Pastor Mike’s Minute Message: The Day Billy The Kid Almost Gave Up His Life Of Crime

  

“But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the LORD, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” (Numbers‬ ‭32‬:‭23‬ NLT)

At just 19 years old, William Henry McCarty Jr., aka William Bonney, aka “Billy the Kid,” had already achieved national infamy as one of the most well-known outlaws of the day. But by 1878, tired of his life of crime, he allegedly wrote to the newly appointed governor of New Mexico, Lew Wallace, that he was tired of fighting.

Wallace responded with an immunity deal if Billy would testify against others in the infamous Lincoln County War, a personal mission of the governor. Billy’s testimony led to some 50 arrests! Yet, Wallace refused to pardon him, as was promised. Thus, Billy escaped from jail, resuming a rampage of crime and murders. It leaves one to think, what would’ve happened had Wallace kept his word?

When you don’t keep your word, everyone pays a price. So be a person of your word! Whether to God or another person, do what you obligate yourself to, even if it hurts. If not, it will hurt worse! You are loved! Do right! 

Pastor Mike’s Minute Message: Taking Pride In A Job Well Done

  

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done.” (Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬ NLT)

When Joseph Schmidt came to Seabury Hall Prep School in Hawaii, looking for a challenge, he got just that, weathering financial hardships, empowering the student body, rounding up support for large capital improvement projects and transforming the school into what it is today. Twenty years later and heading into retirement, the 65-year-old California native has raised over $55 million to build a new upper and middle school classroom complex, eliminated its debt, increased its financial aid budget from $450,000 to more than $1 million, and doubled the size of the campus to about 65 acres! A job well done indeed!

Each one of us has the potential to do wonderful things with our lives. It’s simply a matter of doing it. By applying biblical principles, like today’s text, we position ourselves into a place where God can lead and bless our work. It’s His desire to do so!

Whatever your job or efforts are this week, whether building a company or wrangling grandkids, do it with love, pride, excellence, and for God’s glory! Seize your opportunities and feel good about it! You are loved and blessed today! 

Pastor Mike’s Minute Message: Praying Too Much? Probably Not…

  

The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord; so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬ NIV)

Peter Wagner once surveyed 572 pastors across America regarding their prayer lives and found that, on average, they prayed about 22 minutes each day. About 57% prayed less than 20 minutes, 34% prayed more than 20 minutes, but only 9% prayed more than an hour. The conclusion: While there are many reasons that a church doesn’t grow – location, sacred cows, poor facilities, etc. – but perhaps the greatest reason is prayerlessness!

The great missionary Hudson Taylor once remarked, “The power of prayer has never been fully tried in any church. If we want to see the mighty wonders of divine grace and power, instead of weakness and disappointment, the whole church must accept God’s standing challenge: ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.'” (Jeremiah‬ ‭33‬:‭3‬ KJV)

Don’t go another day without assessing your prayer life and making changes. No one has ever “prayed too much”! Take time today and see the difference! You are loved!