Life Lines

Friday, April 24, 2026

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:45:51 GMT

Friday, April 24, 2026

Friday, April 24

The LORD Jesus promised “...that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven.” —Matthew 18:19

My good friend, Tom Sexton, exhorts us in this article, Praying For Our Meeting , to pray for our upcoming Compass Conference this Sunday—Tuesday, April 26-28.

Pray People Might Have Traveling Mercies

Romans 15:22 , “For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.”
I Thessalonians 2:18 , “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”

The evil one will do all in his power to hinder God’s people.

Pray The Word of God Might Have Free Course

II Thessalonians 3:1 , “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”

God’s Word has power to save and give victory. One verse can change a person’s life and be a turning point in his or her future.

God’s Word will accomplish what He sent it for. Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Pray The LORD will Send Laborer’s into His Harvest

Matthew 9:37b-38 , “…The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

Somewhere there are people waiting to hear the Gospel. The question that all believers should ask is “Who is waiting on me?” and “How long will I make them wait?”

Pray This Meeting Will Result in the Saving of the Lost

Luke 19:10 , “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

May God’s people return to their place of service and win the lost. If the LORD meets with us, the world (lost people) will be reached.

We are looking forward to a time of refreshing and challenge from the Lord. Our Academy choirs and other special guests will be singing. Our preachers have over 200 years of ministry experience combined.

Please pray and plan to attend. Bring someone with you. You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, April 17, 2026

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:22:50 GMT

Friday, April 17, 2026

Friday, April 17

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” —Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ ‭

A preacher told the story of a grizzly attacking a hiker and mauling him badly. He said, “The hiker had heard of the wonder and beauty of the mountains of Montana and drove across the country from North Carolina to experience them for himself. Interviewed from his hospital bed, he said, ‘I’m never coming back to this place!’ He didn’t know that wonder and beauty can also be dangerous.”

We who rightly get caught up with the glories and beauties of the Lord Jesus Christ often times fail to realize the times of proving, testing and temptation that will be a part of serving Him and doing His will. We must purpose in those times to resist disillusionment and unbelief. We then will be able to learn firsthand that He is faithful as He has promised and that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

I remember a time when I was dealing with persistent, deep sadness from prolonged depletion and exhaustion within my soul (it was actually dealing with me). Unending pressure from within and without left me totally drained and dry.

In the darkness and silence of my settled grief, all I could do was but whisper prayers at times to the Lord. One of those prayers I remember was:

“God only you can recover, restore, redeem and resurrect this situation, and what you put in my heart.”

Not only had He helped me before, but I believed that He could and would help me again. And, He did. With the Apostle Paul I then could say, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day…” —Acts‬ ‭26‬:‭22‬ ‭

I want to encourage you to continue today — to “keep going” as Dr. Lee Roberson often exhorted me to. When you think you cannot continue, remember why you started. Remember Who you started for and with as you were captured and compelled by Calvary’s love.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, April 10, 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:16:08 GMT

Friday, April 10, 2026

Friday, April 10

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

‭‭—Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭

In a world of injustice, our God is still on His throne. And, He is at work — in our lives, our families, our churches, our city, our world.

William Cowper wrote in 1774 about the Sovereign workings and timing of God:

“God moves in mysterious ways

His wonders to perform

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm

Deep in unfathomable mines 

Of never failing skill.

He treasures up His bright designs 

And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; 

The clouds ye so much dread 

Are big with mercy and shall break 

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 

But trust Him for His grace; 

Behind a frowning providence 

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, 

Unfolding every hour; 

The bud may have a bitter taste, 

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err 

And scan His work in vain; 

God is His own interpreter, 

And He will make it plain.”

The vision God has for His work in our lives seems to tarry at times. But, “He is an on-time God,” a stranger told my brother one day as he was grappling with knowing and doing God’s will.

A mentor said to me years ago, “God will put something in your heart to do for Him, and then He will put it to death. And in His time He will resurrect it and bring it to pass” (cf. John 12:24). There is always a proving time, a preparation time, and a providing time.

God may be proving you today. At his lowest point of suffering, David cried in Psalm 22:15, “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” Spurgeon exhorts us again, “When grief presses you to the dust, worship there.”

Always remember, “When your world is coming apart God’s plan is coming together.” Do not lose heart in the dark. Hold to the promise of God. His plan in His time will come to pass.

And when it does, you of all people will know Who gets the glory.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, April 3, 2026

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:39:17 GMT

Friday, April 3, 2026

Friday, April 3

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” —Acts 4:33

The songwriter echoed the words of those who were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Saviour, “I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today, I know that He is living whatever men may say… He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives; He lives within my heart.”

THE PERSON OF THE RESURRECTION

I was witnessing to a group of high school students in Northfield, Massachusetts several years ago when a student said, “One of my professors told me that he had studied the major religions of the world and that they all basically say the same thing.” I responded, “Jesus Christ declared, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ Now, take the words of this One who lived a perfect life, healed the sick, and raised the dead; and set them beside what your professor said. Consider the credentials of both men and decide who you will believe.”

THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

The Lord Jesus Christ is, “the resurrection and the life,” (John 11:25) and “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Jesus Christ conquered death, Hell, and the grave because He is “the Son of God with power…by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).

Though God-manifest-in-the-flesh was crucified and buried, on the third day He rose from the grave. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that will raise us from the dead: “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live…believest thou this?” (John 11:25–26)

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE RESURRECTION

Can you imagine the level of zeal and commitment unto death the disciples would have had for a hoax if they had stolen the body of Christ, as some would tell us? Had they stolen His body away, they of all people would have known they were representing a lie. Yet, because they had seen the resurrected Saviour firsthand, they gave themselves and all they had to proclaim this message of truth and hope.

Because He lives, we can face whatever He allows to come our way. By grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors. Let’s go tell someone about our risen Saviour today!

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

A ROPE OF HOPE

“…and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” —Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭

March 27, 2026

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:17:25 GMT

Friday, March 27, 2026

Friday, March 27

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.”‭‭ —Mark‬ ‭10:35‬ ‭

Our Lord Jesus Christ is journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem here in Mark 10. He is headed to Calvary to pay the penalty for our sins. Yet, what is on the minds of James and John - “What about us?” “What can you do for us Jesus to give us personal advantage and access?” Note verse 37, “They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.”

This is so contrary to what many think service to God is all about. Some people try to use God while God wants to use us. He is not there so much for us as we are here for Him. Jesus teaches us that the blessed life is one of service and sacrifice - “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” —Mark‬ ‭10:45‬ ‭

If we are going to follow Jesus, remember that His path leads through death to self, to personal ambition, to “my way.” 1 Peter‬ ‭2:21‬ states, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” In Christian service, death comes before life.

It will cost us to serve Jesus. There is no painless way to follow Him Who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. Wounds and scars in Christian service ~ we will have them. But, remember that a scar is not only a sign of injury, but also of healing.

Sometimes we must find the heart to continue:

I am nothing,

my strength is almost gone,

my hair is thinning and

my waistline is winning,

but my God is still on His throne.

We must go deeper into the heart of God through the Scriptures. He has not changed. He is still in control. He is at work in our lives as He weans us from this world of woe to get us ready for a world of wow one day soon.

The Devil cannot take your opportunity, but he can convince you to willingly give it up. Like Esau, that birthright or opportunity you despise today you will desire tomorrow. Do not forsake in the night what God gave you in the light. Keep your heart yielded to God. In the midst of your personal Gethsemane Jesus still asks, “lovest thou me?”

The songwriter of this chorus words our prayer for us today, “To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask, to be like Him, all through life’s journey from earth to glory, all I ask to be like Him.” As we look at our cross, may God give us faith to look beyond it to the crown that awaits.

Yes, in following Jesus death comes before life. But, the resurrection life that follows death to self and personal ambition brings untold glory to God and blessing to so many others.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, March 20, 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:54:31 GMT

Friday, March 20, 2026

Friday, March 20

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” —2 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭9

Think of our Heavenly Creator searching throughout the all of His human creation for a heart that is upright and sincere toward Him. He seeks for such that He may demonstrate His power to and through that individual life.

We all have heard, “But God knows my heart.” What an amazing statement! He really does know our hearts - who we truly are and why we do what we do. He knows our thoughts, our motives, our bias’, our preferences, our opinions, our life experiences, our blind spots, etc. He knows us through and through!

Think on these Scriptures:

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭
“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭
“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,” Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬

When God looks at your heart, what does He see? Does he see a proud self-willed King Saul or a yielded seeking heart like David? Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ shows us the consequence of each heart, “And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

“Lord, please search my heart and deal with me deeply and thoroughly. Show me what you see. Help me to be open and honest in addressing where I stand before you.”

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

This is paragraph text. Click it or hit the Manage Text button to change the font, color, size, format, and more. To set up site-wide paragraph and title styles, go to Site Theme.

Friday, March 13, 2026

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 22:37:39 GMT

Friday, March 13, 2026

Friday, March 13

“Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee” —2 Timothy 1:6

Accomplished composer Ludwig van Beethoven wrote,

“Don't only practice your art.

But force your way into its secrets.

For it and knowledge can

raise men to the divine.”

Down through the pathways of time, many have made the most of their God-given abilities. They have developed, honed and sharpened them in their varied fields and disciplines.

As a reflection of our Creator God, we have been given certain abilities that we must develop as fully as possible for His glory. Paul instructed Timothy by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to “fan the flame” of the spiritual gift or capacity God had blessed him with.

Paul went on to remind him in verse 7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear (timidity, intimidation); but of power (miraculous spiritual enabling), and of love (benevolence, charity to others) and of a sound mind (disciplined, self-controlled thinking).” He also exhorted him in ‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee…” We are not to be careless with or negligent of the gift God has given to us.

The prepared life is the confident life. Our identity is in Christ, and our confidence is in God and the divine enabling He has given to us. There is always room for growth and improvement. We are to sharpen one another and bring out the best in each other.

What are you doing to develop, make the most of, and stir up the divine enabling “which is in thee?” You are gifted. You have much potential for God and good. Let’s steward our gift(s) well as we make the most of what He has given us.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

This is paragraph text. Click it or hit the Manage Text button to change the font, color, size, format, and more. To set up site-wide paragraph and title styles, go to Site Theme.

Friday, March 6, 2026

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:19:30 GMT

Friday, March 6, 2026

Friday, March 6

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;” —Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭

The word approve means to examine, test, prove or discern. God tells us to discern and verify things that are distinctive, better than and of greater value to our Christian walk as we live lives of integrity and purity in light of Christ’s return.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Biblical knowledge yields understanding which yields wisdom which yields discernment which yields proper application or - “the right use of knowledge” (Proverbs 15:2). We must use the plumb-line of God’s Word to examine all things in light of the fixed point of reference of truth.

Another way of applying the truth and testing things practically is through the SWOT Analysis - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This matrix helps to honestly assess our strategic planning, vulnerabilities and areas of improvement needed, open doors and risks.

It is a wise thing to take inventory of our lives, our homes, our finances, our plans, our church, our businesses. In order to manage things properly, we must be able to measure them thoroughly.

Be willing to take personal inventory - to ask yourself probing and honest questions. Be yielded to God enough to ask Him to show you your own heart and what needs to be addressed before Him. He is our Master Teacher. His testings or exams reveal where we stand before Him and what needs to be corrected.

Let’s learn to discern and only approve of things in our lives that help make us more like Jesus Christ.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

A ROPE OF HOPE

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test or prove) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

—1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬

Friday, February 27, 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:25:20 GMT

Friday, February 27, 2026

Friday, February 27

“For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” —Nehemiah‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬

There is a work to be done for God and His glory. ‭‭The enemies of God and His work will use distraction, false accusation, intimidation, feigned concern or affinity, and anything else they can to try to wear us down, confuse us and divide us. Every tactic they use points ultimately to their one goal - “that it (the work) be not done.”

It is so important for us to understand our roles and responsibilities in the Lord’s work - “For we are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬). We must be a team player working together in our respective roles to accomplish the work God has given us to do - when the team wins, we win. And, when we win, God is glorified.

2 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭states, “The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.” We must serve with integrity and in the fear God - meaning we know we will have to meet Him with the decisions we make and the effort we put forth.

Integrity in prayer comes out of a consecrated devotional life. It is a daily decision and discipline. Jesus called His disciples “unto him” (Luke 6:13). Fruitful time spent in laboring with others comes out of faithful time spent in laboring with God in prayer.

Bible reading and prayer go hand in hand. The Scriptures give us faith to pray. George Muller recorded over 50,000 specific answers to prayer in his journal. He also recorded that he had read the Bible through more than 200 times. If we want the faith to ask and believe God for more opportunity and blessing, we must live in His Word daily - “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬).

My Bible College professor Dr. Leonard Allred stated in class one day, “Always remember that people are human first and Christian second.” Where you have people, you will always have problems and challenges to work through.

Strong committed and continuing leadership will demonstrate good faith and a true heart for God, His people, and His work. May we pray with Nehemiah, “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, February 20, 2026

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:35:43 GMT

Friday, February 20, 2026

Friday, February 20

“Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” ‭‭—1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭30‬ ‭

Eli ("to ascend") was God's man. He was to seek the honor of God above all else.

His sons, Hophni ("a fist or handful") and Phinehas ("mouth of a serpent"), were raised in the house of God. They, however, did not know the God of the house.

While Hannah honored God with her son Samuel (“asked of God), Eli dishonored God with his sons. As Samuel was being raised up by God, Hophni and Phinehas were being taken down by Him. There is no doubt that their paths crossed as the trajectories of their lives became evident.

In Samuel's dawn, we see the rays of prayer and faith. In Hophni and Phinehas dusk, we see the fading glow of a father's life that had become a lie. How different might the outcome of Eli's family have been had he rebuked his guilty sons as sharply as he rebuked innocent Hannah?

“Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.” ‭‭—1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭

It is easy to have blind spots when we are honoring ourselves and our children above God. Ask God to show you if what you think you are seeing in someone else is really something He is seeing in you. Ask Him if you are truly honoring Him in your family or not.

The unraveling loss of Eli honoring his sons above God was generational for that family.

May God have mercy on us and help us. You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, February 13, 2026

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:03:30 GMT

Friday, February 13, 2026

Friday, February 13

“He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” John‬ ‭1‬:‭41‬ ‭

Think about God’s heart coming through this mother’s heart:

“A missions director once met with the mother of one of his agency’s missionaries and spent some time getting to know her. She prepared tea for the director in her parlor and as they drank the tea, she explained to him the difficulty of having a daughter on the mission field of China and a son as a missionary in Sudan. She loved and missed them dearly, but as she explained, her love for God allowed her to let them follow His will for their lives. The mother went on to describe the burden her son had for the Sudanese people.”

The only thing we can take to Heaven with us is our loved ones, and those we share the gospel with. God help us to give the gospel to our children and then give our children to the gospel - to serve the King of Glory.

Let’s personalize this, “When was the last time you witnessed to someone - told him or her how one can know Jesus Christ as personal Saviour?” “When was the last time you gave out a gospel tract, invited someone to church or visited someone in their home to give the gospel?”

We are either a mission field or a missionary. This is the hour to get serious about getting our loved ones and others to Jesus.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

A ROPE OF HOPE

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬

Friday, February 6, 2026

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:53:56 GMT

Friday, February 6, 2026

Friday, February 6

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ‭

According to legend, Alexander the Great gave 3 wishes before he died:

Physicians carry coffin: A lesson that even doctors cannot defeat death.

Scatter his treasures: Signifying that worldly wealth means nothing in the end.

Hands outside coffin: A final statement that humans arrive and depart empty-handed.

“You can’t take it with you,” is a reminder we hear and a reality that we must remember. Of all the things we pursue and accumulate in this life, the only thing we can take to Heaven is our loved ones, and those friends and others we give the gospel to.

Some people love things and use people. May God help us to love people and use things instead.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

A ROPE OF HOPE

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John‬ ‭9‬:‭4‬

Friday, January 30, 2026

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:57:30 GMT

Friday, January 30, 2026

“For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; Likewise to the small rain, And to the great rain of his strength…Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?” Job‬ ‭37‬:‭6‬,16‬ ‭

When we consider the wondrous works of God, we understand that He ultimately is Sovereign over all of His creation and Providential in His workings - including the weather. Matthew 8:27 declares, “…even the winds and seas obey him.”

We read in Amos‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬, “And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.” Our church family took this verse to God in prayer several years ago to ask Him to send rain and break an extended drought in our area. After no rain for months, the day after we prayed, God sent the rain for three days straight!

Those who know me know that I LOVE SNOW! On Sunday morning March 31, 2019, I prayed, “Lord, would you please let it snow here in Monroe before we get totally out of the winter and into the spring?” Early that following Tuesday morning while I was traveling to Raleigh, my children called and said, “Dad, it’s snowing!”

Note the radar graphic below that was posted as the weatherman said, “The most unusual thing happened in Monroe today. Just a small band of snow went over that area.” I will always believe that God answered my prayer.

Remember, if God can command the clouds in the sky, He can control the clouds in your heart. Storms pass. Clouds scatter. The Son shines again. Let’s make the most of these days as we trust the Master of the Wind.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, January 23, 2026

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:51:39 GMT

Friday, January 23, 2026

“For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Proverbs‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬

I ended our Bible message this past Sunday morning with this illustration, “In May of 2012, a 32-carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring—that was part of the collection of Lily Safra, one of the richest women in the world—was sold at an auction. The pre-auction estimate for the sale was $3–5 million, but the final sale price ended up at $6.7 million. It is believed to be the most expensive ruby ever sold.

But, as valuable as rubies are, the Bible tells us that wisdom is far better and more valuable. No earthly treasure can compare to wisdom because nothing else offers the same protection, benefits, and blessings that wisdom does.”

How we need wisdom from God! Wisdom is the proper and practical application of knowledge and understanding - the right use of knowledge. ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭exhorts us, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” God will freely answer our prayer for wisdom and will not chide us for not knowing what we should not have done or should do.

Let’s close today with these reminders:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭
“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ ‭
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, January 16, 2026

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:50:10 GMT

Friday, January 16, 2026

“Do not err, my beloved brethren.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭

To err is to roam or wander away from safety, truth or virtue. It means to go astray, be deceived, or seduced. With brotherly tenderness, James exhorts us to remain steadfast as we walk in alignment with God’s Word.

The word deceiving in ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ — “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” — means to delude (to believe something that is not true), beguile or misreckon (to calculate, estimate, or judge incorrectly; it's to make a mistake in your reckoning or numbers, like miscalculating expenses or misjudging someone's abilities). How often we miscalculate the deceptive error of disobedience and underestimate its costly consequences.

2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭states, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” And, this theme of self-deception is highlighted in ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

The word deceived in these two verses also means to err, roam or wander away from safety, truth or virtue - to go astray, be deceived, or seduced. We must hold to and stay anchored to the lifeline of truth by faith and obedience - lest we err.

Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭8‬ ‭warns us that, “As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place.” This means that “a person who strays from home or their proper place is in a vulnerable, unsettled, and potentially dangerous situation, much like a lost bird exposed to predators, symbolizing rootlessness and instability. It's a call to value one's home, community, and commitments, highlighting the wisdom of staying grounded.”

May God help us to stay guarded and grounded in all seasons and situations. Like Esau, that blessing you despise today you will desire tomorrow.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, January 9, 2026

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:49:04 GMT

Friday, January 9, 2026

“And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.”

Genesis 12:7 ‭

1 Samuel 13 tells us that King Saul did not build an altar unto the Lord until after he had reigned for two years as king - when he was in trouble. Then it was more out of necessity than devotion.

Do not wait until you are in trouble to pray. “Build an altar” now or designate a place where you can meet God daily even when things are going well. Learn to praise and thank Him consistently.

Our altar or place of prayer should be a:

Secret place - “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬ ‭

Supplicating place - when you are suffocating, just go to your supplicating place and prevail with “fresh air” from God in prayer.

Sacred place - “Sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care.” Let this be a holy place where just you and God meet for communion, confession and clarity.

I want to challenge you to pray over Jeremiah 33:6-12. When it seems all is lost and valuable things are never coming back, consider God‘s promises made to His people and how they apply to the individual to the family to the church and for those who come after us.

May we be a praying joyful people in 2026 for the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel!

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

Friday, January 2, 2026

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:47:38 GMT

Friday, January 2, 2026

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2-3

By the help of God, I have labored these 35+ years here at Shining Light with the conviction that He has a vision and plan for His work here that involves His timing and preparation.

Here are some lessons I have learned along the way:

You must value your opportunity and get ready for your future. It has been and is being written. You are the only one who can defeat your future and are ultimately at the mercy of no one but God Almighty.

What truly appears to be against you is for you. You do not see what God sees. Keep looking to Him Who sees what you cannot, but one day you will.

You must die to self, to opposition, to slights, to being taken for granted or advantage of.

Don’t stop! Keep going! Do not waste what you have learned and been prepared for, or betray your God and those who have believed in you.

There is a time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking. There is a time to listen and to be taught. There is a time of silence and separation, along with prayer and preparation for what is next. No more questions asked or explanations sought, just simple sacred quiet trust and obedience.

These are great days to serve the Lord! Let’s lean into and embrace this new year and all that God has for us.

You are loved and prayed for.

Sincerely,

PREPARED

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 19:41:00 GMT

Prepared – to provide for or to make ready

2 Timothy 2: 21 – “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Jonah – God is a God of preparation – a great fish, a gourd, a worm, a vehement wind.

John 14:2 – “ I go to prepare a place for you…”

2 Chronicles 12:14 – “And he (Rehoboam) did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.”

1. Our degree of preparation often determines our degree of usefulness

Let God stretch you!

Daniel and the Hebrew Children – Daniel 1:4, 17, 20 – “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” “Ten times better”

2. God has been preparing us for this moment – consciously and unconsciously

“God is using my life experience and those He puts in my path to prepare me for something yet!”

Psalm 16:5 – “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.” God preserves for us what He has for us, and preserves and prepares us for what He has for us.

Ezra 7:6, 10 – ready – quick, skillful, prepared -“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

A Balanced Life – “According to Ezra 7:10, Ezra studied God’s Word, obeyed God’s Word, and taught God’s Word. He was like the person Jesus spoke about in Matthew 13:52: a student (learning) who was a disciple (living) and a householder (sharing). Having a balanced life is most important.” – Wiersbe

3. We prepare and propose – God disposes

“Man proposes – God disposes.” People can make plans; God determines how things will turn out.

Proverbs 16:9 – “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps and the outcome.

“Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His surprising power may break out. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He wills.”

– Oswald Chambers

“God Moves In A Mysterious Way”:

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform

He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm

Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take – the clouds you so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense but trust Him for His grace

Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour

The bud may have a bitter taste but sweet will be the flower

Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain

God is His own interpreter and He will make it plain

– William Cowper

Academy Convocation Statement

Thu, 07 May 2020 21:54:00 GMT

Shining Light Baptist Academy
2020-2021 Convocation Statement
Friday Evening September 4

Theme verse: Isaiah 58:12
“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

Restorer – again – turn back – return to the starting point – to lay the foundations again.

At Shining Light, our students learn the right use of knowledge in the context of character with a heart for God and others.

Wisdom provides the ability to use knowledge properly. And, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Character is consistent. Character attracts like character. Character determines destiny. Who we are determines what we will do with our lives.

Without context and character, knowledge is misunderstood, misrepresented and misapplied. We become those who are ever learning; but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

It is our privilege to teach and equip the whole person – mentally, emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually. We are a Distinctively Christian Life Skills Academy using the fixed point of reference of God’s Holy Word to teach the way of salvation, the mind of Christ, integrity and honor.

We come alongside parents, grandparents and caregivers to help lay a solid foundation of faith and academics upon which your child can build a beautiful life – not just a living – a life of advancement and blessing. A life of significance is to be chosen over the arbitrarily defined life of success.

We believe all children are made in the image of God, are loved by God and that He has a purpose, a plan for their lives. They are the stewards of the abilities and opportunities He entrusts to them, and for which they will give account in that day.

We believe that all truth is God’s truth and only the truth can make you free. As we speak the truth in love, we challenge our students to be Shining Lights, to think, to be real and to be free.

We are honored and humbled that you would entrust your child to us to help prepare him or her for a bright future. Our students are truly Jawsome! It’s going to be a Fintastic year!

Please join me in a prayer of dedication for our staff, parents and students for this challenging school year of 2020-2021.

Back To School Principles

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 18:16:00 GMT

by Pastor Tim Cruse

I love the seasons of the year! My favorite is Fall. I have also learned to embrace and enjoy the seasons of life. What a journey! What a challenge! What an adventure!

As we train our children, we must teach them how to distinguish between what is important and what is not. Consider these 3 principles as we turn the page to the next season of the year and life:

1. God created us for a PURPOSE.

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16

The word continuance means a definite period of time; as in from sunrise to sunset. God knows the day of our birth and the day of our death, and everything in between. He did not create a purpose for us. He created us for a purpose.

The great joy in life is discovering God’s purpose for your life, delighting in it and doing it. That is what caught my attention as a senior in high school! I asked over and over in my mind, Why am I here? I wanted to find out why God put me in this world, and then set out to fulfill that purpose.

2. Our purpose determines our PRIORITIES.

“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

And Jesus increased in wisdom (mentally) and stature (physically), and in favour with God (spiritually) and man (socially).”
Luke 2:49, 52

When we set out to fulfill God’s purpose and to be about His business, our priorities continually come into focus (“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” Proverbs 4:18). As we walk in the light of the truth, we understand that God is working on us in all areas of our lives to make us more like Christ so He can work through us to reflect His light to this world in need of hope and healing.

Thus, sacrifice and service become not only what we delight in and do, but who we are. All other things of lesser significance are displaced and fall by the way.

3. Our priorities determine our PLAN

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

It’s been said, “A call to preach is a call to prepare.” Whatever God has put a passion in our hearts to do for His glory requires a plan to prepare for it. If we are going to fulfill God’s purpose, our priorities must be reflected in our calendar – “what gets planned, gets done.”

During this season of life, take time to get along with God and loved ones so you can map out your day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year way forward. If it’s priority, schedule it and other things around it – like daily Prayer and Bible reading, family altar, faithful church attendance, Christian service, witnessing, giving, times of recreation and rest, special trips, the holiday season, etc.

“The disciplined life is the fruitful life!” Look to the Lord and He will put His purpose in your heart. Seek to become more like Jesus Christ in heart, mind and spirit. Make definite, measurable plans to serve Him and others in ways you can above all else.

This Fall can be filled with many colors of blessing and opportunity! May the Lord grant it so for us all.

A New Year Purpose and Prayer

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 14:50:00 GMT

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap…” Ezekiel 22:30

“The longer I live the more I am convinced that godly men and women are not appreciated in our day. But their work will live after them, and there will be a greater work done after they are gone, by the influence of their lives, than when they were living.” DL Moody

I, Tim Cruse, am purposed in 2018 to:

• Walk with God daily

• Rest in His Sovereign will for my life

• Be truly thankful for what I have

• Demonstrate my love and loyalty to my wife and family

• Honor our church family with my diligent and steadfast leadership

• Personally go after more people with the Gospel

• DO what God has put in my heart to do

“Lord, I dedicate myself to you anew. Cleanse me and strengthen me. Guide me, guard me and give me wisdom to navigate the challenges that will arise. Fill me with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Bear fruit that remains through me and our church family. Send consecrated and committed laborers. Help us to trust you in, through and for all things. Help me to rightly steward my mind, my marriage, my money and my ministry in view of standing before you and giving account one day soon. In Jesus name, Amen.”

Have thine own way, Lord,

Have thine own way.

Hold o’er my being absolute sway.

Fill with Thy Spirit, till all shall see

Christ only, always, living in me

The Cries of the Righteous

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 23:24:00 GMT

In the book of Nehemiah chapter 13, the prophet asked the Lord three times to remember all he had done for Him, His people and His house. He had led the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and had reestablished the people in the worship and service. He had put God and others before himself. The enemies of the Lord, however, tried to frustrate Nehemiah’s efforts.

We must be reminded that God’s servants and their work for Him will always be demeaned and disparaged by the self-willed and self-serving. We must also remember the promise of Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Others may forget what we have done for them (Isaiah 49:15,16), but God remembers all we have done for Him and will reward us in His time. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:58‬ ‭

2. “Undertake for me”

In Isaiah 38:14, King Hezekiah cries unto the Lord upon the occasion of his impending death. God had sent word through the prophet Isaiah for the king to set his house in order, “for thou shalt die” (verse 1). As he humbled himself in verse 2 and asked God to remember his faithful service in verse 3, God said in verse 5, “I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.”

Hezekiah recounts the words of his prayer in verses 9-20. The word undertake in verse 14 has the thought of to braid and to intertwine. It also carries the thought to be surety for, a guarantor as in a cosigner. When he cried, “undertake for me,” he was asking God to enter into his situation with him and to pick it up where he left off or came up short. Praise God that He will do just that! He hears our cry of invitation to step into our desperation and to make up the difference as a cosigner would.

3. “Help thou mine unbelief”

We read in Mark 9:14-29 about a young man who was demon possessed and his father who asked Jesus for a greater faith to believe in our Lord’s heart of compassion and ability to deliver his son. He found that in Christ “all things are possible to him that believeth.” Oftentimes we have a measure of faith and are struggling with a confidence of faith. God can not only increase our faith, but He also wants us to know that it’s the object of our faith that matters most. A little mustard seed faith in a great big God can see the impossible made possible.

Perhaps you know deep in your heart God can, but you are really wondering if He will in a certain area of your life. Ask God to come along side of you and relieve your wavering confidence in His promise. Hebrews 11:33 says that through faith His people “obtained promises.” That means that by faith they held to the promise of God until that promise was realized on their behalf. Hold to the promise of God and you will find the God of the promise holding you! “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
If you have lived for the Lord for any length of time, you have taken your licks and learned many lessons. One thing we learn is that though we can be too strong for God to use (II Chronicles 26:16), we can never be too weak (I Corinthians 1:27). Don’t disqualify yourself because of your weaknesses. God is drawn to such that He may show Himself strong on our behalf.
Whatever we face along life’s journey, we have the assurance from God through the promise of His Word that He will remember who we are and what we have done for Him, that He will enter into our trials with us and make up the difference where we come up short, and that He will bless our true faith in Him.
Is your heart crying this hour? By faith, lift your cries unto Him that “heareth, and delivereth.”
Remember me

Undertake for me

Help thou mine unbelief

The Lightning Bolt of Life

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 16:21:00 GMT

Scientists tell us that lightning flashes around the world some 6,000 times per minute. The Bible teaches us that, like a bolt of lightning, our lives are shot through this world in a flash and then we are gone forever.

Our lives are “a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). The days of our years are “soon cut off, and then we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). We are as “a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again” (Psalm 78:39).

Away. Away. Away! We are here today and gone the next; never to pass through this life again. We only get one life to count for God. This is it. We will not get another.

Away then with regret – wishing you were someone else, someplace else, doing something else with your life. If you are doing what God wants you to do, “do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device (planning), nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Give who you are, where you have been and what is left of your life to that which never dies (I Peter 4:12; I John 2:15-17). Determine to make a lasting impact upon your generation by doing the will of God and leaving a legacy of faith in action.

Someone has said, “Life is like a coin; you can spend it any which way you wish. But, you can only spend it once.” Life is short. We must invest the coin of our lives wisely.

Life is also filled with storms. Remember that lightning flashes brightest in the darkest clouds. Do not forsake in the storm what God gave you in the sunshine. The lightning bolt of your life will pass quickly. May it also flash brightly for the glory of God and the good of others!

“One short life t’will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Are You On The Outside Looking In?

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:32:00 GMT

Reaching Forth

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 22:55:00 GMT

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before,” Philippians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭
God has put this theme in my heart for 2017. There are many blessings He has in store for us!

Here are some Biblical thoughts I wrote down this past week:
• It’s easier to tear down than to build up because building requires great effort and commitment. Will you be a builder or breaker in 2017?
• Never underestimate the power of choice! It is God’s great gift to you. DECIDE TODAY to make the necessary changes for a victorious 2017.
• The excitement and anticipation of realizing the fruit of necessary change can help overcome the dread of dealing with what it will take to change. #ReachingForth
• DO NOW what you wish you had done this time last year and what you’ll be glad you did this time next year. #ReachingForth
• The thing you didn’t do because you thought you were too young must not be put off now thinking you’re too old. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!!
May the Lord help us to follow Him with our whole heart as we obey His Word and reach forth.
I am all in for 2017 – are you?

Thank God for Ovens!

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 02:51:00 GMT

“By the breath of God frost is given…” –Job 37:10

Cold, cold morning – below freezing kind of morning. Cold, colder house – broken furnace kind of house.

After our parents parted in 1970, my brother, two sisters and I learned what it was like more and more to make do with less and less. The time came when our old oil furnace was on it’s last leg. We quickly learned the value of having a stove in the kitchen.

We would go to sleep each night covered by an avalanche of blankets and awoke the next day blowing smoke when we spoke. Without hesitation, we would skip across those cold floors to the stove and turn on the oven. There we found instant heat and relief.

Hold it! Wait just a minute. Do you know what below freezing mornings plus broken furnace houses equals? You’re right! Frozen water pipes.

Something else we learned was to leave the kitchen faucet dripping at night so we could boil water the next morning to take a bath in. And, yes – a little pot plus a big tub equaled red-hot bottoms and freezing cold legs! However, mom did say one day, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

Another way we learned to make the most of our situation was to keep a 5 gallon bucket full of water in the bathroom to force-flush the toilet with. We learned to adapt and to do what we had to do. We also learned, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

God wants us to live our lives in such a way that we make the most of what we have. As with Moses, He expects us to use the rod that is in our hand and find a way to do our part as we trust Him to do His part.

Hey, life is an adventure! Ask God for wisdom. Be willing to adapt and be creative. And, have a good attitude. Ovens can do a lot more than you think. Thank God!

“Do your best
and leave the rest.
It will all come right
some day or night.”

What Our Founders Ensured We Must Secure

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 17:45:00 GMT

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1

As sure as God ordained the home and the church, He ordained government “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Timothy 2:2 )

Our founding fathers acknowledged the rule of God in the affairs of men. It was their pursuit of religious liberty that formed this “light upon a hill.” Believing that man must be free to follow the dictates of his own conscience, they based our constitutional form of government upon the principles of personal freedom, responsibility and representation.

Having experienced the oppression of tyranny firsthand, our founders ensured “We the people” would be heard. Many others followed in their steps and shed their life’s blood to secure this right to vote for each generation.

The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Ye are the salt of the earth….Ye are the light of the world.” Because we have been entrusted with a seat at the table of public policy, it is our God-given and freedom-loving responsibility to make our voices heard at the ballot box.

God’s Word is the truth that sets men free. If we will not vote for our Biblical founding values, then values that undermine our foundations will win the day. We must exercise our freedoms to speak up before we lose our freedoms to do so.

Our nation is at a crossroads! The ages old battle between freedom and bondage rages on. It could be that God will hear our cry for mercy and grant us a space of grace as He sees our faith in action.

It’s time to humble ourselves and pray, and stand up and speak out! With grateful hearts to those who’ve gone before us, vote for life (which begins at conception), liberty (including freedom to openly live out and speak of one’s faith) and the pursuit of happiness (fulfilling of one’s God-given opportunity) through justice for all (inalienable rights preserved by law and order). Those who come after us will be glad we did!

Click on this link to read the platforms of our two major parties: http://www.awakeamericaonline.org/2016-party-comparison.html

Some Things I Love About Shining Light

Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:41:00 GMT

1. Glory
We do all that we do for the glory of God and not our own.

2. Bible
All that we believe and do is based upon the teachings of the infallible Word of God.

3. Gospel
The death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is our driving ministry and power that penetrates all of our combined ministry efforts.

4. Family
At the beginning and all the way through to the end of the day, we are family – loving, praying for, communicating and working through challenges.

5. Vision
The pioneering vision and zeal that God has for us is being continually refined and defined by Him, and is “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

6. Opportunity
With the growth of the greater Charlotte area and plenty of land to develop things forward, the door to serve our community is wide open before us.

7. Generational
From the youngest to the oldest, we are committed to “the big picture” and long term impact on lives made possible by honoring our past and reaching forth to our future.

8. Integrity
We have always purposed to do that which is honorable and right by taking the high road and persevering in our commitments and dealings with others.

9. Refreshing
Shining Light has become known as a genuinely friendly place where one’s spirit can be refreshed time and again through Christ-honoring music, solid Bible preaching and fellowship.

10. No respecter of persons
Our heart is to reach “Everybody, Everywhere” as we love and welcome all people and see the value in each individual.

The Christmas Story

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:45:00 GMT

“I love to tell the story of Jesus and His love,” declared the songwriter, Katherine Hankey. Fanny Crosby wrote, “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. Tell how the angels, in chorus, sang as they welcomed His birth, ‘Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth’.”

Truly, history is “His story.” And, The Christmas Story is the greatest story ever told. Just who is “he that came down from heaven” (John 3:13)? Why did He come? How does His story affect the story of my life?

Jesus Christ – Son of man – Son of God – Savior of the world – was born to die that we might live. God’s promise to us is “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9,13). The Christmas Story is one of love, sacrifice and redemption. Why not receive God’s gift of forgiveness of sin today through faith in the Lord (Master) Jesus (Savior) Christ (Promised Messiah- Sent One)?

It is my prayer that The Christmas Story of immeasurable love, willing sacrifice and eternal redemption will be your story from this day forward.

Honoring Those Who Serve Us. Thank You Veterans!

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 14:41:00 GMT

“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Romans 13:7)

I n Romans 13, God instructs us concerning the role of government to protect the right and to punish evil in a society. Because the heart of man is inherently sinful, a healthy living environment is obtained only by peace through strength.

When God is left out of our thoughts, good and evil tend to become reversed in our minds. What was once evil begins to be seen as good and what was once good is seen as evil. The breakdown of God’s order is reflected in a spirit of anarchy wherein every man does that which is right in his own eyes.

Inherent selfishness that is nourished develops people who will not restrain themselves. Unrestrained people will kick against restraint or the rule of law. This is why there must be those of moral character and strength to serve in governmental leadership; those who understand that there is right and wrong as defined by our Creator, and that right must be rewarded and wrong must be punished.

We cannot become gods unto ourselves and endeavor to reinvent human nature, identity, responsibility, and accountability. There is a God in Heaven who created all things and has established the home, the church and the government for our good. His Word has the pattern for each entity’s success in accomplishing His purpose.

We say “Thank you” today to those who have served or are serving our community and country. You are ordained by God and are His servant for good. For this cause we respect and honor you.

God bless you for your service.
God reward you for your sacrifice.
The worth of what you do for us
Is of great value and beyond price.

Believing the Truth Over a Lie

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:56:00 GMT

“Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return […]

A Right Spirit Begets a Free Spirit

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:05:00 GMT

Corrie Ten Boom declared, “There is no sin so deep that His grace is not deeper still.” God is able and willing to cleanse us from any and all sin. Now would be a great time to draw nigh to God and make sure things are right with Him.

Though nothing can separate us from God, we know that our sin can cause Him to withdraw His favor and communion with us. The Holy Spirit indwells all New Testament believers. Through Him we enjoy fellowship, fulness, and fruitfulness. It is of utmost importance that we do not grieve nor quench the Spirit’s working in our lives.

When we have confessed our sin and forsaken it, we must accept and rejoice in God’s forgiveness. Praise the Lord that we can be free from our burden of sin!

God can use what we learn from His dealings with us to instruct and inspire others. May He help us to rise from the mire of our sin and to realize that when we do we can lift many others out of the mire with us.

It’s Our Turn

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 20:23:00 GMT

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)

“T he faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) must be contended for in each generation. If the foundations of faith upon which our freedoms stand are being destroyed, what can we do but lay them again?

Psalm 11 is a Psalm of steadfastness. When the battle is raging and the earth is shaking we must stand fast and remember that:

1. God is on His throne

“The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (Psalm 11:4)

2. God will judge those who reject Him

“The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest:this shall be the portion of their cup.” (Psalm 11:5, 6)

3. God is on the side of those who love Him

“For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” (Psalm 11:7)

Praise the Lord for the wonderful heritage we have as Bible-believers! I am thankful for those who have gone before us and blazed a trail of love for God, truth, and others.

However, while generations have passed away, the baton of truth has been handed to us. It’s our turn to do our part in our day to pray, proclaim the gospel of Christ, and promote the work of God.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1)

“I’ve enlisted in the fight, for the cause of truth and right. Oh, praise the Lord, I’m on the winning side!”

A Team Player

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 22:02:00 GMT

“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” (John 5:17)

Jesus Christ is our great example. In this verse, He tells us how we work together with the Father to accomplish His will. He does His part; we do our part.

As labourers together with God, we are on the same team and understand that if the team wins, we win.

What does it take then to be a team player?

1. A team player values the good of the team above his or her own good.

• A team has a mission – it has values, principles and goals it establishes as avenues to fulfill that mission.
• As long as the mission is being accomplished, no sacrifice is too great.
• The goal of Navy SEALS training is to see what it will take to make you quit. Only those who refuse to quit under the most extreme circumstances make it.

2. A team player is willing to do his or her part.

• Is a giver, not a taker – starts with “What can I do to help my team?” instead of “What can my team do to help me?”
• Appreciates the opportunity and investment being made in him or her
• “Work is not work to a worker” – fulfilling a mission – willing to do what it takes to reach that goal – gets started and develops forward – always working on to improve.
• “Winners compare their achievements with their goals, not with those of other people.”

3. A team player follows instructions.

• Understands the principle of responsibility and accountability as well as the benefit of decisive leadership.
• Trusts the leader’s commitment and good faith to put team needs above his own.
• Responds without hesitation and without trying to deflect or redirect the instructions given.
• Staff members, like assistant coaches, point players to the coach and stir the team to follow his lead.

What we are seeing today is a culture in its rebellion against God and the order He has established coming apart at the seams.

“By him all things consist ” (are held together – Colossians 1:17)

Only Jesus Christ can hold our team together. May we look to Him, die to self, and win the rewards of His mission accomplished.

A Gratitude Adjustment

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 19:57:00 GMT

“ ^1. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. ^2. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. ^3. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. ^4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ^5. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100)

I have never met a joyful Christian who was not a thankful Christian. Joyfulness and thanksgiving go hand-in-hand. Where there is one, you will find the other.

Oftentimes, we say we should be more thankful. That is true. But, we must understand that to get to verse 4 we must travel through verses 1-3. The root of knowing God and rejoicing in Him will produce the by-product fruit of gratefulness.

When we pray, it is not so much that God might get to know our heart, but that we might get to know His heart. As we go deeper into the heart of God, we will love Him more, worship Him more and thank Him more.

Find yourself in need of a gratitude adjustment this Thanksgiving? What you really need is an attitude adjustment toward God. Draw nigh to Him. Spend time in personal prayer and fellowship through His Word. Work on your walk (rejoicing in Him) and your talk (thanksgiving) will follow.

With One Mind and One Mouth

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:53:00 GMT

“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God…” (Romans 15:6)

All of life is a stewardship. It’s not about what happens to us, but what we do with what happens to us. Of all the things we cannot control, there are two things we can – our mind and our mouth.

The simplicity and power of this God-given capacity must not be over-looked. As free moral agents, God has designed our lives in such a way that we are ultimately at the mercy of no one but ourselves and Him. We get to control what goes into and what comes out of our mind and our mouth.

We either live to eat or eat to live. As healthy food is fuel for the body, so are healthy thoughts for the mind. Snacks are not altogether wrong of themselves; it’s whether you make a steady diet of them. Some things you watch or listen to are not wrong of themselves, it’s how much of them you consume. A victorious Christian is one who has learned that you are what you eat – physically and spiritually – and has chosen a healthy diet for the mind and the mouth.

A life that is fruitful is a life that is disciplined. Sluggishness and lethargy come easy – eat whatever, drink whatever, watch whatever, listen to whatever. It’s the life lived on purpose that maximizes its opportunity and quality.

The nature we feed is the one that will flourish. May we take proper care of our bodies as the temples of the Holy Spirit and feed the spirit man as we glorify God with our mind and our mouth.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (III John 2)

Homecoming 52

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 23:08:00 GMT

Click to view slideshow.

“The LORD hath done GREAT THINGS for us; whereof we are glad.” –Psalm 126:3

God has shown Himself strong to the Shining Light Baptist Church family! Our Homecoming 52 weekend was blessed beyond measure. The services were refreshing. The meals were delicious. The fellowship was sweet. We thank God for those who trusted Christ and for those who were added to the church.

Praise the Lord for the completed projects we got to dedicate to Him. He allowed us to honor Mrs. Kathleen Jordan and her family and to thank Mr. & Mrs. Mike Love. May he bless the Harbour House for our children’s home and the Fresh Start Lake House for single mothers with children.

One of our preachers called out of Shining Light, John Carlo, was used of God to preach a powerful message Sunday night on sacrifice. What a joy it was to present him with a check to cover the cost of his entire final semester at Bible college. Thank you to all who gave.

And, what can I say for what our church family did for me and my family for Pastor Appreciation Day and my 52nd Birthday?! A genuine THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. We love you and count it a true privilege to serve the Lord with you.

May God receive all the glory and honor – “GREAT THINGS He hath done!”

I Have a Problem – God Has the Answer

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:04:00 GMT

“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:17-19)

Think on these great truths:
• We cry – the LORD hears
• We struggle – the LORD draws nigh
• We are afflicted – the LORD delivers

We are serving a God who is powerful. There is nothing too hard for Him, and with Him all things are possible!

We are serving a God who is personal. He who created and oversees all things and people knows us by name and is privy to the intimate needs of our lives.

We are serving a God who is pleased. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross satisfied His righteous judgment. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Oh, how He delights in us when we humble ourselves and trust Him in the trials of life. Whether we cry or sigh, the LORD is nigh.

Count It All Joy

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:00:00 GMT

A Message Preached on Sunday, June 29th at Shining Light Baptist Church in Monroe, NC

Things to Tighten Up

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:19:00 GMT

A Message Preached on Father’s Day at Shining Light Baptist Church in Monroe, NC

The Pastor & His Family’s Relationship with You & Your Family

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:55:00 GMT

“For we are labourers together with God” –I Corinthians 3:9

1. We love you and your family – thank you for loving us.

2. We are praying for you – please keep praying for us.

3. We understand that the key to healthy relationships is keeping our own heart right with God – we’ll all be glad we took responsibility for our own spirituality.

4. We try our best to respond to you in grace and mercy, and give you the benefit of the doubt when needed – we appreciate you responding likewise to us.

5. We view serving the Lord as a family with you as a privilege – we want you to feel the same way.

6. We know we win when you win – likewise, you win when we win.

7. We are in this thing for the glory of God and the good of others – let’s keep making it about Him and them.

8. We haven’t always gotten things right, but we have tried to quickly make things right – let’s keep short accounts with God and each other.

9. We are committed for the long run – let’s deal with what must be dealt with and keep going.

10. We’ve come a long way, but have a ways to go – let’s work together to develop things forward.

*Written to the members of the Shining Light Baptist Church

I Will Carry

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:16:00 GMT

A Message Preached on Sunday, June 1st at Shining Light Baptist Church in Monroe, NC

Mothers Who Hear and Do

Tue, 13 May 2014 00:43:00 GMT

A Message Preached on Mother’s Day at Shining Light Baptist Church in Monroe, NC

A Woman that Feareth the Lord

Tue, 13 May 2014 00:25:00 GMT

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” –Proverbs 31:30 A woman that feareth the Lord, She shall be praised. Of […]

Sunday’s Newsletter Nugget – Do You Delight in God? He Delights in You

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:29:00 GMT

“For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people” –Psalm 149:4

I take pleasure in my family. I’m always thinking about them, planning things for them and looking forward to being with them. It blesses me so to know that they look forward to being with me and enjoy the things I do for them.

Likewise, it is of great comfort to know that God delights in us! He looks after us, takes care of us and is pleased to spend time with us when we invite Him into the fellowship of our lives.

“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” – Psalm 147:11

It also delights the heart of God when we respect Him and express confidence in His heart toward us.

“Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant” – Psalm 35:27

Our God is more interested in our own well-being than we often think. He takes pleasure in our safety, favor and strength. No wonder the Psalmist said in Psalm 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” When we take pleasure in the LORD, we will find a God who takes pleasure in us.

For the Lord Taketh Pleasure in His People

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 20:01:00 GMT

A Message Preached on Sunday, April 27th at Shining Light Baptist Church

If We Sin Willfully

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:52:00 GMT

A Message Preached on Sunday, April 20th at Shining Light Baptist Church

Sunday’s Newsletter Nugget – A Harbour of Hope

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 16:14:00 GMT

“Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.” –Psalm 71:3 “What a friend […]

Why Would You Sin Against Yourself?

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:43:00 GMT

A Message on the Emptiness of Sin

Be Thou My Strong Habitation

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:25:00 GMT

A message on the strength of God

Sunday’s Newsletter Nugget – Learning from Sin

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 16:36:00 GMT

1. Some learn from others’ sin

“Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like” (Ezekiel 18:14)

2. Some learn from their own sin

“Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:28)

3. Some learn, some don’t learn from their sin

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” (Ezekiel 18:30)

Sunday’s Newsletter Nugget – Let’s Go Forward Together

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 15:02:00 GMT

“…ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.” –Zechariah 8:13 It is a great comfort to know that as a child of God you have a future; […]

What I’ve Learned and Been Assured Of

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 18:20:00 GMT

A message preached on Pastor Cruse’s 24th Anniversary celebration at Shining Light Baptist Church

Thoughts on Being a Faithful Man

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 19:49:00 GMT

When sorely tried, stand still on the promises of God. When everyone but God is saying, “Move,” do not jump ship and wreck your family. Do not forsake in the dark what God has given you in the light. One of your greatest fears should be getting out of the will of God, and thereby losing the influence and opportunity He has given you.

You will always leave God with more than you return to Him with. If you make it back to God, your family may not (2 Chronicles 33:12, 23; Job 9:4; John 21:3).

According to Isaiah 50:11, the greatest spiritual darkness is the light kindled by the fire of your own understanding, which shines on the path that leads you away from God (Proverbs 3:5–6, 4:19; Matthew 6:22–23; 1 Peter 2:8; 1 John 2:10–11).

Like David, you make yourself more susceptible to temptation when you disobey God’s Word—even if you disregard just one area (2 Samuel 11:1).

Like Samson, you cannot lay aside your consecrated service to God and “be as another man” (Judges 16:7; 2 Chronicles 33:9; Luke 12:48).

You will not die doing right, though it may seem so at times (Genesis 25:32). That which seems to be killing you is in reality keeping you alive by forcing you to deal with sin or seek God (Joshua 7:11; Psalm 119:67, 71, 75, 92, 143).

Faith is looking unto Jesus and living without scheming. God can visit that famishing home or church of yours again ( “Again in this place” Jeremiah 33:12).

Thoughts On Being a Faithful Man

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 14:52:00 GMT

Listen to more messages on the family throughout the month of February at shininglightmonroe.com.

Follow After Charity in Your Marriage

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:31:00 GMT

Listen to more messages on the family throughout the month of February here.

I Serve A Risen Saviour!

Tue, 11 Feb 2014 23:15:00 GMT

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” –Acts 4:33

The Person of the Resurrection
I was witnessing to a group of high school students in Northfield, Massachusetts several years ago when a student said, “One of my professors told me that he had studied the major religions of the world and that they all basically say the same thing.” I responded, “Jesus Christ declared, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ Now, take the words of this One who lived a perfect life, healed the sick and raised the dead and set them beside what your professor said. Consider the credentials of both men and decide who you will believe.”

The Power of the Resurrection
The Lord Jesus Christ is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) and “the first fruits of them that slept” (I Corinthians 15:20), because He is “the Son of God with power…by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave by the power of Almighty God – “Death is swallowed up in victory!” Though God-manifest-in-the-flesh was crucified and buried, on the third day, “up from the grave he arose!” The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that will raise us from the dead – “he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live…believest thou this?” (John 11:25,26)

The Proclamation of the Resurrection
Can you imagine the level of zeal and commitment unto death the disciples would have had for a hoax? Had they stolen His body away, they of all people would have known they were representing a lie. Yet, because they had seen the resurrected Saviour firsthand, “with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 4:33). They gave themselves and all they had to proclaim this message of truth and hope.

Because He lives, we can face whatever He allows to come our way. By grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors. Let’s go tell someone about our risen Saviour today!

Sunday’s Newsletter Nugget – Striving Together

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 22:44:00 GMT

”that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” –Philippians 1:27 The ultimate goal of our combined efforts is to take […]

A Hedge About Him and His Family

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 22:10:00 GMT

Sunday’s Newsletter Nugget – Lights in the World

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:42:00 GMT

”among whom ye shine as lights in the world” –Philippians 2:15

Because we know God and have the light of His Word, we understand that He is at work in our lives to shine the light of truth into this world of spiritual darkness. The more the world turns aside from God, the more we should turn toward Him and one another.

May God help us to be faith-filled people who demonstrate genuine trust in Him through our prayers and participation in His work. As your Pastor, I have but one desire – that God be glorified in this place as we press forward in His service.

2013 in Review

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:12:00 GMT

A look back at the “Better Things” God did at Shining Light in 2013

Sunday’s Newsletter Nugget – Forward, March!

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:38:00 GMT

”Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” –Exodus 14:15

The greatly blessed missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, declared, “God is always advancing!” Even in times when God is proving us, He is advancing our faith.

The time comes when our faith is demonstrated before man by recognizing the miraculous Red Sea-parting hand of God upon us and pressing forward across the dry land of His will.

These are the days of opportunity for which we have prayed and waited. May God unite our hearts to fear His name and “to set forward the work of the house of the LORD!” (I Chronicles 23:4).

Are You Willing?

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 02:12:00 GMT

The Heart Attitude God is Looking for

In Due Season

Tue, 07 Jan 2014 23:19:00 GMT

A message on perseverance

5 Reasons to Give to God in 2014

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 19:37:00 GMT

“Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” –I Chronicles 29:5

King David was leading the people to give to God and His work.

Why Give To God?
1. All things belong to Him. – v. 10, 11
2. All that we have comes from Him. – v. 12, 14
3. He is worthy of our trust and praise. – v. 13
4. We will give account to Him for how we managed what He gave to us. – v. 15
• Here for a short time
– “Do your giving while you’re living so you’re knowing where its going”
5. He sees our hearts. – v. 17 (I Chronicles 28:9)

Conclusion: The work of God is not built upon spare time and spare change. We cannot out give God. Invest your time, talent and treasure in that which never dies.

The Christmas Story

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:03:00 GMT

“I love to tell the story of Jesus and His love,” declared the songwriter, Katherine Hankey. Fanny Crosby wrote, “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word. Tell […]

A Light to Lighten

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 17:27:00 GMT

How to turn on the Christmas Light!

Jesus Christ, the Great I Am

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:38:00 GMT

A message on the preeminence of Christ

Be Anxious for Nothing

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:36:00 GMT

A message on the peace of God

It’s a Good Thing to Give Thanks

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:24:00 GMT

A message on gratitude

Lost At The End

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 18:48:00 GMT

A message on finishing strong

Turn Yourselves, and Live Ye

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 23:09:00 GMT

Preached at the Shining Light Baptist Church on November 10, 2013

Tendeth

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 18:38:00 GMT

Preached at the Shining Light Baptist Church on November 3, 2013

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:52:00 GMT

The greatest gift a father can give to his children is to give himself to his heavenly Father each day in prayer.

Down, But Not Out

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:19:00 GMT

My bills are due, the payments are stout;
I may be down, but I’m not out.
My mind is cluttered, I wonder, I doubt;
I may be down, but I’m not out.
My body is aching, it may be gout;
I may be down, but I’m not out.
My hair is disappearing, no new sprouts;
I may be down, but I’m not out.
My job is changing, got to go another route;
I may be down, but I’m not out.
My friend has forsaken, no use to pout;
I may be down, but I’m not out.
My Savior was crucified,
From the tomb He did shout,
“I may be down, but I’m not out.”

“Cast down, but not destroyed” –II Corinthians 4:9

Free Chorus Download

Fri, 26 Jul 2013 19:38:00 GMT

Download PDF

The Band of Others

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 14:46:00 GMT

“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings…being destitute, afflicted, tormented…” –Hebrews 11:36,37

Welcome to the fraternity of the forgotten – the society of silent sufferers – you are not alone – yes, your same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. While some were delivered from certain trials, others of us have been entrusted with the opportunity to prove God faithful by facing them head-on. We know what it is to die a thousand deaths, to implode, to wither, to have nothing left within, but the resigned whisper of our smoking flax – “So, this is faith.” We speak your language. We feel your pain.

We’ve met the maddening Mr. O. P. Pression of 7:7 Ecclesiastes Alley where we were in the fight of our lives for our lives with him and his vengeful wife, De Pression. We’ve had our heart ripped out in Room 109:16 at Psalm Medical Sinner and walked all over by Dr. Merciless and Nurse Never-good-enough. We know what it is to be doubted, discredited, despised, deserted, and destroyed. We’ve been taken advantage of and had our good evil spoken of. We’ve had to pray, fast, work, sacrifice, wait and hope for victory while every inch of effort was being contested, and the vessel of our service to God was taking on wave upon wave of torrential waters.

And, yes, we’ve had our moments – our fainting fits – our when we questioned God’s power and wisdom – times when we wanted to “save ourselves” by coming down from the cross of surrender – times when we lost it and wished we had never been born – times of tempestuous pain when we sighed and cried and writhed in internal agony – times when we were shaken to pieces; believing without doubt we were finished and that our lives would end in the dungeon of defeat. Our soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in us. Selah.

While drinking our cup of suffering in our own Gethsemane, our soul melted when we saw the thick, dark clouds of opposition gather and strut toward us on the betraying legs of lightning. We’ve been as the refuged moon peering through a curtain of clouds waiting for the stormnight of thunderous threatenings to pass. We’ve longed for the morning of victorious clearing to see the Sun of Righteousness rise as our radiant King and march through the sky of our lives once again.

Tracked and racked – we’ve been there. We’ve been tracked by the hounds of Hell and had our faith stretched on the rack of ruin. We’ve bore our cross and His reproach. We’ve been cast into the fiery furnace of affliction. But, we were not alone. We found Him there – the fourth man who never left the fire. He was right there waiting on us. Instead of taking us, He taught us. He used the freedom of the fire to show us our dross of pride and self-will, and to put purified iron in our soul. He is weaning us from the praise of men and from leaning on our own understanding – emptying us of ourselves so we can be filled with His fulness. In breaking us, He is making us. In bruising us, He is using us. When it comes to learning God’s way and the reward of the struggle, we’ve been privileged to live it so we could give it. We’ve found that in losing, we’ve won.

As a badge of honour, our sufferings identify us with Christ and each other. Whether we, as David’s mighty men, are drawn together by distress, debt or discontent, the fire of God’s Word is still in our bones and we’d still rather have Jesus more than anything this world has to offer. We are willing to be a nobody – to keep taking risks and laying it all on the line – to be lightly esteemed among men and yet, highly esteemed by God. We are the faint, yet pursuing; the weak, though anointed; the cast down, but not destroyed. By His Spirit, we are a part of the few, the brave, the battle-ready, the bound and determined by the grace of God. “Til the death” – we are…The Band of Others.

“(Of whom the world was not worthy:)” –Hebrews 11:38

He Knows My Name

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:33:00 GMT

Please continue to pray for the fatherless.

Potential

Wed, 29 May 2013 18:45:00 GMT

Written to challenge the Shining Light Baptist Academy Class of 2013.

Potential – what is it?

It is a hope, a vision, a prospect, a capacity.
It is an amazing capability realized with audacity.
It is a purpose – exciting, inviting and awaiting.
It is the possibility you’ve been anticipating.

Potential – who has it?

It is individual. It is unique. It is you.
You are an intrigue woven bundle of it through and through.
It wears your smile. It is seen in your eyes.
It is your heartbeat and your journey of hello’s and goodbye’s.

Potential – what will you do with it?

It is before you. It is a treasure to discover.
It invites you it’s beauty and riches to uncover.
It awaits your pursuit. It’s calling your name.
Go for the gold – stand fast and stake your claim!

Free Chorus Download

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:50:00 GMT

Download PDF

An Open Door

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:50:00 GMT

God has opened the door to continue the ministry of a children’s home in Monroe, NC. Founders and Directors Sal and Pauline Citro, and the Board of Directors have asked Pastor Tim Cruse and the Shining Light Baptist Church family to assume the ministry by becoming the new President and Board of The Shepherd’s Place.

• Located on 125 wooded acres in Monroe, NC.
• Built in 1991 with a present tax value of over $1.3 million.
• Fully furnished with site plan and infrastructure for future development already in place.
• 40 acres set aside for growing food & cattle (farm equipment & cattle needed – items are also being received for the home’s Thrift Store)
• Used of the Lord to help a number of children.

Bro. Citro is now 84 years old. He and his wife have been praying for several years for God to raise up someone to continue this ministry. The main burden of their hearts, and that of the founding board members, is to retire the remaining notes in the amount of $625,000 that they originally incurred to buy the land and build the home.

We are asking pastors to pray about leading their church families to invest in the lives of precious children by taking up an offering to help retire these commitments so the home can begin the next chapter strong, and to also consider supporting the home each month. Several churches and individuals have already committed to give $1,000 each. Any amount God would lead you to give will be greatly appreciated.

We are also asking individuals, businesses, and anyone else you may know who can help, to please go through this open door with us as we trust God to make a way for this home to continue. To request a DVD copy of our video for yourself or to share with others, call (704) 283-1480.

Tax-deductible gifts & support can be sent to:
PO Box 1743 | Monroe, NC 28111
– or –
given online at theshepherdsplacechildrenshome.com

Blessed Children

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:53:00 GMT

“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.“ – Proverbs 20:7 In order for our homes to produce “Blessed Children” we must: Establish Authority – Father […]

Remember the Lord

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:04:00 GMT

“ But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day .” – Deuteronomy 8:18

A Guide To Christmas Cheer

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:12:00 GMT

Strengthening The Home

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 01:14:00 GMT

We’ve: Woven Together Forever

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:12:00 GMT

Home

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:15:00 GMT

Thoughts On Being A Faithful Man

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:31:00 GMT

Follow After Charity

Tue, 01 May 2012 19:01:00 GMT

“Follow after charity…” –I Corinthians 14:1

A wife once exclaimed, “Me and my husband have fussed for 50 years. I’m praying that God will take one of us to Heaven. And when God answers my prayer, I’m going to move in with my sister!’

There is no such thing as a perfect marriage, but God’s Word does command husbands and wives to love one another – in spite of our faults! One word for “love” that God uses is “agape” – a deep, abiding loyal devoted/committed love. Another word He uses is “phileo” – a fondness for; affectionate love; to give attention to. God’s Word is clear on this subject of love within the bond of marriage:

-Tim Cruse

He Is Near

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:58:00 GMT

“The Lord is at hand” Philippians 4:5 There are times in the Christian walk when the Lord seems far away. The dew of His conscious presence no longer saturates the […]

"O LORD, Hear Me"

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:41:00 GMT

King David was pouring his heart out to God. He cried, “save thy servant” (v. 2), “Rejoice the soul of thy servant” (v. 4), and “give thy strength unto thy servant” (v. 16). David knew who was serving Who. He realized that he was subject to God and that God was not subject to him.

This is the heart of our cries unto God – we need Him! He is greater than us and can do what we cannot. We must humble ourselves before this God who is “full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth” (v. 15).

Faith in God brings the favour of God and man. In verse 17, David cried, “Shew me a token for good…” . May we seek God and His favour this week. Let’s ask Him to give us favour with those we are working with. Know that when our heart touches God’s, He touches others’ for us.

–Tim Cruse

God Is Waiting For You

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:24:00 GMT

We often speak of waiting on God to do certain things in our lives. Yet, there are times when God is waiting on us to do certain things. He wants us to:

1. Start Doing Things His Way

May the Lord help us today to take verse 15 to heart, “In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” . Let’s return to the Lord by doing things His way, listening to what He is saying and following His lead.

God Is A Refuge For Us

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:14:00 GMT

A Fresh Start for the New Year

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:32:00 GMT

Should I Do As I Have Done?

“Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” – Zechariah 7:3

The people of God had observed fasts for certain special days in their history each year that God had not commanded them to. Though commendable, they were to be willing to adjust their disciplines to make sure they were doing what God had commanded with the right heart attitude.

Sometimes our spiritual disciplines can become habits without heart. In light of the new year, we need to ask ourselves: Is my walk with the Lord in need of some fine tuning and freshness? Am I in a rut spiritually? Going through the motions? Settling for a form of godliness? In strengthening the fundamentals of my Christian life, do I need to adjust certain particulars? May the Holy Spirit enlighten me as I consider:

My Bible Reading

My Prayer Life

My Church Attendance

My Witnessing

My Giving

“Dear God, help me to outline and, from my heart, act upon what you have shown me. In Jesus name, Amen.”

-Tim Cruse

A Guide to Christmas Cheer

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:49:00 GMT

The Foundation of Contentment

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:48:00 GMT

Another Spirit

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:42:00 GMT

With My Whole Heart

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:58:00 GMT

With an upright, sincere whole-heartedness, I want to ask the Lord to:

1. Draw Me Nearer – “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” (vs. 10)

2. Give Me Understanding – “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (vs. 34)

3. Shine On Me – “I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.” (vs. 58)

4. Help Me to Do Right – “The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.” (vs. 69)

5. Deliver Me – “I cried with my whole heart; hear me O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.” (vs. 145)

Sin will keep you from this Book – “They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.” (vs. 150)

This Book will keep you from sin – “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (vs. 11)

This message can be listened to in its entirety at shininglightmonroe.com or by clicking here

–Tim Cruse

We Serve a Great God

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:01:00 GMT

1. God uses what we have, not what we don’t have. “He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.” (vs. 38)

2. God orders His work. “And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.” (vs. 39, 40) – the right people, place, time, and way.

Fresh Anointing

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:48:00 GMT

“It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:21). God, in His greatness and sovereignty, has chosen something seemingly foolish to the world to convey the gospel. He has chosen us as preachers to tell the wondrous story of amazing grace and redemption!

What Do You Have Coming?

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:06:00 GMT

“And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Galatians 6:9

God instructs us in Romans 13:7 to “Render therefore to all their dues…honour to whom honour” and in I Samuel 2:30 that “them that honour me I will honour”.

• A Faithful Man – read how God honoured Joseph in Psalm 105:17-22 and understand that God uses people to treat us in ways we do not deserve to prepare us for the honour we do deserve; that is coming our way.

• A Faithful Wife – “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come” (Proverbs 31:25). She looks at the future and smiles because she knows “a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (vs. 30). Honour is coming to her house.

• A Faithful Child – children who obey and honour their parents have the promise from God “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3). Blessing and fullness of days are on their way to them.

Victor Frankel, who lived in a Nazi death camp, stated, “The prisoner who had lost faith in the future – his future – was doomed.” May God help us to “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). Don’t lose heart and stop short. Your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Do right and the honour that is traveling your way will soon reach its destination.

–Tim Cruse

I Believe

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:31:00 GMT

I Believe…

1. “There is a God in Heaven” – Daniel 2:28

2. The Bible is His Word – “that revealeth secrets” – vs. 28

3. He has a plan for my life – “But as for me” – vs. 30

4. There is nothing too hard for Him – What “there is not a man on earth

that can” do, “there is a God in Heaven that” can. – vs. 10 & 28

5. He will bring His plan to pass in His time – 12:9-13

David and Daniel believed that God would show them good when others were showing them bad, and that He would strengthen them in times of great challenge – and He did!

–Tim Cruse

Our Seeking Savior

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:45:00 GMT

Our Abundant God

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:02:00 GMT

Our Abundant God offers us abundant:

A Life That Matters

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:05:00 GMT

We only pass through life but once. Many of us already have a number of miles under our feet. We do not know the measure of our days and surely do not want to waste the ones we have remaining. Charles Spurgeon said, “None live so fruitlessly and so wretchedly as those who allow sense and sight to override faith, and their reason and appetite to domineer over their fear of God.” Unbelief, pride, and self-will when added together equals emptiness and multiplies sorrow. “What a nothing is our life” apart from divine grace and purpose. God help us to get a hold of His willand live a life that matters. Every day spent in His service can be filled to overflowing.

Assurance For Your Storm

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:45:00 GMT

“…from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

Some Better Than None

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:46:00 GMT

A Father’s Name

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:29:00 GMT

The Nathan Principle

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:28:00 GMT

“…and Zabud the son of Nathan was the principle officer, and the king’s friend” – I Kings 4:5 Why was Zabud so honored by King Solomon? Why was he such […]

My Prayer

Mon, 16 May 2011 14:49:00 GMT

“Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer” – Psalm 86:6

Mighty in the Midst

Tue, 03 May 2011 20:02:00 GMT

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty” – Zephaniah 3:17

The capitalized name “ LORD ” means “Jehovah – the self-existent One.” Our God is the true and living God. In His omnipresence, He is everywhere at the same time. In His omniscience, He is all-knowing. In His omnipotence, He is all-powerful.

Psalm 113:5,6 declares, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” What a wonder to think that the mighty God of heaven can be known personally and, as our text indicates, is in the very midst of the lives of His people.

God is with us in the midst of our circumstances, our fiery furnaces, our storms, our times of want, our loneliness, our sickness, our family stress.

Praise God that He is not on the outside of our lives looking in, but on the inside looking out for us.

“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” – Daniel 3:25

–Tim Cruse

The Ripple-Effect of Influence

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:19:00 GMT

It is easy for young ripplers to discern that the increasing breadth and length of a ripple is a direct result of the size of the object making the ripple and the force behind it. If God is the force behind the large faith-rock of your life, He can toss you higher than any other and cause you to make waves in the water of this world that will touch many lives.

Because God’s force is not forced upon anyone, He draws others to Himself often through the influence of a godly life – someone who is light in darkness and preserving salt in the midst of decay.

This world does not need someone walking in step with it – offering a cheap imitation of what it already has. People all around us need the influence of a life that is in step with God; walking in the steps of Christ and becoming more like Him (Ezekiel 36:23; Romans 8:29).

The opportunity to influence others stands on the shoulders of credibility. As others see honor and integrity in your life, they are more likely to listen to what you have to say. When they discern diligence and dedication, sacrifice and service, and concern and character, they may not agree with you, but they will respect you. They will know that you are a higher caliber ( “Ten times better” – Daniel 1:20) and an extra miler. And, at some point, people listen to those they respect. Thus, the greatest tool you have to impact the world for Christ and the generations that follow is the influence of a godly life.

The Apostle Paul declared, “For to me to live is Christ.” Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift and giver. He came “to give His life a ransom for many.” If we will walk in the way of His wisdom, we will realize, “For to me to live is to give.”

Genuine living is about giving. We will never be fulfilled as takers. There will never be enough. True contentment will escape us. The way for our influence to live on after we die is to die to self-gain while we live. The life that gives now will gain then. God will bless you and others through that kind of life.

Therefore, do right. Do your best. Be wise in whom you allow to influence your life. Your influence will reflect their’s. Seek out influences who are going the way God wants you to go. “Get wisdom…exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour… a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” (Proverbs 4:7-9).

More people listen to those who wear crowns than to those who do not.

–Tim Cruse

Urgency Begets Fervency

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:55:00 GMT

“It is time for thee, LORD, to work: ” – Psalm 119:126

Treasures of Truth

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:53:00 GMT

As the spoils of battle go to the victor, so the treasures of truth go to those who prevail upon the flesh by appropriating the powerful armaments found in God’s book of triumph. Proverbs 6:22-23 speaks of the bounty of hearing God’s Word outwardly and writing it upon the tablets of our hearts inwardly:

Those discovering God’s will for their lives are in His Word daily. Those whose testimonies and opportunities are preserved of God are in His Word daily. Those enjoying communion with God are in His Word daily. The headlights of Bible promises and the guardrails of Bible commandments keep us on the highway of abundant life in Christ (Prov. 13:6).

The Lightning Bolt of Life

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:39:00 GMT

Scientists tell us that lightning flashes around the world some 6,000 times per minute. Like a bolt of lightning, we are shot through this world in a flash and then gone forever.

Our lives are “a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). The days of our years are “soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). We are as “a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again” (Psalm 78:39).

Away, away, away! We are here today and gone the next; never to pass through this life again. We only get one life to count for God. This is it. We will not get another.

Away then with regret – wishing you were someone else, someplace else, doing something else. If you are doing what God wants you to do, “do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Give who you are, where you have been and what is left of your life to that which never dies (I Peter 4:2, I John 2:15-17). You do not have to consume away and die for want of instruction (Proverbs 5:23). Listen up and take note.

Someone has said, “Life is like a coin, you can spend it any which way you wish. But, you can only spend it once.” Life is short. How are you spending the coin of your life?

Life is filled with storms. And, we know that lightning flashes brightest during the darkest storm. How bright will the flash of your life be?

–Tim Cruse

Are You Available?

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:47:00 GMT

God oftentimes sees more in us than we see in
ourselves. While we see our own insufficiencies,
He sees His ability to do mighty things through
the lives of those who will take Him at His Word.

Gideon thought that he did not have the lineage,
the standing among men, nor the possessions to
do something eternally significant with his life.
What he learned was that God was looking for a
man who would trust Him completely to do what
only He could do through him. It was not about
ability; it was about availability of life and nobility
of character.

Many are those who have made themselves
available to defend the freedoms of our nation.
Some gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.
God give us more men and women who will make
themselves available to fulfill their duties toward
Him, their families, and our country at all cost.

– Tim Cruse

Speak Up

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:53:00 GMT

“Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace” -II Kings 7:9

How long has it been since you told someone how to be saved? Have you made any attempts of late to obey your Lord by declaring the good tidings of salvation by grace through faith?

The contemplations of the weightier matters of life are bearing down upon many in this day of political instability and economic uncertainty. There are people all around us that God is dealing with and are open to consider the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A noted preacher once asked, “Why should anyone hear the gospel twice when there are those who have never heard it once?” God help us to shine the light of gospel knowledge to the ones who will cross our path today.

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ” -Proverbs 4:18

– Tim Cruse

While There Is Hope

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:48:00 GMT

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 The following poem was sent to my […]

Home

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:08:00 GMT

Home

“…that where I am, there ye may be also.”

John 14:3

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His own.

When they leave us, they go to their heavenly home.

Absent from the body and present with our Savior so fair,

They are home and no pain can enter there.

Home where the streets are paved with the purest of gold,

Home where the half has not been told,

Home where the gates of pearl are made,

Home where the radiance of God’s glory will never fade,

Home where there is one endless day,

Home from which I am sure they would say,

“Make ready my dear loved ones so faithful and true,

Because death will soon be coming to you.”

We are thankful they are well and have no more care,

But when the roll is called up yonder will you be there?

“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.”

John 3:16

– Tim Cruse

Should I Do As I Have Done?

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:56:00 GMT

Should I Do As I Have Done?

“Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” – Zechariah 7:3

Is my walk with the Lord in need of some fine tuning and freshness? Am I in a rut spiritually? Going through the motions? Settling for a form of godliness? In strengthening the fundamentals of my Christian life, do I need to adjust certain particulars? May the Holy Spirit enlighten me as I consider:

My Bible Reading

Should I read the Bible all the way through in one year’s time by reading three chapters per day?

Should I read a chapter in Proverbs per day?

What about a Proverb, five Psalms and a chapter in Acts each day for a month?

What about two OT chapters and one NT chapter per day?

What about mastering one book of the Bible by reading it through each day for one month? Then, a new book the next month throughout the year.

What about reading the NT through – one, two or three chapters per day?

What about one chapter per day in a book with close to thirty chapters?

My Prayer Life

Should I spend more time giving thanks?

Do I need to update my prayer list?

Do I have a definite time planned for prayer?

Do I need to get involved in a prayer meeting?

Have I taken the time to write down some past known answers to my prayers?

What about studying the subject of prayer? Listening to some sermons on prayer? Asking others about how God has answered their prayers?

What about attending a Prayer Retreat? Or taking a day or two to get alone with God to pray and think through some things?

What about a prayer and fasting time when I skip a meal(s) to pray?

What about seeking out a prayer partner to pray with and to help hold me accountable?

Should I write some people and let them know that I am praying for them by name?

Am I willing to memorize some verses on prayer?

What can I do to start or strengthen my family altar? New time? Involvement of other family members? Read the great stories of the Bible? Change tone or spirit of?

My Church Attendance

Do I see the wisdom of faithful church attendance for myself and my family? Am I obeying God in this matter?

Do I put forth my best effort to attend as much as I possibly can? Do I let unimportant things stand in my way or make excuses?

Should I attend more services? Attend more regularly the ones I presently attend?

Are my children developing the rewarding lifelong habit of faithful church attendance? What am I giving to them to take from my home to give to their children?

Should I attend special meetings in my church more often?

Should I change my attitude toward church and do a better job of planning ahead to attend?

Do I need a notebook to write sermon notes in? What about my children? Are they paying attention? Are they needlessly going in and out of the services? Do I need to rearrange our seating order?

Should I participate more in the services? Singing from my heart? Giving out of my heart? Listening with my heart? Should I invite others to attend more often?

Is there someone at church I need to reconcile with? A past grievance I need to give to God and move on with? Someone I need to forgive and trust to the Lord?

My Witnessing

How long has it been since I told someone how he or she can know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour?

Could I be more soul-conscious? Carry gospel tracts with me? Participate in church visitation efforts? Keep a prayer list of unsaved people I am working with?

Should I start a Bible Study at work? In my neighborhood?

What about writing a gospel tract? Should I start putting tracts in my correspondence and on tables with my tips?

What other venue comes to mind? Am I willing to talk to a visitor about the Lord? Work the altar during invitation time? Take a class on Soul-winning?

Should I seek a renewed burden from the Lord for my unsaved loved ones?

Do I know that my immediate family members have professed faith in the Lord? Followed Him in baptism?

Should I keep a better record of my family’s spiritual life? (dates of professions of faith, baptisms, church membership, Baby Dedications, surrender of life, etc.)

My Giving

Do I understand that all things come from and belong to God in my life?

Should I become a tither by conviction?

Should I give regular offerings above God’s tithe?

Should I give to Faith Promise Missions?

Should I put forth more direct effort to teach my children Biblical stewardship principles?

Is God in His kindness to me forcing my hand to deal with a financial situation that must be addressed with faith and boldness?

Should I take a class on money management? Am I living on a budget? Do I need to talk to a counselor?

Should I offer to teach others how to honor the Lord and have victory in this area?

“Dear God, help me to outline and, from my heart, act upon what you have shown me. In Jesus name, Amen.”

–Tim Cruse

A Guide to Christmas Cheer

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:16:00 GMT

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14

You Have One Move Yet!

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:49:00 GMT

Man Versus Mephistopheles This is a portrait of a young man about to lose his soul to the Devil. Satan has declared, “checkmate.” Famous U.S. chess player Paul Morphy examined […]

Christian Life Principles from Proverbs

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:43:00 GMT

Christian Life Principles from Proverbs God’s Word is written for our instruction. As one must dive deep for pearls and dig deep for precious stones, so must we delve deep […]

The Timothy Principle

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:00:00 GMT

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
II Timothy 2:2

Nothing Without Him

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:34:00 GMT

Our Shoulders

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:14:00 GMT

The Train of His Will

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:26:00 GMT

Understanding Your Parents

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:48:00 GMT

Understanding Your Parents

• We love you more than life.
• We have many responsibilities we must attend to on a daily basis.
• We discipline you because we delight in you and want God’s best for your life.
• Our heart is strengthened by your attitude of submission and forgiveness.
• We are charged by God to keep you pure in mind, heart and body until you
have learned the discipline to do so yourself.
• We reserve the right to veto friendships and potential relationships with or
without explanation.
• God protects, corrects and directs you through our prayers and wise counsel.
• We hold you accountable to teach you responsibility to God.
• We would rather do without than to see you do without.
• Though our heart breaks, we must allow you to feel the sting of failure so you
can appreciate the fruit of success.

–Tim Cruse

Preparing Your Child For Marriage

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:52:00 GMT

Understanding Your Child’s Heart

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:24:00 GMT

Standing With Your Pastor

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:35:00 GMT

Understanding Your Pastor

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:13:00 GMT

Understanding Your Pastor There will be times when: • You will not understand or agree with a decision he must make. • He must be willing to be misunderstood or […]

A Life That Matters

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:24:00 GMT

A Life That Matters “Therefore their days did he consume in vanity” Psalm 78:33 We only pass through life but once. Many of us already have a number of miles […]

He Is Near

Thu, 20 May 2010 18:18:00 GMT

Treasures of Truth

Mon, 17 May 2010 19:55:00 GMT

Treasures of Truth

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil”
Psalm 119:162

As the spoils of battle go to the victor, so the treasures of truth go to those who prevail upon the flesh by appropriating the powerful armaments found in God’s book of triumph. Proverbs 6:22,23 speaks of the bounty of hearing God’s Word outwardly and writing it upon the tablets of our hearts inwardly:

“When thou goest, it shall lead thee, when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law a light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”

–Tim Cruse

While There Is Hope

Thu, 06 May 2010 19:41:00 GMT

While There Is Hope “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 The following poem […]

Urgency Begets Fervency

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Urgency Begets Fervency

“It is time for thee, LORD, to work:”

Psalm 119:126

T here comes a time in the life of every Christian man wherein he needs God to do what only He can. Our prayer to God then goes beyond a mere form or routine. As in James 5:16, it becomes fervent, urgent, heated.

I think of the needs in my own life and family, the needs of many dear people within our church family and the need of our community for Christ. Praise God we have a Savior who is greater than our needs!

Purpose today to draw nigh unto God in prayer. Plan a daily time to seek the Lord or lengthen the time you are seeking Him already. Set aside an extended time to immerse yourself in the scriptures and in prayer for guidance or provision.

No doubt, there is a need for God to do what only He can in your life. The more urgent the need, the more fervent the prayer. It is time to seek the LORD.

“Ask, [and keep on asking] and it shall be

given you; seek [and keep on seeking] and ye

shall find; knock, [and keep on knocking] and

it shall be opened unto you.”

Matthew 7:7

–Tim Cruse

The David Principle

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:09:00 GMT

The David Principle

“And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?”
II Samuel 9:3

David was a man after God’s own heart. He wanted to have the heart God has, to see things as He sees them and treat others the way He treats them. As a result, God’s character of loyalty and kindness was demonstrated through David’s life.

Hebrews 6:10 states, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your works and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” This aspect of God’s character is summarized by the David principle: “It’s not, What have you done for me lately? But, What have you done for me ever?” . Every act of faith carried out in God’s name has never nor will ever be forgotten. He not only remembers the kindnesses we have shown unto Him, but will return them upon our own heads and those of our children.

Who has shown you some kindness that you need to acknowledge? Who does God want you to initiate kindness toward? We demonstrate the loyal character of God when we remember and return the kindnesses of others toward us and the ones we love.

“Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not.”
Proverbs 27:10

–Tim Cruse

Uncommon Blessings

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:42:00 GMT

Uncommon Blessings

“I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city”
Amos 4:7

According to Job 37:16, the balancings of the clouds belongs to God. Because of His goodness, He allows it to rain upon the just and the unjust alike. However, there is a principle in this passage of scripture we must understand.

God can give rain or withhold rain according to the determinate counsel of His own will. He has the sovereign power and ability to give to some that which He withholds from others. Not everyone is going to be directly blessed by Him beyond the common blessings experienced by all.

“Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed” was the prayer of Jabez. More of us should long for the uncommon blessings of God in our lives. Though many are spiritually barren, we can “be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit”
– Jeremiah 17:8

–Tim Cruse

Light’s Delight

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:52:00 GMT

Some To Honour

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:59:00 GMT

Some To Honour

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of

gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth;

and some to honour, and some to dishonour.”

II Timothy 2:20

O ur name carries with it a testimony. When others hear our name, they immediately associate it with the character we demonstrate. We are either vessels of honour or vessels of dishonour.

The day is coming when your character will be put to the test by an issue that arises between you and someone else. You can respond honourably by seeking a hearing with this individual and a peaceful resolve or you can stiffen your neck and harden your heart as you dishonour God’s name and your own name.

There are enough burdens to carry in our struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Proverbs 6:3 states, “Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.”

God help us to have a testimony of honour and not to carry burdens He never intended for us to bear.

“I am one of them that are

peaceable and faithful…”

II Samuel 20:19

–Tim Cruse

A Foundation of Faith

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:26:00 GMT

One More Time

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:42:00 GMT

Pay Your Own Way

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:54:00 GMT

Pay Your Own Way

“ Neither will I offer…unto the LORD my God of

that which doth cost me nothing.”

II Samuel 24:24

I t has been said that every tub must stand on its own bottom; which being interpreted means every man must pay his own way. As such, personal responsibility is one of the great lessons of life.

Man has been commanded by God to work by the sweat of his brow and to provide for his own. Each individual must maximize his measure of ability and opportunity in life and remember “in all labour there is profit.”

As a young man growing up in a broken home, I learned to work hard to provide for my necessities and to take care of things. I knew that sympathy from others would not feed me when I was hungry nor clothe me when I was cold. I was not to expect others to do for me what I must do for myself, nor assume upon another’s generosity by asking for that which should be offered instead.

Because character is consistent, the same man who does right by his family is the same man who will do right by the church. Good men do not expect something for nothing, and they know that nothing in life is free. The very fact that you must help some men means that you will not be able to help them. Those who do not appreciate the sacrifices of others are those who are unwilling to sacrifice themselves. Where there is increase, you always find someone paying the price.

–Tim Cruse

Another Vessel

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:18:00 GMT

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” Jeremiah 18:4

Each of our lives has been marred by sin. That is why we need to be made over again. The word wrought teaches us that God can take something useless and make it useful. His grace goes deeper than our sin. With one turn of the wheel, our Heavenly Potter can make, unmake, or remake our lives.

Astronomers estimate there are 100 billion galaxies in the known universe. To count the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone would require counting three stars per second non-stop for 2,000 years. Yet, Psalm 147:4 declares

God’s infinite wisdom and power: “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.” God has the power to fix the damage sin has done in your life and restore you to a place of fellowship and usefulness. Do not disqualify yourself because you are weak; God uses us, weaknesses and all. Never leave God out of the equation of your life -“With God all things are possible.”

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” II Timothy 2:21

–Tim Cruse

There Shall Be a Place

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:33:00 GMT

“Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there…” Deuteronomy 12:11

In a world of darkness, there should be a place where one can go to find the light of life. There should be a place where the seeking can find understanding, the hungry-hearted can find manna from above and those bound by sin’s chains can be set free.

With volume and vice on every hand, there should be a place providing refuge for the weary soul. There should be a place where holy things are still holy and the worship of God goes beyond a cheap imitation of what the world already offers.

There should be a place of sacredness, sanctuary and service in a world profane and self-absorbed. This place should be a place where God is still great and His ways are higher than our ways. A place where thanksgiving translates into thanksliving. A place where Christ is high and lifted up and the Scriptures are sufficient.

Is there such a place to be found? Are there such blessings to be had? Where should we look? What should we expect? How shall we know?

Examine God’s Word dear friend. For the New Testament Christian, there is a place for all the above. According to I Timothy 3:15, it is “…the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Read also Psalm 26:8; 89:7.

–Tim Cruse

I Cannot Do It

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:51:00 GMT

I Cannot Do It

“ How shall I give thee up?” Hosea 11:8

T his chapter begins with God recounting His love for His people. As a father deeply loves his newborn son, so doth the Lord love His own.

Though their Father had taught them and cared for them, these children were bent on doing their own thing. Failing to be drawn back by His goodness, the time had come for Him to deal with their sin. He was wroth. They were deserving. The clouds of provoked wrath brooded over them.

What He has promised us – “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it,” “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ” – He will fulfill.

May this text ring in our ears and spring from our lips when pressures increase in our family life, our hearts become weary in our church life and we feel that the pain of leaving could not be greater than the pain of staying – “How shall I give thee up?” And, may our answer be, “I cannot do it; by God’s grace, I will not.”

–Tim Cruse

A Word To The Wise

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:25:00 GMT

A Word To The Wise

E very father should read one chapter of Proverbs per day in addition to his regularly scheduled Bible reading. Start on the first day of the month with chapter one, then the second chapter of the second day and so forth through chapter 31. To keep your marriage healthy, pay special attention to chapters 5-9.

“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb…Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth ; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last… ”

Proverbs 5:3, 8-11

After the night of sin,

mourning does come.

“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.”

Ecclesiastes 7:26

–Tim Cruse

God Can Turn It Around

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:08:00 GMT

The Sun Still Shines

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:06:00 GMT

The Sun Still Shines

“With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it

not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.”

Job 36:32

C louds do not extinguish the light of the sun; they simply cover it temporarily. No matter how dark it gets, beyond the clouds we find the sun unchanged in its radiance and warmth.

Spiritually speaking, God allows the clouds of sickness and sorrow to roll into our lives. Our days become long and dark. Our spirits sink low. Our faith begins to waver. Our minds begin to wonder: “Has God forgotten me?” “Has He failed to be gracious?” “Is His mercy clean gone forever?” “Will the sun ever shine again in my life?”

The Apostle Paul was exceedingly tossed with a tempest in Acts 27. The clouds covered the sun by day and the moon and stars by night. While those around him despaired their lives, God told the praying Paul that everyone would survive if they stayed with the ship.

Someone has said, “Sometimes God calms the storms of life, and sometimes God calms His children and lets the storms rage on.” As Paul sought and believed God, so must we. Stay with the ship of your family and church. Beyond the clouds of trial, the sun still shines.

“And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds:

but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.”

Job 37:21

–Tim Cruse

Just Enough

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:45:00 GMT

“Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

I Peter 1:16

W ould you consider yourself a consecrated Christian? One who is wholly given to God, seeking to honour Him in body and spirit in every way possible? Or, is there an area of your life that still belongs to yourself; some area that you “sort of” honour God in, but do not want to go “too far” in or “miss out” because of?

Churches abound with “casual” Christians in this hour. Those who are careless in their walk with God, in the way they live, in the work they do, in the witness they give and in the words they say. “Just enough” to soothe a quickened conscience, but not “too much” to satisfy self. “That’s not my personal conviction” or “I don’t look at it that way” or “I’m not called to full-time service” or “I’ve got a life apart from serving God all the time, you know” serve as umbrellas to shield the half-hearted. “Rich and increased with goods,” we have need of nothing – not even God. Who are we kidding, but ourselves?

While we withdraw from the call to consecration, we readily devise ways to discount the commitment of others. Be reminded that “like character attracts like character.” If you walk in the counsel of the unconsecrated and stand in the way of the lip-servers, it will not be long before you are sitting in the seat of the contemptuous. Be careful in developing a contempt for the holy things of God. He will not hold those guiltless who do.

-Tim Cruse

Mighty in the Midst

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:08:00 GMT

The capitalized name “LORD” means “Jehovah – the self-existent One.” Our God is the true and living God. In His omnipresence, He is everywhere at the same time. In His omniscience, He is all-knowing. In His omnipotence, He is all-powerful.

Psalm 113:5,6 declares, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!“ What a wonder to think that the mighty God of heaven can be known personally and, as our text indicates, is in the very midst of the lives of His people.

God is with us in the midst of our circumstances, our fiery furnaces, our storms, our times of want, our loneliness, our sickness, our family stress.

Praise God that He is not on the outside of our lives looking in, but on the inside looking out for us.

He Is Near

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:38:00 GMT

There are times in the Christian walk when the Lord seems far away. The dew of His conscious presence no longer saturates the contemplations of our heart. The clouds of unbelief hide the Son from us and we feel all alone.

God, however, clearly tells us in His Word that He is ever present. Because He is at hand we know He is near. He is looking on. He could come at any moment and take us home with Him in heaven.

We also know that He could change our present circumstances if He willed. For them to remain means He has a purpose in our difficulties. There is a greater good to be realized beyond our immediate deliverance.

Perhaps you are expending much energy grappling with why you are facing something today. Know that the Lord is at hand. His hand is not shortened that it cannot save and His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. Accept where you are and trust God to guide you from here. Let patience have her perfect work.

Are You Available?

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:43:00 GMT

“The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”
Judges 6:12

God oftentimes sees more in us than we see in ourselves. While we see our own insufficiencies, He sees His ability to do mighty things through the lives of those who will take Him at His Word.

Gideon thought that he did not have the lineage, the standing among men, nor the possessions to do something eternally significant with his life. What he learned was that God was looking for a man who would trust Him completely to do what only He could do through him. It was not about ability; it was about availability of life and nobility of character.

Many are those who have made themselves available to defend the freedoms of our nation. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. God give us more men who will make themselves available to fulfill their duties toward Him, their families and our country at all cost.

Speak Up

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:01:00 GMT

– Pastor Tim Cruse

The Hold of Heaven

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:56:00 GMT

“ Behold my servant, whom I uphold ”
Isaiah 42:1

It is of great comfort to know that we are in the hold of heaven. God’s grip of grace clings to us through the trials of life and leads us day by day.

There are times when all human support is taken from us. As with Job, the joy brought by his children, the encouragement his wife gave, and the understanding that long-time friends provided was gone. Though tossed about on the sea of deep discouragement, God somehow buoyed him up time and again.

Perhaps the boisterous winds of weariness or the thunderclouds of temptation are bearing down upon you today; dread within, sinking without. The moment Peter cried, “…Lord, save me.” “Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:30,31) The Lord admonished Peter while he was still in the water and then pulled him into the boat.

You have cried to the Lord and you are still in the water. Let Him teach you something while you are dangling between victory and defeat. You are in His hold. He will pull you aboard the boat of deliverance before long – after He has deepened your faith.

– Pastor Tim Cruse

Cannot I Do With You As This Potter?

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Cannot I Do With You As This Potter? Jeremiah 18:6 What is your bother? Lack you a mother or father? Perhaps it’s a sin-filled past, Or many disappointments thou hast. […]