Wednesday, July 11

I had the honor of preaching at Woods Grove PFWB Church last Sunday evening. The 'P' stands for Pentecostal. That's right, a Methodist preacher at a Pentecoastal church. Who would have thought it? Okay, so I grew up at Woods Grove and I have preached there several times in the past, so maybe I have an inside advantage. They already love me and I love them. I went to share some of my testimonly regarding our journey with cancer. I shared with the folks there that people of every demonination have been praying for my healing. The prayers have certainly been heard by our Lord.

When I think about it, there are a couple of things that really strike me.
First: Prayers work! Just as James said in his book in the New Testament, "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up." (NKJV)
Second: God does not give a squat about denominations. I have had people from every Christian denomination praying for me. I may have had folks from other faiths praying also, and I appreciate their kind thoughts, but unless the prayers are prayed in the name of Jesus, they are pretty useless. As Paul wrote to the Galatians in the New Testament, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (NKJV) The last three words are the key: in Christ Jesus. There is neither Methodist nor Pentecoastals nor Baptist nor Presbyterians, nor Lutherans; for we are all one in Christ Jesus."

I am thankful for prayers of faith from all who are in Christ Jesus.
Keep praying.

Monday, July 9

I must admit, when it comes to Sunday morning, I look forward to GC worship. I don't take God's pulpit lightly and I don't give it up lightly. So when we scheduled Eric Horner to take the entire service with his music I was a bit skeptical. But again God showed me that it is all about Him. Every song that the man sung was a sermon. God both blessed and inspired the GC family through Eric and his music.
One of the many things that God reminded us through the service yesterday was that the family structure and  the family concept was ordained by God and is a major target of the enemy. When I think about it like that, my heart breaks as I look at the many victories that the enemy has in destroying individual homes.
I pray that the leaders of this great nation will realize how important the family structure is.
I pray for those whose families are being attacked even now.

Friday, July 6

Although I am not one, there is something that I like about liberals. It is not their political agenda that I admire. I really think that when it comes to that area, liberals are Socialists and I have a serious problem with Socialism. It is not their willingness to speak out that impresses me. In fact, in spite of the fact that there are millions of people who like the direction that this administration is taking our country, I have only talked to one or two people who will admit it.
What I do like about the one liberal that I know personally is that he has a good heart. He really has passion for his fellow human, no matter what nationality or color or other persuasion that person might be. He also has a sincere desire to take care of others. That is what I like about liberals. They really mean well. But they make the huge mistake of thinking that the government has been called to do what individuals are called to do. It has been proven for centuries that this simply does not work.

What really bothers me is when they bring Jesus into the fray with misquotes and misrepresentation. Jesus called each of us, you and me, to care for the least of these. He explained that we would be known as followers of His by the way that we loved one another. Jesus said that we should love God with everything that we have, and that we should love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. That is what Jesus said. He never asked the Roman government to take care of the needy. He never said that he would judge a group of people for ignoring the plight of others. He said that he would judge each person individually. He said that he would separate the individual persons into two groups - one who did unto the least of these, and one who did not.

Taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves is my job. It is your job.
Lord, forgive me when I don't do my job.

Wednesday, July 4

As we celebrate our national freedom today, don't forget that our freedom did not come free. It was very costly. Many people gave much so that we could live in country based upon freedom. One of the basic freedoms upon which America was founded was one of freedom OF religion. I am sure that our founders never imaginied that the concept would be so misinterpreted that we would become a country based upon freedom FROM religion.
Christians have caved to the voices of a few in the name of tolerance. If we would have caved 236 years ago, we would be under the tyranny of another country and God would have raised up another nation to proclaim His Son Jesus as the only Way.

Just as our national freedom did not come free, neither did our personal freedom. Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross so that we could be free. Let us proclaim it:
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the power of God unto salvation for ALL who believe. (Romans 1:16)

Lord, let it begin with Jerry.

Monday, July 2

Yesterday was another Holy Spirit filled day at GC.
Our new D.S. Jon Strothers attended the first service. He was very kind and supportive.
We had the Rossers, missionaries to Guatemala bless us between the two services.
Diane and I had lunch with the Rossers, Briggs and Seiglie families following the service.
Then I went home and did not move from my recliner. God is good!!

This morning I am heading to Duke to be with the Larimore family. They have been a very faithful and inspiring part of the GC family for a long time. For several years Greg and Linda have known that their two children have a heart condition that could one day require heart transplants. The go to Duke periodically to have heart caths to measure their condition. Today is the day that they have those tests. Daniel and Ashley are two really good young people.God has a plan for their lives, I just know it.

I am thankful that God has provided people like the Larimore family that have encouraged me during my sickness, even while they are going through theirs. I want to encourage them in return.

Today is Monday. Do you have struggles in your life? Find someone else who needs encouraging and go to that person. You might be surprised to see what happens.