Category Archives: Personal Journey With Jesus

Personal Journey With Jesus

A Praying Woman is Powerful

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My mom, younger brother, and I lived with my grandmother from the time I was five years old until I started the 5th grade at ten years old.  As my two cousins will testify, “Mamaw” knew The Lord in a very special way.

My sweet Grandmother had a habit of kneeling beside the bed at night and praying to her Savior. She often prayed softly but loud enough so that I heard my name being presented to the throne room of Heaven. There were times I felt if I opened my eyes, I would see Jesus and her having a cup of tea while they talked.

Her prayers affect me to this day even though she died Christmas Eve 1976. This was only four months after my conversion from atheism to a follower of Christ. My first wife, who had just given her life to the Lord, challenged me to study her notes and prove her wrong.  After months of study, I proved myself wrong and gave myself to the work of the Lord Jesus.

As my dear grandmother lay in the hospital bed that silent night, I asked The Lord to let her sleep so she would not be in pain and the confusion of Parkinson’s disease.  I got news of her death after I left the hospital and arrived at home, where my wife and 2-month-old daughter waited for me.

That exact prayer for God’s mercy would be repeated years later for my saintly mother, who died from a lung infection.  My prayer was, “Lord, let her sleep to escape the pain of death.”  The doctors asked the family to say our goodbyes.  When it came to my turn, I trembled.  My mother had been praying for ten years for my return to the Lord.  After eighteen years of service and following Jesus, I asked God to go away.  I had lost faith due to tragedies in my life in 1994. 

Mom often asked me when I was going to come back to the faith I once knew.  Lately, I had begun to feel that familiar pull of the Holy Spirit to repent of my sins and receive forgiveness.

 The Lord was knocking hard on the door of my heart. A lump the size of my fist was stuck in my throat as I approached this beautiful woman who had given me life.  Like my Grandmother, my Mom knew the Lord and was close to HIm.    Icema Pappas was the sweetest, non-obtrusive woman I had ever known. She was only moments away from the penalty passed upon all….death.  We would be separated, perhaps forever.

Years earlier, after my conversion, she and I had studied the Bible about the resurrection and the coming of Jesus.  It was in this study we saw the plan for those who die in Christ.  The clearest verse is found in 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18 (GW)

The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way, we will always be with the Lord.  So then, comfort each other with these words!

When I leaned in close to my Mom, who seemed to be at peace but under the influence of the drugs to help soften the sting of death, I said these words through wet tears dripping on her hand. I held her soft, sweet hands close to my face.

 “Mom, I will see you resurrection morning.”

Immediately, I felt a squeeze of her hand! Twice! That tightening of her hand had strength despite the drugs and impending death.  It communicated the unspoken words,

“You better be there.”

Even in death, her humor and concern for me came through loud and clear through that grip!

Like those who see their life pass before their eyes when they think they are about to die, I recounted my fall from grace.  My fall had been dramatic, just like my conversion.  When converted, I was compelled to teach others about what I had learned.  I became a Bible teacher with a very large class.  I got involved in prison ministry and a world-wide magazine did a story on my ministry.  A Christian brother (Charlie) and I began a radio ministry called Answers from Scripture.  When Billy Graham came to town, I participated in training to become a counselor.  For several nights, I had the incredible experience of working next to Jesus and the Graham team to help people start their “Jesus Journey.”

Jesus did things through me I never dreamed possible or likely.

But, a series of events in 1994 had me shaking my fist at God.  I felt He had forsaken me.  I turned back to the world and began to drink for the first time in my life.   After several years,  I became an alcoholic after feeling the deep pain of a sick child with a rare disease, a surprise divorce, losing my job unexpectedly, and the death of my father in a car wreck. Looking back, I should have pleaded with God, but I took the self-pity route.

I was so low that I could not feel God’s presence any longer, but He was there protecting me and hearing the prayers of these two powerful women in my life….not to mention many others in my church and my family.

This experience with my dying mother would only make that “still small voice.” louder.    Later that year, I would return to the Lord like the prodigal son…dirty, broke, and doubtful.  That is a story unto itself.  My God had not forsaken me!  He allowed me to waste my inheritance for the salvation of my soul.

My experience with my Creator is now stronger than ever before….in Christ, but I know that the prayers of these two beautiful women (and my ex-wife) interceded for me and stood in the gap by praying in my stead when I could not or would not do so.

(For my three-part conversion story, click here:)

A Clean Pig Returns to the Mud-Part 1

A Clean Pig Returns to the Mud-Part 2

A Pig Washed A Second Time-Conclusion

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Last night (New Year’s Eve 2015), I had the same feeling of hearing my name being presented to The Lord just like I heard from my grandmother and my mother years before.

My beautiful wife of almost two years (Judy) has a tradition of praying at midnight each new year. (What a contrast to the parties and drinking that I once indulged.)  I tried to stay up till midnight, but we both fell asleep.

I was awakened by a soft touch on my arm and the sound of my beloved wife praying for me at midnight. She said The Lord woke her at 11:55 PM to pray.

There is nothing more powerful than a praying and believing woman! During Christ’s time on earth, it was the women who were closer and more loyal than the fearful men.  These women dared the enemy of man and his agents by standing at the foot of the cross to comfort the dying Savior.  Except for John, the disciples had all fled.

I am blessed by the prayers of four women in my life:  My Grandmother, Mother, first wife (Mother of my children), and now my wife of two years, who encourages me along in my “Jesus Journey.” Also, those two female cousins I mentioned at the start also pray for me as I do for them!

Thank you, Judy, for carrying the prayer torch into another year and for praying for me…and my children.  May I come to know the Lord like the women in my life!

Yes, I am blessed by the women who love me.  But I bet you are, too!


“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous (woman) avails much.”

James 5:16

Personal Journey With Jesus, Reasons to Believe

The Clockmaker

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A Bike Ride Out of Atheism

Back in the mid-’70s, I was an evolutionist bicycle rider. I was fulfilling a dream trip by riding cross-country from LA back to Nashville. As I rode along in the open deserts of Arizona, I had plenty of time to think and observe the beautiful scenery.

One day, as I peddled across the high desert towards Flagstaff from the Grand Canyon, I could feel the strength in my legs and my circulatory system working in harmony with all parts of my being. I felt strong and happy. My eyes could see the far-off snow-capped mountains outside Flagstaff (San Francisco Peaks). The blue sky was incredible, and the feel of the cool high desert air on my skin and in my lungs led me to ponder the complexity of life. I began to extrapolate my thoughts.

I reasoned that if I had never seen a clock before but studied it, I would discover a few things. This study would take a while, but initially, I would see that the hands of the clock corresponded to the daily cycle of the sun.

I would discover quickly that the parts of the clock were precise…working together to move the hands exactly to measure time. Ah! Here is its purpose. All that I learned would tell me there must be a CLOCKMAKER. I didn’t know who or where he lived, but I knew he was out there somewhere. I had never met him, but somebody probably had. So, if I wanted to know more, I would (theoretically) start some research and learn as much as possible about the CLOCKMAKER. While the clock and its workings are interesting, it is the punctilious CLOCKMAKER, the originator of this instrument, that is more fascinating.

My extrapolated thought process continued. Our bodies, how we were born, how we are sustained and have the ability to pro-create is far more complicated than a simple clock. I reasoned, there must be a punctilious PERSON MAKER! When I came to that conclusion, I said the first meaningful prayer in my life, “God, if you are out there, please reveal yourself to me.” Well, He did in a way I had not anticipated. The prayer was forgotten as my trip progressed. It was not until many months later that I remembered it.

When I returned from my trip, Julie (the mother of our children-may, she rest in peace) was attending evangelistic-type Bible studies. She seemed different. Calmer. I made fun of her so much that she finally threw a dare at me. She said,

“take my notes and prove me wrong.”

This appealed to my scientific, history-loving, college-educated mind, so I took her up on it. She was crafty to draw me in like that. I knew what she was up to, but I believed I could easily find the errors in the Bible and discount Jesus and the whole world of religion in a few sentences. After all, I was educated. She only had a high-school diploma. But, I would learn that wisdom doesn’t require a Ph.D. behind your name.

To make a long story short, I studied Jesus and the entire Bible for months like I would study a book about the CLOCKMAKER I had never seen. In the early and mid-70s, there was not the madness of the internet, so I researched the church’s history and the Bible’s prophecies at the downtown library in Nashville. Wow! What a journey. My research revealed I knew very little about the Bible, Jesus, and the journey of the Jews.

My conclusions?

Jesus was all He, the prophets, and his disciples claimed Him to be!

Author

Jesus was the prophetic Messiah on a mission to save the world from eternal death and offer us eternal life. He is also part of the Godhead and is, therefore, our Creator God (See John Chapter 1: 1-14. Colossians 1: 15-18, Hebrews 1: 1-2).

I would not have known if I had kicked the clock away with no interest in how it worked. What I learned changed my life and direction eternally, as it has millions of others. I discovered there is a spiritual side to us and not just physical. Jesus said,

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

John 6:63

Needless to say, Julie was happy and amazed at my transformation as I was amazed at her change! In my efforts to prove her wrong, I found her God!

My point is this…the physical world we see had a beginning and a Creator. None of us were there. While we can’t see the Creator (like I couldn’t see the clockmaker), God put within us all His Spirit to tap into and give us the desire to know Him. Yes, we can know the great Creator.

“…let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:24

We can know about Him through the prophets. creation, and Jesus in the Bible. Even without the Bible, creation is the evidence of His design that gives us faith in Him. In fact, the Bible’s definition of faith is based on evidence and substance:

“Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1.

We can have reasons to believe. It doesn’t have to be blind.

The Bible, written by over 40 different authors with the same God experience, is deeper and more accurate than INTERPRETIVE science because there is a God bigger than His creation. Not in size but in complexity. The inspired writers (2 Peter 1:21) moved by God’s Spirit, point our eyes to the heavens to see the power of the unseen Creator.

“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been CLEARLY SEEN, being understood from what has been made, so that people are WITHOUT EXCUSE.

Romans 1:20

(It would have been silly for me not to believe there was a clock-maker because the evidence was right there in front of me. The same thought holds true for God-the, Creator.)

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19:1

(We can learn about God in His creation which is the work of His hands)

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

Psalm 8:3-4

Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
 For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33: 8-9

(We are so small when we look at the universe. It is because we are created. He is the Creator.)

How foolish can you be?
  He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay!
Should the created thing say of the one who made it,
  “He didn’t make me”?
Does a jar ever say,
 “The potter who made me is stupid”? Isiah 29: 16 NLT

One last point. As Moses writes in Genesis, God did all this in 6 literal days (evenings and mornings). This is outside the realm of science and their calculations based on things as they know them and their assumption that …

…all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:4

Creation from nothing is only possible from an eternal Creator. Our week of 7 days testifies to creation week. Why not a 10-day or 5-day week?

If you are having trouble with belief, I recommend you get to know the CLOCKMAKER.

At a certain point in my studies and discovery, I prayed the second meaningful prayer in my life:

“Lord, I don’t know what you will do with me. I have made so many mistakes and sinned so much. Would you forgive me? Please put me to work. I don’t want to be a pew warmer.”

He answered this prayer immediately.

I was baptized and began a journey of ministry. What a ride it has been! Julie was very happy. But the enemy of souls does not give up easily, nor does the flesh.

These last 48 years have been a battle, but God is faithful never to leave me nor forsake me despite the war raging around me. Battles have been won and some lost, but I am thankful for the strength of the CLOCKMAKER …” because the one who is in (me) is greater than the one who is in the world.; 1 John 4: 4

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being, I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7: 21-25

If you are having trouble with belief, I recommend you get to know the CLOCKMAKER.

Church, Daniel and Revelation, Personal Journey With Jesus

Christ’s Message to Sardis

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A few notes.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  Remember, therefore, how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3: 1-6

Each message to the seven churches ends with these words: “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Each church has personalized council from Christ Himself.  But also, every person who “has an ear” has the same direction. No one is excluded.  However, there is something in the message that many fail to understand.  It is this: the message is primarily to His church!  Those who profess His leadership.

God’s desire for the body of Christ to prosper spiritually is found in each letter.  If each member heeded the words, the church would go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to be co-workers with the Godhead.

Today, I was studying the challenges of the Sardis church with an “ear to hear” what that ancient city of Sardis has in common with me personally.  Here are a few of my notes:

The City and the Church

There are five application levels when reading to understand Christ’s messages to the church.  First, it was a literal message to an early historical church.  In this case, it is to the church in Sardis.  It was for them. 

But there is a second level.  It is a message to all churches throughout history in similar situations. 

The third level is a customized message to local churches with similar challenges.  

The fourth level is highly applicable to the different stages of church history.  The message describes the church’s struggles from the book of Acts to our day in the 21st century.   To understand this part, a study of church history is necessary.

But, lastly and most importantly, it is the message to the individual who makes up the church.  The person who “has an ear.”  The council is very personal and understandable to anyone brought under the conviction of the message.

The message to the historical church at Sardis is highly appropriate when considering its location and condition:

” Sardis was built on a hill so steep that it was considered a natural citadel, and its defenses seemed secure.  The location of the city made the citizens overconfident; as a result, the city walls were carelessly guarded.  The city was captured twice by surprise, first by Cyrus the Persian (549 B.C.) and later by Antiochus (218 B.C.)  On both occasions, enemy troops climbed the precipice by night and found that the Sardians had set no guard.  The city was captured and destroyed because of the overconfidence of the citizens and the failure of the guards to watch.  It seemed that this carelessness had crept into the church, hence the warning: “Keep watching.” Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic p. 138

So, the highest application level for this church and today’s church is to “keep watching.”  Watching for what?  This is undoubtedly a spiritual application of being aware of our surroundings and attack threats.  Can you see the attacks on the churches today?  Can you see the attacks on you personally?

For the churches and individuals of our day, we are directed to watch and be prepared for the second return of Christ.  If not, He will come unexpectedly, and therefore, the person is unprepared.

Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Revelation 3:3

Jesus warned in His sermon on the mount:

But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:43-44

Notice the admonition to “watch” and “be ready.”  The follower of Christ must be watchful and understanding of their surroundings but must go further and prepare their hearts, so they know they are ready.

Paul compares the return of Christ with a thief who comes at night. The key concept here is the surprise element.

“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2

A couple of verses later, Paul clarifies that the followers of Christ are not in darkness (uninformed), and they are not overtaken by the experience of an unexpected visit of a thief.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

1 Thessalonians 5:4

Sadly, many churches today try to compare the thief’s experience with quietness to support the secret rapture theory.  But, Peter leaves no doubt that the second coming and the church rising to meet the Lord in the air is loud and destructive:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise (loud), and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (destructive).

2 Peter 3:10

So, when He comes, there are no second chances.  Therefore, the individual must watch and be prepared.  This is the primary message to the church at Sardis and all those lazy in their experience with Christ.

This leads to Christ’s counsel to “repent.”  If not, then those who think they are of the body of Christ and written in the book of life will be surprised, as are those who do not know Christ and therefore lost.

Book of Life

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  Revelation 3: 5-6

Whether the book of life is a literal book or not, it has life-and-death significance to those professing Christ.  The once-saved, always-saved doctrine doesn’t line up with the message here.  The follower can have their name blotted out of the book of life.  Therefore, overcoming is minimized in this passage to those who hold on to the dangerous doctrine.  Overcoming in Christ is the key here.  No amount of self-will or exercise is enough.  The will and the doing come only through Jesus.  Any self-actions, whether grit, determination, morning devotions, memorizing Bible texts, diet, you name it, are ropes of sand.  Why?  It is because we can do nothing without Jesus.  He gives us the will (desire) and performs His will through us.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2: 12-13

This is righteousness by faith in Christ alone.  We are legalists if we don’t seek righteousness through Him alone.  Our choice is to repent and seek to be “in Him” at all times.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15: 5

Other writers confirm Jesus’ statement of warning about the book of life.

Moses: 

“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”

Exodus 32: 32-33

David:

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living,

And not be written with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28

Only those who remain in the book of life will be spared destruction in the lake of file.

: And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:15

Conclusion

I ask the question after reading Christ’s message to Sardis:  Why does Jesus give these warnings and council to all the churches and individuals if there was no possibility of having their names blotted from the book of life?  The answer is obvious. 

It is God’s purpose to correct our journey with Him. It is not a one-time trip down the aisle of the church.  It is a daily choice to live “in Jesus” or live in our own power.   We often are tempted and pulled away from Him.  Our best course is found in the council to Sardis to “watch.”  Be aware of the workings of Satan and our sinful flesh.  Repent if we know we are not in line with God’s will.  Turn over the steering wheel of life to the only One who can save us from our sins and give us the power to be victorious.   Otherwise, we deceive ourselves and are in danger of thinking we are religious enough to be saved.

The Sardis church was lazy and comfortable.  It would lead to defeat.  But those few who had an ear listened and followed Jesus’ words were given the gift of eternal life.  They are made worthy by the white robe of Christ’s righteousness.

You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Revelation 3:4