Green Pastures...

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23 NKJV

I'm not certain what caused the 23rd Psalm to come to my mind today but it did & I have been pondering it for a good portion of the day. As I read it, the thing that stood out to me was the green pastures. In my mind's eye, I see a solitary shepherd standing atop a hill watching over his flock of sheep in the green valley below. His eyes constantly scan the horizon, watching for any hint of danger and observing the weather conditions. A smile comes across his face as he sees young lambs frolicking and playing in the sweet, green grass. He takes a headcount to assure none of his precious flock have wandered away to become unsuspecting prey. He calls to them and they follow where he leads...

This is a picture of GOD as He sits in Heaven looking down on His children below. He has made provision for us in oh so many ways. He watches over us and protects us from all manner of evil. Yes, trials do come our way but He is ever faithful and cares for us. He sends people into our lives--for a reason, a season or sometimes for a lifetime--to uplift and encourage us just when we need it most. Psalm 100:3 reminds us, "Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." We are the creatures, He is the Creator. He desires good for us.

Satan is the predator intent on our destruction--we are his prey. GOD created us with a free will--we make our own choices in this life and those choices will ultimately determine our eternal destination. If we choose the things of the world, satan's way, we are doomed to eternal damnation and separation from GOD. We will spend eternity in a place never intended for man and be in agony and torment from the unquenchable flames.
However, if we choose to follow GOD and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior ("I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9 NKJV)--our eternal "green pasture" is the glory and splendor of Heaven. We'll be surrounded by the love and light of GOD and in a constant state of joy for all of eternity.

My prayer is that GOD will grant me opportunities to show the way to Him so that others can know the rest and comfort He gives & goodness and mercy can follow them all their days. Then we will all dwell together, united as one, in the house of the Lord forever.

He's calling--won't you follow? I wish you peace and green pastures!

Blessings!
Tony

Praise Him!

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

As most people know, my wife & I have been through a lot lately--mainly with her health issues. The enemy has attacked her body in an effort to keep us from doing what we feel GOD is calling us to do. Satan's goal has been to shift our focus from the things of the Spirit to physical things. If he can take ou eyes off of GOD in any way possible, he can and does completely derail us.

GOD never promised that life would be easy. As a matter of fact, we're told to expect opposition from the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." We're also told we'll experience hardships but we must endure them and grow through them as in James 1:2-4, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" and 2 Timothy 2:3 which says, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Difficulties are a part of life.

Recently, I began fasting & praying in an effort to seek GOD. Depriving our bodies of food and putting our focus entirely on GOD somehow makes us more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. GOD has revealed much to me through songs, sermons, conversations, etc. Today, while working. I found myself behind a Teen Challenge van with "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6 printed on the rear doors. Immediately following that, "He Touched Me" played on the radio. In that, I felt GOD was impressing on me to simply praise Him in and through all things.

I've decided we miss out on the things of GOD because we get caught up in the things of the world. Many "good" things are simply not GOD things. Satan will use seemingly good things to divert our attention from GOD & the path He has for us. Are you where GOD wants you? He's speaking, if we'll only pause in the madness to listen...

Blessings!
Tony

Healing Rains

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8 NKJV

It rained today...I work outdoors, so the rain gave me a lot of time to think & ponder. As I listened to the thunder rumble, saw the lightning streak across the sky, watched the winds blow and the rain come down, I thought about how the rain cleanses and refreshes the earth. The dirt and grime that builds up are washed away by the gentle or sometimes rushing waters as was today's case.

In that time, I was reminded of how GOD's mercies are fresh daily and the fact that we need to be cleansed from the grime of the world and the effects of sin. I saw the storms as healing rains. The passage in Joel came to my mind (Joel 2:21 & following) where it points out that GOD sends rain to nourish the earth--its animals & vegetation that we rely on for food. The scripture also promises restoration. Storms come into our lives--sometimes they shake us to our very core--these are the times our faith is tested.

Lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed by the trials I'm facing. I feel certain GOD sent the rain to remind me that He is in control and has my best interests at heart. All I need is to put self aside and totally trust Him. Additionally, I receive a random "verse of the day" in my e-mail daily. Today's was Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." Coincidence, you think? Not me, I believe GOD orchestrated it all just as a personal reminder for me!

Blessings!
Tony

Have Faith in GOD...

Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? Luke 12:22-28 NKJV

OK, I'll admit it--there are times my faith is really tested. As I write this, my wife is hospitalized again (14th time in 15 months) and by now I'm wondering what is going on. Is this test of GOD through which I am to learn something and grow spiritually as a result of? Am I being prepared for some great mission? Or, is it of Satan and designed to cause me to doubt? I absolutely do not know.

Our human nature is fickle. We can feel certain of something at one moment and completely unsure the next. We tend to worry & fret and expend large amounts of energy & emotion over things that are not within our control. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
So, why do we put ourselves through such gutwrenching periods of self-pity, doubt and worry? All we need to do is turn it over to GOD. His shoulders are big enough to carry the burden when we cannot bear it alone.
I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Neibuhr. Most people are familiar with the first few lines but the rest is powerful as well...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

The things of this world, the difficulties we encounter--none of it makes sense to us. Why doesn't GOD "fix" it? Why does He allow evil? I believe that we are not meant to understand it all in the here and now but that He will reveal His plan to us when we reign with Him in Glory. Faith and trust are the keys. "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV).

All I can be certain of now is simply that my faith is strong & my GOD is still on His Throne and that is enough for me!

Blessings!
Tony

Testimonial, an "oldie goldie" by yours truly

Some of you will remember this, others aren't familiar with it. I think it was the first of my writings I ever shared publicly & that was with the good people of Eastern Valley Baptist in Bessemer, AL. I wrote it around '95-'96 but it is still as true today as it was back then. GOD can take someone bound for hell, turn their lives around and use them for the furtherance of His Kingdom. I am still in awe of Him daily. I'd appreciate your prayers as I seek to serve Him...


“TESTIMONIAL”

By Tony Shoemaker


I walked this earth a lost, lonely soul---
Searching for something to make my life whole.

I looked and I looked, but nothing was there---
Everything I tried caused pain and despair.

GOD called my name, but I turned away---
Saying, “Not now, Lord, maybe someday.”

I kept on going through stubbornness and pride---
Determined to take life’s problems in stride.

Satan presented his temptations and I was weak---
Life held no value and the future seemed bleak.

Drugs, alcohol and sex brought emptiness and pain---
In them I found there was nothing to gain.

GOD kept speaking, day after day---
Saying, “Come Son, I’ll take your troubles away.”

He blessed me with a family, friends and a home---
Yet Satan persuaded me to continue and roam.

One day, I looked back at the suffering I’d bore---
I’d taken and taken, but could stand no more.

Broken and weeping, to GOD I did pray---
Confessing my sins on that glorious day.

With mighty power and grace, He reached out to me---
Saying, “Come Child, I’ve been awaiting thee.”

From that day forward, He’s guided my life---
And eased my burdens, my worries and strife.

Which Voice? a poem by yours truly...

I wrote this last summer, July I think. There was a time when poems flowed easily but in the past few years, I've only written a few. Anyway, I wanted to share this one called, "Which Voice?"

The voice of the world is calling out,
it starts as a whisper and becomes a shout.
It tells me I am an unworthy one,
unworthy to claim the Blood of GOD’s Son.
It constantly reminds me of where I’ve been,
of my old life--so riddled with sin.
It is the voice of Satan--filled with lies,
to listen to this voice is simply not wise.

The voice of GOD whispers with ease,
soft and gentle as a summer breeze.
It tells me of my worth, through His Son--
I need simply trust Him, the work is already done.
The Holy Spirit’s nudge is ever so mild,
all that is required is the faith of a child.
He doesn’t care what I’ve done or where I’ve been,
The Blood of Christ covers all of my sin.

Which voice will I listen to and heed--
My spirit, my humanity--which do I feed?
To follow the world grants earthly pleasure,
While following GOD promises heavenly treasure.
The final choice, the last vote--it is mine to make,
I and I alone, decide which path I’ll take.
With one, I win--with the other, I lose--
It’s up to me, which one will I choose?

Which voice?

Struggles--Why do Christians Suffer?

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Psalms 71:19-21 NIV

Why do Christians suffer? Why does the world hate us? Why does Satan do everything he can to bring pain and misery into our lives? Why does GOD allow it? I'm certain GOD hears these and a multitude of similar questions in the prayers of His People on a daily basis. What reasons can He have for letting bad things happen to good people?

Fact is, we live in a fallen world. When Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin and death fell on the entire human race. Because we are in the bloodline of sinful man, we are exposed to sin & its effects. Although we have submitted our will and committed our lives to the Father, we are still part of this humanity. The cruel and unvarnished truth is that Christian people fall victim to finincial problems, family issues, job losses, divorce, etc., just like the unsaved of the world do. We are not immune from it, but we do have GOD to see us through it!

Remember the story of Job? It reads a little like a Shakespearean play. Job was described as a blameless and upright man who feared GOD and shunned evil. He also had great wealth. In his time, wealth was seen as being favored by GOD while any form of loss or shame was seen as GOD's Hand being removed because of sin in one's life. One day, Satan began to test this righteous man and GOD allowed it. Through the story, everything Job has is taken from him--his children, his wealth, his herds, absolutely every earthly possession he had was gone. Despite all of this, he never turned his back on GOD. His "friends" were certain there was hidden sin in his life. His wife advised him to curse GOD and die--lots of great support there huh? His response? "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21 NIV) As the story concludes, Job is restored and GOD blesses him with far more than he had to begin with because of his great faithfulness. Even when he had nothing, he still held to GOD and looked to Him for strength and direction.

When I am inclined to moan and groan about the troubling issues I encounter in life, I am reminded of Job. My reward is not here on this earth--it awaits me in Heaven where I will spend eternity. The trials of this life can in no way compare with what GOD has in store for us. 1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Additionally, James 1:12 tells us, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." GOD never promised us life would be easy, just that it would be worth it in the end.

Let us look to Him in all things and for all things. He knows what the future holds and is preparing us for something. We must trust Him to see us through whatever life sends our way, regardless as to how difficult or unfair it may seem, so we can be better prepared to do great things for the Kingdom. Let's be like Job!

Blessings!
Tony