Master's Degree

Last Sunday morning, I was in a church service at the First Apostolic Church in Maryville, TN... as I always am. Standing in the congregation, singing, and offering up praises to the most high God, something caught my attention. Now, please realize, I do not go around looking at people and letting my mind wander off in the distance... not in a church service anyway; but on this particular morning, I noticed something and I could not pull my gaze away from it.

I noticed a man sitting down and looking at a copy of the recently published Apostolic Witness magazine. It was just an ordinary thing. I mean, how many people do you see looking at a magazine? This particular instance, however, was interesting to me. You see, it was not the man looking at the magazine, rather, it was what was on the back of the magazine that caught my eye. I couldn't see the entire page, but at the top was labeled, "Master's Degree."

Immediately my mind started working. Things like, "What's that about?" & "I wonder what is says." began to come in my mind. Later in the day, this thought still had not let go of me. I began to wonder if it was talking about a degree in education, a pedigree of some sort, etc.

You see, I am currently pursuing higher education. My first thought about this page on the magazine was of a Bible College... being as how it was on an Apostolic magazine and all; but throughout the day I began to see it in a new light. What if it was about The Master?

Whether or not the magazine page was about college, pedigree, or something else, I kept thinking of the title, Master's Degree, in a new form.

In any form of education, you must dedicate your time and even sacrifice your desires in order to achieve a degree. How much more should we sacrifice and dedicate our time, efforts, and energy for a greater cause? What if we pursued what the Master intended for our lives?

So many of us, myself included, have tried to earn education, titles, respect, etc. Spending hours in front of a computer or head-first in a book, but for what? A man's approval? Where is God in this picture? Instead of trying to please everyone around us, why not purpose to please Jesus? He is the Master and He is calling us to a higher standard, a higher purpose, a higher... degree.

Friends, the Master is calling us. He wants to bless you and fill your life with joy unspeakable. The Master's Degree is what Jesus wants you to be.

Even as a child, Jesus was found in the temple amongst doctors, teachers, etc. He was teaching them not the other way around. Jesus was educated and purposeful about His Father's business. That is a prime example for us to follow. We should be about our Father's business, sharing God's Word, teaching others about Him, letting everyone know that there is hope, there is a better way, there is love, and God does love you!

When I receive my Master's Degree from a University, I'll basically have a piece of paper saying that I'm educated in a particular field. What I really desire, what I dedicate my life to, is the the Master's reward. His 'degree' will be words filled with power and life; "well done." It's my desire to be with people of like precious faith that have made their way through this life, throw my graduation cap up in the air and enter into glory!

I long to achieve my Master's degree.

J.H.

Change - Yes We Can

Finally, an update. Haven't been on here in a long while. A lot has been going on lately. We're coming up to a date that will surely change our country (as if it hasn't been already). We here of all this change about to happen, things will be different, things will be better, etc. Our newspapers tell us what our president is saying, what democrats are railing republicans about and vice versa. It's all about to change... It's been said since even before the current president was elected... Change. Yes we can!

Ok enough politics. There's lots more that I could say, but lets just leave that alone for now...

However, there does need to be a change. Our states, our country, our world is falling apart. Haiti is covered in Cholera, the streets of France are filled with protesters, death tolls are rising in Afghanistan, Indonesian islands have endured a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, young men are killing in New York because of a different life style lived by another... the list goes on and on.

We need a change. We must have a change in our world. But how can we change the world...?

Simple: Jesus. His love.

How can we show this broken, lost, and dying world that there is hope... true hope...? We must show them Jesus. People need to see Jesus in us. We may be the only form of Jesus, church, or love that some people ever see.

It might seem like an unreachable goal, an impossible task, but it can happen. One day, one step at a time. This world needs Jesus. So where do we start?

Lets change the world... but, we can't change our world unless we change our country. We can't change our country unless we change our state. We can't change our state unless we change our city. We can't change our city unless we change our county. We can't change our county unless we change our neighborhood. We can't change our neighborhood unless we change the street on which we live. We can't change our street unless we change our own home. We can't change our home unless WE CHANGE! We do that through Him!

The point: We can change this world, but it has to start with us individually. We must make a difference and a change in ourselves before we reach out to anyone. For if we are not right, how can we show "right living" to others?

This post may be just to wake us up a little. Is our heart right? Are we really showing God's love to others?

Listen world changers: You want to make a difference and a change... it all starts with you. Get ahold of God like never before. Jesus is the only hope for any change. There's no time to waste. Jesus is soon to return and this world will be no more. The time is now. Take a deep look inside your own heart and into your own life... Are you ready to change the world?

J.H.

Dude, You're Weird

I took a trip to Mississippi for engagement pictures this past weekend. On the way back, I stopped in Nashville for some coffee and to stretch a bit. Got back in the car and was back on my way. Trying to get back to the interstate, I saw a man walking on the sidewalk and he appeared to be shouting something. His hands were raised and from what I understood of his shouts he was saying, "You're my God! You're my God! Thank you! Thank you!" I guess he was just walking down the road praising God. I thought that was pretty cool that someone would praise God without reservation, without caring who's around or who may be staring.

Now to the average person, that man walking down the street would be considered weird or strange. Some crazy dude walking down the street shouting gibberish at the air... Be honest here, what would your first thought be? To be transparent, mine was that he might be in trouble, or crazy. But no matter how strange it appeared to me at first, the fact was that he was a man simply praising God for all He has done.

Personally, I've always been a little different than most. People call me strange, weird, and other names that aren't worth mentioning. However, the difference between me and them is that I'm supposed to be different. It's safe to say that I'm supposed to be weird. My Bible tells me that I'm supposed to come out from among them and be separate (II Cor 6:17). So there's my calling to be different... to be weird. God's Word also tells me that God did not call me to be impure, but to be holy (I Thes 4:7). One more step further is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance (Ro 11:29). They're irrevocable, they never change, they never expire...

So I'm supposed to be different because it's my calling that never changes or expires. When I separate myself from this world, I become closer to God, and nothing can separate me from Him or His love (Ro 8:38-39).

There are a lot of times that I've walked the opposite way of the world, didn't follow the crowd and I've been called weird, strange, stupid, etc. But the thing is, I'm supposed to be different. I'm a child of God. His Word says to be separate and I am totally cool with following God and not this world. God has too much in store for us to just walk away and be with the IN-crowd, the cool kids, etc. Being separate has benefits that are far better than anything this world could ever give us. Blessings follow people that are holy and separate (Nu 6:24-27).

Some people may see this whole "separate" thing as weird or having no fun, but God called us to be a holy and separate people. Separation is not isolation, but insulation. It's a protection from ungodliness. Being separate... being weird is the coolest thing you could ever do.

J.H.

Happy Valentine's Day, Jesus!!!

A few days ago we celebrated Valentine's Day. I was fortunate enough to spend it with the one I love. We did the usual V-day date and such... we did some not-so-usual things that just describe "us" fitting perfectly together.

I just wonder if any out there know what Valentine's Day really means or where it came from.

The Romans called it the festival the Lupercalia. The custom of exchanging valentines and all the other traditions in honor of Lupercus - the deified hero-hunter of Rome - was also linked anciently with the pagan practice of teenagers "going out". It usually led to fornication. Today, the custom of teenagers dating only one person on a regular basis is thought very modern... But is it? Or is it merely a rebirth of an old custom handed down from the Roman festival of the Lupercalia, celebrated in the month of February, when names of young women were put into a box and drawn out by men as chance directed?

The pagan Romans celebrated February 14 as an idolatrous and sensuous festival in honor of Lupercus, meaning the "hunter of wolves". Emperor Claudius II of Rome, also known as Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time recruiting men as soldiers. He believed that the men did not want to leave their sweethearts and cancelled all engagements and marriages throughout Rome. St. Valentine, a priest of Rome at the time, secretly married couples. He was eventually caught, arrested and condemned. He was beaten to death and beheaded on February 14th, around the year 270.

Lupercalia was a feast to a heathen God. Pastors and priests of the early Christian church did away with the pagan custom by replacing the names of the girls with the names of saints. They chose St. Valentine’s Day as the day of celebration for the new feast.

Interesting. Today we use this pagan tradition as a day to spend with the one we love and have hearts, flowers, candy, etc. Don't get me wrong... I love my valentine and enjoyed spending the holiday with her. I just wonder if anyone thought about a greater love...

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 (Jhn 3:16). You see, God loves us so much that he died for us. No heart-shaped holiday will ever compare to that. He is our first love and will always be. No matter what we do or where we go God will always love us. That's no excuse to go out and live it up... however, God's love for you and I is forever.

I wonder why... Me? A sinner, a common man, at times a fool, etc. God tells us My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. 9- For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Is 55:8-9).

So why does God love me...? I have no idea. We may not be able to explain it, understand it, or comprehend it, but it's true. Nothing compares to the love of Jesus. Nothing will ever take the place of His love for you. There is no greater love than Jesus laying down His life for you... His friend (Jhn 15:13) God calls you friend (James 2:23). God calls you His children (Rom 8:16). And nothing will ever separate you from the love of Jesus. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39- nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38-39).

I know it's late, but Happy Valentine's Day to my first love! Jesus. The greatest love I've ever known.

J.H.

Ready, Set, GET MOVIN!

As a young man in school, I entered into our school's competition for several events. One of which was track. I remember it well... one reason is that I pulled a muscle a week before the competition. I ran in the event anyway. Walking down toward the starting line to take my place, I wondered how I was going to run, let alone finish. To me, I was doomed to fall down and possibly take others with me and make a complete fool out of myself.

Arriving at the starting point, a man with a small gun began talking to me and my four opponents. He told us what to expect; he'd say ready, set, and fire the gun. He explained the penalties if we drifted of into another running lane and so forth.

About to start, I took a deep breath and tried to relax. I felt my right leg sting with pain where the pulled muscle was. I focused my mind and ignored the pain. I heard the man with the gun, "On your mark, get set..." FIRE! I bolted off the line in front of the others. Twenty yards and still in the lead. Then the sting of pain shot through my leg. I pushed on, but slower. One runner passed, then two, then the others. I was dead last. Fifty yards to go and one runner was a few feet from the finish. I heard cheering for the winner and then saw all the others cross the finish line. I kept running... in pain, breathing hard, upset at myself, but I kept running. Finally, I crossed the finish line and collapsed on the sideline.

You see, I purposed in my mind and my heart to run the race before me. I hoped to be first, but in the end I was last. The point is, I finished.

God has placed a purpose and calling on each and every one of us. There is a particular call on all our lives. God has given us the opportunity to go and live the life He has called us to live. Judges 18 tells about a group trying to possess a land for an inheritance. It says, Arise, let's go. The land is good. And will you sit still? Don't be slow to enter and possess the land. 10 - When you get there, you'll find people living carefree lives. God has given it to you. It's a place where you will lack nothing (Jgs 18:9-10).

God has given your calling to you. Go get it! Your destiny awaits you. What are you doing for your calling? In some way, everyone has a calling on their life. I'm asking you, what are you doing to pursue it?

Prepare yourself. God has placed in you a purpose, a plan, and a calling that no one can keep you from. Pursue it! Your destiny is in your possession. Pursue it with everything you have. Soon it will come to pass.

Like my track competition, the race is to be finished. You might have some pulled muscles, you may be sweating, in pain, and feeling faint. But KEEP GOING! DO NOT STOP! Your calling is at the finish line waiting for you. You've got to keep on moving. ...The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong... (Ecc 9:11). You don't have to be the fastest or the strongest. Things will happen, trials will come, people and things will make you second guess your call, but persevere. You might have a rough road, but he that endures to the end, the same shall be saved (Mt 24:13).

You don't have to wait anymore. Step through the door God has placed in front of you. Pursue your destiny. If you want what God has for you, you better get moving! If you want things to happen, you have to get moving! You want it, go get it, in Jesus name.

So, you ready? You set? Go!

J.H.

God of Wonders

Ever look around and think, "How'd all this get here?" Things we see everyday we pass up and don't even notice. Things that are unseen don't even occur to us. Do you ever think of all that God has made? He holds time in His hands, the entire world is His footstool. The stars and galaxies, heaven and earth, etc. It's an amazing thing that all things were spoken into existence by Him.

I've heard some people say, "If God is so wonderful, then why doesn't He work things out for me?" Well, God can and God will. He can do anything. His Word says to cast your problems on Him and He will take of you (Ps 55:22 NLT). If we would just pray and tell Him our problems and our situations, He would answer our prayer. He knows what we need before we even ask (Mt 6:8). So what do you need? What are you searching for? What kind of miracle do you need in your life?

I'm reminded of a story in Joshua. The children of Israel were about to cross over Jordan and take the city of Jericho. Joshua told them to sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you (Jsh 3:5). Before you can expect wonders, you must live right. Sanctify yourself, live the way God wants... not what you want. His will, not your own.

In the next chapter it tells of the priest who carried the Ark of God stood in the Jordan river and all the people crossed over. What stands out to me in this is that it says that when the waters parted, the people hastened and passed over (Jsh 4:10). When you arm yourself with God's Word and He begins to work in your life, you can run full-force into what lies ahead. Rise up and hasten to your season! Your new beginning is on the other side of the river in front of you. Run and pass over it. Pass over your problem and leave it behind.

Joshua and the children of Israel walked around the walls of Jericho once for six days. On the seventh day, it says they rose early about the dawning of the day and marched around the city just like before; only this time they walked around the walls seven times (Jsh 6:15). When they finished walking, when the priest blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, Shout; for the Lord has given you the city (Jsh 6:16).

Sometimes this life isn't easy. Sometimes you feel like you're walking in pointless circles; but just hold on. God is with you. When you don't know what to do, when you don't know how the bills will get paid, just take the hand of God and walk with Him... wherever He leads you. God will lead you and guide you and never lead you wrong. He's put you in this place for a purpose. You may not be able to see how things are going to end or where you'll end up, but remember God is leading you. He will place you in His perfect plan, and you can shout because God has given you your city. He will give you the answers to problems, to whatever is hindering you and holding you down.

Just think about it... the same God that created the universe, the same God that brought an entire city's walls down flat, that same God is with you and will work for you in your life. He is going to do something great in your life and in the upcoming year. We simple humans cannot fathom what God can really do for us. He is our God of wonders! He is a wonderful God!

J.H.

A Mile-Long Walk

It seems that every time you find something good, there is something bad to try and stop it. People talk, situations arise, things happen. But isn't it said that everything happens for a reason? I wonder why sometimes... What reasons are there for certain things that happen? There are things in this life that just do not make any sense at all.

We've all been at this point at some time in our lives. We feel the hurt, experience the pain of this life, we get cut down and stabbed in the back by so called friends, etc. We don't understand some things, we can't put our finger on exactly why some things happen. Have we put our faith in our wandering eyes? What we see and experience happening around us isn't always for the reason we think it is.

Before the threads of time began, before any of us were even here on this earth, there was a pre-ordained plan. There was a man to be on this earth and do something no one had ever done or ever will do.

Jesus came to this earth on which we live. His purpose for being born was to die... we know this story, but do we really grasp what happened while He was here??? Jesus came and experienced every single thing a person could go through. He did more than die for us... He came and walked a mile in our shoes. He has been through everything we go through. He did so that He could know just exactly what we feel and what we go through.

We were made in the image of God (Ge 1:26). We were made to serve Him. This was all foreseen before the earth was hung in the universe. I don't know about you, but my life went in a different way for a time. I went astray and I violated the bond that God and I had. I'm not proud of it in any way, but I'm forever grateful that Jesus had already walked down that road I was on. He knew what I felt and what I was going through.

He walked down a dusty road for you and me, forgiveness was His anthem. He experienced all pain, all suffering, and everything imaginable so He would know how we feel. Scientists say that Jesus carried the cross just about two kilometers; that is equal to one mile... think about that; those same feet that walked a mile in our shoes were later nailed to a cross for our salvation, His back beaten for our healing.

So when you think you're alone, when you're hurt and everyone seems to be against you, remember Jesus has already been there. He sees your hurt, He sees every tear you've cried. Remember that He went through it all just for you. He didn't keep Himself away from anything, He is no stranger to the pain you go through.

When you're at your wits end, when you don't know what to do or where to turn, remember that road has already been taken. Give your hurt and your problems to Him. He's already been through it, so He knows exactly how to fix it. Cast your cares and worries on Him, because He cares for you (I Pe 5:7). He's already walked a mile in your shoes.

J.H.