When you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, roll off and hit the ground... Isaiah 48:16-17

Isaiah 48:16-17

I love mornings, but this morning was not the best. I woke up in a bit of a bad mood. I was complaining and whiny. Needless to say, I was not your favorite person to be around.  I had my devotions and prayer time, but I was not very focused, and did not feel much better.  I finished my chores and headed out to breakfast.  At 7, we had our special Tuesday/Thursday devotions which encouraged me!  I then headed to class ready to tackle the day with God on my side.

But in the short time it took me to walk the stairs to first hour on the third floor, the devil attacked once again.  I was tired, didn’t want to deal with people or situations, and honestly only wanted to crawl in bed with a book.  My computer ended up dying in the middle of Romans class, and in frustration, I dragged myself to second hour.  Plopping down in my usual spot in the third row, I opened my Bible hoping for a verse that would tell me that it was ok to be in a bad mood.  Then, Isaiah 48:16 jumped out at me.


Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

Thus saith the LORD, they Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

I realized that even though I had my devotions and prayer, I had not come near to God.  I had not opened my ears and heart to hear Him.  Selfishly, I had shut myself choosing to have a bad attitude, thinking I deserved a day for me and wallowing in self-pity.  But verse 17 reminded me that the Lord is my God and He leads me in the way I should go.  Today He tells me to cast my every care on Him (Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7; I John 4:18) and rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:3; Isaiah 61:10; Habakkuk 3:18).  I don’t know His will for tomorrow, or even for tonight, but for now—He wants me to trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The devil wants to get me down; it must be for a reason, so I determined to fight back.  When the devil knocks me down, I’m gonna get up on my feet; when the day seems mighty long, I’m gonna keep on keeping on.

So NOW I am ready to tackle the rest of the day and fight the devil with the Lord as my captain!

Family Conference in China Lake Baptist Church

It was such a blessing to spend the weekend in China Lake Baptist Church.  After much prayer, preparation and work, our Event Evangelism team finally got to travel about 2 hrs. to China Lake and have the Family Conference we had so long been planning.  After piling 11 people into the van, and a word of prayer, our journey and busy weekend began.

Upon arrival, we got settled, and went on to the church for some setup, preparation and dinner.  After a brief meeting, we gathered for prayer and that was the official start of the Family Conference.  We had a good starting service, with special music from some of the WCBC girls and a message from Bro. Williams.  We then went right into “Teen Time”.

This included crazy games, very active songs, and the never-failing pizza, soda and ice cream.  This time gave us a chance to meet the teens, know more about them and get them pumped for the next day.  That night as I was getting ready for bed, my mind kept replaying the events of the day, and got excited and ready for the next day and the opportunities God would give us.

Saturday morning, we were all excited and ready to go!

After an amazing breakfast at the church and a quick meeting with the event team, we continued with the conference.  There were three sessions, and I had the privilege of teaching one of them! 

Exhausted after battling the wind and dust while soul-winning.

At 6pm we began the Teen Rally.  Songs that cannot be sung quietly and games like “Marshmallow Dodge ball,” “Human Battleship,” and chugging soda through a 5 foot twisty straw kept the energy level at its highest!  The flying marshmallows brought in two teens wandering around the area.

A quick dinner was followed by a few songs and a message by Bro. Nix.  He gave a clear presentation of the Gospel.  An invitation was given and we finished and dismissed in prayer.  On the way out, the pastor’s son was able to talk to our two visitors and now, there are two new names written down in glory: Anthony and Quintin!

So all in all, it was a pretty amazing time.  We got back absolutely exhausted but excited for what the Lord had done.  We were so sad to leave, but alas, the campus and duty called. But praise the Lord for His protection and blessings!

Study on Hagar - Genesis 16:7-13

Genesis 16:7-13

Sarai could not have children, so she gave her Egyptian servant, Hagar, to Abram hoping to have children through her.  When Hagar conceived, she was hated and cast out by Sarai.  This Egyptian slave with child had nowhere to go!  She started the long, hard journey back to Egypt.  Imagine how she felt!

As a servant, she was doing what she was told; she was pregnant, and she ended up being kicked out, with nowhere to go, no one to comfort her, and no provisions.  But I see how God provided for her.  A lonely, depressed, and rejected woman was still loved by God.

1. The Lord found Hagar

                Genesis 16:7 – And the angel of the LORD found her…

Hagar’s name means “wandering”.  Her life was crumbling; she had no hope, and was wandering through the wilderness back to Egypt.  She was wandering physically, emotionally and spiritually, but the LORD knew where she was and came to her rescue.

2. The Lord favored Hagar

                Genesis 16:10-11 – And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

God did not just find her and then leave her.  He blessed her seed, starting with the child she was carrying.  Ishmael means “God will hear”.  God had heard Hagar and did not turn away from her, but promised her descendants.

3. The Lord befriended Hagar

                Genesis 16:13 – And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

This Egyptian woman, precious in the sight of God, called Him the Hebrew name “El Roi” which means “The God Who Sees”.  This is the name that Hagar gave to God when she was in her affliction.   The fact that Hagar used this name to address God, shows how she recognized God’s faithful, never resting eye.  Grateful for His friendship and care, she respected God with the name of “El Roi”.

Many times, when we look at Hagar, we look at her with hate, or disdain.  She is Egyptian, she was hated by Sarah, she was cast out… all these factors make us automatically judge and look down on her.  But God loved her!  He came to rescue, bless, and comfort her.  What makes us think that because she was despised by everyone, God should hate her too?

We are sinners, saved by God’s grace.  We do not deserve His love and kindness; we rebelled against God and were wandering aimlessly and hopelessly.  God should hate and despise us; He should turn away from us not hear or even look upon us because of our filthiness.  But out of His love and never ending care, he found us, favored us, and befriended us.

So, even in your loneliness, when others reject and despise you, remember God does not!  Wherever you may be, He knows where you are!  He promised to never leave us or forsake us:

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:5b – …as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:9 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Put Off the Old Man, Put On the New Man - Ephesians 4:22-24

Ephesians 4:22-24
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

One of Grandpa’s famous songs that he liked to sing and teach everyone goes like this:

Well, the best thing in my life I ever did do,
well the best thing in my life I ever did do,
well the best thing in my life I ever did do
was take off the old robe and put on the new.

The old robe was dirty, all tattered and torn;
But the new robe was spotless, had never been worn.
Oh the best thing in my life I ever did do
was take off the old robe and put on the new.

When we got saved, our robe of filth and sin was replaced by God’s robe of righteousness and grace.  But we are still sinners.  Even though God has forgiven our past, present, and future sins, our sinful and carnal nature is still with us.  Paul is telling us that our old man must be put off, and the new man must be put on.

Colossians 3:8-10
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

Our goal, as Christians is to become more and more like Christ.  After all, the word “Christian” means “a follower of Christ”.  How can we claim to be His followers if we do not imitate Him?  We must take off the old man and replace it with the new.  What all is involved in being “the old man”?

Colossians 3:8 gives us a list of things we need to put off:
- anger – strong displeasure aroused by a wrong
- wrath – strong, stern, or fierce anger; vengeance as the consequence of anger
- malice – desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another
- blasphemy – saying or doing something that lacks reverence for God, concerning God Himself or sacred things
- filthy communication – Filthy: foul, disgusting, dirty – Communication : a document or message sharing news, views, information, etc.

When you put something off, you have to replace it with something.  You cannot just leave the holes empty!  Verses 12 through 14 of Colossians 3 tell us what we put on when “putting on the new man”:

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

Every day, our goal should be to be more and more like Christ.  By putting off the old man and neglecting the thoughts and feelings of this world and replacing it with what God wants us to be, we can better serve Him and please Him.  We are not the same people we were before we got saved… can others tell?  Can people from the outside see the difference?

II Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Put off the OLD	Put on the NEW
ANGER: strong displeasure aroused by a wrong WRATH: strong, stern, fierce anger; vengeance as the consequence of anger MALICE: desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another BLASPHEMY: an utterance or action that lacks reverence for God FILTHY COMMUNICATION: foul / disgusting / dirty document or message sharing news, views or information	MERCY: act of kindness, compassion or favor KINDNESS: a good nature or disposition, considerate, helpful HUMBLENESS OF MIND: not proud or arrogant, modest, courteously respectful MEEKNESS: humbly patient, gentle, tame LONGSUFFERING: FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER: long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation FORGIVENESS: grant pardon for or remission of an offense or debt CHARITY: LOVE

Dr. J.T. Lyons

Dr. J.T. Lyons  – PFAFFTOWN, NC

Dr. Julius Theophilus "J.T." Lyons passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. He was born in Kershaw, SC to the late Marry Idell Morris Lyons and William Edward Lyons. He was the youngest of twelve children; four daughters and eight sons. At the age of two, his parents moved to Bennettsville, SC and later moved to Cheraw, SC where he was raised. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Lyons was drafted into the Armed Forces of our country and he served faithfully for four years in the United States Navy during WWII and was discharged in January 1946. In 1947, he married Iva Janet Driggers of Wallace, SC.

They made their home in Charlotte, NC and were saved by the grace of God on December 4, 1955. God called Dr. Lyons to preach when He saved him. In 1956, he enrolled in Tennessee Temple University to further his education that would help him in his preaching. In 1959 during a Missions Conference at Highland Park Baptist Church, Dr. and Mrs. Lyons surrendered their lives to go to Liberia, West Africa as Missionaries serving with Baptist Mid- Missions. In Liberia, Dr. Lyons served as a Bush Pilot, mechanic, builder, and most of all, a preacher of the gospel.

After 18 years in Liberia, God moved them to the country of Spain where they pioneered the work there for Baptist Mid-Missions. They labored in Spain for 17 years and continued winning souls. Because of health problems they had to return to the States, but Dr. Lyons continued his ministry in Missions until his Heavenly Father called him to his new home.

Dr. Lyons is survived by his devoted wife, Iva Janet Lyons; four sons, Steven Randolph, Sanford Leroy, Michael Dean and Jonathan David Lyons; ten grand-children; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 at Woodland Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Gammons and the Rev. Jonathan David Lyons officiating. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park with Military Honors provided by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, February 20 at Woodland Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodland Baptist Church Building Fund, 1175 Bethania-Rural Hall Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

One thing can be said of Brother Lyons, he was a faithful servant and he fought a goodfight and finished his course, he kept the faith.

            CHURCH

Woodland Baptist Church

P. O. Box 673

Winston-Salem, NC 27045 (336) 969-2088 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (336) 969-2088      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

            FUNERAL HOME

Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, Inc

1175 Bethania Rural Hall Road 

Rural Hall, NC 27045

Phone 336-969-5593 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            336-969-5593      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax 336-969-6953

My Perfect Valentine

My Perfect Valentine:
                He loves me; He shows me every single day, whether it be in a big way, or a simple gesture to show He cares and that I am on His mind.  He knows exactly what I need and when I need it.  He rejoices with me, He cries with me, He encourages me, He keeps me going.  He never lets me down; He is always faithful, even when I forget Him sometimes.  He completes me.

You know those candy hearts with the little messages?  Some say “HUG ME” or “MISS YOU”.  Well I found the perfect candy heart from God today!

Isaiah 43:1- But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

At the end of the verse it says “THOU ART MINE”.  I am God’s!  He says not to be afraid, He has called me by my name…I AM HIS!!!  He loves me and he cares for me.  He gives me everything I need.  He protects me, provides every single need, gives me his presence and shows me even in the simplest way that He loves me.  I am Jesus’ Valentine!

Chocolate is a big deal on Valentine’s Day.  It just is.  There are big heart chocolate boxes, medium heart chocolate boxes and small heart chocolate boxes.  Imagine opening one up and seeing all the variety of chocolates.  Your eyes excitingly scan all the different kinds of chocolate.  The sweet aroma of the thick sweetness tickles your nose.  You reach into the box, pick one up and delicately put it in your mouth anticipating the taste.  Suddenly, you realize that is a nasty excuse for a chocolate.  But now, you cannot spit it back out, that would be gross; you cannot make a terrible face because that would be rude.  Smiling, you simply chew as best as you can and swallow hoping the taste leaves your mouth soon.

I have found that our whole life is a huge box of chocolate.  Sometimes we have those days that seem so wonderful, and suddenly, something terrible happens, or something does not go as we want it to.  What do we do?  Well, keep chewing and smiling and make the best of it.  You will not always pick up what you want, but it is what God wants.  So no matter what kind of chocolate we are stuck in right now, be it the sticky caramel, the gooey, messy strawberry or even the nutty one, we know God is in control.  Remember, we are God’s Valentine, He will not do anything to hurt us or give us anything that is bad for us.  He knows exactly what I need and when I need it, even if I do not think it is right.  He knows best.

Today, my chocolate was not the sweetest kind.  Today, my Grandpa, Dr. J.T. Lyons went home to heaven into the loving arms of our Father and Saviour Jesus Christ.  He is rejoicing in his eternal home with his Master whom he served so faithfully.  His death was not unexpected, but I am all the way across on the other side of the country in college.  There is not much I can do.  But I know God is in control.  I know He knows what is best, and I am glad that Grandpa can finally be where he has been longing to be.  His race is finally over!

Grandpa accepted each day as it came and trusted God with it!  So reach into your box of chocolates and accept what God brings today. 

Psalm 34:8- O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Isaiah 30:21
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Many times we want to hear God, but do we listen?  When we hear Him, do we obey?

One thing I have noticed in this verse is the word “behind”.  This indicates that he was already walking when he heard God’s voice.  And that is one of the requirements to hearing God.  If we are not walking in what we KNOW He wants us to do, He will not show us the next step.  WE need to be already walking and on the right path if we want God to further guide us.

Once we are on the right path and following Him, are we prepared to listen?  Do we have a heart that is open to ready to hear what He wants to hear?  Psalm 46:10a says: “Be still, and know that I am God…”  To be still, is to be quiet.  Am I being still and listening for His voice? Am I waiting for His instruction?  He WILL speak to us, He WANTS to speak to us, but He will not force us to listen.  He will speak to us in a still small voice; therefore, we must be attentive and sensitive to His call.

So say you have it down.  You are walking with the Lord, you are doing what He wants, and you hear His voice.  He has given you the next instruction.  Well, are you going to do something about it?  It is possible to listen, but not obey (James 1:22-25).  As a Bible college student, I can prepare, but all the instruction and classes taken does not automatically mean that I will do what God asks of me.  Just being sensitive to the will of God will not do anything if I do not respond.  What good is it to have a challenge, but no change?

Hearing requires a response, but this response all depends on the condition of our hearts.  A cold-hearted Christian is unemotional towards the things of God.  It does not affect them.  The lukewarm Christian is indifferent.  He hears, feels convicted, but there is no change.  Revelation 3:15-16 says: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”  God does not want a half-hearted, lukewarm Christian.  He wants a hot-hearted Christian!  He wants us to be on fire for God, excited, willing and ready to serve.

The hot-hearted Christian reminds me of a teapot.  The water is put into the teapot, but it does not serve its purpose until it is boiling.  When the pot starts to whistle and overflow that is when the water is ready to be used.  We are not ready and do not serve our purpose unless we are whistling with joy and overflowing with God.

I want to be that hot-hearted Christian, but to do that, I must give Him my all.  “All means all, and that’s all all means.”  Andrew Murray said this, “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.”  But unless we yield to Him, He does not have much to work with.  We can be walking in the right path, listening to His voice, but our response is what will tell us if we REALLY want to know and if we REALLY have a prepared heart.

My desire is to be able to pray this prayer (Betty Scott Stam, China Inland Mission worker):
Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my time, my all, utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou will, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever.”