Wow! It seems like a while since we've seen some sunshine! We've had much needed rain and I'm so thankful for it but now that it has stopped raining, I think I'd like to see the sun. How about you?
Sometimes life is like that. Sometimes it seems to be an endless string of "cloudy" days. But in the same way that I know that the sun is behind all these real clouds, I know that the Son is behind any strings of seemingly cloudy days in my life.
How do I know the sun is behind the clouds? I've flown on cloudy days and in the plane, I've risen above the clouds and been amazed at how bright and white and beautiful it is looking down on those clouds.
How do I know the Son is behind the cloudy days of life? I've flown to Him in prayer many times and have been amazed at how bright and white and beautiful things are when I look down on them from Heaven's point of view.
Amid the cloudy days of life, I have chosen many times to believe with all my heart His promise that He would never leave me nor forsake me. Concentration on His presence in my life and my cloudy circumstances has brought joy in the place of gloom, peace in the place of turmoil and hope when I was about to give up.
Don't let the cloudy days get to you. Keep your head and your spirit and your prayers up. He is behind every cloud, just waiting to shine on you with the bright light of His love and care. Trust me, He's real. And He really, really cares.
Pray for revival. Please.
And Merry Christmas.
In His Love
Walter
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
It's Coming
It's coming! Christmas, that is. In just a few short days stores and offices will be closed and people all around the world will be celebrating. When Wanna and I were in Zurich, Switzerland for Christmas a few years ago, you could hardly tell that you weren't in a large U.S. city.
Christmas is celebrated almost everywhere, but what is it people celebrate?
For many around the world, they just celebrate the time off from work, or the opportunity to be with family. Some celebrate the feasting associated with major holidays while others drink themselves into oblivion.
What will you celebrate? How will you celebrate?
It is my prayer for you that your focus will be on Christ this year, perhaps more so than ever before.
There will be many opportunities for distraction. Presents, shopping, concerns about money, decorating, family issues like which in-laws get the actual Christmas Day visit...all these things can cause us to lose our focus on the True Reason For The Season, Jesus.
What could ever take the place of what Christ has done for many and made possible for many more if they will only come to Him in humble repentance?
What gift, made by the hands of men, purchased from some place of business, wrapped and presented on Christmas Day could have the impact of that One Baby Boy born in a stable, laid in a feed trough, wrapped in rough cloths while surrounded by animals has had on the hearts and lives of men? On your heart and life?
NOTHING.
Celebrate Him! He alone has already or will take away your sins! He alone is the Way Of Reconciliation To The Father! He alone is Comfort to hurting hearts, Peace to troubled minds and The Bringer of Joy to those who are down-hearted or bereaved.
He alone is worthy! Let Him be praised and celebrated forever!
Make up your mind now. It is Christ this Christmas or there will be no Christmas at all. Tell your children. Tell your neighbors. Tell friends, foes and strangers. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.!!
Merry Christmas.
In His Love
Walter
Christmas is celebrated almost everywhere, but what is it people celebrate?
For many around the world, they just celebrate the time off from work, or the opportunity to be with family. Some celebrate the feasting associated with major holidays while others drink themselves into oblivion.
What will you celebrate? How will you celebrate?
It is my prayer for you that your focus will be on Christ this year, perhaps more so than ever before.
There will be many opportunities for distraction. Presents, shopping, concerns about money, decorating, family issues like which in-laws get the actual Christmas Day visit...all these things can cause us to lose our focus on the True Reason For The Season, Jesus.
What could ever take the place of what Christ has done for many and made possible for many more if they will only come to Him in humble repentance?
What gift, made by the hands of men, purchased from some place of business, wrapped and presented on Christmas Day could have the impact of that One Baby Boy born in a stable, laid in a feed trough, wrapped in rough cloths while surrounded by animals has had on the hearts and lives of men? On your heart and life?
NOTHING.
Celebrate Him! He alone has already or will take away your sins! He alone is the Way Of Reconciliation To The Father! He alone is Comfort to hurting hearts, Peace to troubled minds and The Bringer of Joy to those who are down-hearted or bereaved.
He alone is worthy! Let Him be praised and celebrated forever!
Make up your mind now. It is Christ this Christmas or there will be no Christmas at all. Tell your children. Tell your neighbors. Tell friends, foes and strangers. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.!!
Merry Christmas.
In His Love
Walter
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Lesson In Thankfulness
"I have so much to be thankful for!"
I hear people say that so often, but on the few occasions that they've been challenged to begin to list some of all that "so much," they get hung up after five to seven things.
The truth is, we take so much for granted that sometimes we need a lesson in thankfulness for all the little blessings that are ours each day.
I have been in the midst of just such a lesson and want to recommend this to you if you would like a refresher course in remembering to thank God for the little things: get yourself a badly congested nose.
It doesn't matter if it's from a common cold or a sinus condition. There is nothing like it to remind one of all the things we take for granted, like the ability to breathe freely and easily.
I have sniffed and snuffed and gasped for air and been forced to suffer the indignity of "mouth-breathing" for several days now and I tell you I miss good, old-fashioned nose-breathing. You know. The way God intended breathing to be.
I have also realized that it is something that I have taken for granted for far too long and I am going to be much more careful to thank my Heavenly Father for this and many other "little things" that aren't so little when they are gone.
Like the fact that my heart beats so well and regularly every day. And the fact that I don't have any ingrown toe-nails. Like the fact that far more works in my life than doesn't. And that I have a mind that is still able to think. And a mouth that is capable of thanksgiving and praise if I'll just get on with the business of truly counting my blessings, especially the "small" ones.
I think what my stuffed up nose has taught me (after 56 years of lessons on the subject, you wonder how I could be so dumb for it to take that long) is that there are no "small" blessings. Every one is a precious gift from God. It's just that we don't miss them or even become aware of them until they are not there.
Celebrate every gift. Even the small ones. I can assure you that I'll be thanking and praising God when I can breathe freely again. I'm already thanking Him for the memory of when I could.
Pray for revival. Pray fervently. Pray consistently and insistently. Be humble, but let God know you mean business about wanting revival in our nation so much that it would even be all right with you if He chose to start with you.
In His Love
Walter
I hear people say that so often, but on the few occasions that they've been challenged to begin to list some of all that "so much," they get hung up after five to seven things.
The truth is, we take so much for granted that sometimes we need a lesson in thankfulness for all the little blessings that are ours each day.
I have been in the midst of just such a lesson and want to recommend this to you if you would like a refresher course in remembering to thank God for the little things: get yourself a badly congested nose.
It doesn't matter if it's from a common cold or a sinus condition. There is nothing like it to remind one of all the things we take for granted, like the ability to breathe freely and easily.
I have sniffed and snuffed and gasped for air and been forced to suffer the indignity of "mouth-breathing" for several days now and I tell you I miss good, old-fashioned nose-breathing. You know. The way God intended breathing to be.
I have also realized that it is something that I have taken for granted for far too long and I am going to be much more careful to thank my Heavenly Father for this and many other "little things" that aren't so little when they are gone.
Like the fact that my heart beats so well and regularly every day. And the fact that I don't have any ingrown toe-nails. Like the fact that far more works in my life than doesn't. And that I have a mind that is still able to think. And a mouth that is capable of thanksgiving and praise if I'll just get on with the business of truly counting my blessings, especially the "small" ones.
I think what my stuffed up nose has taught me (after 56 years of lessons on the subject, you wonder how I could be so dumb for it to take that long) is that there are no "small" blessings. Every one is a precious gift from God. It's just that we don't miss them or even become aware of them until they are not there.
Celebrate every gift. Even the small ones. I can assure you that I'll be thanking and praising God when I can breathe freely again. I'm already thanking Him for the memory of when I could.
Pray for revival. Pray fervently. Pray consistently and insistently. Be humble, but let God know you mean business about wanting revival in our nation so much that it would even be all right with you if He chose to start with you.
In His Love
Walter
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Heartbroken
It has been a tough morning and it's just a bit past 8. My heart has been broken twice by one of the things I look forward to most every day; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Let me explain.
One of the front page headlines read, "LOTS OF RAIN, LITTLE RELIEF." It just wipes me out that these folks can't focus on some gratitude for the rain we are getting instead of pointing out that it's not enough to relieve the drought situation we are in. Believe me, if it rained enough over the next few days to refill Lake Lanier, which seems to be their current definition of enough rain, they would be decrying the flooding and the monetary losses caused by that flooding.
It seems to be an almost universal mindset today that, unless something is received or relieved or completed at once, then it is not enough. We are so impatient. We must realize that God did not create a world of instant gratification. He still works over time.
Instead of choosing someone already alive and adult and ready to go, which He certainly could have done, He chose Moses and started preparing him from birth. His people still needed to be rescued from Egypt but God did it over time. He will do the same for our drought.
Let's not be guilty of following the lead of the writer/editors at the AJC. Let's be grateful and express gratitude to God for the rain we are getting even as we continue to pray to Him about more so that our drought will soon be over.
Otherwise, He may just decide to stop the rain altogether. He can do that, you know.
Heartbreak #2 was learning that the AJC is going to stop circulation in 22 counties including Habersham. I have read this newspaper for 50 years and I don't know how I'm going to get along without it. But I'm sure that I will.
In His Love
Walter
One of the front page headlines read, "LOTS OF RAIN, LITTLE RELIEF." It just wipes me out that these folks can't focus on some gratitude for the rain we are getting instead of pointing out that it's not enough to relieve the drought situation we are in. Believe me, if it rained enough over the next few days to refill Lake Lanier, which seems to be their current definition of enough rain, they would be decrying the flooding and the monetary losses caused by that flooding.
It seems to be an almost universal mindset today that, unless something is received or relieved or completed at once, then it is not enough. We are so impatient. We must realize that God did not create a world of instant gratification. He still works over time.
Instead of choosing someone already alive and adult and ready to go, which He certainly could have done, He chose Moses and started preparing him from birth. His people still needed to be rescued from Egypt but God did it over time. He will do the same for our drought.
Let's not be guilty of following the lead of the writer/editors at the AJC. Let's be grateful and express gratitude to God for the rain we are getting even as we continue to pray to Him about more so that our drought will soon be over.
Otherwise, He may just decide to stop the rain altogether. He can do that, you know.
Heartbreak #2 was learning that the AJC is going to stop circulation in 22 counties including Habersham. I have read this newspaper for 50 years and I don't know how I'm going to get along without it. But I'm sure that I will.
In His Love
Walter
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Things To Do Today
As I was driving in to the Church this morning, I was thinking about all the things I felt I needed to do today. And I'm going to guess that most of you had similar thoughts at some point after getting up to get your day started.
Let's see, I thought of buying a newspaper, doing this blog, checking with the pharmacy for a prescription I hope the Doctor has called in, reviewing my notes for Prayer Meeting tonight, some visits I needed to make, some bereaved families to pray for, what to get Wanna for Christmas, how to get ready for my daughter's approaching delivery of her third child, what to do for lunch and on and on and on.
In the midst of all that thinking about what to do today, I stopped and asked myself what was missing from my list. Actually, I believe it was Father making me ask what was missing. And I immediately knew.
I was listing all the things to do today to live my life for me rather than for Him.
Sure some of the things to do are religiously connected but the focus of my plans as I was making them was not pleasing God or living my life for Him. And that is what my life is supposed to be all about; living for Him.
If Jesus is your Savior, then your life is to be lived for Him, too. After all, when we surrendered our souls to Him for salvation, didn't we understand that that meant surrendering our lives as well?
His example is that He lived His life for us, died for us, rose for us and now wants the very best for us and from us. We are to follow His example, right? Therefore, we must live our lives for Him.
He is to be our focus. He is to be the author, the impetus of all the things we do today. He is to be our goal. Pleasing Him should receive our very best efforts.
So each day, as you plan your day, first acknowledge Him and His right to first place in every aspect of your life. Then plan your daily things to do around living for and pleasing Him. It's the least we can do for the One who died to give us life abundant and free, don't you think?
And pray. For revival. Pray and pray and pray and pray some more. God will send it. I know He will.
In His Love
Walter
Let's see, I thought of buying a newspaper, doing this blog, checking with the pharmacy for a prescription I hope the Doctor has called in, reviewing my notes for Prayer Meeting tonight, some visits I needed to make, some bereaved families to pray for, what to get Wanna for Christmas, how to get ready for my daughter's approaching delivery of her third child, what to do for lunch and on and on and on.
In the midst of all that thinking about what to do today, I stopped and asked myself what was missing from my list. Actually, I believe it was Father making me ask what was missing. And I immediately knew.
I was listing all the things to do today to live my life for me rather than for Him.
Sure some of the things to do are religiously connected but the focus of my plans as I was making them was not pleasing God or living my life for Him. And that is what my life is supposed to be all about; living for Him.
If Jesus is your Savior, then your life is to be lived for Him, too. After all, when we surrendered our souls to Him for salvation, didn't we understand that that meant surrendering our lives as well?
His example is that He lived His life for us, died for us, rose for us and now wants the very best for us and from us. We are to follow His example, right? Therefore, we must live our lives for Him.
He is to be our focus. He is to be the author, the impetus of all the things we do today. He is to be our goal. Pleasing Him should receive our very best efforts.
So each day, as you plan your day, first acknowledge Him and His right to first place in every aspect of your life. Then plan your daily things to do around living for and pleasing Him. It's the least we can do for the One who died to give us life abundant and free, don't you think?
And pray. For revival. Pray and pray and pray and pray some more. God will send it. I know He will.
In His Love
Walter
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
I Love A Good Mystery
I love a good mystery. It doesn't have to be a thriller or a shoot-em-up. Just a good, old fashioned mystery. When I was in school, I devoured every Sherlock Holmes story I could find. I love a good mystery.
This morning, I realized that I am living one of the greatest mysteries of all time. I am a central character. There are many other players in this mystery, but Jesus is the star and God the Father is the writer.
I have come to realize that living this mystery is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. A I live it, I am filled with wonder, overwhelmed with joy, elated beyond my own understanding of happiness and eager to start each day that God gives.
I have come to realize that each hour of every day is a new page in this mystery. Each day is another chapter. I am not supposed to know the details. I'm just supposed to trust the author.
As I live this mystery, I am to watch, listen and seek the daily "clues" that God the Author puts there to guide me along to the end of the story.
What exactly is this mystery? It is the fact that God loves me!! I can follow the clues, enjoy the days and live the mystery. But what will remain a mystery to me is how God can love me. I can understand His love for you. But I know all the reasons He should not love me.
But He does!! Praise His Name, He does!! He loves me with an everlasting love that does not change from day to day. He loves me with a faithful, patient love that does not depend on whether I'm good or bad today.
He just loves me!! Because He wants to. Because He has purposed in His heart to love me and nothing can ever change that.
He loves me so much that He came to earth 2000 years ago in the most humble way He could. In the Person of Jesus, He lived a sinless, perfect life so that He could be sacrificed as the Ransom to pay my sin debt. And He freely offered His saving power to me.
O, Gift of all gifts, Wonder of all wonders, Mystery of all mysteries, God loves me.
And guess what. He loves you, too. Just like He loves me. I pray that each one who reads this message has responded to His love by receiving Christ and what He has done so that His great love for you results in your salvation.
It's up to you. Open the gift, receive Christ and live the continuing mystery of His love every day. It's the greatest mystery of all. I bet you love a good mystery, too.
Please pray. For revival. You know my mantra by now. We need a national revival more than we need anything else in this nation. Pray for it. Continually. Insistently. Passionately. Pray.
In His Love
Walter
This morning, I realized that I am living one of the greatest mysteries of all time. I am a central character. There are many other players in this mystery, but Jesus is the star and God the Father is the writer.
I have come to realize that living this mystery is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. A I live it, I am filled with wonder, overwhelmed with joy, elated beyond my own understanding of happiness and eager to start each day that God gives.
I have come to realize that each hour of every day is a new page in this mystery. Each day is another chapter. I am not supposed to know the details. I'm just supposed to trust the author.
As I live this mystery, I am to watch, listen and seek the daily "clues" that God the Author puts there to guide me along to the end of the story.
What exactly is this mystery? It is the fact that God loves me!! I can follow the clues, enjoy the days and live the mystery. But what will remain a mystery to me is how God can love me. I can understand His love for you. But I know all the reasons He should not love me.
But He does!! Praise His Name, He does!! He loves me with an everlasting love that does not change from day to day. He loves me with a faithful, patient love that does not depend on whether I'm good or bad today.
He just loves me!! Because He wants to. Because He has purposed in His heart to love me and nothing can ever change that.
He loves me so much that He came to earth 2000 years ago in the most humble way He could. In the Person of Jesus, He lived a sinless, perfect life so that He could be sacrificed as the Ransom to pay my sin debt. And He freely offered His saving power to me.
O, Gift of all gifts, Wonder of all wonders, Mystery of all mysteries, God loves me.
And guess what. He loves you, too. Just like He loves me. I pray that each one who reads this message has responded to His love by receiving Christ and what He has done so that His great love for you results in your salvation.
It's up to you. Open the gift, receive Christ and live the continuing mystery of His love every day. It's the greatest mystery of all. I bet you love a good mystery, too.
Please pray. For revival. You know my mantra by now. We need a national revival more than we need anything else in this nation. Pray for it. Continually. Insistently. Passionately. Pray.
In His Love
Walter
Monday, December 8, 2008
Cheerful Givers
This year is tough, or so the experts say, and from a national standpoint, I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of their gloomy reports. But I have a good news reminder for God's Cheerful Givers.
2 Corinthians 9:6 tells us that God's people who are willing to trust Him and not the reports of so-called experts are not necessarily controlled by regular laws of economics. God's Word says, "He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
There is nothing there to imply that good times or bad times influence God's promise. God's promise of bountiful reaping to those who practice bountiful sowing is solely dependent on God's character and ability to keep the promises He makes.
Verse 7 goes on to encourage us by saying, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
God does not want us to give out of guilt or even need. He wants us to give freely to Him as we purpose in our hearts to do so that we are free and joyful when we give. And what wonderful rewards await those who are His cheerful givers.
Thanks to so many of you who gave freely and cheerfully yesterday. Together, as you each purposed before God what He would have you give, you gave $1291.00 for our bus children, over $1800.00 toward our goal of $9000.00 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and nearly $7000.00 in General fund giving. The Bible says that God loved you very much yesterday as you so freely and joyously give.
It is refreshing to know that Christians can trust God and give even in tough times. I can promise you that He will provide and reward those who trust Him when circumstances seek to distract us from trusting anyone or anything at all.
Thank you so much. You are a blessing and an encouragement to me and I love you all. Please continue to pray. We are so in need of revival in our world. Pray and do not stop praying until God sends it. Be faithful. He will send it.
In His Love
Walter
2 Corinthians 9:6 tells us that God's people who are willing to trust Him and not the reports of so-called experts are not necessarily controlled by regular laws of economics. God's Word says, "He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
There is nothing there to imply that good times or bad times influence God's promise. God's promise of bountiful reaping to those who practice bountiful sowing is solely dependent on God's character and ability to keep the promises He makes.
Verse 7 goes on to encourage us by saying, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
God does not want us to give out of guilt or even need. He wants us to give freely to Him as we purpose in our hearts to do so that we are free and joyful when we give. And what wonderful rewards await those who are His cheerful givers.
Thanks to so many of you who gave freely and cheerfully yesterday. Together, as you each purposed before God what He would have you give, you gave $1291.00 for our bus children, over $1800.00 toward our goal of $9000.00 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and nearly $7000.00 in General fund giving. The Bible says that God loved you very much yesterday as you so freely and joyously give.
It is refreshing to know that Christians can trust God and give even in tough times. I can promise you that He will provide and reward those who trust Him when circumstances seek to distract us from trusting anyone or anything at all.
Thank you so much. You are a blessing and an encouragement to me and I love you all. Please continue to pray. We are so in need of revival in our world. Pray and do not stop praying until God sends it. Be faithful. He will send it.
In His Love
Walter
Thursday, December 4, 2008
How Important Is Jesus?
The title I've used for today may seem a bit odd, but bear with me. As a matter of fact, bear with me while I ask the whole question I want to address today; "How important is Jesus to Christians?"
Wow! Even as I type it, it sounds like a question that should not even be asked. But wait a moment before you judge me too harshly for asking it.
I've been reading, studying, preparing for our International Missions Study here at the Church this Sunday night. And one thing has become clear; resources for missions are getting harder and harder to come by.
And that prompts my question, "How important is Jesus to Christians?" On the face of it, the answer is easy. Jesus is central, highly important, even indispensable to Christians. Why, without Jesus, there would be no Christians or Christianity!
But, how important is He really? How many Christians adapt their lives to what God has taught us is to be true in the life of one who has been washed in the blood of Jesus? How often do Christians truly sacrifice for the cause of Christ anymore? When is the last time you suffered to enable God's work to go on?
Most people today seem to want to be saved from the sentence of Hell, that is, separation from God for all eternity, but don't seem to want to be saved to the point of living lives of total surrender and sacrifice for His Name's sake.
For example, in difficult economic times, Christians pull back on their giving to their local church, to special causes like the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, and other areas that need financial support to continue the work of God.
Isn't it a test of our faith to surrender what we have and give, even sacrificially, in difficult times? Doesn't it mean more to God when we continue to give in lean times, depending on Him to care for our needs and obligations than to give generously only when times are good and we have plenty from which to give?
I remind you of the widow's mite which meant more to Jesus because she had given all she had out of her poverty than the gift of many dollars given by one who had many and more to give.
So, how important is Jesus to us as Christians? Important enough to surrender and sacrifice and trust Him? Or only important enough to trust when times are good and trust is easy because of what we have rather than who we know?
Just thought you'd like to think about it.
Please pray for revival. Holy Ghost given, ground shaking, Christian awakening revival for our church, our community and our nation. We are going to die without it. Please pray.
In His Love
Walter
Wow! Even as I type it, it sounds like a question that should not even be asked. But wait a moment before you judge me too harshly for asking it.
I've been reading, studying, preparing for our International Missions Study here at the Church this Sunday night. And one thing has become clear; resources for missions are getting harder and harder to come by.
And that prompts my question, "How important is Jesus to Christians?" On the face of it, the answer is easy. Jesus is central, highly important, even indispensable to Christians. Why, without Jesus, there would be no Christians or Christianity!
But, how important is He really? How many Christians adapt their lives to what God has taught us is to be true in the life of one who has been washed in the blood of Jesus? How often do Christians truly sacrifice for the cause of Christ anymore? When is the last time you suffered to enable God's work to go on?
Most people today seem to want to be saved from the sentence of Hell, that is, separation from God for all eternity, but don't seem to want to be saved to the point of living lives of total surrender and sacrifice for His Name's sake.
For example, in difficult economic times, Christians pull back on their giving to their local church, to special causes like the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, and other areas that need financial support to continue the work of God.
Isn't it a test of our faith to surrender what we have and give, even sacrificially, in difficult times? Doesn't it mean more to God when we continue to give in lean times, depending on Him to care for our needs and obligations than to give generously only when times are good and we have plenty from which to give?
I remind you of the widow's mite which meant more to Jesus because she had given all she had out of her poverty than the gift of many dollars given by one who had many and more to give.
So, how important is Jesus to us as Christians? Important enough to surrender and sacrifice and trust Him? Or only important enough to trust when times are good and trust is easy because of what we have rather than who we know?
Just thought you'd like to think about it.
Please pray for revival. Holy Ghost given, ground shaking, Christian awakening revival for our church, our community and our nation. We are going to die without it. Please pray.
In His Love
Walter
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Manners In Politics
The election process is finally over in Georgia. Mr. Chambliss defeated Mr. Martin for one of Georgia's Senate seats and so it is done. Finally. At last. And I can't imagine how long it is going to take to clean up all the mess from the mud-slinging that this political race produced.
I don't know about you but the proliferation of attack ads sickened me more and more as the campaign slogged on and on and on. I have never missed an opportunity to vote since I turned 18 but I was tempted to skip this one. Not that I did not prefer one candidate over the other. I did and I voted that way. But I did get so disheartened by the whole attack thing that I almost had no stomach for being part of the process.
Let me say again, I voted anyway. But if I could get this message to either candidate for their future consideration, I would point them to God's Word, I Peter 3: 8-9, which says, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." KJV
As a matter of fact, I would like to get that message into the heart of every candidate in every race for every office in the governments of all cities, counties, municipalities, states and the federal government so that we might have, once again, the opportunity to select a man on his merits rather than select him because of his opponents failures or lack of merit. I would rather see a candidate sell himself than watch him seek to destroy his opponent.
After all, didn't God teach us to be kind and tenderhearted and loving toward one another? Wow! When we stop listening, we really stop listening, don't we?
Another reason to pray. And pray. And pray. For revival. For you. For me. For them. For us. Oh, Heavenly Father! How we need an outpouring of your Power and Spirit and Love today. Grant it please, we humbly ask in Jesus name.
Finally, congratulations to all who won in the elections this year. I hope it was worth it.
In His Love
Walter
I don't know about you but the proliferation of attack ads sickened me more and more as the campaign slogged on and on and on. I have never missed an opportunity to vote since I turned 18 but I was tempted to skip this one. Not that I did not prefer one candidate over the other. I did and I voted that way. But I did get so disheartened by the whole attack thing that I almost had no stomach for being part of the process.
Let me say again, I voted anyway. But if I could get this message to either candidate for their future consideration, I would point them to God's Word, I Peter 3: 8-9, which says, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." KJV
As a matter of fact, I would like to get that message into the heart of every candidate in every race for every office in the governments of all cities, counties, municipalities, states and the federal government so that we might have, once again, the opportunity to select a man on his merits rather than select him because of his opponents failures or lack of merit. I would rather see a candidate sell himself than watch him seek to destroy his opponent.
After all, didn't God teach us to be kind and tenderhearted and loving toward one another? Wow! When we stop listening, we really stop listening, don't we?
Another reason to pray. And pray. And pray. For revival. For you. For me. For them. For us. Oh, Heavenly Father! How we need an outpouring of your Power and Spirit and Love today. Grant it please, we humbly ask in Jesus name.
Finally, congratulations to all who won in the elections this year. I hope it was worth it.
In His Love
Walter
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Heaven
With the recent deaths taking place around me, I've been thinking a lot lately about heaven. Even the singers at our fifth Sunday night singing sang several songs about heaven. I guess it's safe to say I've got heaven on my mind.
And that's okay.
Please don't misunderstand, I'm very blessed and happy here in my earthly home and ministry. It's just that the Bible and the voice of Holy Spirit in my heart have so convinced me that heaven is better than here that I spend a lot of time thinking about what it will truly be like.
I know that it is more beautiful than my earthly mind is able to even contemplate and as I realize that, I don't really focus on the beauty of it. I do, however, think a lot about the sounds. I did a Bible Study once by a man who said that the Lord had given him a vision of Heaven and one of his greatest impressions of that vision was the musical sounds that permeated his whole vision so completely.
I can hardly wait for the singing.
But what I think about most of all when I have heaven on my mind is Jesus. I want to see Him. I want to hold Him and experience Him holding me. I want to fall on my face before Him and thank Him for my salvation and the forgiveness of my sins. I want to weep tears of gratitude and shout exclamations of joy.
I don't have a lot of questions and I don't need a lot of answers about things I don't understand. I settled in my heart long ago that everything God does is right and good and perfect whether I understand it or not.
I just need Jesus.
I have His Presence, Power, Provision and Peace with me everyday here but I just feel that it will be gloriously different when I'm living right in the middle of His Heavenly home. Through Calvary, He has made it possible for His home to be my home and I'm so glad He did.
Just as I needed to be saved and even now want more of Jesus in my heart and life, so there are millions all around us who need Him. Pray for revival. Pray that God's power and Holy Spirit will sweep our land. Pray that His people will turn again to Him so that He will heal our land and forgive our sin. Pray. Earnestly. Fervently. Persistently. Humbly.
Pray. As we await the time when He will call us to His blessed heaven, there is nothing more powerful that we can do to see the world around us changed to glorify Him.
In His Love
Walter
And that's okay.
Please don't misunderstand, I'm very blessed and happy here in my earthly home and ministry. It's just that the Bible and the voice of Holy Spirit in my heart have so convinced me that heaven is better than here that I spend a lot of time thinking about what it will truly be like.
I know that it is more beautiful than my earthly mind is able to even contemplate and as I realize that, I don't really focus on the beauty of it. I do, however, think a lot about the sounds. I did a Bible Study once by a man who said that the Lord had given him a vision of Heaven and one of his greatest impressions of that vision was the musical sounds that permeated his whole vision so completely.
I can hardly wait for the singing.
But what I think about most of all when I have heaven on my mind is Jesus. I want to see Him. I want to hold Him and experience Him holding me. I want to fall on my face before Him and thank Him for my salvation and the forgiveness of my sins. I want to weep tears of gratitude and shout exclamations of joy.
I don't have a lot of questions and I don't need a lot of answers about things I don't understand. I settled in my heart long ago that everything God does is right and good and perfect whether I understand it or not.
I just need Jesus.
I have His Presence, Power, Provision and Peace with me everyday here but I just feel that it will be gloriously different when I'm living right in the middle of His Heavenly home. Through Calvary, He has made it possible for His home to be my home and I'm so glad He did.
Just as I needed to be saved and even now want more of Jesus in my heart and life, so there are millions all around us who need Him. Pray for revival. Pray that God's power and Holy Spirit will sweep our land. Pray that His people will turn again to Him so that He will heal our land and forgive our sin. Pray. Earnestly. Fervently. Persistently. Humbly.
Pray. As we await the time when He will call us to His blessed heaven, there is nothing more powerful that we can do to see the world around us changed to glorify Him.
In His Love
Walter
Monday, December 1, 2008
Recruiters
Death has been active around us for a few days. Wanna's Aunt Myrt passed away last week. Another aunt, Ruby, is near death in South Georgia. And this morning an older Pastor who is a member of our church went home to his reward in Heaven. The two who have died and the one who lingers have all been strong Christians all their lives.
My point is that the ranks of God's earthly army are rapidly being depleted.
Statistics reveal that these ranks of Christian soldiers are being depleted more rapidly than they are being refreshed with new, eager recruits. That is a very disturbing fact to consider, especially in light of the fact that every saved person living on the face of the earth is called to be a recruiter for God's army.
I know that the word "recruiter" is not used specifically to describe the saved, but the Great Commission at the end of Matthew certainly implies it very strongly. We are commanded by Christ Himself to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." We are also taught by Father through His servant Paul that we are ambassadors for Christ.
So, in the face of the rapid depletion of Our Father's Earthly Host, I ask you to consider this; Are you a recruiter for the kingdom of God? How effective as an ambassador for Christ are you? It's important for you to know.
Do your words reflect the glory of Christ as you interact with the people God places around you every day? Do your responses to adversity demonstrate the strength of Christ? Do the storms of life bring out panic or complaint in you rather than the peace that only Christ can give?
It is imperative that we live lives that show just what happens when Jesus has control. The lost of this world need to see what Jesus gives, how Jesus changes, how Jesus strengthens those who belong to Him. Only when they see the strength, power, joy and peace He gives will they ever desire to become one of His, a member of His Holy Army.
We are all called to be recruiters. Let's get busy showing, sharing and telling others about Jesus so that the ranks of His army can be replenished. Many are falling, going home to their eternal rewards. But the battle here rages on. We must stand up, stand out and win the battle for the souls of men to the glory of our Lord and Savior.
So pray. Please pray. For yourself. For the Kingdom. For His army. For revival among all God's people. Pray for revival that will sweep our nation as it has never been swept before. Pray for a revival that will make the Great Awakening Revivals of former times seem small by comparison. One thing is for sure...if we don't ask for it, we won't get it.
I want to see a revival like that. Don't you? And be a recruiter. The Commander-in-Chief is counting on you.
In His Love
Walter
My point is that the ranks of God's earthly army are rapidly being depleted.
Statistics reveal that these ranks of Christian soldiers are being depleted more rapidly than they are being refreshed with new, eager recruits. That is a very disturbing fact to consider, especially in light of the fact that every saved person living on the face of the earth is called to be a recruiter for God's army.
I know that the word "recruiter" is not used specifically to describe the saved, but the Great Commission at the end of Matthew certainly implies it very strongly. We are commanded by Christ Himself to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." We are also taught by Father through His servant Paul that we are ambassadors for Christ.
So, in the face of the rapid depletion of Our Father's Earthly Host, I ask you to consider this; Are you a recruiter for the kingdom of God? How effective as an ambassador for Christ are you? It's important for you to know.
Do your words reflect the glory of Christ as you interact with the people God places around you every day? Do your responses to adversity demonstrate the strength of Christ? Do the storms of life bring out panic or complaint in you rather than the peace that only Christ can give?
It is imperative that we live lives that show just what happens when Jesus has control. The lost of this world need to see what Jesus gives, how Jesus changes, how Jesus strengthens those who belong to Him. Only when they see the strength, power, joy and peace He gives will they ever desire to become one of His, a member of His Holy Army.
We are all called to be recruiters. Let's get busy showing, sharing and telling others about Jesus so that the ranks of His army can be replenished. Many are falling, going home to their eternal rewards. But the battle here rages on. We must stand up, stand out and win the battle for the souls of men to the glory of our Lord and Savior.
So pray. Please pray. For yourself. For the Kingdom. For His army. For revival among all God's people. Pray for revival that will sweep our nation as it has never been swept before. Pray for a revival that will make the Great Awakening Revivals of former times seem small by comparison. One thing is for sure...if we don't ask for it, we won't get it.
I want to see a revival like that. Don't you? And be a recruiter. The Commander-in-Chief is counting on you.
In His Love
Walter
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving
Wanna and I will be visiting with family for a couple of days to share Thanksgiving with them. I'm sure that many of you will be doing the same. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite family times. There is good food and fellowship without the pressure of gifts. We all just enjoy one another and that's what's most important.
One of the reasons it is so important to celebrate times like this is that family dynamics change. Both my Dad and Wanna's have not been at family gatherings for several years now because God called them home to celebrate all special occasions with Him. Even as we prepare to go for the next day or two, we are aware that we might have to attend a funeral because one of Wanna's Aunts on her mother's side is not doing well at all.
We never know what is going to happen in life. We should just live every day to its fullest in ways that honor and glorify God and then, if that day should be the last for us or someone near us, we will know that we did all that we could to point to our God of Life. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to enjoy life in Him and to share that enjoyment with all who are around us.
This Thanksgiving, be happy. Be grateful. Focus on what is and not on what isn't. Focus on what you have and not what you don't have that you wish for. Celebrate with all your might for, as the Bible instructs us, everything we do is to be done as unto the Lord and He always wants our best. Give Him your best Thanksgiving celebration this year.
As you give thanks and enjoy family and fellowship, remember to pray for revival, a nation changing revival. Also remember to pray for those who have no family or food or fellowship to enjoy Thanksgiving with. Better yet, find someone like that and invite them to celebrate with you. You might discover a new brother or sister that way.
Rejoice and celebrate in Him for His Goodness and Mercy to us all.
Walter
One of the reasons it is so important to celebrate times like this is that family dynamics change. Both my Dad and Wanna's have not been at family gatherings for several years now because God called them home to celebrate all special occasions with Him. Even as we prepare to go for the next day or two, we are aware that we might have to attend a funeral because one of Wanna's Aunts on her mother's side is not doing well at all.
We never know what is going to happen in life. We should just live every day to its fullest in ways that honor and glorify God and then, if that day should be the last for us or someone near us, we will know that we did all that we could to point to our God of Life. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to enjoy life in Him and to share that enjoyment with all who are around us.
This Thanksgiving, be happy. Be grateful. Focus on what is and not on what isn't. Focus on what you have and not what you don't have that you wish for. Celebrate with all your might for, as the Bible instructs us, everything we do is to be done as unto the Lord and He always wants our best. Give Him your best Thanksgiving celebration this year.
As you give thanks and enjoy family and fellowship, remember to pray for revival, a nation changing revival. Also remember to pray for those who have no family or food or fellowship to enjoy Thanksgiving with. Better yet, find someone like that and invite them to celebrate with you. You might discover a new brother or sister that way.
Rejoice and celebrate in Him for His Goodness and Mercy to us all.
Walter
Monday, November 24, 2008
I have another new knee! Yes, I've been in the hospital for a few days, gotten a new knee and begun therapy to work the swelling and soreness out of this wonderfully blessed joint. And I've again been amazed at how good and powerful God is on our behalf when we give these things to Him.
It was easy to go in for this surgery. Heavenly Father had blessed so wonderfully on the right leg, that I was filled with confident faith that He would bless just this way with the left leg. And He did. I knew there would be a certain amount of healing and pain associated the procedure but I also knew that My Father would be there all the way and He has been.
His faithfulness to bless and comfort and care for me during this difficult time makes me wonder why I withhold other things from His nurture and care. You see, I realize that there are failings in my life and the only proper word to apply to them is sin. Why can't I give them to God and trust Him to be there to comfort and keep me as these things are excised from my body just like it was with my knee?
I'll tell you why. My knees gave me pain. I was very uncomfortable with them. They bothered me as I sat, walked, talked. You name it, they hurt me. But, like far too many people, my sins don't. I have grown comfortable with them.
I have reached a place where I feel that I am as good as most and better than many, so why should I try to do/be any better?
It is time for me to realize all over again that any sin is too much sin in the presence of Holy, Righteous God, that any sin is too much sin in the life of one who has been washed in the precious blood of Jesus. My life is my offering to God on a daily basis and when I am comfortable with any sin, I am presenting Him with a soiled, blemished gift.
How can I do such a thing when He presented my with the Spotless Lamb of God to be my Savior? How can I do such a thing when He loves me and blesses me and keeps me day after day in His Tender, Loving Care? How can I do such a thing when He has given me His Word to teach me and guide me and has given me Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to live in such a way that I bring Him honor and glory with my life?
I can't! Or at least, I shouldn't!
Let's resolve today to live this day striving to avoid all sin with all our might. We might find ourselves pleasing Him more and more. How wonderful that would be!
Please pray. Pray for revival in our nation. Revival that will sweep the aisles and pews of churches, sweep the halls of Congress, sweep the living rooms of homes all across our land, bringing this nation to her knees, not before a enemy, but before a Holy Heavenly Father Who wants to bless and heal our land. Please Pray.
In His Love
Walter
It was easy to go in for this surgery. Heavenly Father had blessed so wonderfully on the right leg, that I was filled with confident faith that He would bless just this way with the left leg. And He did. I knew there would be a certain amount of healing and pain associated the procedure but I also knew that My Father would be there all the way and He has been.
His faithfulness to bless and comfort and care for me during this difficult time makes me wonder why I withhold other things from His nurture and care. You see, I realize that there are failings in my life and the only proper word to apply to them is sin. Why can't I give them to God and trust Him to be there to comfort and keep me as these things are excised from my body just like it was with my knee?
I'll tell you why. My knees gave me pain. I was very uncomfortable with them. They bothered me as I sat, walked, talked. You name it, they hurt me. But, like far too many people, my sins don't. I have grown comfortable with them.
I have reached a place where I feel that I am as good as most and better than many, so why should I try to do/be any better?
It is time for me to realize all over again that any sin is too much sin in the presence of Holy, Righteous God, that any sin is too much sin in the life of one who has been washed in the precious blood of Jesus. My life is my offering to God on a daily basis and when I am comfortable with any sin, I am presenting Him with a soiled, blemished gift.
How can I do such a thing when He presented my with the Spotless Lamb of God to be my Savior? How can I do such a thing when He loves me and blesses me and keeps me day after day in His Tender, Loving Care? How can I do such a thing when He has given me His Word to teach me and guide me and has given me Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to live in such a way that I bring Him honor and glory with my life?
I can't! Or at least, I shouldn't!
Let's resolve today to live this day striving to avoid all sin with all our might. We might find ourselves pleasing Him more and more. How wonderful that would be!
Please pray. Pray for revival in our nation. Revival that will sweep the aisles and pews of churches, sweep the halls of Congress, sweep the living rooms of homes all across our land, bringing this nation to her knees, not before a enemy, but before a Holy Heavenly Father Who wants to bless and heal our land. Please Pray.
In His Love
Walter
Friday, November 7, 2008
Perspective
It's amazing how much difference perspective makes when considering the circumstances of life. I confess to you now that I've been wallowing in a bad morning up to just a few moments ago.
Everything has been wrong. It's nearly 11:00 and I've just now gotten the idea for this blog. Usually I have it mentally written by the time I get here each day.
Everything I've set out to do has been accomplished but it seemed to happen while it felt like I was working in quicksand. You know the feeling. Everything goes slow and you feel out of place.
And I've complained about it, too. Poor baby me. Just don't get any breaks, now do I? Poor Baby.
And suddenly, just a few moments ago God convicted me. Spoke quietly to my heart and said, "Walter, get over it. Think on Christ and rejoice." And I did. And I resolve to for the rest of this day, at least. Hopefully many more before I have to be reminded again.
Here was the problem. Most of you know by now that I'm going to have my left knee replaced soon. Today it hurts badly and I was letting that cloud the rest of my activities.
Until Abba reminded me to think on Christ. You see, the image He sent with the message was Christ on the cross. Broken, bleeding, suffering and dying for me, that I might be saved.
You know what? The perspective on my little knee pain changed and I was ashamed. And I'm doing something about it; praising God for the good things going on in my life right now.
When I consider His suffering, mine is nothing.
What's wrong in your world this morning? Think on Christ and rejoice. Perhaps you too will get the perspective adjustment that will help you see that things aren't so bad, after all. I pray so.
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, everybody. We need an outpouring of Holy Spirit more than anything we've ever needed before.
In His Love
Walter
Everything has been wrong. It's nearly 11:00 and I've just now gotten the idea for this blog. Usually I have it mentally written by the time I get here each day.
Everything I've set out to do has been accomplished but it seemed to happen while it felt like I was working in quicksand. You know the feeling. Everything goes slow and you feel out of place.
And I've complained about it, too. Poor baby me. Just don't get any breaks, now do I? Poor Baby.
And suddenly, just a few moments ago God convicted me. Spoke quietly to my heart and said, "Walter, get over it. Think on Christ and rejoice." And I did. And I resolve to for the rest of this day, at least. Hopefully many more before I have to be reminded again.
Here was the problem. Most of you know by now that I'm going to have my left knee replaced soon. Today it hurts badly and I was letting that cloud the rest of my activities.
Until Abba reminded me to think on Christ. You see, the image He sent with the message was Christ on the cross. Broken, bleeding, suffering and dying for me, that I might be saved.
You know what? The perspective on my little knee pain changed and I was ashamed. And I'm doing something about it; praising God for the good things going on in my life right now.
When I consider His suffering, mine is nothing.
What's wrong in your world this morning? Think on Christ and rejoice. Perhaps you too will get the perspective adjustment that will help you see that things aren't so bad, after all. I pray so.
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, everybody. We need an outpouring of Holy Spirit more than anything we've ever needed before.
In His Love
Walter
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Don't Be Deceived
I recently went on the internet and as I was preparing to peruse my e-mail, an interesting offer to take a "quick and free" IQ test came up on the screen. It was intriguing. It has been some time since I took such a test and I wanted to know how much I'm slipping with the passage of time.
I answered the questions as best I could and felt pretty good about most of them and kinda stupid about others, but overall I went to the "results button" to click my way to info about my remaining smarts.
What came up was page after page of offers for me to receive information (read that spam) from company after company who just wanted permission to flood me with internet offers. I ain't got the time and I did not want anything they were trying to get me to subscribe to and I finally quit the exercise.
I never did get the IQ results.
My point? So much in life is not what it appears to be on the surface. There are hundreds of ways men have devised to deceive us, to lead us onto paths we don't really want to be on. And most of those paths are longer than we imagine even if our curiosity is aroused only enough to get us to take a few steps to just see what's there.
Most often, it'll be page after page of trouble and junk. Things we don't need to fill our hearts and minds with.
So, here's some Heavenly direction for your thinking today. It's guaranteed to make you happier, more fulfilled, more like Jesus and to help you steer clear of the deceitful mess out there like that "offer" for my IQ test. From Philippians 4, verse 8. we read, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Pretty good advice, huh? And the Teacher who spoke these words is pretty special, too. He saved Paul and used him to communicate it to us. Let's just do it!
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, one another, absolutely everybody. Then this world, this nation will truly see "change."
In His Love
Walter
I answered the questions as best I could and felt pretty good about most of them and kinda stupid about others, but overall I went to the "results button" to click my way to info about my remaining smarts.
What came up was page after page of offers for me to receive information (read that spam) from company after company who just wanted permission to flood me with internet offers. I ain't got the time and I did not want anything they were trying to get me to subscribe to and I finally quit the exercise.
I never did get the IQ results.
My point? So much in life is not what it appears to be on the surface. There are hundreds of ways men have devised to deceive us, to lead us onto paths we don't really want to be on. And most of those paths are longer than we imagine even if our curiosity is aroused only enough to get us to take a few steps to just see what's there.
Most often, it'll be page after page of trouble and junk. Things we don't need to fill our hearts and minds with.
So, here's some Heavenly direction for your thinking today. It's guaranteed to make you happier, more fulfilled, more like Jesus and to help you steer clear of the deceitful mess out there like that "offer" for my IQ test. From Philippians 4, verse 8. we read, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Pretty good advice, huh? And the Teacher who spoke these words is pretty special, too. He saved Paul and used him to communicate it to us. Let's just do it!
Pray. Please pray for revival for our church, our nation, one another, absolutely everybody. Then this world, this nation will truly see "change."
In His Love
Walter
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Same Thing Either Way
Today's message is easy. It really is. And the reason it is easy is because we now know who has been chosen to be the next President of the United Stated of America: Barack Hussein Obama. And I promise you, my thoughts this morning would be the same thing had John McCain been the choice. Here's why.
As we were reminded from God's Word yesterday, no power (or person) rules except that it has been ordained by Our Heavenly Father. Romans 13:1. Today we read how that can be when it seems that Mr. Obama might not represent the values many of us share. We find it in Proverbs 21:1; "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will."
Today, our responsibility before God is exactly the same as if Mr. McCain had won the election: to pray for our new President and his administration; to pray for our Congress which seems to be dramatically changing; to pray for our Supreme Court, which will definitely be changing dramatically; and to pray for revival among American Christians.
Perhaps the fact that God has chosen to allow Mr. Obama to be President is His way of continuing to call His church, His people in the United States back to Him. Perhaps this is what it takes to get we Christians back on our knees in true repentance before Him. Pray for revival.
The hard truth is that American Christians have been spoiled and have lived in such comfort and ease that we have neglected the most important relationship we have; our relationship with God. We have taken Him for granted. We have been guilty of presumptuous sins, which we will be defining and discussing one Sunday night very soon.
I, and others who have been privileged to be spokespersons for the Almighty, have said for sometime now that what American Christians need to truly come back to God is a good dose of persecution. That may be coming.
I am excited. I believe with all my heart that God is on His Throne. He is at work all around us. His will, purposes and ways are not going to be thwarted. He will prevail, and mightily so. I believe that we are on the verge of perhaps the greatest revival that has ever come to America.
Pray for it. Believe for it. Don't settle for anything less. Put on your happy face and watch, wait and look up. Not for bombs or invaders but for a great outpouring of the power of God. Jesus is coming. You can count on it.
In His Love
Walter
As we were reminded from God's Word yesterday, no power (or person) rules except that it has been ordained by Our Heavenly Father. Romans 13:1. Today we read how that can be when it seems that Mr. Obama might not represent the values many of us share. We find it in Proverbs 21:1; "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will."
Today, our responsibility before God is exactly the same as if Mr. McCain had won the election: to pray for our new President and his administration; to pray for our Congress which seems to be dramatically changing; to pray for our Supreme Court, which will definitely be changing dramatically; and to pray for revival among American Christians.
Perhaps the fact that God has chosen to allow Mr. Obama to be President is His way of continuing to call His church, His people in the United States back to Him. Perhaps this is what it takes to get we Christians back on our knees in true repentance before Him. Pray for revival.
The hard truth is that American Christians have been spoiled and have lived in such comfort and ease that we have neglected the most important relationship we have; our relationship with God. We have taken Him for granted. We have been guilty of presumptuous sins, which we will be defining and discussing one Sunday night very soon.
I, and others who have been privileged to be spokespersons for the Almighty, have said for sometime now that what American Christians need to truly come back to God is a good dose of persecution. That may be coming.
I am excited. I believe with all my heart that God is on His Throne. He is at work all around us. His will, purposes and ways are not going to be thwarted. He will prevail, and mightily so. I believe that we are on the verge of perhaps the greatest revival that has ever come to America.
Pray for it. Believe for it. Don't settle for anything less. Put on your happy face and watch, wait and look up. Not for bombs or invaders but for a great outpouring of the power of God. Jesus is coming. You can count on it.
In His Love
Walter
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
NEWSFLASH
Yes, this is a newsflash!! It's election day!! But you already knew that, didn't you? I'm happy that it will all soon be over. No more TV ads with one group doing all they can to destroy the leader of another group. Our political process has become an unGodly mess.
Back to election day!! I know who I want to win the various races and I admit the one for President is the most important one. It sets the tone for the rest of them. I'm sure you know who you want to win, as well. One thing is for sure; both the candidates cannot win. Either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama is going to win.
I want to reassure you from God's word this morning that whoever wins will be of God in one way or another. One of them could win to teach Americans a lesson about getting what we think we want. For a Biblical example, read the story of how Saul came to be the first King of Israel.
One of them could win and help start a revival in this land by causing Christians to cry out to God on behalf of this nation as they have never cried out before.
And it doesn't matter which one you place in which situation because we don't know how God is going to use the man who will serve as President. By faith we must receive the words of God through Paul in Romans 13:1; "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
Those are powerful words that reassure us when we believe in God with all our hearts and turn these weighty matters over to Him. "Ordained of God." He and He alone is in control and you can rest easy that He will use whoever is elected in His way to bring about His will in His time.
So, if you haven't voted, go do it. God may use your vote to be the deciding one.
And after you have voted, pray. I believe that we need a national revival no matter which man is our President. Pray for the sin of our country. Pray for revival. And then watch God at work.
Let your faith be totally in Him, not in politics or politicians nor in any form or person of government, but completely in Him. And hold your head high proud to be an American because this is what He brought about in your life.
Then hold your head low in humble prayer to He Who holds all things, even the office of the President of the United States of America, in His hands to turn and manipulate however He chooses.
In His Love
Walter
Back to election day!! I know who I want to win the various races and I admit the one for President is the most important one. It sets the tone for the rest of them. I'm sure you know who you want to win, as well. One thing is for sure; both the candidates cannot win. Either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama is going to win.
I want to reassure you from God's word this morning that whoever wins will be of God in one way or another. One of them could win to teach Americans a lesson about getting what we think we want. For a Biblical example, read the story of how Saul came to be the first King of Israel.
One of them could win and help start a revival in this land by causing Christians to cry out to God on behalf of this nation as they have never cried out before.
And it doesn't matter which one you place in which situation because we don't know how God is going to use the man who will serve as President. By faith we must receive the words of God through Paul in Romans 13:1; "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
Those are powerful words that reassure us when we believe in God with all our hearts and turn these weighty matters over to Him. "Ordained of God." He and He alone is in control and you can rest easy that He will use whoever is elected in His way to bring about His will in His time.
So, if you haven't voted, go do it. God may use your vote to be the deciding one.
And after you have voted, pray. I believe that we need a national revival no matter which man is our President. Pray for the sin of our country. Pray for revival. And then watch God at work.
Let your faith be totally in Him, not in politics or politicians nor in any form or person of government, but completely in Him. And hold your head high proud to be an American because this is what He brought about in your life.
Then hold your head low in humble prayer to He Who holds all things, even the office of the President of the United States of America, in His hands to turn and manipulate however He chooses.
In His Love
Walter
Monday, November 3, 2008
Psalm 37:4
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." What a wonderful promise from Our Heavenly Father and one that is so gloriously carried out in the lives of so many believers every day.
Wanna and I were the recipients of God's promise of the desires of our hearts on our vacation last week. We desired rest, peace and the comfort of God's blessed presence as we planned our trip to the beach.
And we were truly rewarded. The waters of the gulf of Mexico were beautiful. The sugar white sands of Panama City Beach, Florida were inviting and yielded lots of neat sea shells for us to have.
The sun shone brightly. The waves lapped the shoreline with the same regularity that we have come to realize is one of Abba's ways of telling us that He is in control and His power rules over everything.
There is a Heavenly peace associated with being at the beach. At least for us. We see Father in the sunrise and the sunset. We hear Him speak in the sound of the waves. We feel His touch as the sea breeze brushes our faces. We see His power when the storms come in from the sea. For us, it seems easy to know that He is everywhere, in everything.
And the truth is, He is.
I pray that He is blessing you this day with the desires of your hearts. I pray that you are seeing, feeling, and experiencing Him in all that you do, in everywhere that you go today. If you are, celebrate His presence, roll around in His arms and know that you are among the most blessed people on earth.
If you are not, focus on Him. Delight yourself in Him. Let Him become your heart's greatest desire and He will fill you up with Himself and His power and presence. You will come to see Him in the sunshine and the rain, in the laughter and in the tears, in everything.
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart." Words to live by today, don't you think?
In His Love
Walter
Wanna and I were the recipients of God's promise of the desires of our hearts on our vacation last week. We desired rest, peace and the comfort of God's blessed presence as we planned our trip to the beach.
And we were truly rewarded. The waters of the gulf of Mexico were beautiful. The sugar white sands of Panama City Beach, Florida were inviting and yielded lots of neat sea shells for us to have.
The sun shone brightly. The waves lapped the shoreline with the same regularity that we have come to realize is one of Abba's ways of telling us that He is in control and His power rules over everything.
There is a Heavenly peace associated with being at the beach. At least for us. We see Father in the sunrise and the sunset. We hear Him speak in the sound of the waves. We feel His touch as the sea breeze brushes our faces. We see His power when the storms come in from the sea. For us, it seems easy to know that He is everywhere, in everything.
And the truth is, He is.
I pray that He is blessing you this day with the desires of your hearts. I pray that you are seeing, feeling, and experiencing Him in all that you do, in everywhere that you go today. If you are, celebrate His presence, roll around in His arms and know that you are among the most blessed people on earth.
If you are not, focus on Him. Delight yourself in Him. Let Him become your heart's greatest desire and He will fill you up with Himself and His power and presence. You will come to see Him in the sunshine and the rain, in the laughter and in the tears, in everything.
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart." Words to live by today, don't you think?
In His Love
Walter
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Upside Down Thinking
The headline of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for today reads, "Long-term fears pummel Dow." Of course, it's about the stock market and how economic indicators are leading investors to believe that our national recession is going to be rather lengthy. And, because it involves the true American god, money, people are afraid. It seems to me that they can't figure out that their fears are feeding the very thing they fear. And that, to me, is upside down thinking.
But the tragedy of upside down thinking in our country goes much deeper. Fear is running high about money right now, but what about fear for souls? Why don't our headlines give us more information about God's agenda and what is coming for those who have rejected His offer of salvation through Christ?
The answer is that, while we in America often tip our national hat to God, we don't bow our national knees. In many ways Americans acknowledge God, even by trying to legislate His limits in the public arena, but in very few ways is He truly worshipped anymore. America needs a good dose of Holy, healthy fear and respect for God and His power.
In Isaiah 13: 9, God said, "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." KJV.
Want something to fear? Forget about our financial future as a nation and fear the power of a God of love Who has called and blessed and patiently sought to redeem a stiff-necked nation that grows farther and farther away from His commands day by day! God will not be mocked! His day of wrath is coming! There is only one way to be ready, one way to escape it: Jesus Christ.
There will be no new posts until November 3rd. Please, in the meantime, be fervent in prayer for revival. Only the prayers of those who are already safe in Christ can touch Our Father's throne in petition for revival power to sweep our land. Pray for the greatest outpouring of the Holy Ghost that these United States have ever seen. Pray. Please pray. God will hear. He will bless. He will eventually send revival. Just don't give up and don't lose heart. Pray.
In His Love
Walter
But the tragedy of upside down thinking in our country goes much deeper. Fear is running high about money right now, but what about fear for souls? Why don't our headlines give us more information about God's agenda and what is coming for those who have rejected His offer of salvation through Christ?
The answer is that, while we in America often tip our national hat to God, we don't bow our national knees. In many ways Americans acknowledge God, even by trying to legislate His limits in the public arena, but in very few ways is He truly worshipped anymore. America needs a good dose of Holy, healthy fear and respect for God and His power.
In Isaiah 13: 9, God said, "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." KJV.
Want something to fear? Forget about our financial future as a nation and fear the power of a God of love Who has called and blessed and patiently sought to redeem a stiff-necked nation that grows farther and farther away from His commands day by day! God will not be mocked! His day of wrath is coming! There is only one way to be ready, one way to escape it: Jesus Christ.
There will be no new posts until November 3rd. Please, in the meantime, be fervent in prayer for revival. Only the prayers of those who are already safe in Christ can touch Our Father's throne in petition for revival power to sweep our land. Pray for the greatest outpouring of the Holy Ghost that these United States have ever seen. Pray. Please pray. God will hear. He will bless. He will eventually send revival. Just don't give up and don't lose heart. Pray.
In His Love
Walter
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
God's Gifts
God's gifts. When you see those words, what comes immediately to mind? Perhaps its the image of your children or grandchildren. Perhaps it's the remembrance of the sight of someone who was sick being made well. Perhaps you think of your home or other material possessions. Maybe your mind goes to the sunshine or rain or memories of wonderful days gone by.
All of these are gifts from God and we do well to remember them and be thankful for them.
God has told us in His Word that every good and perfect gift is from our Heavenly Father. And He has given us so much.
But His greatest gift, the first thing our minds should go to when we consider all that He has done and given, is Himself. And God has given Himself in so many ways at so many times that we often miss the reality of it.
Whether it's on the cross paying our sin debt to Himself by sacrificing Himself or in the ears of our minds as we pray, God gives Himself to us freely. Oh, if only we would give ourselves as freely and completely to Him as He has tried to give Himself to us.
Dear Christians, dear friends, please resolve to hold nothing back from Abba. Just as God Himself is enriched in His heart as He gives Himself so willingly to us, we are enriched as we give ourselves to Him. When we hold back, when our surrender to Him is not as complete in our practice as it is in our theory, the only ones who are cheated out of anything are us.
Release yourself, all of yourself to Him today. And as you and He converse in prayer, tell Him again how much you desire to see revival in our nation. If we will ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking, He will hear and give and our nation can be changed. Pray. Please pray. For our revival and the glory of our Christ.
In His Name
Walter
All of these are gifts from God and we do well to remember them and be thankful for them.
God has told us in His Word that every good and perfect gift is from our Heavenly Father. And He has given us so much.
But His greatest gift, the first thing our minds should go to when we consider all that He has done and given, is Himself. And God has given Himself in so many ways at so many times that we often miss the reality of it.
Whether it's on the cross paying our sin debt to Himself by sacrificing Himself or in the ears of our minds as we pray, God gives Himself to us freely. Oh, if only we would give ourselves as freely and completely to Him as He has tried to give Himself to us.
Dear Christians, dear friends, please resolve to hold nothing back from Abba. Just as God Himself is enriched in His heart as He gives Himself so willingly to us, we are enriched as we give ourselves to Him. When we hold back, when our surrender to Him is not as complete in our practice as it is in our theory, the only ones who are cheated out of anything are us.
Release yourself, all of yourself to Him today. And as you and He converse in prayer, tell Him again how much you desire to see revival in our nation. If we will ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking, He will hear and give and our nation can be changed. Pray. Please pray. For our revival and the glory of our Christ.
In His Name
Walter
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Claim His Promise
I have basically just started my day as I type this and I don't know exactly what the day holds for me. I know what plans I have made and I know that there's a list of things that are scheduled for today, but I really don't know how the day is going to unfold.
Whether you are reading this early or late in the day, you don't know exactly how your future is going to unfold either. You may be in circumstances right now that lead you to believe that the next few days are going to be wonderfully rosy and blessed. Others of you may be in circumstances that have brought sadness, heaviness and a sense of foreboding about the near future.
Some of you are exhausted. Others are ready and rarin' to go. Some of you can't wait for tomorrow. Others wish tomorrow would never come.
Whatever your circumstances today, please remember and claim His promise. It is a promise that has made such a difference in my life when I remember to claim it, by faith receive it and live by it. It is a promise that has changed my gloomy days to days of joy, altered my circumstances in such a way that fear was taken away and made my joyful days even more wonderful.
It is a simple promise of only eight words, but these are powerful words. These are words that make a poor person rich, a sick person feel better, a rich person richer and a well person even "weller." It is His promise that, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Jesus said that. Jesus said that to you. He said that to all who have come to Him and received His precious salvation. Claim His promise and rejoice. Rejoice that the King of glory is with you and will never leave. Let the knowledge of His presence brighten your day, lift your spirit and fill you with joy.
And after you have claimed it for today and rejoiced in His power to transform and improve your life today, resolve to claim His promise again for tomorrow and for all the tomorrows He gives you upon this earth.
Don't forget to thank Him and don't forget, please, to petition Him in humble prayer for revival in our nation. Ask Him specifically for an out-pouring of Holy Spirit such as this nation has never seen before. The have faith and believe Him for it. He made a promise about that, too.
In His Love
Walter
Whether you are reading this early or late in the day, you don't know exactly how your future is going to unfold either. You may be in circumstances right now that lead you to believe that the next few days are going to be wonderfully rosy and blessed. Others of you may be in circumstances that have brought sadness, heaviness and a sense of foreboding about the near future.
Some of you are exhausted. Others are ready and rarin' to go. Some of you can't wait for tomorrow. Others wish tomorrow would never come.
Whatever your circumstances today, please remember and claim His promise. It is a promise that has made such a difference in my life when I remember to claim it, by faith receive it and live by it. It is a promise that has changed my gloomy days to days of joy, altered my circumstances in such a way that fear was taken away and made my joyful days even more wonderful.
It is a simple promise of only eight words, but these are powerful words. These are words that make a poor person rich, a sick person feel better, a rich person richer and a well person even "weller." It is His promise that, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Jesus said that. Jesus said that to you. He said that to all who have come to Him and received His precious salvation. Claim His promise and rejoice. Rejoice that the King of glory is with you and will never leave. Let the knowledge of His presence brighten your day, lift your spirit and fill you with joy.
And after you have claimed it for today and rejoiced in His power to transform and improve your life today, resolve to claim His promise again for tomorrow and for all the tomorrows He gives you upon this earth.
Don't forget to thank Him and don't forget, please, to petition Him in humble prayer for revival in our nation. Ask Him specifically for an out-pouring of Holy Spirit such as this nation has never seen before. The have faith and believe Him for it. He made a promise about that, too.
In His Love
Walter
Monday, October 20, 2008
Trusting God
Trusting God. Having faith in God. Same thing, don't you think? Trust and faith are small words, only five letters each, and yet they are so big in our lives especially when we face difficulties, tragedies and hard times. In light of what has taken place in the extended family of a member of our congregation, I thought we might take a look at trusting God.
When things happen that we don't understand, the first thing we want is answers. We want to know why. We even want to know how God could let such a thing happen. I think many must also admit that as hard as they try not to, really tough events in life cause them to doubt God's love and goodness. Just a little bit, though. Right?
Trusting God can sometimes be hard, but then so can anything else in life. In those hard times, don't shut God out, talk to Him. Ask Him your questions. He is big enough, strong enough to withstand your heart's pain.
I would not advise you to be so boastful as Job and announce that you are going to "question God and He will answer you" as if you may somehow make demands on God. Don't do that. God may sit you down like He did Job and you'll be the one stammering for answers to the questions He will ask you.
But before you go to God, let me point you in the direction of some things to think about. Before you ask God why, remember that sin is in the world and that Satan is, for the present time, the ruler of the earth. Adam handed that rulership over to Satan when he sinned in the garden. Remember that sin touches us all. In fact, we are all guilty of sinning. Adam gave sin a sliver of an opening and Satan took the world.
And God allowed it to happen, just as He allows tragedies to happen and hard times to come. In His Sovereignty, God is allowing sin to run its course and sin has not reached the end that God has set. Yet. But it will.
God allows Man to reap the harvest he has sown, whether it be a harvest of righteousness sown by following the teachings of God and living life His way, or a harvest of sin sown by rebellion against God. And often the harvest of sin in a lost person's life claims the innocent as a victim.
Another thing to think about in a time like this is what ultimately takes place when a child of God is the victim unto death. That victim loses life here in earth's ongoing sorrow and pain, but gains life eternally in Heaven's bliss. What Joseph said to his brothers about "what you meant for evil, God meant for good," becomes a glorious prophesy applied to the life, the eternal life, of the victim.
Trust God. Have faith in Him. That means having trust and faith in Him no matter what happens. We don't know the end of the story. We don't know how God might use the events that have so saddened us to change the world. Trust Him. He is worthy of your faith.
And please as you pray, trust Him and pray continually to Him for revival. O, God's people, the fate of our nation rests with you and your willingness to be humbly in obedient, confessional prayer before God that He will hear from heaven and heal our land. Trust. Trust and Pray.
In His Love
Walter
When things happen that we don't understand, the first thing we want is answers. We want to know why. We even want to know how God could let such a thing happen. I think many must also admit that as hard as they try not to, really tough events in life cause them to doubt God's love and goodness. Just a little bit, though. Right?
Trusting God can sometimes be hard, but then so can anything else in life. In those hard times, don't shut God out, talk to Him. Ask Him your questions. He is big enough, strong enough to withstand your heart's pain.
I would not advise you to be so boastful as Job and announce that you are going to "question God and He will answer you" as if you may somehow make demands on God. Don't do that. God may sit you down like He did Job and you'll be the one stammering for answers to the questions He will ask you.
But before you go to God, let me point you in the direction of some things to think about. Before you ask God why, remember that sin is in the world and that Satan is, for the present time, the ruler of the earth. Adam handed that rulership over to Satan when he sinned in the garden. Remember that sin touches us all. In fact, we are all guilty of sinning. Adam gave sin a sliver of an opening and Satan took the world.
And God allowed it to happen, just as He allows tragedies to happen and hard times to come. In His Sovereignty, God is allowing sin to run its course and sin has not reached the end that God has set. Yet. But it will.
God allows Man to reap the harvest he has sown, whether it be a harvest of righteousness sown by following the teachings of God and living life His way, or a harvest of sin sown by rebellion against God. And often the harvest of sin in a lost person's life claims the innocent as a victim.
Another thing to think about in a time like this is what ultimately takes place when a child of God is the victim unto death. That victim loses life here in earth's ongoing sorrow and pain, but gains life eternally in Heaven's bliss. What Joseph said to his brothers about "what you meant for evil, God meant for good," becomes a glorious prophesy applied to the life, the eternal life, of the victim.
Trust God. Have faith in Him. That means having trust and faith in Him no matter what happens. We don't know the end of the story. We don't know how God might use the events that have so saddened us to change the world. Trust Him. He is worthy of your faith.
And please as you pray, trust Him and pray continually to Him for revival. O, God's people, the fate of our nation rests with you and your willingness to be humbly in obedient, confessional prayer before God that He will hear from heaven and heal our land. Trust. Trust and Pray.
In His Love
Walter
Friday, October 17, 2008
In A Hurry
I left the house early and in a hurry this morning. You know how it is; places to go, people to see, things to do. I was in such a hurry that I rushed through my prayer time with Wanna. I'm typing this less than an hour later and I feel guilty and ashamed about it. I think Wanna understood. She knew I was rushed today. And I know God understands the rush, but I'm not sure that this morning wasn't an opportunity for me to take my time, be calm before Him and say to Him that time with Him is the most important thing of all to me.
I know how important I am to Him. He proved that at Calvary when Christ went to the Cross in my place. God's love was forever proved as the blood ran down off Christ's body and as He gave up His Spirit. That display of love told me that God was willing to pay the highest possible price to restore the relationship with me that sin had broken.
I needed to take my time with Him this morning to let Him know that He is my all in all and that nothing else that could ever come up in my life means more to me than He does, that time with Him in personal prayer is precious beyond all else.
Perhaps this article today, done before I go off to address all the things that caused me to rush in prayer, will let Him know. I'm sure he sees and knows my heart at this moment.
What about you? Does He know this morning that He is the most important One in your life? Has He heard it from you? Don't neglect Him. He never neglects you. Talk to Him. Listen to Him as He responds. Love on Him today and let Him love on you. You'll both be happy about it.
And while your talking, don't forget to mention revival, national revival to Him. He wants to know that we really want it. Perhaps He even wants to hear from us that we won't misuse it or quickly forget it when He sends it. Revival. Nationally. That's the key to the renewal, the salvation of our nation from the brink of disaster.
Thank you for praying. Thank you for loving Him. Thank you for loving me.
In His Love
Walter
I know how important I am to Him. He proved that at Calvary when Christ went to the Cross in my place. God's love was forever proved as the blood ran down off Christ's body and as He gave up His Spirit. That display of love told me that God was willing to pay the highest possible price to restore the relationship with me that sin had broken.
I needed to take my time with Him this morning to let Him know that He is my all in all and that nothing else that could ever come up in my life means more to me than He does, that time with Him in personal prayer is precious beyond all else.
Perhaps this article today, done before I go off to address all the things that caused me to rush in prayer, will let Him know. I'm sure he sees and knows my heart at this moment.
What about you? Does He know this morning that He is the most important One in your life? Has He heard it from you? Don't neglect Him. He never neglects you. Talk to Him. Listen to Him as He responds. Love on Him today and let Him love on you. You'll both be happy about it.
And while your talking, don't forget to mention revival, national revival to Him. He wants to know that we really want it. Perhaps He even wants to hear from us that we won't misuse it or quickly forget it when He sends it. Revival. Nationally. That's the key to the renewal, the salvation of our nation from the brink of disaster.
Thank you for praying. Thank you for loving Him. Thank you for loving me.
In His Love
Walter
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Still Ringing The Bell
If you don't know it already, be advised that the financial condition of our nation is still in turmoil. The Stock Market was up Monday in anticipation of our government's plan to buy into banks as needed to shore up the economy. It was down slightly on Tuesday as many whose stocks had risen on Monday sold them in what is known as "profit taking" and then it went down 733 points Wednesday because of recession fears. Turmoil? Yes, I'd say so.
Those of you who are part of our congregation know that for some time now I've been "ringing a bell." Not in a literal sense, but "ringing a bell" nonetheless. By "ringing a bell" I mean that I've been consistently sounding a call to Christians to pray for revival in our nation. I don't know how many times I have referred to 2 Chronicles 7: 14 and I don't know how many more times it will be necessary, but until God's people get the message and act in humble obedience to God in accordance with His directions there, I, and I pray you with me, have got to keep "ringing the bell" of God's call to His people.
For those who might not know it, the verse says, "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
God wants us to know in no uncertain terms that we cannot depend on government buyouts or buy-ins, we cannot depend on a new administration whether it be Republican or Democrat, we cannot depend on anything but an outpouring of Holy Spirit that brings revival the the saved in America and results in the salvation of many who are lost and unsaved in our country.
God wants we redeemed ones to know that the Divine rescue of our nation depends on us. Coming together in spite of denominational differences, we must join hearts with others who are washed in the blood of Jesus and humble ourselves before God in prayer and receive His promised blessing. Otherwise, we are ultimately doomed as a nation.
So please don't think that I'm incapable of only one line of thinking or of only having one heart matter to encourage you about. My strong sense is that God has called me and many others to keep "ringing the bell" until His people respond and gather and pray. And my commitment to Him is that for as long as it takes for His people in America to obediently answer His call to pray and repent, I will keep ringing the bell.
If it takes so long that I can no longer physically stand and encourage others to heed the voice of God, it is my prayer that spiritually and mentally I'll come to my last day of life still ringing the bell.
Help me ring it. O, Christian, please help me ring it. It will take all of us to get the message out. Please help me ring it.
In His Love
Walter
Those of you who are part of our congregation know that for some time now I've been "ringing a bell." Not in a literal sense, but "ringing a bell" nonetheless. By "ringing a bell" I mean that I've been consistently sounding a call to Christians to pray for revival in our nation. I don't know how many times I have referred to 2 Chronicles 7: 14 and I don't know how many more times it will be necessary, but until God's people get the message and act in humble obedience to God in accordance with His directions there, I, and I pray you with me, have got to keep "ringing the bell" of God's call to His people.
For those who might not know it, the verse says, "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
God wants us to know in no uncertain terms that we cannot depend on government buyouts or buy-ins, we cannot depend on a new administration whether it be Republican or Democrat, we cannot depend on anything but an outpouring of Holy Spirit that brings revival the the saved in America and results in the salvation of many who are lost and unsaved in our country.
God wants we redeemed ones to know that the Divine rescue of our nation depends on us. Coming together in spite of denominational differences, we must join hearts with others who are washed in the blood of Jesus and humble ourselves before God in prayer and receive His promised blessing. Otherwise, we are ultimately doomed as a nation.
So please don't think that I'm incapable of only one line of thinking or of only having one heart matter to encourage you about. My strong sense is that God has called me and many others to keep "ringing the bell" until His people respond and gather and pray. And my commitment to Him is that for as long as it takes for His people in America to obediently answer His call to pray and repent, I will keep ringing the bell.
If it takes so long that I can no longer physically stand and encourage others to heed the voice of God, it is my prayer that spiritually and mentally I'll come to my last day of life still ringing the bell.
Help me ring it. O, Christian, please help me ring it. It will take all of us to get the message out. Please help me ring it.
In His Love
Walter
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
He Delights In You
I am so very blessed to have five grandchildren and another on the way. God has been so good to Wanna and me. We can just talk about these gifts from God and smile. We have pictures all over the refrigerator and we love the chance to see the kids.
Lily, the youngest for now, will be three in January and she is a spitfire. She seems to be quite athletic. She loves to climb on things and jump off them and she is fearless. And to watch her face as she shows off makes me smile every time. "Wat' me jump, G'andaddy. Wat' me jump."
Then she wriggles her mouth until she gets herself set and there she goes. We just laugh and pray that she doesn't hurt herself.
As you can tell, just thinking about Lily and her facial expressions and her verbal expressions as she masters the English language and her young tongue makes me smile. I delight in her and the other four as well. As a matter of fact, I already delight in "little boy Kelso" though he is not quite with us yet. And I want you to know today that your Heavenly Father delights in you.
Even if one of our grandchildren has been disobedient and has required punishment or other correction, we still love them and delight in them and think on the good things about them and not the bad. It is the same with God and His children, those who have been reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ. He loves you, forgives you, delights in you no matter what else may be going on in your life. Even if He has to correct or punish you, He does so because He delights in you and always wants the best for you.
One of Wanna and my favorite passages of Scripture is Psalm 18: 1-19. Please read it and then read it again and as you read it over and over, personalize it. Let it permeate your heart as you realize that the thundering, all powerful God Who comes to David's rescue in the Psalm is the same One Who comes to your rescue.
And then, grasp the 19th verse and hold onto it with all your heart's might; "He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me." KJV. You bring delight to the heart of God. He finds great pleasure in you. He loves you with all His being. Rejoice this day for you are in the very heart of God.
As you rejoice, please remember to pay with all your might, concentration and passion for revival for our nation. God is calling His people to pray, repent and long for revival. He wants to send it. Let's let Him know we want to receive it.
In His Love,
Walter
Lily, the youngest for now, will be three in January and she is a spitfire. She seems to be quite athletic. She loves to climb on things and jump off them and she is fearless. And to watch her face as she shows off makes me smile every time. "Wat' me jump, G'andaddy. Wat' me jump."
Then she wriggles her mouth until she gets herself set and there she goes. We just laugh and pray that she doesn't hurt herself.
As you can tell, just thinking about Lily and her facial expressions and her verbal expressions as she masters the English language and her young tongue makes me smile. I delight in her and the other four as well. As a matter of fact, I already delight in "little boy Kelso" though he is not quite with us yet. And I want you to know today that your Heavenly Father delights in you.
Even if one of our grandchildren has been disobedient and has required punishment or other correction, we still love them and delight in them and think on the good things about them and not the bad. It is the same with God and His children, those who have been reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ. He loves you, forgives you, delights in you no matter what else may be going on in your life. Even if He has to correct or punish you, He does so because He delights in you and always wants the best for you.
One of Wanna and my favorite passages of Scripture is Psalm 18: 1-19. Please read it and then read it again and as you read it over and over, personalize it. Let it permeate your heart as you realize that the thundering, all powerful God Who comes to David's rescue in the Psalm is the same One Who comes to your rescue.
And then, grasp the 19th verse and hold onto it with all your heart's might; "He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me." KJV. You bring delight to the heart of God. He finds great pleasure in you. He loves you with all His being. Rejoice this day for you are in the very heart of God.
As you rejoice, please remember to pay with all your might, concentration and passion for revival for our nation. God is calling His people to pray, repent and long for revival. He wants to send it. Let's let Him know we want to receive it.
In His Love,
Walter
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Two Weeks
What a difference two weeks can make! Yesterday the Stock Market was up with the Dow Industrials being up 936 points. Can you believe it? How rapidly things can change. Remember, all this comes after the Dow fell terribly over the last two weeks and governmental leaders began to search for a way to get things turned around quickly. Maybe they've found it. I hope so, but the whole thing seems a bit ridiculous to me. Let's consider God's perspective for a bit.
From Our Heavenly Father's point of view, many have been dancing on Satan's strings as these financial events have taken place. Our enemy has cackled with glee as people around the world have wrung their hands, held their heads and, in a few cases, even taken their own lives while recent economic events have swept people through a gamut of emotions. People all over the world have looked to governments rather than God as their source for help.
Our Loving, Gracious Heavenly Father wants us to have faith in Him. He has told us not to fear over 300 times in His Word. He has demonstrated His faithfulness to care for His own in all sorts of difficult situations. He has recorded His mighty miracles for us in the Bible. And still we doubt, still we have fear.
This morning, please hear His Word once again as He reaches out to reassure us that He is the only One worthy of our faith. Please let fears be calmed and eyes be focused on the only One Who knows us perfectly and yet loves us passionately. Understand His heart and how He extends it to all who will believe and receive. Appreciate His love as He wraps us in it to protect and keep us. Let mind and heart grasp the heights of His care when He says, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
What a declaration to bring joy to the the believer's heart and mind! Circumstances will come and go. Stock markets will rise and fall. Sickness and war and disease and hatred and horrors will happen, but be cheerful, joyful in the midst of it all for Our Christ has overcome the world and all of its wickedness. It may be only in Heaven that we realize it experientially, but He has conquered it all!
Circumstances are like the weather, changing constantly. Don't like how it is today? Wait until tomorrow and you can have a different weather outlook and a different set of circumstances. You may be better or worse off. But when your faith is firmly fixed in Jesus, when your eyes are focused on Him, the world is overcome for you because it just doesn't really matter. When He fills your heart, it is truly filled.
Mark two weeks from today. See how different things are then for those not focused on God. Then check to observe the constancy of those who have relied totally on Him. There's all the difference in the world.
Don't forget to pray fervently, earnestly and often for revival among God's people in America. Our country needs spiritual prayer warriors now more than ever.
In His Love
Walter
From Our Heavenly Father's point of view, many have been dancing on Satan's strings as these financial events have taken place. Our enemy has cackled with glee as people around the world have wrung their hands, held their heads and, in a few cases, even taken their own lives while recent economic events have swept people through a gamut of emotions. People all over the world have looked to governments rather than God as their source for help.
Our Loving, Gracious Heavenly Father wants us to have faith in Him. He has told us not to fear over 300 times in His Word. He has demonstrated His faithfulness to care for His own in all sorts of difficult situations. He has recorded His mighty miracles for us in the Bible. And still we doubt, still we have fear.
This morning, please hear His Word once again as He reaches out to reassure us that He is the only One worthy of our faith. Please let fears be calmed and eyes be focused on the only One Who knows us perfectly and yet loves us passionately. Understand His heart and how He extends it to all who will believe and receive. Appreciate His love as He wraps us in it to protect and keep us. Let mind and heart grasp the heights of His care when He says, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
What a declaration to bring joy to the the believer's heart and mind! Circumstances will come and go. Stock markets will rise and fall. Sickness and war and disease and hatred and horrors will happen, but be cheerful, joyful in the midst of it all for Our Christ has overcome the world and all of its wickedness. It may be only in Heaven that we realize it experientially, but He has conquered it all!
Circumstances are like the weather, changing constantly. Don't like how it is today? Wait until tomorrow and you can have a different weather outlook and a different set of circumstances. You may be better or worse off. But when your faith is firmly fixed in Jesus, when your eyes are focused on Him, the world is overcome for you because it just doesn't really matter. When He fills your heart, it is truly filled.
Mark two weeks from today. See how different things are then for those not focused on God. Then check to observe the constancy of those who have relied totally on Him. There's all the difference in the world.
Don't forget to pray fervently, earnestly and often for revival among God's people in America. Our country needs spiritual prayer warriors now more than ever.
In His Love
Walter
Monday, October 13, 2008
Barest Escape
"Barest Escape" was the headline on the story by Terrence Moore in this morning's Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the Atlanta Falcon's victory over the Chicago Bears yesterday afternoon. I thought their win was the result of the resolute will "not to give up no matter what" that their Coach seems to have instilled in the players, but Mr. Moore has a way of seeing everything through negative eyes. Many things in life are simply a matter of perspective. But that's a discussion for another day.
Today, my heart is pondering a question about Christians and why so many seem content to "barely escape." In 1 Corinthians 3, God reveals to us through the Apostle Paul that we who have been reconciled to Christ will one day stand before Him in judgement for the lives we have lived since the moment of our salvation. There at the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works will be reviewed by our Savior and each one of us will be given a reward in measure to the works that prove Christ-like and worthy.
It is reassuring to learn from God through Paul that our salvation, that is our guaranteed entrance into Heaven through His atoning, substitutionary work at Calvary, is not in jeopardy. God's Word makes it clear that only our works are being judged. And then Paul writes, under the graceful direction of God, that even if a person's works are burned up totally so that no reward remains, he will still be saved and gain entrance into God's Heaven but only as a person escaping through the flames.
Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to enter into my Heavenly home with the smell of smoke hanging on me. But to observe the lives of many and see they ways they act, hear the ways they talk, to experience the ways they carelessly handle the treasure of salvation that has been given by a gracious and loving Savior leads me to conclude that far too many of those who are blood-washed are satisfied to squeak into Heaven "by the skin of their teeth."
The Christ-like life is to be lived with every effort being made to give ourselves to the Master in every way so that when we stand before Him at His Judgement Seat and our works are tried by fire, there is some precious good left after the flames have died. That is called our reward in the above referenced passage. And I want to have a reward so that I can, hopefully, give it back as an offering to my Savior, face to face.
Christian, let's live today for Jesus. Just today. Then we'll live tomorrow for Him as well. Let's pray today as if today would be our last opportunity to talk to Jesus, our last opportunity to pray for our families, our last opportunity to seek His face for national and personal revival or our last opportunity to call the name of that lost one we care so much about before God's throne of Grace. Today. Just today. It's really all we have to give to Jesus, so let's let Him have it. All of it. And if we can do that each day for all the the todays He gives us, we will stand before Him knowing that when the flames of judgement have consumed all they can, our good works will remain as gold, silver and precious stones. All to His Glory.
In His Name
Walter
Today, my heart is pondering a question about Christians and why so many seem content to "barely escape." In 1 Corinthians 3, God reveals to us through the Apostle Paul that we who have been reconciled to Christ will one day stand before Him in judgement for the lives we have lived since the moment of our salvation. There at the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works will be reviewed by our Savior and each one of us will be given a reward in measure to the works that prove Christ-like and worthy.
It is reassuring to learn from God through Paul that our salvation, that is our guaranteed entrance into Heaven through His atoning, substitutionary work at Calvary, is not in jeopardy. God's Word makes it clear that only our works are being judged. And then Paul writes, under the graceful direction of God, that even if a person's works are burned up totally so that no reward remains, he will still be saved and gain entrance into God's Heaven but only as a person escaping through the flames.
Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to enter into my Heavenly home with the smell of smoke hanging on me. But to observe the lives of many and see they ways they act, hear the ways they talk, to experience the ways they carelessly handle the treasure of salvation that has been given by a gracious and loving Savior leads me to conclude that far too many of those who are blood-washed are satisfied to squeak into Heaven "by the skin of their teeth."
The Christ-like life is to be lived with every effort being made to give ourselves to the Master in every way so that when we stand before Him at His Judgement Seat and our works are tried by fire, there is some precious good left after the flames have died. That is called our reward in the above referenced passage. And I want to have a reward so that I can, hopefully, give it back as an offering to my Savior, face to face.
Christian, let's live today for Jesus. Just today. Then we'll live tomorrow for Him as well. Let's pray today as if today would be our last opportunity to talk to Jesus, our last opportunity to pray for our families, our last opportunity to seek His face for national and personal revival or our last opportunity to call the name of that lost one we care so much about before God's throne of Grace. Today. Just today. It's really all we have to give to Jesus, so let's let Him have it. All of it. And if we can do that each day for all the the todays He gives us, we will stand before Him knowing that when the flames of judgement have consumed all they can, our good works will remain as gold, silver and precious stones. All to His Glory.
In His Name
Walter
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Saying VS Doing
I am privileged to be with the youth on Wednesday nights trying to teach/lead them through the study "Experiencing God Youth Edition" by Dr. Henry Blackaby and Claude King. It is a wonderful study and I trust God that seeds of thought and knowledge are being planted in the hearts and minds of our young people.
Last night, we talked about the unyielding truth that what we do with what we know about God reveals what we truly believe. And I had to confess to them that far too often they have seen us older Christians doing things that reveal that we don't believe everything we say we believe about God and living the Christian life.
I used the sad example of Pinecrest Country Club in Mitchell County, where I grew up. Mom and Dad joined PCC when I was about twelve years old so that my brother and I could learn to play golf. We learned a lot more.
Mitchell County is a dry county. No liquor sales are legal there. But at Pinecrest Country Club, adult members could purchase all they wanted, anytime they wanted. Well, we all know that there have always been places like that that law enforcement officers just looked over because of all the influential people who wanted it to be they way it was, so the fact that this took place is really not that big of a deal.
Except that many of the Deacons and other leaders of my church visited this room on a regular basis, right in front of us young people. We knew they were drinking. We also knew that they gambled. It really caused me to think that a relationship with God could be relegated to Sundays at church and that I didn't really have to worry too much about time away from church because all my relationship with God was, was contained at church. These men did not seem to know it, but while they were standing and praying and leading at church, their practice away from church, specifically at the Country Club sent a clear message to us boys that they didn't really take God as seriously as they tried to teach us to. We were well able to recognize hypocrisy when we saw it.
Wha about your life today? Are you sending anyone mixed messages? Is the practice of your life consistent with the declaration of your lips so far as your relationship with God is concerned? It should be. One of the reason we see so many uncommitted and unconcerned young people hanging around today is that we have sent them inconsistent messages about Who God is and the respect, fear and honor that He is worthy to receive.
But the joy of A Loving Heavenly Father is that each day is new. His mercies really are new every morning. Repent today for the inconsistencies of your life up to now and then start to live the life of consistent example He has empowered you to live through the guidance of Holy Spirit.
You can do it! I know you can! Let's commit to one another right now to start being more and more Christ-like every day. That is God's will for us anyway.
And please don't forget. Pray, pray, pray for revival. God wants to send it if the hearts of His people are truly hungry, desperately hungry for it. Pray without ceasing. It is the only thing that can save our land.
In His Love,
Walter
Last night, we talked about the unyielding truth that what we do with what we know about God reveals what we truly believe. And I had to confess to them that far too often they have seen us older Christians doing things that reveal that we don't believe everything we say we believe about God and living the Christian life.
I used the sad example of Pinecrest Country Club in Mitchell County, where I grew up. Mom and Dad joined PCC when I was about twelve years old so that my brother and I could learn to play golf. We learned a lot more.
Mitchell County is a dry county. No liquor sales are legal there. But at Pinecrest Country Club, adult members could purchase all they wanted, anytime they wanted. Well, we all know that there have always been places like that that law enforcement officers just looked over because of all the influential people who wanted it to be they way it was, so the fact that this took place is really not that big of a deal.
Except that many of the Deacons and other leaders of my church visited this room on a regular basis, right in front of us young people. We knew they were drinking. We also knew that they gambled. It really caused me to think that a relationship with God could be relegated to Sundays at church and that I didn't really have to worry too much about time away from church because all my relationship with God was, was contained at church. These men did not seem to know it, but while they were standing and praying and leading at church, their practice away from church, specifically at the Country Club sent a clear message to us boys that they didn't really take God as seriously as they tried to teach us to. We were well able to recognize hypocrisy when we saw it.
Wha about your life today? Are you sending anyone mixed messages? Is the practice of your life consistent with the declaration of your lips so far as your relationship with God is concerned? It should be. One of the reason we see so many uncommitted and unconcerned young people hanging around today is that we have sent them inconsistent messages about Who God is and the respect, fear and honor that He is worthy to receive.
But the joy of A Loving Heavenly Father is that each day is new. His mercies really are new every morning. Repent today for the inconsistencies of your life up to now and then start to live the life of consistent example He has empowered you to live through the guidance of Holy Spirit.
You can do it! I know you can! Let's commit to one another right now to start being more and more Christ-like every day. That is God's will for us anyway.
And please don't forget. Pray, pray, pray for revival. God wants to send it if the hearts of His people are truly hungry, desperately hungry for it. Pray without ceasing. It is the only thing that can save our land.
In His Love,
Walter
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
God's Blessings
Wow, am I excited today! We are finally getting some much needed rain and I've started a blog even though I never thought I could and all that has me pumped! God is so good and I want to use my first blog post to declare to all who will read this that He is my Everything. He is so watchful over me. He protects me, provides for me, gives me peace in the midst of the turmoil of life and shows me in unnumbered ways how much He loves me everyday.
We all need to praise God and acknowledge His love and welcome and treasure His presence in our lives each day. It is so easy to fall into the trap of desiring God for the things He does, the gifts He gives, rather than desiring Him just for the joy and privilege of being with Him, in His presence. There is nothing more precious and valuable than His active living Presence leading and helping us through every moment of life.
We need to be thankful for all His gifts, as well, instead of taking so many of them for granted. For instance, in this morning's paper the rainfall that we are getting was acknowledged but that acknowledgement was immediately followed by several paragraphs about how it wasn't enough. Hey, guys! It hasn't stopped raining yet, so how do you know it's not enough? Let's just be joyfully thankful for what God is giving and wait and see if it's enough.
Remember the five loaves and two small fishes? The disciples didn't think that would be enough either but when it was all over, each one of the twelve had a basket of leftovers to carry. God showed Himself to be the provider of enough and more then and He is still doing that today. Perhaps our loss of a spirit of genuine gratitude for each and every gift, no matter how small it may seem at the time, is one of the reasons we are so in need of revival.
Please pray for revival. Every time it rains, my heart longs for showers of Holy Ghost revival in our nation. We need it so much and God is at work seeking to convince His people to get serious about praying and seeking Him for the true revival that only He can give. Please join me in earnest, fervent and continual prayer that, in His mercy, grace and love, Heavenly Father will send revival. Then our churches, homes and halls of government will be powerfully refreshed and changed by Holy Spirit and we can truly become one naton under God. How I long for that day!
In His love,
Walter
We all need to praise God and acknowledge His love and welcome and treasure His presence in our lives each day. It is so easy to fall into the trap of desiring God for the things He does, the gifts He gives, rather than desiring Him just for the joy and privilege of being with Him, in His presence. There is nothing more precious and valuable than His active living Presence leading and helping us through every moment of life.
We need to be thankful for all His gifts, as well, instead of taking so many of them for granted. For instance, in this morning's paper the rainfall that we are getting was acknowledged but that acknowledgement was immediately followed by several paragraphs about how it wasn't enough. Hey, guys! It hasn't stopped raining yet, so how do you know it's not enough? Let's just be joyfully thankful for what God is giving and wait and see if it's enough.
Remember the five loaves and two small fishes? The disciples didn't think that would be enough either but when it was all over, each one of the twelve had a basket of leftovers to carry. God showed Himself to be the provider of enough and more then and He is still doing that today. Perhaps our loss of a spirit of genuine gratitude for each and every gift, no matter how small it may seem at the time, is one of the reasons we are so in need of revival.
Please pray for revival. Every time it rains, my heart longs for showers of Holy Ghost revival in our nation. We need it so much and God is at work seeking to convince His people to get serious about praying and seeking Him for the true revival that only He can give. Please join me in earnest, fervent and continual prayer that, in His mercy, grace and love, Heavenly Father will send revival. Then our churches, homes and halls of government will be powerfully refreshed and changed by Holy Spirit and we can truly become one naton under God. How I long for that day!
In His love,
Walter
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