A Muddy Well

The book of Proverbs is a book of wise sayings that should be read every 30 days. I have been reading Proverbs every month now for the last 18 years. The other day I read Proverbs 25:26 and it spoke to me. It says "A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well." What does this mean?

1. The righteous are being observed and are a source of life

2. The righteous should be like life giving water to those that know them

3. The righteous are to be an oasis in the wilderness of sin

I would encourage you to keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life. Make sure that you are that well of life giving water.

Where is the God of Elijah?

In 2 Kings 2, we read the story of Elijah and Elisha before Elijah is taken up to Heaven. Several times Elisha is told by Elijah to stay, but he refuses as he presses on with his mentor. Finally the whirlwind separates Elijah and Elisha, and the mantle of Elijah is left behind. Then Elisha picks up the mantle and asks "where is the God of Elijah?" And as he comes to the Jordan River he uses the mantle to touch the water and the waters part just like they did when Elijah did the same thing.

Let me ask you a question. Are trusting in the God of Elijah or in your Elijah? Do you wonder what you are going to do once your mentor is taken from you. Here is my advice. Now is the time that you must get to know God more than you know your mentor. Then you will have the God of Elijah with you always.

Great Christian Music

Today I was listening to Steve Green and I thought "is there anybody that sings quite like him?" The answer to that rhetorical question is (of course) no. But what is even better than Steve Green is when he sings a duet with Larnelle Harris.

This song reflects that reconciliation movement that was sparked during the early days of Promise Keepers. Let this be our prayer, "teach me to love." Enjoy.

Carman Video

A Street Full of Names

Today as I was walking back from the school in our town I walked down what I call "Senior Alley." This is the stretch of road that all of the seniors spray paint their name just prior to graduation. I noticed some names had faded, and others were fresh from last year. Others were large and rightfully so because they wanted you to know that they had been there. I thought about another street, one that will not have names but rather is made of gold.

This street is made of transparent gold! Hard to believe, but the Bible says it is like "transparent glass." Although this is not a street where you can mark your name that you were there, it is a street that has been walked upon by those Christians that have gone on before us. If your name has never been on a street or a street sign, it matters not. What matters is that your name is the Lamb's Book of Life. Is your name in that book?

Repentance: Not a Bad Word

Repentance is a word that we associate with people who really have messed up (i.e. Tiger Woods, David, J. Swaggart, etc.). I guess I should have put my name in there, but was afraid of the mail that I would get,LOL! Seriously we need to put repentance in the proper perspective.

It is not regret, like King Saul. It is not remorse like Judas. It is repentance like Peter and many others. Repentance isn't a one time deal it is a daily occurrence in the life of a Christian. Repentance is removing the hindrance or sin that keeps us at a distance with God.

Repentance is the first step to experience the refreshing of God (Acts 3:19-21). God wants us to repent so that we would enjoy fellowship with Him again, not because we are so bad.

Today repent and then rejoice!

Fruit From a Funeral

As a Pastor a great deal of my time is spent praying with people or for people, so I am no stranger to prayer. I am always amazed when God allows me to be a part of something great. Let me explain.

The beginning of this month I preached a salvation message at a funeral, and there were people there that were moved by God's Spirit. I never know what the Lord is doing until some time later. Apparently there was a lady in the audience that was ready to make a change in her life. This lady has a sister that goes to our church. They asked me if I would go and pray for her house, because there were some weird things happening. I agreed, and yesterday as we talked and before we prayed I ask this lady if she would like to become a Christian and have Jesus take control of her life. She said yes. All I can say is that I live for those moments, and in those times I realize that all the troubles and trials I went through were worth it to see one person become a follower of Christ.

Today, don't neglect planting the seed of the Gospel in someone's heart. You never know where you will see the fruit.