Trials I Must Need.

My groanings rise and fill the skies,
And all the atmosphere-
No man can soothe my aching soul
Or calm my doubt and fear.

I wonder why I must be tried
In such a grueling way,
And why these sore afflictions came
Upon my life today.

No answers come from fellow man-
No comfort can they give.
Appointed unto me are trials,
And in them I must live.

Almighty God has handed down
This time of testing sore;
I must endure the fire and flood,
Then peace God will restore.

My loving God will never send
An overwhelming test:
Unless He first has given grace
To help me do my best.

My ways are not the ways of God,
For His are higher still
Than all the intellect of man-
He calls His ways His will.

His will I seek as though for gold
Or treasure rare indeed,
And if through trials my road may pass-
Then trials I must need.

Our Test

Life is a path made up in time by choices that we make,
A road well worn by our two feet and all the steps we take.
Though wounded, weary, tired, and tossed- never ever quit!
Running, walking, crawling, scratching- never choose to sit!

Each time I fall it's not because I like to lie around,
And not because I have grown tired and love to feel the ground.
I fall because I have not been on this path e'er before-
I have not been this far in life, or seen what is in store.

Each day brings new and risky tests that I must take alone.
You see, no one may go with me, I must stand on my own.
The danger is not in falling down, but staying down my friend;
For others come behind us soon, and they too may fall in.

So we must boldly, bravely go to blaze a clearer trail,
To help the sick, the weak, the lame, the lonely, and the frail.
Others gone before us worked to make a clearer road
So to must we forge on to help the feeble bear their load.

Onward, forward all must march for pilgrim folk are we-
Dear one this place is not our home but testing ground you see.
For as we go to run our race and drink up our life's cup,
Our test is this- not if we fell, but if we did get up!

The Fellowship of Suffering

This poem was written for a friend who was facing a time of trial.

No fellowship is quite as sweet
Than that in time of trial;
No tie can bind like one of grief
While walking sorrow's mile.

Souls are betrothed when thrust into
The furnace of affliction,
And hearts are knit that suffer through
A time of grief's constriction.

No blows may weld a stronger bond
Than buffets from the storm,
And those that seem to overwhelm
Our fragile human form.

In weariness of soul and mind-
And with a flesh made weak-
Your character has voiced the thoughts
That tongue could never speak.

Through common burdens we have borne,
Our unsaid thoughts are spoken;
And though our hearts now ache and grieve,
We see that yours is broken.

For when, with you, we face the fire
Or come beneath the sword-
We find out what it truly means
To know our gracious Lord.

Your faith, unshaken, is a source
Of strength to all you lead.
Our battles are but skirmishes,
While yours are wars indeed.

A deeper form of love has grown
While suffering through the years;
From seeds of sorrow, grief, and pain
Oft fertilized with tears.

Though many victories were won
While traveling in the way,
The fellowship of suffering 
Must be our strength this day.

These earthly trials that we must face
Are fellowships with God.
A time when we transcend the painful,
Mortal paths we trod.

That we may know him and his power,
He often chooses pain
To draw us closer to His side
That His might we should gain.

Within Concealed

To love and lose is better still
Than safety's idle pause.
A venture brings its own reward-
To risk all for a cause.

Though loss may seem a bitter end,
Tis only if you dare
To cower down to failure's doom,
And in surrender share.

But those brave souls who must rise up
When challenges arrive,
Will find in starting o'er again
The strength with which to strive.

For in each human beating heart,
A choice has oft revealed
The power that no foe could match
Had been within concealed.

Thinking of How Blessed I am Today!

I took some time to reflect early this morning about how much of God's unmerited favor I enjoy everyday.  I was overwhelmed that God has allowed me to serve Him for another year!  I could not help but to shed some tears of joy for the incredible blessings I receive that I do not deserve.  On the occasion of my birthday, I have always- as long as I can remember- taken a look back at the past year to take stock of its blessings and also look ahead to the coming year to imagine what it has in store.  This morning, I prayed for a year filled with opportunities to serve.  I asked the Lord to increase my vision and to grant me the wisdom, discernment, faith, and strength to live out an enlarged ministry.  I only desire to be a help here, in the ministry God has placed me in, and to find new ways to serve the people here.

I couldn't care less about making any kind of name for myself, or rubbing shoulders with people who have big "names".  I love the fact that our ministry is kind of tucked away, and isn't at the center of anyone's attention...other than God's!  Now, we have a great ministry here, and what could be considered a pretty good sized church running about 600, but I love the fact that our Pastor and church have no desire to garner attention with any "camp" or any particular college or preacher- we just serve the people of our community, state, and the world by fulfilling the great commission.  I am truly blessed to serve in the capacity that I do in this wonderful ministry! 

I have been blessed beyond measure to have enjoyed the kind of wonderful friends I have been able to make through the years.  I have heard from many of you already today.  I have also been wonderfully blessed by the Godly influences that have impacted my life.  My Preacher, Dr. B.G. Buchanan, was a truly wise spiritual leader to me for 18 years as I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  When I left to attend college, I was blessed to sit under the ministry of Dr. Jack Hyles and the First Baptist Church and Hyles-Anderson College.  I have also enjoyed learning from Dr. Eric Capaci, Dr. Keith Gomez, and my current pastor, Dr. Dean Miller, Jr.  Bro. Miller has been a wonderful preacher, spiritual leader, and boss- I cannot think of another man I would want to serve more! 

So, on my birthday, I am reflecting on how supremely I have been blessed of the Lord.  Take some time today to think about how wonderful your life really is.  Even if you are facing hard times, think of the provision of the Lord that has brought you through before.  If you are in the midst of the trial, consider the Hand of the Lord that has been safeguarding you and that will ultimately deliver you.  If you are enjoying the peaceful mountaintop, bow down and praise the Lord for His goodness.  Just be thankful!  Life is a blessing! 

God Uses Failures!

The thought for this poem was inspired by Psalm 12.

Throughout our land the righteous fail,
The Godly men have ceased.
Both near and far the faithful fail-
Help, Lord, please hear our pleas!

The mightiest among us
Still face failure in the way.
Oh, but let not fear deter us,
God uses failures everyday.

When we stumble and lose focus
And we gaze into the storm,
God is near and He is waiting
To give shelter from all harm.

We must reach out and cry, "Saviour!"
He'll be quickly by our side-
Through our failures, if repentant,
In God's will we can abide.

So when e'er you fail and falter,
Find yourself in miry clay;
Don't relent, reach up towards Glory-
God uses failures still today!

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You!

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."- Hosea 4:6.  In this one thought-provoking verse, God makes it hyper-evident that we are to possess some knowledge to be able to lead a successful Christian life.  The knowledge you obtain along your life's journey will determine the quality of the journey.  Will your way be hard due to a lack of knowledge?  Will you be a vessel God can use, or will your lack of knowledge hinder your service to Him?

Sometimes what we do not know impedes our progress in life.  Many times, we are not even aware that we are missing out on something because that is what ignorance produces- lack of awareness.  The very definition of ignorance is a lack of awareness or information.  What we are ignorant of will be our weakness.  The areas in your life in which you lack knowledge will be the areas that Satan will attack.  If you are ignorant in financial matters, Satan will be sure to attack your finances.  If you are ignorant of Scriptural principles regarding morality and purity, Satan will undoubtedly attack your flesh through lust and desires.  The more knowledgeable you are in an area, it is less likely Satan will establish a foothold of attack against you in that certain area.  Your level of knowledge or lack thereof in any particular facet of your life determines how that part of your life will either prosper or struggle.

Obtaining knowledge is paramount to achieving an abundant Christian life.  Studying the Word of God will surely add much knowledge and wisdom to your life.  Reading good books by good Christian authors will also be of help to those who seek to add knowledge.  Oftentimes knowledge can be gained by simply being observant and attentive in your everyday life.  We are to walk circumspectly, the Bible commands.  This means to always be inspecting everything around us as we journey through life; to literally take a close look 360 degrees about ourselves as we walk.  Lessons are there to be learned if we but take the time to recognize them.  This will involve discernment and judgment, and these skills can only be honed through knowing Scripture and studying it.  Having the mind of Christ is absolutely necessary to obtaining Godly discernment.  Once we are able to discern, we must be cognizant to put this skill to use in our everyday lives.  In your daily discourse, you will be able to glean much knowledge if you are on the lookout for it.  Be observant.

While a lack of knowledge will be a detriment to your life, an abundance of knowledge is also not a guarantor of success.  We must be careful to apply the knowledge we gain in a useful way.  A store of information that is never utilized is only wasted.  Knowledge for the sake of knowledge puffs up; it is a dangerous thing.  However, knowledge that is thoughtfully applied in life situations and is governed by Scriptural principles will be a valuable tool to help you lead a successful Christian life.

Proof of Your Faith

I Peter 1 tells us that our faith will one day be tried, like gold is tried by fire.  The Scripture is also careful to point out that our faith is much more precious than gold.  Our faith is what will deliver us in the day that we are tried.  The passage states that the end of our faith is the salvation of our souls.  So from this passage we see that our faith is important, and that a trial of it is a guarantee.  What then, proves your faith?  Is there any proof of faith evident in your life?

Before we get into what proofs of faith we should manifest, we must carefully define just what faith is, exactly.  The terms hope and faith are sometimes used synonymously, but they are really different in their core meanings.  Hope is a word that carries connotations of the future.  Hope is looking down the road, and believing that some good thing lies ahead.  Hope is largely based on emotion and can be influenced by exterior circumstances.  We catch a bad break, and suddenly our hope begins to wane.  Faith, on the other hand, is a solidly present tense term.  Faith is the knowledge that God will do what He says He will do.  Faith is knowing that God has always provided, and not wavering from that knowledge when a new situation of need arises.  Faith is what we must possess when facing a trial.  Faith is the comfort of knowing that God has always delivered before, and therefore will deliver again because He is unchanging.  Hope is not so concrete.  Faith requires a knowledge of God, and hope only requires a belief in God.  The difference is quite stark.

There are many who have a belief that God exists, and they may actually hope that He hears their prayers and will help them.  However, these people do not have a knowledge of God and have yet to place their faith in Him.  Their hope, while genuine, will lead them straight to hell.  Faith prompts us to action.  Faith is taking that step into the unknown, and placing all trust and hope in that which is unseen.  Faith is then rewarded with the knowledge and confirmation that it has found a true resting place.  God provides His Holy Spirit to live within the temple of man once that man places all his faith in Him.  This indwelling confirms in us the presence of God and is the proof that our faith has been correctly placed.

Faith is the thing that transforms our hopes into realities.  Faith is the tangible proof of a thing we once could only hope for.  We gain faith when we see its provision in our lives.  These fulfillments of hope become faith, so that our hope is no longer only a dream.  When we hope for a thing and unwaveringly cling to the belief that it will come to pass, we build faith.  Faith is then fully gained when the hope becomes reality.  Going through trials with a hope that God will deliver is rewarded with a new measure of faith at the end of the trial when God actually does deliver. 

So what proofs of faith are manifest in your life?  Do you know Christ?  The only way to succeed in the Christian life is to live by faith.  We are only alive to bring honor and glory to the Lord.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  Faith is the key that will unlock the blessings of God in your life.  Faith is a substance; it is the catalyst that will activate and bring about the things for which you are hoping.  Do you have regular answers to prayer?  Is your life marked by the unmistakable goodness of God?  When was the last time you felt so overwhelmed by the love and presence of God in your life that all you could do was weep for joy?  How has the Lord conveyed to you His grace, mercy, and favor lately?  How much power has God granted you for His service?  Are you regularly seeing opportunities to witness, and seeing people trust Christ?  How sweet is your walk with Christ? 

If these questions give you pause, you may not be exhibiting the proofs of faith you should be exhibiting as a Christian.  Faith is the force that will enable us to experience all the goodness that God wants to pour out upon His children.  God does not intend for us to lead an anemic, meager Christian existence.  The earmarks of a blessed Christian walk are abundance and blessing.  Yes, trials will come; but in the trials His goodness and grace abound even more.  Let us not only hope for God's blessings but also possess the faith necessary to receive God's blessings.  Endeavor to stand firm in time of testing.  See your hope mature into faith by refusing to waver until the hope becomes reality.  Grow your faith so that its proofs will be readily evident in your life.

As a Man Thinketh...

So much time is spent by Christians these days trying to shake off worldly habits and avoid the pitfalls of Satan.  Many times we struggle with the same sins over and over again.  Why is this?  Because we, by and large, have not learned how to train and focus our thinking.  As we think, we are.  This is a guaranteed, mark it down, unchanging, everlasting Biblical truth!  You cannot become something unless you first think that thing.  We never do anything unless that deed was first born as a thought of our minds.

The mind is the joint or gateway between the spiritual and the physical.  Our mind is affected by our heart or our spirit.  As we commune with God, our hearts are stirred and our minds are provoked to think spiritual things.  Likewise, if we allow ourselves to be inundated with worldly influences, our minds will stray to carnal, temporal things.  The mind is the joint that connects the spiritual part of us to the physical.  Nothing we do physically has not been impacted by our mind first.  The way we feel in our spirit will determine how we think in our mind which in turn affects how we act.

The Bible teaches us not to be conformed to this world.  What does this mean?  It means that we should not take on and accept the worldly mindset or way of thinking.  We as Christians should not be accepting of how the world thinks and operates.  We are not to conform.  By taking on a worldly mindset, we are guaranteeing worldly thoughts, and thus we are setting ourselves up for worldly actions.  Having a carnal mindset will produce carnal thoughts, which can only lead to carnal actions.  This progression of events is guaranteed by Scripture.  No matter how much we may try to deceive ourselves into believing that we can overcome a worldly mindset, it simply cannot be done.  A man who possesses a worldly mindset is a ticking time bomb of worldly thoughts and deeds waiting to explode.

The maturity we possess as Christians is determined by our mindset.  The decisions we make influence and indeed determine our level of Christian maturity.  A man with the mind of Christ will tend to make wise decisions and will constantly be maturing and growing- provided he maintains a Godly mindset.  A man who is carnally minded will make carnal decisions, do carnal deeds, and never mature in his walk with Christ.  Our thinking determines what plane of maturity we will achieve in Christ.

The Bible commands us to be transformed by renewing our minds.  To transform something is to change that thing from its original state into something new.  This transformation is not a one-time event; it must be a continual process.  We must be constantly changing and allowing our minds to be renewed.  We must transform our mindset by exchanging our thoughts and beliefs with those of Christ.  We must accept His thoughts and deny our own.  We must take on His mind, and put away our way of thinking.  This is the transformation we must undergo daily to achieve a proper mindset, which will inspire proper thoughts, which will trigger proper behavior.

To take on the mind of Christ, we must not try to fit Scripture to the way we think.  We must change the way we think to fit Scripture.  There can be no compromise is this regard.  In this area, people often fall short of truly inhabiting the mind of Christ as they attempt to pick and choose just how they will accept a Scriptural mindset.  We oftentimes try to mix the mind of Christ with a little of our own thinking.  This leads to disastrous and heretical results.  This kind of living is the source of much of the problems that exist in the body of Christ today- well-intentioned people halfway conforming to the world while proclaiming to take on the mind of Christ.  This cannot possibly work, because what fellowship hath light with darkness?  If we have any of the old conformity to the world present in our thinking, we are not fully submitted to the Christ-like mindset we are commanded to have.  The transformation is not complete, and we do not have the power that is implicit in possessing the mind of Christ.  We only have a bastardized version of Christianity that is warned of in II Timothy. 

To become a mature Christian and possess holiness, we must take on the mind of Christ.  As we think, we are.  Holiness is nothing more than having the mind of Christ.  Allowing ourselves to come under the authority of Christ and accepting the transformation that Scripture will effect in our lives as a result is the process we must undergo to achieve holiness.  We will never mature as Christians absent this transformation.  Again, this change is not a one-time event.  Salvation does not guarantee spiritual maturity.  The one-time change of accepting Christ as Saviour is not the same thing as becoming spiritually mature.  Everyday we must crucify the old man, take on the mind of Christ, and journey in His will.  Exchange your mindset for the mind of Christ.  You will then see how your heart will be touched by Heaven, which your spur your mind to think on true, honest, just, and pure things which will produce actions pleasing to the Lord.

Your mind is a gateway.  From your heart, emotions become thoughts which become actions.  Your actions determine who you are.  What you do defines you.  So, in effect, how you feel which determines how you think is what defines you.  Think with the mind of Christ and you can be guaranteed to become a mature, holy Christian living in God's will and producing the fruit of the Spirit.

Been away from the Blog lately...

I realize that I haven't posted much recently.  My schedule has been such that I haven't had the time to post as I usually like to and enjoy doing.  I have a few great things (I think) in the works to share, so please check back often.  Again, I appreciate all of you who come by the blog, and I hope the content is helpful.

Trip to Arkansas

This week, I have been privileged to travel with our boy's varsity basketball team to Jacksonville, Arkansas for the March Madness Tournament and Youth Conference hosted by Bible Baptist Church.  I love being able to travel and be around our guys- we have a great group of sharp young men.  The tournament portion of the week is over, and although we didn't fare well, it has been a great experience for the team.  The main speaker for the youth conference is Pastor Jay Reed from Suwanee, Georgia.  I have known Pastor Reed for several years, and he is a great preacher and has done a great job so far.  I will share some great thoughts from his messages in future posts.  I am blessed beyond measure to be involved in ministering to our young men everyday- I have the best job in the world and I love it!