Personal Mission and Vision

 Back in 2007 I was still a new Christian. My wife and I were taking courses through the denomination's School of Christian Studies. Quite likely the most important to me was the Leadership M-03 course. At the end of the course, we were required to write our personal mission and vision statement. Doing this turned out to be useful over the years. I framed mine and hung it above my workstation in our home office. It's probably a good thing we didn't know at the time what the Lord would lead us through. Valerie and I happily worked in the areas that presented themselves. Since then we have served  in a variety of roles. I have served as chaplain of  a motorcycle ministry chapter, as a deacon at two different churches, as a licensed preacher, as the evangelism and assimilation coordinator, as an interim pastor and briefly as part of state leadership in a motorcycle ministry.

 There have been some ups and downs since then. The Holy Spirit has used different people and situations to guide and encourage us. When I have felt less than enthusiastic about our calling and all the effort we were applying I have referred to that statement to refocus myself in the ministry. I encourage all Christians to write out what they believe their personal ministry is. Your personal statement may be simpler or much more extensive but it's important to focus yourself on what God wants you to do. Your honest efforts will be rewarded. The Holy Spirit will remind you of your victories and whose child you are.

    The following is my personal mission and vision statement. I hope it will encourage you to write out your own.

Leadership M-03

Personal Mission and Vision Statement

Gail Hodges

9/10/07

Mission

Personal

• ·         To be driven by the knowledge of the certain fate of the lost
• ·         Reach others for Christ
• ·         Learn how to effectively present the Gospel

 

Corporate

• ·         Convince other of the fate of the lost
• ·         Encourage others to evangelize
• ·         Help others show genuine gratitude for their own salvation
• ·         Teach others what I have learned

     Vision

• ·         To reach as many with the Gospel as possible through personal evangelism and public outreach
• ·         To see people soundly, completely saved not just make a “decision”
• ·         To see myself and others seek a deeper burden for the lost
• ·         To see those who are apathetic toward the lost to be awakened to their own lost state.

 

 

Have we fulfilled the great commission if we haven’t warned our neighbor

 about the wrath that awaits them on judgement day?

The moment  you put a stop  to people  taking  advantage  of  you  and disrespecting  you is when  they define you  as difficult , selfish  or crazy.

Manipulators hate boundaries .

Faith is not believing in spite of the evidence.

Faith is believing in spite of the consequence.

Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy

The only business that repentant born again  believers have on this earth is to bring others with us.

Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”(Luke 7:36-50)

Great News!

Rom 5:6-19 ESV

FOR WHILE WE WERE STILL WEAK, 

AT THE RIGHT TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.

1. WE WERE WEAK -  

2. WE WERE UNGODLY –

3. WE WERE DISOBEDIENT – 

4. WE WERE ENEMIES

5. WE WERE CHILDREN OF WRATH- 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Eph 2:1 ESV - And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

6. WE WERE JUSTIFIED

7. WE WERE RECONCILED- 

8. WE WERE SAVED - But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,(Tit 3:4-6 ESV)

9. WE CAN NOW REJOICE- VERSE 11 

15)  But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.  (16)  And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.(17)  For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (18)  Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.  (19)  For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Did you ever start a new job or go to a new school or church and feel overwhelmed by all that was going on? Everyone seems to have their particular role. Each piece of equipment has a set function. Your question is, “Where do I fit in???”  How do I become a part of this confusing spectacle in front of me? Many people will find someone they trust or has been assigned to them to show them around. Others will just stand there and go blank. After a while they will just turn around and wander off.

I’ve seen almost the same thing happen on the highway. Occasionally I’ve seen folks so overwhelmed by the prospect of merging into heavy traffic that they will just sort of drift to the end of an on-ramp and freeze. Sometimes a kind soul will see their predicament and slow down just enough to let them into traffic. Later they’ll tell a friend that they will never drive in that area again. The traffic is just too dangerous and confusing. “The drivers in that area are just crazy!”

In a new place most of the time a friendly face can act as a guide to help them focus on their new surroundings to show them what is important and what isn’t. In a new area with daunting traffic we need someone to lead us to go in front of us through those difficult merges, lane changes and around frightening vehicles.

Look for those people who are in need of our leadership. Guide them gently. God has placed you here to bring others with you.

And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

(Luk 22:25-26 ESV)

FAITH THAT MOVES ME

Here's a song that's been on my mind lately...

FAITH THAT MOVES ME

 I read my bible almost every night 
 Say a quick prayer and then turn out the lights
 And just ignore that you want more

 I've been complacent in my walk with you
 Stuck in a valley I just won’t pass thru
 Lord it feels like I’m standing still 

 Chorus
 Give me faith…..a strong faith 
 Faith that listens to your heart and don’t need eyes to see
 I don’t need a faith that moves a mountain 
 I just need a faith that moves me 

 Take me to that place where there’s no doubt 
 Mold me and change me from the inside out 
 So when the world sees me they’ll say he believes 

 Chorus
 Give me faith…..a strong faith 
 Faith that listens to your heart and don’t need eyes to see
 I don’t need a faith that moves a mountain 
 I just need a faith that moves me 
 Monte Allen

Behold, God is my salvation!

You will say in that day: 

"I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. 

"Behold, God is my salvation; 

I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." 

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: 

"Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. 

"Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the 

Holy One of Israel." 

(Isa 12:1-6 ESV)

Why we need to be grounded in the scripture.......

It’s only through the confidence and assurance we gain through the study and application of the Word and the experience we gain through seeing God work through His Word in our lives that we gain a firm foundation and basis for true joy and assurance.

Not just happiness, JOY.

 
Happiness is a conditional feeling that depends on the happenstances of our lives. Joy comes through the calm assurance gained through watching God work in our lives in light of the scripture.

 
ASSURANCE – Big word, terribly misunderstood by most… 

Assurance cannot be given to you by man.

No one can walk up to you and tell you that you are saved.
Assurance does not come through emotional catharsis or special knowledge or mystical experience. These things can be counterfeited by both satan and man. The counterfeits can be used to keep a person from finding the real joy and confidence that comes from true repentance and trust in Christ.

gh

PRAY FOR THE LOST!

PRAY FOR THE LOST!

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."(Isaiah 59:1-2, John 9:31, Proverbs15:29, 1 Timothy 2:1-6, 2 Peter  3:9)

The compilation above sums up the position of the unrepentant. God does not listen to the prayers of sinners. Apart from the prayer of repentance and trust their prayers for help and comfort fall on non-listening ears... For example, if someone completely unrelated to you who had seen how well you had raised your children and/or  grandchildren, how you had provided for them, how you had protected them and loved them with abandon, would come to you and told you how they had observed your passionate love for your family. They are coming to you now to request that you would give them the same privilege without any family ties you would probably; definitely refuse their request on the basis of lack of familial rights. God has the same position. Until the sinner has been brought into the family He will hear their prayers but not listen to their requests.

Boredom-Day 14

Boredom-Day 14

 

I know that I’m getting ever closer to that magic age when those of us who have been active throughout our lives are supposed to slow down and take it easy (retirement) but I wasn’t prepared for the reality of being off for an extended period. I recently broke my foot while doing my pre-trip preparation at work.  The doctor said that the type of break I had would be a career ending injury for a professional athlete, (Good thing I’m not a professional athlete.) and that surgery would be required for my foot to heal properly. Well, as some of you know, there isn’t a simple process to get the medical and short term disability benefits started. Since it happened at work I had to go through all the Workers Comp rigmarole so that helped prolong the process. In any case it looks like I’ll be off work for almost ten weeks. That’s a lot of time. I find my unoccupied mind wandering from thought to thought and topic to topic. Every once in a while it lands on something.

[I compare this process to the actions observed when flies hitch a ride on a manure spreader. When the manure spreader hits a bump they all get up and fly around for a while and land somewhere completely different but still on the manure spreader. (A similar behavior happens with people in corporate management and in government.)  I guess that since I am the first person that I know of to record this phenomenon I get to name it. I’m trying to figure out what to call it. Here are some of the possibilities: “Manure Spreader Effect”, “Bumped Fly Syndrome”,” Hodges’ Distraction Paradigm”.]

But I digress…

The other day while my unoccupied mind was flying around I finally figured out why Valerie has been burning the microwave popcorn. It seemed that my darling lovely wife was having trouble completing this simple task without setting off the smoke detectors. You’re just supposed to put the bag in, close the door, push the “POPCORN” button, press the “START” button, wait until the microwave beeps, and take out the popped bag and enjoy…Right???  I even accused her of using the smoke alarms as timers. Obviously there is a missing factor at work here. Why is the popcorn burning even though published procedure is being followed? This was just the sort of puzzle I needed to occupy my mind. Upon closer examination I found what appears to be the underlying cause.  It seems that there are more than two sizes of microwave popcorn bags. We thought there were only two sizes 1.2 and 3.5. Someone in the Microwave Popcorn Cartel (MPC) has decided to package their delicious snack in an intermediate 2.4 oz. size bag without telling the Microwave Oven Cartel (MOC). I’m sure if the MPC had let the MOC know of their intention to do this the MOC would have placed another convenient button on the control panel for the intermediate popcorn bag (IPB).

 Problem identified… So what is the solution???

1.       We could be careful that in the future we purchase our microwave popcorn in only the prescribed 1.2 or 3.5 ounce packets.

2.       We could buy another microwave with an additional setting for the IPB (2.4 oz. intermediate popcorn bag)

3.       We could pop the corn on the 3.5 oz. setting and take it out before it burns.

4.       We could ask congress to make it illegal to sell microwave popcorn in any size but 1.2 and 3.5 ounce bags.

5.       We could ask congress to make it mandatory to purchase only the 3.5 ounce bags from a prescribed government exchange and fine us if we stop buying microwave popcorn.

I think I’ll just go with option 3 for now.

Next…

GH

The video linked below may be the most important nine minutes you ever spend!
http://wretchednetwork.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/steve-lawsons-impromptu-gospel-presentation/

Call you blessed

To: The person who pulled out today and blocked the road in front of a fully loaded 35000 GVWR delivery truck

Consider yourself very blessed.  In spite of the grievous error you committed The God of all creation has decided to allow you to live at least a little while longer. Many factors had to be in place for you to survive today.

1.       The truck driver was alert.

2.       The truck driver had recently completed training and passed the strict certification standards for a major international corporation.

3.       The truck driver is also an experienced motorcyclist who prides himself in staying out of dangerous situations.

4.       The truck driver was able to maneuver the truck around your sorry self without damage to you, your car, your passengers, his equipment, himself or his passenger.

5.       God, in His infinite mercy, made it a point today to make sure that these and a multitude of other factors were in place so you would , perhaps, live long enough to read this letter and make sure you are right with Him.

The passenger in the truck had a few choice descriptive adjectives which he hurled your way. (The truck driver happened to agree with all of them but the one about your pedigree. I don’t know you personally so I can’t confirm or deny whether you do or do not have canine lineage.)

At least three families were spared the grief such an event would have caused. We looked your way through our mirrors as you drove away apparently oblivious to the disaster that almost occurred. If our vehicles had met at that moment there would have been an accounting for the difference between the masses of our vehicles. The laws of physics state that for each action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Your little car just doesn’t have the mass necessary to make up the difference. The same thing applies to our daily lives. We go through life every day in full view of a righteous, holy and just God. One day He is going to require an accounting for all the sins you have committed in your life. Every stray word, every thoughtless action, each time you have lied or looked with lust at another person…… You see, we are all guilty of sinning against an infinite and holy God. The Good News is He made a provision for you and me to avoid an eternity in Hell. (Yes, it’s a real place) He himself became the sacrifice for our sins. God the Father sent Jesus who is God the Son to take our punishment. Through His death, burial and resurrection our sins may be washed away if we will turn away from our sins and trust Jesus for our salvation. I hope you are able to do this.

 The truck driver is a born again Christian who has repented and trusted Christ for his salvation. As a result he has chosen not to condemn you for your actions but to pray for you. You will now be placed on THE LIST. Our Sunday school class has a list of folks for whom we are praying for their salvation. I don’t know your name so I’ll just have to choose one for you when I put you on THE LIST. The people on THE LIST are prayed for daily by folks from our church and our CMA chapter. I’m not sure if I should call you Bill or George or Sue or Larry or Moe or Curly. I think I’ll leave it up to our Sunday school class to choose your name. For now I’m just going to call you blessed.

Sincerely,

The Truck Driver

Pray for our president

I believe in the power of prayer to the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God who delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, who raised His Son Jesus from the dead, who sent the Holy Spirit to live in the lives of those who have repented of their sins and trusted Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation. The bible states that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much[1].  It also states that that righteousness is given to those who have repented and trusted Christ[2]. In contrast the bible states that the prayers of the unrighteous are an abomination to Him[3] and he will not hear them[4]. With that in mind I am calling on those of you who have recognized Christ as the only Lord and Master[5] and received forgiveness through repentance and faith in Jesus to pray the following prayer daily throughout the current term of President Obama.

 

 

Our most holy and precious heavenly Father,

I come in humility toward you. I recognize that you and you only are the Creator of all things. Only you are worthy to be called Lord and Master. I pray that you will forgive my sins and shortcomings so that my prayers will be more acceptable to you. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you and that my actions will not be a hindrance to unbelievers.  

Father, I cannot know the true heart condition of another person. Only you know the condition of the souls of others. Your holy scripture states that we are to pray for those in authority over us. In obedience to that command I offer up a prayer for the President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama. Father, he lives in a situation where he is subject to many strong influences. I can only imagine what they may be. Even though he is our president he is still only a man who is subject to all the same pressures and desires as any man.  I pray that he has or will come to a place of repentance and trust in Jesus Christ. I pray that you will break down any barriers in his life that hinder him from hearing and responding to the Gospel.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will strive mightily with his spirit.  I pray that you will bring him to the point in his life where he can hear and listen and respond positively to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Amen

 

---

[1] James 5:16  

[2] Romans 4:22-25,  Rom 5:17  - 19

[3] Proverbs 15:8  ,  Pro 28:

[4] John 9:31,  Isa 59:1 -2   

[5] John 3:18

Nate's Perspective

It’s funny how kids can make you think about things in new ways. My five year old grandson Nate recently lost his Grandma Massey. My wife Valerie and I went to the viewing to pay our respects and help any way we could. When we got to the funeral home we visited with the family and friends that we knew, met some of their family we hadn’t seen before and generally made the rounds. When we finished I headed back to the lounge to where the rest of the kids were. Nate happened to be back there by himself playing a video game on his dad’s phone.  He looked up and said, “Hi Papaw.” I said, “Hi Nate, how ya doin’?” He said, “OK” and went back to his video game. I took a seat just to be there and keep him company. After a short time he looked up from his game and asked, “Papaw what are you doin’ here in heaben?” I said,” Nate I’m not in heaven. We’re at the funeral home not heaven.” … “Oh”, he answered, and went back to his video game.  His Mom and Dad had explained to him that Grandma Massey had passed away and now she was going away to live with Jesus in Heaven.  I guess he processed that information the same way that most five year olds do. Since grandma Massey was in the next room this must be heaven.  Five year olds have an amazing capacity to retain information for future reference they just don’t have the background to sort that info.  

You know, we adults are much the same as five year olds when it comes to processing information. If we’re not given the background on a situation we can come to incorrect or incomplete conclusions. Too many times the Gospel is given to the lost without the background necessary to come to the correct conclusion.  Much of the time they are told that all they have to do is say a simple prayer or just keep the two greatest commandments. The benefit of “accepting Christ” is explained as a matter of life enhancement and heaven after that. No mention is made of God’s absolute holiness or our absolute sinfulness. No mention is made of repentance and a changed life, or the alternative, hell. If they are mentioned it’s only in general, vague terms that don’t carry the weight or information needed to understand the gravity of their plight. Folks, we gotta start laying out the whole truth to the lost. Their hearts need to be awakened to the fact we are vile sinners in God’s eyes and in need of a savior. How do we do that? We can change the “Modern Message” back to the “Old Truth”.  What we tell them needs to have the hard edge of truth. No more sugar coating. Until we are willing to break their hearts with our words they will not be able to arrive at the right conclusion.

EXAMPLES FROM THE GAULEY II

EXAMPLES FROM THE GAULEY II
The Gauley River has several colorfully and aptly named rapids such as Koontz's Flume, Canyon Doors, Upper and Lower Mash, Rocky Top, Heaven's Gate, Upper and Lower Staircase, Rollercoaster, Cliffside, Rattlesnake, and Roostertail. The last rapid of the trip on the Lower Gauley is a Class V called “Pure Screaming Hell” it’s a wild and strong run at the bottom of which are two holes. The smaller one called “Purgatory” (being good Baptists and not believing in purgatory) we ended up in the other one called “Hell Hole”. Believe me it is well named. Throughout the day we had come through some other big water with drops and holes and ledges. But this one is the biggest water on the lower river. Joshua, my son, and I were seated in the front of the raft and as the day progressed and we gained confidence the guide would put us into better and better parts of the river. When Josh and I would see a roller or a big drop we would give one last big pull with our paddles and pull the front of that tiny raft as deep as we could. But, when we got to Hell Hole and looked over the edge we …… didn’t. The raft went into the bottom of the hole at a steep angle. We hit bottom and “momentarily” leveled out. For the briefest of moments we settled into the foam until the water caught the raft and began to churn it like a washing machine. All of us went out including the guide. I was told that after we were flushed out of the hole our tiny raft was caught and tumbled end over end until it was finally spit out.
When I was tossed from the boat I found myself on my back under about six feet of churning river trying to orient myself and head to the surface. I’m a fairly experienced swimmer so I tried to get myself over on my stomach to swim to the surface but something wouldn’t let me. I tried stubbornly to get to the surface on my own becoming angrier and more frustrated the harder I tried. Something was thwarting my efforts to save myself. Finally, I remembered the safety instructions given by Kip back at the outfitters shop. The life vest is designed to turn an unconscious swimmer face up and float them to the surface. My struggling was only making my situation worse. I had to trust the vest. I had to surrender to its design and allow it to bring me to the safety of the surface.
Isn’t that a lot like the grace and mercy offered by God through Jesus Christ? It’s only when we recognize the graveness of our situation and surrender to the design of God’s grace that we are turned toward the Son and receive mercy. Ephesians 2:1-9

RAFTING THE GAULEY

Back in September of “08” I was blessed with the opportunity to take my adult children with me to go whitewater rafting on the Gauley River in West Virginia. Rafting the Gauley is a seasonal opportunity. Each fall the Corp of Engineers draws down the water stored behind the Summersville Dam to winter levels. The release of water results in the formation of the best whitewater river in the eastern United States. The Gauley is ranked among the top ten rivers for rafting in the world.

On our trip we were fortunate to be assigned a smaller five person high adventure raft. We were assigned an experienced guide named Liz. The main guide “Kip” took the larger nine person raft. A third guide brought another group of the Outfitter’s in-store employees. They had never been on the Gauley before.  On our second rapid of the day, a fairly easy class 3, we came to a “surfing hole”. There are places in the Gauley River and other whitewater where the water is churned up to such a degree that it gives the illusion, once you are caught in it, that your craft is floating on a cloud. Kip took his big raft expertly around the hole turned the raft and had all on board paddle hard back upstream to get into it. Once there they sat, literally floating on station, while the river rushed past on both sides. As we approached, Kip was trying to get his raft free so we could pull up into it. He was stuck (1Tim 6:9). That big ol’ raft just wouldn’t come out. We had to go on around and along with the third raft in our group we pulled up in to a calm area along the side of the river. The big raft was still stuck. It wasn’t wedged on a rock or anything. It was just being held by the circumstance of the river. The promise of an easy thrill had lured nine people into a trap that the river had decided to set that day. (If we had left them they could have been stuck there until the engineers stopped the water release at the dam that evening) But our guide, being the responsible and compassionate person she is stopped to effect a rescue. Now here watch and see a picture of grace and faith in action. Liz grabbed a throw bag. (A throw bag is a weighted canvass bag in which rope is loosely piled so when it is thrown the line plays out smoothly behind it.) Liz had my son in law get out onto the rocks to tend our raft. She then took the guide from the third group and one of the outfitters employees and walked upstream on the rocks to a level area  where she could safely throw the line  to Kip’s boat. She stood nearest the river with the bag the other guide and the employee lined up directly behind her each one grasping tightly the vest of the person ahead forming a human anchor. Watch as Liz tosses the bag through the air toward the trapped boat the line playing out behind it (Heb 2:9). Watch as hands in the big raft reach out in faith to grasp the grace and mercy represented by the life line (2Tim 2:25-26). We also have to realize here that some very important things had to happen before mercy could be extended and subsequently appropriated by faith. Kip had to realize his raft was in trouble (Luke 15:17-21 & 18:13-14) and couldn’t get out by himself and he had to ask for help (Acts 2:21).

This is our aim in evangelism, to bring people to this point. It is not something they can appropriate for themselves. It is not something that we can do for them. Before grace is offered it cannot be appropriated by faith.

In “All of Grace” Charles Spurgeon explains it this way:

”Faith which receives Christ is as simple an act as when your child receives an apple from you, because you hold it out and promise to give him the apple if he comes for it. The belief and the receiving relate only to an apple; but they make up precisely the same act as the faith which deals with eternal salvation. What the child’s hand is to the apple, that your faith is to the perfect salvation of Christ. The child’s hand does not make the apple, nor improve the apple, nor deserve the apple; it only takes it; and faith is chosen by God to be the receiver of salvation, because it does not pretend to create salvation, nor to help in it, but it is content humbly to receive it. “Faith is the tongue that begs pardon, the hand which receives it, and the eye which sees it; but it is not the price which buys it.” Faith never makes herself her own plea, she rests all her argument upon the blood of Christ. She becomes a good servant to bring the riches of the Lord Jesus to the soul, because she acknowledges whence she drew them, and owns that grace alone entrusted her with them.”

G.E.Hodges

Semi vs. SUV and The Laws of Physics

On the way home from an evangelism conference a couple of years ago I witnessed an event that made an impression on me. Valerie and I were traveling west on I-64 about a mile and a half before the Scott Depot exit when we watched a little white SUV race ahead of us and cut over into the right hand lane just inches ahead of a tractor-trailer. Thankfully the truck driver was alert and avoided running over them. Then he did something I found interesting. He laid on the air horn so long and so startlingly loud that I was impressed. (Have you ever heard an angry truck? This was an angry truck.) He followed the SUV for about a mile to the exit and then partway up the off ramp all the while blowing his horns in one long strident blast. I was beginning to wonder if he would loose air to his trailer brakes. Was the truck driver just enraged at the stupidity of the SUV driver? Was what I witnessed merely a case of road rage? Probably… I don’t condone road rage, but, in my mind I tried to justify his actions. Maybe he was trying to impress the SUV driver just how dangerous his (or her) actions were. Was he trying to teach them a lesson or scare some sense into them? 

How much does a loaded semi weigh? How much does a small SUV weigh?
BIG MISMATCH!




The laws of physics demand that for each and every action the will be an equal and opposite reaction. There just isn’t enough SUV there to absorb all the energy from that truck. If that truck driver hadn’t been alert there was going to be an accounting for the difference.
I hope that now the SUV driver understands that he is lucky that all he suffered was some embarrassment and that the only wrath he suffered came from some liberally applied air horns.
So too, our lives are inconsequential compared to the day that approaches each of us. We flirt with it all through our lives. We cut in and out of traffic and cross in front of the great terror of death each day. It isn’t so much that one day we’re the windshield and the next day we’re the bug it’s that one day the windshield catches us all.
It’s my hope that everyone who sees this article is saved. I know that many of you at least have some affiliation with or affinity for a local church.  Frankly, though, I have no delusion that everyone that reads this note is saved. So those of you who are not please listen to what I have to say.
Here is the Gospel message as plain as I can tell it.


It is appointed to man once to die and after this the judgment. You have to face God on judgment day. I’m going to ask you some questions. Please answer them with an honest heart. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Jesus said that if you have just looked with lust at another person you have committed adultery with them already in your heart. Have you ever done that? Have you always put God first in your life? Have you loved Him so much that your love for your spouse and your family seems like hatred in comparison? I’m not saying that you make it to Heaven by keeping commandments or laws. I’m merely demonstrating that no one is innocent. The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Those are just a few of the commandments. On judgment day you’re going to end up guilty. God has seen every sin you’ve ever committed. The Bible says that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. If you die in your sins you will end up in hell. Jesus suffered in your place. It’s as if you broke the law and Jesus paid your fine. He purchased everlasting life for you. What you must do before you pass from life into death is to repent before God. Tell God you’re sorry and put your trust in Jesus. Are you prepared to do that now? Right where you are, in the quietness of your heart, confess your sins to God. Put your trust in Jesus just as you would an airline pilot or a parachute. Trust Him with your eternal salvation.
 Gail


 Luke 10:2

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Someone forwarded this to me a few months ago. I don't remember who. I forwarded it at the time but I saved a copy to my hard drive just in case I ever wanted to use it in a sermon. Here it is as I received it. I hope you find this lesson on forgiveness a blessing as I did.

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One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration. Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
'Lord, You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didnt deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as Your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach me to forgive.'
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
'Have you ever told a lie?' He asked?
The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.'
'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?'
The man answered - 'Yes. Lord.' And the man sobbed more and more.
'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?' Jesus asked?
And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.'
'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?'
The man, crying now, answered - 'Yes, Lord.'
As Jesus asked many more times, Have you ever'? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - 'Yes, Lord'.
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.'
It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.
Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you! If you are one of the 8% who will stand up for Him, forward this with the Title 8%
92% of people won't forward this