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You're Going The Wrong Way 

Many years ago I was asked to do a Lay service when our Pastor was away. I was thinking of the movie “Trains, Planes and Automobiles” that I really liked with Steve Martin and John Candy in it. In one scene they were driving down the interstate with John Candy behind the wheel. It ended up he was going the wrong way and the people on the opposite side of the road were yelling at them, “You’re going the wrong way!, you’re going the wrong way!”

How interesting it was for me standing behind the pulpit and looking out at the congregation, trying to explain to them, not yell, “you’re going the wrong way!” Yes, even in churches there are some that are still trying to live most of one day with God in their lives, then its down the wrong street again. Now let me set the record straight I do believe in the quote, “We are called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges”, but I understand the wrong way streets for I was traveling them for a long time. At one time seven days a week. So I am speaking from experience. I was not being judgmental, for that is up to only God.

I really wished at that time in my life someone, would have yelled at me. Maybe they did and I just closed my ears to them. In the Bible it is written Mark 7:16  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Plus we have so many distractions from our fast paced lives today. Running here and there with little time to stop and listen, not even thinking of “smelling the roses”, as they say. 

Probably a lot of people are asking right now, “So what is the right way?” Well, I found that in the Bible in John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. Very seldom now I ever watch TV, for anything there has very little meaning on it. Not much good news for too many is going the wrong way. All those constant commercials are poisoning our minds. Too much violence and forget censorship not very many go down that road anymore. We really did make a ”U” turn somewhere and started going the wrong way. 

I truly believe it is time if you are going the wrong way to stop and ask someone for directions before it is too late.  Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day. Psalm 119:35 Cause me to walk in the path of Your Commandments; for I delight in them.

The path we choose is of our own choice. This poem the Lord blessed me with is about choice and how time is running short. I am so glad that I am now traveling on God’s awesome highway. 

Running Out of Time

An angel entered the throne room
and found his Master seated on the throne.
Looking in amazement he asked,
“Lord why are You all alone?

Where are all your worshipers,
that appeared to sing your praise?
What about all the beatings, the whippings
the crown of thorns, what still keeps them all away?

You sent them your disciples,
the Apostle Paul, the Prophet Isaiah and more.
Your Word was left so all would know.
Please tell me Lord, what was it all for?”

The Lord of Lords looked down and said
“Oh special angel of Mine,
ever since the Garden of Eden
man’s been running out of time!

I loved them so and always wanted
not one of them to lose,
a chance to be with Me forever
all I asked was that they choose.

Heaven is now ready for them,
I haven’t changed My plan.
Salvation and a relationship with Me
has always been up to man!”

E. P. Shagott


From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott

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Mountain, Valley Or Both

It is easy to praise God when we are on top of the mountain, but do you praise Him in the valleys too? He is the same God and deserves the same praise. When we are on the mountain and our stomachs are full, our debts are few, and our families are healthy probably most don’t praise Him. For sure when we visit the valleys of our lives, and we will some day, for Jesus said we will in John 16:33, it is hard to be praising Him but we should for He is God of our ups and downs.

The God’s Love Outreach Ministry was called into the valleys of people’s lives so many times. For one hour being a part of they’re hurting, they’re confusion and they’re searching for peace in their lives, all valleys for sure.  I was once at a Convent where a Seeds for Christ program is normally presented to 10+ Sister’s that have dedicated their lives to Christ. But this time, only a handful, due to so much sickness there. Are these Sister’s praising God in their sickness, You would be hearing their voices ring out from the valley. They love God that much. When you love Him like that you then realize it is all about Him! The Activity person asked me to keep them in my prayers.

One time many years ago I went to church with a very heavy heart. I was spending time in a valley. I was so confused I didn’t even realize how bad the weather was and the church was closed because of wintry conditions. Very seldom churches close but if it may cause some people to have unnecessary problems it is done. On this day I walked to church because I knew I had to be there. The weather was bad but I didn’t pay it much attention. When I got there the door was locked but I had a key, because of being an elder.

As I sat there I just prayed, and prayed and prayed. My burden was being lifted from me. I picked up a Bible from the pews and started to read the book of Job. If you ever think, “woe is me”, I recommend you read Job but leave yourself enough time for Job had problems. It was truly a valley he was in, deep valley! In the very first chapter, Job 1:1 it states, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil. That spoke well of Job. In verse six is where satan enters the picture. satan tried to tell God that Job would curse Him. God told satan all that Job had was under satan’s power but he couldn’t harm Job. Well this was the start of Job’s valley but after you read all 42 chapters you will find Job stayed perfect and upright throughout the valley, even through everything he lost, everything. 

So as I was in the church that Sunday I picked up a pew hymnal and started singing praises to my Lord and Savior. I was there for 1½ hours and walked out understanding the God of the mountains is still God of the valleys. So the answer is in the pudding as they say, Job 42:12 And Jehovah blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.

This is a poem that the Lord blessed me with when I was thinking of the many wounded people that the God’s Love Outreach Ministry, His ministry, ministered to, that seem as though they just can’t get out of the valley they are now in.

Please, help Lord!

I need your help today Lord,
for it seems I can't go on.
Everything in my life today
appears to be all wrong.

The beauty that you created for me,
my eyes are failing to see.
There is disease through out my body Lord,
that is slowly killing me.

My smile seldom appears now,
over taken by grief and pain.
My spirit is slowly being broken,
Lord, please touch my heart again.

May my focus always be on you Lord,
so my problems seem far away.
Thank you for this time Lord
Yes, I need your help today….

E. P. Shagott

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours!

Ed Shagott

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Sharing

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I am always amazed how we now have so many ways to share with others. With email we get abundance of good and sometimes bad stuff. Today’s blog is titled “Sharing” for I know the Lord wants us to share the good so somebody may benefit from it. I also know He blesses the good, for He is good! In the Bible Gen 1:31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

I want to share two stories one I will write from memory and the other one that was recently sent to me by a wonderful friend of mine.

“The View” – First story

Two gentlemen were sharing a hospital room. Everyday the one gentleman by the window would describe what he saw out the window. His description of wonderful views helped the other person get through the day. It gave that person hope of what would be there when he got well and was released from the hospital.

One day when the gentleman that was in the bed by the door he didn’t hear anything being described by the voice by the window. See there was a curtain that separated the two gentlemen. When the nurse came into the room he asked about the gentleman by the window. She told him he passed away during the night.

The man asked if he could be moved by the window so he could get to see the great views. The nurse looked puzzled but granted him his wish. When the man looked out the window he could only see a brick wall!


Two Horses – Second story

There is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will
notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes
of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner
has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a
good home for him .

This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the
sound of a bell.. Looking around for the source of
the sound, you will see that it comes from the
smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell..
It lets the blind friend know where the other
horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see
that the horse with the bell is always checking on the
blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for
the bell and then slowly walk to where the other
horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter
of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and
looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't
too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not
throw us away just because we are not perfect or
because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our
lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
the little ringing bell of those who God places in
our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others
to find their way....

Good friends are like that... you may not always
see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

And remember...be kinder than necessary-everyone
you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly....
Leave the rest to God

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott

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Rejoice Over Them 

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Jeremiah 32:41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will truly plant them in this land with all My heart and all My whole soul.
 

Devotional by Charles Spurgeon

[How heart-cheering to the believer is the delight which God has in his saints! We cannot see any reason in ourselves why the Lord should take pleasure in us; we cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan, being burdened; conscious of our sinfulness, and deploring our unfaithfulness; and we fear that God’s people cannot take much delight in us, for they must perceive so much of our imperfections and our follies, that they may rather lament our infirmities than admire our graces. But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery: that as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us.]
 

What a wonderful scripture that is. Just knowing our God rejoices over us surely brings warmth to my heart. As I was reading this devotional today it is amazing how from back in Charles Spurgeon’s time till today, it appears not too much has changed. Yes, we have more modern conveniences but we are still groaning, have many burdens, and we are very conscious of our sinfulness and unfaithfulness. Well, if we are not then we should be. I know I am happy that the Lord does rejoice over me. When you walk with Christ you can be sure the Father rejoices over those that choose to walk in His Son’s-light.

 

[We do not read anywhere that God delighteth in the cloud-capped mountains, or the sparkling stars, but we do read that he delighteth in the habitable parts of the earth, and that his delights are with the sons of men.]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! That means me and you.

[We do not find it written that even angels give his soul delight; nor doth he say, concerning cherubim and seraphim, “Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, for the Lord delighteth in thee”; but he does say all that to poor fallen creatures like ourselves, debased and depraved by sin, but saved, exalted, and glorified by his grace. In what strong language he expresses his delight in his people! Who could have conceived of the eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written, “He will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” As he looked upon the world he had made, he said, “It is very good”; but when he beheld those who are the purchase of Jesus’ blood, his own chosen ones, it seemed as if the great heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer, but overflowed in divine exclamations of joy. Should not we utter our grateful response to such a marvelous declaration of his love, and sing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation?”]

That paragraph was so good I couldn’t find a place where to inject my thoughts. When I got to the part “of being purchased in Jesus blood, His own chosen ones,” what can you say but “thank you Lord”! Yes I want to utter my grateful response because of Christ’s love for me on the Cross. 

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott

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Where Is Your “If”?

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“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe.”

Mark 9:23  Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.

This is an awesome devotional that each one must question within ourselves.

[A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavours of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” Now there was an “if” in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the “if” in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the “if,” kindly puts it in its legitimate position. “Nay, verily,” he seemed to say, “there should be no “if” about my power, nor concerning my willingness, the “if” lies somewhere else.” “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” The man’s trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return.]

In this next paragraph Charles Spurgeon teaches us a lesson even in today’s times.

[There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an “if” somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. “If” Jesus can help me-”if” he can give me grace to overcome temptation-”if” he can give me pardon-”if” he can make me successful? Nay, “if” you can believe, he both can and will. You have misplaced your “if.” If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. Faith standeth in God’s power, and is robed in God’s majesty; it weareth the royal apparel, and rideth on the King’s horse, for it is the grace which the King delighteth to honour. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to him that believeth. My soul, canst thou believe thy Lord to-night?]

This was truly a great devotional like most of Charles Spurgeon’s devotionals. Earlier in the year I was privileged to be in a discussion group that learned about the power of prayer. We must believe in the Bible verse Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed. Where is your “if” today? Are you praying to God, “If You can heal me of this disease?” “If You can get me financially strong?” “If You can free me from this addition?” “If You can save my marriage?” 

Mark 11:23  For truly I say to you that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he said shall occur, he shall have whatever he said.

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott

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 I Was

My dog Rescue is now 15 years old.  We are both up in age and get up a few times each night. What I find sometimes is I have a little trouble falling back to sleep. God uses that time to speak to me. One time in 2009 it was with a poem titled “I Was!” Let me tell you what a wonderful time it is spending with God when you can’t sleep. I told Him, please don’t let me forget this poem Lord when I get up in the morning. 

So here is the poem that He gave me. After reading it please read His comments that He wants to share with each of you. 

I Was

I was a sinner, now I’m a Saint
I was lost, now I’m found,
I was blind but now I see
that my God is all around.

I was hurting but now I’m healed.
I was bound but now I’m free.
I was confused but now I know,
Jesus’ love He has for me.

I was addicted, but now I’m not,
I was struggling but not anymore.
I was the abuser, a curser, the enemy,
but God was not keeping score.

Everything that I was,
that He definitely is not,
He took it all upon Himself
and left it all nailed to the Cross!

E. P. Shagott
9/25/09

Of all the 800+ poems that He has blessed me with this one is truly special. It speaks of everything we are in this earthly world. A world that was fallen to sin that started with Adam and Eve back in the Garden of Eden. But what the poem also speaks of, “I WAS”, past tense. See even though we live is this sinful world; we don’t have to be part of it. The choice is ours. I choose not to be part of the lost, blind to His love. No more with the hurts, being bound to sin, and the constant confusion we live in without Christ in our lives. Praise God for I am free from this world of addictions and the constant struggles within. Free from abusing by words or deeds. I do not want to be part of the enemy’s army but in the Army of God!

Yes, thank You Jesus for all that “I Was”, was left nailed to the Cross! As Martin Luther King once said, “Thank God I am free, free at last! I encourage all who will read this blog, that if you do not have that freedom, to grasp on to it now before it is too late. One time I was given me a small pamphlet that is titled, “If you were to die today are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven?” Are you? There are four things you need to know in order to go to Heaven for sure;
You need to know you are a sinner.
You need to know that there is a penalty for sin, you can’t pay it for yourself.
You need to know that Jesus loves you so much that He has already paid the penalty for you on the cross!
You need to know that Jesus offers you the free gift of Heaven, just accept.

Romans 10:13 For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved."

My friends when I was 15 years old I said this small prayer that was the beginning of spending Eternity with Jesus.

"Dear Heavenly Father please forgive me of my sins. I understand I am a sinner and believe the blood of Jesus has cleansed me of all my sins. Please come into my heart and become my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name, Amen."

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott

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Two Or Three Meet

Today I had a doctor’s appointment for being a new patient. What I didn’t realize was I was about to get a complete physical before I was through. After I was finished, leaving behind a little blood and coughing when told to, as I was walking to my car I saw a man smoking a cigarette and I was prompted by the Lord to go speak to him. I wasn’t sure what the Lord wanted me to say to him but that cigarette was a good opening. 

I told this gentleman that I quit in 1982 and it was one of the best things health wise I could of done. As I was saying this I was also thinking to myself, “who am I to tell this person anything?” But God had a reason for our meeting. See His timing was right on, the time it took for the physical and this gentleman’s craving. It says in Matthew 18:20 Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you. See it wasn’t about this person’s habit of smoking or my need to tell him how bad they are for you; it was just as it says in that Bible verse. As we talked we shared out testimonies, and we discovered we had that one awesome connection, Joe and I loved Jesus. We were not ashamed to tell each other about that.

Joe’s heart was heavy thinking all about his wife and that was why he was at the medical center today. But the one thing he made sure I understood, as much as he loved and devoted his life to his wife, he loved the Lord more. He also told me without that love for Jesus he would have a hard time getting through each day, especially now with the love of this life, his wife, being so sick constantly. He told me how draining it is mentally and physically. I told him I could relate, for the God’s Love Outreach Ministry ministers to God’s wounded almost daily to so many like his wife Mary and also so many more that are worst off. 

Amazingly as we talked we also found that we had a few things in common. Both were in the military, both smoked, both were borderline alcoholics, and both understood the importance of the wedding vows! Joe’s eyes swelled with tears as he said, yep, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. He had a hard time with the ending, until death do we part. Joe spoke of being blessed with what worldly possessions he has and his financial soundness, but also said it was all from the Lord and if it took all that to help make his wife well again, then so be it. He understands as I do the importance of living one day at a time and the importance of having God in your life each day.

As I was leaving the parking lot I noticed he was helping a woman get into a car. I quickly turned into another parking place, walked over to the car and said, "Mary so nice to meet you. God bless you and Joe!"

God blessed me with this poem. Well, Joe and I really felt His presence.

Do You Feel His Presence?

The amazing part of God’s love is
no matter where you are,
He is always there with you
not distant from afar.

Do you feel His presence?
Are you unsure when you speak?
Do you still think He is just for,
the lost and the weak?

Are you still like so many
that want Him in your heart,
but struggle with each passing day
wondering how do I start?

I believe God is just waiting
for you like He did with me.
Do you feel His presence?
Are you longing to be free?

Well, if you are like most
and waiting on God you must be,
please understand He is waiting for you,
just like He did with me.

Please don’t wait too long
for the next minute could be your last,
and eternity you couldn’t spend with Him,
all because you did not ask!

E. P. Shagott
4/6/09

From God’s heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott