Charles Wesley (1736)

Posted on July 1, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  – 2 Timothy 2:3

Not too long ago, I hit the jackpot at a thrift store.  For fifty cents I got a copy of Charles Wesley’s early years journal, which ranges from 1736 to 1739.  He was in the Georgia Colony near Savannah preaching his heart out and attempting to be a great shepherd of his flock.  Every time I read an entry, I’m just amazed that I get a glimpse into his actual life that he lived 290 years ago.  I love to just read one entry a day and get a feel for what he went through.  

Charles is open and honest about the people he dealt with.  He passionately pursued after the souls of the people.  When things were difficult, he found strength in the scripture.  One time in particular, he found comfort in the verse I’m using today.  Charles was preaching at the time to around 20 in his congregation.  He was also dealing with people in the town shooting guns during service time as well as mitigating arguments and fights that got as far as breaking bottles over people’s heads.  As he confronted people, they would be back and forth between hating him and appreciating him.  Sometimes he was so worried for the souls of people that he would become physically ill, yet he would always find comfort in God’s word.

As I read, I can’t help but ask myself “How much do you care about the souls of men, Adam?”  

Yesterday, I went to the movies.  There was a group of older teens that were ruining the experience for everyone.  They were talking, laughing, and throwing stuff at random people in the theatre.  Several of us went to tell management, but even before management came in, they threw something and hit the wrong dude.  He got up, walked back to them, and straight up confronted them . . . I was even kind of scared for them.  Management literally paused the movie, walked in and very publicly escorted them out.  At the moment, I was just glad I got to finish watching Supergirl.  Sitting here with the Lord, I think differently.

I sit here this morning and wonder who will inject themselves into the lives of these kids and teach them how to follow God.  Charles would have left the theatre with them and talked to them (that is . . . if he had gone to see Supergirl at all)  I wish I had found a way to contact them.  Even if they totally laughed at me and called me a judgmental hypocrite . . . I could at least take comfort in today’s verse.

Charles didn’t mind taking hits for people.

Do you?

Do I?

Lord, I pray for those kids in the movie theater.  Don’t let them stay like they are.  May they come to know You and point others to Your kingdom.  I remember throwing rocks with my friend and breaking a man’s car window . . . what in the world was wrong with me?  I just didn’t know You.  I didn’t know I needed to know You.  I had sin coursing through my veins.  So many are lost out of pure ignorance . . . they just don’t know.  Thank You for leading me, guiding me, and correcting me like You do.  Help me be a light that so shines before men that others see my good deeds and want to glorify You, my Father in heaven.  May the same spirit that prompted Charles Wesley to chase hard after souls fill all who read this today.  I love You, Lord.  There is and never will be another like You.  Amen

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My 51st Year

Posted on June 24, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.  – Psalm 39:4

I got up early this morning and was about to crank out another WMD.  All kinds of ideas were whirring through my head.  But the more I thought about it, I just wanted to pause and really seek and go after the Lord.  I went on a prayer walk and asked Him to cleanse my heart as much as possible.   I prayed through my notebook for all the people I’ve been trying to consistently lift up to the Lord.  Somewhere along the way, He has really filled my soul this morning.

Last night was my last day of being 50.  I got to play at the Garage on Main in Walhalla.  I couldn’t believe I was there lifting up the Name of the Lord and telling the stories of how God has spoken to me through the years.  There were even a few that I could tell were actually paying attention.  It was an unbelievable way to finish up the year.

This morning, I just drove to the church where I’ve recently become the co-pastor.  I knelt at the altar, I sang songs, I anointed the carpet, the doorframes, and everything inside.  I was just praying that all who came would hear and respond to the voice of the Lord as He spoke to hearts and minds.  I prayed that evil would be bound at the doors and be unable to penetrate and hinder all that goes on inside.  I drove home with a new sense of purpose.  

I was reading a devotional the author had dedicated to a guy named David.  It said he lived from 1949 to 2014 . . . 65 years.  If I only get 65 years, that gives me 14 more and takes me to the year 2040.  Maybe I get more . . . maybe I get less.  Either way, my life is fleeting.  I just know I want the Lord to have more and more of me.  I want to honor Him with all that I am and everything I have.

Lord, birthdays seem to come so fast these days.  I thank You that I was born, but I really thank You that I’ve been born again.  With all my heart, I want You to continue sanctifying me and filling me with the Holy Spirit.  Make it obvious to others that You are on my life.  I’m afraid that I’ve lived poorly in front of people I claim to love very much and have been trying to lead to You.  Unfortunately, I’ve been hypocritical and haven’t shown the true light of God.  Please show others, especially those that I just mentioned, that You are good even when Your followers are not.  Save people despite Your followers.  With the time I have left, help me truly be a light that so shines before men so when others see my good deeds and see me living for You, that they may desire to serve the same God I do.  Years are quickly passing.  Help all who read this learn to live for the right things . . . for eternal things.  All I ask for my birthday is more of You, Lord.  Amen.

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The End of the Matter

Posted on June 10, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

The End of the Matter

. . . and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Doing the four steps of 2 Chronicles 7:14 has been about a 40-day process for me.  I honestly can’t believe that I’m writing this final WMD on the subject, at least for now.  Even though I feel like I’ve really gone in depth with it, I know I’ve only scratched the surface.  

Before I move on, I want you to think about the word “wicked.”  To me, it has meant “unholy,” “vile,” or even “malicious.”  When I looked it up in Hebrew, there was one adjective that I never thought of, “malignant.”  I hope your mind is going where mine is, there is something living in me, a spiritual cancer that is malignant, and it needs to be dealt with.  When you start the journey by humbling yourself, you will have no clue about what is malignant in your soul, at least I didn’t.  

Between a conversation with a friend and a Charles Stanley sermon, I learned that I needed to counsel myself and forgive myself.  At first, I thought it was simple, but Charles instructed his people to set up two seats and put the person who has hurt you most in the other seat.  I can’t really explain how it all ultimately worked, but I sat down in the first seat, immediately got up and sat in the other.  I could see my “old” self from a second ago.  He represented 34 years of spiritual life, from 16 years old all the way to 50.  As I talked to him, I watched him ask for the forgiveness of so many sins, yet he would carefully place them on a pile behind him.  That pile reminded me of a huge pile of gravel that had been dumped, but I knew each rock had been placed one by one.  

I thought of the consequences of allowing this pile.  First, it has been heavy . . . I’ve been carrying a lot of weight around that Jesus commanded me to give to Him.  Second, it has motivated me to still, after all these years, earn my salvation . . . the one thing God will not allow anyone to do.  I have set some sort of standard of behavior for myself to live up to that will cover that big pile of rocks.  When I fell short, I’d ask for forgiveness, but then I’d toss another rock on the pile. Thirty-four years’ worth of rocks!

I have to say, I felt sorry for my old self sitting there.  I did the only thing I knew to do . . . I forgave him.  I also asked God to remove the pile and never let me start another one. 

I can’t tell you how freeing it was and is.  Man made, religious additions to the word of God are absolute spirit killers.  They are malignant tumors dwelling in your soul.  I hope and pray that you will take time to go through this process.  It isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

Lord, thank You for opening my eyes to sins that I didn’t even know I was doing.  Help us to redefine wickedness for our spiritual lives.  It is anything, and I mean anything keeping us from the fullness of a relationship with You.  Help me to walk in the newfound forgiveness that I’ve found, or that You have wrought in me.  Do for Christians all over this country what You have done for me.  Then, hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land.  Amen.  

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The Park Services

Posted on June 3, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

I’m not at my computer this morning, so I can’t post my WMD. I do want to let you know that I’ve started to record and podcast the Park Services. We meet at 9:30 at Oconee State Park throughout the Summer.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2621732

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Part III: Seeking His Face

Posted on May 27, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face . . . 2 Chronicles 7:14

In Exodus 33:20 we are told that no man can see the face of God and live, yet 2 Chronicles 7:14 says that seeking His face is the third step in the process of healing our land.  We would do well to always remember that God is altogether different than us mere mortals.  I have eyes but can only see what is in front of me.   He can see every part of the entire Earth at the exact same time.  We are about to learn that God is actively doing something with those eyes of His.

God gives Solomon the 2 Chronicles 7:14 verse during a time of the greatest prosperity the world will ever know.  They were dedicating to Him a temple made of gold.  The Israelites lived in the most beautiful and most well-protected land in the world.  They couldn’t imagine needing to do the four requirements of 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Nine chapters later, Israel has already split into two parts.  We find the Judean king named Asa using the temple treasures to pay another king, Ben-Hadad of Aram, to protect them from the Israelite king, Baasha.  Before, Asa had only trusted the Lord in battle, but here he is using politics.  It works, but not without a stern rebuke from the Lord through a prophet named Hanani.  Hanani lets Asa know that he has done like you and I have done time and time again:  We have stopped doing things God’s way and started doing things our way, or equally as bad, the world’s way.  Asa gets angry and throws Hanani in prison, but not before he hears these words:

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.  You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

Here is the best thing, I think, about part III:  When we do the first two things, humble ourselves and pray, we are showing our full commitment, our full surrender, and our full placement of our lives into His hands . . . we automatically get His eyes.  You know as well as I do; to see something, we must turn our face in that direction.

I’m praying for so many to deepen their walks with the Lord.  May we truly humble ourselves and pray, and may the Lord turn His face towards us.

Lord, I feel as close to You as I’ve ever been.  I feel so foolish for all the times I’ve just gone through the motions of following You.  I feel so foolish for behaving as if You are completely fine with my sin.  I definitely feel foolish for all the decisions I’ve made doing what I believe is the correct thing to do.  I had You there the whole time just waiting to show me the best way.  I humble myself and let You know right now that I want to cut all that out for my remaining time here on Earth.  I want to live in such a way that You see that I’m fully committed to You, and You therefore strengthen my heart.  Amen

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More on the Second Thing

Posted on May 20, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

I thought this would be an easy 4-part series to write for WMD. I have some thoughts on seeking God’s face, but I’m still stuck on the first two in my own personal life. I know the disciples of Jesus said their prayers every day. But when they saw Jesus go off by Himself to pray, when He came back, all they knew was that they wanted to learn how to do it the way He was doing it. “Teach us to pray,” they said (Luke 11).

About 25 years ago, I started a prayer journal for the first time. Nearly the entire thing is prayers for me and my . . . my job, my family, my church. There might be a scattered prayer in there for someone else. There is one last blank page in that notebook. I can’t wait for the Lord to prompt me to write that one last entry. In the meantime, I’ve started a new notebook. It is all for other people. I just wrote my 49th prayer for someone. I am only in there for one number, number 22 simply says, “Lord, teach me how to pray . . . like really pray.”

Before this past month, if you had asked me, “Adam, do you pray?” I would have said, “yes.” Yet I bet I’ve prayed more this last week than any full month before that. I say this to my shame, not my exaltation. I want to get to where I think of prayer like William Walford, he called it a “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” If we lined up a hundred random Americans who called themselves Christians, how many could honestly claim that they’ve ever prayed for an hour? I know people have their own ways of praying and people do what works for them. I’m sure people have wonderful prayer lives. I just don’t feel like I do. I also think we’d be embarrassed if we compared the average prayer life today with the average prayer life 180 years ago when “Sweet Hour of Prayer” was written. America has to be the hardest place on the planet to develop a prayer life because we gravitate towards consumerism, individualism, culturalism, materialism, and probably a lot more isms that I can’t think of right now. How do we really get away from it?

The world behind me

The cross before me

No turning back

No turning back

Lord, it is so easy to say that I’ve humbled myself. It is so easy to say that I pray. It is so easy to say that I follow You. You are going to come back for a pure and spotless church bride. Prepare me for that day. Will you help me? I know it is a lifelong sanctification process that involves trusting You until the day I draw my last breath. Help me keep moving forward, Lord. One day soon, allow me to look forward to my “sweet hour of prayer.” Amen

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The Second Thing

Posted on May 13, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray . . . 2 Chronicles 7:14

Americans are less than satisfied with anything less than instant gratification.  Students brag now about using ChatGPT to do their work.  I wonder sometimes if I had gone through the school system we have now if I’d even be able to write these WMD’s.  I hated writing, but I learned how to do it.  I hated reading books, but there came a point where I began to enjoy it.  Looking back, I’m not sure I hated it, but was simply too lazy to make the time.  The instant gratification of fighting Mike Tyson on my Nintendo was always calling.  

I say that to humble myself.  I don’t know how I’d behave if I had everything that kids have now.  They’ve never not known a world with the internet.  The first time I remember hearing the word “internet” and that weird dial-up sound sequence was in 1995 when I was 20.  God knew when I needed to be born, to whom I needed to be born, and where I needed to be born to live out His calling in my life.  Where would I be, and what would I be like if He had never intervened in my life.  I’d be lost.  I’ve never quite gone down this road in my mind to realize just how vastly different my life would be without Him.  It makes me so appreciative, much more humble, and it makes me want to pray.

I know in the past that I said I’ve prayed.  But compared to what I’ve been doing lately through contemplating this verse and coming up with a strategy to pray . . . I might as well have said I didn’t pray at all.  Sure, I’d offer up a 5 second, “Help ‘em God,” type prayer here and there, say the Lord’s prayer, or offer up a few Thank You’s.  Probably the most powerful prayers were when I’d meet people out and about and we would pray out loud.  I would leave thinking, “I need to do that more!”   Still, as far as an individual prayer life, it was weak at best, and non-existent at worst.  

To take this seriously, I got a composition notebook and wrote “PRAYER” on the cover.  I write down a number and write down the person’s name and what I’m praying for specifically.  I also write Bible verses down that speak to me as I read.  I’m only up to 44 since April 18, but I’ve found myself long in prayer.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sure I’ve made it to a sweet full hour of prayer, but I’m getting there.  When it is time to say “Amen,” I’m finding myself not wanting to leave His presence.  I’m finding myself looking forward to the next time.  

I only say this because I want you to really evaluate when and how much you pray.  If we want to take 2 Chronicles 7:14 seriously, I think we must.  I don’t really like making my prayer efforts public, but if it helps one or two of you guys go from complacent to serious with me, then I think it is worth it.  Maybe y’all have this in the bag and praying is no problem for you.  I just know I was taking a lot of worldly things a lot more seriously than I was taking prayer.  

If you don’t mind, tell me your prayer strategy.  What does it look like in practice?  Help me refine my strategy.  Number 22 in that notebook simply says, “Lord, teach me to pray . . . like really pray.” 

In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice.  In the morning, O Lord, I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.  – Psalm 5:3

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The First Thing His People Must Do

Posted on May 6, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14

I’m sure all of us have prayed for America lately. We are so messed up. I read something that said something like, “America will be saved when Americans get saved.” I liked that. But the truth is that the saving of our land has nothing to do with unsaved Americans. The fate of any nation lies in the hands of the ones who currently are believers called by His Name. He lists four things that we must do. These are all things that we can do! It only makes sense that we start with the first one.

In the past few months, I’ve really been trying to figure out what it looks like to humble myself. I found myself caring about entertainment, food, money, and fitness more than I cared about God. If it really came down to it, I chose to do those things over simply spending time with Him. God was getting my leftovers instead of my first and best. All I knew to do was pray, but when I read the formula, it said to humble myself . . . I didn’t know what that really looked like. Here is what I’ve learned:

1. My will switches to His will. His wants must become my wants. My flesh wants what it wants, therefore I asked God to help me want what He wants. 

2. I had to increase my dependence on Him. I learned that I’ve put way too much stock in my own efforts. I didn’t do it on purpose, but I began to think that if I didn’t do something like preach, speak, or witness that God couldn’t work. He can do what He wants, when He wants, and how He wants. I want to truly see Him work, not just see my own efforts succeed on some level.

3. I had to do some serious confessing. I went straight to the Lord and said I was sorry for my pride getting in the way. I let Him know that I just wanted to know Him more and asked Him to truly let me decrease so that He may increase.

I have to say . . . I’ve been blown away at the results so far. I have this longing to be with Him that I’ve never had before. I want to slip away and be alone with Him. I started this prayer notebook that I love praying through each day. I’ve even found myself highlighting answered prayers mere minutes after I prayed them! 

I write all of this to say . . . humble yourself. Don’t make God have to do it for you. Humble yourself, and let’s get the process started to heal this land.

Lord, there is No one like You. All of my days, I want to praise, the wonders of Your mighty love. Save Americans. Do it through the light of Christians shining brightly. Help us truly live for You and put You first. When we do, others can’t help but notice that we have something they don’t have. May we always be able to say that we have joy down in our hearts to stay. May Your people start the process of humbling ourselves. We need You more than ever. Amen.

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The Christian Test

Posted on April 29, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

From this time many of his disciples turned and walked with him no more. – John 6:66

Every once in a while, I get a student that tells me they can play guitar.  I pull one out and say, “Cool! Show me.”  They don’t realize I keep one in my classroom.  90% of the time, they can’t play a single chord.   I usually get some sort of “I just forgot” speech and that is the end of that.  

When a person says, “I’m a Christian,” they will eventually get tested.  In John 6:66, many quit simply because He wouldn’t repeat the bread and fish multiplication performance.  Jesus wanted them to want Him; they only wanted what He could do for them.  How little does it take to quit following Him?  Maybe an even better question:  How little does it take to steal the joy you have in Him?

I hate how easy it is for me sometimes.  The slightest change in my plans, a long wait, or even a mouthy kid can exasperate me.  Usually within a few hours, I’m apologizing to God because, if I can’t even be inconvenienced, how much less am I fit to suffer for Him?  I want to know in my soul that no matter what, I’m His.  Because I’m His, I should always be content.  

Let’s you and I keep our joy today no matter what.  After all, we belong to Him!

Lord, this life is so temporary.  I’m already 50 years old.  I’m already talking about retiring from teaching math.  Just a little while longer and my faith becomes sight.  Just a little while longer and I will no longer have opportunities to keep a good attitude for You.  My days of opportunities to win souls for You are waning fast.  Use me, Lord.  I just want to be useful.  I just want to honor You with my life.  Help me keep my cool.  Let not so little steal the joy I have in You.  Amen.

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Sin Less

Posted on April 22, 2026 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  – Romans 6:14

Several years ago, right at a peak of my walk with the Lord, I led a group in Bible study.  I was at a peak because I had finally let go of some sinful things in my life.  I was obedient to the Holy Spirit, and I was feeling the presence of God like never before.  I knew He was with me.  Looking back, I probably should have titled my Bible Study, “Can we walk in obedience?” rather than “Can we live sinless?”  At any rate, I was trying to encourage holy living.  What ended up happening was someone said, “We aren’t perfect . . . we sin every day.”  Most of the group rolled with this, and I ended up questioning everything I believed up to that point.

I believe there are two ways to view sin in our lives.  The first is that sin is the slightest deviation from absolute perfection.  Since this requires perfect power, perfect knowledge, and requires my desires to line up perfectly with God’s . . . I will never be sinless, at least on this side of heaven.  People love to say, “Well, I’m not perfect,” or “Nobody’s perfect.”  Personally, I believe most people only say this to make themselves feel better about their undisciplined walk with Christ.  The logical reasoning goes something like this:  Since I sin in some small way that I probably don’t know about, I don’t really have to fight this sin I do know about.

The second view, in my opinion, makes holy living possible.  It goes like this:  Sin is willfully choosing to go against what I know for sure God wants me to do.  I am talking about a willful transgression against a known law.  I rarely immediately obey God.  When He asked me to stop lying, all I could do was go to work on it and ask for His help.  That was about as immediate as I’ve ever gotten.  When He asked me to ditch my party crowd, I took months to obey.  When He asked me to drop some simple things that I cared about more than Him, sometimes I took years.  But every time I stepped into obedience, I was met with more of Him.  It has become easier to obey Him because I know more of Him is the reward.  But even still, there is a war constantly being waged between my flesh and spirit.  

I think God wants me to go here this morning because there are so many Americans calling themselves Christians who don’t even realize they are supposed to fighting sin.  There is no difference between the old and new man.  Therefore, there is no contrast for the world to see.  There are so few ethical businessmen, so few joyful faces, so few anointed testimonies, and so little holy living that there are almost no opportunities for the lost to experience God outside of a church building.  

Make every effort to be the reason someone considers Jesus today.

Lord, You are the only person who was ever sinless.  We may not be sinless, but we can certainly sin less.  Help us to grow in holiness.  May people all over this country begin to read the Bible and take it seriously.  Prompt our minds and hearts to obey Your Word and obey the Holy Spirit.  Help us always choose You.  Help us always choose Your way.  We are so prone to wander . . . prone to leave the God we say we love.  You are the author and finisher of our faith.  All praise, honor, and glory belongs to You for anything good and holy that is done in this life.  May all who claim to know You begin to truly walk in obedience.  Send revival like this world has never seen.  Amen.

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