Dad, I'm Not Scared - God Is In Control

It is hard to believe after a solid year of sitting in Dr. Robert Clifford's office with Tucker I found myself there again with Turner. Dr. Clifford even looked shocked when he walked into the room  and saw me there again. Tucker finally got fully released only a month ago.

Yet there we sat. Turner with an injured knee from playing basketball. We were there to review the MRI results. Dr. Clifford's diagnosis made my heart sink. "There is a torn ACL." My first thought was, "Not again."

Turner is an eighth grader. I immediately looked at him to see how he received that news. He sat stoically. I remember like yesterday when Dr. Clifford diagnosed Tucker with a torn ACL. Tears welled up in Tucker's eyes. He tried to be brave and wiped them away quickly. I knew his heart broke in that moment.

My heart hurt. I could not fix that problem for him. Nor I could I fix a torn ACL for Turner. Believe me. I prayed for healing. Supernatural healing. It did not come. Tucker had to have surgery. Two of them in fact. I prayed for Turner's healing as well. God chose to do it another way. He too will have to be operated on unless God intervenes between now and sometime in January.

When Turner and I got into the truck to leave asked him how he felt. Here is what he said. "Dad, I am not scared. God is in control. He will help me through this."

O that we all had child like faith. Lord help our unbelief.

Confirmation

I live a long way from west Texas. I have not lived there in five and a half years.  God keeps drawing my heart to a small town out there called Kermit. That town keeps showing up over and over again in my life.

While I can't begin to go into  all the ways God keeps confirming my call to go there and preach a revival, I will share the most recent one.

Two of my boys and I went grocery shopping a few days ago. Broookshire's Grocery has a rewards program for frequent shoppers. To access it you can use a card or your phone number. When I gave the cashier my phone number she asked, "Are you from west Texas?" The 432 area code gave it away. We never changed our cell phone numbers after we moved from Seminole.

I responded, "I used to. Are you from west Texas?" She used to live in west Texas. I asked her where she used to live. Her reply, "Kermit."

That grocery store is six hours form Kermit. What is the likely hood that she would live and work in the same area I live. What is the likely hood that she would have previously lived in Kermit? Of the two grocery stores in our area is it coincidence that I chose the one where she worked.  What are the chances that I would just happen to be grocery shopping during her shift and furthermore randomly get into her line. She could have been off.  She could have gone on break. Her line could have been backed up with several people. Three was only one person in front of the boys and I.

She could have been from a hundred different town in west Texas.  The fact she was from Kermit seems more than random chance.. She could not have known about God giving me a  burden for that town. She had no way of knowing about  and my calling to trust the Lord for revival there. She could have just entered my phone number and never said anything about west Texas. It  does not seem like coincidence to me. It seems more like confirmation.

Pen To The Page

It has been nearly two years since I last put pen to page to write a book. While have written hundreds of flogs I have not written any books.  had no desire to write another book. I did not have inspiration. It has never been my desire to just write books. My desire is to only write what God alls me to write.

He has called me to write two books. I just finished the first. I am not certain about the title yet, but it is a book about the Seminole revival back in 2010 that lasted 23 straight days. I've felt compelled to write that book. I consider it my life's work to this point. I hope when it finally gets released God will use it to inspire people to pursue Him more. At this point I only have the rough draft finished.

I am working on a second book. It is the third edition of the 40 Days To Shake City Devotional. This book is more critical in that I hope to have it available 40 days from the start of the Kermit Shake The City Revival. That revival is scheduled to begin July 23, 2017. Time is of the essence. Like with all my books I have to trust God for the provision to get it into print.

There is much tedious wrk to be done. My aim is to be done with the revisions on the devotion book by the fist of the year. Then the tedious work of proofing and editing work begins. I hope to have the manuscript sent to the publishers in early January. I am trusting God to print 5,000 copies of this book. This will cost several thousand dollars.

Afterward, I will proof and edit the other book. Possible titles are The Glorious Pursuit: The Pursuit of God For Revival or I like 23 Days When Heaven Kissed Seminole In Revival. 

I need your prayers. I need anointing to write and the stamina to finish these projects in a timely manner. No Compromise Ministries also needs God's provision to especially get the devotion book into print and available byJune 14, 2017. That is 40 days from the start of revival services in Kermit.

The Great Supplier

Philippians 4:19-20 (ESV)
¹⁹  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
²⁰  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Do you believe God is able and willing to supply your needs? Do you believe His resources are unlimited? Do you believe He is mighty enough to get whatever provision to you when you need it?

If you answered yes to those questions then why worry and stress about money issues? If God is the great supplier of all we need why don't we trust Him more and live in peace? One of the greatest stresses on marriage is finances. You can see the weight and strain on people barely making it to no fault of their own. They do not live extravagantly. They work hard to live within their means.

Then life hits. A major house repair arises. The car needs repair. An injury occurs necessitating medical attention. The insurance premiums rise. One spouse loses a job. A test reveals a major medical issue calling for surgery and aggressive follow up treatments to battle the disease. One of the kids needs financial help. A little here and little there and a family can find their back up against the wall.  

Even in all of this God is still a great supplier. He is a great provider. He makes available His abundant riches to help in our time of need. His resources are not limited to money. He supplies strength, peace. comfort, guidance,  and wisdom in abundance too.

What will we ever need that He does not already have the supply? He already knows our needs before we are even aware of them and has the supply ready in waiting to meet the need of the hour.

Verse 19 starts off with "And my God..." Read that again but this time substitute your first name for the word my. It might read, Jimmy's God, Wende's God, Eric's God, Jeff's God, Missy's God, Mike's God, Lynn's God, Greg's God, Terri's God, Julie's God, Linda's God, Dale'sGod, Jane'sGod,  or Christi's God. He is your God. You are His child and He is your Father. He personally relates to each of His children and cares for them.

Your God. My God. Our God will supply. That means He will provide and make available. Out of His riches. Superabounding wealth. God owns everything. Psalm 24:1 (ESV) 
¹

 The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,  Psalm 50:10 (ESV)
¹⁰  For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 

It is all His. Every creature. Every dollar and cent. He can access any of it as He pleases and share those resources with us when we need. He uses people to do this. Let me illustrate. 

Brenda's car has 260,000 miles on it. We are blessed that it has lasted this long. Both of us hate car payments and are content to drive older cars with higher mileage than to be locked into a car payment. We have a great mechanic. He is a man of integrity, very thorough, and very fair. 

On several occasions we've put Brenda's car in the shop for repairs. Each time our mechanic has found other issues that would have caused the car to malfunction if not addresessed. One time the bill ran over $900 a few years ago right before Christmas. Things were tight financially and we did not know how we would pay that bill. God prompted a couple to give us $1,000. We had not shared our need with anyone. We needed money to repair the car. God abundantly supplied. 

Not long after we moved back to Paradise we had to put her car in the shop again. This time the bill totaled over $1,500. We did not have it. We had not sold our house in Seminole yet and I took a major cut in pay in our move. I can still remember this like it was yesterday. Kelly Hughes from Seminole was passing through with his wife Cassie. They stopped by to see us. Kelly handed me an envelope with $7,000 collected from several individuals from our previous church. With that money we paid the car repairs and I was able to purchase new tires for my truck as well. God supplied again. 

Just about a month ago we had to put Brenda's car in the shop again. Our mechanic called to inform me of all the issues he found. The bill sept mounting. I finally asked him how much we were looking at. My heart sunk when he responded, "$2,500." He has always been wiling to graciously let us pay off the bills over time when needed. We hate debt. But on this occasion we had no choice. 

Brenda and I both prayed for God's supply once again. We asked Him to reach into His storehouse and share from His abundance to meet our need. Weeks passed. Then our Heavenly Father stepped in again. A dear friend gave us the largest financial gift we have ever received unsolicited by us but solicited from God the Father. We used part of the money to pay off the car repairs and some college tuition for one of our boys. 

Just in case you still really do not believe let me tell you one last story. Faith Community Church has never had an abundance of money. We have been forced to live up to our name repeatedly as the finances got tight and we put in our faith in God to help. 

Recently I met with our leadership team in a grim meeting about finances again. Truth is we were about one month from not being able to make our monthly requirements. Several options were discussed. One of them was to cut back on some or all of our rent facilities. Even considering this and the elimination of utility payments by my calculations we would still have been about a $3,000 shortfall each month. We already operate on a scaled back budget. 

We took the mater to prayer. Brenda and I were very concerned. God was not. 

I was approached by a man recently who asked me a straight forward question. "How is your church doing financially?" I thought that an odd way to start a conversation. I responded, "Do you want the truth or me to tell you what you want to hear?" He wanted the truth. I told him everything. 

He looked at his wife and they both smiled. God had prompted them to to give a financial gift to our church even though they attend elsewhere. My answer confirmed what God had already put in their heat to do. Once again God supplied abundantly. 

I have walked out this truth for the past two decades. I have seen God supply over and over again. I have seen Him use creative ways to get the provision to where it was needed. I have witnessed Him use unlikely candidates to get His provision to the need. 

My God is a great supplier. I tell my stories for one reason. It is not to get sympathy. It is not to manipulate people financially. I recently felt like this happened after I preached as a guest to another flock. I returned people's money out of conviction. I share my stories so God gets glory. I want people to know I serve a faithful, trustworthy, reliable, and dependable God. He knows the needs of His children. He cares. And He has the supply. 

There are times when I wish He sent it earlier. There are times when I wonder why His children are tested so often. I may never know the answers. I do know this. HE Is A GREAT PROVIDER. He is more than able to supply anything you will ever need. 

Peace In The Storm

I had just gotten Brenda home after a visit to a doctor and a minor test. We had barely walked in the door when her phone rang. It was the school nurse. Turner had swallowed a nail. He was fine but we needed to get him to the emergency room. 

Turns out a classmate put the small nail in Tuner's water bottle. He told Turner it was there. Turner thought he could drink the water and catch the nail. He was wrong. 

We were in panic mode. Brenda stayed home to recover. On the drive my mind raced. Turner just injured his left knee a few days ago playing basketball and we are still waiting the final diagnosis for that. It seemed we were being slammed. 

While I stood waiting on Turner at school I walked outside. In those few ever so brief moments I exhaled the pressure and the trials. I asked God for His peace. Standing there alone God did the miraculous once again. He heard my brief prayer. He saw my burden. He met me in that crisis hour and flooded my heart with peace in the middle of the storm. 

Everything else went smoothly. The nail passed the critical parts in Turner. No invasive procedures were needed. We got to go home later that day. 

How many people have experienced the peace of God in the middle of life's storms. Millions. I am just one more to testify that God does not forsake us in our tough times. It does not mean we avoid every single storm. It does mean that God provides peace in the middle of them. For that I give God thanks and praise. 

Thankful

I walked outside against the arctic blast of a blustery cold front. My first thought after shuddering in the morning chill was to thank God for my coat to give me insulation from the biting winds. 

I walked across a parking lot to get into my vehicle. I thanked God the vehicle started and for the heat that blew once the vehicle warmed up. 

On my drive  I ran over something on a back road. I again thanked God when I returned the same way after the sun came up and saw I had run over  a baby wild hog barely missing the much larger mother only feet away. 

I thanked God for my breakfast later at Braum's. I thanked God  for a hot meal and the money to pay for it. 

Then I thanked God for the gift of eye sight. To see the yellow of the eggs. The red in the tomatoes. The green in the jalapeños  and on my cup. I could see the brown of the pepper shaker, the blue of the ink as I wrote in my journal against the white backdrop of my spiritual page. 

I am thankful for a wife I have shared twenty-five years of marriage together. I love her deeply and thankful that I get to share life with her. She stands with me. She is my true helpmate. I am thankful for the four boys we have that have brought innumerable joys to my life. I am thankful for true brothers and sisters in Christ who have been a continual source of encouragement and support in every season of life. 

I am thankful most of all for Jesus. His love, grace, salvation, and guidance mean more than I can ever put into words. He took a wretched, troubled, and sullen east Texas teenager and saved him. He gave me a purpose and a calling. He gifted me to  write and preach. He planted passion in me. He has given me so many opportunities even when I have made critical mistakes. 

Thanksgiving Day is weeks behind me but I am still thankful. There are many blessings if I will just take time to think about them and maintain approach life with a thankful attitude. 

Are You Satisfied?

How old is the clothing you are waring? A few months or perhaps a few years? I asked that question in our service this morning. One man won hands down. He wore a church two decades old. That is older than three of my sons. 

It is impressive that the shirt still fit. It  is equally impressive that the quality of the church was such that it lasted for such a long time. I am also impressed the man did not discard it for a newer version. 

I recall a trip I made with one of my sons to the "Pioneer Village" in Fort Worth. The village has real life log cabins from pioneer days. Upon walking through one of the cabins I was struck by the smallness of the cabins. In a closet hung two lady's dresses. One for everyday. The other for worship services or special occasions. Can you imagine anyone only have two changes of clothes. Now we have walk in closets. We have dress clothes. Casual clothes. Recreational clothes. Work out clothes. A far cry from pioneer days. 

Now let me ask you a few other questions. What would have to happen for you to be happy? Really happy. If you only had __________ then you would be satisfied, you can fill in the blank. How few really know true contentment. We are convinced if we had a new gadget or a new widget our life would be complete. 

Paul said he knew how to get along with abundance or to live with little. He said he had learned a real secret to contentment. His secret might surprise us. Philippians 4:13 (ESV) 
¹³  I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Paul said he did not speak from need. Paul knew need. He went hungry. He knew exposure to the elements. He knew needs and suffering but he also knew contentment in the middl4e of it. True satisfaction. Because Jesus gave him the strength to endure any situation. He learned to content himself in Jesus. A lesson it appears few in theUnited States have learned. 

We have bigger and bigger houses so we can accumulate more and more stuff. We periodically have garage sales to make more room for more stuff. We are enamored with the latest, the newest, and most improved versions of most anything. 

Are we wiling to learn contentment. To drive an automobile showing its age. To live in a smaller dwelling. To wear clothes that have a little wear and tear on them. To be as satisfied with a sandwich as with a gourmet meal. 

I have a pantry and refrigerator full o food. I have no worries about my next meal. We have leftovers after lunch today and dinner last night. Many people in the world have never seen such. They don't even know what it like to have a second helping at any meal. Such abundance of food should make us satisfied. 

Jesus strengthens us to enjoy sumptuous feasts as well as to endure being famished. He strengthens us to endure ill health and riches as well as sickness and poverty. Jesus is our source of contentment. He satisfies the soul not just for the here and now but for all of eternity. We want to learn this. 

The Tent Of Meeting

Exodus 33:9 (ESV)
⁹  When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.


The tent of meeting was set up as a place for people to meet with God. When Moses entered the tent God showed up in a special way. Moses talked to God. What is more important is God spoke to Moses.

While I do not have a literal tent of meeting I do have two sacred spots to meet with God alone. My home office and my actual office. In those places God shows up. Just like today while I was my actual office reading through Exodus 33. That is when I came across this verse.

I sat back in my office chair to reflect on that verse. Then I voiced a prayer in my mind but from deeper in my soul. I asked God to meet with me and speak to me like He did with Moses. I am not asking God to speak to me face to face like He did with Moses. I just want God to speak to me consistently, daily and clearly.

I cannot think of one single thing I desire more from God than to hear from Him clearly and consistently day in and day out. I want that for the rest of the days of my life..  In my times with Him I find what I look forward to most is when He opens His word and speaks to me through His Spirit. I love those moments. I live for them. They are the highlight of my everyday.  The tender voice of His spirit is louder than a teenager's high powered sound system in his vehicle. His still small voice can be so loud in our souls it is almost deafening.

We should love to be alone with the Father. We should enjoy our time with Him. Those  days when we truly connect with Him and hear from Him we need to be reluctant to leave our tent of meeting to keep other commitments.  The tent of meeting should be a sacred place. A place set apart. A holy place. I place devoted to meeting with The Great I Am. Our Creator. Our Sustainer. Our Savior. Our Redeemer. Our Deliverer. Our Counselor. Our Provider. Our Comforter. And so much more. Much much more.

He reveals Himself in tents of meetings. He casts visions there. He gives directions that changes the course of history in the tent of meeting. We cannot afford to neglect that place. God waits to be wanted there. If we steal away from the crowds He will meet us there. He will touch us deeply and speak to us intimately. Make meeting with Him in your tent of meeting a lifelong habit.

21

I was visting a church member who had just undergone surgery at the hospital. Before being released the patient had to walk 20 laps around the floor of hospital. Up and down the hall I could see several patients doing their laps with their I/V stand in tow and tubes.

I decided to take a stroll with our member. Each step painful. Slow and methodical steps up and down the long corridors. I was proud of the patient. At first they could only do one lap. Before being released they were doing sexts of three.

What made me the most proud was the moment this determined  soul decided to do more than was asked and completed a twenty first lap. What an inspiration. I am sure the twenty first lap was not comfortable. I am confident the path of least resistance would have been to go get back in the bed like I saw another patient do after just walking two laps.

What if we all had the mentality to do more than was asked of us. To go the extra lap or the extra mile. What if we were all willing to push ourselves beyond what is comfortable or what is easy. It is so easy to take the path of least resistance.

After that visit in the hospital I left inspired. Inspired to overachieve. To do the extra lap. The twenty first lap. To work a little harder. To labor a little longer. To overachieve.

Relentless

There are three characters in the Bible that stand out to me as being relentless. David. Job. Paul. David was relentless in His desire to know God. Job was relentless in His worship even on the worst day of his life. Paul was relentless in His service to Jesus even in the midst of suffering.

Let's first consider David. David desired to know God. Take two passages he penned in the Psalms. Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV) 
¹

 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
²  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Do you see the intense craving David had to know God. Far too many people are content to spend their whole lives learning more about God. Yet they never draw any closer. They never get lost in the wonder and thrill of new encounters and fresh experiences with the living God.  David thirsted for God like a deer parched for water. He does not stop there. 

Read what takes writes in another Psalm. Psalm 63:1-2 (ESV) 

¹

 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
²  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Again notice the craving, the desire, and the intense hunger David had for more of God. To know God. David was relentless in his pursuit to know God. Does that define your relationship  with Him? Are you craving more of Him? More revelation of Him? More time with Him? More understanding of Him? May that also be our relentless desire. May we never settle for anything less than the relentless lifelong pursuit to know God. May we earnestly seek Him day in and day out for a lifetime. 

Job was a relentless worshipper. Even when it everything went wrong. Even when the world toppled in on top of him. Job loved God, revered God, trusted God, and praised God even when there was pain in the offering. Read this lengthy passage. Pay very special attention to the last couple of verses. 

Job 1:1-22 (ESV)
¹  There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
²  There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
³  He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.
⁴  His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
⁵  And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
⁶  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
⁷  The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
⁸  And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”
⁹  Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?
¹⁰  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
¹¹  But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”
¹²  And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
¹³  Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,
¹⁴  and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,
¹⁵  and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
¹⁶  While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
¹⁷  While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
¹⁸  While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,
¹⁹  and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
²⁰  Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
²¹  And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
²²  In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

When Job lost everything he did not lose his faith in God or His desire to worship. There are few verses in all the Bible that inspire me more than these do. Job was relentless in His worship even when he lost almost everything he valued including his ten children. 

I had a similar conversation with one of my boys facing some major disappointment.   I told him what he believed about God in that moment was critical. He had to make the choice to keep worshipping, to keep trusting, and to keep glorifying God even when things were not turning out like he wanted. Relentless in worship. 

Finally there is Paul. What more can I say about Paul's relentless service for Jesus that has not already been said or written many times before. Perhaps two scriptures will say it all. 

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (ESV)
²³  Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
²⁴  Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.
²⁵  Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
²⁶  on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;
²⁷  in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
²⁸  And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Acts 20:24 (ESV)
²⁴  But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Is that not the personification of relentlessness. David. Job. Paul. All relentless. All examples for us to follow. May we be relentless in our pursuit to know God, relentless in our worship even in the worst of times, and relentless in our service to Jesus to the end of our lives.  

Perfect Peace

While in the preparation room for surgery I had plenty of time to pray and to meditate yesterday. Once all the preparations were made and my sermon delivered to whomever would listen I had a long time alone. They did not let Brenda come back with me.

Other patients waiting for surgery slept. I was not sleepy. I thought and prayed about many things. Then it dawned on me. I was not anxious about the surgery in the least. I would have preferred not to have had it but I was not nervous. I had perfect peace. I had no stress. No fear. Inside I felt perfectly calm.

I know Brenda prayed. A handful of others prayed who knew I would have surgery. It is possible to go through stressful situations without the stress and in perfect peace. You choose to turn those matters over to the Lord in prayer. That is what we are instructed to do.

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
⁶  do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jesus offers His peace to stand guard over our heart and mind like a soldier keeping watch at his post. Each time worry, anxiety, and stress come knocking, peace turns them away as we pray. We are to pray about everything. The peace that God offers is perfect. It is not a fleeting peace the world searches for in vain through self help techniques.

I woke up in peace yesterday morning. I drove to the hospital in peace. I went to the surgery preparation room in peace. After the surgery, though in a little discomfort and groggy, I still had peace. That peace remains today.

Whatever trials you face you can face them with a peace that surpasses understanding. I have experienced it. I have also seen it in others. Like people battling terminal disease. Like people knowing death was near but not fearing. Like people facing the worst economic conditions. Like the abused who found Jesus sufficient. Like the multiple stories I have read of martyrs who often died violently  but with peace. I thank God for that precious gift of perfect peace.

In a frantic, chaotic, and stressful world I am thankful we can draw near to Jesus and experience perfect calmness. Though hurricane circumstances howl around us there is a refuge where peace stands watch. In Jesus it is like being in the eye of the storm. There is a calm center. There is rest. There is tranquility. That is something our world could use much of today.  

A Strange Place For A Sermon

She called my name and invited me to walk with her. She introduced herself as Wanda. She led me down a long hall making small talk along the way. At the end of hall way we walked into a large room. She started asking me several questions. The questions grew more personal.

I am guessing Wanda might have been in her mid fifties. She was not tall and attractive. She had a beautiful smile and a good sense of humor. We connected quickly. We laughed and kidded with one another. She asked me to follow her to a bedroom. She instructed me to untuck my shirt and to lie down on the bed. I asked her if I could just sit on the bed but she said for what she needed to do I need to lie down.

Before your mind wander too far let me set the record straight. Wanda was my nurse. The bed she led me to was the bed in the surgery waiting area. She had to hook up my IV, take my blood pressure, check my blood sugar levels, and hook up a heart monitor all before I went into surgery for my left eye.

I recall the whole scene vividly. The mattress on the bed was thin and the bed was narrow. I remember rubbing my finders on the rough texture of the sheets. I saw the lights above. I could hear the man across the aisle snoring. Wanda had to hand crank the foot of the bed to slightly elevate my knees. I joked with her the doctor needed to spend some money and get them automatic beds. I noticed in the background country and western music playing. I remember the slight pain when she inserted the needle into my right hand.  Wanda did not strike me as a country and western girl. I commented on the music and she said it was not her style. She went over to change the station but said they did not listen to anything too radical. I told her I was not radical ,,,, except for Jesus!

I heard the nurse at the desk next to my bed comment, "I heard that." Wanda replied, "I know that's right." I followed up saying, "Somebody's about to preach up in here." That brought chuckles.

Wanda continued her duties. I told her that she could call me whatever she wanted. Mr. Edwards, ugly, fat, old, but when Jesus comes back she just call me GONE. I got an amen from her.

In her instructions she warned me that with any surgery there is the remote possibility of death. I told her, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. The day of my death will be the best day of life." [Phil 1L21]

She came next to my bed to check the blood pressure machine and I said, "Wanda can I ask you a question? Do you know where you will spend eternity?" She testified of her saving relationship with Jesus and of His death on the cross and resurrection. At that I reached over and gave her a nigh five.

Later the doctor came in. He questioned what eye needed the surgery and marked it. He explained some of the procedure. I knew I didn't have long with him so I blurted out, "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior." He did not skip a beat replying, "I've got that covered."

A hospital surgery pre-operation room may seem a strange place to have church and to preach a sermon. Did I want to have surgery on my eye? No. Even as I write this my vision is still blurry as I recover. Did God set me in a new venue to peach His good news. Yes. I am sure the whole scene must have been strange for the other patients and any other nurses in the area. I am thankful to know Wanda is a child of God. I am also happy that my doctor confessed with his mouth he had that covered. I hope he meant by that he had indeed repented of sin and turned to Jesus in faith for salvation.

It was a strange place to have church and to preach a sermon. That small audience heard gospel truth. Who knows where the Lord will send me next? The next time you are at your doctor go ahead and share the gospel with him or her. The next time you visit with a nurse share the gospel. It may seem strange to them but the Great Physician desires to penetrate society outside the walls of religious buildings and other days than Sunday morning.

The Cloud That Did Not Move

Have you ever been outside on a hot summer day and felt the relief from the heat when a cloud blew overhead. The temporary relief from the sun beating down can be noticeable. It is welcome relief. The departure of the clouds is not welcome. In time the heat returns when the clouds blow away.

What relief it would bring to multitudes if the cloud idd not move. There is a story in the book of Exodus where the cloud did not move. In fact, God used that cloud to lead Israel on their exodus from Egypt and to remind the nation He was present and available.

Exodus 13:22 (ESV)
²²  The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.


Day after day there were two visible reminders of God's presence. The cloud that did not depart during the day and the pillar of fire each night. I am certain that both were a comfort to the children of Israel. When they were afraid, when they were lost, when they were overwhelmed by impossible minds all they had to do was look up at the cloud that did not depart or the pillar of fire that offered reassurance each evening.

We take clouds for granted. That is unless it is oppressively hot and they provide a little shade from the sun. We also notice clouds when they indicate storms are coming. Other than that, I am fairly certain most of us have not given any thoughts to the presence of clouds. They are pretty ordinary.

I wonder how many ordinary things God puts in our path to remind us He is present and available. How many times do we rush through our days and never notice Him.

God used a bird the other day as a reminder for me. A simple bird. I watched that bird fly to the ground in a parking lot of a busy restaurant. The bird walked a few steps and found some discarded scrap to eat. Immediately my thoughts went to [Matt 6:19-34] In that passage Jesus calls for people not to be anxious about foot and closing but to trust God's provision. That bird did not cook the food, plant the crops, or labor to pay for it. God provided for that fowl creature. God loves each of us more than that bird. He is present and available.

A simple bird. We see birds almost everyday. On that day God manifested His truth through that feathered friend.

For Israel He manifested Himself through a cloud that did not depart. Look ip and look around. You never know when and where God will show up. You never know how He will manifest His presence to remind us He is there and He is available.

A Day At Lake Arlington

When I drove on the campus of Lake Arlington Baptist Church this past Sunday morning I felt a little intimidated. Lake Arlington hosts a massive campus on twenty-seven acres in Arlington, TX. I felt like a fish out of water.

They wanted me to preach a one day message. They also wanted me to put together a power point with my sermon notes. Embarrassed I had to confess I had never used one before and did not even know how to create one. I preach and teach to small crowds. Lake Arlington has well over a thousand people in worship weekly. They have anointed and gifted musicians and vocalists. They have state of the art facilities. Everything they do is with excellence.

I admit I was nervous going in. I tried not to show it but I kept thinking to myself, "What in the world is a small town boy from east Texas doing preaching in a place like this? Only God could orchestrate this." I had been invited to preach on the subject of generosity. When the pastor called me the Lord inspired a message in my heart for them. I was nervous. I did not feel like I belonged in such a prestigious place.

I preached from I Kings 17 on the subject of faith, obedience, the faithful provision of God, and that being generous sometimes requires sacrifice. I told many of the stories from my faith. journey. Those Lake Arlington people were a delight to fellowship with around God's word.

Afterward, they showered me with encouragement and kind expressions of love. What a gracious, generous, and loving fellowship of believers.

Though intimidated by the sheer size of the congregation, they made me feel welcome. They engaged in worship and in the study of God's word. What a blessing to meet so many of those people and their pastor Dr. Eric Herrstrom. The Lord has allowed me to preach in many places and among many people around our nation. I have not met a people more loving and generous than those I had the privilege to worship with this past Sunday at Lake Arlington Baptist Church.

Pass The Word

Pray For Kermit

Shake The City

[Acts 4:31]

Kermit, TX

July 23-29, 2017

Revival Team:

Sherman and Tammy Aten

Matt Edwards

Calling All Prayer Warriors, Intercessors And Watchmen and Watchwomen

I am issuing a desperate plea to all prayer warriors, intercessors, and watchmen and watchwomen who read this. Many of you I know by name and your faces cross my mind as I type. I need your prayers for our ministry endeavor more than ever. Some of you I have never met. Somehow you stumbled across this blog. I have prayed God will burden your heart for a town you have never seen or may never visit. Some of you live all over this state of Texas. Others are scattered across this nation and around the world. Your prayers are needed. Fervent prayers.

I'm pleading with you to direct your prayer attention to that small west Texas town of Kermit, TX. PRAY FOR KERMIT. For the next eight months I am asking you lift that town consistently in prayers. I trust the Lord to direct your intercessions. I trust Him to give you His heart for that town. I'm summoning all the prayer power I can muster from as many people and as many churches as I can to pray for that little town. We will hold a revival meeting there July of 2017. Only God can transform that town. A revival meeting will not do it but God can do it through those meetings. Everything hinges on His supernatural work.

From Paradise, to Seminole, from Lufkin and Weatherford to points in between, I ask you to pray for Kermit. I ask you to share this prayer concern with your churches, Sunday School classes, home groups, and extended friends. Only the Lord can give you a burden for that town. I trust Him to do that.

I am convinced God has put Kermit, TX in the crosshairs of His scope. He is purposing some great things for that town. The more prayer arsenal the better. Would that God might call thousands to pray for Kermit.

More

Lord, I'm not content to worship from such a distant view, 

So I ask for more of Your glory and for a lot more of You, 

I hunger to know You in the fullest measure You'll allow, 

I linger long in prayer and through Your word daily plow, 

I want to grow in my walk with You and to hear You speak, 

I content myself like Mary to sit like a sponge at Your feet, 

I desire to go deeper and higher in You, I want so much more, 

To know intimately You Lord I so lovingly want more to adore. 

Your Weepers Still Work

2016 has been a year of trials. I've had numerous medical procedures on my eyes including injections and two laser surgeries. Brenda's health has not been great. After Tucker had ACL repair surgery December of 2015 he to have another surgery to cut out a massive blob of scar tissue that kept him from being able to fully extend his knee. He missed half of football season.  Tuner got a concussion in football. Our refrigerator quit working. Brenda had to have major car repair work done totaling $2,500. We were drowning in financial debt we had no control over. On top of that attendance at Faith Community has plummeted along with the offerings over the past six months. It seemed everywhere I looked we faced a crisis.

I prayed repeatedly for the Lord's provision. On top of that Tucker, who turned 17 back in September, wanted his own vehicle. He has been driving my truck all year. I wanted to get him a car but did not have the money to do so. I encouraged him to pray with me for something miraculous to happen. I prayed for God's provision as I have thousands of times before.

Somewhere along the way I became burdened to pray for one specific person to hear from the Lord to help us financially. Though I love this person immensely I do not get to see them often. We do not even talk on the phone that often. The burden to pray for this friend intensified and I prayed and prayed. For months I prayed for this person to hear from God and to feel prompted to help us financially.

Some of my ministry endeavors took me near this person. I enjoyed a group dinner with this person and others. I hoped the Lord had heard my prayers. The dinner came and went with no miracle provision. My heart sank when I watched my friend walk out the door not expecting to see them again for months.

The next morning I was delayed leaving as early as I thought due to some spiritual conversations with my hosts. About an hour into that conversation the person I've prayed for to help us showed up unexpectedly with some startling words. "You are about to have another testimony to share." I did not know what this meant. I thought I was about to hear an exciting testimony that happened to them.

Soon we had to go. This person walked out with me and handed me an envelope. My heart leapt. My friend then said, "You know what is inside. I would not give you dirt." With that we hugged. Yes, I know. I do hug on occasion.

My friend told me how that morning in prayer the Lord prompted a love gift. My friend wrestled with the amount. When an amount was settled my friend prayed, "Lord, if you want me to give this amount then let Matt still be in town." Well I was. That was the  confirmation my friend needed.

Before getting in the truck to leave I recounted how I had been burdened to pray specifically for them to be prompted by God to help my family. We hugged again grateful for how the Lord had worked in both of our lives. We were driving off when I peeked in the envelope and found a folded check. Another friend was driving as I sat in the passenger's seat. I took it out and immediately folded it again. I looked off out the window as tears cascaded. I thought I misread. I unfolded that check and looked a second time through teary eyes. I checked the comma and the decimal. I checked the hand written dollar amount that matched the numerical value. The tears flowed more freely as all I could manage was, "Praise You Jesus."

That check was for $15,000! God heard my cries for help. God moved in my friend's finances and heart to want to give without my saying a word. I am still stunned a week later. God hears and God answers prayers according to His will and His timetable.

I called my friend to ask if that really was the intended amount. It was indeed. I told how I cried as a result and how I would give God all the glory. My friend's response, "I'm glad to know your weepers still work." My Heavenly Father is a faithful provider. He knew my need. He connected His resources to meet my need. Praise His Holy name. Miracles like that will keep my weepers working.

Turn Aside

God can go to some elaborate measures to get our attention sometimes. Just ask Moses. Moses was tending sheep when he saw a strange sight. A bush burning with fire but not being consumed with the fire. [Ex 3:2] informs us that the angel of the Lord appeared in that fire.

In verse 3 Moses said, "I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up."

Notice what happened next. [Ex 3:4] "When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the burning bush and said, "Moses, Moses."

God showed up but He did not speak until Moses turned aside to take a closer look. O that we would turn aside daily as the Lord reveals Himself and His plans. The phrase "turn aside" means to turn in, turn off, leave undone. 

Do you long to meet with God? Do you long to hear Him speak? Do you take the time to turn aside? What I mean is do you intentionally take the time to turn into Him to give Him your undivided attention. We turn into lots of places and turn to lists of things. Do we turn into God? I mean to sit still in His presence. To seek His face. To listen intently for His still small voice. Life altering encounters happen when we do this consistently.

When you turn into God you are turning away from lesser things. Sleep. Television. Video games. Social media. To turn aside also means turn off. There are so many distractions in our world to keep us from encountering God. I listed several of those things above. We have to turn off those distractions if we truly want to meet with Him and hear from Him.

For years I have not slept with an alarm clock. I wake up when the Lord beckons. Sometimes I get to sleep through an entire night. It is more common that I am awakened anywhere from 2:00-3:00 a.m. When I obey I've had encounters with Him I cannot put into words. He shows me things. He reveals His plans and direction. He gives wisdom. He lifts burdens. He guides my path. To receive these things I've had to be willing to turn off sleep. Sometimes I have to turn off fellowship with people as He beckons me away from family and friends to seek Him.

To turn aside also means to leave some things undone. When Moses turned aside to take a closer look at the burning bush that meant He was no longer watching over the sheep. That became a lesser priority. Sometimes turning aside means some lesser priorities get put on hold. Exercise. Television. Romps on social media. Surging the web. Watching the news.

Yesterday I had my day planned. I had to study for an upcoming sermon. He needed to run a few errands. Mail some letters. Send an important email. I also wanted to tackle a huge writing project that is on my own heart. First, I started the day with God. I recall praying that nothing I would do yesterday would be more important than my meeting with Him. I turned aside giving Him my full attention. It turned out He wanted my undivided attention for most of the day. I prayed. I did get the message studied. I never did write one sentence for my writing project.

When I did turn aside for as long as He wanted He chose to meet with me in an unusual way. Suffice it to say I never got around to the writing project. Turning aside to Him meant something got left undone. Meeting with Him was the greater priority.

I find it very interesting that God did not call out to Moses until He saw that Moses turned aside to see the burning bush. Moses paid attention. How many times does the Lord try to get our attention but we are too busy, too distracted, and too engrossed in lesser things to even notice. I urge you to take the time to turn aside. Some of the greatest adventures you can imagine await if you do consistently.

Election Eve Prayer Meeting

Last night I enjoyed a wonderful prayer meeting in the home of Mike and Julie Carter. Mike and Julie were there as well as Dale and Kyle Bohrer and myself. We prayed for one another, our nation, and for more of God in our lives.

I could not hold back the tears. I cried out to God with all that is within me. I was the last one to pray but when I finished I knew God was not finished with me. I remained kneeling on the leather couch as the tears kept falling. Though others were in the room it felt like it was only God and me. I knew the Lord wanted me to go be alone with Him. I got up and went to the bedroom where I am sleeping for a couple of days.

I sprawled on the floor crying out to God. I wish I could put that encounter into words but I can't. I do not have the words to describe such a private encounter with my Father. He met with me. He spoke to me. He encouraged me. He burdened me. He directed me.

And then as clear as a television screen I saw a host of wicked people; witches and satanists casting spells and praying for the outcome of the election. I knew then I could not go straight to bed. I had to fight for our nation in prayer. So I interceded for the soul of the United States.

Exhausted I eventually climbed into bed only to be awakened a little after 2:00 a.m. to get up and intercede some more. So much is at stake. If pagans will perform their rituals, say their curses, and cast their evil spells hoping to influence thefuture of our nation how can the people of God not pray.

While I cannot say the battle is won I can say it is time for me to pass the baton for the next watchman on the wall to take his or her shift. So much is at stake. This is a time to seek the Lord like never before and trust Him for intervention.  How I plead my Father would draw this nation back to Him.  God have mercy on the United States.

New Kermit Dream

I see a large blue and white canvas tent being put up by several men. Some hammer stakes into the ground and tie ropes to them, others erect the poles, and some work on a make shift stage. When the tent is completely up I see people praying under the tent. It begins to rain. The more they pray the more it rains. This is not an ordinary rain. These are mercy drops from the Father falling from Heaven. God rains down mercy on Kermit. When the mercy drops land on people they are drawn to the tent from all over the city. I see several vehicles pulling up to the tent.

Next, I see scores of people at the altar on their knees crying out to God. I pray for the people dressed in a white dress shirt and black slacks. I go down the line laying hands on them and praying over them.

Then I see these words. "Kermit is your pulpit. I have given Kermit to you. I've given you the keys to Kermit."

At this point the scene changes.  I see myself sitting at a desk and holding a golden pen. I hear the Lord say, "Write down what I give you." What I write on the paper begins to glow. In time a book is formed and the book radiates.

Freedom In God's Will

I was listening to Robin Mark this morning singing "All For Jesus." One line in the song really struck me. "In your will I am free."

For most of my ministry I have felt the constraints of trying to fit into a system I often felt at odds with. Like a person trying to fit into a suit of clothes that are the wrong size I have at times felt like I did not fit in the religious system. I did not know how to play the church game. I did not know the rules. It is a game I never cared to play anyway.

While I have felt God's call to serve as a pastor, I have also felt the call to pursue God for revival. I still travel and preach outside the church I serve from time to time. And even though my official title has been "pastor" for the past five years,  the truth is I have also served as youth pastor at Faith Community Church. We have never had a youth pastor. I serve along side a group of dedicated volunteers. Together we work to minister to students. I have taught students and planned student activities such as winter retreats and youth camps along with fun outings with these wonderful volunteers. There efforts free me to do what I am most gifted to do. The truth is I have felt equally at home in all the roles God placed me in. Pastor, youth pastor, revivalist, traveling preacher, and I did not mention author. I am equally at home in all these ministries.

Some would be quick to tell me I should focus on one or the other. I do what God calls me to do. I pastor. I feed the flock. I shepherd the sheep. I work with students. I share the gospel with them. I try to disciple them. I also travel preaching on a limited basis camps, revivals, and one day events. I write. I write blogs. I have written books in the past. I believe I write additional books in the future.

There is freedom in God's will. I am free to be and to minister how God leads me. I do not have to be limited to one aspect of ministry. Saying that, I do not feel called to full time student ministry. I have not heard a clear call from God to go into a full time traveling ministry. The passion of my life is to serve as a pastor. Yet, I continue to feel a passionate call to pursue God for revival though. As I have written about at great length, that pursuit is leading me to pray and labor for revival in Kermit, TX for the summer of 2017. Perhaps God will burden me for other towns in the future and if so I will pursue Him for revival in those towns also.

There is freedom in being who God created you to be. You don't have to fake your way through life. As sure as I write this I know there are certain places I could never serve. I could never play the game well enough to please the people. So I choose not to play the game. I choose to submit to and avail myself wholeheartedly only to the will of God. There I can be free. I proceed with confidence. I can minister with assurance knowing I am where God wants me and doing what He wants me to do.

How many ministers do not feel freedom because they worry about keeping their job. They work hard to get into a place of ministry they do not fit. They feel the constraints. They get frustrated by the system they work in. Such people are bound, miserable, and ill fitted to minister effectively where they are.

There is freedom in God's will. Therefore I do not have to make decisions where I minister. God does that for me. I do not have to consider financial compensation. God promised to be my provider no matter where He leads. I can rest in those comforts. Whether His will leads down the path strewn with sacrifice, suffering, and satanic opposition or down the path of God's blessings, His abundance, and His triumphs there is freedom in His plan.

I am free to be me. I don't have to be your version of a pastor. I am free to pursue God and follow His plan. That may not fit into your preconceived ideas. You may not understand. You don't have to. I don't have to understand how God leads you. In His will for your life there is freedom for you also. You are free to follow His leadership. You are free to worship where He leads, how He leads, and to fellowship with those He plants you in the midst.

I admit I did live bound at certain points of my ministry. I tried to be what I thought people wanted me to be. I failed miserably. It is so much easier to simply be who and do what God calls you to be and do. It is liberating. So brothers and sisters, walk in freedom as you walk out God's will.

Cult Church

cult |kəlt| nouna system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object: the cult of St. Olaf.• a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister: a network of Satan-worshiping cults.• a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing: a cult of personality surrounding the leaders.• [usually as modifier] a person or thing that is popular or fashionable, especially among a particular section of society: a cult film.
Faith Community Church was recently labeled as a cult church by a fellow believer in Jesus. This person has spread gossip about our church incessantly. This person has never attended one of our worship services or Bible studies. Yet they label our church as a cult. 
So I am here to set the record straight. 
First, if part of a cult is religious veneration directed toward the person of Jesus Christ we are guilty as charged. We make no apologies for calling people to love Jesus first and most. We make no apologies for preaching that knowing Him is of surpassing value to every other relationship and all this world has to offer. If loving, worshipping, and serving Jesus makes us a cult church we are guilty. 
Second, if we have an excessive admiration for the person of Jesus and that makes us a cult again we are guilty as charged. He is our Savior, our Lord, our Master, and we follow hIm with excessive admiration. He is the head of Faith Community Church and we follow His leadership. We seek to be His expression of grace, mercy, and love in a fallen and broken world. 
Third, we seek, serve, and submit ourselves to Jesus even though He is not fashionable to this world.  Jesus is often considered out of vogue with the times we live in. His morality is considered outdated. His political views are incorrect and often intolerant in todays society. We like Jesus just the way He is. We embrace His person and His teachings wholeheartedly. In our desire to know Him we press on for the power of His resurrection and we understand that being falsely accused is a small part of the fellowship of His sufferings. We endure ill treatment by fellow brothers and sisters for the sake of Him who endured the cross on our behalf. 
We preach and teach the holy scriptures verse by verse. We worship in spirit and truth. We remember the Lord through communion. We celebrate baptism when God saves. We love one another. If that makes us a cult church it is a label we proudly wear. 

History Hangs On The Hinges Of The Obscure

Rayburn was a long time member of a church I pastored. He often dropped in to visit with me at the office. Many times I visited him and his wife in their home. On a few occasions I had the privilege of ministering to Rayburn in the hospital. Rayburn loved the Lord. He loved to study the word of God. He also loved his church.

When he called to come see me in the early spring of 2010 I did not have any idea what a fateful day that would be and the divine encounter I would have. Rayburn was older. In the time I served that church I never saw him in attendance at any service. He watched our services faithfully on television. He was a key player in getting the services televised.

He walked into my office with the aid of a cane. We exchanged a few pleasantries and then he got to the point of why he came to see me. He told me he thought the lord was leading our church to have a revival. My initial response was not positive as he kept talking. I went through a list of people in my mind I could invite to a revival meeting and the list was very narrow. Rayburn continued. He said bluntly, "Pastor, I think you are supposed to preach that revival and furthermore, I think you should schedule it to last ten days."

I had not expected that. I could not think of a single instance where the pastor of a local congregation preached a revival meeting for the church he served. I assured Rayburn I would pray over it. We then prayed together and he left.

I did pray on the matter diligently. I can't tell you what God used to convince me this was His prompting but in time I did feel God was leading in the matter. We scheduled the revival meeting for late July of 2010.

I took a little three day retreat to write a devotional book to be used in preparation for the revival. Only God could have inspired such a book. I completed the rough draft of 40 Days To Shake The City in those three days and brought it back to have people help me edit it. We printed it on copy machines and spiral bound copies for our members. 40 days from the start of the revival I encouraged people to fast, pray, and go through the devotion to prepare for what God wanted to do.

God honored Rayburn's visit that day, the people's prayers, and that little devotion book. That ten day revival lasted 23 straight days with 36 people getting saved. Only God could do that.

Few who read this knew Rayburn. He and his wife are now gone on to heaven. Yet this obscure man was used of the Lord in a mighty fashion to deliver a message to this pastor that still humbles me. When I think about Rayburn praying for me and the church I wonder how he received the burden to come visit me that day. I wonder how he received the inspiration to ask me to preach a revival and to schedule it for ten days. That is not an ordinary request. He could have easily dismissed the matter. He did not though. He received God's message for me and acted on it promptly.

How many obscure people has God used to accomplish His purposes. We never know their name. We may never hear their prayers. I think of an invalid lady praying for D.L. Moody to come to her town to preach. Moody did come. Many souls were saved. I think of a praying lady who asked God to send Duncan Campbell to her island to preach bringing revival. Duncan did come and God did usher in revival.

Only God, Rayburn and I were witness to that conversation in my office that day. Yet history was made in those few moments. Eternity will tell the full story. 36 people were gloriously saved. That is part of that story. Thank you Rayburn.

I also think of a single mother named Joan. Several years ago, after I had left the community she lives in, she called to ask me if I would pray with her over a burden she had for a little west Texas town named Kermit. I told her I would pray. I did pray for Kermit for sometime but eventually the burden lifted and I forgot all about that town. That is until out of nowhere I had a dream about Kermit. Subsequent dreams followed over the course of months all with a similar message. I was to go to Kermit to hold revival meetings in that town.

I don't know what God will do in Kermit but I do know He used Joan to draw my attention there. The first thing I did after my first Kermit dream was to remember Joan and the burden she carried for that town. I called her soon afterward. I knew this was not coincidence. That revival meeting is scheduled for July 23-29 of 2017.

How many countless followers of Jesus has He used to change the course of history but we will never their know their names. I do believe that history hangs on the hinges of the obscure people. There will always be the leaders, the out front people, and the people on the stage. Charles Finney was such a leader. Fewer people know about Father Nash who went before Finney to towns to pray for breakthrough before Finney arrived to preach. Finney got the recognition but Father Nash prepared the way for revival through his fervent intercessions.

I thank God for the obscure people who seek God and His kingdom first. I thank Him for the people who work behind the scenes, do the mundane tasks, and never get noticed. Heaven notices. God sees their every deed. I praise His name for such people.

Let me conclude with one other example. Many have heard me preach. I have preached in several states and in two foreign countries. Yet few people know the invaluable service my wife Brenda is to me praying for God to inspire fresh messages. I do not come up with sermons on my own. They are inspired and I know it is because she prays for me so fervently and especially on the weeks when I cannot get a clear or fresh word from the Lord. She is behind the scenes doing the herculean work of interceding for her husband and pastor. I owe a debt of gratitude to her I can never repay. So does every person who ever heard me preach.

I salute the obscure people whom God uses to change history. I humbly bow to the intercessors who should be credited for the work they do but they do it in obscurity. May God raise many more to keep the intercessory work flowing. Through this history will be changed.

Thank you Rayburn. Thank you Joan. Thank you Brenda. History hangs on the hinges of your ministry.

Lakeside Chat

It was an unusual request. My friend wanted to meet me. What made the request so unusual is that he wanted me to meet me at a picnic area right off shore of Lake Brideport. That location is barely a mile from my front door so I opted to walk to our meeting.

It was a blustery day with a cool front blowing in. The wind against my face felt good. The ever so slight chill in the air hinted to the changing of seasons and the coming on of wintry weather around the corner. I walked and prayed. I had many things to pray about. The praying made the walk go by quicker.

When I arrived at the lake the water was choppy with whitecaps. This happens each year when the winds turn from the north. The lake gets rough with the whitecaps waves. Where we sat the wind blew right into my face. I sat facing the lake. My friend sat opposite me. We talked for the better part of an hour. My friend is a great listener. He also has a great deal of wisdom. Even though he requested the meeting I would say he did more listening than talking. In hindsight I think maybe he just wanted us to spend some time together. I thought he had something on his mind. I asked. I waited for Him to tell me why he requested the meting. He never gave his reason.

While the clouds were a little overcast it was still a great day. The little nip in the air made the weather refreshing from the unseasonably warm temperatures we have endured during the month of October. Like so often happens when you spend time with people you love and enjoy the time passed too quickly. Though our time together was enjoyable it did not last near long enough.

If you had driven up and seen me at my meeting I wonder what you would have thought. You see my friend though present was invisible. My lakeside chat happened with Jesus. A scene that has repeated itself several times over the past couple of weeks. Just Jesus and me sitting at a picnic table overlooking the lake. Me praying, seeking, and asking Him to speak to me. Me listening and craving His counsel. It reminds me of the words to an old hymn. "He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known."

Kermit Confirmation

Today while preaching I talked about how Jesus has directed me to go to Kermit to hold a revival. While there have been several dreams pointing in that direction none of those gave me confirmation two other things did.

There is a man in our church named Dale who walks at the Bridgeport High School track daily. While walking there he met a man. As they conversed over their meetings at the track somehow my name came cup. The second man had heard of me. He heard of me while I was in Seminole about five hours away from Bridgeport. What is the likelihood? He also knew about the three week revival we enjoyed while in Seminole. During that conversation Dale mentioned the dreams I had about Kermit. Would you believe it, the second guy grew up in Kermit. He still has family there.

What are the chances that a man from our small church would meet a man at the track who had  heard of me, knew of the revival in Seminole, and grew up in Kermit? You will not convince me that was not God confirming His call of me to head to Kermit.

Today I shared that story as a sermon illustration. Brenda told me something shocking on our way to lunch. A lady who has visited our church the past two Sundays went up to Brenda at the conclusion of the service to tell her she has a sister who lives in the Kermit area. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

So plans for the Kermit revival are underway. The dates are set for July 23-29. We have located a tent to rent. We are trusting God for close to $4,000 to rent the large canvas tent that will seat about 400 people. If we rent chairs there will be additional expenses. We will begin some advertising after the first of the year requiring more miraculous provision. Each step of this is a step of faith. We do not have money to pull this off and yet God has invited us to join Him and the work He wants to do in Kermit. Where He guides He also provides.

So we pray. We pray for God to prepare the hearts of the people in Kermit. We pray for provision for each step of this revival. We pray for favor in the community. We also plan. We are currently looking for a location to pitch the tent.  I am headed to Kermit on Nov 8 to investigate a location. (I early voted.) There is much work to be done in preparation.

I also have to rewrite the Shake The City Revival Devotion book with expanded material to be ready to distribute 40 days prior to the start of the revival. This will require more miraculous provision.

God has confirmed His call on my life to do this. I am stepping out on faith. I thank Him for His clear confirmation. May He be glorified through this pursuit of Him for revival in Kermit, TX.

House Of Prayer

The house of God has become many things to many people. Some love the fellowship. Others relish in the programs. Another group really benefit from the small groups. A whole other segment enjoy the music. There are still others who love the expositional teaching of scripture.

It is interesting that Jesus never said His house would be a house of fellowship. We love to fellowship though. We even build fellowship halls. We schedule monthly or quarterly church wide fellowships usually over food. We fellowship in one another's home as well as at local restaurants.

Nor did Jesus say His house was to be a house of programs. Yet programs fill the house of God. There are Bible study programs, discipleship programs, exercise and fitness programs, men and women programs, and the list goes on and on. I always say programs do not change people's lives. God does. He may choose to use programs but He transforms people not programs.

Nor did Jesus say His house was a house of small groups. We put a lot of emphasis on small groups. Some churches still do Sunday School. They may call it be a different name but it is still Sunday School. Some do home groups. Others have small discipleship study groups that meet at various times studying various topics. These are all beneficial but it is interesting Jesus did not emphasize that.

Neither did He emphasize music. Music is such an integral part of local congregations. Some have choirs for every age group. These choirs will perform holiday seasonal music as well as other special performances. There are also praise bands and praise teams, The genres of music vary but music and worship are most important to many members. The house of God is not primarily a house of worship.

Though preachers do not want to admit it Jesus did not say His house was to be a house of peaching. Yet we preach. We preach, preach, and then preach some more. If pastors are not preaching they are teaching. I taught twice just last night. God's house is not a house of preaching.

No. Jesus said His house was to be a house of prayer . Mark 11:17 (NASB) 
¹⁷  And He began to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS'? But you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN."

I have served many churches. Two of them had designated prayer rooms. Yet as collective bodies very little praying took place in many of those congregations. What little that did happen typically happened on a Wednesday night over a prayer list usually of sick church members. I have seen other planned prayer meetings normally not well attended. 

We can give lip service all we want about how important prayer is in local churches or individual lives. The facts speak for themselves. One survey found that average Christians spend less than ten minutes a day in prayer. As far as corporate prayer meetings, take a look at your local church. Does your church have a corporate prayer meeting? How well is it attended? Do you attend such meetings? 

There are churches that are known to be houses of prayer. The Brooklyn Tabernacle. David's Cho congregation in South Korea. Both churches are known for prayer. Both churches are powerfully evangelistic. 

Will we ever learn? A house of prayer will do more good than houses of fellowship, small groups, music, preaching and teaching. 

The Worst Year Of Your Life

Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, had a profound experience with Jesus. So profound it would impact and fuel the rest of his life as a missionary. Taylor found Jesus all satisfying. He would be tested in 1870.

 Many of us can look back to what we consider the worst year of our lives. 1976 was that year for my mother. Her grandmother, my great grandmother, died that year. She and Momma were very close. Later that year my four year old sister died in a drowning accident in a pond while my mother slept. Momma worked the night shift as a nurse and cat napped during the day while watching my sister also. She worked hard trying to make ends meet as a single mother of three. She never got over my sister's death. I think she carried immense guilt. Momma was not a Christian at that time. She did not know how to cope with the painful events of that year.  She would not be saved for many years.

Hudson Taylor had a very difficult 1870. It was the worst year of his life. First, the year started out horribly as his young son Samuel died in January. That in and of itself would be a devastatingly crushing blow for most. In July his wife gave birth to another boy. The baby boy they named Joel died two weeks later. Later that same month his wife Maria died of Cholera. Three deaths in his immediate family in seven months. To make matters worse Taylor, a still relatively young man, had four other children to try and raise alone.

How did he cope with such sorrow? How did he survive the worst year of his life? He found Jesus all satisfying. All satisfying in life as well as in death. All satisfying in triumph as well as in sorrow. All satisfying in marriage as well as a widower. Jesus not only sustained Taylor, but He also exchanged His divine life for Taylor's mortal life to live, love, and serve through. The exchanged life between Jesus and Taylor became the source of Taylor's strength in overwhelming grief.

Each of us will have a worst day and a worst year of living. If we have learned what Taylor did, that Jesus is all satisfying in every season of life, we too will endure. We too will press on to see better days and better years.

Taylor remarried later on. His second marriage survived for over three decades. He had two more children. God blessed his missionary work in China. The point is that good years and God's blessings can follow the hardest years of life. And if that does not happen down here on earth, it most assuredly will for the saved in heaven. The same Jesus who proved all satisfying in life will be abundantly more so in eternity. In hardest years of life as well as through all of eternity.

Miracle From The Pew To The Pulpit

Many people go attend worship services when they do not feel like it. They may sing or choose to meditate on the words when their world is falling apart. Many opt to stay at home. Many have shattered dreams and broken hearts. They are barely able to cling to faith. Many come to worship and sing and seek God through their pain. Each song sung is an offering to the Lord.

Many such hurting and broken people come to worship hoping for a fresh word from God. They long for a touch from the Lord to remove the burden or to move the mountain. Some sit stoically through the service though their inner world and resolve are crumbling. They know what it is like to attend a service when their hearts are not in it.

It is different for the preacher. When the preacher's private world is coming undone he does not have the option to stay at home. Nor does he get to sit in his seat to only receive. When the preacher is dry facing his own wilderness experiences there are still sermons to prepare and to preach. When preachers are emotionally depleted from funerals, counseling sessions, leadership issues, and personality problems with people in the pews they may not feel like preaching.

Of course such preachers pray through their pain and their personal issues. Of course they show up Sunday after Sunday. Yet there is another side few in the congregation ever know.

Church members receive great and glorious truth through men with clay feet. I mean God chooses to work through flawed individuals. How many in the crowd are really aware of the miracle that takes place from the pew to the pulpit.

Many pastors have sat in their pews empty, bankrupt and feeling they had nothing to give and could not possibly preach that day. They are tired from over scheduling. They weary of always having another sermon to prepare. The average person in the pew would find it surprising how quickly Sundays come around for pastors. Pastors get discouraged from criticism, low attendance, and low budgets. Pastors have to deal with their personal sin, failures, and family issues.

All of that to say there are Sundays when pastors do not feel like preaching. That is when God intervenes. He moves in the hearts of His  pastors in the few steps from the pew to the pulpit. It is supernatural. In those few moments a transformation often takes place. A revival is sparked. An awakening happens. In those few moments God infuses His servants with life, energy, passion, and supernatural power to do the great glorious work of preaching. He splashes anointing over the depleted hearts of His warrior preachers. This is nothing short of miraculous.

Few people in the pews know this miracle happens. They come to get their cups filled by servants of the Lord who often preach when their cups are empty. God is their supply and through the miracle from the pew to the pulpit many cups run over. Praise the Lord.