lesson

God Is Good!

May 10, 2020 by Bill Leave a Comment

There are times in our lives as Christians when we realize just how good God is. I had one of those times recently. It involved a Confirmation, a Conversation, and a Celebration.

My truck has a cracked frame which limits any heavy work I can do and I’d been considering several possibilities to rectify the situation. Sell it, trade it, fix it, I wasn’t sure. I have a friend who does that kind of repair work and I had almost decided to take it to him. But I still wasn’t sure if that was the right decision. What to do?

I was using my chainsaw, this day, to remove a stump in my front yard but when I began cutting, there was nothing but sawdust coming out which meant my chain was dull. Oh man, I’m gonna have to stop and take this saw to be sharpened. So, I put the saw in back of the truck and here I go. I get to the shop, tell the owner what I needed, and he said it’d take about a half hour. I happened to mention to him that my truck had a cracked frame and I couldn’t pull my trailer or do any heavy work. He said he had a customer who had the same kind of problem and got it fixed without a whole lot of expense. He wrote down the guy’s name and number and gave it to me to call him and check it out. Then, unexpectedly, he said, “I’ll just call him now and see what he says,” So, he called the guy and asked him about it and where he got it fixed. He couldn’t remember the name of the guy and I told him my friend’s name who I was considering and, you know what, he said, “That’s the same man!” Immediately, I had peace that I had made the right choice. Confirmation.

I got my chain sharpened and started home to finish the job. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I noticed the sign on the church next door, “God Loves You.”. Well, as I went on, I began “talking” to God, “God, thank You. I don’t know why you’re so good to me.” He said, “Son, you don’t know the least of it.” “It’s more than you can think or imagine.” “Thank You, God!” Conversation.

Wow, this all made me think of all the things God has done for me…that I know of. He sent Jesus to save me, cleansed me of sin, forgives me when I falter, made a place for me in Heaven, gives me Spiritual gifts to use to help others, talks to me any time I call, never leaves me…and He loves me no matter what! Oh, I was so overjoyed as I drove home, I felt like jumping and shouting! Celebration!

A Tree’s Prayer

May 1, 2019 by Bill Leave a Comment

As I was driving in our mountainous home of Southwestern Virginia this Spring, I was drawn to the beautiful greenness of the trees on the mountain side. I was reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:28-30 about not worrying about what you wear, that God provides for the flowers and grass. I thought He provides for these trees too. They don’t have to toil to grow and produce those beautiful leaves. They have a purpose, just like we do, and they fulfill it every year. And, spending time in the woods, I see what happens and it makes me realize that, at some point, the tree’s time is up, it slowly dies and ends up on the floor of the forest to decay and provide nutrients to the soil beneath. So, as I’m enjoying the beauty of the trees, God gives me a picture of what might be happening on that mountain side, a prayer a tree might pray.

“Thank you, God, for providing for and sustaining me for another year. I know that one day it will be my time to lay down and go back to the ground from where I came. And I know that your plan for me then will be to provide for those who come after me. Thank You, Amen.”

Then, as God frequently does with me, He showed me something that made me smile. After the tree prayed this prayer, it looked down and saw a tiny acorn laying on the forest floor looking back up at the tree with a thankful smile on its face. And the process begins all over again.

You know, this process could be compared to the life of a Christian. The Bible says we came from dust, (Genesis 2:7), and some day we will return there. Our mission, as with the tree’s, should be to make a difference and provide for those around us while we’re alive so that, at the end of our time, we will continue to, “provide for those who come after us”. Like that little acorn, do you have someone looking up and smiling at you?

Lessons from the Hospital

September 28, 2014 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given September 26, 2014

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

My recent visit to Holston Valley Medical Center for same day surgery to remove a melanoma from my upper arm presented me with several Spiritual encouragements that I want to share.

First of all, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayer that came from friends and family. Prayer makes a difference! The first thing I saw as I entered the registration area was a plaque on the wall that said, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8. This is a good way to begin, I thought.

As I was being wheeled down the hall to have radioactive fluid injected to trace possible cancer cells, I thought of that scripture on the wall back at registration and could visualize Jesus himself leading us down the hall. What a comfort! In the nuclear room where I would be for an hour for “pictures” to be made of my torso, I had a good conversation with the doctor. I mentioned the scripture on the wall and he said he was a believer then related a story. He had seen some miracles in his work but saw a bumper sticker on a car coming to work one morning which read, “Expect Miracles”. He realized he didn’t expect them but began that day. Since then, he had seen lung cancer completely disappear from a patient. Very encouraging!

All through the scanning, procedures, and pre-op activities, I prayed a lot and repeated several scriptures and praise songs I had memorized and sung. Other scriptures came to my mind as well that pertained to what was happening with me. I realized all the Bible reading, sermon listening and prayer I had done over the past several years was a part of me internally. I didn’t need the written word there, they were in my heart. It is so important to read God’s word every day so it will be in your heart and mind so you can tell the devil when he comes threatening you, “IT IS WRITTEN!” If you’re not reading your Bible every day, I encourage you to participate in the 345 Bible Reading Plan at https://www.bible.com. You need to start today. Get the app and use your device to read.

Years before, in another surgery after I had been given the shot to relax me, I prayed, “God, I need you to take over now, I’m going to lose control.” Immediately, God said, “Bill, I want to be in control all the time.” He’s right. This time, I had given Him full control long before I went under. That’s a relief.

Leave a comment if this has encouraged you. Be blessed!

Use The Time

December 19, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 23, 2008

We all seem to be pressed for time. Rushing here and there thinking what we “have” to do is so important. And when we’re in a hurry, doesn’t it seem like society is out to get us? It’s almost like a conspiracy; the light changes just before you get there, people slowly turning in front of you, the checkout line you’re in doesn’t seem to be moving, “Your call is really important to us…”. Sound familiar? And, how does all this make you feel when you’re in a hurry? Can you say, “Repent”? Yeah, me too.

But…I’ve found the solution! This blog is all about revelations God has given me. He shows me interesting ways of seeing things but, this time, He used my lovely wife to give me the revelation. When I was griping about having to “waste” time at the traffic light, she told me when that happens to her, she uses the time to pray. Wow, what a good idea! That 60-90 seconds can be put to good use. It’s not wasted time.

It’s amazing! Since that day, every time the light changes, I feel the aggravation coming on…then…I remember what God said through my wife. Use this time to pray. You know, I even found myself today hoping the light would change! Then, found myself smiling because the devil’s plan was thwarted again! “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.“ Hebrews 3:13. All we have is today. Sin is trying to steal our time and distract us from things that are really important. We all have 24 hours each day. Use your time, even minutes you used to think were wasted. Trust me, now, red-light time for me is not wasted!

Show Your Fruit

November 8, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 8, 2008

As I went out and about running errands for my wife this morning, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that I was a representative of God. And, as His rep, I was to conduct myself in such a way as to make the boss look good. If I was rude to the associate at the cell phone store, (like the lady next to me was), it would be a bad witness for Christians as many people know I am one. But, how do people know we are Christians without us wearing a sign? ( Here’s Your Sign). I submit we must show our fruit.

Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8. Notice Jesus said, “showing yourselves to be my disciples”. So, if we’re bearing fruit, it should show, we shouldn’t hide it. Now, you know there are Christians who have a lot of leaves but upon closer scrutiny, you find no fruit.

Remember the story of the poor old fig tree? I used to feel sorry for that tree but Jesus wanted us to learn a lesson here. “Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered” Matthew 21: 18-19. From a distance, (in the church pew, etc.), that tree looked good but when Jesus examined it more closely, He found it lacking. When He put it to the snack test, when He made demands on it to perform as it was created, it failed. And what happened to it? Jesus spoke to it and it withered, leaves and all!

Jesus won’t wither us when we fail to perform as we were created. He shows us mercy and grace. If you have compromised your faith recently, hidden your fruit, or haven’t even taken care of your roots, repent and let God prune you, (ouch!), so your fruit will flourish and people will see that you are one of His.