Humor on Friday

Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (NJKV)

Psalm 126:2-3, “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. ³ The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (NKJV)

I believe this is the first time that I have made an intentional attempt to share some humor on this blog. I have been accused of being too serious on several occasions in my life and that I need to "loosen up" and relax. I will attempt that today via this blog. I really enjoy having fun and even laughing from time to time. I can remember times in my life that I truly needed what I have heard referenced as a "belly laugh." That term described a laugh that came from deep within our soul and it served as a temporary reprieve from the challenges of daily life. 

I truly sensed the Spirit dealing with my heart that someone today may need the "stress reliever" that a little humor may bring. The passages that I have shared today remind us of the importance to allow things that are merry and things that can bring laughter to our lives to play an important role in our lives. This is a very stressful world in which we live under daily pressures to succeed, to be productive at our job and to fulfill our responsibilities on a consistent basis. Let's face it; all of us need some "stress relief" from time to time. Here is my attempt to bring a smile to your face today. 

A dear sister in Christ who attends our local church shared this story with me a few days ago. You may have already read it or heard it but take a moment and allow your mind to drift away from your daily routine and allow yourselves a "laughter break."

A woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church services , when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled: 'Stop! Acts 2:38!' (Repent and be Baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ , so that your sins may be forgiven.) The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar: 'Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you.' 'Scripture?' replied the burglar.. 'She said she had an Axe and Two 38s!' Send this to someone who needs a laugh today and remember: Knowing scripture can save your life - in more ways than one!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AND TAKE A MOMENT TO LAUGH!! 

Thoughts on Thursday

First, I want to share some thoughts of Adrian Rogers. I read them this morning in one of my devotional readings. They corelated with a discussion that we had in a Discipleship class last night. I wanted you to read Pastor Roger's insights and then I will share some of the conversation from last night. 

Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” I read some research by psychologist William Morriston who reported that 94% of the 3,000 persons he surveyed were enduring today in order to get to tomorrow. Do you know anyone like that? Perhaps you are one of those. Tomorrow, you’re going on vacation. Tomorrow, you’re going to get the house cleaned. Tomorrow, you’re going to start your diet. Tomorrow, you’re going to balance your checkbook. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. The only problem is...tomorrow never arrives. When it gets here, it is today. And today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. It is always today. Act accordingly!" (Adrian Rogers)

Our Christian Education Director recently concluded leading us in a study of the Book of Esther. We have been following up the study with times of discussion in which we talk about the application of truth to our individual lives. I believe the Bible only reaches its full effectiveness in our lives when we take the action of applying the truth to our lives. I believe that there are times that we allow the truth to "fall through the cracks" in our lives because we fail to live it out on a DAILY BASIS.

One of the students raised the possibility that we become so concerned with the future that we fail to take notice of today (I am paraphrasing her words but I do think that summarizes the thought that was presented to us.). Each of us have been so worried about tomorrow that we were ineffective in our daily walk of life. Fear, concern, worry, playing the "what if game" can bring a state of "paralysis" to our lives. Some of us live for all the "big moments" so much that we miss the daily opportunities that God places in front of us. This is not an "anti-planning" or an "anti-being prepared" blog. But it is my attempt to remind us that we can look so far down the road that we fail to enjoy the journey that God has directed for our lives. 

Yes, there was a time in which the purpose of Esther's life was revealed when she was able to stand in the gap for her people. BUT to reach that point she had to live her daily life to the best of her ability. Is it possible that the "great" days of our lives are the culmination of all of the faithful days that we have lived? In the Bible Cornelius was told that his "prayers had been heard and that his alms had been remembered in the sight of God." (Acts 10:31)

WHAT WILL GOD REMEMBER ABOUT US TODAY?

Thoughts on Tuesday

Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)

I am thankful that God has provided us a "spiritual vehicle" that assists us in our navigation of the challenging times in which we are living. I am honest when I declare that I am very much concerned about the challenges that we are facing in America. There is such an undercurrent of "restlessness" in our nation. I am sure that many of the people who are experiencing this restlessness have what they surmise to be a "reasonable" explanation for their anxiety and they may even use this explanation to defend their actions or even their lack of action. I am not attempting to speak for them but I am writing today to speak for myself.

I am thankful that God has initiated the process that we call prayer and supplication. I will be honest and say that the enemy of our soul has done everything in his power to eliminate the understanding of prayer and supplication within the family of God. Many of us are familiar with the terms "Prayer Warriors or Intercessors." I define these brothers and sisters in Christ as individuals of various ages who feel a burden to pray for the needs of others. These are spiritual people who recognize the spiritual warfare that is taking place and they make a willful decision to engage our adversary through intercessory prayer and supplication. I personally know many of these individuals who are choosing this "lifestyle" of prayer because they recognize the victories that can be won through the intervention of the Lord God Almighty!!! 

I believe that during these times of prayer and supplication that God replaces our anxiousness, restlessness, fear, etc. with His "peace which surpasses all understanding." I understand and have identified some of the strategies of the enemy but I still believe that Christ is our Peace and that He is fully capable of bringing rest to this generation. I refuse to give up on the work of God being completed in this day and time in which we are living. I fully understand that there is a great battle between good and evil. I am not blind to this point of attack. I see it at work on a daily basis in America as a nation but I also see the effects in the lives of people that I am called to serve. 

BUT I HAVE FOUND HOPE AND COMFORT IN PHILIPPIANS 3. READ THE WORD OF GOD AND ALLOW THE SPIRIT TO DEPOSIT THE TRUTH DEEP INTO YOUR SOUL!!!

Monday's Musings

1 Timothy 2:1-4, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul shares some explicit instructions with the family of God. He purposefully points out to us some of the responsibilities that we shoulder as citizens of the country in which we live. We are to pray for our leaders regardless of our political persuasion or regardless of our political positions. We are called to pray so "that we may lead a quite and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." I would like to encourage you as well as our fellow citizens to read that line from the Bible one more time!!! 

You may want to call me "ole-fashioned" or "narrow minded" or a "Bible thumper" and you may even have to offer me your forgiveness or at least your understanding BUT I still believe that the Word of God contains the answers that we need. As a matter of fact I still believe that Jesus Christ is the Answer to every decision that we face. He has been referenced in the Word of God as our Shepherd and I believe that He will continue to order, direct, and guide our steps as we continue to listen to His voice. Let me ask you one more question in reference to Jesus being our Shepherd. How many times have you heard or have you personally read the 23rd Psalm?

I believe that we need to seek God so that our nation is unified. Is our nation perfect? No, and that is an easy question to answer. But neither would our nation be perfect if the election had been decided in a different manner. Don't you think that it is time to lay aside the division, rancor, and any actions that are seeking to drive us apart rather than bring us together? We are facing both internal as well as external enemies who seek the destruction of America as we have known it. I am not calling for an action by Democrats or an action by Republicans. I am calling for an action of sincere prayer by all Americans. I am especially encouraging Christians to continue their prayers for our nation as well as for the spiritual awakening that is needed in our nation. I truly believe that God is waiting for the sincere, heartfelt prayers of His people to be offered up to Him. Will God hear your voice calling out to Him today? 

Mark 3:25, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (NKJV) (Emphasis added)

Veterans Day

This past week has been referred to as a "historic" week in the history of our nation. The 45th President was elected in a stunning upset. The majority of pundits and prognosticators were wrong and Donald J. Trump was chosen to lead our nation. I was thankful for the opportunity to have been able to cast my vote as a reminder and symbol of my freedom as an American citizen. I was able to vote my conscience without any fear of retribution or any coercion by the government or some other political force. Wasn't it Lee Greenwood who sang these lyrics; "I am proud to be an American..."

This week also affords us another wonderful opportunity. We will celebrate Veterans Day on Friday, November 11th. In many ways these two "celebrations" are interconnected. I have always thought about these two events being connected each time that I have cast a vote even if the vote took place in a month other than November. Veterans Day allows us to focus on those men and women who have served the nation in our military. These individuals have served in both peace time as well as times of war. They have served bravely but also compassionately. They have stood strong against the various forces that have sought to destroy our nation and sought to destroy the freedom that we enjoy on a daily basis. Friday is our opportunity to say THANK YOU to those who have served our nation in honor and who have demonstrated the desire to protect the freedoms that we celebrate, I encourage you to make sure that you personally speak to a Veteran and let him/her know that they are honored, respected and appreciated. These valiant soldiers deserve our appreciation and they deserve the honor and praise that they will receive on their special day of recognition.

This Veterans Day is also unique from a personal perspective. Today is the first Veterans Day since the passing of my Dad seven (7) months ago. His family was blessed that he lived one week past his 90th birthday, He was a World War II veteran who served in the European theater of action. Our Dad, Wallace E. Willingham served in Company B, of the 347th Infantry, in the 87th Infantry Division of the 3rd Army. The 3rd Army was under the command of General George Patton. Dad was in combat action at the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine River (under the cover of darkness on his 19th birthday) the Siegfreid Lines, etc. I am very proud to be a son of this Army Veteran who loved God, who loved his family and who loved this nation. He won several awards; Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Mans Badge, Presidential Citation, European WWII Camme Nation Medal, and the European Theater Ribbon and Medal (with two Bronze Stars).  

Dad was a strong advocate for Patriotism and he possessed great respect for all of the Veterans that had served with him as well as those who had served our nation after him. Scattered across our nation are a group of men and women who do not ask for respect but they deserve our respect. Scattered across our nation are a group of people who are not demanding to be applauded but they deserve to receive the applause of appreciation from a nation that has provided wonderful opportunities for people of various races, ethnicities, various religions, and various nationalities. Much is being said about people "having the right" to express their opinions and their ideas. Let me remind you that "freedom of expression" did not come without a price. Take a tour of a local Veterans Hospital and see the men and women who are still paying the price for their time of service in our nation. Our freedom was not cheap and it is still not cheap. 

I am thankful that I have the freedom to express my thoughts via this blog. THANK YOU DAD FOR YOUR SERVICE!! THANK YOU SIR, THANK YOU MAAM FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR NATION. I OWE YOU A DEBT OF GRATITUDE THAT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PAY. BUT I WILL DO MY BEST TO HONOR YOU, SUPPORT YOU AND PRAY FOR YOU!!!

Happy Veterans Day!!!

Encouragement on Election Day

Today is the day on which Americans have the privilege to go to the polls and cast their vote for the next President of the United States. Let me remind you that there are many other offices that will be decided today although the Presidential election has drawn the most attention both positive as well as negative. The television and radio interviews have found many people who say that they will be glad when this election is completed. I assume this is due to the angst, anxiety, anger, fear, disagreement, and some disgust with this election process. This election process has certainly been filled with much rancor, foul words, unending attacks on the character of the candidates as well as the continuing revelation of the "character flaws" of the various candidates.

The title of this post reflected my desire as well as inspiration to shine a light of encouragement upon this day. I do not know the outcome of the election as I write this blog and I am not prepared to make a prediction but there are some things that the Spirit continues to place in my heart and I want to share them with you today.

I have joined with many of you in praying about this election. Let me share with you what I have sensed in the past few days. Repeatedly I have sensed the Spirit leading me to passages of scripture in the Bible that reminds me to "trust in God." I do not believe this is coincidental but I believe this is a mandate from God to point me to the person in which I need to place my trust. No one knows the future and that includes those individuals who are running for the office of President. They have their plans, agendas, ideas and strategies but they are also unable to know what may happen on tomorrow. But as a believer I know who holds our tomorrow in His hands and I also know that He is living in my tomorrow. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today as well as tomorrow. 

I keep hearing the line from one of the worship songs that we sing, "I trust in You..." These words are referencing the Lord God Almighty. I am not going to stop my praying regardless of today's outcome. I am not going to stop my singing regardless of today's outcome. I am not going to stop preaching and ministering to others regardless of today's outcome. I will not hang my harp on a willow tree regardless of today's outcome. I will arise in the morning (if it is the Lord's will) and I will offer my praise, adoration, worship and thanksgiving to the One who died on the old rugged cross that I might have forgiveness of my sins. My victory was won at Calvary and I plan on walking in that victory that has been provided through the blood of Jesus Christ!!

HALLELUJAH TO OUR SAVIOR!!! Let the votes be counted!!

Preparing to Vote

Tomorrow is Election Day across America. I encourage each of you to take the opportunity to celebrate our freedom as Americans through the action of casting your vote on Tuesday. I understand the concern that many people across our nation are feeling today. But I also know that there are some other offices other than President that are on the ballot. There are many sincere and qualified individuals who are running for these offices and they truly believe that they can make a difference in in America. I also remember all of those Veterans who have served our nation throughout the time of our nation's existence. I believe that we would dishonor them if we chose to willfully ignore our privilege to cast our vote. 

I read these words of Adrian Rogers a few days ago and I thought that it would be an appropriate reading as well as an appropriate reminder on this Pre-Election Day in America. 

Right now our nation is sick unto death because she has forgotten God. But listen to this and let it burn itself into your soul. In 1821 John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, said,

“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: It connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. From the day of the Declaration, the American people were bound by the laws of God.”

The principles of civil government and Christianity were linked together in an unbreakable bond. Nearly all citizens acknowledged Christian, biblical principles as the rules of their conduct.

In 1913 President Woodrow Wilson said,

“America was born to exemplify the devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from Holy Scriptures.”

In March, 1931, Congress adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our national anthem. Do you know what the fourth stanza says? “Blessed with victory and peace, may this Heaven-rescued land praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must when our cause it is just. And this be our motto, ‘In God is our trust.’”

God blessed America was she was rooted in spiritual principles and truths. Praise God for our Christian and Judaic heritage being written into our very fabric. And pray for your nation according to 2 Corinthians 7:14.

Let us continue to pray for God to bless, guide and direct the Leaders of our nation!! Our trust is in the Lord god Almighty!!