Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War and a desire to honor our fallen soldiers. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. This day of remembrance has been expanded to include all of the soldiers who have died on various battlefields of different wars and conflicts as they gave their lives for the freedom that we enjoy. I encourage you today to never forget those brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

It is always a special blessing to make a concerted effort to remember the sacrifice of  men and women who paid the ultimate price so that we could enjoy the privilege and freedom of religion. The citizens of America need to realize that this privilege did not come at a cheap and easy price. Individuals of various races, various ethnicities, various nationalities, various social and financial positions gave their lives that we could enjoy our freedoms in America today as well as every day. I don’t know about you but I think these great Americans are due “double honor” for the sacrifice they made.   Let us also pause to remember those men and women who returned from the battlefields maimed, paralyzed as well as injured (both physically as well as emotionally). These men and women as well as their care-givers deserve not to be forgotten!!! We also need to remember the families of these fallen soldiers; each of them also paid a high price as they said good-bye to a loved one who died in the service of their country.

We also need to take time and remember those veterans who are present among us today. I am both honored and privileged to recognize my earthly father today. He is 88 years old and is a veteran from WWII. He will be participating in activities today that will remember the fallen; honor those who have served and celebrate those who are presently serving. Our family is thankful for Dad and his desire to serve his country as well as his continued desire to serve his country as well as serve God in his community.  Last but not least we want to recognize those men and women who are placing themselves in harms way today so that we might enjoy the privilege to celebrate Memorial Day. We owe each of these men and women both past, present and future a sincere debt of gratitude. 

I encourage you once more to never forget those brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Tenacity?

I have taken a few days away from writing on the blog so that I could "refresh" my thought process. I have been able to spend some extra time in prayer, meditation and reflection over this past week. I have found that those spiritual disciplines allow me to move away from what "I think" and quicken my desire to see what "God is saying to me." I will confess that I am one of those Christians who believe that God still speaks to His children through prayer and through the reading of His Word. I truly believe that many modern day believers are missing out on those opportunities to spend time with God because they believe that their life is too busy. But I am always amazed by that "theology" (forgive my use of that word) because each of us always find time to do what we want to do. I encourage you to meditate on the previous statement and ask God about the possibility that we possess some culpability in that area of our lives.

Earlier this morning I was preparing a eulogy for precious lady that I will deliver tomorrow. I was given the privilege of serving this lady and her family as Pastor a few years ago. The Spirit reminded me of a passage of scripture during the process of that preparation and I would like to share it with you today. 

Ecclesiastes 9:12-12, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.  ¹¹ I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.  ¹² Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.” (NIV)

I had to ask myself some questions as I read that passage. "Am I truly tenacious and sincere in my approach to my relationship with God? Do I truly realize that my life on earth is brief regardless of the age I reach before I pass away? Do I cherish the opportunity of applying myself to fulfilling the will of God in my personal life?

Strength & Comfort of God

I can remember the hands of my Dad when I was a child. I thought they were the largest hands in the world. Their size looked so large when I would place my hand in his hand or when I would measure the size of my hand in comparison with his hands. I noticed that same thought process in our grandson, Luke, as he looked at his Papaw Willingham's hands when he was a young child. It is difficult to imagine the influence of perspective on our lives. Our understanding from a natural perspective is certainly going to change but we always need to keep our eternal perspective of God based on the revelation of His unchanging Word. 

The Bible reveals the ability of God to comfort us with His hands as well as reveal the strength and might of those same hands. I saw those attributes in the hands of my Dad; he could comfort me but he could also use those same hands to work for his family. The same hands that could wipe the tears from my eyes also worked to put food on the table and clothes on my body. I want to share some scriptures with you that will reveal the versatility of the hands of God.

Do we realize that God cares enough about each of us that He desires to hold us in His arms and carry us if it becomes necessary?    

Deuteronomy 32:10-12, “In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye,   ¹¹ like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch thee, and carries them aloft.   ¹² The Lord alone led him; no foreign god was with him.” (NIV)   

Psalms 95:7, “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,” (KJV)     

Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (NKJ)     

John 10:27-29, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,  ²⁹ for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.  No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” (NLT)

Word of God, Part 2

God’s Word, like a lamp, illuminates our lives. It will assist us in discerning spiritual danger so that we can avoid it. The Word of God points us in the right direction to take for our lives. The Word of God lights the path we need to take through life. God’s Word is the only thing on this earth that can truly guide us into the right path that we should travel.

Do you realize that the Word of God reveals to us that God has genuine concern for our tears, hurts, concerns, and sorrows?   

Isaiah 53:3-5, He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. ⁴ Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! ⁵ But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” (NLT)   

I Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT)

I encourage you today to place your complete faith and trust in God! His actions towards His people is a proven fact the He can be trusted!

Word of God

There are a lot of conflicting views concerning the best and strongest foundation on which to build our lives. Some people believe that is a safe and correct decision to make if we choose to build our lives based on the opinion of our fellow human beings. Another train of thought may teach that you are safe if you follow the popular trends of society/culture. But to me the real danger of that opinion lies in the fact that those trends are always changing and how confident are you in the people who are setting that trend? Another mindset focuses on the idea that each of us are individuals and we need to make our own personal decision based on our view of right and wrong.

I could discuss each one of these views at length but this post is about declaring that I am thankful that I do not have to rely on the thought process of men or the changing cultural trends of our society. I am placing my hope in the True and Living Word of God that reveals the heart, mind, thoughts and plans of God, our Heavenly Father. God has provided a path of Truth and it is my wonderful opportunity to choose that correct path. I stand amazed at the awesomeness of God after all of these years of walking with Him. I have found the Word of God to be a faithful foundation on which I can build my life and I have no plans to turn away from Him regardless of the pressure that this culture may produce. 

Let me share a few passages of the Bible that will reinforce my stated views.

Psalm 119:89, “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (NIV)   

Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (NKJ)   

2 Samuel 22:31, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (NIV)

Women of Integrity

Proverbs 31:25-31; "Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates. (NKJ)

I sincerely believe that our world is crying out for women that will possess strong character and impeccable integrity. Oh, I completely understand that there is no such person as a perfect human being. I fully realize that each of us possess our own unique set of flaws, weaknesses, inabilities, failures, and sins. We were all in need of redemption. Jesus Christ gave us the opportunity to not only be just an improved or updated version of our self but through Christ we can become that new person through the process of regeneration. Praise God for His wonderful grace and mercy.

I was blessed to be able to be raised in a home with a mother who was and still is a woman of integrity. I have been blessed to marry a woman who became the mother of our sons who is a woman of integrity. I have been blessed to have two daughter-in-laws who are women of strong character and integrity. I am privileged to have an "adopted" (not in legal terms but in terms of endearment) daughter that is also a woman of character and integrity. I am blessed with sisters and sister-in-laws whom I consider to be women of integrity. I have also been privileged to serve as Pastor of many women of integrity and character throughout my 42 plus years of Ministry. 

I have taken your time to share this list with you for a purpose. The media outlets of our society always reveal the story of the people who fail and the people who create havoc in their lives as well as the lives of their family. I wanted to go on record and say that there are many wonderful, compassionate, faithful (to God as well as family) women who traverse the road of life with great character and integrity. I believe that it is time that we stood to our feet and applauded these women for their positive impact in society. 

Could I ask you to take some time to "applaud and honor" those women of integrity that God has placed in your life? We need to take time to identify the stories of success and not just bemoan the stories of the failures.

A Godly Woman

Louisville, Kentucky just concluded the celebration of the 140th Kentucky Derby. The celebration leading up to the first Saturday in May has taken place over the past several weeks as the city prepared for the renowned and world famous horse race. The local airport was full of private jets that had flown people to this city from various parts of the world. Huge parties were scattered all around this city as people prepared to celebrate the horse, jockey, trainer and owner(s) that would stand in the winner's circle on late Saturday afternoon, May 3rd. The Derby Race is called the "greatest two minutes in sports." In just two minutes the legacy of a thoroughbred can be established for a lifetime.

I have written this previous paragraph to be able to make the following statements. First, our nation and world are in desperate need for "godly women" to take their role of leadership at this critical time in our history. Second, it will take more than two minutes for a woman to establish a godly legacy. I believe that it will take a lifetime, however long it may be, to leave behind a legacy of godly living and godly principles. I want to share some of those principles with you over the next few days. I am choosing to let the Word of speak for itself in this matter.

Proverbs 31:11-15, "Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants."  (NKJV)

Follow Up to National Day of Prayer

I Timothy 2:1, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men," (NKJ)

I trust that each of you took the time for a dedicated time of Prayer yesterday. I do not feel this way because it is a "designated day" to pray rather I feel this way because it is the right thing to do. The word "exhort" could be translated to mean "encourage." The Spirit through the writings of Paul was encouraging you and I to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks to "be made for all men." This is an understatement to make but that passage is a challenging one to say the least. 

I asked myself some of these questions as I was praying last night? Does the passage in 1 Timothy 2 mean that I am to pray for my enemies as well as my friends? Does the passage mean that I am to pray for those people that I do not like as well as those people that I do like? Does the passage mean than I am to pray for those people who disappoint me as well as those people who encourage me? Does the passage mean that I am to pray for those people whom I disapprove of as well as those people who have garnered my seal of approval? Does the passage mean that I am to pray for God to bless your family as much as I ask God to bless my family?

I understand that this group of questions could be one of an unending list that any of us could put together. But I will admit that the words "all men" challenged my heart yesterday during prayer. I believe that the church must become a body of people that pray one for another. We must remove any prejudice, discrimination, unforgivness, bigotry, ill-will, criticism, judgementalism, etc. from our hearts. We (I) must pray from a heart that is full of love, care, concern, mercy, and compassion for my fellow man. 

I am still convinced that God will hear the sincere prayers of His family.

National Day of Prayer

I Timothy 2:1-5, "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. (NLT)

Today is a great day of opportunity for each of us. It is a day for focused prayer in which believers across all denominational lines are able to cry out to God in an effort of united concern for our nation. People will gather in various locations across our nation today for one purpose. We will gather to lift our voices to God on the behalf of our nation and specifically the leadership of our nation. I truly believe that we need to pray for our spiritual leadership as well as our governmental leadership. These are challenging and difficult times in many areas of our society. It is easier to grumble and complain about the conditions of society than it is to become an "agent of change." I truly believe that the Body of Christ can become an "agent of change" if we will set our hearts toward God and seek Him with passion, resolve, surrender and obedience. We have an opportunity but will we make the right choice/decision to intercede for our fellow human beings?

I encourage you to make some time today for PRAYER. The future of your family, your local church, your community, your city, your state, our nation and our world is in a state of great concern for many of us. I don't necessarily believe that trying to "shock and scare" people to pray will work. Usually those tactics loose their ability to change and influence us after a period of time and normally that period does not last very long. Christians need to accept our Biblical opportunity and responsibility to pray! The first verse of our text uses the word "urge." Other translations use the word "exhort or charge" to emphasize the seriousness of this call from God. How will I (we) respond to this call from God? 

I believe that many people will answer the call and follow the leading of the Spirit into a productive time of prayer, praise and intercession for our nation as well as our brothers and sisters around the world.