Look What the Lord Has Done

 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." — Psalm 103:2 (KJV)

As I sit and reflect upon seventy-eight years of life, I cannot help but say, "Look what the Lord has done."

I was not born into wealth. I did not possess great influence or power. I have simply been a country preacher who trusted the Lord one day at a time. When I look back over the road God has led me down, I see His hand at every turn.

As a young man, the Lord called me into His service. In August of 1967, I surrendered my life to His call. I did not know where that journey would lead, but God knew. He opened doors that no man could open and closed doors that no man could close.

He allowed me to serve as a missionary. He gave me a burden for the American Indian people and opened the door for ministry on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. He allowed me to be a pastor, evangelist, Bible teacher, songwriter, educator, and writer. Looking back now, I realize that none of those opportunities came because of my abilities. They came because of God's grace.

The Lord blessed me with a faithful wife, Laverna, to walk beside me through the seasons of life. Together we have shared joys and sorrows, victories and disappointments, mountaintops and valleys. Through it all, God has been faithful.

For more than forty years He allowed me to pastor Sugar Plain Friends Church. What an honor it has been to preach the Gospel, teach believers, dedicate children, perform weddings, comfort grieving families, and point souls to Jesus Christ. There is no greater privilege than serving the King of Kings.

The Lord also blessed me with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When I see the faces of Eleanor, Evelyn, and Lucia and the generations that follow behind me, I am reminded that God's blessings extend far beyond one lifetime.

There have been difficult days along the way.

There were financial struggles.

There were disappointments.

There were times when the future seemed uncertain.

There were health challenges that I never expected to face.

Today, at seventy-eight years of age, I have known kidney disease, diabetes, heart problems, surgeries, Parkinson's disease, cancer concerns, and more doctors than I can count. There have been days when the body was weak and the road seemed long.

Yet here I am.

Still preaching.

Still writing.

Still singing.

Still trusting.

Still serving.

The same God who watched over me as a young preacher watches over me today.

When I was healthy, He was faithful.

When I was sick, He was faithful.

When I was strong, He was faithful.

When I was weak, He was faithful.

The Psalmist said:

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." — Psalm 37:25 (KJV)

That verse has proven true in my life.

I am not saying that serving God guarantees an easy life. The Bible never promises that. Christians face trials, losses, sickness, and sorrow just like everyone else. But God promises to walk with us through every valley.

Looking back over seventy-eight years, I can testify that He has never abandoned me.

Not once.

There were times when I did not understand His plan.

There were times when my prayers were not answered the way I hoped.

There were times when I wondered what God was doing.

But now, looking through the rearview mirror of life, I can see that He was working all along.

Friend, the same God who has watched over me can watch over you.

The same Savior who forgave my sins can forgive yours.

The same Lord who carried me through every trial can carry you.

The same grace that sustained me for seventy-eight years is available to every person who will trust in Jesus Christ.

If God can take a country boy from Indiana, call him into ministry, protect him through countless dangers, provide for his needs, bless him with a family, sustain him through sickness, and keep him faithful all these years, then surely He can take care of you.

The greatest blessing of my life is not the churches I have served, the degrees I earned, the songs I have written, or the books I have published.

The greatest blessing is that I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

And because I know Him, I know that when my journey is finished, I will not cross the river alone.

The One who walked with me through life will walk with me through death.

And on the other side, I shall see the King.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." — Psalm 23:6 (KJV)

To God be the glory for all He has done.

Time Is Running Out

Since you're looking for a message to unbelievers, here's a strong gospel appeal in the voice of the country preacher. I've kept the focus on urgency, repentance, and the grace of God rather than fear alone.

"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." — Proverbs 27:1 (KJV)

Friend, if there has ever been a time to get right with God, it is now.

We live in a world filled with uncertainty. Nations are at war. Economies rise and fall. Diseases come and go. Governments make promises they cannot keep. Yet the greatest uncertainty is not what will happen in Washington, Jerusalem, Moscow, or Tehran. The greatest uncertainty is whether you will see tomorrow.

The Bible says:

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." — Hebrews 9:27

Death is not something we like to think about. We spend our lives making plans for next week, next month, and next year. We plan for retirement, vacations, and family gatherings. Yet many never prepare for eternity.

The truth is that every tick of the clock is one second closer to meeting God.

The rich man in Luke 12 had great plans. He said, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years." But God said unto him, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee." He thought he had years. God knew he had hours.

Friend, do not assume you have tomorrow.

The greatest deception of Satan is convincing people that they have plenty of time.

Time to repent.

Time to believe.

Time to surrender.

Time to get serious about God.

But every cemetery is filled with people who thought they had more time.

The good news is that God has not left you without hope.

Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. He went to the cross, shed His blood, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. Salvation is not earned by good works, church membership, or religious activity. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." — Romans 10:13

God is calling.

The Holy Spirit is speaking.

The door of grace is still open.

But it will not remain open forever.

The same Bible that speaks of God's love also warns of a coming judgment. The same Jesus who invites sinners to come unto Him also warns men to flee from the wrath to come.

I am not trying to scare you into Heaven. I am trying to tell you the truth.

God loves you.

Christ died for you.

The blood of Jesus can cleanse you.

But you must come.

You must repent.

You must believe.

One day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is whether you will bow before Him now as Savior or stand before Him later as Judge.

Friend, time is running out.

Do not gamble your soul on another day.

Do not trust in religion.

Do not trust in your goodness.

Do not trust in another opportunity.

Trust Christ today.

For the clock is ticking, eternity is approaching, and Jesus is still calling sinners to come.

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." — Isaiah 55:6

Friend, time is running out.

Do not gamble your soul on another day.

Do not trust in religion.

Do not trust in your goodness.

Do not trust in another opportunity.

Trust Christ today.

You do not need to go to a church altar to find salvation. You do not need to find a priest, a pastor, or a preacher. You can come directly to the Lord Jesus Christ right where you are.

Perhaps you are sitting in your home, riding in a truck, lying in a hospital bed, or reading these words late at night. Right now, you can bow your heart before God and call upon His name.

The Bible says:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

God already knows your failures, your sins, your regrets, and your brokenness. He is not asking you to clean yourself up before you come. He is asking you to come.

Confess your sins to Him.

Repent of your rebellion.

Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.

Call upon Him by faith and receive the gift of salvation.

Do not wait for a more convenient time.

Do not assume there will be another opportunity.

The Holy Spirit is speaking today.

The door of grace is open today.

Salvation is available today.

Take the time now to pray and receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." — Isaiah 55:6 (KJV)

For the clock is ticking, eternity is approaching, and Jesus is still calling sinners to come.

Trusting the Lord in a Time of Uncertainty

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them..." — 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (KJV)

Over the past few months, I have watched events unfold in the Middle East with growing concern. Every week we are told that a peace agreement is near. Every week we hear announcements of ceasefires, negotiations, and promises that stability is just around the corner. Yet, before the ink can dry on one agreement, another conflict arises, another threat is made, and another military action takes place.

I am not a politician, military strategist, or foreign policy expert. I am simply an old country preacher who has lived long enough to know that the promises of men are often short-lived. Governments rise and fall. Alliances are formed and broken. Leaders make promises they cannot keep. History teaches us that what appears certain today can change tomorrow.

One thing that troubles me is the growing division I see among the American people. Families are divided. Churches are divided. Political parties are divided. Many people no longer know who to trust. There are Republicans who are frustrated. Democrats who are frustrated. Independents who are frustrated. There is a growing feeling among many Americans that they are not being told the whole truth.

Whether those feelings are justified or not, the result is the same: confidence in earthly institutions is declining.

As Christians, however, our confidence was never supposed to rest in Washington, Jerusalem, Tehran, Moscow, Beijing, or any other capital city. Our confidence is to rest in the Lord.

David wrote:

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)

The danger facing the Church today is not merely war. It is deception.

The Apostle Paul warned that there would come a time when people would cry, "Peace and safety," while destruction was drawing near. The world continually searches for peace through treaties, military alliances, economic agreements, and political solutions. Yet true peace cannot be established apart from the Prince of Peace.

Jesus warned His disciples:

"Take heed that no man deceive you." (Matthew 24:4)

Notice that His first warning concerning the last days was not about wars, earthquakes, famines, or pestilence. His first warning was about deception.

The greatest danger to the believer is not what happens in the Middle East, Washington, or Wall Street. The greatest danger is allowing fear, anger, politics, or propaganda to replace faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

As I watch the events of our day, I believe the political landscape of America may change. The relationship between America and Israel may change. The policies of Congress may change. The alliances of nations may change.

But God's Word has not changed.

Jesus Christ is still King.

The Gospel is still the answer for a lost world.

The blood of Jesus still saves sinners.

The Holy Spirit still convicts hearts.

The Church still has a mission to preach the Gospel.

My concern is not whether one political party wins an election or loses an election. My concern is whether the Church remains faithful to Christ in a world filled with confusion and deception.

The answer for America is not found in another politician.

The answer for Israel is not found in another military campaign.

The answer for Iran is not found in another treaty.

The answer for the world is found in Jesus Christ.

As believers, we must keep our eyes upon the Lord. We must pray for peace, but we must not place our faith in peace agreements. We must pray for leaders, but we must not place our hope in politicians. We must stay informed, but we must not become consumed by fear.

Isaiah reminds us:

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

These are uncertain days, but they are not uncertain to God.

The Lord is still on His throne.

The Bible is still true.

The Gospel still saves.

And those who trust in Christ have nothing to fear, for our hope is not in the kingdoms of this world but in the coming Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Until that day, let us watch, pray, discern, and remain faithful.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Prayer For The Lost

 Here is a prayer you can use when praying for your lost family members, friends and neighbors. You put their names in the prayer. Pray for them daily.

Our Father and my God,

I come before Thy throne of grace in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Thy only begotten Son. Lord, I thank Thee for Thy mercy, Thy patience, and Thy great love toward sinners. Thou art not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Father, today I lift before Thee those who are unsaved. Some are family members, some are friends, some are neighbors, and some are people I may never meet in this life. Yet Thou knowest each one by name.

Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit would move upon their hearts with holy conviction. Speak to their souls in a way that no preacher, teacher, or witness can. Let them see their need of salvation. Let them understand that life is but a vapor and that eternity is drawing near.

Open their blind eyes that they may see the truth of the Gospel.

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ... should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV)

Lord, remove every veil that hinders them from seeing Christ. Break through the hardness of their hearts. Let them recognize their sin, their need of forgiveness, and the great salvation that is found only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

I pray that they would hear Thy voice calling them to repentance.

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Ephesians 5:14 KJV)

Father, do not allow them to find peace in this world while they are separated from Thee. Let the emptiness of sin become evident. Let worldly pleasures lose their hold. Let every false refuge fail until they find their rest in Christ alone.

Send laborers across their path to speak words of truth and life. Give them ears to hear and a heart willing to receive the Gospel.

Lord Jesus, reveal Thyself to them as Savior, Redeemer, and King. Let them see the love displayed at Calvary, where Thou didst bear our sins in Thy own body upon the tree. Help them to understand that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith.

I pray that this very day they would repent of their sins, confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and receive eternal life.

May the Holy Spirit continue His work until Christ is formed within them and they become new creatures in Christ.

And Father, while I pray for their salvation, help me to be faithful in prayer, faithful in witness, and faithful in living a life that points others to Jesus.

For Thy glory and for the salvation of souls I pray.

In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord,

Amen.

This prayer reflects the biblical theme that salvation begins with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), the opening of blind eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4-6), and God's desire that sinners come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).

Have We Lost Our Burden for the Lost?

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10 KJV)

Over the years, I have watched many things change in the church. Some changes have been good. Some have not. But one change concerns me more than any other. It is the gradual loss of a burden for lost souls.

There was a time when prayer meetings were filled with requests for sons, daughters, husbands, wives, neighbors, and friends who needed Christ. Mothers would weep at the altar for children who had wandered from God. Fathers would call out names before the Lord. Grandparents carried lists of lost loved ones in their Bibles and prayed over them daily.

The church understood that eternity was real.

The church believed Heaven was real.

The church believed Hell was real.

And because they believed those things, they prayed with urgency for the salvation of souls.

Today, many prayer meetings sound different. Most of the requests involve health concerns, financial needs, surgeries, doctor appointments, travel mercies, and personal difficulties. There is nothing wrong with praying for these needs. God cares about every burden His children carry.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

But when twenty requests are made for physical needs, and none are made for the salvation of lost family members, something is missing.

Somewhere along the way, we have become more concerned about keeping people comfortable than seeing them converted.

The Church's Mission Has Not Changed

Jesus did not come primarily to improve men's circumstances. He came to save their souls.

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10 KJV)

The early church understood this. The Apostle Paul carried a burden that consumed him.

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." (Romans 10:1 KJV)

Notice Paul's prayer. He did not pray that Israel would become prosperous. He did not pray that Israel would gain political power. He prayed that they would be saved.

That burden seems to be growing weaker in many churches today.

Could This Be One Reason Churches Are Declining?

I believe it is.

When a church loses its burden for the lost, it begins to lose its purpose.

A church that no longer seeks the lost eventually turns inward. The focus shifts from reaching others to satisfying ourselves. Programs replace evangelism. Activities replace prayer. Entertainment replaces conviction.

The church becomes occupied with keeping current members happy rather than reaching those outside its walls.

The result is predictable.

No conversions.

No transformed lives

No new believers.

No spiritual growth.

And eventually, no future.

Many churches are wondering why attendance is declining. They invest in buildings, technology, programs, and promotions. Yet they seldom ask a simple question:

"When was the last time we wept over lost souls?"

Tears Have Become Rare

The old saints knew something we have forgotten.

Jeremiah cried,

"Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears." (Jeremiah 9:1 KJV)

Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

Paul warned believers night and day with tears.

There was a time when church altars were stained with tears shed for lost sons and daughters.

Today, many churches rarely even give an invitation because there are no unsaved in the service.

Some have become so afraid of offending people that they no longer speak of sin, repentance, judgment, or eternity.

But if there is no conviction, why would anyone seek salvation?

The Great Commission Still Stands

Jesus never told the church to entertain the world.

He never commanded us to become popular.

He never instructed us to blend in with the culture.

He told us:

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15 KJV)

That mission has never changed.

The church exists to glorify God, proclaim the Gospel, and make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Everything else is secondary.

A Country Preacher's Closing Thought

After nearly six decades of ministry, I have come to believe that the greatest need in many churches is not a new program, a larger building, or a better marketing strategy.

We need our burden back.

We need fathers praying again.

We need mothers weeping again.

We need grandparents calling the names of their grandchildren before God again.

We need pastors who are more concerned about souls than statistics.

We need churches that remember eternity is only one heartbeat away.

If the church ever regains its burden for the lost, we may once again see the fires of revival burn across our land.

Until then, many churches will continue asking why they are declining while ignoring the very mission Christ gave them.

May God break our hearts for what breaks His.

May He give us eyes to see the lost, ears to hear their cries, and a renewed passion to tell them about Jesus before it is eternally too late.

Have We Forgotten the Sermon on the Mount?

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them..."

— Matthew 5:1-2 (KJV)

Over the past several months, much of my writing has centered around the Sermon on the Mount. I make no apology for that. If there was ever a message the Church needs today, it is the message Jesus preached from that hillside overlooking Galilee.

Yet something has troubled me deeply.

I have heard professing Christians dismiss the Sermon on the Mount as being "too progressive," "too liberal," "too weak," or "unrealistic" for the world in which we live. Some have even suggested that those teachings do not apply to the Church today. Imagine that! The very words that came from the lips of the Son of God are now being treated as if they are outdated and impractical.

What has happened to us?

Jesus said:

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
— Matthew 5:9

Yet many who claim His name cheer for war.

Jesus said:

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
— Matthew 5:44

Yet many Christians openly call for nations to be bombed into the dust.

Jesus said to pray for our enemies.

I hear many calling for their destruction.

I hear many calling for vengeance.

I hear many calling for more bombs, more missiles, and more death.

But I rarely hear them calling for repentance.

I rarely hear them praying that God would save those people.

I rarely hear them asking God to send missionaries, revival, and conviction of sin.

Brethren, that ought to concern us.

The people many are so eager to destroy are not just military targets on a map. They are fathers trying to provide for their families. They are mothers putting their children to bed at night. They are grandparents. They are little boys and little girls who laugh, cry, play, and dream just like our own grandchildren.

Most of them simply want peace.

Most of them want a roof over their heads and food on their table.

Most of them want their children to grow up safely.

When Jesus looked upon the multitude, He did not see enemies to be destroyed. He saw sheep without a shepherd.

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
— Matthew 9:36

The Church has always been at her best when she carried the Gospel to her enemies rather than cheering for their destruction.

The early Christians did not conquer Rome with swords.

They conquered Rome through prayer, sacrifice, preaching, and martyrdom.

Today, many who call themselves evangelical seem more interested in defending political movements than proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Nationalism has replaced discipleship.

Political loyalty has replaced biblical obedience.

For many, Zionism has replaced evangelism.

The flag has become more important than the Cross.

The enemy has become someone to kill rather than someone to reach with the Gospel.

That is not the spirit of Christ.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

He died for sinners.

He prayed for those who crucified Him.

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
— Luke 23:34

The Church of Jesus Christ must never forget that our mission is redemption, not revenge.

When I read the message to the church of Laodicea, I cannot help but wonder if it describes much of modern Christianity.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
— Revelation 3:17

Notice what Jesus said.

They were blind.

They thought they could see, but they were blind.

They thought they were right, but they were blind.

They thought they were strong, but they were blind.

And what was Christ's remedy?

Repentance.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
— Revelation 3:19

Perhaps the greatest need in the modern Church is not another political movement.

Perhaps it is not another election.

Perhaps it is not another military victory.

Perhaps our greatest need is repentance.

Perhaps we need to return to the mountain and listen again to the words of Jesus.

Perhaps we need to learn once more how to love our enemies.

Perhaps we need to pray for those we have been taught to hate.

Perhaps we need to remember that every soul is precious to God.

The Gospel has not changed.

Jesus has not changed.

The Sermon on the Mount has not changed.

The question is whether we have changed.

May God remove the scales from our eyes.

May He heal our blindness.

May He give us hearts of compassion.

And may the Church once again become known not for how loudly it demands judgment upon its enemies, but for how faithfully it points them to the Savior.

For there is coming a day when every bomb will be silent, every kingdom of man will fall, and every flag will be lowered.

But the Kingdom of Christ shall stand forever.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
— Matthew 5:9