The Old Crossroads

Posted on September 10, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

Wide is the gate that leads to destruction, and many there be go in there at.  But narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.  – Matthew 7:13-14

Years ago, I’m talking probably 15 years ago, Tonya and I were coming home from Tennessee.  At a time and place coming down the mountain where I got no cell phone signal, there were only a few radio stations that would play clearly.  I landed on a bluegrass station that was cranking out some of the best gospel stuff I’d ever heard.

A song came on that just hit me in my spirit.  I loved it.  By the time I got home, I could only remember that the chorus was based on Matthew 7:13-14.  I Googled, looked up, and listened to a ton of songs hoping I might find it.  As years went by, I would tune in to old bluegrass stations, just hoping I’d hear it one more time.  My efforts were always fruitless.

Fast forward to this past Sunday.  I was preaching the Homecoming service at Mt Freedom in Mountain Rest.  There was a band playing called Tugalo Holler.  They played with excellence and as unto the Lord.  I haven’t thought of my bluegrass song in years, but something told me . . . “they know the song.”  I told them what I just wrote in the above two paragraphs, and they immediately said . . . “The Old Crossroads.”  

I listened on the way home a few times to the song.  I was so happy hearing the song, but also kind of sad that the search was over.  For probably a third of my life I’ve been searching for this song.  

It is all a reminder that one day, our faith will become sight.  We won’t be seeking after God anymore because we will be with Him in heaven.  We won’t have the opportunity to witness to people and try to bring them to Jesus because we will only be surrounded by people who believed and trusted in Him.  Imagine the day when our work here on Earth is truly done.  We have the opportunity now to make a difference.  When we get up there with God, the difference will have already been made.  When we get up there, we will have all of our answers.

Lord, thank You for finally revealing the song to me.  I sure prayed for it.  Thank You also for reminding me that I need to make a difference today.  I can’t wait around.  I must work today like I’m working for You!  I’m running out of opportunities to do so.  I must tell others about You and Your great salvation!  I’m running out of days to do so.  Help me to really know You!  Help me to soak in Your presence!  Help me let my light so shine before men!  You are the best thing that happens to people.  Thank You for saving me and working in my life.  Open the floodgates of revival upon this land . . . show us Your glory.  Amen.

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Three Ways to Worship God Today

Posted on September 3, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

Give and don’t tell anybody about it

When you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.  Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. – Matthew 6:3-4

Remember when Jesus would do all those cool things for people like open blinded eyes, make lame legs walk, and heal of leprosy?  What would he say to them?  “See to it that you tell no one!”  For whatever reason, we just can’t resist telling.  I know I end up posting about it on here or sharing it with someone.  Of course, I come up with a good reason to do so.  Today, let’s give/help someone and find out what a reward from the Father looks like.  I’d rather have that than another “atta boy” from another human.

Get completely alone with God and talk to Him

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.  Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. – Matthew 6:6

Sometimes I’m super convicted when I feel like I’ve said a fervent prayer before or after I preach.  I realize often in that moment that I haven’t done anything like that all week with just Him and me.  I think of this verse, and it bothers me.  Today, let’s all get completely alone with Him and pour our hearts out to Him.  

Fast and don’t act like you’re fasting

And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting.  I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.  But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.  Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private.  And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.  – Matthew 6:16-18

Nothing lets your own flesh know that the Holy Spirit is in control of your body and mind than fasting.  I know I can let television shows numb my mind, I can let food comfort me, and too often I let all sorts of things that aren’t good for me bring me pleasure.  Remember when Paul said that he does the things he doesn’t want to do, and then turns around and doesn’t do the things he knows he should do? (See Romans 7) There is a cure for that . . . fast.  Force your body and mind to go without the phone, food, and tv.  Resist the temptation to tell others how difficult it is, because it is difficult.  Spend that time with God and His Word, and don’t post a pic of your open Bible with your coffee next to it and tell everyone you’re about to do it.  This doesn’t have to be 40 days in the wilderness.  We can do it for one evening, one weekend, or one week.  You and God set the parameters and the timeline.  Then, and only then, we just might find out what it looks like for God Himself to reward us openly.

Lord, there is no one like You.  Help us who say we follow You to really follow You.  I don’t want to go through this life wasting my rewards from You for some pitiful little praise from some person I may or may not know.  I want to live for You.  I want to do the things You ask me to do.  Unfortunately, I just do not seem to do them on my own.  Trust and obey . . . there really is no other way to be happy in You.  You say, “when you give, pray, fast,” not “If you feel like it” or “if you decide to.”  These are not suggestions, and what a promise You give us if we do them!  Help us to be obedient today, and may You richly reward all who choose to honor and worship You today.  Amen.

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Coming this Fall

Posted on August 27, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

This has been quite the undertaking, but I should be releasing my music CD by the end of next month.

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Built for This

Posted on August 20, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. – Jeremiah 1:5

I believe the two people that had it roughest in the Bible were Job and Jeremiah.  Yet, I really doubt if I could talk to either of them that they would agree.  God flat out tells Jeremiah before he begins his ministry that He specifically made him for His purpose.  Jeremiah quickly disagrees with God when he is called, but God lets him know that he was custom built for this, and besides, He was going to be with him the whole time.  Jeremiah would preach and literally no one would listen to him.  His words were constantly rejected by the people.  Humanly speaking, it seems impossible that Jeremiah could endure all that he endured, but he did.  How?  Because God built him to endure.

Nobody would look at me, me included, and say “that guy has been through a lot.”  The truth is that this world and my own flesh have been enough to make me weak and feel like I should quit because there is no way that God could possibly be pleased with me.  I’ve felt like that more often than I’d like to admit, but it seems that every time I feel like this, God reaches down and strengthens me.  I’ll go to a “random” church service, and it will feel so tailored just for me.  I’ll be listening to something, and it will feel like those charged paddles the doctors use to restart a heart were used on me.  I sit here amazed at how God has truly kept His promise to be with me every step of the way.

I remember the first time God unexpectedly “spoke” to my heart and mind.  I had just come up out of the baptismal pool and I heard in my spirit, “This is my son in whom I’m well pleased.”  He was pleased with me before I ever lifted a finger for Him.  He was pleased with me before I played my first worship song, preached my first sermon, or wrote my first WMD.  Even the thought that I could be pleasing to God at this very moment is kind of hard to accept, but if it was based on our own efforts, who would ever make the cut?  Even Jeremiah quickly made excuses, rebuked God’s calling, and made out like He had made a mistake.

Without God in my life, I can only imagine how stressed I would be today.  I’ve got plenty to do and plenty to worry about.  But this morning I want to hand all that worry, fear, and doubt over to Him.  Instead of being overwhelmed, I want to walk in the confidence that He created me, and He built me to live this day.  How can I fail if He is with me?

Lord, it is crazy to think about Jeremiah’s life.  He was placed in stocks and thrown in a cistern simply because people didn’t want to believe the hard truths he was telling them.  Here I am . . . someone does listen to me occasionally.  I get to see good results from time to time.  Help me endure in what feels like the winter months of my spiritual life.  Help me to know that when all seems hopeless and helpless, that You are right there and there is nothing that is going to happen that You haven’t built me to endure.  I love You, Lord and want nothing more than to simply finish my race well.  Amen!

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All I Need

Posted on August 16, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.  – 2 Peter 1:3

I got up Wednesday and wrote my customary WMD.  I was about to post it, but then I read it one more time.  It sounded like something I was supposed to write instead of something that I normally write.  I didn’t like it, so I didn’t post it.  

Sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes life isn’t going like I want it to go.  Too often, I think about praying and digging into the Word instead of actually praying and digging into the Word.  As far as being alone with God and learning like I’ve learned for the past three decades, I feel like I’m doing as little as I’ve ever done in my life, yet . . .

I’m absolutely amazed at the things God keeps allowing me to see and feel.  I would swear that I’m just coming up with something off the top of my head at a random moment to preach at the park.  That sermon ends up being exactly what a person who “randomly” came to the service on a whim needed to hear.  On a rainy, cooler temperature Sunday when I would expect maybe one or two hardcores to come to the service, twenty people show up and I get to baptize one of my students from last year.  Afterwards, a man who didn’t even have clothes to change into says he wants to be baptized.  I tell him we can do it next week, he said, “I’ll drive home wet . . . let’s do it now.”  There are two younger guys that I meet with regularly, one is learning to follow God, and the other knows about Him but isn’t yet a follower.  We read the scriptures, talk about God, and talk about what it looks like to have Him in our lives.  Those moments have been some of the most powerful moments of my week.

More than anything, I’m still learning that in no way, shape, or form can I earn God’s presence or favor.  I’ve done zero to receive the blessings I’ve been receiving lately, but I can honestly say that I do believe, and I have come to know God. 

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.  – 2 Peter 1:3

I’m so glad He didn’t do it any other way.  

Lord, how amazing it is that You’ve given us everything we need.  Even after knowing You all these years, I think I have to do better and earn the good things that come from You.  I guess the evil one still comes like he did in the garden and whispers, “Did God really say . . .”  All I can ask is that You help me to stay faithful and help me stay grounded in You.  Help me to continue to know the real You and not the idea of You I can make up in my head sometimes.  I’m amazed at how quickly life passes by.  Work in me, use me, and make me more and more like You.  I ask all these things in the Name of Jesus . . . Amen.

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Blessed

Posted on August 6, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.  – Psalm 32:1-2

I’ve just learned that there was another psalm connected with David and his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite (See 2 Samuel 11).  I knew Psalm 51 was connected to it and I’ve always loved hearing Keith Green’s “Create in me a clean heart” which is based on that chapter.  But Psalm 32 is like a conclusion to it all.  He says in Psalm 51 that he will teach transgressors His ways so that sinners will turn back to God.  Psalm 32 is like David making good on that promise.

Transgression

To transgress is to cross the line.  I look back over the course of my life and think of how many times I’ve known better, but I’ve gone on and done the opposite of what I knew God wanted me to do.  When you and I cross the line, we are all given the gift of asking for forgiveness.  To be forgiven is to have a debt lifted.  I can’t imagine how much I’d owe Him if He decided to send me a bill.  Blessed is the person who knows in his or her heart that God has made them completely debt free.

Sin

To sin is to miss the mark.  You and I have one shot at life.  Perfection is the only thing God allows into Heaven.  The wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23).  I can go through each of the ten commandments and know that I’ve broken them all.  I missed the mark.  But blessed is the person whose sin is covered.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is that His blood covers our sin, and God replaces our unrighteousness with His righteousness.  Oh, that every person would drop to their knees today and say, “Lord, I’ve missed the mark . . . cover my sin with Your blood and help me learn to love You and Your ways.”  

Iniquity

Iniquity is a crookedness or distortion in the way you and I see things.  Christians, especially American Christians, tend to make God look an awful lot like an idealized version of themselves.  How many times have I thought God hated the sins others were committing, but He surely understood mine?  I want to think as He thinks.  I want to walk as He walked, but the truth is . . . I have some distorted thinking.  He is still working on me.  I’m so glad He has changed the way that I’ve thought over the years and corrected many of the things I used to look down on others for doing.  Blessed is the man who God does not impute iniquity.  Impute is a bookkeeping term.  Thank Yahweh that He does not keep a record of our wrongs.  I wish I was quick to forgive wrongs.  Most of the time I have to daily forgive until, at some point, God helps me to forget.  Thankfully my mind eventually doesn’t think to remember anymore.  I don’t want to remember the wrongs done against me, because I’ve certainly done my share of wrong to others . . . and especially to God.

Lord, forgive my transgressions this morning.  I know I’ve crossed the line.  Thank You for covering my sin when I was a sixteen-year-old foolish kid.  Help me to truly believe and rest in your forgiveness.  Ever since that day, You have been correcting me in my thinking, growing me in my faith, and helping me walk with You each and every day.  Do not impute iniquity to me, Lord.  If You kept a record of my wrongs, I could not stand in the judgement.  Bless me indeed.  Increase my territory.  Oh, that Your hand would be with me, and please keep evil from me, Lord.  There is and never will be another like You.  There is and never will be another salvation like the one You offer.  Amen.

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One of Seven Thousand

Posted on July 30, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”  — 1 Kings 19:18

Without a doubt, one of the most exciting stories to read in the Bible is 1 Kings 18 when Elijah calls down fire from heaven on the prophets of Baal.  I could only imagine being there on that day and seeing the fire come down from heaven.  I really hope that somehow in heaven we can go to a library of sorts where we can insert ourselves into the Bible stories and see it all exactly as it unfolded.  

I have two parts to my salvation.  When I got saved at 16, I pretty much stayed on life support for around 5 years.  But when I got filled with the spirit around 21, I was never the same.  I wanted to be great in God’s kingdom.  He made a way for me to preach to a lot of people in a lot of different places.  As I ascended the preaching ladder fairly quickly, one day, I was smacked off it.  I so related to Elijah in the cave on Mount Sinai complaining to the Lord.  He had given everything, was at maximum disappointment, and wanted it all to end.  God simply gave Elijah a new assignment and he ended up just fine, but I caught something in that story that has changed my life.  

When reading 1 Kings 19, I got the feeling that Elijah honestly felt like he was the only one out there doing anything for the kingdom, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me,” (v14) he tells God twice.  God let Elijah know that He was not low on numbers, “yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him.” (v18) More often than not, our perceptions are not reality.  

I also love reading how James and John asked Jesus if they wanted them to call down fire from heaven on the people who were inhospitable to Jesus (see Luke 9:54).  Undoubtedly, they were referencing 1 Kings 18.  I doubt they thought about Elijah’s despair immediately afterwards.  They simply wanted to do something great and powerful.  Later, they would try to get Jesus to grant them the best seats in God’s kingdom (see Mark 10).  Jesus quickly let them know that their request was full of ignorance.  They simply didn’t know what they were asking for. 

I sit here this morning thinking about all the mistakes I’ve made in ministry.  In many ways, I’m still very much ignorant and more than naïve.  I spent too many of my years trying to be Elijah, James, and John.  I never wanted to burn anyone up, but I sure wanted the presence of God to manifest everywhere I preached in the most powerful of ways.  In many ways, I got what I wanted, but I found out the hard way . . . not everyone desires that.  In my own disappointment, I allowed my own flame to burn down to embers.  

This morning, I simply want to be one of those seven thousand that God is preserving.  We never learn any of their names, but we know they were faithful, and they never bowed the knee to anyone besides the Lord God. 

In a world where most schoolteachers are trashed by society, I can be faithful.  

In a world where many CDL drivers cut corners, disregard rules and regulations, and have horrible outspoken attitudes towards authority, I can be faithful.  

In a world where most musicians want to climb the ladder of more money and more success, I can be faithful. 

In a world where many husbands and wives seek pleasure outside of their marriages, I can be faithful. 

In a world where too many preachers seek bigger ministries and bigger bank accounts, I can be faithful. 

In a world that is ever changing, at least for the fifty years I’ve lived on it . . . Lord, help me be faithful.  Fan my embers back into flame.  Amen.

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Childlike Faith

Posted on July 23, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3

I know I’ve skipped a couple of weeks of WMD.  I have been cramming all the traveling and vacationing I can do in the last couple of weeks before I head back to work.  School seems to be starting back early as ever.  I have had the best time candlepin bowling in Boston, seeing those gigantic screens on the buildings in New York, and even being surprised that It was cold in Halifax in Nova Scotia (which they actually called a heat wave).

One thing that I have loved lately is that I have a renewed sense of childlike wonder.  Jesus tells us that we will not enter the kingdom unless we become like little children.  Children believe without limit, and they trust unconditionally.  I picture a mom making the best chocolate chip cookies.  I know when I was a kid, I’d just stare at them through the oven door.  In fact, I still do that.  I still burn myself on one every time because I don’t wait for them to cool off.  There is so much excitement and disbelief that ingredients can come together to make such a wonderful thing.  The anticipation while they are being prepared, the pure joy of watching them cook, and the capping off with them being enjoyed is crazy good.  

Jesus gave His life so that if we believe, we might have eternal life.  For those who believe, we are allowing God to bring all the ingredients together, even ones we don’t like, and assemble them in a way that will produce the best of us.  We know that our Lord and Master knows exactly what He is doing and when the heat is turned up in our lives that He is still working all things for our good.  We trust Him.  We know He loves us and not only meets our needs but allows us to enjoy the way He provides for us.  One sweet day, we will feast in Heaven and be with our Lord and Savior.  

All we have to do is put our trust in Him and believe.

For some reason, most people (me included) think that we must earn the salvation that Christ offers.  So many people believe that they must change before they come to the Lord.  Could anyone even imagine a kid telling mom, “I’ll clean my room and pick up my toys, so I’ll be worthy to eat just one of those cookies.”  That would never happen!  In a similar way, we should be excited to hear about heaven and that the Creator of the Universe wants to include us in His plans.  

Why aren’t we more excited about what He has done and what He is doing?  More than likely, we have simply grown wise in our own eyes.  We choose reason over faith.  The world we live in will never encourage faith over reason.

I finished watching House of David the other day.  By far, my favorite part was when David came and saw Goliath taunting Israel.  It had been going on for days and days.  David was incredulous that they’d stand there and do nothing.  Jonathan eventually tells him, “I’ve seen this giant, you can’t defeat him.”  

I love David’s response, “Am I the only one who believes the old stories?”

Let’s grow in trusting God with a childlike faith.

Lord, I don’t want to just say that I trust You.  I want to enjoy You.  I want to know that You are a million times more exciting and are preparing something of infinite value when compared to any temporary pleasure this world offers.  Help me place my entire existence into Your hand and believe with all my heart.  Help me trust You and believe the old stories.  The world behind me, the cross before me . . . no turning back.  No turning back.  Amen.

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A Picture of Grace

Posted on July 2, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing:  it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  — Ephesians 2:8-9

This past weekend I was shown a near perfect picture of what grace looks like.  I bought my mom and dad tickets to see the play of the Pilgrim’s Progress in Greenville at the Logos Theater.  We left in plenty of time, and I was so excited to see this for the second time.  When we got there, the lady scanned my ticket, and a big red outline appeared on her screen.  She looked at the ticket and said, “These were for last week’s showing.”

The blood drained from my face and a great big sinking feeling just engulfed me.  I went to the ticket booth and just said, “I messed up . . . we were supposed to come last week.”  She told me to go and see the lady at the door.  I told the lady at the door the same thing I told the lady at the ticket window.  She immediately, without hesitation, led us to four seats that were better than the ones I paid for and had expired.  There was no “stinks to be you,” “you should have paid more attention,” “I’ll bet you pay more attention next time,” none of that.   I felt badly that there was none of that because that is exactly what I deserved.

I sat there and watched the play with the most grateful attitude I believe I’ve ever had.  Christian was at the scene with Apollyon accusing him.  Apollyon pointed out every time he had gotten off the narrow path and let him know that his faithfulness to the King hadn’t been that great.  Christian simply said, “But the king is merciful . . . I have confessed my sins, and the King is faithful and just to forgive me.”  I thought of the many times I’ve dishonored the God I say I love and strayed from the narrow path He asks me to walk.  Just like the ticket lady letting me in and giving me great seats . . . this is how God has treated me my whole life.  I might have had the purest, most childlike faith I’ve ever had for that couple of hours in that theater.  

I hope I never forget.

Lord, how great are You and Your ways?  How does one such as I put my faith in You, fail at so many turns, and You still give me Your best?  I’m so thankful that You are nothing like us.  We are made in Your image, yet we project our attitudes and ways onto You and begin to believe You are like us.  We put people in their place and treat them like we think they deserve to be treated.  Thank You, Jesus for not treating us as we treat others.  You showed me exactly what You are like through the ticket lady.  Bless her, keep her, and make Your face to shine upon her.  I don’t know that I’ve ever been more thankful for the salvation that You offer, and the gift that You are as I sit here typing this.  Thank You!  Amen!

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Camera 1/Camera 2

Posted on June 11, 2025 by wednesdaymorningdevotional

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?  The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see.” – Mark 10:51

I sit here this morning in awe at what is possible in this day and time.  I had no idea how badly I physically saw this world until I had cataract surgery on my left eye two weeks ago.  I spend a lot of time now playing a game I call “Camera 1/Camera 2.”  I simply sit outside and close my right eye . . . everything is so crystal clear.  I’m blown away at simple things like how beautiful colors are and just how sharply things are in focus.  Then, I go to camera 2.  It looks like I’m in a smoke-filled bar.  It looks like a thick layer of pollen has been placed over everything and has been sitting there for years.  I bet I’ve played this game 500 times in the last two weeks.  I thank God over and over that I live in a day and time where this is possible.  I thank God over and over that He has given me a job with insurance, plus the recourses above and beyond what insurance pays to make it all possible.  I see it as no less than a miracle.

Yesterday as I was walking, praying, and playing my game, I just had the best sense of His presence.  I couldn’t stop thanking Him for saving me, changing me, and growing in me over these past 34 years.  I was spiritually seeing through camera 1.  I was seeing spiritually so clearly.  I saw this world and my own flesh for what it was.   If I had never encountered Jesus, I’d be so lost.  I also thought about how so often I have gone my own way, made decisions based on what the world would say is best, or what my own heart thought was best.  Those decisions always led me to a place I didn’t like.  Those decisions always led me away from God and away from His presence.

How amazing are You, Lord?  I think of all that conviction that swept over me after sitting in that youth service back in 1991.  I knew I couldn’t go to sleep that night without making things right with You.  Last week, I drove to the lake landing where You changed me.  I played my new game.  I looked through camera 1 and was just blown away at the beauty I could see, and the beauty that has taken place in my heart, mind, and soul over the past few decades.  I can’t even imagine how crystal clear we will all see in heaven.  I can’t even imagine the presence we will feel.  I’m so thankful for the very minor taste of perfect vision I have right now.  I’m even more thankful for the minor tastes of heaven You let me feel at just the right moments.  Lord, within a few hours of posting this WMD, I’ll have had the other eye done.  Please let everything go well once more.  You know I’ll thank You with all my heart.  Bless everyone who reads this.  Fill them with Your presence and give them a small taste of Heaven . . . there is nothing like it.  Amen

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