This morning I started reading a book that a friend of mine mentioned the other day. Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill. I've had the book on my self since 1986. I may have read it years ago, but I can't remember. I know I've used it and read some in it because there are several places underlined. Well, anyway, as another friend of mine would say, "man, it's ripping my face off." Allow me just to quote a few lines from the 1st chapter. "Preaching affects time; prayer affect eternity." "The tragedy of this late hour is that we have too many dead men in the pulpits giving out too many dead sermons to too many dead people." "... altar fires are either out or burning very low. The prayer meeting is dead or dying." "What church ever ask its candidating ministers what time they spend in prayer? Yet ministers who do not spend two hours a day in prayer are not worth a dime a dozen, degrees or no degrees." "Away with this palsied, powerless preaching which is unmoving because it was born in a tomb instead of a womb, and nourished in a fireless, prayerless soul." "We may preach and perish, but we cannot pray and perish." "If God called us to the ministry, then, dear brethren, I contend that we should get unctionized. With all they getting - get unction, lest barren altars be the bade of our unctionless intellectualism."

I'm not sure I can read on! I feel like I need to stop everything I had planned today and get "unctionized." Pray with me and pray for me. I don't want to be a powerless preacher. The hour is late and the needs are too great. May God help us all! Why not get a copy of the book for yourself and read along with me?

PaPaw Again

It has been a while since I've "blogged" and I can't think of a better way to get started back than announcing that Terry and I are grandparents again! Landen Timothy Johnson was born January 24, 2010 at 3:59 p.m. He weighed 5 lbs, 6 oz, and was 17.5 inches long. He is the second son of our daughter Amanda and her husband Luke. Mommy and baby are doing good. I am such a blessed man! I'm saved and I have a wonderful family! What more could one ask for! But on top of that, the Lord has called me and put me in the ministry. I pastor a great church. Life is good! However, there's a lot of work to do before the Lord comes back to take us home to Heaven. Let's be busy about our Father's busy! Thank you Lord for Your blessings on me!

Tell It Like It Is

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Galatians 4:16

This is an interesting verse to say the least! Paul's experience with the Christians in Galatia reminds us that we often make enemies of our friends when we tell them the truth. Paul had introduced these people to the Lord and nurtured them in the faith. But later when false teachers infiltrated their Christian assemblies, Paul had to warn believers that they were forsaking Christ for the law. That caused them to become hostile toward Paul.

Elijah was always honest and forthright in his messages to Ahab. Yet one day when Ahab met him, he said, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" (I Kings 18:17). Why, Elijah was one of the best friends Israel had! But his thanks for being faithful was to be denounced as a troublemaker.

When Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of the Lord whom they could consult, the king of Israel said, "There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil (1 Kings 22:8). The king didn't want the truth, and hated the one who spoke it to him.

John the Baptist told Herod, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife." (Mark 6:18). It was true, but such courageous handling of the truth soon led to John's execution.

Our Lord stirred up the hatred of the unbelieving Jews. What caused this hatred? It was because He had told them the truth! "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth..." (John 8:40).

Thomas Jefferson said, "If you meant to escape malice, you should have confined yourself within the sleepy line of regular duty. There are two sides to every question, and if you take one with decision and act on it with effect, those who take the other will, of course, be hostile in proportion as they feel that effect."

The truth often hurts. Instead of bowing to it, men often curse the one who speaks it. The true servant of the Lord has already counted this cost. he must speak the truth or die.

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:6

We are admonished to "speak the truth in love," but we must be certain that we speak the truth!

Pastor Appreciation Day

My wonderful Church family surprised me with a special Pastor Appreciation Day this past Sunday morning. I am very blessed to have such a caring and loving church. I am grateful to be called their Pastor. This was also a special day because they were helping me celebrate 25 years in the ministry. They had a special DVD presentation (I wanted to share it with you, but I don't know how). My parents and my in-laws were here for the celebration. Daniel preached and did an outstanding job. Heather sang "Thank you for giving to the Lord" (I think that's the title) and Luke sang "When God Ran." Following the service we enjoyed a time of fellowship and feasting and they presented me with a generous love offering! Thank you White Oak Hill for a very special day!

Do you know God?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

These are some of the scariest words that Jesus ever spoke. Jesus tells the story of people who get to heaven, but never had an intimate relationship with God. They preached in His name, performed miracles in His name, but never had an intimate relationship that God desires. And Jesus said some of the saddest words in the Bible. "I never knew you."

Do you know God? Do you have an intimate relationship with God? What's the big deal about intimacy? When I am intimate with God, I know Him and He knows me. I know that God already knows everything about me, but He desires to know you like your closest friend.

How is your intimacy with God? Intimacy needs two things. Quality time away from others, and authenticity and openness with our thoughts and feelings.

Let me suggest that you set aside some "quality time" for some "quite time." I strongly recommend that you have this "quite time" in the morning. One of my favorite verses is Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

This poem says it all... "I Met God In The Morning!"

I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.

So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!
By Bishop Ralph Cushman

Walk In Wisdom

Colossians 4:5 says, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." In other words, "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity."

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (outside of Jesus of course) said, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. (Proverbs 3:13-18, 4:7-9)

Likewise in Ephesians, we are exhorted to walk with wisdom. "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (5:15-17)

James describes two different kinds of wisdom. “Heavenly Wisdom and Earthly Wisdom.”
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:13-18)

We are to avoid wisdom that "descendeth not from above." James says that kind of wisdom is "earthly, sensual, devilish"

In Verse 17, James list eight characteristics of wisdom that is from above
1. It is pure.
2. It is peaceable.
3. It is gentle.
4. It is easy to be intreated.
5. It is full of mercy.
6. It is full of good fruits.
7. It is without partiality.
8. It is without hypocrisy.

Let's "Walk In Wisdom!" This kind of "wisdom" is Heavenly Wisdom!

Preach The Word

Today is a very special day for me. 25 years ago today I was ordained. I still recall that day in Cedar Springs, Georgia as my wife and I gathered around the altar as they "laid hands on me" and I was set apart for the ministry. My Father preached the ordination message and my brother gave the charge. I was presented with a Bible from Bro. Malcom Freeman (a deacon). Since that day, I have preached around 4,000 sermons. I've been blessed to have preached 67 Revivals in eight different states. My first pastorate was Cedar Springs Free Will Baptist Church in Cedar Springs, GA. I am grateful for those members who let me learn how to preach and pastor. They hold a very special place in my heart. I am thankful for all the places I have been privileged to pastor. I have pastored in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. I am indebted to my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Mance Cason for bringing me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I would not be where I am today without their wise counsel and guidance. I am also grateful for my wife. She has been a faithful companion. She's the best "preacher's wife" I know. She has prayed for me, encouraged me and supported me all these years. She has been faithful to follow my leadership and go where ever I felt like the Lord was leading us to go. I am thankful for my children. They have been good "preacher's kids." You know what they say about "preacher's kids." Well, they are they way they are because they played with the "deacons kids." I can honestly say that they have brought joy and not shame to my ministry. I have never heard them complain about being in the ministry.

Well, I could go on and on as my heart is full as I think back over these years. But, we press on! I pray that I will have another 25 years of ministry. However, I believe the Lord will return before then. I do want to say a word about my present ministry. In 2007 God called me to pastor White Oak Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Bailey, North Carolina. I am so honored to pastor this church. I've been blessed to be around some of the best Free Will Baptist people in the country and White Oak Hill is no exception. I love them and they love me. The Lord is blessing our ministry here and we are thankful the Lord called us here. It would be alright with me, if the Lord does tarry His coming, to "finish" my pastoral ministry right here with them.

However, since we don't know the day of the Lord's return and what His Will is for our lives "down the road," I must plod along. My only prayer is that I will remain faithful, faithful to Christ and faithful to His calling.

1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;