Saturday, August 20, 2016

What Instead Of Why

Acts 9:3-6

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Paul was suddenly unable to see.  The powerful became almost powerless and instead of asking “why” he asked “what.”  “Lord, what do you want me to do?”  Don’t you think he wanted to know why?  It’s the silent question that burns in the hearts of so many who are suddenly faced with a situation beyond their control.   

Asking “what” instead of “why” is not an easy thing to do.  Maybe you’ve been through a storm or maybe you’re going through one now.  The easiest and most common question to ask God is “Why?”  Why is this happening?  Why me?  Why now?  Why?  It’s a great question, but in my experience it is seldom answered.  And then we want to ask, “Why doesn’t God tell us why?”  I can’t answer that question.  Don’t know of anyone who can.  It’s most often a mystery.  I find comfort in something Vance Havner said years ago…. you can’t always trace the hand of God but you can always trust the heart of God.  I may not know the “why” but I can trust the “Who.”

Ron Dunn’s writings have helped me with this question of “why.”  Instead of becoming restless and demanding before God expecting an immediate response as to why I am going through such a storm, he says I should instead ask what.  I’d like to suggest Four Whats to ask God in the midst of a storm…
1.     What do I need to see?
2.     What do I need to hear?
3.     What do I need to learn?
4.     What do I need to do?  


Most people are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or going into a storm.  Maybe these questions will help you face the days ahead.  And when you come out of the storm, you’ll be able to help others. Don’t ask why, ask what…

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Michael Mason Ministries August Newsletter

                               
Friends, 
Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement, and financial support. Several of you help me with financial gifts on a monthly basis.  Some of you do so occasionally as the Lord leads.  I am grateful for your gifts.  I continue to trust the Lord to open doors.  He is faithful and I give Him thanks for providing all I need. Thank you for supporting this necessary ministry.                      
It’s hard to believe summer will soon end as fall is just a little over a month away.  Football kicks off soon…and the fall revival season begins for me.  I have some wonderful opportunities ahead of me.  One I’m excited about is the Guatemala Pastors Conference October 18-21.  I’ll be a part of a team of pastors that will be busy preaching and teaching for the three-day event.  If you’d like to help pay the expenses for this trip I would appreciate your help. For information, email me at michael-mason@charter.net.

You can view my website at michaelmasonministries.com. I  also write articles you might find interesting at michaelmasonline.blogspot.com

Prayer Requests: 
  1. Thanks for the continued prayers for my dad.  
  2. I have a personal prayer request.  Thank you for praying. 
  3. Pray for me and my family…for God’s protection and provision. 

August-September Preaching Schedule ~

August
21-24 Central Heights Baptist, Florence, Al.
25 Redan Baptist, Holly Pond, Al.
28-31 Serenity Baptist, Somerville, Al.

September
11 First Baptist, Magee, Miss.
12-14 Buhl Baptist, Buhl, Al.
18-21 Friendship Baptist, Cullman, Al.
25 First Baptist, Florence, Al.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

The Fork In The Road

Matthew 7:13-14
Not far from where I was raised there’s an old country road with a well-known fork.  It’s well known because over the years several folks couldn’t decide which road to take.  In the fork of this country road stood an old oak tree, almost as big around as a tractor tire.  That tree was marked and bruised and bore the chrome and paint of many a car whose driver couldn’t decide. 

Ever been there?  Can’t decide?  Yogi Berra said, “When you come to a fork in the road take it.”  It’s just not that simple is it?  Many of us are marked by last minute decisions.  Some of us took the right road.  Some of us took the wrong road.  Some of us hit the Oak. 

Where would you be today if you hadn’t made that last minute decision?  You were at a fork in the road and the choice was yours.  To leave or stay.  To quit or recommit.  To chase your dreams or let go.  To believe God or not. 

There’ll always be a fork in the road
…decisions to make…directions to follow.…destinies to pursue.

Fritz Kreisler, world famous violinist, said, "Narrow is the road that leads to the life of a violinist. Hour after hour, day after day and week after week, for years, I lived with my violin. There were so many things that I wanted to do that I had to leave undone; there were so many places I wanted to go that I had to miss if I was to master the violin. The road that I traveled was a narrow road and the way was hard."  The way that leads to Life is narrow but necessary.  At some point we have to decide whether or not we will believe God, follow God, and trust God.    


Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Sadly, the road less traveled today is the one that leads to God.  Many are going to miss God as they choose the busy roads that lead to “far countries” full of prodigals that wish they could come home.  – Which road are you on?