12 Days (Day 6)

DAY 6

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well this post is one day late, but I am excited about the post because I got to see the new Star Wars movie on Friday!!!  It was awesome!  Whether you are into Sci-Fi or not, the Star Wars movies are just a classic story of the struggle between good and evil.  It is a story of family and friends and redemption.  I remember, it seems forever ago, seeing my very first Star Wars movie in 1977.  It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before!  And now here we are in 2015 seeing the 7th installment of the movies.  Wow!  What an adventure!

The story of the birth of Jesus was also a struggle between good and evil.  Satan has always tried to destroy God's design and God's plan and this time is no different!

¹³ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.   Matthew 2:13

 The Holy Bible: King James Version. 

Even today, Satan wants us to forget the reason Christians celebrate Christmas.  I know all about the pagan tie-ins to Christmas, but that is not what I choose to celebrate.  Don't let Satan rob you of the joy of the real reason for the season!  There was a tree looming over the birth of the Messiah, but it was not decorated with lights or glitter.  The tree was still growing somewhere, but the tree would eventually be shaped into a cross and decorated with blood.  For on that tree hung the redemption and the hope of all mankind.  

From the birth to the grave, our Savior lived and died and rose again to give us a HOPE!  I pray that you KNOW HIM today!

God Bless,

Bro. Michael

Day 5

Merry Christmas

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Micah 5:2

I love to eat!!  This time of the year is great, unless you are trying to lose weight!  There is food everywhere and none of it is usually good for you.  It takes a lot of will power to keep moving or to cut back on your portion sizes with all of the great food and candy and pies that usually pop up at Christmas time.

The wonderful verse above is a prophesy telling which town the "messiah" would be born.  The name Bethlehem means "house of bread."  It is a reminder that the "bread of life" has come down to us.  Jesus is the giver and sustainer of life.  Without Him, there can be no life here or in the life to come.  

Jesus said, "10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

It is my prayer that you will not eat too much, and that you are full on the "bread of life" that was born in Bethlehem!

Bro. Michael

12 Days (Day 4)

Day 4

Merry Christmas!

1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.    Matthew 2:1-2

It is an often overused clique' and yet it is still true, "Wise Men Still Seek Him!"  It is my prayer that you as an individual are seeking Jesus today!  Even more than that, it is my prayer that our country will seek Jesus!  

The United States of 20 or 30 years ago will never be again.  The U.S.A. has changed so very much over the years and we are definitely not a Christian nation anymore.  We are very much a secular nation and ever inching closer to becoming a pagan nation.  

Should we just "throw in the towel?"  No!  I think about Daniel and the three hebrew children stuck over in Babylon.  Did they stop worshipping and praying?  No!  Did they "throw in the towel?"  No! You can still be a Christian and live for the Lord, even in a pagan nation!  No matter how bad things get in our nation, it is probably worse somewhere else.  No matter how bad things get in our nation, we can always take a stand and follow the example of so many others in God's Word and many more down through the years.

Take a stand for Jesus this Christmas Season!  Be sure and use the phrase "Merry Christmas!"  Many are even getting away from that.  It is true, "Wise Men Still Seek HIM!"

God Bless,

Bro. Michael 

12 Days of Christmas (Day 3)

Day 3

Merry Christmas

Yesterday I went out and bought Caleb's Christmas present, it was a ping pong table.  It was a surprise and he was really excited about it.  It is hard to hide something like that around the house or even to wrap something like that, so we went ahead and gave it to him yesterday.

One of the cool things about the gift is that it gave us a chance to work together on a project.  I am looking forward to each and every moment that we get to spend together on whatever God sends our way.  I don't know how much longer we will have together to work on projects or other things that God allows us to do.  I know that I need to take every advantage of every opportunity, because you only have so many moments together with your kids.

God knows exactly how we feel.  Without getting into the doctrine of the trinity too much, know this, God sent His son into the world and what was before he became flesh was no more.  Then the time Jesus was in the flesh was only so long and Jesus fulfilled and was obedient to everything his father sent Him to do.  It is mind blowing to think that the little baby Mary held in her arms was "the Son of God," the creator and sustainer of all things.  Jesus is now in a glorified body seated at the right hand of the Father and even that is temporary!  He will come again one day and there will be another new chapter, which is another cool thought all by itself!!!

What about us now?  We only have so long!  Make memories this Christmas with your family and loved ones!  Whether you are part of a big family or all alone, the choice is yours.  If you are alone, choose to be a blessing to someone and point them to the generosity found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you are surrounded by family, remind them about the true "reason for the season!"

God Bless,

Bro. Michael

12 Days of Christmas (Day 2)

DAY 2

Been a hectic day, but a good day!  Thank you for your patience!  I have had some good feedback concerning these devotions.  Know this, that I am praying for you and your family during this Christmas time.  God knows who is reading this and I am lifting you and your family up in prayer at this very moment. 

I am so busy that it is hard just to slow down and pray!  Sure!   I can send "popcorn" prayers up through the day and that is good, but I love that "quiet time," when you can just pause and pray and read God's Word and wait for HIS Spirit to speak to my heart.

Today, I had to go to visit with my audiologist and get my hearing aids checked out.  Hearing loss is something that I have struggled with all of my life.  My left ear is worse than the right, but both ears, unfortunately are slowly on a downhill slide.  

My family usually rolls with laughter when I repeat what I think I heard!  Sometimes it is frustrating, sometimes it just plain silly.   When I try to carry on a conversation with someone with a lot of background noise, it can be extremely challenging!

One of the most awesome things heard, a little over 2000 years ago, was the amazing message from God's messengers.

 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

(Matthew 1:20-21 KJV)

 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

(Luke 2:8-14 KJV)

I don't think Joseph or the shepherds had any trouble hearing from these angels.   I am sure God's message came through loud and clear!  Even though I am sure they were shaking in their boots!! (or sandals!!!)

Take time to listen to what God may be speaking to your heart this Christmas Season!  It may just be a reminder that Jesus is totally awesome, even still today!!

Bro. Michael

12 Days of Christmas

Day One

Merry Christmas!  

As some say, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  

Thank you for joining me on this short journey to another celebration of the birth of our Savior!

Think of the next 12 days as a gift given to us by God.  We begin today and we will end on Christmas Day. 

 Every day is a gift.  A gift that is unwrapped each morning and set on the shelf each evening.  You cannot bring yesterday into today.  Each day is a gift, only to be enjoyed for 24 hours.

I have a lot of memories concerning Christmas.  Some are glad and some are sad!  I cannot relive or do those days over.  I am thankful for a ton of great memories, but the thing I need to do is to enjoy TODAY!  I need to live for the Lord TODAY!  I need to unwrap TODAY!   I need to tell my family I love them TODAY!  

 Someone said, "You cannot choose how you will die, but you can choose how you will live."  What will you do with the rest of your day?  What will you do with tomorrow? 

 Treat each day as a gift from God, for that is truly what each day really is...

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 KJV)

God Bless,

Bro. Michael

What a Summer!

West Central Camp & NEXT Camp

I love going to Bogg Springs!  It is where I met my wife!  July 9th 1986 was the day I worked up enough courage to go up and speak to her.  It is where my oldest child, Taylor Reese Welchman met her future husband.  I had no idea that one of my CABBI seminary students, Shawn Welchman, would find out what a great daughter God gave to Karen and I.  I just happen to introduce them and BOOM!

The rest is history...

We had a blast at Bogg Springs this year!

In between Church Camp, we managed to squeeze in some babysitting, Vacation Bible School, ABA trips, leading young people to Christ and a World Archery Competition in Tennessee.  That was a blast to go and support Alli and the rest of the Hamburg Archery Team.

Tristan Gourley

There are a few more events my family and I were able to share.  Taylor had the bright idea for Caleb, myself and her to run a 5K in Little Rock called the Insane Inflatable Race.  That was CRAZY, but fun.  It was crazy because it was 95 degrees during the race!  It was a blast because I am still able to do things like this with them!  I know one day I will not be able to keep up anymore, but I figure 70 is still a ways away!!  So, until that day comes, I will keep on running and playing on inflatables with my kids!

Well Summer 2015 is almost over and there are still a few more memories to make.  I have enjoyed so many awesome summers and they always revolve around serving my Lord and Savior and with my family by my side.  God only gives us so many summers.  I am 48 years old, so I figure that I am over the halfway mark!  I have zero regrets, pedal to the metal, soak it all in, tell everyone about Jesus, get wet, get sweaty, take a nap, hug my kids, take a shower, kiss my wife!  Wow!  It's been another awesome summer!

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17 ESV)