Randall's Reflections

You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

2011-10-14T07:40:00.000-05:00

      I remember hearing Dr. B.R. Lakin preach a long time ago. He made a lasting impression on my young mind. As a barefoot young boy, he recalled plowing in a hot West Virginia field. He said sometimes the plow would be deep and hang a root, causing the plow handles to fly up and bloody his lips or nose. He said he would drop to his knees in the blazing sun and look up to heaven and cry out to God. He would say, "Oh God will I ever amount to anything? Will I ever be anything in this life?"
      Then as a godly, seasoned evangelist, he was in much demand, particularly in his later years. Through the years he was frequently invited to preach at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Often the Pastor, Dr. Jerry Falwell would send for him with a small business jet. Once as Dr. Lakin was flying for a preaching engagement, he looked down on the rugged hills and country side, and thought about the words of a then-popular television advertisement. He mumbled in his mind, "You've come a long way baby!"
      I am a nobody to this world, but I too, have thought about just how far God has brought me. I was raised in the backwoods of Mississippi, in poverty like most folk in that day. We lived in old houses with leaky tin roofs and lapboard siding. There was no insulation and it was just as cold inside as it was outside. There was no inside bathroom, and only one light bulb hanging down on a cord. We had no modern conveniences like we take for granted today.
      Most days I would play under the front porches of the old houses. My "toys" were a snuff bottle, a Prince Albert can, and an empty spool my mother gave me. I would cut little notches in the outer edges of the spool, and then use a rubber band and a crayon to make a fine "tractor". I could entertain myself all day, making little roads and bridges out of sticks. I had the most healthy imagination a little boy could have. I too, wondered if I would ever win car races, star on a football team, or ever have anything or amount to anything.
     But in God's time and grace, He drew me to Himself and saved my wretched soul. He lifted me up out of a horrible pit and set my feet on a solid rock. He gave me a new life, a precious wife and son, and called me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. What an unspeakable privilege!
      Years ago I thought about Dr. Lakin as I flew into Detroit, Michigan to preach. As I looked out over that huge city, with butterflies and insecurity, I wondered silently, "Dear God, who am I and what am I doing here?" But God has opened doors and blessed my life beyond measure. Mere words cannot explain what He has done. He who knows me best, still loves me the most. Even though I have a long way to go, God has brought me a long way too. He doesn't always call and use the ones we think He might or should. God is pleased to use nothings and nobodies like me to accomplish His purpose and bring glory to Himself.
      I love Jesus my Lord and Savior with all my heart. I count it a privilege to serve Him, and could never thank Him enough for all He has done for me. That is why grace is so amazing! Bless His holy name!

Flag Day in America

2011-06-14T07:22:00.001-05:00

Today is Flag Day in America. I love the Stars and Stripes and I am a patriotic American who had the distinct privilege and honor of serving in the armed forces of the United States. My three brothers and I, all served in the U.S. military; two in the Army, one Marine and myself in the Air Force. I proudly served a four-year term in the United States Air Force, which included a tour of duty in Thailand. I never actually served in the country of Vietnam, but our fighter planes flew missions in Vietnam every day. Two of my brothers fought in Vietnam, were wounded and received multiple Purple Hearts. They will have service-connected disabilities the rest of their lives.

So many died for the freedoms that our flag represents. Let us never forget those who died for the freedoms we enjoy today, even for those who want to burn the flag in the name of "free speech". Yes, I love that "ragged old flag" and I love America. I would serve again and defend our nation all over again.

May God continue to bless America and may God bless and keep our military safe. Let us never take our freedoms for granted, and may we ever honor and respect our flag, and proudly fly her colors. I love America, the country where I was born, lived and where I will die and be buried.

Oseh Shalom

2011-02-11T09:26:00.001-06:00

2011-01-07T12:06:00.001-06:00

Testing my new mobile blogging app

Heaven Will Be So Grand!

2010-08-10T23:04:00.003-05:00

The more I live in this world, the more I am glad this world is not my final home. I am just passing through. I cannot feel at home in this world anymore. I am a citizen of two countries; earth and heaven. Sometimes it seems that I cannot wait anymore and I must get to my "long home" as it is called in the Bible (Ecclesiastes 12:5). But on the other hand, I want to stay here as long as my Father wants me to. I want to do His will and serve him, and be light in a dark place.

Heaven is the place that Jesus has gone to prepare for all his saints. Jesus said in John 14:2-3, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Heaven will be a grand place where everyone acts right. No one will be mad, estranged, jealous or hateful. Love will be the rule, no hatred, bitterness or strife will ever enter our eternal home. Families will finally get along and church members will be in one accord. They will finally worship the King of Kings the way He should be worshipped. There will be no more murders, rapes, wars or child abuse. No one will grow old and have mental or physical health problems any more. Everything will be in harmony and one accord, and the best part about it, is that it will never end. Here on earth, when things are right, we hold our breath, wondering when it will fall apart again. We seem to live from crisis to crisis, from one tragedy to the next, but oh how wonderful Heaven will be!

There is so much that will make Heaven the glorious, indescribable place that it is, but the main, central figure of Heaven is Jesus Christ, my precious Lord and Savior. HE is what makes Heaven, Heaven. I want to see Him, and bless His holy name forever. I want to bow down at His nail-scarred feet and thank Him for dying for my sins and saving my wretched soul. I want to sing a song of thanksgiving to Him. I do not think I will be interested in dancing for Him, but I will bow down before Him in praise, humility and adoration. Oh for a thousand tongues to sing praises unto my King. Bless His holy name! I want to see Jesus.

I do not know what my Father has in store for me. I do not know what my future holds, but I know WHO holds it! I may face long hard days of physical sickness or other adversity. I may grow old and lonely in a place I have never wanted to be. But I am more interested in God's will for my life, not my own will. I know that just because I am a Christian, I am not exempt from heartaches, sickness and pain. But I have prayed for a long time that if God would be pleased, that He would let me lie down in my bed one night and wake up in Heaven. His face is the first I want to see. It will be wonderful to see my loved ones, family and friends who will be there, but I want to see Him more than all.

To those who read these words, please make sure that you know you are going to Heaven when you leave this old sin-cursed world. Make sure that you have the peace of God that comes only by trusting in Jesus' shed blood to save your soul. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). I want to see you in Heaven, for I WILL be there. I will not be there because of any good works, because my salvation is by grace through faith, not of works. If I ever take one step inside of Heaven, it will be all because of His grace, and grace alone, apart from works. I have no righteousness on my own either. My righteous is from Jesus, He clothed me in His righteousness when He saved me. As a hymn writer said, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

Heaven will be so grand! I hope to see you there. Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-21T06:44:00.003-05:00

I have heard for a long time that the most powerful man on earth is whoever sits in the White House Oval Office. However our president is not the most powerful, but it is a man who will bend his knees and heart to pray. There is power in prayer, God hears and answers according to His will. Thank God for daddies who will pray for themselves and for their families.

Some of us grew up without a dad or with very little memory of him. My father was gone by the time I was eight years old, and I have only vague memories of him. Even for short periods of time, our fathers influenced us far more than we ever imagined. In fact, God chose to use the illustration of a father to portray our relationship with Him. God revealed Himself to us as Father. There are over 200 names and titles for God in Scripture, but to those of us grew up without a father, the name "Father" is the sweetest of all.

Now we live in a fallen world where the traditional family has taken a heavy shelling. We are hounded by those who would like to force a "gender neutral" Bible on us. It would be a Bible where God is not our Heavenly Father, but our "divine parent". Homosexuals and lesbians continually push for the legalization of same sex marriages. unwed motherhood has become the accepted norm, (people used to get married first, then have their children). Radical feminists like to blame much of society's problems on men. But do not despair, God is still God and He is FATHER, and always will be.

I recently read a devotional by Dr. Adrian Rogers which referred to a man who had regrets like most of us do. The man said "If I had to do it all over again, I'd love my wife more in front of my children. I'd laugh with my children more. I'd listen more, even to the youngest child. I'd be more honest about my own weaknesses and stop pretending perfection. I would pray differently for my children. I wouild be more encouraging and bestow more praise. And finally, if I had it to do all over again, I would use every ordinary thing that happened in every ordinary day to point them to God." Kudos to this good man! He is like all of us, imperfect and realizes it. We've all made mistakes in family and most every other area of life. But we must trust God in the areas in which we fail. He can "hit some mighty straight licks, with some mighty crooked sticks."

Father's are special people too. I am hoping that you all had a good Father's Day. Someone said "it is a good man that can recieve the same tired old tie for nine years in a row and still be happy." It doesn't take much "stuff" to satisfy most of us; give us a tie, we'll be fine. I'm just glad to be in alive and well, and able to serve Him to loved me and gave Himself for me. He is my Heavenly Father, who loves me when I am right and when I am dead wrong. That's what father's do. I'm glad He is mine, and I am His. Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus! Happy Father's Day.

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T06:58:00.000-05:00

Mothers are very special creations. When God made mothers, He gave them something we men just do not have. A mother has a tenderness, a special touch with the children they brought into this world. No matter how old a child grows, deep in their hearts they still have longing and a real need for mother. They run to mother when they hurt as a little child, and continue that for the rest of their lives. They instinctively know where to get real help.

There is nothing more tragic in the world than a bad mother, nor anything anymore precious than a good one. Mother's tend to be one or the other. A mother may be a good mother, but can never really be all that she could be on her own. I thank God for Christian mothers who teach their little boys and girls about the love of Jesus at an early age. The Bible says that when they are trained and taught right, that when they grow old, they will not depart from it. Some of you may be thinking, well I taught my kids right and they have grown up and turned away from it, and have broken my heart in some way. While a child is capable of doing things that will break your heart, it is the teaching, the training that they can never turn from. They can never get away from the Word of God that was instilled into their young hearts. So don't despair, God is still God, and He is still on His throne. Things are not completely out of hand as they may seem.

Ladies, the liberated feminists and a secular society has ridiculed motherhood, and millions of little babies have been aborted and thrown away. But be assured of one thing, there is nothing greater in this world, that to be a mother. It is the highest, noblest and most honorable undertaking ever. It would be better to be a good mother than to be the richest person in the world, or to be elected the first female president.

I want to wish all mother's a Happy Mother's Day, but particularly my wife, the mother of our only child. She did a good job, she was a faithful, old-fashioned mother with convictions. She read, prayed, served God and was faithful to be the best mother she could be. Perfect? No, none of us are, but thank God for mothers who try and give it their best, that's all God requires of any of us. I believe those who don't even try will pay a heavy price one day in judgment. I'd rather try something and make mistakes, and even fail, than to not even try at all.

Happy Mother's Day ladies; may you have a memorable and blessed day.

Wearing The Yoke Of Jesus

2010-03-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

Matthew 11:28-30 is a very special place in God’s Word. It is the only place in Scripture where Jesus offers any kind of self-description. It is in this great invitation that He says ‘I am meek and lowly in heart.’ With this profoundly simple statement, He paints a word picture that describes two of his attributes, meekness and humility. Immediately following these two characteristics, Jesus assures his followers that their loads will be lighter. Those who yoke up with Jesus, will actually find rest in their souls, while toiling and laboring with him. Our burdens will be lighter, because of His yoke that is ‘easier.’ What an amazing concept; we work for and with Jesus, while at the same time, we acquire rest! It is at this point that I wish to delve a little deeper, considering the yoke of Jesus and its relevance to us today. How may we practically apply this yoke to our Christian walk?

The Description of the Yoke

Throughout Scripture you find that a yoke was used literally on animals, captives and slaves. The word yoke is found fifty-three times in the Old Testament and six times in the New Testament. The symbolism is employed to speak of human oppression and hard service. Jeremiah records that a yoke symbolized entire nations being in submission to the nation of Babylon, (Jeremiah 27:8). Yokes were also used to portray being in bondage to sin. The Bible uses the phrase ‘the yoke of my transgressions’ (Lamentations 1:14).

In the New Testament the yoke principle is used by Christ in Matthew 11, speaking of Christian discipleship and growth. However, the concept points to legalism in Galatians where it says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). Finally Paul uses the image of the yoke to forbid Christians not to be ‘unequally yoked’ with unbelievers, (2 Corinthians 6:14). It is widely held that the Corinthian reference is a direct prohibition of the marriage of a Christian to a non-Christian. Paul uses strong terminology like light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness, and Christ and Belial (Satan). The Holy Spirit inspires Paul to spell it out plainly by saying . . . "or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" It is obvious that the analogies of the yoke are applied in various ways in Scripture. Let us now take a practical look at the yoke with particular reference to the modern-day Christian’s daily walk.

The Demands of the Yoke

If this article seems a bit 'preachy,' it is because this is the subject at in my most recent Bible studies and I plan to preach it! Let us turn our attention to the aforementioned symbolism of the yoke. First of all, a yoke is a symbol of submission. This says that as we ‘yoke’ up with Jesus in salvation and discipleship, we are declaring that He is Master, Lord and boss of our lives. Whereas an ox or other animal often had to be forcibly yoked, the child of God willingly and gladly puts on the yoke of Jesus. We submit to His will by putting our necks (lives) into his yoke and plowing and working with Him. The Bible says "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord" (Matthew 10:24). We should be willing to do whatever our Master asks us to do.

The yoke also is a symbol of sacrifice. To yoke up with Jesus implies that we are giving up what we want and doing what He wants. We are trading our wills for His. We exchange our desires for Jesus’. Further, the yoke is a symbol of suffering. By this I mean that you and I will often suffer persecution socially, verbally and sometimes physically. We live in a world that is growing more hostile toward conservative Christianity. We have heard the political left and a liberal news media, screaming intolerance for years now, but have you noticed how intolerant the unregenerate world is toward Christianity? I remember what some have termed ‘religious profiling’ in the confirmation process of former Attorney General, John Ashcroft. Millions of Americans were appalled as the Senate Judiciary Committee drilled Senator Ashcroft for days. They were calloused, merciless and at times, haughty. I was astounded at those who probed, jabbed and ridiculed a clean, decent Christian man. Senator Ashcroft had perhaps as good a record in racial matters as any governor or congressman in the nation, yet it was implied that he was racially biased. We watched as red-faced drunks and adulterers verbally persecuted a man, whose only crime was being an honest, decent and conservative Christian. The committee assaulted the reputation of a godly man who loves Jesus with all his heart. Dear Christians, it will not get any better before Jesus comes! We will suffer reproach in the yoke of Jesus.

Additionally, the yoke means service. When we put on the yoke with Christ, it means hard work. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 for those who ‘labor’ and are ‘heavy laden’ to come to Him to find rest. There is work to do in the service of Christ. The family of God is no place for the slothful, lazy servant. There is work to do and burdens to bear. There is a daily, spiritual warfare going on all around us. The Bible says for us to work heartily, zealously for Jesus as we serve him.

In talking about the demands of the yoke, there is one more term I would like to address. The yoke is a symbol of sanctification. Do not let this term cause disinterest. It is a good word. In the Bible it refers to a holy and separate walk. It means to be set apart for service. It implies holiness in character and conduct. Simply put, to walk or plow with Jesus means that we must be in agreement with Him in doctrinal matters. Jesus said much about being holy and mature. The New Testament uses the word ‘perfect’ to point to our walk with him. Philippians 2:15 speaks of our lifestyle in this world as ‘blameless.’ Amos 3:3 says . . . “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” We must live holy, sanctified lives as we plow in the same yoke and harness with our Lord.

The Delights of the Yoke

When thinking of the yoke symbolism, there are many rewards or delights that accompany the yoke of Jesus. The first one I think of is the sharing of the yoke. We share both burdens and blessings with our Lord. He makes things easier and lighter. We are not in this alone. Man was not made to be alone, and Jesus is our constant companion in life. He shares our griefs and glories. We are beside Him, but more importantly HE is beside us through every day, over all the way!

Another delightful aspect of the yoke is the strength of it. While I can do nothing without Him (John 15:5), I can do all things through Christ which ‘strenghteneth me’ (Philippians 4:13). It is said that oxen or mules, etc., will triple or even quadruple their strength when they pull beside a partner. They will simply give more and pull harder alongside another. We do likewise in our service to Christ.

Finally, when thinking of the delights of the yoke, I have to mention the success of it. The Bible says that when God starts a good work in us, He will complete it. Philippians 1:6 says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Charlton Heston once related a story about the filming of the classic movie Ben Hur. The movie had many scenes involving some major chariot races. Heston had to literally learn how to drive the powerful horse teams which pulled his chariot, for the race scenes. He says it was a demanding task, to say the least. Once when Heston seemed to be getting the “hang of it”, but still had questions about his chariot-driving skills, he shared that concern with his director. The director of the movie replied firmly to Charlton Heston, “you stay in the chariot and drive, I’ll see to it that you win the race!” Beloved, all we have to do is stay in the yoke of Jesus, He will see to it that we win our race!

He Got It Right

2010-02-21T05:48:00.004-06:00

I get up very early most mornings. This is Sunday morning and today is no exception. One of the things I do is pray and ask the Lord to help all of us who are preparing to preach God's Word. On this particular morning one of the friends I miss is on my mind more than usual, Bro. Don Taylor. I guess, in part, because recently Steve Carver gave me a copy of a memorial DVD he produced. The video was played at an evangelism conference on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as a tribute to Bro. Don. I have viewed it several times, and each time, these four words keep popping up in my mind . . . he got it right.

Bro. Don Taylor was a country boy with the touch of God on his life. In 2009 God called Bro. Don home after a wonderful life of ministry and service to others. He and I entered the ministry of evangelism about the same time, in 2000. When he was a pastor, Bro. Don had me scheduled to preach a revival at his church in Louisiana. He cancelled me and I always joked with him about being my first cancellation. He cancelled because he did not feel it was doing his church right to have a revival meeting and then resign right at the end of the meeting. He did the ethical thing, the right thing. I could go on and on, but let me cut to the chase; Bro. Don Taylor got it right.

As I watched the video tribute to him, I was reminded of a life well-lived. Was Bro. Don perfect? No, not then, but he is now! But he got it right in the areas that matter. He nailed it on things like salvation, family, church, community and civic activities. He was saved by God's grace. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Don's pastor, said at his funeral, he often heard Don call his wife, Lesia, and talk to her a while. Bro. Jimmy Jones said he had never heard so many, "honeys, sweethearts, darlings, etc." The two were obviously in love. He loved his wife, and family like men are supposed to. He got it right.

The slides on the tribute video showed so many of the trips and activities in which he was involved. He was a baseball coach, scout leader, school board member, and preacher. He put up decorations in the yard, went to Disney World, fished, hunted, laughed, and swam. Every other slide, it seemed, showed Bro. Don in a recliner with kids or grandkids, literally piled up all over him. He got it right.

As a fellow evangelist, we cringe when we hear of another scandal involving a religious figure. We endure the jokes and ridicule of the late-night comedians and the scorn of an already- skeptical society. However, Bro. Don made us proud to be an evangelist. He lived a clean, holy life, marked by sacrificial service to others. He studied, traveled, and preached the gospel for others, not for money or any other gain; his motive was pure. The comedians and skeptics would have to be silent if he was their only comedy material, because Bro. Don got it right.

I am glad he was my friend and brother in Christ. He inspired me to keep on keeping on. Because he got it right, he left us a good example and I am encouraged. Were he still around today, he would be up, meditating and looking forward to another day of service to our Lord. He would preach a sound, but simple message of salvation by grace alone, to whoever his audience would be, he would again, get it right.

Well, I must close, lest I ramble too far away from my main subject. Our friend, Bro. Don Taylor, got it right, and I pray that all who read these words will continue striving to do the same.

Until then, I am yours in the service of our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Randall Creel

The Whole Truth

2010-01-25T10:12:00.006-06:00

Have you ever been personally sworn in as a witness in a court of law? If not, you have probably watched this happen in a movie, or even live television. Nevertheless, the witness, with one hand on a Bible and the other raised, swears to tell the “truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” This is a solemn, sobering oath, to say the least. An interesting part of the equation to me is the part about the “whole truth.” ‘Why?’you may ask. Because we live in a day of half truths, twisted truths and unfortunately, no truth at all. When it comes to something so important as the eternal destiny of the human soul, I believe we need to get to the whole truth of the matter of what God says about the matter of salvation. This topic deserves our utmost and careful deliberation.

In a time when pastors/preachers are hungry for numerical success and statistical progress, we find all kinds of trickery, gimmicks and “easy believism.” When it comes to offering the plan of salvation to a world in darkness, we must make it plain and simple. We have a Divine mandate to tell the whole truth when it comes to salvation according the Word of God. There are many verses in the Bible where the only condition to salvation is the word or act of believing. Probably the most familiar of these is the most famous verse in all the Bible, John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Over one hundred places in the New Testament, we find the word or act of believing as the sole condition of salvation. However, there is more to being Scripturally saved than the intellectual act of believing. James says it is a good thing to believe but even the “devils also believe, and tremble” (James 1:19). So while believing the facts and accepting God’s word is a part of the salvation equation, that is not the whole truth. If a person says Jesus is my Lord and Savior and heaven is my home, I want to share with you what the Bible says must have happened to that person for this to be true.

There is a verse of Scripture in the Book of Acts to which I would like to direct our attention. Acts 20:21 says “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” (emphasis mine). I would like to point out the two sides of salvation indicated by this one verse. I like to refer to these two acts as two sides of the same coin. When you see the word believe in Scripture, in reference to salvation, you may not always think of the two separates acts of repentance and faith. But friends, make no mistake about it, when a person says they have believed to the saving of their soul, they have, of necessity, repented of their sin and placed personal faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross of Calvary. I am not saying a lost person, under conviction of the Holy Spirit, must understand all these theological details at the time of their conversion. I do mean however, that these two acts must take place for one to experience genuine, Biblical salvation.

Someone might object to repentance as being too negative. Well, if repentance is too negative, then Jesus is too negative, because it is His idea! Jesus’ forerunner and friend, John the Baptist, preached “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus himself said, “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Without repentance there is no salvation. What is repentance? Repentance is the result of the Holy Spirit convicting a person of their personal sin to the point that they view themselves as a lost sinner, separated from a Holy God because of that sin. Repentance is experiencing godly sorrow for our life of sin, saying to God “I am sorry” for my sin, and then willfully turning from sin to the Savior. Repentance is not negative, but positive, in that it brings about the changes that lead us to Christ and eternal life. On the one side of the coin of salvation is repentance, and on the other is faith. Notice that repentance is toward God. Why? Because He is the One we have sinned against. Then our faith is toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because He is the One who died for us! So the salvation experience is composed, in part, of two acts of the human will, that actually are wrapped up in the one Bible term, “believe.”

As a seventeen year-old boy, on a Sunday night in the little country church, I did not understand all these details at all. I simply knew God had done a work in my heart that caused me to see myself as a lost sinner and in need of a Savior. I asked God to forgive my sin that night and I placed personal faith in Jesus and my Lord and Savior. I was eternally saved that Sunday night. I am glad we do not have to understand it all to experience Biblical salvation. Has this ever happened to you personally? As a result of the Holy Spirit doing a work in your heart, have you ever repented of your sin and placed personal faith in Jesus alone as your Savior? If not, why not? Until then, I'll carry on.

I've Come Too Far

2010-01-06T07:21:00.001-06:00

This is the day that the Lord has made . . . I will rejoice and be glad in it. Whatever this day brings, or this year, I intend to rejoice in the goodness and blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is good whether He is good to me or not. Goodness is just one of the inherit traits of God. I have lived long enough to learn, that whatever comes my way must come through my Father's filter. Everything that comes my way is either sent by God, or allowed by Him, but it IS of God. Nothing takes God by surprise. Has it ever dawned on you that nothing has ever dawned upon God? I do not know what is coming my way in 2010, but I can face it with confidence and joy, knowing that my God's grace will be sufficient. He will see me through.

I have many things I need to resolve to do in the coming year, but like most folks, may give up or completely fail at most of them. But I am determined on a few things. I don't intend to change what I believe. I have made it a long way, trusting in God. He has never failed me or let me down. I may be mocked and ridiculed for being old-fashioned, or even simple. But I have an old Bible that I believe is the eternally-settled and infallible Word of the Living God. It changed my life a long time ago. I am not, nor have I been perfect, but I am not the person I was before God changed my life, through grace and faith in His beloved Son. But one day I will be like Him. I think I need to paste in a verse at this point that gives me hope and joy. It is from 1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." I do not intend to change what I believe about Jesus, my Savior!

I will close with this illustration that I heard many years ago. It was during a time when most Southern Baptists were stirred up over some practices and policies that the Disney folks were embracing. There was a major boycott in place among many conservative Christians. At the time, Dr. Adrian Rogers was President of the Southern Baptist Convention. One day while being interviewed, live, with T.V. cameras in tight, he was asked this question, "Dr. Rogers, do you think that Southern Baptists will be able to change Disney?" With confidence, yet kindness, Dr. Rogers smiled and replied, "Well, I don't know if we'll be able to change Disney or not, but we've got to make sure that Disney doesn't change us."

I want the world to know, that I may not be able to make much of a difference as I pass through this world. I may not change much, but I am certain that this world and its beliefs will not change me. It doesn't matter anyone does or says, I've come too far to change or compromise now. I am probably a lot closer to the finish line than I know, and I want to finish well, and hear my God say one day, "enter into the joys of the Lord."

I hope all that read this will have a wonderful, prosperous and blessed new year. Jesus is Lord, bless His holy name. Until then, I'll carry on! Randall Creel

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T07:10:00.005-06:00

It is 6 a.m. on New Year's Day, 2010. I am enjoying a fresh cup of my favorite 100% Columbian coffee and the start of a new day. I hope this finds you well and blessed.

There is something about even the word "new". Most folks love the smell of a new car or a new house. There is a tinge of excitement that comes with new things, and so it is with a new year. The Word of God says " . . . there is no new thing under the sun", (Ecclesiastes 1:9). God is eternal and is not bound by the limitations of months, years or days. We are temporal humans who live in time and space, and we experience the freshness and excitement of new days and seasons. Personally, I am glad. There is something good about starting again, and about new roads that we have never traveled. Even though there is a strange resemblance to yesterday, the start of a new year gives us the hope that things will be better this year.

Some of you reading this blog have experienced a tough year. Perhaps you are battling a relentless disease, burdened over a loved one, or the loss of a job. So many have experienced the heartbreak of a nasty divorce, and are still reeling from its effects. Some of us are still sad, having buried some close friends during the past year. The point is, we humans have hope that the next year will be a little easier, but who really knows? I can assure you of someone who does know. While I may not know what my future holds, I know the One who holds my future!

I do not see how folks make it without knowing Jesus. Living in this old sin-cursed world is hard enough with Christ as your Lord and Savior. I am glad He is my guide and protector; the Rock upon which I have built my life. It is upon that Rock that I intend to stay, by His grace. If your life is built on the fickle, shifting sands of this world only, when life's storms come your way, your foundation will crumble and fall apart.

A new year affords us the joy of resolving to change some things also. Physically, some of us will resolve to eat less and lose weight. Some hope to stop smoking or begin an exercise regimen. Spiritually, some of us need to be better students of the Bible, and more consistent in prayer. All Christians need to be more committed to telling others about Jesus. Some hope to work on a shaky marriage. Financially, many are hoping to make or save more money. But most everyone has a deep desire for better days.

The Bible assures us that, for a Christian, better days are coming. There may be some potholes and bumps along the way, but one glad day there will come a voice and a trumpet, heralding the good news that it is time to leave this old world behind! There is a place God is preparing for His own, called Heaven. It is the place I long for and intend to go some day. It is not some imaginary "pie in the sky" dream, but a real place of eternal joy and bliss for those who are in Christ. John wrote in the Revelation of a "new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1). He tells that the old will pass away, and all things will be made new. Friends, that fact buoys me on, and until then, I will carry on, with joy and peace in my heart. I may be ridiculed, mocked, and even despised, but I've got a home in glory land, that "outshines the sun".

God's best to you, and His best is always His son Jesus! May you have a blessed 2010.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T08:38:00.003-06:00

It is Christmas morning 2009; a very chilly, overcast and breezy morning in central Mississippi. Most of our usual activities are over and it is a quiet, slow morning. We enjoyed a good holiday meal yesterday, followed by a few gifts. Our son, Bradley was home for a day and then scooted right back home to Dallas. It was good to be with him, if only for a short visit.

I have slipped back into my little home office to check email and I wanted to take just a moment to post a short blog, wishing you all a wonderful Christmas day. I am blessed far more than I deserve. My wife Brenda, and I, do not have much, and are not much on the radar screen of this universe. But I want to write about what I am most grateful for, above anything else.

I am so very glad that, by an act of God's Sovereign grace, I now know the true meaning of Christmas. A long time ago, on a Sunday night, the grace of God appeared to me in a little country church. It was not because of anything I had or could do, because I had nothing, and could do nothing. But the Holy Spirit of God did a work in my heart to let me know that I was a lost sinner, and desperately needed a Savior. He drew me to Himself, I could not come on my own. I have nothing to boast of, what God did for me was all of grace.

My pastor and I knelt down and prayed. I do not even remember the exact words I said, but I know I stood up a new creature in Christ. I had believed in my heart, that Jesus was the Son of God, come to be the Savior of the world. I repented of my sin and called upon His name, and was gloriously and eternally saved.

Dear ones, THIS is what Christmas is about. I just wanted to remind all who might stumble across this blog, that Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again, that we might have life. If you do not know the peace and joy He gives, you can. I hope you will. You do not have to hope or think so, but you can know He is your Savior.

Thank you for taking a few moments to read this, and may you truly have the merriest Christmas you have ever known. Jesus is still the only reason for the season. (Please look here for more info on this subject: http://www.randallcreel.org/links/lastday.htm)

When Christmas Was Fun

2009-12-08T06:43:00.033-06:00

Oh how things have changed concerning Christmas! I grew up in rural Mississippi and in very meager circumstances, but have fonder memories of Christmas then, than today. I liked Christmas as a little boy, but I do not like the modern commercialized Christmas we have now. Please do not misunderstand, I love the real meaning of Christmas. I love the story of how Jesus was born into this world to save His people from their sins. That is what Christmas is all about, pure and simple.

I looked forward to Christmas then, and almost dread it now. The way this world has hijacked Christmas takes much of the joy and excitement out of it. Millions want to profit from Christmas but have no use for the reason we have a Christmas season. Do we actually need to be reminded that without Jesus Christ, there would be no Christmas?
It is ridiculous how many "things" have crept into the Christmas season that plague us each year. People use Christmas as an excuse to get drunk at parties. Jealousy, envy and greed are magnified during Christmas more than any other time of year. There is more loneliness at Christmas than we realize. Violence escalates each year during the Christmas season. If a retailer does not want to use the word Christmas in their ads or promotions, they do not deserve our money. And for those who don't believe in Christmas, then don't observe it. Stay at work all through the season.

Usually we kids would get ONE thing at Christmas, and sometimes a gift was for more than one person to share. I can distinctly remember some of the gifts through the years. One year, I got a Daisy B-B gun, another year, a baseball. One of the highlights of my childhood was getting a shiny new Western Flyer bicycle. I was so excited as I rode out through the front yard (looking back and smiling), that I piled it up on the roots of a big oak tree, putting marks on the bike and my knees. One year my present was a little Ben Pearson fiberglass bow, three arrows, and a plastic target. Another year I got up to find that double-holster cap gun and belt that I had looked at in a store for so long. I never dreamed that my mother would go down on Christmas eve night and get it for me. A friend and I were reminiscing about an Eldon Road Racing Set that he got one Christmas. It cost a total of $12, and his mother had to put it on lay-away and pay it out in time for Christmas. One year after looking through the Sears catalog and hinting for some things he wanted, all he got for Christmas was a monkey on a stick. He threw it up against the wall in disgust! Not a good thing, but true.

Decorations were simpler long ago. I remember us having one old strand of lights with big colored bulbs. We'd put them on a sad little cedar tree in the front yard and that was it. Later on I remember a little plastic Santa Claus face with one little white bulb in it, that hung on the front door. And you talk about hitting the big time, when my mother came home with an aluminum Christmas tree! It had a 4-colored plastic wheel that rotated with a spot light behind it. The tree slowly changed from a red, blue, green and yellow glow. We were uptown with that tree in the front window.

I remember one Christmas going with a few folks from a church to sing Christmas carols. We would pull up at a house, stand in the cold under a clear, star-filled sky, and sing. I didn't know the words, but fondly remember how special that was standing outside side and listening to Silent Night, and other traditional songs.

I may sound like a Scrooge, but I am just being brutally honest. Christmas was fun and simple a long time ago. It wasn't the amount or value of the gift, but the fact that you actually got something. I remember after the Christmas break, a school teacher asking if anyone would like to stand and tell what they got for Christmas. A friend, stood up on a cold, wooden floor, barefoot in the dead of winter, because he had no shoes. I can still see his big smile and pride when he said, "I got a sack of apples and oranges!" We were dirt poor, but I remember feeling sorry for him. But he was just as proud of a little sack of fruit as we were of our gifts.

Christmas has changed so much, but the Christ of Christmas never changes. He still is on His throne, in charge of this old world that has seems all wrong at times. He still loves you and me. He will still save whosoever will repent of their sins and put personal faith and trust in Him. He is still God, and His name is Jesus. He is God in the flesh, God with us. I'm glad that I know the real meaning of Christmas. There's nothing good in or about me, it is all about our Lord. There is nothing I could have ever done to deserve God's own Son. That's why it's called grace; that's why grace is so amazing. He reached down and showed grace to a poor little country boy, from the backwoods of nowhere. Jesus puts hope where there is none, love where there is hate and harmony where there is discord. He has a way of fixing things if we would only let Him, but we get in the way.

To me, Christmas was more fun when it was simple and uncluttered by commercialism. I want to wish all who read this a Merry Christmas, the way it ought to be. I pray we will let Him to change our lives forever.

What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do

2009-11-17T05:58:00.005-06:00

Sometimes people call me with perplexing questions. They are troubled and need a word of encouragement, advice, and always prayer. I am honored by their confidence in me, but I do not feel like I am a very good source of help. But as I have often said for many years, I can "listen" well. Recently someone said "Brother Randall, I just don't know what to do!" Upon hearing that, my heart was saddened, because I have been there so often.

I remember a great, old man of God preaching on "What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do." While I can't remember most of the message, the crux of it was that we should keep doing what we do know to do. Don't do anything rash or hurried in those times of not knowing what to do.

For those of us trying to serve God as Christians, this is particularly pertinent. Until we get a clear answer from God, we should keep on keeping on. Keep reading our Bibles, keep praying and attending church. The Bible should be our guide for all matters of convictions and conduct. What you believe, determines how you behave. So many people are far away from God and His Word, and wonder why they have no answers to their problems. We cannot expect to be led by Him, if we are like Peter, following "afar off". Jesus said in John 14:21, that if we love Him and keep His commandments, that He would "manifest" Himself to us. He will be real to us, give us comfort and guidance in our hard days. By the way, as Dr. Lehman Strauss used to say, "Spirit-led Christians are never misled".

So when you do not know which way to turn, or which decision to make, just keep clinging to the old tried and true principles that you do know. One man said, I'd rather be certain about a few things, than to be unclear on a lot of things."

I do not know much, I am not a smart man, but the things I DO know, I know. Like Paul, "I know whom I have believed . . ." His name is Jesus, my Savior, my Lord. I love Him because He first loved me.

Let me encourage you all to keep on track with the things you do know for certain. When you don't know what to do, keep doing those good and right things you do know.

This Is Where I Stay

2009-10-09T23:10:00.062-05:00

I want to give a word of thanks to all the pastors who invite me into their churches and homes each year. I love the church and those men who faithfully serve the church as pastor. I am so grateful for the pastors and families who allow me to disrupt their home for a few days.

Often the preacher's kids have to double up and sleep with each other to free up a bedroom for this big old preacher who comes in and flushes them out of their bedroom during revival week. I do not delight in it, but many times, that is the only choice we have. I preach in many rural churches where a motel is not accessible. Sometimes a church may be unable financially to put their evangelists in a motel. I completely understand this, and I am appreciative of any provision God makes for me. So, sometimes the pastor and his wife, or other members, open up their home to me.

Just this week, some friends let me stay in their beautiful motorhome for the revival. The week before, a very gracious church member gave me free lodging in her beautiful bed and breakfast. I have stayed in cabins at lakes, fancy hotels, cheap motels, and even dangerous motels. Sometime I stay in homes with older, retired couples. One vacationing family offered me their new home for the revival week. That was a very strange experience, to say the least.

Some churches have a "prophet's chamber" located somewhere on the church property. I have stayed in campers and fifth-wheel types. One pastor even joked about putting me in a FEMA trailer during the Katrina aftermath. He jested, but that would have been fine with me. Having said all this, I have not stayed in a tent, yet. An evangelist friend of mine pulled up to the pastor's house one Sunday morning and noticed a tent erected on the front lawn, not thinking it would be for him. Sure enough, he was informed during Sunday School that the tent was for him. He was very gracious about it, and with tact and grace, found a way to get out of it; he paid for his own motel that week.

As I near the end of another busy year of ministry for our Lord, this subject matter has been on my mind. I just have to say thanks to all these wonderful people who have provided for my every need during my travels. The Lord willing, I will be completing nine years of itinerant ministry very soon. I have not missed out on anything. It has been a tremendous joy to be with the people of God. Sometimes we laugh, rejoice, pray cry, and even grumble and complain. We should not, but we do. But my purpose for this post, is to give God all the credit for providing for His people.

Genesis 22 records the account of Abraham and Isaac on the way to Mt. Moriah where Isaac would be offered as a sacrifice by this father. Isaac could not help but notice that there was wood and fire to ignite it, but no lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham answered by saying that God would PROVIDE himself a lamb. When God stayed Abraham's hand, preventing him from sacrificing Isaac, he looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. Abraham named that place, "Jehovah-jireh", which means God will provide, or more literally, 'it will be seen'. Some would say, "God will see to it".

I want to state unequivocally, that my God has, and will, provide for His own. Make no doubt about it, God is faithful. I praise Him for his blessings and provisions. He a good God whether He is good to me or not. But I want to report that He is good to ME; bless His holy name! I stay where He provides, whether it is in our house or some other place, it is all from His hand, for He is the God who provides! Until Next Time,
Randall Creel
Forest, Mississippi
http://www.randallcreel.org/

This World Is Not My Home

2009-09-27T04:57:00.006-05:00

When I first began this marvelous journey of itinerant evangelistic ministry, I would get extremely homesick. I had left home as a young boy entering the military, and was definitely homesick for a few months, but this was different. I had a lonely wife at home and all the "newness" of this new calling was just different.

As I found myself wishing I was at home, I would feel very guilty because I knew I was responding to a call from God. I felt badly, but I made it week by week. Then one day as I was reading in the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit spoke to my soul, revealing a wonderful truth to me. He let me know that the most natural place in the world to desire is home! It is okay to want to be where our heart is. It brought me great peace for God to show me this little nugget.

In Hebrews 11:8-10 the Bible says, "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Abraham went out to place that he did not yet know, but he was obedient to God's call upon his life.

He looked for a city with foundations; something more permanent. He was tired of moving and sojourning. He lived for a city, longed for a city and looked for a city. His desire was for another country. He had a dual citizenship; this world and a heavenly country. As we grow older, passing through this old world, we are pulled to be in our "long home" as the preacher in Ecclesiastes called it (12:5). I am glad that God tugs at our heart and our desire is to go home. But we still must be about the Father's business here in this world until our home-going. I have more and more friends and aquaintenances over on the other side, more than ever before. I shall see them some glad day! It makes me remember an old gospel song that says . . .

"This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through,

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me, from heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

Until Then,

Randall Creel

Forest, Mississippi

http://www.randallcreel.org/

New Mercies

2009-09-21T15:06:00.001-05:00

As we grow older, most of us get settled into a routine each day. I often wake up before the time I need to get up, so I just continue to lay in the bed and talk to the Lord a while.

One of the first things I do is begin to thank God for His grace and mercy. I thank Him that my heart beat all night, my lungs breathed in and out, without any effort on my part. Simply put, I lived through another night. I am awake and in my right mind, (at least to me). I am also thankful for the things that did not happen during the night. Our house did not get burglarized or catch on fire through the night. Storms did not damage our modest home. I thank Him that we did not receive any early hours "bad news" calls. My family is okay, alive and well. I did not have a stroke or heart attack. I know it is all due to God's mercies.

The Bible tells us that "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV). My Lord has been far better to me than I deserve. I praise Him for His goodness and fresh, new mercies each day. I am so grateful that he saved me, my family and issued me a clear, unmistakable call to preach His Word. I am grateful to have opportunities to preach and sing in places I never dreamed.

I just felt like bragging on Jesus a bit today! Let me invite you to go to my web site, where you can look at my information and my Schedules. Some people take a look each Saturday and pray for the church and event where I will be preaching the next week. I hope some of you will do this as well. Thanks for a few moments of your time.

Evangelist Randall Creel

Forest, Mississippi

http://www.randallcreel.org/

Can God Use Somebody Like Me?

2009-09-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

The next time you feel like God can’t use you, just remember . . .
Noah was a drunk.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Sampson was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was suicidal.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
John the Baptist ate locusts.
Peter denied Christ.
The Disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
Mary Magdalene was, well you know.
The Samaritan woman was divorced, 4 or 5 times.
Zaccheus was too small.
Paul was too religious.
Timothy had an ulcer and . . .
Lazarus was dead!
And God isn’t finished with you yet.

Observations Of An Evangelist

2006-11-02T11:23:00.000-06:00

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)
Since February 1975 when God led me to establish the Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association He has allowed me to preach in more than 1,000 churches across our nation. In His divine providence He has placed me in the company of some of His choicest servants as well as some who seek to be served. Throughout the past 31 years I have kept notes and observations on each of the pastors, staffs and churches where my team and I have been privileged to present the claims of Christ. I am sure some of these observations will be misunderstood, others will be embraced. I wish to share only 13 in hopes they will serve as a catalyst for your own reflections:
I have observed the lowering of the standards of holiness from the pulpit to the pew. It appears we are seeking to develop happy churches, but not holy churches. One pastor stated that he wanted his people to leave the Sunday morning worship feeling "affirmed, approved and applauded". Whatever happened to leaving feeling confronted, convicted, confessed and cleansed? Spurgeon put it in perspective years ago when he said, "Of all the griefs the church ever feels, the keenest is when those who once stood in her midst dishonor the name of Christ by unholy living."
I have observed the seductive fashions of the world being worn in the worship centers of our churches. Teenage girls and sometimes their mothers wear clothes to church they neither could wear to school nor in the workplace. The same applies to the male gender. We have developed such a laxity in our attire the result has numbed the spiritual senses of being in the presence of Deity. I am fully aware that God looks on the heart, but clothing, or the lack thereof, should not distract from looking into His face.
I have observed more and more churches having fewer and fewer revivals. Of course, the rural church will always hold a revival, whether they actually have one or not, the third week of August. Vance Havner once said, "Preachers speak of 'holding revivals'. Somebody ought to turn one loose!" Real revival -- which takes prayer and preparation and sees scores ushered into the Kingdom and church members rekindling the fire within -- is quickly giving way to one-day events. We have stopped singing "Take Time To Be Holy," because we don't have the time.
I have observed more and more churches decreasing from mortification rather than increasing due to salvation. There is more life outside in most church cemeteries than inside on the pews. At least in the cemeteries the grass grows and the flowers bloom. If there is not a revival in our land many of our rural churches will become bed and breakfast inns and our larger churches will be turned into antique malls. If you don't believe this, visit Great Britain.
I have observed more and more churches growing by transferring letters rather than transforming lives. It doesn't take a genius to build a church numerically. Given the right staff and programs you can fill a church. However, there is an eternal difference between filling a church with people and filling the people inside the church.
I have observed more and more pastors and evangelists preaching someone else’s sermons rather than studying and preaching their own. The call to preach has been replaced with the desire to succeed. Being an expounder of the Word requires time alone with God. Being a mouth for God to the people of God is an awesome responsibility. Preaching someone else's anointed sermon doesn't guarantee your anointment. If the sermon isn't gathered and set ablaze in the pastor's heart it likely won't spread to the hearts of the church members. Some of the greatest proclaimers of the Good News are seldom heard because they neither pastor a mega church nor are the featured speakers on Christian cruises.
I have observed unethical and even immoral conduct by religious leaders with little or no remorse on their part once their deeds were made public. The graveyard of compromise is filled with those who listened to the sirens of the world. Accountability and integrity were sacrificed for personal gain and puffed-up egos. When Christian leaders become legends in their own minds the ice has already broken.
I have observed the policies of the community dictating the policies of the church, especially in the area of sports. We now schedule the events of the church around the athletic calendar of our schools or recreational departments. We have surrendered to the god of sports. Many of our parents allow their children to play their favorite sport on Sunday morning with the rationale, "What can we do about it?" These same parents wouldn't allow their children to skip school for a church event. We even close our churches on Sunday nights if it is a national holiday. Good thing God doesn't cancel His services.
I have observed more and more churches teaching the latest trends in church growth rather than the doctrines of the Scriptures. We have churches full of people who can quote from the latest church growth guru, but for the life of them they can neither recall nor defend any of the doctrines of the Bible. We can be seeker friendly and purpose driven, but if we fail to seek Christ and find our purpose in Him alone all the books, seminars and mega conferences will only impede the salvation of the lost and the disciplining of the saved.
I have observed us becoming a people who enjoy the expression of worship without encountering the experience of worship. No one enjoys beautiful choruses more than me, yet with the freedom of style which this has ushered into our churches we must be careful not to allow our performance to overshadow His presence. Celebration without commitment leads to worthless worship.
I have observed religion becoming big business. Christian recording artists are now referred to as superstars and certain pastors are touted as religious CEOs. Religious leaders have evolved from troublers of society to trend-setters in society. We have religious personalities who are known as much for their political creeds as their theological convictions. Simple statements from the Bible are marketed into multimillion dollar enterprises. An executive in a Christian publication company once told me, "It's all about the buck." You half expect to see certain religious organizations listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
I have observed a few proclaimers who have comprised their call because of a cowardly commitment to the truths of God's Word. This brings about a deceitful delivery of devilish doctrines. The end result is a man who panders to the people and prostitutes the proclamation in the process. When wickedness enters the doors of the church it soon spreads throughout the land without any opposition. Satan himself could not have better allies than pastors who refuse to preach the truths of the Scriptures and church members who refuse to live godly lives.
I have observed a righteous remnant in every church who have a hunger and thirst for experiencing God to the fullest. It is this group, both young and old, who will pass on the teachings and doctrines of Holy Scripture to the next generation. Praise God for ministers and members who are not driven by fashions and trends, but remain faithful and true to fulfilling the Great Commission. --30--Jerry Drace is a past president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists. In addition to revivals and area wide crusades, he and his wife, Becky, conduct Hope for the Home conferences. They live in Jackson, Tenn. More information about the Draces is available at www.jdea.tn.org and www.HopefortheHome.org.

How Do You See It?

2006-09-30T06:27:00.000-05:00

It is obvious that good people of all persuasions and backgrounds will inevitably disagree, thus making this the understatement of all time. Both human history and personal experience are replete with examples. We disagree on politics, economics, morals and education. Our tastes and dislikes are manifold when it comes to music, dress, sports, food, cars, and simple things like colors. There is no end to the premise about which I am writing. But we humans are the most volatile when it comes to the subject of religion. We are disparate and divided in our view of and discussions about God, and what we believe to be the written word of God. People go ballistic at the mention of religion.
It is most unfortunate that bloody wars, racism and prejudice emanate from our passions about "religion." But for the purpose of this brief article, I must quickly narrow the scope of my discussion. Being a conservative Christian, my views will obviously focus upon born-again Christians. More specifically I will focus upon their disagreements when it comes to the interpretation of the Bible, relative to both doctrine and deportment. The Bible, God’s infallible word, will obviously be the basis for my views. To me, it is the final authority in all matters, now and eternity. It is God’s word that will be the basis for judgment when all mankind stands before Him in his holiness and purity (Rev 20:12).
Prov 22:21 says, "That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" God admonishes us in Jude 1:3 that we should " . . .earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Someone once said that contention for the sake of contention is sin, but contention for the sake of truth is a divine mandate. There comes a time when Bible-believing Christians must give defense to the precious Word of God. The Biblical word "contend" means to agonize in the defense of. So allow me now to share with my readers some terms which should help us clear the air on what we should be "contentious" about, and by the same token, what we should not be contentious about.
Let me begin by first looking at a term we use called convictions. Convictions are based upon unquestionable Bible doctrine, and are backed up by what some call "proof texts." Convictions are courtroom material. They are the certainties and confidences which form our strong, unwavering belief systems. There is no room for doubts and skepticism in convictions. Dr. Warren Wiersbe says this about convictions, "Convictions are the compasses of life - they keep us moving in the right direction. They are the foundation stones that help us stand firm when everything around us is shaking and changing." To that I say ‘Amen and amen!’
I have learned as a student of Scripture that convictions usually come by convulsions, i.e., through pain, suffering, and heartaches. Convictions usually are birthed out of long hours of Bible study, and may be labeled as "breakthroughs" in our Christian growth. We are living in a time when doctrinal, moral, and ethical norms are being systematically attacked. This is not anything new, but it is rather intensified in these latter days.
I have learned from experience that there are certain convictions that should be settled early by the new believer. Some doctrines like Jesus’ virgin birth, his sinless life and vicarious death on the cross of Calvary. We must nail down what we believe about salvation, the Bible, the church and her ordinances, offices, and the Holy Spirit. These are things that must never be "voted on" as to whether they are truth or not. Some things are not optional equipment for the child of God. It is important to note that convictions are not what we hold: BUT our convictions hold us! A conviction is based on the eternal Word of God and will never change.
There is a vast difference in convictions and opinions. An opinion has been defined as "a belief stronger than impression, but less strong than positive knowledge." Opinions are unlimited in their diversity. They are both easy to come by and easily changed. Opinions vary with experiences. For example, when we meet someone for the first time, we form an opinion of them. We generally like or dislike them. But after a closer or prolonged association with the person, our opinion of them often changes. We ofttimes misjudge people and later change our view of them. As I mentioned, opinions change like the wind, based upon our experiences. For example, we form opinions as to which airline is best, based on our dealings with them. The same principle applies to restaurants, physicians or name brands.
Opinions are questionable and debatable. They are as varied as people themselves. Opinions should never be the cause of division among people, nor should it be the sole basis for fellowship. Our opinions should never be used to determine the level of spirituality among fellow believers. We have often heard the axiom, that we should learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. While convictions are the stuff of which Bible interpretation is formed, our opinions really do not count when we come the Word of God! God’s word always supersedes our human opinions.
Next is the term, prejudice. Prejudice is different from convictions and opinions, in that it is "unwarranted discrimination." This occurs when we form an opinion for or against something without adequate basis. Prejudice is a learned behavior. Children acquire their prejudices from their parents. I believe we all have been "tainted" in some way, in the realm of prejudice. We must spend a lifetime dealing with prejudice. We most often avoid examining our prejudices, because human pride is so afraid it will be proven wrong!
There is no room for bigotry, bias and impartiality in the family of God. Jesus died for all, and will save whoever will come to him in genuine repentance and faith. We are all born sinners, but the new birth changes our desires to those things that please God and honors his Son Jesus. Prejudice is unbiblical and dangerous. Prejudice always hampers spiritual progress and maturity. Thus far we have seen that convictions are unquestionable doctrine, opinions are unlimited in diversity and prejudice is unwarranted discrimination.
Finally, we all have personal tastes, which are unexplained desires. We all have individual preferences and personal selections based on desire. We simply like some things better than others. But our personal tastes must never supplant our convictions! Some of our basic desires are common, such as food, newspapers, preachers, clothes or colleges. For example, we all agree on what is commonly called Great Commission, if we believe the Bible. The church is commanded of God to take the message of the gospel to every person, but we do not all agree on how to get it done! Our ideas about mission programs vary greatly among denominations and local churches.
One example of this is found in Mark 9:38 . . . "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us." But Jesus lovingly rebuked them by saying if someone was not against him, they were for Him! Whenever churches are without pastors, everyone has different tastes in what they would like to have in their new pastor. Some desire a young man, modern and contemporary in his thoughts. Some prefer the old-time, hard-hitting evangelistic sort. Others like the expository methods of a pastor. All of this is personal taste. But we should leave this to God and let him send us who we need as our pastor. God knows who and what we need better that we know ourselves.
It is interesting how there are things that we consider "old," but actually they were once considered contemporary, wicked and heretical! We should NEVER compromise convictions based on Biblical doctrines. And we should also be careful that our opinions, prejudices, tastes do not bleed over and become confused with important Bible doctrines. Additionally, there should never be disunity over disagreement. The disciples were all different and often disagreed, but overall, they usually had unity. Remember that when you and I disagree with someone, it should not result in a personal attack on them, nor should we construe their disagreement with us as so. Say, how do you see things? Through convictions or opinions? Prejudice or personal taste? How do YOU see it?
I suggest we see things the way God sees them. His viewpoint is all that matters ultimately, and can only be found in the Bible, which IS His word.

Crippling Casualness

2006-09-13T15:16:00.000-05:00

by Evangelist Randall Creel

As a traveling evangelist I have opportunity to worship in 40-50 different churches each year. As I enter the churches I see many different styles of worship and activities. Some churches are quiet and dignified, while others are noisy and casual. It seems that modern churches have gone to one of two extremes relative to the sanctuary and what goes on inside its walls. I have noticed that churches either fry in fanaticism or freeze in formalism. It is hard to find what I believe to be a right balance of reverential worship. By that I mean, worship that honors God, and is not stuffy, dry or ritualistic. By the same token, there are some things going on in churches today that are obviously not of God.
One of my mentors and perhaps one of the most consistently Christian men I have ever known, Dr. Lehman Strauss, reminded me once of this exact point. Dr. Strauss said to me, "Spirit-led Christians are never misled." I agree in that, the Holy Spirit will never lead someone to do anything that is contrary to his revealed and written Word.
Isaiah the prophet wrote in chapter six, "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." A key phrase is that the Lord was "high and lifted up." This refers to God’s holiness of character. The seraphim cried ‘Holy, holy, holy.’ Friends, in modern-day churches there seems to be a lack of reverence toward God. In many circles, He is no longer regarded as holy, but just a good old, backslappin’ buddy. He has become "the old man upstairs" to millions. Not many today give God the honor and glory due his matchless name. He is still God, very God, a God of holiness, and he is worthy to be praised!
You may ask how I come to the conclusion that there is a "crippling casualness" in churches today? All one needs to do is travel around and observe. One thing that has changed in church in the last twenty to thirty years, is a casualness of dress. You can tell a person’s attitude toward God by the way they come before His presence. I believe the sanctuary of God is a special place and it should show by our giving our very best to God when we come to worship him. I am not saying everyone should wear suits and ties and long evening gowns. But I am saying that when we come to present ourselves to God in worship, we should have on our very best. I have always been amazed at folks who would wear tuxedos and evening gowns, to a prom or inaugural ball . . . and then drag into the house of God in T-shirts, ragged shorts that border on indecent. How far should we go in relaxing the standards? Would it be okay if our musicians sit on piano stools with only a halter top and thongs? By our dress we send a loud, clear message that a governor, a president or a prom is more important to us than Almighty God! Friends there is a crippling casualness that has invaded and plagues our churches today.
Now someone invariably brings up the objection, that it is not what is on the outside, but what is in the heart that counts. The Bible does say that as mere humans we can look only on the outside appearance, but God looks at the heart. However, the Bible also speaks of modesty (1 Tim 2:9), in reference to the way we dress. Christians should try to dress decently, modestly and in a way that they would not be uncomfortable to stand before the very presence of God at any moment. I have seen some very disturbing trends in modern churches, and no one seems to say a word, for fear of being called legalistic or Pharasaical.
I remember preaching many times in Mark chapter five, concerning the demon possessed man of Gadara whom Jesus confronted one day. Before he met Jesus, he lived among the tombs and was wild and could not be chained or contained in any way. He cut himself with sharp stones, tore his clothes off continually and was what you might call a "streaker." But the most interesting thing happened when Jesus cast out the demons from him. The next scenario shows him "sitting, and clothed and in his right mind:" (Mark 5:15). Amazing isn’t it? The first thing he wanted to do when he was saved, was to put some clothes on to cover his body! In a world that is taking off more and more, God’s people need to be putting on more. We do not need to lower the standard, but raise it.
Yes, there is a disturbing trend in worship today. Our casualness in dress reflects our casualness toward God. Oh that we would get back to the place where we view God as high and holy and lifted up! He is God, and worthy to be praised. Let us honor Him both in doctrine and deportment. After all, as Dr. D. Martin-Lloyd Jones said, "what a person really believes, they act upon, everything else is mere religion."

Why Invite An Evangelist?

2006-09-13T13:56:00.000-05:00

by Evangelist Jackie Kay

When I was a pastor I was very cautious (and wisely so) when I was considering who to invite to come and lead in revival with my people. God blessed me with many tremendous experiences with full-time evangelists.

Some of the very best evangelists in the country came to our church. Junior Hill, Bill Stafford, and Kelly Green were mightily used of God to bless and stir our people. I regret that I did not use evangelists more. Evangelists are a gift to the church. Some are harvesters/reapers. Some are revivalists. Some are prophets. Some are encouragers and exhorters. Some are great Bible teachers. All will bless the church.

O, yes, I have heard the “horror” stories. You know...the ones where evangelists “sheared” the sheep, or “hawked” their wares, or “promoted” their own offerings, or made unusual and unrealistic demands financially, or left the people confused with a shallow, manipulative evangelism that focused only on getting numbers down the aisle...Sadly, we have all heard those stories. But, Pastor, those are the exception, not the rule. There are many, many wonderful, godly, gifted, sweet-spirited servants of the Lord serving as evangelists.

Please permit me to suggest the following considerations when you are considering who to invite for revival. These might be called…

The Ten Commandments Of Finding A Revival Preacher
1. Spend time alone with God seeking to discern the greatest needs of your people. Sometimes you need renewal. Sometimes a harvest. Sometimes a healing. Sometimes a stirring. Sometimes a shaking. Sometimes encouragement. Every preacher is different. What do you and your people need?

2. Consider several possible prospects for your revival preacher. I believe you should consider an evangelist first. If God does not lead you that way then God will lead you to someone else. Ask questions. Who is out there that God is using?

3. When you have begun to focus on an individual, check them out. Talk to several pastors with whom they have been. Ask the tough questions regarding professionalism integrity, dependability, effectiveness, genuineness, etc.

4. Spend some earnest time with the Lord. God will direct you to the person He wants for you.

5. When you get clear direction from the Lord, contact the preacher. As you discuss the meeting, be as flexible as possible in your scheduling. If God has led you to Him, He has a perfect time for him to be with you.

6. When you have secured a preaching evangelist prayerfully consider having a music evangelist come as well. Please...talk with your evangelist before inviting an outside singer. Often, a preacher can share with you the names of several outstanding musicians. Sometimes there is a particular evangelistic singer the preacher likes to work with. Try to be as sensitive as possible to putting together a great team.

7. When dates have been confirmed plan on beginning preparation, planning, and promotion three months ahead of time. The best revivals are the result of great prayer and great preparation.

8. As a pastor, be sensitive to your opportunity to be a blessing to the servant(s) God brings your way. Do all things well, i.e., lodging, receiving a worthy offering, encouraging your people to earnestly praying for the evangelists God has called and is using, and being sensitive to their need to be loved and received while they are with you.

9. If an evangelist has done a good job for you, and most of the time they will, tell others and recommend them to other pastors with letters of recommendation and testimonies to your other preacher brothers.

10. Prayerfully consider inviting them to be with you again. If your people loved them the first time they most certainly will when you have them back. Evangelists need three things to be successful in the work...Revival Invitations, Recommendations from pastors to pastors, and Repeat Invitations. Every effective evangelist must have all three.
Pastor, every church needs those special time of renewal and revival. God often uses gifted and called evangelists to share in such a way that the Holy Spirit breaths new life, hope, healing, and hallelujahs into a church family. Would you begin praying about who God would have you invite to be with you and your dear people?