What you don’t see

So much of life is what we don’t see. It takes an incredible amount of faith to live this life that we are a part of in the 21st century. It doesn’t matter what season you are in...Whether you’re young or old...rich or poor...educated or not. You do not know what will happen next. Our lives are predicated on the past that we’ve experienced, meaning, we believe what’s going to happen next is based on something that has already happened directly or indirectly to us.

I’m sure you’ve seen the picture of the iceberg in the water with only the tip above the water line. It’s an incredible picture that clearly articulates all that we really know about life. What we know is like “the tip of the iceberg”! We often never see what’s below the water line...it’s just an educated guess as to what’s under there. Sometimes it can be so frustrating...just the unknown...the not knowing...the not seeing.

I would suggest to you today we have a better way of knowing...a better way of navigating this life. That way is through a right relationship with God. If I may, He created the Iceberg. So it would be logical that He could help direct us around it. The Bible states it this way... “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Cor. 13:12). 

We can clearly have more confidence in the days ahead if we choose Jesus to be the lord of our lives. He is our very present help in this age of darkness. Jesus said this to Thomas... “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:29).  You see...it is about “what you don’t see”...faith in Him means life can be become crystal clear for you...and all God’s children said...Amen!

With GospelMaxx you can increase member Evangelism, strengthen your online message, establish stronger participation, provide additional revenue for the Church, increase your membership, improve community relationships, and much, much more!

For more information about GospelMaxx please visit http://www.gospelmaxx.com or call (337) 396-8039.

If God could...

One of the greatest stories in the Bible, and if I may add; there are many...is the story we affectionately call “the story of the three Hebrew Children”. By the way, you should read the Bible and open your mind, heart and soul to this and all the incredible Bible stories. These stories are truly another one of Gods greatest gifts to us as they reveal so much of His love and concern. As you dig into the riches of each story, I promise you will discover golden nuggets to hang on to. These nuggets are truly some of my greatest joys. They never leave me...they ride along with me in life’s journey and at various points in my experience, those nuggets bubble to the top and enrich my life.

In this story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, lies one of the greatest discoveries I’ve ever found in the whole of scripture.

We drop into the scene from Daniel Chapter 3 and we find that these three were thrown into a fiery furnace by the King. Their crime was they refused to bow down to the king’s image. This is one of those stories that we love...you know the ones with a happy ending. We find the three are preserved from harm and the king sees four men walking in the flames and “the fourth” was the “son of God”. The Bible says they were removed from the fire and didn’t even smell like smoke. Totally unharmed. Wow! What a story!! As cool as that is...no pun intended...it’s not the best part to me.

The most awesome part to this story, to me, happens before they are thrown into the fire...check it out. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18 ESV) Did you catch it...whew! Come on... its right there...lol! OK...those three men were so confident in God...they told the King...it makes no matter, whether God chooses to deliver us from the fire or to the fire...we will not bow to your idol. What?? What kind of faith is that? Facing apparently what most people consider the most horrible way to die...they remained unfazed in their commitment and dedication to the one true God.

So many times in my life...I’ve met apparent disaster...and no matter what...I’m always reminded of the stand that those young men took that day. I would like to say, I have that kind of faith...that no matter if God delivers me from the disaster or to the disaster, I will always have complete confidence in Him. I would suggest only a right relationship with God can produce such faith...can produce such a life...can produce such a victory!! If God could guide those three Hebrew children...I promise He will guide you...He is willing to deliver all of us and because of that truth nugget... all God’s children said amen!

With GospelMaxx you can increase member Evangelism, strengthen your online message, establish stronger participation, provide additional revenue for the Church, increase your membership, improve community relationships, and much, much more!

For more information about GospelMaxx please visit http://www.gospelmaxx.com or call (337) 396-8039.

Take a deep breath...

I am concerned! I am distraught! My heart hurts. It is apparent to me that “life”, as we have known it, the value of a human life has no relevant value. I could point out to you the obvious...the senseless abuse and death at the hands of terrorist or thugs or rednecks or the insane or ruthless dictators or pedophiles or serial killers and abortionists...I would go on and on. However, I think you realize my point. It seems a portion of our world does not care about people and the human condition.

I am convinced! I am certain! My heart knows this hurts our creator even more. It is clear from scripture that God our creator is pro-life. He cares about you and me. In fact he cared so much that He gave up His only Son for each and every one of us...yes...every one of us! Yes...everyone one I listed above as a perpetrators of destroying lives is included.

I am clear! I am assured! My heart knows that God must be even more heartbroken! He is concerned over those who choose to circumvent life by taking their own. Suicide is seemingly an accepted way to end one’s life today. Somehow, someway, somewhere, somebody has decided it has become low hanging fruit for those who no longer want to deal with the “pain of life”. My words here today are not meant to judge. They are here to offer help and guidance. May I suggest to anyone who is hurting to this degree that you would consider death by your own hands...please CHOOSE LIFE by your own hands.

Take a deep breath...close your eyes...become present in your moment...and know that your life is important. CHOOSE GOD and say out loud...God, help me through this! He will! He is present with you and you can believe it...because we know He loves life...and by extension He loves you. God will guide you to a safe harbor.  Start in the Bible...secure a right relationship with God and then seek out a church...and then seek a friend in that fellowship...CHOOSE YOU and say out loud...“For I know that my Redeemer lives... - Job 19:25 Despite an excruciating life, where His wife and friends encouraged his downfall...Job persisted in his faith and in the end looked to the Lord for Life! The Bible reads “He is the resurrection and the life” (John 11:17-25) There is truly no greater joy than to CHOOSE LIFE...and all God’s children said Amen!

With GospelMaxx you can increase member Evangelism, strengthen your online message, establish stronger participation, provide additional revenue for the Church, increase your membership, improve community relationships, and much, much more!

For more information about GospelMaxx please visit http://www.gospelmaxx.com or call (337) 396-8039.

Which Way

Many years ago after first becoming a fanatic of Jesus...I, with the help of my life mentor Tim Cooper...purchased my first candy apple red Ford F-150. I’ll never forget that truck and I’ll never forget those first days of being in love with Jesus. One of the symbols of the Jesus movement was the hand pointing heavenward and exclaiming One Way! I purchased a sticker and placed it dead center of my cabs back glass. Yes, I was so cool. Yes, I really believed what that sticker represented. However, I didn’t live like I did.  My actions in public did not reflect my true beliefs!

One of the great truths that Tim Cooper taught me was that believing and living life sometimes are two different things.  Man, if I knew then what I know now...I would have never looked another way for direction. I suspect many of us would say the same thing. You see, what I’ve learned, albeit the hard way, is that Jesus and His teachings are and have been the best way!  They really are the only way.

As I look back with my 20-20 vision, I can see how God placed Tim in my life at pivot points to help point me back to Jesus. Pointing me and encouraging me to follow the guidance of God...you know “the Way”. Many times as I have traveled the hi-ways and byways of this nation and come across the various signs on the road...I am clearly reminded of the best sign I have ever known...One Way Jesus!

With a smile on my face, I realize there is not a day in my life when I am not thankful for my life friend Tim Cooper and his gentle way of turning me again and again so that I would follow the right way. Obviously, even now, I am reminded...it’s time to give Him a call and express the thanks I have in my heart for his ever present influence.

I am reminded of a favorite passage of scripture that I learned while in fellowship at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in DeRidder under the pastorate of Bro. Logan Skiles. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:1-6) Truth...He is “the only way” to love, joy, and peace! I suggest you choose Him and live these things...and all God’s children said Amen!

With GospelMaxx you can increase member Evangelism, strengthen your online message, establish stronger participation, provide additional revenue for the Church, increase your membership, improve community relationships, and much, much more!

For more information on GospelMaxx please visit http://www.gospelmaxx.com or call (337) 396-8039.

God is Calling You

Oh my goodness...do you remember the awesome bible story of Zaccheus. Now... I do, but I bet it may be for a different reason than you...or than most of you. You see growing up...I began to realize something...I was different than most of my friends. They were very tall, very big and would tower over me. Especially on the basketball court. You might say, I realized I was a wee little man. Or in the current vernacular...I was short. As a matter of fact today I top out at 5’5” and that’s usually on the colder days.

So Zack became one of my instant biblical heroes...mainly because I identified with his problem. As I grew older I realized I really was a lot closer to him than I first thought. You see I was a seeker of truth. I wanted to know this one they called Jesus. Once I met Jesus and repented...I sought to apologize to all those who I cheated or sinned against. This was Zaccheus! He needed salvation from a corrupt system that seemed to fit who he was. We know he was successful in it because the Bible says he was wealthy. Jesus, the savior, was seeking Him out....just like He is seeking you and me.

Zaccheus had no way of knowing that...I’m sure he thought he was seeking Jesus. Scripture tells us however that Jesus chose him from the crowd....remember the little Sunday school song...

Zaccheus was a wee, little man,

And a wee, little man was he.

He climbed up in a sycamore tree,

For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior came that way,

He looked up in the tree,

And he said,"Zaccheus, you come down from there,"

For I'm going to your house today.

For I'm going to your house today.

Could it be He’s seeking you today....could it be he’s calling you out of the tree of circumstances you’re in...Could be! I love these two verses from the Bible...

“And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." - Luke 19:9-10 Suddenly it occurs to me Zaccheus became a very big man because of his choice to follow Jesus...and so am I...and so can you be...if you choose Jesus...and all God’s children said Amen!

With GospelMaxx you can increase member Evangelism, strengthen your online message, establish stronger participation, provide additional revenue for the Church, increase your membership, improve community relationships, and much, much more!

For more information about GospelMaxx please visit http://www.gospelmaxx.com or call (337) 396-8039.