A 17 year-old Antartican boy was hired to paint a white line down the middle of the highway. On the first day, he got off to a good start and he painted a white line 7 miles long. The next day, however, he painted a line only 4 miles long. On the third day, he was down to less than a mile. 

Finally, his friend Max asked him why he was doing less each day. The boy replied, "I guess it takes me longer and longer to get back to the bucket each day."

The Bible teaches that Jesus came from heaven to be born of a virgin, to grow up in a Jewish family, God had chosen for Him. Mary, a virgin, was His mother, and Joseph was His foster father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and therefore, He was perfect and was born without sin.

Jesus Christ's purpose was to die for the sins of the world by His supreme sacrifice on the Cross, as well as to provide healing through His stripes. Therefore, we believe that it is God's Will to save everyone who will come to Him in repentance of sins, and by placing his or her faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe the same is true about our healing. We learn from the Gospel's that Jesus repeatedly told people it was His will to heal them. The beloved apostle John who wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John, and the Book of Revelation wrote this in 3 John 2: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (KJV). The apostle Peter wrote this: "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24, (NIV).

To receive our healing, we must believe that Jesus wants to heal us. It is His Will, just as much as it is to save us from our sins. Then, we must confess or speak out loud that Jesus is healing me this very moment. Believing and speaking the Word opens the windows of heaven for us to saved and healed.

Bishop Leon O. Stewart will be 90 Years Old on December 5.

​Bishop Leon O. Stewart is the only living former General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Holiness Church.

He will be celebrating his 90th birthday on December 5. 

I thought it would be a good idea, maybe a God-Idea, to let you know and give you an opportunity to send Bishop Leon O. Stewart a birthday card.

His mailing address is:

Bishop Leon O. Stewart
1112 Fridge Drive
Atmore, AL 36502

Leon was the superintendent of the Alabama Conference, now called Alpha Conference, when I graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1963. He assigned me to my first pastorate, the Brownville Pentecostal Holiness Church, near Evergreen, AL, in Conecuh County, the poorest county in Alabama. He told me that the Brownville Church had great potential. He was right and God blessed what we believed He wanted us to do in ministering to the precious people of this church and community. It was from that country church, I was called by Bishop J. A. Synan to go into the Air Force as a chaplain to fill the vacancy that Chaplain, Colonel, Eugene Myers left when he was killed on active duty in a military air transport plane that crashed over Manilla, in April 1964. The rest is history.

​Good Success Is In Your Mouth

Author: Bob Shafer

Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night… For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

I had always wondered why the Torah (the first five books of Moses) is read out loud by the Jews. Then, a Jewish Christian told me that for generations, they read God’s Word out loud because of Joshua 1:8 — “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…”

The word “meditate” in English means to ponder. But in Hebrew, it is the word hagah, which means to utter or mutter under your breath. In other words, when you meditate on God’s Word, you speak forth or confess His Word instead of just giving it mental assent.

My precious one, hagah God’s Word by confessing verses in the areas that you are believing God for breakthroughs. When I was working in sales, I confessed verses like, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty…” (Proverbs 3:9–10) In the first year, I became very successful in my job and my way was made prosperous and I enjoyed good success.

“I am waiting for God to make my way prosperous.”

No, the Bible says that you will make your way prosperous when you hagah God’s Word. So speak forth verses in the areas which you want to see breakthroughs and you will have good success.

Some people have success that destroys them — you don’t see them in church anymore and their family members don’t get to see them either. That is bad success. But when you hagah God’s Word, you will have good success that does not destroy you.

Now, confessing God’s Word does not move God to do things for you. It is not a formula. God had already moved when He gave up Jesus to die for you. However, when you confess His Word, it moves you from a position of doubt to faith. It moves your heart from a position of “Is it true?” to “I believe it!” When that happens, “you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success!

Thought For The Day
When you meditate on God’s Word, you speak forth or confess His Word instead of just giving it mental assent.

[Bob Shafer is a Pentecostal evangelist and prophet who resides in Kingfisher, OK. He is a friend of our family. He took the time out of his busy schedule to come to our home for a few days to minister to us when we had a very special need. God uses him to bless countless thousands of people. His ministry is based on the Word of God and I have found his ministry in preaching, teaching, and writing to be Scriptural and can be verified by searching the Scriptures like the Bereans did in Paul's day.]

Centennial Homecoming a Great Success!

Author: Ashley Westbrook

During the weekend of October 17-20, Emmanuel College alumni from across the United States made their way to Franklin Springs, GA to celebrate a important year in the College’s history...the Centennial!

The festivities began with the third annual, Sherman Smith Memorial Golf Tournament on Thursday.  Sherm (’61) was a faithful supporter of Emmanuel College and served as the president of the Alumni Association for many years. Sherm’s daughter, Sebring was in attendance to greet the golfers and open the tournament.

On Friday, the day began with the 72nd Annual Vision 4 Education celebration. The ladies from the IPHC Women’s Ministries Department were welcomed to campus. They presented $48,926.25 to the college to provide financial support and student scholarships. That evening alumni had two tracks to choose from. Many of the alumni, current Emmanuel students and staff made their way to the Quad for the annual Dirty Pig Feast where they enjoyed a BBQ meal, fellowship, and fun. Former and current Emmanuel athletes gathered at the Shaw Athletic Center for an Athletic Honors social followed by a Hall of Fame Induction. 

EC Women’s Basketball alumna, Michelle Bryant Gregoire was inducted to the Emmanuel College Hall of Fame. She played for the Lady Lions from '85- ‘87 where she averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds per game. Michelle helped the Lady Lions to a 59-4 record during her time at Emmanuel. She was selected MVP in both Regional Conference Tournaments in which she participated and was selected Conference Player of the Year. Michelle still holds the single game scoring record by scoring 44 points in a game her sophomore year. After finishing at Emmanuel, Michelle went onto play at Clemson University where she was a starter for the Tigers and was named to the All-ACC team in her senior year. Following the Hall of Fame Induction, many alumni remained to catch a glimpse of the Emmanuel Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams as they scrimmaged.

Also, on Friday, alumni and friends were treated to an evening in Paris at the EC Fine Arts Café. Guests enjoyed coffee, deserts, and entertainment from the Emmanuel Chorale, ACTs, and the Emmanuel Players. Later that evening, alumni took a stroll down memory lane with a Walk Down Spring Street, a series of stops where they encountered historical figures from our past. 

On Saturday, graduates from the class of 1969 were honored and inducted into the Golden Grads. The newest Golden Grads enjoyed sharing stories of former teachers and of warm memories of their time at Emmanuel. They also contributed a class project of two beautiful lion statues at the entrance to the Shaw Athletic Center.

At the annual Alumni and Friends Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, two alumni were recognized for their dedication to the college. 

Bishop Preston Mathena was named the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his service to Emmanuel. He is a 1980 graduate of the Emmanuel College School of Christian Ministries where he earned his bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies. 

Bishop Mathena currently serves as the superintendent and presiding bishop of the Appalachian Conference of the IPHC. He has over 35 years of pastoral and ministry experience. 

Bishop Mathena earned a master’s degree in Church Planting and Revitalization from Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, Oklahoma, where he received the 2000 Southwestern Graduate School Distinguished Leadership award.  

He serves on the IPHC Council of Bishops. For the last nine years, he has been a member of the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees where he serves as a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Board Development Committee.

Brian James, Vice President for Advancement, was awarded the inaugural Heart of the Lion Award. 

After graduating from Emmanuel, Brian worked for the college for 14 years in admissions, development, and alumni relations. He then spent seven years as a commercial lender in the banking industry 

Since his return to Emmanuel, Brian has helped the college build new residence halls and supervised the completion of the new $10 million Shaw Athletic Center project. He has spearheaded several campus beautification projects including the entry ways to the College.

Following the luncheon, the 2018 Miracle Memorial was dedicated to commemorate Emmanuel’s deliverance from debilitating debt in 2018.  This beautiful stone garden adorns the southwest corner of the quad and reminds us daily that God is our deliverer.  

That afternoon, we were joined by four biographers who shared their research and knowledge in a panel discussion about the history of the IPHC and Emmanuel College.  

On Saturday evening, more than 700 guests thoroughly enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by a powerful program celebrating the centennial. A cast of alumni and students presented A Doorway in Time, a drama written by Buck Hodge (’69) and directed by faculty member Jennifer Benson. The Centennial Homecoming Choir Reunion, under the direction of Tres Ward and comprised of past and present Emmanuel Singers, provided inspiring music to complement the drama and reinforce that God is with us.. 

Sunday morning guests attended the Franklin Springs PHC to hear a message from IPHC General Superintendent, Presiding Bishop A.D. Beacham Jr., to commemorate the Centennial year!

Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating EC and the work God continues to do on our campus! Please mark your calendars for October 2nd-4th as we celebrate 101!

Bible Verse of the Day: “But you, when you pray, go into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6).

3 Reasons to Meet with God in Secret

Athor: Shane Heilman, The Psalms Project

Jesus is clear that we are to set aside time for God to privately communicate with Him.

Here are 3 reasons from Shane Heilman to have a secret place to spend time with God:

1. Intentionality

We go places with specific purposes in mind. When we go to work, we’re there to work. When we go to the gym, we’re there to work out. When we go to our secret place with God, we should be there to spend time with him, and for no other reason. Going to a specific place for a specific purpose produces the type of intentionality that is sorely lacking in the lives of many Christians.

2. Privacy

The word “closet” that Jesus uses in Matthew 6:6, tameion, is defined in Strong’s Greek Dictionary as a secret chamber, a place where a person may retire for privacy, or a place for storage (like a closet). All three of these concepts unmistakably emphasize that this place should be private and cut off from the comings and goings of the household. It should be a place where the world can be shut out. The reason such privacy is necessary for prayer is clear: Privacy fosters honesty, and honesty fosters relationship.
​
How can we pray freely and openly with God when there are others nearby, who may disturb us and listen to us pray at any moment? Having a secret meeting place with God prevents any hindrances to the unbroken communion that is essential for meaningful prayer.

3. Intimacy

Intimacy comes right on the heels of privacy. Without the safety of privacy, having any depth of relationship with another person is impossible. Even when intimate friendship or relationship is developed in a group setting, it’s because of a certain privacy that surrounds the group, allowing people to bond without the encumbering presence of outsiders. There is no intimacy without privacy.

Also, the sharing of a special, secret place is an intimate act in itself. If there is a place where you meet with one person, and with nobody else, that place becomes a hallowed sanctuary for the relationship. It becomes more than a place. The thought of sharing that place with another person for similar purposes can even seem blasphemous. Simply going to that special, secret place creates an expectation in itself. In the same way, having a special, secret place to meet with the Father creates an expectation, before we even arrive, that God is already there, eager to meet with us.

Editor’s Note: Portions taken from the article, “4 Reasons to Meet with God in Secret,” written by Shane Heilman. You can read that piece in full here. All rights reserved. A version was originally published on The Psalms Project.

​A Worshiper God Wants
Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24, NIV).
​
God wants us to worship Him in spirit. What does that mean? It means we must be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We must be born again. It also means we must worship Him sincerely, earnestly, with a right spirit, with a sweet spirit. We are to worship from the depths of our beings as we are continually occupied with God. Worship is not just the act of going to church because we always have or because it’s the thing to do. It is not just putting your body in a pew while your mind is elsewhere. It is not just smiling serenely on the outside while on the inside you are filled with unconfessed sin.

God also wants us to worship Him in truth. What does that mean? It means there is no way to God, no way at all, without coming through Jesus Christ Who is the Truth. It also means that we must base our relationship with Him on His Word, which is the truth. And to worship Him in truth means to worship Him honestly, without hypocrisy, standing open and transparent before Him.

Are you the kind of worshiper God wants?

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

Copyright © 2014 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.

                                                                         Lovable Diesel:
                                                               The Miracle of a Heart's Desire

Does God hear our prayers? A friend of ours, Jon Potter, shared this amazing story about how God answered his prayer about a pet. Jon, a minister in Birmingham, Alabama, announced to his family who had longed for a pet for over a year, “I am going to believe God for something big!” He said he had always wanted a Blue Dane and so he was going to pray and invited his wife and children to join him.

“The kids eagerly jumped on board, but my wife, Lisa, not so much,” Jon said. “Danes are huge, they eat a lot and require room to roam, and they demand and give so much affection,” John continued. Lisa would joke, “Jon, tell you what, you can get one right after you leave my graveside service.”

Jon knew what kind of Dane he wanted: a Blue Dane. He learned that it would cost him more than $1,000, money that he didn’t have at that time, at least for a dog. He began a fevered search in every rescue or shelter he could find in the Southeast. “There were Danes, and scores of mixed breeds with Dane in them, but none of them matched up with what I knew I wanted,” Jon explained.

Jon continued his miraculous story, “After three months, my dream was beginning to fade. Then I received an email from a friend who had known I was searching. 'Jon,' my friend said, 'I forgot about this email I received two months ago about a Blue Dane for sale.' My friend continued, 'He may be gone, but here’s the number. It’s worth a shot.'" He sent Jon the email, and there Jon’s dream was, in living color, all 150 lbs!

Jon called the lady and told her his story. “She was incredibly gracious,” Jon said, “but she told me she had committed him to a breeder in south Alabama, and she was so sorry because we sounded like nice people.” Jon asked her that if anything changed, would she please call him, and she agreed she would. Thirty minutes later the lady with the Blue Dane called Jon back. She said, “I don’t know why, but I feel that my family is supposed to meet you.” 

“She didn’t know why, but I did,” Jon said, “God and His favor were at work!”

The lady showed up at Jon’s house and brought Diesel. “Diesel and I connected, and it was a love, a bonding at first sight,” Jon said, “We played, and he jumped on me and licked my face. I was smitten!”
 
In the course of our dialogue, an amazing fact came to light. Before the meeting, Jon had not learned the owner’s last name. It just so happened that her last name was Potter! “Are you kidding me! I have been in Alabama the better part of 30 years, and never met another Potter,” Jon exclaimed. “Furthermore,” Jon continued, “What made this ridiculous was that Diesel, on all his paperwork–his birth record, his vaccinations, and yes, even his AKC registration, was Diesel Potter, a two and 1/2-year-old Great Dane!”
 
We talked and talked, and at the end of the conversation, the owner told me, “Jon, it is evidently clear that God is at work here. Big Boy is yours if you want him!”

Jon knew she had committed Diesel to the breeder and with a lump in his throat said, “How much were you selling him for, and could we make some kind of payment arrangement?”
 
It was then and there that God did the unimaginable! The owner said, “No, you don’t understand, I am supposed to GIVE him to you!” 

Jon said, “My shock at her words and the kindness of God at that moment in time, indelibly imprinted me with the truth of Ephesians 3:20, 

“now to Him who is able to do exceedingly above all
we can ask or think!” 

Jon proclaimed “He did. He fulfilled His word–same last name and all!!!”

Arlette Revells
Photo credit: Jon Potter

[Arlette Revells is a noted author, entrepreneur, a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is a gifted musician and plays the keyboard for the worship team at Christian Life Worship Center, and with her husband, Lavon Revells, a retired Chemist with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), are facilitators of our Sunday school class for adults.

Arlette is on radio, is a sought after speaker for women and men's groups, and is a member of Joy Springs ministry for pastors and church leaders. It was my privilege to be the pastor to Lavon and Arlette Revells for 9 years when I was the senior pastor at Tarkenton Memorial Church in Athens, GA, named after the late Rev. Dr. Dallas Tarkenton.]

Psalm 118:22-24

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone; 
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes. 
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. 
NIV
++++++++++
Psalm 118:22-24

22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
KJV
++++++++++
Psalm 118:22-24
22 The stone the masons discarded as flawed
is now the capstone! 
23 This is God's work.
We rub our eyes — we can hardly believe it! 
24 This is the very day God acted — 
let's celebrate and be festive! 
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

The Antartian reported for her university final examination which consisted of "yes/no" type questions. She took her seat in the examination hall and stared at the question paper for five minutes.

In a fit of inspiration, she took her purse out, removed a coin and started tossing the coin and marking the answer sheet - Yes for Heads and No for Tails. Within half an hour she was all done, whereas the rest of the class was still sweating it out. During the last few minutes, she was seen desperately throwing the coin, muttering and sweating.

​The moderator, alarmed, approached her and asked what was going on. Her reply was, "I finished the exam in half and hour, but I'm rechecking my answers."

Every day, we see progress in Melvine's battle with ovarian cancer. Really, the battle is not Melvine's but God's battle with Satan the author of everything that is destructive to mankind.

On Thursday, three professional members of St. Mary's Hospice Home Care Professionals came to visit with Melvine and me. 

First, there was the tech who comes twice a week to help Melvine with a shower and shampoo. Her name is Crystal.

Second, there was Melvine's chaplain, William Cato. He has spent a number of years getting prepared for this significant position. He is a seminary graduate and has done a number of units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). He comes to our home with a balanced approach to ministry. He and I have hit it off admirably.

Third, Melvine's nurse, Carol, came. She takes her vital signs, listens to her heart. Asks Melvine questions. She knows her nursing skills and helps me with ordering Melvine's medications.

I learn something new every time I talk with the members of this professional team that demonstrates compassion and love for their patients.

Melvine is taking more initiative to do various things. She was able to get things together today for her lunch. She was able to take out of the refrigerator what she wanted, heated it in the microwave oven, and got her drink.

I continue to prepare all of her medications, keep an inventory of them, and order more medicine as needed. I do the laundry, and Greg does the folding of the clothes. Sometimes, Melvine helps with that process.

The work never ends. I will start again in the morning, and give Melvine all of her medications and inject insulin when needed. I have a chart to go by according the number of the blood sugar count.

I pray a lot, read Scripture, meditate upon it, and ask God to help me to apply it to our lives day by day.

Our pastor, Terry Kesling, called today to check up on us, and prayed with me over the phone. A pastoral call means a lot to me. I am sure it is a blessing to many others he calls or visits.

Bonnie and Sam Bender came to our home today with our supper. It was a pork sirloin with sweet potatoes, and a garden salad. It was really good. 

Sam is a master mechanic. He put together a brand new Cubii to exercise my feet and legs while I sit at my desk. I want to get my feet and legs in shape so I will be safe in driving again.

My left knee really needs to be replaced. I had an x-ray this week, and it is arthritis and bone on bone without any cartledge. My pain management doctor is going to inject medicine in that knee to see if he can bring me relief. I learned from Melvine's Social Worker that they have a Hospice House in Athens where Melvine can stay for 5 days and nights when I go to the hospital for surgery. I have put off surgery to take care of Melvine. I now believe with the help of the ladies from our church and the provision of the Hospice House, I can get Dr. Mahoney to do my total left knee replacement. He is the best in the known world. I want to get him to do the surgery before he retires.

In the meantime, I am endeavoring to lose weight again. I know the Bible way of losing weight and that is by bridleing my appetite. I need to present a better physical image in public and home.

The Scripture I have discovered in losing weight is this one recorded in The Message:

Proverbs 23:1-3

23 When you go out to dinner with an influential person,
mind your manners: 
2 Don't gobble your food,
don't talk with your mouth full. 
3 And don't stuff yourself;
bridle your appetite. 
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

​Why the Enemy Has No Chance Against This Powerful Holy Spirit Weapon

Author: Mike French

I like people who are not middle-of-the-road thinkers, who are willing to take a stand for what they believe.

I dislike compliance and compromise when I see it in others, but most of all, when I see it in myself.

There are strong and strident opinions being taken on every subject in our society: politics in Washington, gender issues, race ... the list goes on. At times it seems like some people are more invested in arguing about their opinion than in being a positive force for godly change. When that happens, it's a telltale sign that they've lost sight of who their enemy really is.

If you aren't clear who you're supposed to be fighting, you'll punch at everything that moves. You're likely to do a lot of damage, but it's unlikely to make much of a difference. This isn't God's design for our lives. The only way to shift our culture and current circumstances in favor of the Gospel is to identify our real enemy and to employ Biblical principles to overcome this evil.

The Word of God promises us victory and purpose when we pursue a Christ-centered life. In its pages are all the secrets to "life and godliness" (2 Pet. 1:3), including which enemies we will face and how to overcome them. When Paul was writing to young Timothy to stir up the gift that was in him (see 2 Tim. 1:6), he made an extraordinary proclamation that every child of God should know: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV). I believe that each of these fear-abolishing Holy Spirit gifts—power, love and a sound mind—are specifically designed to help us overcome our three enemies: the devil, the world and an unrenewed mind.

We must fight with power when are dealing with the enemy of darkness, the devil. We overcome the accuser of the brethren by the power of the blood of the Lamb, by the power of the Word of our testimony and by the power released when we are willing to lay down our lives unto the death (Rev. 12:11). Jesus rendered this enemy completely powerless, so when we deal with him using Jesus's power and authority, he cannot win.

Our second enemy is the world. We are not to love the world's system or the things that are created from the world's system, but we are called to love the people in this world as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). Truthfully, there are people who make it hard to fight them with love, but because of the love Christ has shown us, we can overcome our fleshly reactions and demonstrate real love toward them—the kind that neither compromises nor lies but points them to their Savior, who can give them a new spirit, a clean heart, and a renewed mind.

This sound, renewed mind is precisely what we will need to overcome our final enemy: ourselves. We are our own worst enemy, certainly the hardest to defeat. When it comes to dealing with our own flesh and the evil that is in our heart, we too often get in our own way, protecting ourselves instead of stepping fully into the flames of the refiner's fire.

Related Articles
For Leaders, Renewal and Transformation Require This
5 Renewal Stages for Churches Being Led to Change

That is why we have to have a mind that is constantly renewed. This is the reason David said, "Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Ps. 119:11, MEV). The Word being in the core, in the center, of who we are is what gives us a sound mind, which leads to victory.

The next time you find yourself ready to fight, take a moment to consider who your enemy is and remind yourself it isn't the people living in this fallen world but rather Satan, sinful systems and yourself. You are not here to punch your way to heaven; you are here to show people that Christ has already won every fight they will ever face.

You're beautiful. I see Jesus in you.

Have a great week! 

[Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the book of hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor's conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

​When You Feel There’s Just Not Enough Time

Author: Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 NIV).

Friend to Friend

“I just never have enough time to spend with the Lord,” Amanda cried. “I work forty plus hours a week, commute ninety minutes both ways, oversee elderly parents’ affairs, and take care of my five-year-old son. I’m either on the road, at my desk or taking care of someone else’s needs. And on top of that, I never feel like I’m doing any of it well. What does God want from me in the middle of all this madness? How can I carve out time for Him? I feel like I’m constantly failing Him!”

Amanda is not alone. I’ve been right there with her. Haven’t you?

We live in a physical realm and our new, born-again spirits will never be completely satisfied here on earth. There will always be tension between the two. Living in union with the Spirit of God is counterintuitive to the ways of this world. What causes that tension and prevents us from experiencing unbroken union with Christ? I believe it is the tendency to compartmentalize life into two hemispheres: the secular and the sacred.

Everyday secular activities vie for our attention, while our times of worship and communion are relegated to Sunday morning worship, early morning quiet times, and mid-week Bible studies (if we can fit them in). We spend the majority of our days operating in secular, day-to-day activities and feeling guilty for the lack of time spent in sacred communion with God.

And for most of us, a struggle to find the balance between the secular and the sacred wages war in our hearts. We live in the secular and yet long to be in the sacred. The constant flip-flopping between the two is exhausting, and inevitably we see one as the winner and one as the loser. We see ourselves as failures struggling to get out of Romans 7 and longing to live in Romans 8. We wobble on a spiritual tightrope, fearing the slightest misstep will toss us into the canyon of God’s disapproval.

Thankfully, there is a way to wave the white flag of surrender and end the battle’s constant conflict. We can experience true union with Christ when we erase the dividing line and meld the two hemispheres.

What would that look like? Let’s go back to Amanda.

What if Amanda communed with God while she commuted to work?

While she worked at her job?

While she took care of her family?
​
Do you see how that would help alleviate the false guilt that adds to her feelings of insufficiency? The physical or secular realm involves cooking, cleaning, ironing, shopping, vacuuming, laundering smelly clothes, washing dirty faces, and wiping messy bottoms. It involves being a wife, a mother, an employee, an employer, a friend, a student, and a host of other roles and responsibilities that merge on any given day. What could be sacred about all that? Everything.

The spiritual or sacred realm includes praying, reading the Bible, going to church, memorizing Scripture, serving the poor and meditating on meaningful messages. The spiritual aspects of our lives include worship and practicing spiritual disciplines.

I want to suggest that God never intended for the lines separating the secular and the sacred to exist in the first place. Acts 17:28 says, "In Him we live and move and have our being." Then the sacred also includes cooking, cleaning, ironing shopping, vacuuming, laundering smelly clothes, washing dirty faces, and wiping messy bottoms. When you erase the lines between the secular and the sacred, your entire life can become an act of worship.

That doesn’t mean that we don’t pull away and spend quiet time with God, but it does mean that our communion with God doesn’t stop there.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, forgive me for compartmentalizing my faith. I want all of my life, all of it, to be an act of worship. No more lines. One wholly holy life.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Bishop Leon O. Stewart will be 90 Years Old on December 5.

Bishop Leon O. Stewart is the only living former General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Holiness Church.

He will be celebrating his 90th birthday on December 5. 

I thought it would be a good idea, maybe a God-Idea, to let you know and give you an opportunity to send Bishop Leon O. Stewart a birthday card.

His mailing address is:

Bishop Leon O. Stewart
1112 Fridge Drive
Atmore, AL 36502

Leon was the superintendent of the Alabama Conference, now called Alpha Conference, when I graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1963. He assigned me to my first pastorate, the Brownville Pentecostal Holiness Church, near Evergreen, AL, in Conecuh County, the poorest county in Alabama. He told me that the Brownville Church had great potential. He was right and God blessed what we believed He wanted us to do in ministering to the precious people of this church and community. It was from that country church, I was called by Bishop J. A. Synan to go into the Air Force as a chaplain to fill the vacancy that Chaplain, Colonel, Eugene Myers left when he was killed on active duty in a military air transport plane that crashed over Manilla, in April 1964. The rest is history.

Hope by Faith

Author: Tony Evans

Whenever I counsel someone who is struggling with emotional strongholds, I always want to check their hope-meter. Because when you have lost your hope, you have lost everything. Simply defined, hope is the belief that my tomorrow will be better than my today. David knew about the power of hope when life looked hopeless.

Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.” Without reading further into the psalm, it sounds as if everything is okay with David. But it’s not. Verse three says, “My tears have been my food day and night.” Friend, when your tears are your food day and night, that means you are really suffering from hopelessness and despair. As David pens this psalm, he is depressed, and his soul is discouraged. Yet he says he is going to remember the Lord. 

“The Lord will command His lovingkindness,” David writes (v. 8). Though God has not done it yet, David has confidence that He will. So he talks to himself. He writes to himself—he journals about his faith in God. There are times when life crumbles around you, your friends may not be nearby or they may be telling you the wrong things when you need to take it upon yourself to speak to yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror and speak God’s truth. Write notes to yourself, and leave them in places you will see them. Encourage yourself. This is what David did on several occasions.

He asks himself, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” He doesn’t deny his pain or avoid it, rather he addresses it and tells himself what to do. “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (v. 11).

What changed David’s feelings of hopelessness and discouragement? He looked in a different direction. He looked at what God was going to do, even though he couldn’t see it at the time. In other words, he looked by faith.

The way to overcome the emotional stronghold of despair, depression or hopelessness is to fast-forward through the tough times—the battle scenes, the drought—to the end. Look toward the place where you surrender your thoughts to the love, grace and faithfulness of God.

When you do that, then the thing that is causing you to feel the way you do will no longer own you. Whatever is going wrong in your life will not have the last word. Remember, Satan may have “a” word, the doctor may have “a” word, your job, friends or spouse may have “a” word, but God always has the final word.

Be encouraged,

Tony Evans

The Tony Evans Study Bible
Tony Evans App
Listen to powerful, encouraging sermons from Tony Evans anytime and anywhere.

Malachi 4:2-3
But for you who revere My Name, the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the Lord Almighty. 
NIV
++++++++++
Malachi 4:2-3

2 But unto you that fear My Name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
KJV
++++++++++
Malachi 4:2-3
2 But for you, sunrise! The Sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor My Name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking. 3 And you'll tromp on the wicked. They'll be nothing but ashes under your feet on that Day." God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so. 
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

A Priest And A Taxi Driver Arrive At The Pearly Gates at the same time.
​
St. Peter welcomes them and shows them to their homes.

For the taxi driver, a beautiful villa looking over a gorgeous field of clouds. "Thank you," the ecstatic taxi driver said.

Anticipating an even bigger mansion, the priest was dismayed when they arrived at a small 1-bedroom apartment.

"St. Peter, I'm a little puzzled," the priest began. "As a clergyman, I devoted decades of my life solely to serving the Lord. How come the taxi driver got a villa, and for me, only a small apartment?"

St. Peter smiled. "Up here, we go by results. While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed."

Melvine's remarkable turnaround in her road to full recovery and healing is a tremendous testimony to the staff of St. Mary's Hospice Home Care professionals.

On Wednesday, November 13, Miss Millie, Melvine's social worker, was elated by the progress she is able to see with her own eyes. It is not hearsay, but a reality of what Jesus is doing in Melvine's life and health. 

Melvine's renewal of strength, stamina, and vitality is nothing short of a miracle. 

Jesus told His disciple to place their faith in God. They were greatly surprised that the fig tree Jesus cursed died from the roots up. He wanted them to learn as we need to learn that mountains in our lives can be removed by our faith that believes that God can do anything, and by speaking to our mountains we can have what we are saying with our mouths. 

I want to quote from Jesus Who taught us this truth:

Mark 11:22-25
 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." 
NIV

Melvine and I are strong in our faith in God. We have trusted him prior to our marriage in August of 1960, and now for over 59 years. We can see His Hand upon our lives to bless us and give us favor and success. What God is doing for you, we want Him to do for you.

Could it be that God has allowed us to live, to share the good news not only of salvation and eternal life, the greatest gift of all, but of divine healing? It is our desire to be faithful in our witness as we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony.

Thank you for standing with us in our journey to be made whole by the healing power of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your many prayers, cards, letters, and Scripture verses you have shared with us. You have bolstered our spirits, strengthened our faith, and encouraged us to hold on and not give up.

For those who need the touch of Jesus to heal you, we recommend that your reach out and touch the hem of His garments, and in that process He will touch you with healing power and love.

You may write us at this mailing address:

Hugh & Melvine Morgan
17 Sweet Apple Lane
Winder, GA 30680

Or, you may send me an email to which I will respond. It is: hugh@hughsnews.com

Have a blessed Thursday.

Your friend in all seasons

​Hugh H. Morgan

The poster for Harvest Train is outstanding each year. I look forward to getting it to reproduce in Hugh's News to remind you of this wonderful event. Melvine and I will not be able to travel this year, but don't count us out. We have given to Harvest Train through our church, Christian Life Worship Center in Athens, GA.

Terry Kesling is our pastor.  Terry and his precious wife, Pamela, are a blessing to our church and to Clark County, GA.  However, our church includes other counties like, Banks, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe. God has positioned our church to bless our community and to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.

 Joseph T. Leggett's Letter of Invitation to You

You are a special guest at Falcon Children's Home on Tuesday, November 26.

This invitation from Joseph T. Leggett is one of a kind. He wants you to see where your hard earned money is being used to blessed children that need a home, love, guidance, and an education in a Christian environment.

Reagan Gurley has raised several thousands of dollars for Falcon Children's Home. God has used Reagan to touch the hearts of many people to give. Reagan's parents brought her for several years to bring the money she had raised. Mr. Joey Leggett recognized her and Reagan is known throughout the IPHC. Melvine and I consider Reagan an adopted granddaughter. We love her and her parents.

This is the big event of the year when all of our church leaders attend. Most of all, we want to show our support of Falcon Children's Home by our presence. You will be glad you took the time and effort to be present. You will meet some of the finest people on planet earth.