The Promised King

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”*


What were you doing this time last year? If you are like me you probably have no idea. Many can remember what they were doing especially if it involved an experience of some sort such as the birth of a child, a wedding, or maybe a funeral. We always remember things that have a major impact on our lives don’t we? The closer we are to an event the more impact it has on us. The human mind is programmed to remember things that cause emotional pain or excitement. We only have to mention 9-1-1 and the majority of us can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news; unless you happen to be nine years old then you would have to rely on what you are told about it.

Now you can understand why so many people today do not get as excited about Christmas in the same way that Christians do. When the Prophet Micah spoke these words hundreds of years before Christ was born into the world I am sure many of the people in his day had no idea who he was talking about. A king being born would not be a major thing to them but listen carefully about the description given about this King; “His goings forth are from old, from everlasting.” In other words this King comes from an Ancient Ancestry, the Ancient of Days as a matter of fact.

Jesus is that King of course but for many people today Jesus does not arouse any interest. He is a historical figure to many of them and celebrating His birth is more about parties and presents than it is about sacrifice and redemption; because we are two thousand years down the road. Had any of us been standing at the Cross and gazing upon the Man that healed the sick, caused the blind to see, and raised the dead, watching Him die a painful death for no apparent reason, we would remember Him differently. This Christmas season let’s help others to know and experience Him as we do.

Father, I come to You with Jesus; thanks for the memories and the promises! Amen.

In Christ: Br Mike <>< (brmike@ntelos.net)

* The New King James Version. 1982 (Micah 5:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The Lion Whisperer

My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”*

I was watching a program the other night on the National Geographic Channel called the “Dog Whisperer.” Now many of you may have seen it before or even watch it regularly. The guy was able to communicate with the dogs in such a way that they seemed to understand him in doggy language. You know, this fellow may be kin to Doctor Doolittle.

I wonder if there are any lion whispers out there. If there are I have not heard of them. I can just picture some dude telling an unruly lion to shush and poking him in the side! How about these lions’ that David was fed to? One may think that David was a lion whisperer because they didn’t eat him. Let me share some information from historical guys that investigate things like that; the lions in that den were not fed on a regular basis so they would be hungry when someone was cast down to them.

This account teaches me that it takes a miracle to keep a hungry pack of lions from eating you. The thing about miracles is that they have a broader purpose than just benefiting us; they are designed to glorify God. God was proving Himself to King Darius when He took the lions’ appetite. The old king told Daniel God would protect him, and then fasted all night hoping He would. Once he saw God was real and would protect His people the king then ordered the entire kingdom to fear Daniel’s God! Do you need a miracle? Can God be glorified by performing it? Then expect it to happen.

Heavenly Father, thank You for protecting Your people! I pray that those who need a miracle today will find a way that You can be glorified through it. Jesus, I ask this in Your name Sir! Amen.

In Christ: Br Mike <><

*The New King James Version. 1982 (Daniel 6:22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Evil Men and Imposters

When the news came out that soldiers had been attacked and killed in a readiness station at Fort Hood on Thursday my mind went back to the days I spent in one of those stations at Fort Leonard Wood. I never went off to war thank God but we were prepared in case we would have had to. I can remember hundreds of soldiers standing in lines, getting physicals, talking to financial counselors, Chaplains, and others there who were trying to answer our questions to calm our fears. Never did I fear dying there. I am sure those at Fort Hood on Thursday never thought about it either. What is going on?! What in the world is happening to people?! God warned us about these things but it seems that we never really believe Him until it happens; *But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. The shrink that did the shooting was an imposter. An imposter is one who poses as someone else and this guy was posing as a stable, trustworthy, loyal, soldier. In the days to come we will hear of issues he has had for a long time. We will be told how all this stuff has gotten to him over the years and how that it eventually drove him to commit such an act of hostility toward innocent people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Before all is said and done he will be shown to be a victim of overwhelming circumstances. What we will not be told is that Jesus would have helped him if he would have ever reached out to Him. I do not read anywhere in the Bible of anyone that ever came to Jesus for help that He turned away. There will be hundreds of reports trying to explain the why behind it all, but none of them will give the true reason; humanities rejection of Jesus Christ. All the tragedy that comes upon us is rooted in that one reason. It will continue until Jesus comes back Himself to put an end to it. Before He does that though, expect more and more of these types of reports. If this depresses you or causes you to fear then know that God is dealing with you. If you could care less or just think it was happenstance and circumstances then you are basing your life on chance and fate. For the born again believer this is one more incident that causes us to look for the return of Christ. You and I will never be able to stop this stuff; only Jesus will, but you and I can place our trust in Him. We cannot change the direction humanity is taking but we can change the direction we are going. God allows U-turns you know. Repent, seek forgiveness, and follow Christ because the times; they are a changing.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed is Your name! Lord, minister to the families of those killed in this tragedy. Give comfort to them through Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, reach out to those who do not know You. Holy Spirit, call to the hearts of those that are in the same condition this man was in; that they may be saved. I ask all these things with Your permission Jesus, given to me by You when You died for my sins. Thank You. Amen.

In Christ: Br Mike <><

*The New King James Version. 1982 (2 Timothy 3:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Sick With Pride

I sit writing this message after coming home from the doctor. That is why there was not an Encouragement from me yesterday. I have been praying and petitioning God to rid me of this “gunk” that has set itself up somewhere in my body; which gives it plenty of room to hide. After having me tested by his lab techs this morning, my doc diagnosed me with swine flu. “You have got to be kidding doc, I can’t have the swine flu!” He asks, “Why not?” “Well, because I, I, I just can’t, that’s why!” He gave me some meds, a prescription, and a warning: Stay home the rest of this week or risk pneumonia! Driving up the road I had a few questions for God. I mean, hey, this week I have people to see, sermons to preach, people to counsel, a funeral to officiate, studying to do, a nursing home and hospitals to visit; why would Jesus let me get sick seeing I have all that stuff to do for Him? God was not quick to answer but when He did, this is what came to mind: *I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Could it be possible that my statement to my doctor, “I can’t have the swine flu,” could have revealed pride? Ouch! That is what it’s called though, human pride. After all, I am doing all this stuff for Him, right? Wrong. He uses me to do things for Him; it is not by my might or by my power that I do any of these things. As for all that work “I” had to do; another minister is preaching for me, the outreach minister is visiting the hospitals and nursing home for me, another pastor is going to do the funeral, and the counseling appointment has been rescheduled. That leaves me with only the studying to do; which I can do in bed. I got Your point Lord.

Father God, I am not giving you thanks for this illness but I am giving you thanks it is not unto death! Thanks for reminding me that I am just the servant and that You are God! Thank You Jesus as I ask in the authority of Your name! Amen!

In Christ: Br Mike <>< (brmike@ntelos.net)



*The New King James Version. 1982 (Php 4:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.