displays of personal and corporate HUMILITY, BROKENESS, REPENTANCE, and CRYING OUT in utter desperation unto the Lord for REVIVAL and AWAKENING? Where is the true man of God who will "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins"? (Isaiah 58:1) Oh how we need MEN of God to lead the CHURCH of God to walk the HOLY PATHWAYS of God in order to experience the FULLNESS of God! A-MEN!!</p><p>In closing, allow me to return to my seminary days for a moment. A cassette tape was being passed around of a message that the late evangelist/revivalist Vance Havner had preached in a chapel service at a Bible college in Kentucky. I was blessed to listen to the message several times before giving it to a fellow student. I certainly wish I would have thought about making a copy for myself, but I didn't do it. Bro. Havner was preaching on accomplishing God's ministry through the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. He ended his message with this personal testimony: "I was recently at a church and with a pastor that I had never met before. It was a large imposing edifice that was abuzz with excitement for our opening service of a revival campaign. The pastor escorted me to a chair on the platform and whispered in my ear that he had to exit for a moment in order to fulfill a promise to his people. As everyone was finding a seat, one of the staff members finally approached the pulpit, welcomed everyone in attendance, then happily announced that a numerical goal had been met that morning. And as promised, the pastor and deacons were prepared to celebrate in a way that few would ever forget. As he said those words, the doors opened up in the rear of that large auditorium and the deacons began coming down the aisles throwing confetti into the excited crowd. As they made their way toward the front, another deacon stepped out of the middle doors with a rope, leading a donkey into the building with a clown upon it's back. The clown had a candy bag with him in order to throw sweet treats to the standing and cheering worshippers. As they got closer to me, I was finally able to recognize the face of the pastor. But being of such advanced age and dim of eyesight, I had trouble determining if the pastor was the clown, or the jackass."</p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><i>"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."</i></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-3029597131737148422023-08-30T06:54:00.001-05:002024-02-14T10:56:06.553-06:001983<br />
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<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">“</span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Therefore, if anyone <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> in Christ, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">he
is</span> a new creation;</span></i></b></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">old things have passed away; behold, all things have
become new."</span></i></b></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">2 Corinthians 5:17</span></i></b></span></div>
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<div class="Normal105pt"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Forty years. Forty incredible
years. The year 1983, for me, slowly evolved into a very good year. A life changing year. A year that altered my dreams, my destiny, my desires, and my devotion. It was
the year that I would meet a beautiful young lady who would gently, yet firmly,
share the truth of Jesus Christ with me. It was the year that I would hear her witness,
and eventually pray for God's grace to be real in my own despicable life. Forty years. Forty incredible years of walking with Jesus. Forty years...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">In June of 1983, I had no idea that I would soon be a student at </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Mississippi</span></st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">State</span></st1:placetype><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">University</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">. My life began to
unravel during my final year of high school. This unraveling spun totally out
of control as a freshman seeking to find my way at the first university that I
attended. I say that I was a freshman, but I actually began my experience of
higher education as a Sophomore, as I had received advanced credit for all of
my core Freshman courses based upon my ACT score. I accepted an academic
scholarship that covered all of my tuition, books, room and board, along with a
meal plan for dining in the school cafeteria. This university had very high
expectations for me as a student, and I was about to royally disappoint them.
My first semester was more or less uneventful as I was trying to adjust to my
new surroundings. By the time classes resumed in January, I realized there was
much more to college life than classes, homework, tests and term papers. I
decided I should make a few corrections to my lifestyle as the semester ended very
poorly, but changes externally didn't produce any internal adjustments. My
second year would not be finalized, as I was given an ultimatum during the
spring semester by the Dean of Students to either withdraw from all my classes
and leave the school voluntarily or be expelled and escorted away by campus
police. He said that I had twenty-four hours to make up my mind, but I decided
before leaving the building to sign the necessary documents, gather my
belongings, and head for home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">To be perfectly honest, I do not have any recall as to the reaction of
my family. They knew the circumstances, and I'm sure their hearts were broken
over my foolish choices and decisions. But it was the spring of the year - an
extremely busy season in the Mississippi Delta - and I resumed my position on
the farm. I began to work again for my two uncles, which I had been doing since
I was about age twelve. Returning home and working didn't solve my problems,
however, as they just intensified with a steady paycheck. Now I had those
finances that at one time hindered me from fulfilling much of my wicked
desires. With money in my pockets, I could expand my horizons when it came to
searching for new adventures, usually entailing wild parties, loud music, ample
liquor, illegal drugs, and plenty of loose women. It was also amazing how many
friends I amassed with my ability of foot the bill. Like the prodigal in Luke
15, I hand plenty of friends, as long as I had plenty of money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">It seems that with each decision that I would make, circumstances did
not get any better, they only got worse. Uncomfortable encounters with family,
as well as with the law, would cause me to make promises that I could not keep.
The book of Proverbs says, "As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool
returns to his folly." My life was a perfect example of that eternal truth.
In the first few weeks of 1983, I befriended a man several years older than I,
and he quickly introduced me to new companions that carried me deeper into the
darkness. There were times when we struck out on the trail for new experiences
with the wrong crowd, that would have me absent from my family and from my job
for days at a time. Funny how working with family always keeps the door of
employment open for you, when you really should have been fired. Some of these
adventures I can barely remember. I vaguely recall where we planned to go, but
I cannot recollect if we ever made it to our destination, what happened while
we were there, and how we made it back home. Life during that time was like a
dense fog, and how I lived through it is a testimony of God's mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">June, 1983, as far as I can remember, is when my precious Mom finally
had enough of me and my ways. I had broken her heart too many times. She
confronted me in the garage with anger, fear, love and rage all mixed together.
With her hands on my shoulders, she shook me as best she could, crying and
saying, "I don't know where you'll go and what you'll do, but you've got
six weeks to get out of my house! I can't take this anymore!" I looked at
her beautiful face, all red with emotion and covered in tears, jerked her hands
off of me, and walked inside. To be totally honest, I wanted to hit her. As I
pondered this encounter, I knew I had to make plans, but I couldn't think of
anything. I didn't know it then, but Mom was practicing tough love on me before
James Dobson ever wrote a book about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Before the dust settled from this episode, I came home from work one day
to find out that a dear friend from high school was going to be home for a few
days from Mississippi State, and she wanted to see me. Lisa had done quite well
at MSU. Good grades, really popular, school beauty, Homecoming Queen, etc., and
this girl wanted to see me while she was home. I got ready as fast as possible
and drove at breakneck speed to </span><st1:place><st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Scott</span></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, </span><st1:state><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Mississippi</span></st1:state></st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">. In the midst of my
excitement, I had forgotten that Lisa was a Jesus girl, and as soon as I got
reacquainted with her, she began preaching to me about my lifestyle. The
audacity of that girl, for if there was one thing I really despised, it was
anyone meddling in my life and preaching to me! Oh well, as beautiful as she
was, I could endure her sermons for the opportunity to just look at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">In the midst of those few visits with Lisa, she talked at length about
me trying to get back in school and making a fresh start at MSU. Since I had
the ultimatum from my Mom, with a time frame of getting out of her house, I
decided to take Lisa's advice and call the number that she gave me about
transferring to State. The lady on the phone had a nice voice and was very
kind. When I told her the reason for my call, she informed me that I had just
missed the deadline for applying as a transfer student. My heart sank, but then
she said, "I tell you what, I will mail you an application today, but
promise me to fill it out and mail it back the same day that you receive it.
That means that you need to secure a copy of your transcript from your previous
college, so that you can be ready to send it back to me on the very same day.
You promise me that you'll do this?" I assured her that I would, and she
bid me a pleasant farewell. When I got off the phone, I immediately began to
wonder what kind of response she would have to my transcript. I thought surely
she would burst out laughing and show everyone in the office what kind of idiot
I was for trying to enroll at MSU. But since I promised her I would do it, I
thought, oh well, it won't hurt anything to try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">July 1983. To my utter amazement, I received a positive letter from MSU
not long after I mailed the requested material to the Office of Enrollment. I
had failed to meet the deadline, my transcript was atrocious, and yet I was
reading an acceptance letter that opened with this word in all caps:
CONGRATULATIONS! As I continued reading, my heart sank. Yes, I had been
accepted, but it was on a probationary status, and only about twelve hours of
course work would be accepted. Plus, all of the advanced credit for the core freshman courses were deemed unacceptable. As I read the letter, I thought,
"Well this is just dandy, I'm 21 years old and will have to sit in
classrooms alongside immature teenagers with zits and fake ID's." But at
least I had the problem solved as to where I'd go, and what I'd be doing, even
before my Mom's tearful deadline had come to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">August 1983 was moving time. I was fortunate to be able to secure a
room at Arbor Acres Apartments, a university owned housing complex on the south
edge of campus. Friends from the Delta had their names on a waiting list to get
into this brand-new facility, and they had enough space for me to join them.
Life was good as I tried to adjust to my new surroundings. I was living with
old friends, learning the layout of campus, and beginning to understand that
there were some extremely popular establishments near Mayhew and Columbus that
existed to make sure college students had enjoyable experiences outside of
their educational demands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">During the second week of classes, my roommate asked me if I had
purchased the necessary books for each of my courses. "No," I
responded, "I really haven't thought much about that." He encouraged
me to get some books, so that if I decided to attend a class, at least I would look
like I belonged in the building. When I finally located a list of all the books
that I needed, he said that he would go with me to the bookstore to help me
gather all my supplies. The place wasn't very crowded, since most of the other
students had already gotten what they needed. When I mentioned that I didn't
know where anything was located, he asked for my list, and told me to stay
where I was until he found everything for me. He quickly disappeared, and I as
I turned around to see what else might be interesting to find, my eyes landed
on the most beautiful young lady that I had ever seen. She was tall, trim, tan,
and TERRIFIC! You've heard of love at first sight? Well, it was something like
that, but rather than love, it was lust at first sight! Holding a book just a
few feet from me, her eyes were looking at a list somewhat like mine, then
glancing at a shelf filled with additional material. I walked up to her with a
smile and said, "Hey there, can I help you find anything?" Believing
that I was one of the student workers, she responded, "Yes, I've already
gotten most of my books, but I came back for just a couple more and can't seem
to find this one," as she handed me her booklist. Not having any idea how
I might help this beauty, my friend returned with his arms loaded down with
what I needed. "Hey, thank you, perfect timing." I said. "Now I
need you to find this book for this young lady." When he returned with her
book, we headed to the register, where I stood behind her and recorded her name
and phone number as she completed her transaction with a personal check. Sort
of creepy? Yes, but a man's got to do what a man's got to do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Needless to say, she was somewhat surprised when I called her later that
day. We agreed to meet at a high school football game the following evening, as
I learned that she had just graduated from a local private school, and she
already had plans to attend the game. The next week, we saw each other on
campus quite often, and I decided that starting anew at MSU as a Freshman
wasn't all that bad. We didn't have any classes together, but we were often in
the same buildings, and could enjoy brief conversations in the hallways or
outside near the entrances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">I tried my best to get her to enjoy the dark side of life, but that was
to no avail, as she had her guard up against my kind of pleasures. I would back
off for a while, and we would simply take in an occasional movie, have a milkshake
date, ride around in my sports car, or attend a MSU football game. A few weeks
into our relationship, I pulled up outside of a very nice duplex in a quiet,
older neighborhood in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, and asked her:
"You see that little place? Doesn't it look nice and quiet? I'm beginning
to get tired of the constant noise at Arbor Acres, and thought a place like
this would be perfect, if you would agree to move in with me. What do you
say?" Since she didn't say anything, I thought that she didn't understand the
great proposition that I was making, so I repeated myself. Following more
awkward silence, I asked her, "Tell me something, what do think about me?
Be totally honest, what do you think about me?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Do you really want to know?" she finally said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes, certainly, I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know." I
replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Well, for one, I despise your smoking cigarettes. They make your
car stink, and they make you stink. They make my clothes stink, they make my
hair stink, they make me stink, and I don't like to stink."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Anything else?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes, every time that I'm around you, you are drinking some kind of
alcoholic beverage. You keep whiskey under the seat, or you have a small cooler
of beer with you in your car all the time. At your apartment, that's all you ever
have to drink. And even on campus, as you walk around with that stadium cup
going to class, I know that you've got some kind of alcohol in there. Drinking
is all you do, and I don't like it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Anything else?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes, your language is atrocious. I have never heard someone with
such a vile tongue. If you get mad, it is unbelievable what comes out of your
mouth. But even in normal conversations, you use filthy curse words. It's
horrible, and I can't stand it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">By now, my feelings were quite bruised, but what could I say, it was all
true. "Anything else?" I mumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Yes," she said. "I am very tired of the constant
pressure you put on me to go to nightclubs, pool halls, and these off campus
parties that you always seem to know about. I don't like those kinds of places,
I'm not comfortable in those environments, I don't want to go, and I don't want
to be pressured to go. In fact, I refuse to go, and if you and I are going to
continue to have any kind of relationship, on or off campus, then you need to
go to places that I like to go!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Okay, so where do you like to go?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"I like to go to church."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">With that response, I felt like reaching over, opening the door, putting
her out, and saying, "See you later." But there was something about
her beautiful smile, those big, brown eyes, and that silky, shiny, dark hair.
This awesome young lady was slowly melting my calloused heart. Pulling away
from the curb, I asked, "Uh, where do you go to church?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"</span><st1:place><st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Friendship</span></st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Church</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, it's right behind
my house, and you need to go with me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"So you're a Baptist? That's wonderful! So am I!" I exclaimed.
She didn't seem to be very impressed at my compelling statement of religious
identity. I'm sure that she realized there's a huge difference between being a
saved Baptist, and a lost one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">The time frame is a little foggy after this encounter. I continued to
speak to this young lady on campus whenever I saw her, but I was uncertain of
my next move. I realized that I wasn't going to convince her to embrace my
lifestyle, yet I was helplessly drawn to her honesty, sincerity, and to her
breathtaking beauty. She was so different from the party girls that I was
accustomed to spending time with. They were usually loud, crude, foul-mouthed,
and aggressively seductive, especially when they were all overly intoxicated.
Even as I attempted to immerse myself in my usual routines when the sun went
down, I could not help but think of her, and what she might be doing. I was
still drinking heavily, swearing profusely, smoking constantly, partying
nightly, and fighting occasionally, whenever I felt my manhood was clearly
challenged. My schedule was full, but my heart was empty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">I finally decided that I should approach her about coming out for a
Sunday service. I'd been to church services before, many of them. I had joined
the Baptist church in my Delta hometown when I was ten years old. Church
activity and attendance had at one time been a very important part of my young
life. Besides, I had even prayed publicly to close out our services on several
occasions. Sometimes I'd still be drunk from the previous night's party, or
about to vomit with an intense hangover, but I could offer a few religious
words with the best of any hypocrite. She told me what time to arrive to pick
her up, that I was welcome to come to her home after the service for Sunday
dinner, and we could spend the afternoon together. It sounded appealing, but I
didn't make an immediate commitment to join her. Thinking about her invitation
brought a few thoughts into my mind. One, she is knock-out gorgeous every time
that I see her, but I felt that she would really set a high standard for a
church service. Two, a home-cooked meal for a guy in college would be
priceless. And three, if I didn't come out to sit with her through the service,
some other dude might get the privilege. Well, those thoughts sealed the deal,
and I told her that I'd come on out and go to church with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">The little building had a nice crowd of people when we arrived. We took
a seat almost at the very back. I didn't bring a Bible, I didn't help them
sing, and I sure didn't bring money for an offering. My goal was to endure the
service, enjoy the lunch, establish a better relationship with this young lady,
if at all possible, and get back to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> before she tried to
get me to stay for the evening service. I already knew that she attended all of
the functions of the church, including those on Wednesday nights. I really
thought that was strange. Why would a beautiful young lady go to some kind of
prayer meeting, when there were so many other things to do that would be
fun?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed the idea of having
a dazzling girlfriend with Baptist convictions, but I didn't like the idea of
her being a religious fanatic!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">What I did not know, however, was that in that little building on that
particular Sunday morning, God was going to call my name. Her pastor did not
know anything about me, yet as he preached with passion and zeal, he made a
statement that shook me deep on the inside. It was as if there was no one else
in the building, and that he was speaking directly to me. At some point in the
midst of his sermon, he said rather authoritatively, "It makes no
difference how good your mother is, if you die without Jesus, you'll be in Hell
forever!" Judging his delivery as far as being seeker sensitive was
concerned, it was awful. In today's world, it would make the snowflakes need
coloring books, smiley stickers, and a few puppies to pet in a designated safe
space. But judging his statement based upon what I needed to hear that day, he
hit a grand slam! My Mom's prayers, I believe, had secured a wall of protection
around me as I lived such a self-centered and foolish life. Some of my friends
lived the same kind of lifestyle, and it took them to an early grave. In
drunken stupors, I had bragged how that my Mom was praying for me, and that God
would not allow anything to happen to me that would break her heart. To me,
this was just a way to validate my destructive habits with a false sense of
security. But now this preacher man had just nailed my sorry hide to the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">I could not escape this sobering experience. I didn't say anything to
anyone, but my heart was deeply touched, and my mind was securely engaged to
consider eternal thoughts. The following week was filled with a thorough
self-inspection and spiritual evaluation. I was thinking about what my life had
become, compared to the loving expectation of those who watched me grow up in
my tiny hometown. I began to consider all of the biblical truth that I had
learned as a child at the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Duncan</span></st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Church</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">. Memories of Sunday
School, worship services, revival meetings, </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Vacation</span></st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Bible</span></st1:placename><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">School</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, and youth events
and activities danced in my head. At that time, although I had been patiently
and lovingly taught the word of God, the only truth that I remembered from the
Bible, was that someone, somewhere, said, "You must be born again." I
didn't know who said it, and I didn't know where I could find it, but I
remembered it. As I pondered this biblical truth, I asked myself, "Is this
what happened to me when I joined the church at the age of ten? I remember the
revival meeting, and I remember some of the details of my coming forward. Is
this what happened to me? Was I born again?" Immediately, I could sense
the Lord powerfully intervene, as He answered this question in my heart,
"NO!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Walking to and fro on campus was an unbelievable experience of God
consciousness. As I spoke pleasant greetings with other students, faculty and
staff, it seemed as if everyone responded, "You must be born again."
Sitting in class and preparing to write notes, I experienced the same
phenomenon. It seemed as if all my professors were writing on their white
boards, or their overhead projectors: "You must be born again." I
know this was not being said or written, but this is what I heard and saw.
God's Spirit had me in a corner, and He would not allow me to escape. During
this time, I lost my taste for alcohol, parties didn't appeal to me, and going
out to night clubs was pointless. I didn't know it then, but this is what's
called Holy Spirit conviction: To wrestle with God over His supreme right to
control your life; to be allowed the privilege of having blinded eyes partially
opened to His glorious light; and to have deaf ears beginning to hear His voice
calling you from spiritual death to everlasting life. It is one of the most
troubling encounters you will ever have, and one of the most wonderful. I've
heard people say, "Well, I've never experienced anything like that. Holy
Spirit conviction? My soul, I don't have the foggiest notion what you're
talking about!" My only reply can be, "I'm so sorry, it's a terrible
tragedy to be spiritually dead, and not even know it." You see, beloved
friend, the only way that you can be converted, is to first be convicted. No conviction?
No conversion!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">I knew that it was time to be totally transparent with my beautiful
young friend. She invited me to come have supper with her at her sister's house
not too far from </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> on a Thursday
evening. When I arrived, I entertained her little nephew, who had just
celebrated his first birthday a couple of months earlier. After supper, we sat
alone on the couch together watching television, when she asked me, "Is
anything the matter? I have never seen you so quiet." Several days without alcohol
had my mind working deeply, and my mouth staying shut, which was a rarity. As
soon as I tried to answer her question, I was deeply overcome with emotion. I
began to cry uncontrollably, which was horribly embarrassing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"What's the matter? Are you okay? What's going on?" she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"I'm lost! I'm lost!" I cried, "If I died tonight, I'd go
straight to Hell!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"But you told me you were saved, that you were a Baptist," she
responded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"I lied! I lied! It's all been a lie!" I said, continuing to
weep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">When my eyes first saw this young lady, and my heart was filled with
lust, I approached her with the calm confidence that she would be my next
"trophy" to conquer. Little did I know that just a few weeks later,
I'd be confessing my sin to her, crying profusely like a baby, as she held me
in her arms and whispered over and over again into my ear, "Jesus, Jesus,
Jesus!" I spent several hours in that home as she told me how I could be
saved. I tried to refute everything she told me as I recounted my sordid, pathetic
life, and declared that God couldn't love someone like me, because of my open,
rebellious, sinful lifestyle. Every excuse I offered; she had a counteroffer:
Jesus! On two or three occasions, I would go out to my car to leave, then she
would begin to cry and say, "Please don't go until you get saved."
Her tears would bring me back inside, where she would again whisper His name,
and share with me Bible verses concerning forgiveness of sin and the promise of
salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">It was nearly two in the morning when I finally told her that I had to
go. This episode was surely keeping her sister's family up, and for the first
time I thought about a young lady with honor and chivalry. The guys in my
apartment knew that I was going to see my special friend, and I did not wish to
mar her pure image by dragging home in the wee hours of the morning like an old
tom cat. She held me at the door, saying again, "Please trust Jesus!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"I will; I will. I promise you that I'll settle this when I get
back to my apartment."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">With that statement, I climbed into my little sports car and headed back
to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">. The highway was
nearly empty at that time of the morning, which was a good thing as my eyes
were still filled with tears from such an emotional evening. I distinctly
remember meeting two approaching vehicles on the way to town, immediately
feeling overwhelmed by the stirring fear of what would happen to me should one
of these cars come over the center line and hit me head on. My heart rate
soared, holy fear paralyzed me, and I gripped the steering wheel with all my
might until the cars passed on by. I was still overwhelmed by the Spirit's
convicting presence, but then another presence invaded my life, or at least another
voice, I should say. When those two vehicles passed by, I seemed to hear
someone say to me, "Now, now, you're alright. Everything is going to be
fine. Quit worrying. Calm down. You're okay."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">With those two encounters, the tears flooded my eyes again. Wiping the
tears away, I felt my car leave the security of the pavement as I veered off to
the right side of the road. Terrified, I jerked the car back on the highway,
and thought about what those pine and hardwood trees would do to me should I
hit them. And again, that voice, "Now, now, you're alright. Everything is
going to be fine. Quit worrying. Calm down. You're okay." Hearing these
words, I immediately began to relax. This had been quite a roller coaster of an
evening for me. I realized that I had gone five days without a drink, and my
emotions were shot. We sometimes didn't have enough food in our apartment, but
we always had an abundance of liquor. I just need a good, stiff drink, then a
cold beer, or two, out on the back porch. Such thoughts filled me with
confidence, especially when I looked up and could see the streetlights of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">. I was almost in
town. The two-lane highway was about to widen into a five-lane road, campus was
only a few minutes away, and Arbor Acres and my alcohol were almost in reach.
Oh man, I could nearly taste it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Then it happened. As I approached the sign designating the city limits
of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, and just before
the road widens to multi-lanes, my eyes were riveted on an eighteen-wheeler coming
out of town. My heart pounded again, my blood pressure shot up, sweat poured
out on my forehead as I gripped the wheel. Then I saw it, on the trailer above
the cab were large letters that said: U S MAIL. It was just a few months ago
that a friend died on his way home after enjoying a few beers with the boys. He
was just a few minutes from home, but he did not make the soft curve in the
road and veered over into the path of a mail truck. It all happened at the sign
along the road that designated the city limits of his hometown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Now I'm meeting a mail truck at the city limits of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">. I could envision
this rig coming over the line and demolishing me in my sports car. When the
dust settled and the fuel is washed off the highway, I thought, someone will
have to use a shovel to get me off the pavement and into a body bag. I remember
screaming at the top of my lungs as the truck roared passed, barely able to see
because of the tears that were blinding me. Then immediately, that voice,
"Now, now, you're alright. Everything is going to be fine. Quit worrying.
Calm down. You're okay. You need that drink that you've been thinking about.
Everything will be just fine."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">This time, however, it was different. Wiping the tears, trying to catch
my breath and get my emotions in check, it happened. Before I could even
contemplate what the voice was telling me, I felt it. I was safely in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, but I sensed
something else, or someone else, was in the car with me. The only way to
describe is to go back in time to when I was a boy. Dad had bought my sister
and me a couple of horses. Whenever I rode them, I only had one speed: wide
open. Dad had taught me that when I brought one in hot, take everything off of
it, then lead the horse around with a halter and rope until it had cooled off.
On many occasions, I walked a hot horse while it had its nostrils flared,
breathing in massive amounts of fresh air, and blowing out huge quantities of
hot air. I could feel hot breath blowing on my neck as I made my way into </span><st1:city><st1:place><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">. It seemed as if
something, or someone, was in the back seat trying to get me, and this little car
didn't even have a backseat!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">I was too scared to turn around and look, so I just cried out, "Oh,
please, help me, help me!" My heart pounded and the tears flowed all the
way across town until I pulled into the parking lot of Arbor Acres. No one was
in sight, I found a parking spot, got out as fast as possible, and refused to
look back toward the rear of my car. Walking towards our apartment, all I could
think about was that I've got to talk to God. Everyone was asleep when I
arrived, so I quietly slipped up to my room and into my bed, heart still
pounding, tears still flowing, body still shaking. The window to my room was
just above my head, and a security light outside provided a soft glow to my
room. Lying motionless, still under deep conviction, and thinking about all of
the activities of the previous hours, I finally whispered a prayer, "Dear
God, please don't let me die and go to Hell. Please, Jesus, I know that you
died for me, and if you'll save me, I won't have to go to Hell. Please, Jesus,
please save me. I'll do what you want me to do, I'll go where you want me to
go, and I'll say what you want me to say. Please don't let me go to Hell,
please save me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">As those words left my lips and approached the throne room of Heaven,
God did a work of amazing grace in my life. No fireworks went off that night in
my room, no flashes of lightening nor peels of thunder, and there were no
visiting angels coming up and down a shining ladder thrust through that little
window. Something more spectacular, however, took place. The Spirit of Christ
stepped out of Heaven and into my heart, cleansing me of my sin, transforming
me, and giving me new, abundant, and eternal life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">As Friday dawned, I decided to skip my </span><st1:time hour="8" minute="0"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">eight
o'clock</span></st1:time><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> class so that I could be waiting on my lovely friend to
arrive at </span><st1:time hour="9" minute="0"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">nine o'clock</span></st1:time><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> in Carpenter Hall.
I remember sitting on the big concrete steps awaiting her arrival, and how I
felt when I finally saw her walking across the Drill Field. Something was much
different now. She was still so knock-out gorgeous, but this time my heart was
filled with something other than lust. Looking at her as she got closer, I
sensed the voice of God speaking to me, "Son, you're going to marry that
girl." Coming up close to me, she didn't even ask if I had prayed to be
saved (she later said that it was quite evident on my face). As our eyes
locked, I said, "I believe God just spoke to me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Really?" she replied, "What did He say?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"He said that I'm going to marry you!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">"Well, He hasn't told me that," was her less than enthusiastic
reply, as we walked into the building and up to her classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Forty years. Forty incredible
years. You might be wondering: "What happened to that young lady? The one that
you dreamed of spending a few nights with - what happened to her?" Well,
we exchanged vows and rings the following year as we stood before a
congregation of witnesses in our wedding ceremony at </span></span><st1:place><st1:placename><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Friendship</span></span></st1:placename><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><st1:placename><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Baptist</span></span></st1:placename><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><st1:placetype><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Church</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, and I've been blessed to spend thousands of nights with her! When those
who knew me well heard about my salvation experience, they said it would last
no more than six months. They were wrong. And when word began to spread that I
was planning on getting married, those same voices said it wouldn't last two
years. They were wrong, as well. "Let God be true, but every man a
liar!" (Romans 3:4)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">These past forty years have not been
perfect, because we live in a fallen, sin-cursed world. And it's not been
perfect because I still must renounce the demands of my Adamic flesh, take up
my cross daily, and follow Jesus. I have often disappointed Tammy, Apryl,
Laurie, Micah and Eli, as well as many other folks that we have known over the
years. Yet through it all, God has been so good to me! Surrendering to preach
His word a few years after my conversion, it has been almost like a fairy tale
of activity. The places to which I have traveled, the people that I have met,
and the precious opportunities that have been given to me to exalt Christ are,
at times, difficult to describe. How could a boy from </span></span><st1:place><st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Duncan</span></span></st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, </span></span><st1:state><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Mississippi</span></span></st1:state></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> grow up to experience what I've experienced? How could a teenager who worked
in the flooded rice fields of his family farm in the Delta wind up traveling to
places in </span></span><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Africa</span></span></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, </span></span><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Europe</span></span></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, </span></span><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Asia</span></span></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, Central and </span></span><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">South America</span></span></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, as well as all across the </span></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">United States</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="textprov-3-6"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> to proclaim God's word? How could a young man with his own landscaping
and lawn maintenance business, along with his young family, pack up and leave
behind a profitable future for the great unknown of church ministry and
seminary training? And how could that same young man follow the leadership of
the Lord to leave seminary without a degree, and eventually find himself
leading and conducting preaching, evangelism and missions, prayer, and church
leadership conferences all over the world? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">The only explanation to my life and ministry
is the amazing grace of God.</span></div><div class="Normal105pt"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="Normal105pt"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">Forty years. Forty incredible years. To God be the glory - Amen!</span></div>
<br />Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-28943223026869986412023-07-08T19:46:00.001-05:002023-07-09T07:25:17.295-05:00The Dangers of a Dead Religion<h3 style="text-align: center;"></h3><h2><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">"</span></b><b><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">Now the sons of Eli </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">were</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">corrupt;</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">they did not know the </span><span class="small-caps divine-name" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">L</span></b><b><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">ord</span></b><b><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">."</span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">I Samuel 2:12</span></b></div></span></h2><p style="text-align: left;">One little verse of scripture says quite a lot when you realize the context. This was in the days when Israel was ruled and led by anointed judges who were empowered by God to supply critical leadership for the Jewish people. Eli served as a judge for forty years according to 1 Samuel 4:18, and was succeeded by the final judge, Samuel. As the days of the judges were coming to a close, the Bible says on two different occasions: "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (See Judges 17:6 and 21:25) What a sad testimony of God's people as they lived self-centered lives instead of being shaped and transformed by the Divine truth found in His word.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">But the problem was not just a people problem, it was also a priestly problem. Why do I say this? Because as you read 1 Samuel you discover that the sons of Eli were not just common citizens of the nation. Those two men had been elevated to positions of priestly authority. In other words, they served in positions of spiritual leadership over the people, yet the scriptures tell us that "THEY DID NOT KNOW THE LORD!" What? Are you kidding me? The sons of Eli grew up in the home of this priest and judge and now served in strategic roles for the spiritual development of God's people and they didn't even know God for themselves? That's exactly right, for that is what the Bible plainly and powerfully reveals to us concerning both </span></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">Hophni and Phinehas. And, beloved, with a broken heart I confess unto you that I do not believe this problem was limited to the nation of Israel and to those two men who lived so many years ago.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Surveys conducted during the past twenty years reveal that less than 10% of Americans with a so-called "born again" experience have a biblical worldview, compared to 4% of the general population. You may be asking: "What is a biblical worldview?" That's a good question, and here is a good answer: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether consciously or subconsciously, every person has some type of worldview. It is a combination of all you believe to be </span>true,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and it becomes the driving force behind every emotion, decision and action. Therefore, it affects your response to every circumstance of life. It is the interpretive “</span>lenses<span style="font-family: inherit;">” we use for understanding what we believe is real. S</span></span>omeone with a biblical worldview uses the divinely inspired word of God as their lenses for understanding the world around them, as well as allowing the eternal truth of God's word to form the foundation upon which they build their lives. In other words, those who possess a biblical worldview refuse to base life choices and decisions upon any personal human logic, emotional persuasion, or cultural peer pressure. Having a biblical worldview, therefore, demands that God's word is the most powerful element in shaping how a person views all elements of life, including relationships, morality, lifestyle choices, parenting, and eternity. A biblical worldview will shape what a person believes about EVERYTHING!</p><p style="text-align: left;">For quite a few years, I have attempted to sound the alarm concerning these sobering statistics. If these surveys are correct, it means that an overwhelming majority of church members DO NOT possess a biblical worldview. Men and women in our congregations have such a shallow knowledge of scripture, coupled with a yawning attitude towards growing in biblical understanding, that we should not be surprised to see our churches declining in spiritual health and vitality. But please hold on to your hat, for i<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">n May of this year a new nationwide survey of America’s Christian pastors revealed that a MAJORITY OF PASTORS DO NOT HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW! In fact, the findings stated that slightly more than a third (37%) possess what is commonly referred to as a biblical worldview. WHAT? Pastors, those who serve in the strategic areas of church leadership, do not possess a biblical worldview? That, my friend, is what the survey revealed. And now you know why we are in such a mess in this rancid domain known as American Christianity.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Looking at the truth revealed in I Samuel, I find three unique thoughts unfolded for our benefit:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">1. The Sinful Condition - As I mentioned already, the people are described during this time as doing what was right in their own eyes. What a pitiful description of a special people blinded to the realities of life and truth. But the sinful condition of the people was only a reflection of the sinful condition of the priests. Elevated to places of spiritual authority, </span><span style="background-color: white;">Hophni and Phinehas went through all the motions of their priestly duties, yet they did not even know the Lord. A preacher friend of mine who has completed his faith journey told me years ago as I began travelling in itinerant </span>ministry: "Bro. Charles, you won't have to look past the pulpit to see what's wrong with most churches in America." He told the truth in that statement. During those years I often wondered if the pastor that I was with even had a true, personal relationship with the Lord. I vividly remember asking a particular Mississippi pastor about his salvation experience, and he could never verbalize how he came to faith in Jesus Christ. God have mercy.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">2. The Sudden Confrontation - An unknown and unnamed prophet appears in verse 27 with a disturbing message for Eli. He speaks of the Disgrace that Eli's sons are bringing upon everyone serving in the priesthood, and how Death will come upon his sons on the same day because of their sin. Finally, in light of this horrible report, the man of God states that a Deliverer, a faithful priest, will God raise up that shall do everything that is in His heart and mind. Praise God that when darkness and depravity are overwhelming us, He has a plan of deliverance - Amen!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">3. The Sure Conclusion - In I Samuel 4, we find the final days of Hophni and Phinehas described for us as they accompany the Ark of the Covenant onto the field of battle. There, in a very unceremonious way, these two men are killed as the Ark is captured and taken by the Philistines. When a solitary runner brings the awful news to Shiloh, the aged judge, Eli, falls from his seat and dies as he hears the report of his two sons and the Ark of the Covenant. Likewise, as the tragic testimony reaches the wife of Phinehas, who at the time was giving birth to their son, she said: "Name the child, Ichabod, for the glory of God is departed from Israel." What a horrible and honest confession concerning a group of backslidden religious folks that were supposed to be the people of God.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Proverbs 29:1 says, "If he that is often reproved, hardens his neck; he shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." I wonder how often the two sons of Eli were troubled deep down in their unregenerated hearts to repent of their sin and trust in the grace of God for eternal salvation? Yet they refused. Beloved, do you possess a living, vital RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ; or do you simply have an empty, dead RELIGION that will result in eternal condemnation before a holy God?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." When Jesus made that statement, He was in the presence of one of the most outstanding citizens of Israel. The absolute experience of the new birth is a requirement for any and every one to gain entrance into Heaven. And my dear pastor friend, as well as music minister, seminary professor, denominational worker, church officer, youth or children's minister, and faithful deacon, that includes YOU! "Marvel not that I said unto you, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!"</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-77191271389443427032023-05-03T09:03:00.000-05:002023-05-03T09:03:00.634-05:00Walking by Faith<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Ephesians 4:11-12</span></i></b></span></h4><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">The life of someone uniquely chosen to be used in gospel ministry can be extremely challenging. It has been well said that if you can do anything else and be satisfied, then do it, because God has probably not called you into the ministry. Not only is this lifestyle difficult for the one called, it's also difficult on the family. On many occasions I can remember trying to encourage our girls during less than pleasant times of how pleased I was by their positive attitudes. "I know that we march to the beat of a different drummer when compared to other families," I would say, "and I am so thankful that you never complain, fuss, or get angry about the pathway that God has chosen for us." They would always respond with a smile, but I always knew that deep down, the pain was still there. How did I know? Because within my own bruised heart the pain of rejection, gossip, slander, loneliness, and other ways carnal men had treated us, seemed to be an unwelcomed, perpetual guest.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Many years ago, a dear pastor friend, Jim Holcomb, told me this: "Charles, you are a prophet. And with this spiritual gift that God has entrusted unto you, your journey will not be easy. Those who are prophets are often lonely, despised, and mistreated. You know this, you've read their testimonies in scripture. And I've seen the prophet in you time and time again. I've prayed with you when your tears would flow like a river for the lost and backslidden, revealing your tender heart of love and compassion. But I've also seen you stand firm against the lying tongues of those who misunderstood and hated you, displaying a backbone of hardened steel. You're a prophet. Life and ministry won't be easy for you, but always remember this: God loves prophets!" His words were helpful then and remain helpful today. Yet the path of a prophet is still hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">I'll never forget the words spoken to me by the late Bill Stafford in a Bible conference as he walked to the pulpit following my sermon: "My-my, Bro. Charles, what a message to the church. Amen! You know, son, I've been praying for you throughout my ministry. Yes sir, you are an answer to prayer. Amen! For years, YEARS, I've been praying that God would raise up someone that can make folks mad faster than I can. And you're that man! AMEN! Yes sir, that's the message this modern, apostate church needs to hear. They don't want to hear it, but they need to hear it. Praise God! You're style of preaching, mercy, it'll knock the shout out of 'em, brother. AMEN!" For those of you who knew Bro. Bill, you can hear his voice and see his face, as he tells me this with that big, wonderful smile. I was subsequently blessed to travel around the world with this precious servant of God working in affiliation with the International Congress of Revival. Those are memories that I will always cherish.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Ron Lynch, an evangelist friend from North Carolina, encouraged me years ago as I was entering into a season of itinerant ministry: "Charles, pastors need to hear you. They won't invite you to come to their churches until they hear you." This was long before the use of social media and internet sites made it so much easier to see and hear someone. But following a hard message I preached at a revival conference, where we were sharing the preaching responsibilities, he said: "Charles, I've been telling you that pastors need to hear you. But I'm telling you, man, if they hear that kind of message, they're not going to have you!" </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">When I first began travelling back in 1997, my pastor at that time, the late Luther Price told me: "Bro. Charles, the best thing that could happen to your ministry is for you to wake up in the morning and be sixty years old. You are so young and well-dressed; you look like a Philadelphia lawyer walking into a service. Then your voice booms forth with hard messages that a backslidden pastor and a worldly church doesn't want to hear. No one expects a man like you to preach a message like that. Now if you were old like me, they might be more likely to have an open ear." Now that I am in my sixties, I can honestly say that those who have no desire to hear and head the word of God will reject the message and the messenger no matter his stage of life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I've had people tell me that I should tone it down a bit;<span style="color: #222222;"> that I should back away from addressing prominent sins within the church; and that I should simply seek to be more agreeable, understanding, and gracious whenever I stand before a congregation with the word of God. Well, that might be good advice for someone else, but I'm not wired that way. When Billy Sunday was preaching across America in the early nineteen hundreds, the story is told of how his plain and powerful preaching was upsetting the more liberal minded churchmen and businessmen in a particular city. The committee overseeing the campaign finally decided that they must confront the evangelist about the complaints. In a tense meeting, they said: "Mr. Sunday, there are leading businessmen who have financed this campaign, as well as several of the local ministers, who are all becoming very disturbed by your preaching. They have asked us to speak with you, and to let you know that they believe that you are rubbing the cat the wrong way." Billy Sunday's quick reply was, "Then tell 'em to turn the cat around!" </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">In that same fashion, Jesus said, "REPENT, OR YOU WILL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH!"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">An old gospel song used to say, "I've come too far to turn back now." Likewise, beloved friend, I'm not going to change in a vain attempt to win friends and influence people. I plan to preach it (and write it) the way I see it, and I see it through the lenses of eternal, scriptural truth. The Apostle Paul said that we "walk by faith, and not by sight." My plan is to keep on walking, and keep on telling, and keep on writing, and keep on serving, until I see HIM! Hallelujah, and Amen!</span></div>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-35955296968740802942023-04-11T19:27:00.000-05:002023-04-11T19:27:23.822-05:00TORNADOES - TRANSGENDERISM - TRUMP - TRUTH<p> </p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="background: white;">“So
then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow
to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James
1:19-20<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The words that you are about to read have been constantly swimming
in my mind during the past few weeks. Each time that I sat down to write, there
was a spiritual roadblock that seemed to prevent me from typing my thoughts. A
fellow minister that I follow on social media posted the verse above and stated
how that it is always wise to prayerfully consider what you desire to say, especially
when you are emotionally charged. I heeded his wise counsel and continued
praying how I might address what I am seeing, hearing, and feeling. I sincerely
pray that you will read this with an open mind and a tender heart. And may God be
glorified in and through His church.</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">TORNADOES - So far this spring, we have been ravaged by tornado
outbreaks. In my home state of </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, extreme
storms have decimated entire communities. The loss of homes, businesses,
and other private property is unbelievable. Yet those losses pale in
comparison to those who have lost family members, neighbors, and friends.
And this great suffering is not limited to the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Magnolia</span></st1:placename><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">State</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. Places in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Arkansas</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tennessee</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, and </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Alabama</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, as well as
in other states have also been hit savagely. The normalcy of life will never
return for countless individuals and families as they seek to adjust to
incredible devastation and tremendous personal loss. My heart breaks for
them all as they seek to navigate strange pathways through unchartered waters.</span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">TRANSGENDERISM - It is emotionally difficult to even consider how
evil can rise up once again in another mass shooting involving children.
The video showing the shooter firing upon the glass doors to gain entrance
in the elementary school operated by the Covenant Presbyterian Church in </span><st1:place style="color: #222222;"><st1:city><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Nashville</span></st1:city><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tenn.</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222;">, was
horrific. Three adults and three nine-year-old children were killed before
heroic teachers led their students out of the building. In a matter of a
few minutes, the bravery of Nashville police officers was in plain view
as their body cameras revealed their actions of rushing to encounter and
eliminate the shooter. In a mad world that seems to be bowing down to all
types of sexual perversion on a global scale, Tucker Carlson of Fox News
seems to be the only media voice brave enough to call this a "deranged
and demonic ideology." The dirt hasn't even settled on the graves of
those killed by this mentally ill and spiritually dead woman and corporate
</span><st1:country-region style="color: #222222;"><st1:place><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222;"> is fawning
over another transgender person and making him the face of their latest
marketing campaigns. Bud Light is paying a reprobate man, Dylan Mulvaney,
who likes to pretend he's a six-year-old girl, huge sums of money so that
his face is on a beer can, while Nike hired him to advertise their sports
bras and women's leggings. I wish that was a joke, but it's not. We truly
are living in a clown world. Not only do some folks need shock therapy,
others need it also for embracing, applauding, supporting, and forcing
this sinful nonsense into the norm of our culture. (And please don't get
me started on the Drag Queen controversy!)</span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">TRUMP - I got up from the computer to prayer walk before typing
this section. Do not seek to put me into some political camp. I am neither
a devoted follower of Donald Trump, nor am I a never-Trumper. When he
secured the Republican ticket and faced Hillary Clinton for the presidency
in 2016, I prayerfully voted for him, as I soberly considered the
alternative. With very little support from established politicians within his
own party, he surprisingly set out to fulfill his campaign promises. Was
he crude? Yes. Was he arrogant? Yes. Did he say and do things that could
have been said and done in a much nicer way? Yes. But I didn't vote for
him to be my pastor, I voted for him to be my President. His policies set
our economy ablaze, with record low unemployment and energy independence
reflected by extremely low fuel prices. His nominations to hold key
judicial positions, including the Supreme Court, were constitutional
jurists that we desperately needed, instead of rogue individuals desiring to
legalize extreme political and social agendas via court rulings. His aim of reversing Roe v. Wade was eventually realized, ending the legal massacre of the unborn. Praise the Lord! (All of
this success came crashing down, however, and you can read about that
here:</span><span style="color: windowtext;"> <a href="https://pulpittruth.blogspot.com/2022/08/covid-culture-and-church.html">Pulpit
Truth: COVID, Culture, and the Church</a></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">) Now that he has publicly stated his intention
to seek reelection in 2024, he has been indicted on charges concerning
hush money being paid to a porn star, as well as a former Playboy
playmate. Is he an embarrassment? In a lot of ways, YES! But he has
already admitted that he paid these two women for their silence. So why is
he facing these charges now when dope-smoking, whore-jumping, and international
deal-making Hunter Biden walks around as free as a mangy, filthy dog? Why?
Because our political processes, like our country as a whole, is going to
Hell in a hand basket! That's why.</span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">TRUTH - Jesus said, "If you continue in my word, then you are
my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free." (John 8:31-32) Okay, do you agree with what Jesus
said? Then let's think together for a moment. While all of this has been happening
as of late, I've been on the road, driving primarily through rural
communities and small towns. Now please read carefully, I cannot say what
the heart condition and mindset is of many churches across our land, but I
can report what I have seen with my own eyes. Whether through countless social
media posts, or with colorful banners placed prominently in church yards, I
can report that most of our attention, time, and energy has been focused lately upon having a quality Easter egg hunt! WHAT? Are you kidding me? Is this
the best we can do when circumstances involving life and death are smothering
us? Can we not see that we are living in perilous times and that the
fabric and future of our once great nation is hanging in the balance? With
the reality of what I have written above happening right now, could we not
forgo the frivolous activities of our carnal schedules and start seeking
the Lord, as so many young people did just a couple of months ago at Asbury University?</span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The prophet Isaiah said: "Seek the Lord while
He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his
way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the Lord, and He will have
mercy upon him; and to our God, and He will abundantly pardon!" In the Book of Joel, we find these powerful words: "Blow
the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; Gather the
people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and
nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from
her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between
the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do
not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over
them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’"
And in the New Testament, the Apostle James said: "Draw near to God and He
will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts,
you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to
mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and
He will lift you up."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Pastor, what about it? Will you have the courage to
stand up and say to your people enough is enough of our focus being upon
temporal activities? I believe that it's high time that we put away our egg
hunts, and harvest festivals, and Christmas parties complete with a few rounds
of Dirty Santa games; and genuinely, humbly, and sincerely begin to SEEK THE
LORD! But someone might say, "Wait a minute! There's nothing wrong with our
church having food, fun, and fellowship." Oh, I agree, especially if you
desire your church to become more of a social club than the living, breathing,
empowered by the Holy Ghost body of Christ that changes the world!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Now, one last word. Please don't be so foolish as
to think I pondered deeply about one particular church, perhaps your church, to
write this message. If this is you, then you are like the mysterious subject of
Carly Simon's fifty-year-old hit song; "You're So Vain." Do you remember
the lyrics?</span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span> </span> </span><span style="color: #222222;">You're
so vain. <br /></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>You
probably think this song is about you.<br /></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">You're so vain (you're so vain)<br /></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">I'll bet you think this song
is about you.<br /></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">Don't you? Don't you? Don't
you?</span></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Will you be so arrogant as to think this
"song" is about you or your church? No, friend, this word from the
Lord is rooted in a broken-hearted servant of Christ who is deeply concerned about
the spiritual condition that is around him. This message was not based upon my
observation of one particular congregation, but multitudes of congregations
that are becoming too much like the church of the Laodiceans. God help us -
WAKE UP CHURCH!</span><b style="color: #222222;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-77227511294511862802023-01-25T11:28:00.001-06:002023-01-25T11:28:12.449-06:00Being Still<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; font-family: inherit;">“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted </span></i></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; font-family: inherit;">among the nations, </span></i></b><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; font-family: inherit;">I will be exalted in the earth!</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;">"</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; font-family: inherit;">Psalm 46:10<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Psalm
46 is an incredible passage that speaks peace and confidence into a very
troubling experience. There is no clear evidence that reveals the secondary
author of this Psalm, but we certainly know the primary author is the Spirit of
God. We could look at the life of David and realize that he could have been
moved to write these verses, as he was very well acquainted with difficult
circumstances in his life. Likewise, Moses could have been the human instrument
to pen this testimony of faith rising victoriously over fear. I was moved
several years ago to appreciate the possibility that perhaps Isaiah wrote this
brief, yet powerful Psalm. Great men of the word like John Stott, Warren
Wiersbe and John Phillips have researched and written that this testimony might
be about the experience that King Hezekiah and Isaiah shared when the king of </span></span><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Assyria</span></span></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> sent his army of 185,000
soldiers to surround, capture and destroy </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Jerusalem</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">. This time of terror
resulted in the Lord sending His angel to put to death this entire army in one
fateful night. (For an in-depth look at the faithful life and gracious reign of
Hezekiah, you can read 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-31)</span></span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Beloved, there will be experiences in our lives
that will remind us that we are helpless and powerless to overcome personal
challenges in our own limited and frail strength. Just as Hezekiah poured out
himself to the Lord in humility and sincerity as this invading and intimidating
army came up against him and his people, we need to have the same mindset as we
face challenges, problems, and events that upset us and overwhelm us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For most of my adult life I have been a man of action. I take pleasure in having an agenda of what needs to be </span>done and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> doing it. This attitude was placed into me
at an early age. Growing up on a farm in the Mississippi Delta meant working
from can to can't when precious days of ideal weather gave us a limited window
of opportunity to accomplish needed tasks. Many vital activities on the farm
could not be rolled over to another day. Whether it was planting, harvesting,
or anything in between, we had to work long and hard to </span>ensure agricultural<span style="font-family: inherit;"> success. Many of these developed attitudes followed me into the ministry.
Whatever needed to be done for the glory of God in the body of Christ, I was
willing to do it. I despised lackluster attempts at serving the Lord when a job
needed to be done while the souls of men were at stake. Dead services, boring
sermons, dull music, and pathetic prayers were to be avoided at all costs. As a
pastor, I desired and demanded personal excellence in all that I tried to do,
and I expected the same attitude from my church leaders. Anything less was
unacceptable to me and would not be tolerated. More than once I boldly told
people that if they wanted to attend a lifeless church where God never showed
up, I would gladly name a few where they could go and be happy in the dead
atmosphere of a godless vacuum. In that season of my life, I distinctly
remember being approached by one of my church members who was very concerned
for my physical, mental and emotional </span>well-being<span style="font-family: inherit;">. She was a pastor's </span>daughter and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> had witnessed her dad suffer a debilitating breakdown that cost him his
ministry, and nearly his life. She challenged me to keep a record of my
ministry hours per week, and she promised to find out what I discovered at a
later time. I assured her that I would fulfill her request, and to no surprise
I discovered that I was logging an average </span>of 100<span style="font-family: inherit;"> hours per week in ministry. During that time I was preparing
sermons and preaching numerous times a week; visiting our local
shut-ins and members in area nursing homes; traveling to local hospitals in
Booneville, Corinth, New Albany and Tupelo, as well as to those hospitalized in
Jackson, Memphis, and Birmingham; maintaining evangelistic outreach in our
church community; reaching out to those members who were not being faithful in
attendance; and participating in preaching opportunities at other churches in
the surrounding areas of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. It was during those
days that I considered golfing or fishing pastors to be slackers. After all,
how could a true man of God take a day off when the Devil was constantly on the
prowl? When she finally asked me for a report, tears fell from her eyes as she
silently turned and walked away after hearing my testimony. I readily admit
that being still in that day for me, did not equate to having a greater, personal
knowledge of the Person of God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; font-family: inherit;">It was not long after this encounter, that He began
to open my eyes to some incredible truth. In John chapter six, Jesus was asked
an important question: "What shall we do, that we may work the works of
God?" His answer was unique: "This is the work of God, that you
believe in Him whom He sent." In other words, those around Christ wanted
to know the secret, or the formula, for doing the work of God. The miracles of
Jesus were capturing the attention of everyone. He was doing only what God
could possibly do. Therefore, they sincerely wanted to know what they must do
in order to perform or accomplish the work or activity of God. But Jesus did
not give them a formula, nor share with them a secret. Rather, He told them the
truth: FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD IS THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IN FULFILLING THE WORK
OF GOD!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; font-family: inherit;">What does this mean? It means that only God can
perform or accomplish the work or activity of God. It is absolutely ludicrous
to assume that any humanistic endeavor, no matter how sincere, can accomplish
the work of God. He showed me that I, in and of myself, would never be anything
but an absolute failure in life and ministry. I cannot save anyone. I cannot
change anyone. I cannot sanctify anyone. I cannot grow a church numerically,
nor spiritually. I cannot create, manufacture, nor sustain a revival experience.
I cannot do anything that has any eternal value. Only God can do these kinds of
things, and Jesus did them because He was God, and He can do them now because
He is still God today! Our focus and responsibility, therefore, is to trust and
obey His voice, because He is the one who will accomplish the work of God
through His people as we yield ourselves to Him! Now do me a favor, re-read the
previous paragraph, and this one as well, then go somewhere and shout
HALLELUJAH!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The Lord also reminded me of the dilemma of the
early church when a dispute arose over some of the members being neglected.
Instead of doubling and tripling their efforts to minister to everyone, the
pastors instituted the deacon body to come along side and assist them. They
said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve
tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry
of the word." Imagine this scenario, the church is multiplying, and a
dispute arises that threatens the harmony and unity of the body of Christ. Yet
in the midst of this upsetting reality, they recognize that being still in His
presence must be their priority in order to rightly divide and teach the word
of God. And what was the result? God began doing only what He can do.
"Then the word of God spread, and the number of disciples multiplied
greatly in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">,
and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I share this testimony to help you understand how God taught me of the importance
of being still. Think about it, the great Apostle Paul accomplished more by
being still than on his missionary journeys. What do I mean by this? It was
after he was arrested and imprisoned that God used him to write most of the New
Testament. His "prison epistles" are still being used today to grow
churches and transform lives, long after Paul's death in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Rome</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.
It was the beloved disciple John who was banished to the Isle of Patmos as an
aged warrior of the Gospel. Yet in this horrible environment, separated from
family and friends, this man was being still in the presence of God. And what
was the result? "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to
show His servants-things which must shortly take place. And He sent and
signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of
God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed
is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those
things which are written in it; for the time is near." Yes, beloved, being
still for John increased his knowledge and experience of God, and the result
for us was the Book of Revelation. Another example would be the rugged Galilean
and former fisherman, Peter. It was this outspoken, impetuous man who would be
filled with the Holy Spirit to provide key leadership for the early church. And
it was this man who would also be imprisoned in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Rome</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
before his execution that allowed him to be still and experience the
inspiration of God in writing his two epistles. Though Peter's physical voice
has been silent for centuries, his spiritual voice will reverberate throughout
eternity as a human author of God's holy word. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">In
the book of Ephesians, the Bible says, "See then that you walk
circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days
are evil." The word redeem comes from the Greek word 'exagorazo' and has
the root meaning of purchasing, buying or investing. Because the word for time
can also be translated as season, this phrase conveys the idea of investing
wisely to make the most of every opportunity, or taking advantage of
opportunities that are given since they may never be available again. Someone helped me tremendously quite a few years ago by teaching me that we are human beings, not human doings. The emphasis of spiritual development, therefore, should be on our inner relationship to Christ, and not upon our outward activity for Christ. Failure to understand this was the reason the church at Ephesus was rebuked in Revelation 2:1-5. Their focus was so riveted on their faithful performance of certain Christian duties, they failed to spend quality time at the feet of Jesus. The testimony of Martha in Luke 10:38-42 is very similar, as she did not realize that her greatest need was maintaining intimacy with Jesus. And like Martha and the Ephesian believers, I also have to be constantly reminded of this principle, for I easily get caught up seeking to check the boxes of my spiritual to-do list rather than redeeming precious time in His presence.</span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">In closing, please allow me to ask us some serious questions: </span><span style="background-color: white;">Are you and I redeeming the time by making the most of every opportunity and practicing the lost art of being still in the presence of God? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Are we taking advantage of solitary seasons of life by investing quality time praying,
fasting, reading, meditating, and worshiping? And if you are a pastor or
serving in some kind of teaching capacity in your local church, I pray that you
will understand that you cannot do the work of God, only He can perform His
work. May He graciously and wonderfully empower us to do both the impossible and the eternal as we learn to be still, and truly know that He is God. Amen.</span></div>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-71208940843398468152023-01-11T14:18:00.066-06:002023-01-11T18:31:15.412-06:00The Final Fifteen<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"Stir up the gift of God which is in you."</span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"You must endure hardship as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ."</span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."</span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"Flee youthful lusts; and pursue
righteousness."</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"Preach the word!"</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"Be watchful in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">All of the scripture verses quoted above can be
found in 2 Timothy, which was Paul's final epistle that God inspired him to
write before his Roman execution. It is also, of course, the last of what we
call the Pastoral Epistles that Paul wrote, as he was seeking to
encourage and admonish both Timothy and Titus to remain faithful to their
calling into the ministry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Many believers profess that an annual
self-inspection, or spiritual inventory, is a valuable tool for growing in
grace. I suppose that such an activity can have some merit, as long as it is
not used to evaluate our lives in comparison to others, which can lead us into
a sense of either spiritual pride or personal despair. It can also be dangerous
to invest too much time in looking backward into the past, as Paul himself
said, "One thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As someone who spends an incredible amount of time
on the highway, I realize that it is a good habit to constantly glance into my
rear-view mirrors to remain aware of what is happening around me.
Gazing into my mirrors, instead of glancing, however, would be extremely
foolish unless I was backing up at that particular moment. I do not want
my eyes locked in a stare at any of my mirrors while I'm traveling forward at
highway speeds. That type of activity could be both dangerous and deadly
for me and for you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Hitting a so-called personal milestone last year caused me
to become more acutely aware of the value of each day. At the same
time, as I surveyed the spiritual landscape surrounding me, I began to realize that I
might be running out of time to experience a radical move of God in our land.
Beloved friend, I sincerely believe that we are in the twilight hours of the church
accomplishing her assignment before the soon coming rapture, and I
understand that I am much closer to the finish line of my life's journey as
well. In light of this truth, please read along with me as I glance back a bit, and
then gaze ahead.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">THE FIRST FIFTEEN: When God saved me in 1983, and
called me into the gospel ministry in 1988, I had no idea what I would experience. Tammy
and I followed His leadership as best as we knew how. We bumbled along like
spiritual toddlers, I'm sure, but He was always faithful. As I developed and
grew through seminary training and pastoral experience, God opened doors for
preaching and ministry that could only be explained by His divine activity.
There was a time that I kept meticulous records of where I was traveling and
the messages that I preached while in those places. As I compiled a growing list of countries, states, cities, towns, and churches that I
visited, those records eventually became a source of unholy and unhealthy pride. I inwardly glowed over the miles that I traveled on the road and in the air to fulfill my
ministry assignments and thought it to be quite impressive that I was
leading revival, prayer, and church growth conferences, especially in light of
the fact that I had never completed my seminary degree. The Lord opened my eyes
to this utter foolishness and wickedness in 2005, after I had sought to impress
a congregation in the </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tulsa</span></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><st1:state><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Oklahoma</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="color: #222222;">
area that I was standing before them that night and preaching Bible message
number 5,000 to an audience of listening ears. Not long after I returned
home from that Oklahoma meeting and still under conviction about my arrogance, I burned all of my
meticulous records, the revival and conference marketing posters and fliers
that I had retained, the many newspaper clippings concerning the events that I
had been involved in and collected from various cities, as well as all of my
saved copies of monthly and quarterly ministry newsletters that I had
written and mailed to thousands of recipients.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">THE MIDDLE FIFTEEN: As we moved further into
the beginning years of this new millennium, opportunities began to decrease for
many of us involved in itinerant ministry. Churches in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222;">
were rapidly changing, as they were either suspending or simply eliminating
services that required attendance beyond the Sunday morning commitment.
Revival meetings with hard preaching to call the church to brokenness and
humility were looked upon as useless relics of the past. "Methods must always be changing" was the newest cliche overheard in all of the pastors conferences, and there seemed to be no room for dinosaurs like myself in the ministry plans of modern, progressive churches. Invitations to
continue overseas ministry was ongoing, but without viable work at
home, these opportunities had to be declined. It was during this time that
I was serving as a trustee of the International Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention and learning a great deal about church planting
becoming the greatest spiritual weapon to impact lostness in a community.
It was through the influence of the IMB that Tammy and I believed God would
have us start a non-traditional church to reach out to the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mississippi</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">State</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">University</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222;">
campus. God was gracious to allow us to begin </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">DayStar</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Church</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222;"> and
develop relationships with numerous students, as well as other residents in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222;">. This
season of life eventually demanded that I become what is known as a
bivocational minister. I was blessed to serve as a chaplain for a local hospice
company, followed by a two-year stint working in the transit system at
MSU, giving me even greater access to meet and befriend students. I soon began
driving charter buses to provide for my family financially, and it was during these
years that circumstances changed drastically for us, and my eyes were taken off
of Jesus. I tried to maintain my ministry by going through all of the motions. I
can tell you from personal experience, that won't work. I realized that
something had to change, and with another church launching in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Starkville</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222;">
with our same vision and thriving, it was time to face the harsh reality that I
was a failure in my current assignment and walk away from our church planting
experience.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">THE FINAL FIFTEEN: Well, here I am several
years removed from those past events, yet still desiring to be used of God
for His kingdom purposes. Pastors have reached out to me occasionally to preach for them, which is always a blessing, and I was able to serve our home church for a few months last year during a season of great need while we were without a pastor</span><span style="color: #222222;">. Some ministers have even wanted to submit my name to churches looking for a pastor in their areas of service, but we have never believed God would have us move at this stage of life due to ongoing family responsibilities here at home. I look upon my future as "The Final
Fifteen" while realizing that I personally may not have fifteen more years
of life as I know it. But think about it, none of us may have fifteen more
years, as the rapture of the church could take place tonight, or death for any
one of us may occur before sunrise! Yet however, and wherever, God
delights in using us, Tammy and I are praying that He will be glorified as we
run our last laps in the race of faith. And as we pray and wait for our next
ministry opportunity, I ponder upon those verses listed above, as well as this beautiful passage from Psalm 71:17-18:</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"O God, You have taught me from
my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I
declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to
come!"</span></i></b><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><i><b><span class="text Ps-71-18" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-NKJV-14995" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18</span></span></b></i>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-89376678850998501802022-08-26T12:00:00.000-05:002022-08-26T12:00:30.744-05:00COVID, Culture, and the Church<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span class="text 2Cor-4-3" style="background-color: white;">"I</span></i></b><i>n the last days perilous times will come: <span class="text 2Tim-3-2" id="en-NKJV-29856" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, </span><span class="text 2Tim-3-3" id="en-NKJV-29857" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, </span><span class="text 2Tim-3-4" id="en-NKJV-29858" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, </span><span class="text 2Tim-3-5" id="en-NKJV-29859" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!</span></i><b><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span></i></b></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2 Timothy 3:1-5</span></span></i></b></h3><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The past few years have been unlike anything that I have seen in my lifetime. Only those who have put their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich would describe our current events as normal. Never would I have imagined, and I have a large imagination, seeing what is taking place politically, morally, philosophically, culturally, and scientifically on both a national and a global scale. You may not agree with my assessments, but please read this article with an open mind. Why? Because I thoroughly believe that we are living in the last days leading up to the rapture of the church and the subsequent return of our Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>COVID... </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The China Virus (COVID-19 for the politically correct) swept upon us in early 2020 and created international panic, chaos, and fear. Some have declared that it actually began spreading in the latter months of 2019, but remained undetected by those agencies that monitor, track, and warn about potentially deadly diseases. An unlikely source was first blamed: infected bats from a wet market in Wuhan, China. Whispers then began to rise up about a research lab in that same city that conducts what is known as gain of function experiments. This research involves taking known pathogens, "super-charging" them to discover how deadly they can become, and then what must be done to eradicate and destroy them should they ever naturally mutate to such a dangerous level. Experts initially tried to stop any and all information concerning a potential lab leak, then laughed at the prospect of the lab being the source of COVID as the ridiculous ramblings of small minded individuals who are possessed with innumerable conspiracy theories.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In some earlier writings, I confessed that the entire scenario, to me personally, had the smell of a dead rat. It is no secret that the Chinese Communist Party had a severe hatred for then President Donald Trump. His America first agenda did not help them in their quest for greater financial and global power. In fact, his America first agenda was not very popular with our professional politicians, Washington bureaucrats, and everyone else in the DC swamp who enjoyed lavish lifestyles at the expense of American taxpayers and massive money moved internationally and put in secret bank accounts. (By the way, wouldn't it be interesting to know how much money the Washington elites and powerful investors made from their insider trading into pharmaceutical companies as all of this COVID drama unfolded?)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So, what could be done by the CCP, in conjunction with those in Washington who hated our President, to insure the removal of Mr. Trump in the midst of the greatest and strongest economic renewal that our country has ever experienced? Why not create a situation that would shut down our country and communities, kill our record setting economy, spread panic through the liberal bias of the mainstream media, and escalate a incalculable measure of fear and confusion by allowing the inept CDC to flip flop their guidelines on a continual basis. And to make sure a transition in power was complete, let's ILLEGALLY VIOLATE election laws by allowing state governors to change how ballots would be cast (in the name of public safety of course) when only the legislative bodies of those state governments have the constitutional authority to adjust election procedures! Well, it worked. Am I saying this dangerous and deadly virus was intentionally released as an orchestrated plan to alter the direction of our nation? Yes. And as someone who does not swim deeply in the waters of political activism told me, they believe that the Chinese government exposed select citizens to the virus and then flew them to places around the world to insure sickness, death, and panic would occur on a global scale, solidifying the effectiveness of their sinister plan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now we have an administration in power that's killing our economy, despises our Christian heritage of biblical morality, illegally opens our southern border, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">demands strict adherence to worthless vaccines and mask mandates, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">gives weapons of war to the Taliban,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> and funnels billions of dollars into a Ukrainian government, that just happens to have multiple business dealings with the Biden family, in their struggle against a Russian invasion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Culture...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"This is not a riot," says the CNN reporter standing in an area of a city with multiple minority owned businesses on fire, "it's a mostly peaceful protest against white supremacy."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"These are not looters!" says an observer watching hundreds of masked individuals breaking into jewelry, electronic, and high-end clothing stores on Rodeo Drive outside of Los Angeles. "This is the result of systemic racism that causes people of color to be unable to put bread on the table," says an activist as she watches someone put multiple boxes of merchandise in the trunk of an expensive Lexus sedan and then drive away toward the darkness of Beverly Hills.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Statues and monuments have been defaced and destroyed. Private property and municipal buildings have been attacked, looted, and burned. Business owners and police officers have been assaulted. Busy highways and even multiple blocks of downtown cities have been occupied by groups of deranged individuals. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In the name of equity, diversity, and inclusion, the land of the free and the home of the brave now promotes drag queen story time at the library. We allow sexual perverts and predators</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> to teach in our schools. We place morally defiled and depraved individuals into powerful political offices. And now we have world renowned hospitals leading the way in providing dangerous drugs and life altering surgery to little children who are having a difficult time understanding the difference in being a boy or a girl! As a country boy might say, "</span><span style="font-family: arial;">What in tarnation is going on?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Gone are the innocent days of my childhood, which remind me more and more of Mayberry, North Carolina than our current cultural reality. I do not remember any episode of the Andy Griffith Show where Miss Crump was asking the children about their preferred pronouns while promoting transgenderism. They had Earnest T. Bass come to school in one episode, but they never had a Corporal Klinger type character show up to indoctrinate the classroom in perversion. And if you are not familiar with the television show, MASH, Klinger was a man that wore women's clothing in hopes of getting a Section Eight discharge, which meant that he would go home based upon his incurable INSANITY. Yes, only a few short years ago when a man claimed to be women, he was not applauded, promoted, and lifted to a celebrity status, he was quietly placed into a mental institution.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Bible says, "<span style="background-color: white;">Woe to those who call </span><span style="background-color: white;">evil</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">good</span><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><span style="background-color: white;">good</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">evil</span><span style="background-color: white;">; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20) And the scriptures also teach: "</span><span class="text Matt-18-6" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. </span></span><span class="text Matt-18-7" id="en-NKJV-23735" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Woe to the world because of</span> <span class="woj">offenses! For</span> <span class="woj">offenses must come, but</span> <span class="woj">woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" (Matthew 18:6-7)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Church...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As COVID and culture continue to infect and influence us, where is the body of Christ? Well, for quite a while we were nonexistent. Believing that we should walk according to Romans 13:1-3, we suspended services in 2020 for the good of our communities and to set a biblical example. I briefly supported this action until I began to notice that abortion clinics, liquor stores, gas stations, along with other "essential" businesses remained open. I also noticed that many family owned stores were not allowed to reopen because of safety concerns, while the large and powerful box stores served customers on a daily basis. Like John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in southern California, I believed enough was enough, and that it was time for the church to obey God rather than man. "F<span style="background-color: white;">orsake not the assembling of ourselves together, as </span><span style="background-color: white;">is</span><span style="background-color: white;"> the manner of some, but exhorting </span><span style="background-color: white;">one another,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white;">so much the more as you see </span><span style="background-color: white;">the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, however, this was not the mindset of many church leaders, and congregations that were struggling before COVID, never reopened. It is truly a sad day when a spiritual light, no matter how dim it might have been, is forever extinguished. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Other churches reopened, but it was simply a return to religious expressions of traditional habits. Rather than taking the opportunity to cry out to God for a mighty moving of His Spirit to usher in powerful revival and personal renewal, multiple congregations settled comfortably back into their</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> padded pews of boring Christianity. Today, I know of some fundamental churches that are seeking to become bright lights shining in and beyond their communities. Yet the sad reality is that they are being met by powerful forces of demonic resistance that do not want revived men and women of faith to rise up against their kingdom of darkness. Beloved, the Devil has been working hard behind the scenes of both the advancement of COVID and our cultural decline, and he desires nothing more than to see weak and lethargic churches meeting together without the power and presence of God. A famous preacher once said, "The Devil is not fighting our churches, he's joining them." Well, to be honest, in some congregations he's neither fighting nor joining, he's running them!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As I said in the opening paragraph, I believe that we are getting so very close to the rapture of the true church and the eventual return of the Lord. Beloved, time is running out! That is why I often insert the phrase, WAKE UP CHURCH, in my devotional thoughts and online posts. Now is not the time to be sleepy eyed and unconcerned members of Christ's church. It's time to come alive in His word, be filled with His Spirit, and implement His purpose for you as an individual. And this should be the desire, as well, of the entire fellowship of believers, the church, in every community across this land and around the world. Let's "s<span style="background-color: white;">eek the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Lord </span><span style="background-color: white;">while He may be</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">found, c</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">all upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon!" (Isaiah 55:6-7)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-weight: 700;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Hallelujah; Amen! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-5731243514228686492020-08-26T16:35:00.000-05:002020-08-26T16:35:25.511-05:00IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD?<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah
laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?' Is
anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return
to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis
18:13-14</span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: #222222;"></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6rhdx9InWg/X0bO9w0aZwI/AAAAAAAAAGE/WbGL3AbWpMMUWVk6wnGtaL6YVjmxZU_CgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200820_115028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6rhdx9InWg/X0bO9w0aZwI/AAAAAAAAAGE/WbGL3AbWpMMUWVk6wnGtaL6YVjmxZU_CgCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h307/20200820_115028.jpg" width="410" /></a></i></b></div><b><i><br /></i></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" What
a great question. In times of personal crisis, national confusion, and societal
chaos, you and I might be tempted to believe that problems of today are too
much for our God to handle. Beloved friend, cast that kind of thinking as far
away from your mind as possible, as nothing is too hard for the Lord. Let's
think about it...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Abraham had already begun his great faith journey,
whereby he was called a friend of God. He began this walk of faith at the age
of seventy-five as revealed in Genesis 12:1-4. Here is man who had passed the
prime of life being told that his offspring would become a great nation. When
the Lord appeared to him in Genesis 15 some ten years later, he and his wife
still had no children. Yet the plan and promise of God had not changed with the
changing circumstances of natural aging. By the time you reach our focus text
in Genesis 18, another fifteen years had passed. He was now ninety-nine years
of age, and she was ninety. Surely the promise of God would prove null and void
considering their ages, as she had long lost the ability to conceive and bare
children. No wonder she laughed at the prospect of God's promise becoming an
actual reality for them. But, here's that hard, pressing question: "Is
anything too hard for the Lord?"</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">Now you might be wondering what this has to do with
the photograph of an aging vehicle. Let me explain. In 2001, Tammy and I
encountered the Lord's leadership to trust Him in providing us a home to call
our very own</span>.
This was a very daunting proposition for us, and at times I nearly baled out of
following His leadership when I could not see how we could make our financial
ends meet while operating a faith ministry. The following year, as we were
praying earnestly about trusting Him for our Faith House, it became apparent
that we needed new transportation. As is our habit, we partnered together in
prayer for the Lord to lead and direct us concerning this need. God worked as
only He could in making our paths cross with a car dealer who sought to
minister to ministers. We had come to the understanding that we were to look
for and purchase a Chevrolet Trailblazer with a third row seat and room to seat
seven passengers. When we arrived at the lot to meet this gentleman, he had only
one of the Trailblazer extended versions available, and it was brought in from
another dealership at the request of a potential buyer. We gave it a test
drive, sat down with him to talk about pricing and financing, and told him that
we would let him know of any decision that we made should that vehicle still be
available at a later date. Even with a very generous discounted price and an
extremely low interest rate, we knew the payments would be just over $500 per
month. To us, sending that amount to GMAC every month for five years seemed
utterly impossible. But, is anything too hard for the Lord?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We knew that we would be returning to his area of
Mississippi in a couple of weeks, so we prayed that if we were to trust God for
that SUV, that one, not another one, then it would be on this man's lot when we
returned. When we arrived on <st1:date day="20" month="8" year="2002">August
20, 2002</st1:date>, that same Trailblazer was still sitting on the lot at
Ackerman Chevrolet, and we left that afternoon with the very first brand new
vehicle that we had ever purchased in our years of marriage. We put the first 100,000
miles on it in three and a half years, and it hit 200,000 sometime in 2010.
It's now been a part of our family and ministry for eighteen years. It doesn't
get used as much as it once did, but this morning the odometer reached 368,000
miles. By the grace of God, we never missed a payment. By the grace of God,
everything still works on it. And by the grace of God, it even survived being
Laurie's beach buggy for a couple of years when she lived in <st1:city><st1:place>Pensacola</st1:place></st1:city>
(but that's another story, LOL!).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Friend, why do I share this with you? Because it's so very
easy to be overwhelmed by current circumstances of life and lose sight of the
faithfulness of God. Not only was He faithful to us in the purchase and
financial obligation of the Trailblazer, but He maintained our vision for our
Faith House as well. Have you ever heard the old cliché: "Where God guides,
He provides"? Well, IT'S TRUE! Before we bought this vehicle, we were
living debt free in my hometown of the Mississippi Delta, paying $200 a month
rent to the Duncan Baptist Church to live in their parsonage, which was a very
nice, three bedroom/two bath, ranch style, brick home. But now we had entered
into a financial obligation to General Motors while preparing to undertake the
responsibility of relocating and building our new home. We agonized in prayer
over all of this, and moved forward in obedience. When we completed our Faith
House in 2004, we had a $950 monthly note on a thirty year mortgage, as well as
the Trailblazer payments, and neither of us had what is considered to be
gainful employment with a guaranteed income. How we even qualified for
extremely low interest loans is another testimony of God's grace working in our
lives. When the Trailblazer was paid off, home interest rates were on a
lowering trend, so we refinanced to a fifteen year mortgage with a $1,200
monthly obligation to hasten our payoff. And as only our gracious God could do,
He worked to have our goal of once again living debt free a reality, as we
just paid off our Faith House mortgage six years early. Thank you JESUS!!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The journey has not been easy, and many questions circling
our lives remain unanswered. Yet through it all, God has been faithful. When we
step outside and see the Trailblazer, it constantly reminds us that God can
make a way, when there seems to be no way. Amen! In fact, there are three other
automobiles parked outside of our home, and the Trailblazer is the only one
that we paid for. All of the others were given to us! The Lord makes sure that
I remember this whenever I want to camp out in a place of despair and wonder
how He can possibly supply our many needs. NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR THE LORD!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Abraham's wife, Sarah, was going to soon learn this great
principle. In Genesis 21:1-3, the Bible says: "And
the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for
Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in
his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham
called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac."
Is anything too hard for the Lord?<o:p></o:p></p>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-25181688003794287712020-03-17T09:01:00.000-05:002020-03-17T09:01:17.357-05:00FEAR or FAITH?<br />
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">“</span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."<span class="textprov-3-5"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Philippians 4:6-7<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">I'm
sick. No, I am not sick with the </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Wuhan</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;"> virus, or COVID-19, or
coronavirus, or whatever we're supposed to call it, I'M SICK OF IT! I'm sick of
the constant chatter about it. I'm sick of the non-stop news coverage
concerning it. I'm sick of the political posturing over it. And I'm sick of the
unbelievable display of "stupidity panic" as a result of it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Some
are reporting this event as a doomsday catastrophe, which at times crosses the
line from revealing basic facts to fear-mongering. Others are prophesying that
this virus will usher in the final Great Awakening via Facebook technology
before the return of Christ. (By the way, I didn't know that God needed social
media to accomplish His work. And I also remind you that if an awakening does
not take place, the Bible says in the Old Testament that we are to execute false
prophets. Be very careful, preacher, what you say. And because of your lying
tongue and deceitful words, be very thankful that we don't live in Old
Testament days.) While even a few are challenging this whole scenario as a
false scheme to manipulate the markets, destroy our prosperous economy, and
cause a tidal wave of hatred towards our President in order to assure his
defeat in our upcoming election.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">In
light of all this commotion around us, what are we to think? How should we
respond? And what are we to do? Please read my observations with an open mind
and an humble spirit, as I have prayerfully prepared to post my thoughts:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">I do not believe the
coronavirus is a false news narrative. I believe it is a real disease that
should not be taken lightly. I do not know if it originated from someone
eating a diseased bat purchased in an open market in Wuhan, China; or was
an experiment gone bad in some kind of chemical/biological testing
facility in that city; or was a man-made virus intentionally loosed in order
to fulfill the desires of those with an extremely depraved heart. I do not
know the exact origin, but I believe that it is real. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Like some, I question
why this virus is getting such news coverage when other sicknesses and
diseases cause much more death than the coronavirus. The latest report
states that there are </span></span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">186,707 confirmed cases</span><span style="background: white;"> and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">7,471 deaths</span><span class="textprov-3-6"> linked to this disease globally. As I stated in my
MARCH MADNESS post last week, it is estimated that at least 100,000 have
died in this same time period of the common strains of the flu. Hmm,
that's an interesting comparison. Also, the likelihood of contracting the coronavirus
is very minimal. </span></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">China</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">, where the virus
originated, has a population of 1.4 billion, and has reported just under
81,000 cases with 3,226 deaths. Look at that again: 1,400,000,000 people,
and only 81,000 cases. </span></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Italy</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">, with a population of
62 million, has certainly been hit hard with the virus according to
alarming reports. It has about 28,000 confirmed cases with 2,158 deaths.
The </span></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">United States</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;"> has a population of 330
million. We currently have 4,743 confirmed cases resulting in 93 deaths.
In the state of </span></span><st1:state><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Mississippi</span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">, we have a total
population of approximately 3 million, with 12 confirmed cases of
coronavirus, and no deaths. What does all this mean? With a total
population of 7.8 billion people on planet Earth, only 0.000024% has the
virus. In the </span></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">U.S.</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;"> only 0.000014% of our
citizens has the virus. And in my home state of </span></span><st1:state><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Mississippi</span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">, only 0.000004% have
the disease. If you were to double, or even triple the confirmed cases, it
would still remain a very small, minute percentage of the entire population.
Estimated figures tell us that so far this year, there have been 7,700
traffic fatalities in the </span></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">United States</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;"> compared to 93
coronavirus deaths. You are much more likely to be killed in a car crash
in this country than to die from this virus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">One of the reasons for
the concern over the coronavirus is the limited number of hospital beds
and medical supplies. Our health care system is not made to handle large
numbers of extremely ill members of our society. Just looking at </span></span><st1:state><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Mississippi</span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">, there are a total of
about 12,000 hospital beds throughout the state. With a population of 3
million people, it is easy to see that we are not able to house and care
for a large number of our citizens should they get desperately ill. Since
this is a new virus, we have no natural immunity to it. Therefore, medical
professionals, researchers, and governmental leaders have the right to be
alarmed and to put forth advice and recommendations to us concerning the
desire to lessen the spread of this virus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">As upsetting as this situation
is right now, our world will eventually return to a place of normalcy. For
those who like to schedule everything, have all their plans and courses of
action spelled out, and possess a sense of control over their lives and
circumstances, you will have to adjust to the new normal for the next
several weeks. I encourage you to consider others more than yourself.
Check on the elderly and those with compromised immune systems who might
be in your circle of influence. Look for those opportunities to share the
gospel with those who do not posses the same hope that we have in Christ.
And by all means, please lovingly encourage everyone to CHILL OUT
concerning toilet paper! <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 295.5pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Many
of you probably know that for half of my ministry experience, I have been classified
as bivocational. If this term is new to you, it simply means that I have been
employed outside of my ministerial vocation to meet the needs of my family's
financial burdens. Tammy and I both helped operate a family owned restaurant in
Sturgis when our girls were younger and who also worked there with us. I worked
at a local hospice company for several years as a chaplain, serving patients,
caregivers, and my fellow employees as I ministered to people in the midst of
very difficult circumstances. Since 2011, I have been involved in the
transportation industry, driving ACR Coach charter buses, as well as
Mississippi State University shuttle buses for a three year period in that time
frame. During these nine years of meeting thousands of people and helping
groups reach their travel destinations, I have sought to be a witness for
Christ in a subtle yet straight forward way. I have purposely played Christian
music on low volume via the radio or satellite TV on my buses, to which I have
never heard one complaint. While working on campus, I engaged in numerous
conversations with students who trusted me to give them sound, biblical advice
concerning some of the issues that they were facing in life. And in the charter
world, I have often quoted the above scripture from Philippians chapter four
before purposely praying for our safety on the roadways before embarking on a
trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">With
the news of this coronavirus inundating the airwaves of talk radio, news
reports, social media, and everyday conversations everywhere, this verse is
taking on a whole new meaning for me and my family. The charter bus industry is
taking a direct hit in this time of crisis. With an announcement just yesterday
of governmental officials suggesting that we do not gather in groups no larger
that ten, who's going to plan to fill a bus with 50 passengers to go somewhere?
In fact, over 80% of my trips in 2020 have been school or sports related, and
now all of my upcoming trips for the next several weeks have been cancelled.
Spring time is the "Christmas season" for those of us in this type of
work. If we don't make it now, we won't make it at all. We have historically
called the months of February, March and April our industry's March Madness
because of the hectic schedule associated with this time of year. Now, however,
everything has drastically changed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">Other
businesses, like ours, are about to be thrown into the fires of financial
uncertainty. I say all of this to let you know that I am not writing in an
ivory tower, unconnected from the world of fear and concern. Though not
physically, this virus is having a direct impact on me and my family. So what
are we to do? We can either allow FEAR or FAITH to dominate our hearts, lives,
thoughts, and actions. It cannot be both, it is an either/or reality. So we
choose FAITH! What about you? Are you going to join forces with those who add
to the chaos, or will you link up with the calmness of the redeemed? Jesus
said, "In the world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for
I have overcome the world." Amen? So, my dear friend, I encourage you to
KEEP CALM and </span></span><st1:place><st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">FAITH</span></span></st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><st1:state><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">ON</span></span></st1:state></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;">!</span></span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jmEic3O5i8/XnDYCEQ0KCI/AAAAAAAAAEo/RPkg1_2QoSUhRt1ONWkpuwcIxePOfWFXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/know-jesus-know-peace-christal-marshall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jmEic3O5i8/XnDYCEQ0KCI/AAAAAAAAAEo/RPkg1_2QoSUhRt1ONWkpuwcIxePOfWFXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/know-jesus-know-peace-christal-marshall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-85618061022544021622020-02-05T20:02:00.000-06:002020-02-05T20:02:05.314-06:00The Acute Pain of Personal Rejection<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Heed the voice of the
people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you,
but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.'"</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222;">1 Samuel 8:7<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It was a tragic time in the life of the nation
of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, as the elders of the land demanded an earthly king. They boldly
declared that they wanted to be like all the other nations that surrounded
them. It is truly a sad testimony whenever the people of faith have a desire to
be like the people of the world. As Samuel tearfully brought this request to
the Lord, he was told that this was not a reflection upon him as a prophet, nor
as a judge, but was a clear statement of personal rejection rooted in a greater
problem. The people had rejected the wisdom, counsel and leadership of Samuel,
because the people had rejected God. Samuel was not the first to experience
this pain, as Moses encountered the sting of rejection. David also knew about
rejection, first from Saul, and later from within his own family. Likewise, Jeremiah
and Amos, two Old Testament prophets, were rejected men. And, of course, Jesus
knew the deep pain of this malicious reality. The Bible says, "He was
despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with
grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Rejection is an awful word that produces
agonizing wounds. It carries with it a harsh stigma that is extremely difficult,
and nearly impossible, to overcome. A child rejected by his or her parents. A
wife rejected by her husband, or a husband rejected by his wife. An individual
rejected by their community. A worker rejected by their peers. And within the
body of Christ, we often realize that the acute pain of personal rejection is
not limited to the testimonies of those whose lives are portrayed in the word
of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In my thirty years of gospel ministry, I too
have faced and experienced the pain of rejection. Memories surface from time to
time that remind me that the path of obedience has not always been easy. As the
Lord faithfully opened doors for me to proclaim His word, I soon discovered
that others were working to spread malicious lies and unfounded rumors against
my personal character, and my scriptural beliefs, in order to damage, or
perhaps destroy, my ministry. I would often laugh at such foolishness, until I
discovered that some friends were being swayed to believe these baseless attacks.
At one time I was in an area of service that still had strong pockets of racial
division and prejudice in the lives of people, politicians, and even pastors.
Preaching a message that God's grace is mighty to save no matter the place nor
the race of an individual, caused a label to be placed upon me that was less
than ideal. I remember being in those places where pastors would foolishly
share the latest "n----r" jokes in order to raise my ire and judge my
reactions. One particular time an ugly racist joke was told IN THE PULPIT, and
then the preacher looked down at me and said, "What do you think about
that, Brother Charles?" I wanted to get up immediately and leave as I felt
my face flushed with anger, but I had been invited to preach the primary
message before lunch by the host pastor. I was nearly in shock by this sinful
and horrible display of hate and stupidity. When we later had a short break, I
quietly left without saying anything to anyone. I don't know what happened
after my departure, but I was told that I was the invisible recipient of many
crude comments. Up until then, I counted that very influential pastor of a
large church as a good friend, but our relationship eroded to a nonexistent level
after that unpleasant event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At other times my boldness in the pulpit
caused my peers to turn against me. I was labeled a pulpit agitator by some who
disliked both my style and my substance. A beloved associational missionary
told me of an interesting phone call that he received from our state convention
concerning my future. Some statistical information had garnered their attention
concerning our church's growth, and they had several questions to ask about me.
He validated what they were hearing in the state office, but when they voiced
concern that I was a man who "rocked the boat" and they wanted him to
speak to me about becoming a bit more moderate and agreeable, he laughed and
told them that they should look elsewhere for a man who could be moved and
controlled by the convention. It was via this man's knowledge and experience
that I learned many prominent churches would have pastors who were groomed and
chosen by the power of convention politics rather than the divine working of
the Spirit of God. Years later a pastor told me that he always avoided me personally
and professionally after other pastors voiced negative comments about me in his
presence. When I was privileged to preach at a state evangelism conference
where he was in attendance, he approached me and apologized for listening to
useless gossip rather than talking with me face to face concerning what he had
heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Now I do not want to paint an ugly picture over
my thirty plus years of ministry. Time and space do not allow me to reflect
upon the awesome adventure that I have had in following Christ. The trips to
other countries to be involved in medical evangelism, revival conferences,
pastor training, and missionary retreats have been wonderful encounters of His
Spirit working in my life and in the lives of those in attendance. Numerous
trips to Central and South American countries, as well as to European and Asian
mega-cities, and those African adventures to both large cities and small
villages will always be treasures stored in my memory. Preaching in elaborate
chapels with huge windows to view the surrounding majestic mountains, as well
as in mud huts with thatched roofs, were all privileges of grace. I remember
being in a tiny Mexican village where an ongoing feud among two church families
caused most folks to stay away. The congregation consisted of the missionary
couple that we were with, my own family, two very aged women, about five little
boys, and three dogs. The missionary led the music, the little boys took the
offering, and I was preaching when the dogs decided to liven everything up with
a good fight underneath the homemade pews! Dust was flying, teeth were biting,
and the women started swinging whatever they could find at the dogs, as well as
the boys, as they had joined the ruckus beneath the pews. When everyone guilty
of fighting had been beaten out the door, they all went home. Looking at the
missionary, I said, "What should we do now?" Replying with a smile,
he said, "Let's give an invitation. After all that commotion, one of our
wives might need to get saved!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Funny experiences of life, coupled with those
deeply moving times of Spiritual awakening and renewal, are also cemented in my
mind. It has been an incredible adventure of faith that still continues today.
I will be the first to admit that I have failed in numerous ways, yet the
faithfulness of our Lord has been consistently present throughout the good
times, as well as the not so good. As I look toward entering my thirty-first year
of gospel ministry, I readily admit that where I am now was not a part of my
long-range plan. Yet the past and current circumstances of my life have not
dampened my faith, nor my zeal, for serving the Lord Jesus and seeking to be a
positive influence through His name in whatever capacity is open for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">If you are one of those servants of the Lord
that has also experienced the acute pain of personal rejection, I encourage you
to look away from those who would sidetrack you from your faith journey, and
get a fresh glimpse of the Lord Jesus Christ. I remind you again that He is the
ultimate example of rejection, yet He did not allow the God-haters of His day
to interfere with His accomplishing His Father's will. In fact, the rejection
was an important part of God's plan for the life, and the ultimate death, of
His Son. And Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that
you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the
synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that
he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they
have not known the Father, nor Me." Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-87485459018002480042019-01-16T21:55:00.000-06:002019-01-16T21:55:31.835-06:00Seeking Him<br />
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">“Seek the Lord while He may be found,
call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the Lord, </span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">and He </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">will </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">have mercy upon him; and to
our God, and He will abundantly pardon!”</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Isaiah 55:6-7<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">"And you will seek Me and find Me, </span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">when you</span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">search for Me with all your heart."</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Jeremiah 29:13</span></i></b></span><span class="textprov-3-6"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is a very humbling experience at times to
publish a personal blog, or to post on social media some sort of journal
chronicling one's walk of faith. As I work on this first post of 2019, my heart
yearns to simply be silent about some of the details of the previous year, and
to carefully guard myself against those who might misunderstand my motives, or
who would desire to discover some kind of ammunition to use against me.
Nevertheless, what I have experienced needs to be told, and what I am learning
needs to be taught. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">The verses above from Isaiah and Jeremiah
have always rebuked me when I have been too busy to spend adequate time in the
Lord's presence. And they have also reminded me that His promises to restore my
position of fellowship, renew my passion for worship, and reinstate my power
for ministry are hinged upon my simple acts of faith, repentance, and
surrender. Faith is necessary to seek, call, and return to the One who says
that He can abundantly pardon. Repentance is required in order to forsake our
ways and our thoughts as we complete our u-turn towards Him. And surrender is
revealed in that this can only be accomplished by those who long for new
experiences of His divine grace and delightful mercy with all of their hearts.
To seek Him in such a fashion means that you must be all in. This promise is
not for the worldly minded, fence-straddling, carnal hypocrites that can so
often dominate a local church. This promise is reserved for those who long to
see God work in mighty power, even if it costs them absolutely EVERYTHING!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">I believe that God is showing me and calling
me to a deeper level of intercession in this new year. I hate to admit it, but
my commitment to a strong prayer ministry has often been diminished by the
demands of a more visible ministry. If you are a pastor, you know very well
what I mean. Hospital and shut-in visitation, families in bereavement, couples
needing counseling, sermon preparation, community outreach, youth and children
events, committee meetings, and the list can go on and on. These are good,
necessary, and important areas of ministry in a church, but if we are not
careful, they rob us of the most pressing issue of life: SEEKING HIM!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">Changes have taken place that have been both
emotionally upsetting and personally challenging for me and my family during
the past year. My ministry assignment in our home church was terminated in September,
a decision that was very disturbing. This is not what I envisioned as the year
unfolded, nor is it an experience that I would wish upon anyone. As a result, I
was forced to return to my previous employment of driving charter buses for ACR
Coach. God has used this scenario to show me that I may not currently have a
ministry opportunity that occupies a great amount of my time, but I can now
invest more time in intercessory prayer for needs around the world. Those hours
that I would normally invest in meeting the needs of hurting people, can be
spent praying for pastors, denominational workers, missionaries, evangelists,
seminary professors, etc. (I can also spend time praying for the owners, staff,
and the many drivers that I have learned to love and enjoy working with at ACR.
Which should be a reminder to all of us that are gainfully employed outside of
a church field or home business: we are on the mission field wherever we might
be at all times.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">I recently observed from a distance as a
friend was named President of the International Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention. As Paul Chitwood undertakes this new assignment, my heart
aches over the challenges that he will face, the decisions that he must make,
and the pressure that he will endure in this strategic role of ministry. What
can I do for this brother? I can pray for him! And I can pray for you, and I
can pray for the biblically focused churches of our land, and I can pray for the
Spirit of God to work wonderfully in and thru all of our lives for His glory
around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you have encountered changes in your life
that has caused you to rearrange your normal routines and activities, I implore
you to use the added time that you might have to become a prayer warrior. We desperately
need to experience seasons of refreshing from the hand of the Lord, and no one
can close Heaven's door to you, but you! "</span></span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seek the Lord while
He may be found, call upon Him while He is near...</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt;">And you will seek Me and find Me,
when you search for Me with all your heart." AMEN!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-31131540586979309682018-10-03T15:07:00.000-05:002018-10-03T15:07:34.056-05:00My Last Drink<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222;">"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging.</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Whoever
is deceived by it, is not wise!"</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Proverbs 20:1</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The two most popular articles that I have posted
have been those about with my personal conversion ("1983") and my
thoughts concerning the use of alcoholic beverages ("Don't be
Stupid!"). Realizing that we still face the reality of deception
concerning the use and abuse of alcohol, I felt moved to expand my experience
of God's merciful deliverance in my own spiritual journey. So many differences
began to take place in my life when I trusted Jesus Christ, that many people
who knew me well were confused and concerned at my transformation. This does
not mean that I was instantaneously delivered from the power of sin, for that
is an ongoing process that continues today through what the Bible calls
sanctification. Yet even in my baby steps of faith, I began to display a love
for what I once hated, and a hatred for what I once loved. Friends and family
may have been shocked at what was happening in my life, but God was not
surprised at all, for this was His plan from the beginning of time as we know
it. The Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and
that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians
2:8-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When I came to a saving knowledge of God's
grace available through repentance and faith in His Son, I had no idea what a
strong noose had been wrapped around my life by alcohol. Drinking was not just a casual
pastime or occasional habit, it was a controlling lifestyle. As a new born babe
in Christ desiring the pure milk of His word, I was immediately convicted by
His indwelling Spirit that I should separate myself from all temptations to
consume alcoholic beverages in any type of setting. This was quite a challenge
while living on a college campus, and I'm sure I often failed to be as strong
in Him as I could have been. When I eventually moved into my own apartment the
following year to prepare for my upcoming wedding plans, victory was easier to
experience. After all, I could barely afford the rent and utilities, so
groceries were sometimes unaffordable. With that being the case, the holy
desire for bread would easily overcome the unholy desire for beer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">After Tammy and I pledged our vows to each
other, the inner struggle to loosen and remove this noose began to be further
realized. Yet even then I found it difficult to disconnect totally and
completely from this monstrous destroyer. When we gathered with some of my old
friends where alcoholic beverages were available, I would seek to blend in and
have a few drinks. Tammy never fussed or berated me in any way, but I knew her
strong stance on complete abstinence, and I certainly did not want to upset nor
disappoint her. Another problem during this critical time of spiritual
development in my life came from some within our own church family. Whenever
our pastor mentioned the poison of alcohol in a scathing way from the pulpit, I
would hear some men, who were very influential in my life, standing outside
together after the service and saying something like this: "I don't care what
the preacher says, I can keep it and drink it in my house if I want to."
Another would say, "I agree, beer in my refrigerator is not going to send
me to Hell." Listening to statements like these that came from the lips of
church deacons and Sunday School teachers, softened my resistance. I still
refused the temptation to have these beverages in my home, but I decided that
the occasional use of alcohol in certain settings must be okay. After all,
that's what I heard these church leaders saying, and I knew that they would not
say or do anything wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I was still growing in the Lord during this
time, so I was certainly not actively looking for a party to attend or a
gathering of some kind that might help me drink socially. In fact, I was
assuming more and more responsibilities in our church family, and was even
getting invitations to speak at other events in some of the local churches in
our area. It was also during this time that I accepted the job of assistant
manager at the Oktibbeha County Co-op, a local farm and ranch supply store. Our
manager, Gerald Jackson, was a great guy and a wonderful mentor to me in this
new endeavor. Another man of great influence was a regional salesman who called
on us several times a month. He was a lay speaker in the Methodist church and
very active in the Gideon ministry. I never remember a time that I saw him that
he did not have a Gideon New Testament in his shirt pocket. These men, as well
as numerous others, were about to have a profound impact upon my life in a way
that I could never imagine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Not long after the rush of the spring season
at the Co-op had passed, Mr. Jackson informed me that we would be going to a manager's
conference at the co-operative headquarters near Jackson, Miss. Leaders from
all over the state, along with some from Louisiana, would be in attendance. I
was very impressed when we pulled up to the multi-storied glass and steel
structure, and was even more in awe of the building when we stepped inside to a
beautiful vestibule with a remarkable water feature. We made our way to a very
large, </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">theater</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> styled conference room, filled with tables and leather chairs,
that gave every attendee a good view of the podium and platform. When our CEO
called the meeting to order with a few opening remarks and announcements, he
called on our Methodist/Gideon friend to come forward to lead us in prayer. I
thought, "Wow! We're coming together as a secular company and will start
this meeting with prayer! I like this!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">After the meeting, we were instructed to move
to the dining hall for a wonderfully catered meal, complete with an
entertaining speaker from </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Louisiana</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> who was extremely funny. His performance was wholesome and family
friendly, a Cajun version of the late, great Jerry Clower. Our CEO returned to
close the evening by inviting everyone to take advantage of the long evenings
of summer by staying and enjoying a time of refreshments outside. When we
exited the building, I discovered that refreshments meant alcoholic beverages.
Several kegs of beer were available, as well as a couple of bartenders to serve
mixed drinks. Immediately I felt uncomfortable, but I lost sight of Mr. Jackson
among the 200 or so men who were mingling and talking. I finally spotted our
Methodist/Gideon friend from behind, and was approaching to ask him about Mr. Jackson,
when he turned around and I saw him drinking a beer from a plastic cup. He had
a beer in his hand, and a Bible in his pocket. Immediately I heard the sound of
other church member's voices saying, "It's okay to drink socially and
moderately, it's not going to hurt anybody." Seeing what I saw, and
hearing what I heard, I walked to the bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It had been quite a long time since I enjoyed
the taste of an ice cold brew. One cup led to two. Two cups led to three. Three
cups led to four. I then decided Coke and Jack would be good, so I began to
drink several mixed drinks. As the sun began to set and the bar was about to
close, some of the guys decided to confiscate the open liquor bottles and the
remaining kegs of beer and take them to our motel to continue the party. I
helped them load up everything we wanted, then unloaded it and carried it all
up to one of the guest rooms. Several guys left and returned with a large
amounts of snack foods for everyone as we continued drinking. Another group
eventually left, then returned as well, carrying several paper sacks. As they
began to empty their bags and throw pornographic magazines to everyone still in
the room, an inner voice began to say to me, "Get out, get out!" When
the last two men walked into the room, one had a VCR player that they had
rented, and the other had a box full of x-rated movies. The guy with the VCR
saw that I didn't have a magazine in my hand, so he instructed me to turn the
television around and help him set up the video player. As my hands touched the
TV set, that inner voice began to scream, "GET OUT! GET OUT!"
Needless to say, I left immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When Mr. Jackson and I arrived for additional
meetings that next morning, I was still contemplating all that had transpired
the night before. He went into the dining hall for breakfast, while I sat down
near the water feature in deep thought. After a few minutes, a very tall man
walked up to me, extended his hand, and said, "Brother Charles, I want to
meet you." This greeting startled me, for it was the very first time that
anyone had used the endearing term "Brother" in front of my name. Those
of us with a Southern heritage realize this title is one that shows respect to
those who serve in some capacity of ministry. Helping me to my feet, he then
said, "The reason I wanted to meet you, is that I'm from (and he named a
town that I cannot remember, but I do know that he mentioned a place in south
Mississippi) and heard that you are preaching when you have the opportunity and
sharing your testimony of what God has done in your life. I think that's
wonderful, Brother Charles, God bless you." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I stood there speechless as he walked away,
and sensed myself shrinking from nearly six feet tall to about two inches. Mr.
Jackson returned in just a few minutes and I told him about this encounter. I
described the man's facial features, his unusual height, and where he said he
was from, and Mr. Jackson said that he didn't know anyone like that, and that
he knew everyone associated with the Co-op. "I watched him walk into our
meeting room," I said. "I'll show him to you." But when we
walked into the room, which was about half full at the time, he was no where to
be found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"I don't see him, Mr. Jackson."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Well, I don't either, and he couldn't go
out that exit door without setting the alarm off. I'm not sure who you met,
Charles, because I've never met a man like you just described to me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">During all of the subsequent meetings, my mind
was on two things: my foolish actions the night before, and this stranger that
had spoken to me that morning. Riding with Mr. Jackson back home, he talked the
entire time, yet my mind was still occupied with my stupidity and sinfulness.
As he talked, I prayed. I finally remember praying something like this:
"God, I have often prayed that I might be delivered from the evils of
alcohol. I have asked you to do this in the past because I know that it is not
good for me. But now, Lord, I realize that it's not about me, it's about You.
Oh, Jesus, alcohol is not good for You. It robs You of Your glory. It destroys
Your testimony. It's about You. Please Lord, deliver me from this deceptive
evil not because of the harm that it can cause me, but because of the harm it
causes You!" Tears streamed down my face as I looked out Mr. Jackson's
truck window that day. He had no idea that I was involved in a moment of
intense spiritual warfare. Nor was he aware of the great victory that God gave
me that day in his pick-up truck. For that prayer, coupled with God's amazing
grace, broke the chains of alcohol over my life once and for all. I had
consumed my last drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;">Years
later as my mind remembered this experience, I began to consider Hebrews 13:2,
where the Bible says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so
doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." I have often wondered:
Did God send an angel to intercept me that day before I reached a point of no
return? I really do not know the answer to that question. But I do know the
reality of the experience. The Lord so touched my heart through the words of
this man, or angel (if that's the case), that it forever changed my life. As
the hymn writer said, "To God be the glory; great things He hath
done!"</span>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-65985913908842867992018-07-18T08:45:00.000-05:002018-07-18T08:45:27.724-05:00Spiritual Leaders: Born or Made?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">"He who leads, should lead with
diligence."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">Romans 12:8<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">In my previous post concerning spiritual
gifts, I referenced the teaching of Dr. Charles Stanley, who is the long time pastor
of the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">First</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">Baptist</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">Church</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">Atlanta</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">. In his study, <u>Ministering through Spiritual Gifts</u>, he states
that the seven gifts named in Romans 12:3-8 are perpetual gifts, while the
other gifts found in the New Testament are only revealed during special
circumstances. He states that every believer will have one of these seven
perpetual gifts, perhaps more, but one will be more dominate than the others.
He also says that these gifts are resident in a person's life at birth, and
will become fully operative for its God-given purposes after that person is born
again. He further says that these "gifts span the course of a person's
life. They might be manifested in slightly different ways, in different
situations, with varying degrees of intensity, but the identity of the gift
remains intact and is unchangeable." Because leadership is listed as one
of these seven perpetual gifts, and because of Dr. Stanley's belief concerning
these gifts, the question that I posed in the title of this post should be
re-visited. Are leaders born or made?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">I have often been involved in discussions
concerning leadership, both spiritual and secular. Some argue that leaders are
born, while others argue that leaders are made. I was blessed to become friends
with Dak Prescott when he was the third string quarterback at </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mississippi</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">State</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">University</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">.
Because of his size, I thought he was either a tight end or linebacker. He was
an exceptional young man that I had numerous conversations with. He was polite,
kind, humble, and would eagerly listen to me as I shared biblical truth with
him. As he eventually led MSU football to unprecedented success, I read
articles of his leadership. It was interesting to read how as a high school
player coming to Big Dawg Camps, he would vocally encourage and uplift the
other players going through difficult workouts and weight training exercises.
As a teenager, Dak displayed leadership skills that are now well known from his
success as a Bulldog, as well as with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">In my final semester at MSU, I was in a
class focused upon personal skills and techniques of successful leaders. Just a
few weeks into the course, we were divided up into groups of seven to eight
students. We were told that we would be getting an assignment to form a
corporation, and each group would have to name a president, vice-president, and
a secretary/treasurer. We were then told to form our chairs in circles,
according to our group placement, and discuss and decide who the officers would
be for each corporation. I remember like it was yesterday as we noisily moved
our chairs around to get in place. In my group, there were a couple of students
that I had met in other classes, but the rest were basically strangers. I
looked at the other students, who were all quiet and looking at everyone else
in awkward silence, when I finally said: "Okay, let's do this. I'll begin
with me, giving you all my name, where I'm from, why I chose this particular
major, and any other pertinent information that might be helpful for us to know
each other. Then we'll go around the circle and allow each of you to do the
same. That way, we can make an informed decision concerning our corporate
officers."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">After everyone had the chance to speak, I
said: "Alright, we should now discuss who needs to be our president. Any
suggestions?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">A guy immediately said, "You, I move that
we name you as our president."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Why me?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Because you've already started acting
like our president, I nominate you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">"I second his nomination," was the
reply of a young lady, "and also move that the floor be closed for any
further nominations."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, guess what? I became the president! The
student who nominated me became the vice-president, and one in our group who
was getting a double major in business management, along with banking and
finance, was named our secretary/treasurer. When our professor realized that
all groups had named their officers, he asked for a list of names from each
corporation, and had us return our chairs into their regular location. Then he
said: "The corporation assignment is over with. Later in the semester, we
will have case studies and assignments to prepare you for the corporate world.
But this brief exercise was all about recognizing leadership qualities. I
believe that leaders are born, not made. Now we are going to discuss why each
group chose their particular officers, and how they chose them."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt;">I realize that others think differently. In
one of Bobby Bowden's books on leadership, he states that anyone can be
groomed, coached and encouraged to become a great leader. I understand what he
said, but I don't fully embrace his analogy. I am convinced that Dr. Stanley is
correct, and especially is this so in the spiritual realm. Leaders are born.
There is something unexplainable about a person who has that take-charge
attitude. Yes, those with leadership skills need to have those skills
developed. The opportunity to hone those skills are invaluable in preparing a
leader to face greater, and more diverse, responsibilities. And in this honing
process, personal failures are often the catalyst for ultimate success. In
fact, Bowden said, "People that are brilliant and successful, we think
they've just always been that way. That's not the case. Most of them have had
some tough adversity in their life. It's prepared them. I've never felt like
you could develop character without adversity. A guy who has all the money he
needs and never faced any hard times, he won't have any character. But when
you've had it tough, and you've had it rough, and you thought you were at the
end of the rope, and you work your way out of it, that's the way you build
character." Though I may not agree with everything he says about leaders,
I whole-heartedly agree with Coach Bowden's understanding of adversity
preparing and maturing a person to possess strong leadership qualities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;">Do
you have the spiritual gift of leadership? If you do, it's not because you
desire to be the head hog at the slop hole! Please excuse my country humor, but
I trust you can understand that simple terminology. If you desire to lead so
that you might have the preeminence, you've not been gifted with spiritual leadership.
This mindset clearly demonstrates a self-centered, egotistical, and unhealthy
focus upon the praise and applause of men. Those who are gifted as true
spiritual leaders will be those who express the attitude and actions of Christ,
Who got up from the table, laid aside His garments, took a towel to gird
Himself, and washed the disciples feet. Jesus is our example of an humble,
pure, holy, and perfect leader. As we follow Him and His example, it will be no
problem for others to decide to follow us. Why? Because they will know that we
are following Jesus. Amen!</span>Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-60974655179214669112018-07-07T09:17:00.000-05:002018-07-07T09:17:14.592-05:00Don't be Stupid!<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">"For God has not
given us a spirit of fear,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">but of power and of
love and of a sound mind."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">2 Timothy 1:7<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">If you have read my story of saving grace (post entitled 1983), you know that I spoke openly about my life and lifestyle before
meeting Christ. I chose not to embellish upon the depth of my depravity, for
you can certainly read between the lines and understand how far into the
darkness that I traveled. In the past, I have boldly declared more openly my
horrendous sin, to the degree that some pastors asked me when they discovered
that I would be preaching my testimony, "Will this be the PG variety, or
the R-rated version?" Some of these men heard me share my story in prison
crusades, where I chose to bare my soul to those who were helplessly locked
away from family, friends, and freedom. In those settings, I refused to
withhold punches in presenting the power of the gospel to change any man's
life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">One area, however,
that I choose to be more open about today is the curse of alcohol in my past. I
come from a family heritage with an intense problem of alcoholism. I'll not
bring shame upon those that I love dearly that were hounded by this monster,
but I will say that as soon as I began pleasure drinking as a teenager, it
quickly began to control my life. I simply could not get enough, and before I
was saved, I was consuming massive amounts of both soft and hard liquor
products. When I drank beer, it was not one or two single cans or bottles, it
was one or two six packs, sometimes more. Hard drinks were consumed straight out
of the bottle, usually a fifth at a time. If I decided to mix, it would be half
and half, some kind of Coke product and PGA (pure grain alcohol).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Why share this information?
Basically for three reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">1. There were those
who knew of my salvation experience who pointed me in the direction of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>counseling for my alcohol abuse. They desired
that I get professional and community support from groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.
I have the highest respect for these kinds of organizations, as well as for
Christian counselors who seek to minister to people with these kinds of
problems. Yet I joyfully discovered that by the grace of God, I had the Holy
Spirit living inside of me, and He had no drinking problem. In the course of
time, my personal dependence upon and desire for alcohol was completely broken
by the power of the indwelling Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">2. Because of the
longevity and depth of my abuse, some believed that I may have suffered
irreparable brain damage. When someone is intoxicated, they have reduced the
oxygen level in the blood, and replaced it with ethanol. This not only alters
short term behavior, but it can lead to long term complications due to damaged
brain cells. Thank God this was not true for me, or perhaps He gloriously intervened
with a miracle in my case, repairing those injured cells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before graduating from MSU, I was called
into the office of the head of the Management department in the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">College</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Business</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> and Industry. Sitting
in his plush office, he opened a folder and said, "Charles please help me
to understand your grades. I have your transcript from your previous experience
at another university, as well as your grades since transferring to State. You
have been on a steady progression the longer that you've been a student here.
In fact, you have a 3.85 GPA in all of your business courses, and a 4.0 in your
management classes. As a lifelong educator, what is the explanation for such a
remarkable improvement?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was he the department head and
a lifelong educator, but I also knew that he was an admitted agnostic. Saying a
quick prayer, I replied: "Dr. Ray, you may not want to believe this, but
the simple answer is Jesus Christ. My life was a royal mess when I transferred
to State, and not long after arriving I met Tammy (she worked in the Management
office at that time), who led me to faith in Christ. I know that you are not a
believer, but after I had an experience with Jesus, He opened my eyes to see
the importance of an education, how blessed I was to have a second chance, and
that I should no longer pursue the things of this world, but apply myself to do
my absolute best in the classroom." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Well, Charles," he replied,
"thank you very much. I appreciate your sincere answer. You've really given
me something to consider. I enjoy having you as a student in my class, and
every time I see you, I'll think about what you have told me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">3. The final reason in
sharing my experience with alcohol, is because of the lax attitude among so
many church members about this deceiving, destroying, and damning fact of life.
I am hearing that some seminarians and younger pastors, who have a theological
slant towards Calvinism, will drink socially. There are even those who will
promote the smoking of fine, expensive cigars (claiming a personal enlightenment
that liberates them from legalism, as well as a silly desire to be like Charles
Spurgeon). The Bible says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and
whoever is deceived by it is not wise." The Bible also says, "The
thief does not come but to steal, kill, and destroy." I believe he uses
alcohol to destroy the lives, marriages, faith, homes, careers, testimonies and
futures of those who listen to his lying tongue! And finally, the Bible says,
"drunkards will not inherit the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">kingdom</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">God</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I've had those who blow up and get
in my face about Jesus turning the water into wine. My questions have always
been: (1) Do you know of a certainty that Jesus drank this miraculous product?
And (2), were you there to drink it so that you know beyond a shadow of any
doubt that it was fermented wine instead of good, fresh fruit of the vine
(grape juice)? The Bible says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging,
and whoever is deceived by it is not wise." I've had others speak of Paul's
instruction to Timothy, "use a little wine for your stomach's sake and
your frequent infirmities." Isn't it wonderful that Timothy could use
these beverages for medicinal purposes? Yes, it certainly was. But why didn't
he just go down to the local CVS and purchase some Maalox, or some Tylenol PM?
Oh, that's right, he didn't have a CVS, nor any other kind of pharmacy. Therefore,
he had to use what was available to him. Do not try to justify your petty
little arguments about purchasing "medicine" at your local liquor
store to a man who nearly had his life destroyed and his eternity damned by
alcohol!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Wine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is deceived by it is not
wise." What a simple, straight forward verse of scripture. Before I
mellowed as a communicator of the gospel, I used to tell folks that the country-boy
interpretation of that verse would be: "Wine (and beer) are mockers, and
anything stronger than those are raging, and if you are deceived by these, you
are stupid!" Now, now, don't get all mad, remember, you might be reading
the thoughts of a man with brain damage.</span></div>
Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-28402495718766994312017-10-06T09:15:00.000-05:002017-10-06T09:15:17.328-05:00One Thing<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b><i><span style="background: white;">“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead, I press</span></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b><i><span style="background: white;">toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”</span></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b><i><span style="background: white;">Philippians 3:13-14</span></i></b></span><span class="textprov-3-6"><b><i><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b><i><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">Multitasking: the performance of multiple
tasks at one given time; the work of applying proper focus upon several
responsibilities that must be done concurrently; the stressful labor of giving
oversight to multiple demands or events at the same time.</span></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">In a world that continues to operate at
internet speeds, the idea of multitasking is something that many of us can
relate to. In makes no difference if we are in an office environment, a stay at
home mom, a construction site, a health clinic or hospital, or if we are a
staff member at a local church. We all know what it means to multitask, and we
all know how mentally and emotionally draining it can be when our we are pulled
in different directions and forced to focus on several demands at one time. In
fact, after years of study, psychologists, medical doctors, and even human
resources specialists in the business world are saying that multitasking is
detrimental to an individuals overall health, and to their long range productivity.</span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">This revelation should come as no surprise
to us who are serious students of the word of God. In the Old Testament, Moses
was a man with a full plate. He was providing critical leadership to the Jewish
people following their exodus out of the </span></span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">land</span></span></st1:placetype><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;"> of </span></span><st1:placename><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">Egypt</span></span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt;">. When his father-in-law, Jethro, saw the incredible load that Moses was
seeking to carry, he confronted him in a loving and firm way: "The thing
that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely
wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to
perform it by yourself." (Exodus 18:17-18) He then counseled Moses to
select able men who would become rulers over a certain number of people, to
judge matters that would arise between them. There would be other rulers, or
judges, that would hear cases that could not be easily decided. If anything was
too difficult for this hierarchy, or network, of leaders, then eventually Moses
would hear the case and apply God's law to the situation. What was Jethro
telling Moses? Multitasking will put you in an early grave!</span></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Now I know that we cannot totally escape
this reality of life. But at times we must take a healthy look at where we are
physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually, especially
when we seek to spread ourselves thin in order to cover a lot of bases.
Recently, I was led of the Lord to do some evaluating on my own walk of faith
in this journey of life. As I began to look carefully at what dominates my
time, focus, and energy, I remembered the testimony of the Apostle Paul in
Philippians chapter three. His saying "one thing I do" really began
to intrigue me. As I meditated on this passage, I also looked at other verses
of scripture that had the two words "one" and "thing"
wedded together. This time of study proved to be very personal to me, and I
hope it will be very profitable to me, and others, as well.</span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">If you have been reading Seeking Him since
its inception, or have taken the time to read all the posts chronologically,
you understand how my heart has been recaptured and drawn back to my first
love. Three years of having wandered in the wilderness was enough. God showed
me that He still had a desire to use me in His kingdom activity, and it has
been exciting and exhilarating to immerse myself again in the work of the
gospel. In evaluating my life during the past few weeks, it has been easy to
discover that three areas of life dominate my time: family, work, and ministry.
Realizing that God was calling me to let something go in order to invest more
time in ministry, I knew that He was not putting His finger on my family and
telling me to let them go. My precious wife still loves me and has a long list
of "honey-do" projects, and Apryl still relies upon us heavily in helping
with Micah and Eli. So walking away from this incredible responsibility and
delightful task was not what He was demanding. Therefore, the only item that
His gaze could be fixed upon, and demanding some kind of change, was my work.</span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">Realizing that the only way
that I could serve as Paul did, with a more single focus, has caused me to inform my
employer that I will conclude my time with his company toward the end of this
year. He grew up in a pastor's home and understands the struggles of ministry.
He is supportive of my decision, and I have enjoyed my years of working for him
and his wife in their family business. I have no financial guarantees in the
future, but that's fine with me. My family and I have been in similar
situations before, and God has always been faithful. I learned a few years ago
that to journey successfully on the pathway of faith is quite simple. All we
have to do is hear Him when He speaks to us, then TRUST and OBEY. My goodness, someone ought to write a song about
that!</span></div>
Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-11470871929632136482017-03-09T12:45:00.001-06:002017-03-09T12:45:49.048-06:00Restoring Life<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">“Loose him, and let him go!” John 11:44</span></i></b></span><span class="textprov-3-6"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">It would be impossible to somehow list the
miracles of Jesus from being the least significant to the most dramatic. Each
time we read about the Son of God doing something in the realm of the supernatural,
it reminds us of the unique and wonderful qualities of this God-Man, as He
lived a humble life marked by His unlimited authority.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">He turned water into wine at the suggestion
of His loving mother. He blessed and broke a little boy’s lunch and fed over
5,000 men (not counting the women and children). He calmed troubled waters by
speaking to the howling wind, “Peace! Be still.” He anointed blinded eyes with
mud made from His own spittle, and those eyes began scanning the wonder of
God’s creation with 20/20 vision. He caused the rotting, putrefying flesh of
the isolated leper to become as soft and beautiful as a newborn child. The leper’s
song was changed from “Unclean, unclean” to “Jesus Loves Me” as he ran
excitedly back home to embrace his family. And He stood against the enemy of
our souls, casting out those fallen spirits who occupied and were destroying
the lives of those who had been demon possessed. These are but a few examples
of the authority of Christ displayed for us in the Gospels. Yet there are three
miracles that truly must captivate our attention when we consider the greatness
of His power, and they all have to deal with the trauma of death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">In Mark 5:21-43, we have the account of a
twelve year old girl, the daughter of Jairus, one of the rulers of the
synagogue, probably Capernaum, where Jesus had established his ministry
headquarters. We do not know the reason for her sickness, but it was severe enough
that this man went looking for Jesus as He was returning from a trip across the
</span></span><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Sea of Galilee</span></span></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">. Jesus immediately began to go with this
man to his home, but the journey was interrupted by a diseased woman with an
issue of blood. When word came that the girl had died, Jesus would not allow
the sad news to prevent Him from going to see her. Ridiculed by those who had
gathered to mourn her passing, Jesus chose a few of His disciples, and along
with the girl’s parents, entered into the privacy of her room and called out her
name to a restoration of life! She who had been enveloped in death for a few
brief moments was alive again – Praise the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Looking at Luke 7:11-17, we find the story
of a frightened widow in the town of </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Nain</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> who was burying her
only son. This young man would be the sole provider of financial security for
this woman, and now he was dead. Was his death a result of some horrible
disease, or the shocking reality of a violent accident? We do not know the answers
to these questions, but we do know the result of the Lord’s presence that day. He
stopped the funeral procession, put his hand on the open coffin, and spoke
softly to the young man, who immediately sat up and began talking to his
bewildered and excited mother. Death had been a reality for this young man
perhaps for several hours, if not overnight, and now was only a memory as he
danced again in the sunlight of divine love!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">The testimony of Lazarus in John 11:1-44 is
a little different. This man was not twelve years old or in the maturing years
of early adulthood. Lazarus would have been considered middle aged, if not in
the beginning of his senior adult years. When Jesus finally arrived on the
scene, Lazarus was far beyond experiencing death for a few brief minutes or
even a collection of hours. Horrified when Jesus commanded that the stone
should be rolled away from the place of his burial, Lazarus’ sister, Martha,
protested that he had been dead for several days, and there would be a horrible
stink coming forth from his decaying corpse. Nevertheless, the stone was
removed, and following a prayer to His Heavenly Father, Jesus cried with a loud
voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” The Bible says that the man who had been dead
suddenly appeared in the opening of his death chamber still wrapped in his
grave clothes. Wow! Then the words of instruction from the lips of our Lord to
those who observed this incredible miracle, “Loose him, and let him go.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus was, and is, the giver of life. Divine
life springs forth from spiritual death when He calls our name in redemption.
But He is also the restorer of life. When our life of faith seems to have
experienced some sort of horrible disease or tragic accident, resulting in
death, He can call our names like no other. And when He does, life is restored.
My journey is not unique. Life can often be described as two steps forward, and
one step back. Since I began chronically telling of my personal adventure in
this format, more and more of His grace is being realized as I obey His
directives. During the month of February, I was privileged to be with a church
in </span></span><st1:state><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">North Carolina</span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> for a deacon and staff retreat, along with their spouses, and then a
revival campaign with the entire congregation. It has probably been at least
ten years since I’ve been so honored to lead such an important event in the
life of a church, and it was quite a thrill. Numerous decisions were made each
night as the Holy Spirit worked among many who were seeking Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Now I have begun a new ministry in my home
church as Staff Evangelist. I will be assisting our Pastor in numerous ways to
strengthen and grow our church family, including preaching during our Sunday
night gatherings when I am not on mission with Him in other locations. In some
ways, I sense the Lord’s voice has said to others concerning me, “Loose him,
and let him go!” I pray that the best is yet to come! AMEN!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6720225056199091318.post-34574929842893945562017-02-16T09:21:00.000-06:002017-02-16T09:21:20.898-06:00A Door of Divine Opportunity<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="textprov-3-5"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">“A great and effective door has opened to me!” I
Corinthians 16:9</span></i></b></span><span class="textprov-3-6"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">It is quite thrilling when we recognize that
God is doing something unique and wonderful. It is even more thrilling when we
realize that He is giving us the opportunity to join His activity. The Apostle
Paul had just concluded a season of ministry in the city of </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Corinth</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">. He had labored
faithfully there for some eighteen months before ending what we call his second
missionary journey as he began the arduous journey back towards </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Jerusalem</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">. Paul passed through the city of Ephesus as he traveled, and he told
the believers that he would return to them if it proved to be the Lord’s will
(Acts 18:19-21).</span></span></div>
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="Normal105pt" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Well, it certainly proved to be God’s plan
for this man to return, and when he did, he experienced some of his most
fruitful ministry. After straightening out some poor doctrine concerning the
Holy Spirit and believer’s baptism, Paul spoke boldly among the Jews in the
synagogue for three months. When opposition began to rise against his teaching,
he was able to secure a place in the </span></span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">school</span></span></st1:placetype><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> of </span></span><st1:placename><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Tyrannus</span></span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> (who was either a Jewish rabbi, or perhaps a Greek philosopher, and a
well known and respected teacher with his own “private” school) and continue
his ministry for the next two years. This door of opportunity gave Paul a safe
space to teach, lecture, mentor and disciple both Jews and Greeks on a daily
basis. As a result, the Bible says “the word of the Lord grew mightily and
prevailed.” (Acts </span></span><st1:time hour="19" minute="20"><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">19:20</span></span></st1:time><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder Paul said to the Corinthians that a
great and effective door has opened to me!</span></span><br />
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><br />
<span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">As I write these words, God is uniquely
opening a wonderful door of ministry opportunity for me as well. I may not
encounter what Paul did so many years ago in the exciting city of Ephesus, but
I am no less delighted to be involved in a deeper commitment as the Staff
Evangelist to our home congregation, Friendship Baptist Church (</span><span style="background: white;"><a href="http://www.friendshipsturgis.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.friendshipsturgis.com</span></a></span></span><span class="textprov-3-6"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">). This wonderful church is the place of numerous spiritual encounters
that have shaped our lives for God’s glory during the formative years of our
marriage. Tammy and I never envisioned our being blessed with this opportunity
when we returned to this area several years ago, yet this door has opened for
us and we are gladly walking through it. Please pray for us as we officially
begin on March 1<sup>st</sup> in this new ministerial role. Our sincere hope and
prayer is to experience spiritual fruit like we’ve never seen before. To God be
the glory!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Charles Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343413911570614169noreply@blogger.com0