Challenges of Life

This morning I have been cleaning our driveway trying to remove the residue of the winter storm that is moving through our area today. We have a combination of snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice pellets. The weathermen predict that this afternoon and evening may even be worse as more moisture moves through this region. As I was shoveling the snow I was reminded of the service last night. Many of us face struggles with multiple circumstances and situations. We might be able to handle one struggle at a time but we have a greater struggle when we are having to deal with multiple situations. Last evening as I prayed with people in the altar service I could sense that many of them could relate to what I am writing this morning. They were looking at circumstances that looked so much larger than their faith. These seekers spanned all age groups; no age group is immune from the struggles of life. Jesus referred to them as mountains that appear in our lives. Just as our city is being surrounded by various weather systems so are our lives being surrounded by various difficulties and challenges. But let me remind you that it is during these moments of challenge that we make a decision to release our faith and trust in the promises of God. I know that it is not always easy to walk in the strength of God when your life seems to be filled with more problems than you have solutions. But remember this; the Kingdom of God is not going through a recession. God has not lost His Power, His Grace, His Mercy, nor His ability to have love and compassion for us. You are important to Him and He watches over you today. Rest in the arms of the Lord and allow His strength to carry you as a loving parent would carry their children. Lamentations 3:22-24, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him." (NKJV).

Weekend Review

The services at Roberts Tabernacle in Westmoreland, TN were great on Sunday. The presence of the Lord was awesome as Pastor Tim & Sheena McCaleb and the local church welcomed us into their fellowship. We have been there in revival in the past and it was a great honor to be extended an invitation to worship with them. As I sat in the service and listened to the Worship Team lead the church and I listened to the Pastor share his heart from a passage of scripture I recognized that God had arranged a moment of divine encounter. The songs, the exhortation and a testimony of one of the Worship team members coincided with the Word that God had placed in my heart a few days before in prayer. Isn't God AWESOME as He reveals His direction in our lives? Why do we hesitate receiving those directions and confirmations? Why do we ignore the call of God that comes through the Word and our Worship experience? God has positioned us to receive His embrace of love and concern; it then becomes our responsibility to respond in faith and allow the Spirit to speak to the need that exists in our lives. I want to be ready to receive and I want to be open to His instruction and direction. Several people responded in the services and allowed the Lord to refresh them on their journey. I look forward to all that God has planned for those who will choose to attend the services and for me as I prepare daily to share what the Lord places in my heart. We must recognize that the Lord is at work in our lives. Will you and I choose to respond or will we push the "snooze" button and remain unaware of our spiritual surroundings? I sense that God desires to send a fresh awakening to all of us and yet many of the modern day church are comfortable with their present spiritual condition and they are failing to realize what they are missing. God has so much more for all of us if we would just learn to trust Him and listen for the leading of His Voice. My heart is yearning for such a relationship with Him and I am dedicated to doing my best to share this message with others. These are the days of Elijah and the Word of God is being declared with anointing and power. What will we choose to do with the Word from God? That is the question that all of us must answer.

Thankful

First of all today, I want to offer praise and thanksgiving to God for the safe return of our nephew from Iraq. Derek arrived at Fort Hood earlier this week from his deployment. Due to family events Derek seems more like a grandson than he does a nephew; we are proud of his service to our nation and we are glad that God kept His hand on Derek and the other soldiers in his company. I am still praying and I urge you to continue praying for our military personnel and their families. Each of these men and women are making a great sacrifice so that we can enjoy our freedom in America. May God's blessings be upon our troops and their families. We should never take for granted our freedom and the price that has been and continues to be paid for that freedom. Psalm 91:14-15a, "The Lord says, I will rescue those who love me, I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer..." (NLT). I have stated this often but it is worthy to be mentioned again, "The promises of God are true"; God does respond to His people when they call on Him. In every meeting that I conduct I am always encouraging people to lift their voices and cry out to God in prayer. Our adversary does not want us praying; our adversary wants us to be silent and not lift our voice in hopeful anticipation of His presence in our lives. But I refuse to listen to the lies of the enemy; I know in whom I believe and He has invited me to communicate with Him through the power of prayer. Let us be faithful and continue to seek the face of God. Our nation needs intercessors who will stand in the gap and make up the hedge and in this process of prayer God will hear and send revival to our lives, revival to our families, revival to our churches, and revival to our nation. Do not be discouraged, lift your voice and cry aloud to God. He will hear and He will respond!

Where is Your Confidence?

During this past Presidential election much was said about "change." In many ways both of the candidates spoke about the need for change in America and that they would be able to "restore the confidence" of the American people. I for one am praying for President Obama; not out of duty only but out of a sincere desire to see him succeed as he leads this nation at a very difficult time in our history. But I make that statement fully realizing that my true confidence is not in man or any political party; my hope and confidence is in God and His ability to fulfill His promises. Political parties and political leaders have the ability to fail; yet we understand that God can not lie and He will not fail to lead us in the right direction if we will be willing to follow His leadership. Last night during the revival service in Hamilton the Lord brought this scripture passage to my heart. Hebrews 13:5-6,"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (NKJV). Because of the promise of God's presence in our lives we can boldly declare that the "Lord is our helper." We can place our confidence in the promise that God will not leave us or forsake us; He will not abandon us regardless of the trials that may come in our lives. We can rest in the promises of our God. Do not be deceived by the abilities of men; their abilities and talents are temporal and limited. The power and ability of God is unlimited and it is eternal. Examine your heart today and make sure that you are placing your confidence in God and His presence. The meeting at Hamilton was a great source of blessing and encouragement. The altar was full of people last evening who were willing to surrender their weakness for God's strength; they were willing to surrender their defeats for His victories; and they were willing to lay aside their sins for His forgiveness. It was a great honor to be with Pastor Terry and Patsy Gann. God is using them to lead the Hamilton church into a deeper journey with God.

Presence of God

In recent years much has been written about our need for the presence of God. I am fully aware of our need to enter into the presence of God and we certainly need to sense His presence in our personal relationship and in our times of corporate and personal worship. But why do we need His presence and why should we seek His presence? As I was praying this morning the Lord dropped this nugget of inspiration in my heart; in His presence I am able to receive the power of transformation. After all, is that not the true purpose of my interaction with God? Does He not desire to transform/change me into the image that will more fully reflect His Spirit at work in my life? I need to possess a true hunger for His presence to say the least but I also must realize the desire of God for my life as I enter His presence. God desires to shape, mold, and form me into the person that will will bring glory and honor to the One who has created me in His image and likeness. As you enter His presence throughout this day and the rest of the days of your life be willing to release yourself into His loving care, His loving guidance, His loving correction, and into His loving process of spiritual maturity. Oh, what great transformation awaits us as we seek to draw near to His heart and His desire for our lives. I am excited about my journey with God. How is your journey with God? Take a moment and re-commit yourself to the process of transformation that God has designed for all of us. The service last night at Hamilton was great. Several of the youth group were in the altar as well as parents who were seeking to allow God to surround them in their time of need, challenge, struggle and decisions. Rest assured that God is not moving away from you today but He is moving toward you; He is ready to embrace you with His love and grace so that you can finish your race of life in a successful manner. Trust Him today and watch Him work in your life.

The Word of God

During the service last night the Lord reminded all of us of the importance of the Word of God. Our lives must be built upon the promises and strength of the Word of God. God is looking for people who will not only listen to what the Word is declaring to them but they must also be willing to put into practice the revelation of that Word. Am I truly willing to obey what is being declared in my life? Am I willing to put into practice those Biblical principles that will lead to transformation in my walk with God. Oh how I desire to be transformed into the image of Christ; I want my life to be enriched by the Word and I desire for God to deposit the Word in my heart so that it will perform its purpose in my life. I want to re-develop a strong desire to understand and practice that which God is saying. NOTE: Read Matthew 7:24-29. Today has been an unique day in the history of America. We were able to witness the first African/American being sworn in as our 44th President. Many of us have seen great changes take place in our nation during our lifetime. I am sure that in many ways we still have room for progress but on this significant day we can take a moment and recognize the opportunities that God has placed before us as Americans. We must not forget God; we must remember the manifold blessings that God has provided for us and to us. Let us pray for President Obama; he and his cabinet need the direction of God as they lead this nation at this challenging and difficult hour. My hope is in the strength of the Lord God Almighty!

Weekend Review

The services at the Hamilton, Alabama church went very well this past weekend. Truly the presence of the Lord was evident in the times of worship and prayer. God touched the lives of many people as they come forward for prayer; needs were met as people surrendered their lives to God and sought Him for direction. I am convinced that God is prepared to reveal His presence if we will trust in Him and seek after Him with all of our hearts. I want to be one of those who looks to God for divine inspiration and divine transformation. As we look to the future we are being challenged to trust in God. But we can only trust in God for tomorrow based on our confidence in God for what He is doing presently in our lives. We can remember our past experiences with God and we can anticipate Him meeting our needs in the future; but we are being called to walk in the promise of His daily presence and provision. We are sensing the strength of God and His fresh revelation. Do not grow comfortable with the status quo; look to Him with fresh desire and passion knowing that God is the One that we can trust. He is our present help and I emphasize the word "present." God is present at this very moment prepared to work in our lives.