Finish Well

Sunday's reminds me of a family reunion. In my family, June is the month when the Cason clan gets together for a "family reunion." However, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God! So that make's every Sunday a "family reunion." Don't miss the "family reunion" this Sunday!!!

Well, I woke up this morning with another thought on my mind for today's email, but during my Bible reading and devotions, the Lord redirected my thinking.

I was reading from 1 Kings 11 about Solomon. May I paraphrase? Solomon loved many foreign women. The Lord clearly instructed the people of Israel, You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods. Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. In his old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David had been. The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshipping other gods, but he didn't listen to the Lord's command. So now the Lord said to him, Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed me, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you. Because of Solomon's sin I will punish the descendants of David, though not forever.

No one is immune to becoming spiritually sidetracked. Some of God's greatest servants have experienced failure and been restored. Dr. Bobby Clinton of Fuller Theological Seminary said, "In a study of 100 of the more prominent leaders in the Bible, less than 30 finished well. This means more than 60 of them were sidetracked by such sins as the abuse of power, pride, illicit sexual relationships or the improper use of finances."

Clarence E. McCarthney called Solomon "the wisest fool that ever lived." He ruled a nation but had no rule over himself. He had wisdom for everybody else but would not apply it to himself. The man who wrote Proverbs 4:23 did not obey it. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

It is one thing to know the Word but quite another thing to do it!

Solomon obviously got right with God in the end. God used him to pen the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. But how much better it would have been had he obeyed the Lord. Are you living by what you know is right? Or, is it just something that is in your head and not in your heart! (cf. Proverbs 4:23) All of us know how God wants us to live, but how many of us are obeying from the heart? James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

I will close with these words from Solomon. "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." (Proverbs 25:28) "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc. 12:13)

Brayden Helps PaPaw Cut Grass

Today has been a great day! It started early this morning seeing the Lord bless a young lady in our church with successful surgery at UNC! Then visiting a lady at Wake Med. who has been very, very sick and seeing the Lord's healing in her life. We serve a great and gracious God.

After a little shopping and lunch, we headed home for the afternoon and evening. I finished putting together a shelf and cleaned out the garage. A much needed project that I've been needing to do for weeks. I've actually got my car parked in the garage for the first time ever. I hope I can remember when I parked it in the morning.

Jonathan, Heather, Luke, Amanda and Brayden came over and we were chilling and grilling. It was a beautiful evening and after supper, me and Brayden took to the yard to cut the grass.

However, the highlight of the evening was talking to Daniel in Spain via Skype. We all gathered around the little web cam and had a family reunion. It was great. Daniel is doing good. He said their services have been about two hours and seems to be enjoying the people. The custom in Spain is to greet one another with a holy kiss. He said he was with some folks the other day and they greeted someone they knew. They kissed Daniel, so he said he kissed them back. He was so funny! He will be there for 44 for more days and we are counting down the days. We miss him so much, but we are thankful he has this opportunity. He is experiencing a lot of history. He said he's not staying very far from where Christopher Columbus was before leaving to discover America. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it when he gets home. He said he may get a chance to go to Rome, Italy before he comes home.

Money Does Grow On Trees!

Yesterday was my birthday. My wife, children and family went the 2nd mile to make it a special day for me. I am so grateful! And to top the day off, when I got to our evening meal time, my church family had prepared a "birthday party" in my honor. At the end of our time of fellowship, our Deacon Chairman, Marvin Deans and our Youth Pastor, Timothy Deans presented to me a "money tree" loaded with five dollar bills (in honor of our "Five Alive" Sunday School Campaign this month). What a surprise! Thank you White Oak Hill! You are a great congregation and it's a joy to serve you as your Pastor! I love you!

Now, where can I plant my tree? I am looking forward to seeing it grow more $$$! If it produces more "fruit," I may consider selling you some seed! Lol! :-)

Mixed Emotions

Yesterday was a day filled with "mixed emotions." They day begin by helping our son get ready to depart for his summer internship in Spain. He will be there for nine weeks. This will be the longest time we've been apart. He's been to summer camp, visiting grandparents, and he's even been to Panama for a couple of weeks for a missions trip, but nine weeks seems like an eternity right now. It was really difficult trying to go to sleep last night knowing that as I lay my head on my pillow, my son was in the air over the Atlantic ocean. My mind wanted to think about all that could go wrong. My heart wanted to focus on the empty and lonely feelings that I wanted to have. But instead, I prayed and thanked God for the opportunity that He has given my son to minister and to be ministered to during this missions internship. I rejoiced in the fact that I have a son who has given his heart and life to the Lord to be used for his glory and honor. And I went to sleep and rested.
But let me get back to some other things that was going on yesterday. A sister in Christ was weeping because her brother has stage 4 cancer and has only six months to a year to live, a friend on vacation in Georgia had a heart attack and will have to have bypass surgery. A young man that went to school with my children was killed over the weekend. His brother just died in a wreck five months ago. How can a Mother's heart bear the burden of loosing another son?
Sometimes you can't help but ask, "why do bad things happen to good people?"
All I know is that God is in control. He loves us. He cares for us. He will never leave us or forsake. I know I can trust Him. I know His way is perfect.
During my sermon on Sunday, I had just made the statement, "God never promised smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe landing." I also know that Romans 8:28-29 is very true and that one day "we'll understand it, all by and by."
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Will you join with me in "Rejoicing with them that do rejoice, and weeping with them that weep." (Romans 12:15).

Me and Mom - Mother's Day 2009

As you know, this past Sunday was Mother's Day and I had the wonderful privilege of being in church with my mother. We realized that we had not been together for a church service on mother's day in 26 years. Since I am a Pastor and she is a Pastor's wife, we've both had our places to be on mother's day. However, since daddy is now retired, they were able to come spend the day with us. I am so thankful for the opportunity to worship with her on such a special day. I am so grateful that God allowed me to be born into the family that I was born into. Psalm 61:5 says, "For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name." I praise the Lord for my family. I come from a Christian family. My grandparents were Christians and very active in the local Church. My parents are Christians and have given their lives to serve the Lord. My father has faithfully preached God's Word for more than 60 years. On July 12, 1957, God called a young lady from Southeast Georgia to be a preacher's wife. As a result of that union, God brought yours truly into this world. I can't imagine where I would be in life if it were not for my godly parents.

The Apostle Paul said to Timothy, "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." I'm not sure my faith has always been strong, but I can say that I have saving faith and that I have it because it was passed down from a godly grandmother, to a godly mother, and to her son. I am thankful to say, that faith has also been passed own to the generations that follows me. My children are Christians and are actively serving the Lord in our church. I have no doubt that my grandson will be a Christian too. Think about it, that's at least five generations! Wow! Praise the Lord! I am a blessed man.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not a Christian because my mother was or because my grandmother was. I am a Christian because I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I realized that I was sinner and that I need to be saved.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to rejoice and to give praise to the Lord for my Christian heritage.

Mama, thank you for taking the time to come be with us in services last Sunday and thank you for being a faithful Christan mother, passing on to your children to example of faith. I love you!

National Day of Prayer

For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? Deut. 4:7

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Prov. 14:34
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Tim. 2:1-2

Please join with me in praying for our Nation on this 58th Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer.

Our Heavenly Father, I praise you and thank you for this great nation. You have so richly blessed America. I am so blessed to call this land of freedom my home. I pray that you would bless our National, State and local leaders with wisdom to lead us in the paths of righteousness. I pray that America will return to you. I pray that our churches will have revival. I pray that our schools will once again look to you for guidance. I pray for the youth of this nation, that they will seek to know you, the only true and living God. I pray for the father's of this nation, that we will lead our homes in godliness. I pray for the mother's of this nation, that they will teach our children to trust in you. I pray for our men and women in the military, fighting for our freedom. Watch over them and protect them. I am so thankful for their service to our country. Now, Lord, forgive us of our sins and may our nation turn to you. You have blessed America, I pray that America will bless you.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

God Answers Prayer

1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

One of the most important things we have as born again Christians is the gift of answered prayer.

God answers prayer; sometimes when hearts are weak,

He gives the very gifts His children seek.

But often faith must learn a deeper rest,

And trust God's silence when He does not speak;

For He whose name is love will send the best.

Stars may burn out, nor mountain walls endure,

But God is true, His promises are sure

To those who seek.

However, there are conditions to prayer. What seems like a blank check ("if we ask any thing") has conditions attached ("according to his will"). Jesus is the greatest example of this kind of prayer. Praying in the garden just before his crucifixion, He prayed, "...Father, not my will, but thine be done." God is infinite is His wisdom. He sees and knows our lives from beginning to end. We only see the moment. He knows what's best for us, overall.

We must also keep in mind, that the Bible teaches that if we have unforgiven sin in our lives, God will not hear our prayers. Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear." I must come to him with a clean, pure heart. He wants to answer my prayer more than I wanted it answered. He is a loving, kind and gracious heavenly Father, but He is far more interested in my holiness than my happiness.

My problem with prayer is not that God will not or cannot answer, but I simply do not ask. James 4:2 says "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask." God wants us to "ask!" Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Will you join me in "asking!"