Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Carve Your Own Pumpkin
This is not a Halloween promotion, just a fun Flash program. Try your hand at carving a pumpkin.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Good Out Of Evil
READ: Romans 8:18-28
We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28
The events of life can challenge our trust in the Scriptures. Romans 8:28 teaches that God can bring good out of "all things." But in August 2004 "all things" seemed hard to fathom. Some longtime friends of mine contacted me and others asking prayer for their son and his fiancée who were missing. It was so out of character for Jason and Lindsay that we feared the worst. Several days later, their murdered bodies were found, just 2 weeks before their wedding.
In those troubling days, "all things" seemed incapable of including such a senseless act. Yet the victims' families were amazing in their resolve to trust Jesus Christ, reaffirming their confidence that God would graciously bring good out of great evil.
In the following months, incredible stories began to roll in. Through letters, e-mail, and phone calls, we heard of people who had seen the families' example in the media coverage and had come to Christ. Eternal destinies had been changed and lives had been won through the testimonies of Jason and Lindsay and their families.
Nothing could ever justify those murders or replace precious lives cut short. But we are drawn again to hope, for we see God's ability to bring good out of evil.
We comprehend Him not,
Yet earth and heaven tell
God sits as sovereign on the throne
And ruleth all things well. —Gerhardt
God can turn tragedy into triumph.
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Christian Life > Personal Crisis > Sorrow/GriefChristian Life > Personal Crisis > Comfort
Friday, October 27, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Losing To Gain
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READ: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. —2 Corinthians 9:6
On my father's farm were certain fields he sowed by hand. He would strap on a canvas contraption that looked somewhat like a kangaroo pouch, fill it with seed, and go out to sow. He would cast seed everywhere.
When a farmer sows seed in his field, it looks like he's throwing it away. It seems to be lost, but it isn't really gone. In due time he gets it back—with much more besides.
When we give ourselves to Christ, it may seem to people as if we're throwing our life away. But He said that it is only as we lose our lives in Him that we find true life (Matt. 10:39).
Jesus teaches us to measure our lives by losses rather than gains, by sacrifices rather than self-preservation, by time spent for others rather than time lavished upon ourselves, by love poured out rather than love poured in.
It's a rule of life: God blesses those who give of their lives and resources (2 Cor. 9:6). Give out the truth you know, and He'll give you more to give away. Give your time, and you'll have more time to give. Set no limit on your love, and you'll have more love for others than before.
Israel's wise man said, "There is one who scatters, yet increases more" (Prov. 11:24). It's one of the oldest paradoxes in the world, but it works.
We lose what on ourselves we spend;
We have as treasure without end
Whatever, Lord, to You we lend,
Who givest all. —Wordsworth
When you grasp, you lose; when you give to God, you gain.
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Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Be An Example
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READ: 1 Timothy 4:12-16
Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. —1 Timothy 4:12
A high school senior honored as one of the "Best & Brightest" in our community has provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word auditorium in a regional spelling bee, Brady Davis glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the attention of the judges who responded with a more difficult word. Brady did what he knew was right whether others noticed or not.
We don't know when our actions might become an example to others. But if we live each day to honor Jesus, our behavior will model His righteousness, no matter who is watching.
Idealism and enthusiasm are often best expressed by the young. But uprightness and honor should be goals for Christians of every age. Paul told his young protégé Timothy: "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).
Brady Davis says his goal in life is to change the world around him while never compromising himself. We would do well to join him in that pursuit of life, integrity, and exemplary behavior.
I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —Walter
A good example always makes a good sermon.
DVD Project in Production
The James Croft Evangelistic Association will soon have a DVD presentation about the ministry. The program will feature the various areas of ministry involvement. Production got underway yesterday with filming of an introduction for the presentation. Pictured with me is Jon Fletcher doing the filming. The location is First Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida, which is where I was licensed in the Gospel Ministry on December 4, 1994. The video should be completed in November.
Monday, October 23, 2006
James and Emma
I preached at First Baptist Church of White Springs yesterday morning and evening. Between the services I was able to have lunch and fellowship with my brother, John, and his family. I am picured with my one-month old niece, Emma. John and his family are active in the Lord's work and he is a member of the Board of Directors of the James Croft Evangelistic Association.
Bible Search Tool
This is a new addition to the site. It is a a Bible Search too provided by Bible Gateway. You will always be available to find it at the bottom of the left column.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Adjust Your Conscience
READ: Acts 24:10-16
I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. —Acts 24:16
Built into our nature is an internal judicial system, the conscience, that commends us when we do right and condemns us when we do wrong. But this vital monitor of morality does not say the same thing to everyone. In some cultures vengeful killing is seen as honorable. In others, a person is still considered good even when he betrays a friend.
A story from The Philadelphia Inquirer illustrates this problem. A 12-year-old boy was caught stealing a watch. He told police that previously he had shoplifted a gift for his mother, and he felt he had to do the same for his dad. Although troubled about slighting his father, he had no qualms about stealing.
Because of sin, conscience is unreliable and needs a continual adjustment. This begins with a right relationship to God through faith in Jesus Christ. He paid sin's penalty, and now our hearts are "sprinkled from an evil conscience" (Heb. 10:22). But this does not make conscience obsolete. As we study the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit puts our inner monitor on a frequency that brings us in tune with the words, deeds, and attitudes of the Lord Jesus.
"Let your conscience be your guide" is valid only if God's Word is guiding your conscience.
There is a treasure you can own
That's greater than a crown or throne:
A conscience good with which to live,
That only God Himself can give. —Isenhour
Conscience is like a sundial: when the truth of God shines on it, it points in the right direction.
Friday, October 20, 2006
White Springs on Sunday
I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Ron Thompson this Sunday at First Baptist Church of White Springs. The services will begin at 11am and 6pm. The church is located on Camp Street in White Springs, Florida.
Podcast for October 2006
The October 2006 edition of the Walking with the Giant Podcast is now online and available for download.
The special guest for this month's program is Junior Combs and Southern Joy, a Southern Gospel trio from Baldwin, Florida. They won the prestigious group talent competition during the 2006 National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in September. The trio features veteran Southern Gospel singer Junior Combs, his 18 year old daughter Jessica and his 11 year old son Wesley. The interview also features two songs from their first CD, Expressions From The Heart. You may have heard of another Gospel Music singer with the name "Combs" . It is Michael Combs. Junior and Michael are related. Talent runs in that family.
The program also features an excerpt from a message titled Forsaking All that I preached at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, Florida on September 27, 2006. I made a special announcement during this message about a new chapter in this ministry.
The program begins with the Ghana Update from our JCEA Ministry Coordinator. Evangelist Ralph gives us some information about a revival service in Teshie, Ghana-West Africa that he will be preaching.
Let me know what you think about this episode.
Photo by Jon M. Fletcher
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Prayer Request
Rev. H. Donald Freeman, a retired pastor and member of the James Croft Evangelistic Association Board of Directors, is having surgery on his back today. The procedure will take approximately 5 1/2 hours and will be performed at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. The doctors have said the recovery time will be approximately six months. Please be in prayer for Brother Freeman and his wife Fran.
I consider Brother Freeman to be my "mentor" in the ministry, and he and his wife are also very dear friends.
Photo: Donald Freeman, James Croft, Frances Freeman
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