April 29~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“My Hope”
Jeremiah 42:17; II Timothy 3:1

This morning about 7:30a.m. an old friend and dear precious lady, got her promotion from this troublesome life and is now breathing, without labor, the clean celestial air of Gods Holy Heaven. And glory to God, she has just now begun to live!

The way of the believer is not always filled with fragrance of roses, bright days and peaceful contented summers. There are many storms, trials and dark days, clouds blot out the sunny days sometimes and darkness falls in the most critical times, and we cry for light and understanding. Solomon says of our path in this life that, “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:17). When we have our trust in God, no matter what our circumstances are, we can experience happiness, even through tears, because our hope and bliss is yet over there. Our lives are filled with disappointments, but our course is taking us to, “the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day, (Proverbs 4:18). Sometimes we find ourselves in the turmoil of the storms, the skies are black, and it seems that the elements are going to take us under, and we say, “If I was truly a child of God, this would not be happening." But remember dear Child, the very best of Christians go through trials and tribulations, we must bear the cross. You see, in the Christians life, you are either in a storm, going into a storm or coming out of a storm. We have weak and timid times, and our path is quite smooth, and then we learn to get stronger in our spiritual walk as we mature into grown-ups; responsible saints. We then begin to see that the winds and waves, trials and tempests are there to exercise our faith and to lean not on our own dependance, but His.

“I’ll See”

In Him, I’m grounded, rooted and firm, 

In Him, I’ll rest, I’ll live and learn.

In the sad evil days, for a short while I’ll cope; 

But one day I’ll see Heaven, His face, and my hope.

                                        ~Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Our hope and bliss is yet over there.”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 19-20

Weekly Memory Verses: Romans 8:35-39  

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

April 28~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Hope Is In His Promises”
Acts 17:28; Colossians 1:27; Psalms 119:49 

God knows your every need and gives you a promise with it. If you are weary with worry, you have a promise; (Isaiah 40:29) “He giveth power to the faint.” Even if you are weary with the load of living, because life is hard many times; But take all of your load of mind, heart and body, and go to God with it, and say, “you promised Lord, so here I am with all of my troubles, fulfill what you told me in your own word.”

Are you searching, seeking, and thirsting through deserts for a closer communion with Christ?  Look at this promise that beams like a light from   a lighthouse--(Matthew 5:6) “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”  We should take that promise back to the throne many, many times. You need to understand that you can go to God over and over again claiming--” Lord, you said it; do as you said you would.” Has sin brought you low and is lingering longer then you like? Are you battling burdens by the bundles and engulfed with a heavy load of iniquities? Listen to this great and precious promise---(Isaiah 43:25) “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions, and will no more remember thy sins.” Is it that you are trying to hold on to the end, or are trying to suffer enough bodily sacrifice and penitence to make it through on what you do? Then take this wonderful word of grace to the throne and plead it: (Isaiah 54:10). Has the Saviour's presence seemed to have slipped, and you are seeking with a sad, sorrowful heart? Remind yourself of this promise dear child of God-- (Malachi 3:7) “Return unto me, and I will return unto you.”

“My Years”

Base your faith on God’s own Word, Whatever your wants and fears.

Remember, my hope is in you Lord,  And that causes me to give you my years.

-Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“God knows your every need and gives you a promise.”

 Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 16-18

Weekly Memory Verses: Romans 8:35-39  

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

April 27~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Our Own God”
Psalm 46:6; I Corinthians 1:2

We take for granted many of Gods blessings and gifts like an old hog eating under an oak tree, we never look up to see where our acorns (blessings) are coming from. We just don’t make the best use of what He has blessed us with, and furthermore, we make even less use of God himself. We read in many places in the Scriptures that He is our counsellor, but we dare not ask many times because we are too fleshly to accept the Spiritual responsibilities. We go headlong into our business dealings and everyday lives without asking for any guidance. Many times, troubles come our way and we are determined to handle them our way and then ask God to be in our decisions after we have already decided. We do it backwards most of the time, we go ahead with our plans and then try to include God in them somewhere on down the road. I know God is displeased with that type of action. God wants to sustain us throughout our trials, not just in little spurts, when we get out of control. God has a storehouse open that we can enter and help ourselves to His bounty, but we stand at the door and hope that a few crumbs fall from some other one's blessings. Is He not “our God whom we serve?” Is He not a most personal God to you? He is the best friend we ever had, should we not draw from His friendliness? We lack because we don’t ask, we fear because of the frivolousness of flesh and faint in the faction of fashions. Why are we so troubled when we have God to supply our every need? Use God by faith, He will never be upset with your leaning on him.

“The Maze Of Life”

Has circumstance clouded your way? 

God gives direction, when on him you lay.

Has some my brought you low?

This maze of life is less troublesome, 

When with God you go.

                                    ~Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Is He not a most personal God to you?.”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 14-15

Weekly Memory Verses: Romans 8:35-39  

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

April 26~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“This Do In Remembrance Of Me”
I Corinthians 11:23-24 

How is it that we could let things slip so easily, and actually forget the One that delivered us from the bondage of sin? You say that, that is foolish, I could never forget my gracious Saviour. But we do, even though He never forgets us. Can we forget that He gave his very blood for us? Will we forget to be mindful of His love for us? Will we forget that He gave his very blood for us?  Will we forget to be mindful of His love for us, as He suffered a most cruel death? We would smirk with calloused fervor toward anyone that would insinuate that impossibility. But we, by fault, let fleshliness and worldliness creep in and override our spirituality to the point sometimes that it appears as if we allow Jesus to just stop in for a few minutes or maybe spend the night; he is counted then as merely a stranger. Can Jesus make Himself at home with you, or is He just a visitor?

We sadly forget how He suffered, bled and died; How He endured the cross and grimaced at the shame, for us.  Oh, how we disregard His humility and desecrate His mindfulness and be even forgetful of the indwelling Redeemer? Something catches your eye and draws your heart away, even if it’s for a very short period of time; maybe your job or some business dealings takes your thoughts away and you know that it’s been too long since you really paid attention to the Cross of Calvary. The pull of the world and it’s constant attraction has made you forgetful of even the most important things; Remember to remember the cross.

 “Help”

Many things may slip away, that I thought I wanted, so bad;

But help me Lord to be mindful of the things, that make me and my Saviour glad.

-Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“We sadly forget how He suffered bled and died.”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 12-13

Weekly Memory Verses: Romans 8:35-39  

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

April 25~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

 “I Will Arise”

Song of Soloman 2:10; Colossians 3:1-4; II Peter 1:19

To be risen with Christ is being dead to oneself, dead to worldly desires, dead to my own rights and dead to what I want to do, and alive to what I ought to do. Christ died for me, I have trusted Him in Salvation, I am His. He is risen for me, I trust in that, He is mine. He it is, that brings me out of worldliness and changes my desires; I no longer have to lay in the mud and dust of fleshly lust; pursuits of lasciviousness and carnal aspirations; I am risen with Him, and in Him! He tells me He loves me, and calls me His Beloved, I will arise and go to Him.

He says of His Beloved, that we are fair, lifts us up and makes the proclamation that we are beautiful, how then can I look for another to satisfy my longings? He constantly bids me to pull away from all other loves and selfish conduct to rise and go away with Him. How can I stay and love this that will vanish with the using? Vanity cannot hold anything, for it is no more than soap bubbles, here but for a fleeting moment and then vanishes quicker than it came.
I cannot stay in this wilderness of sin, my eyes can no longer behold it, my ears have heard enough, and my heart is no longer respondent to the beat of my fellows.

To rise up to you my Love, is to be set free from a lonely prison; to rise up with you my Dearest, is to set foot again on land that I’ve not seen for many days, while trapped in a raging storm. To be risen in you my Fragrance, is to lie among the sweet flowers in rest after toiling labor; rising with you in the closest communion, is my ultimate goal, desire and wish. Let me rise upward until the world has no drawing power at all\

“Molded”

You may say, a  stone  can’t  rise, 

Nor a handful of clay from drifting sand; 

But grace can kindle the inward fires,

When we give ourselves to His molding hand.

                                    ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“He tells me He loves me, and Calls me His beloved.”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 9-11

Weekly Memory Verses: Romans 8:35-39  

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

April 24~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“A Sure Covenant” 

Nehemiah 9:38; Romans 4:21; Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 11:11; I John 2:25

There are many things in life that happens to us to cause us to see the need to renew our covenant. When we were first saved, we promised God that we would give all to Him and He promised us that He would give all for us. Well, He is the only one that actually kept that amazing bargain alive.  You see, we find ourselves helpless to do anything but trust, we are very needy people; we need God. We get sick with some terrible illness, it sets us back, but then we get a touch from God, and we are led then to renew our covenant with him, because of His extended mercy. Then we find ourselves in some kind of trouble, we have failed God, our joy is not full. We agonize until we make our way to the foot of the cross for a renewal of our consecration, devotedness and commitments. Have you grieved the holy Spirit with some act, thought or words? If so, you have brought dishonor to the cause of Christ. We must look to the blood again for the cleansing and to present ourselves as a living offering again.

And let’s not forget to praise Him and obey Him, during the “high” times, the days of blessings and prosperity; Lets also fully dedicate ourselves during the crowning's of the good times and the heavenly mercies He has granted us. If God is so gracious to extend undeserved mercies upon us, then surely, we should be willing to crown him Lord in our lives with a renewal of service and sacrifice.

“Service”

Are we found at the altar of mercy?

Do we find a blessing there?

Can we sing while bound there to it?

Shall we, by Covenant, ourselves to share?

Let us promise, from grateful hearts, 

To serve Him gladly and do our part.

                                                ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“...we find ourselves helpless to do anything but trust...”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 8

Weekly Memory Verses: Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

April 7, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam March Devotions: "The Good Shepherd"

And so, I continue. . .  That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7

Ezekiel 34:2-3 ~ 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.  KJV 

The book of Ezekiel reminds us to seek out the Lord in dark times when we feel out of sorts with God. We are to examine our own lives, and to align ourselves with the one true God. Will you consider doing so today? Make sure you are lined up with God, the Bible, The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Just because you "think" you are does not mean that you are. The Bible is clear on how to worship, serve, and obey God.  Many times, we just choose to ignore that; picking and choosing from the Word of God to suit our own lives. This will only bring us to destruction. If it isn't in our own lives, it could be in our children, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren. "Be sure your sin will find you out!" 

We sometimes find ourselves in some predicament asking “Why, Lord?” and waiting in silence for the answer. The exiles that Ezekiel is writing about, had to wait five years for God to send him the prophet-priest; and when God did, His prophet had a message that the people likely didn’t want to hear. God is the Lord of heaven and earth, and the judgment the people were experiencing was a result of their own sin. Who wants to be told how wrong they are and that because of our own behavior we lose God's touch on our lives. Sin will SEPARATE us from God.... 

May God help us all to stay so near to Him that we glow with His love to others. May our lives be that someone would be drawn to Christ and be saved; not repelled because of sin our lives. Christian, we are now more than ever under the scrutiny of many. Keep your Godly testimony intact. Don't allow the world to draw you away from Him. If it is doing that, you need to pull yourself in and turn to God for guidance. He loves us so much!

HE CARES! Do You Know HIM?  Lord, help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You. Amen.  With love and prayers, may we be your faithful Philippians 2:16 Missionaries?

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

Tom and Linda Milam ~ Missionaries to America and around the world! 

Listen to Bro. Tom on www.wbofradio.com "The Jewel For The Day" program, every Monday - Friday at 6am and 2pm EST.

In the name of Jesus, may we be HIS emissaries and used by Him to help others. 

PRAY BIG FOR OTHERS AND YOURSELF! GOD WANTS TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS!

April 23 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“More Than Conquerors”

I John 4:4; I John 5:4; Romans 8:37

We are helpless, Christ is our power to fight sin, we simply do not know how in our selves. Galatians 3:1-3, asks a very important question: Will we obey the truths, or will we trust our own nature to live right? Our flesh will always fail us in spiritual matters, it knows not of the Spirit until it is brought under subjection by the Holy Spirit. We are to carry our sins to the cross of Christ, and that alone is where the old man dies. Remember, we are crucified there with Christ, the flesh is no longer in power to do as it wants, but we will find ourselves following after that which we ought to do, not what we want to do.

Are you having trouble overcoming a bad temper? Are you sure that you have tried to rid yourself of it the right way? Look at how you got saved, you realized your need and you asked God to save you, didn’t you? It’s the same way with your temper, your anger, your pride or any other misconduct, not pleasing to Christ, or becoming to the Christian walk. Come to Jesus just like you are and pour yourself out like water before Him singing, “In my hand no price I bring, simply to the cross I cling.” You must bring your bad temper, all of your covetousness, your tears, your prayers and all of your repentance before Jesus and give it a death blow by saying, “deliver me from this that drags me down and makes me useless.” Believe it is done and get up rejoicing in the fact that Jesus shed blood enough to cover it all. It is the blood of Jesus that delivers us from our sinful ways. And the best way to break a bad habit is to drop it!

“Jesus”

What can do the sinner good-?

Jesus, blessed Jesus;

Who can help the Saints grown cold-?

Jesus, blessed Jesus;

What makes conquerors, winners’ bold-?

Jesus, blessed Jesus.

                                        ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“We are helpless, Christ is our power to fight sin.......”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 5-7

Weekly Memory Verses: 1 John 1:5-10 

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

April 22 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“We Are Seated With Him”

Acts 5:31; Colossians 3:1-4; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 2:6 

Jesus came from glory; He therefore has a right to glory.  He is lifted high and exalted at his Father's right hand as God promised Him. He was Jehovah God when He spoke everything into existence; He is the Mediator for all saints; He is our closest family member and dearest friend by the union He instituted. When we, by faith, receive Him, we become one with him; That’s Atonement. We are actually members of His body, when He moves, we move, and when we move, He moves. When He is lifted up in exaltation, we are too. He wears a crown, given to Him by His Father, He will give us crowns also. Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father on a throne, and what is so especially wonderful, he wants to share his throne with us, I am amazed! And on the right hand of Christ is His bride, that is us, born again believers, and we are arrayed in fine gold; His glorification could not be made complete without His bride, the church. Look and behold the splendor of our Saviour, for one day we will be known as we are known.

We will share in all that is His, His honors, His dignity, and thank God, all that is His happiness. Down here we are nothing, it is Him in us that makes us what we are; but over there, we will reign with Him in His kingdom, as priests and kings, and not for a short period, but forever and ever. Christ, our redeemer, represents and intercedes for us there.

“Joy Unspeakable”

Christ is there in Heavens Courts, 

taking care of lives’ reports;

Soon He will appear, in the air,

to receive us home, to dwell with Him there; 

All of His glory He’ll deploy,

And with Him we’ll reign in unspeakable joy.

                                     ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“He is lifted high and exalted at His Fathers right hand....”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 3-4

Weekly Memory Verses: 1 John 1:5-10 

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

April 21 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“It’s A Personal Thing” 

Job 19:25; Daniel 3:17; I John 5:13; II Timothy 1:12

Though his flesh was suffering, and Job lost everything that was dear to him, he yet could say with assurance that, “My Redeemer Liveth.” God   was very personal to Job, He was alive and doing well, and Job could talk to Him, and God, by way of the holy Spirit, could speak to and through Job.

The three Hebrew children, facing the fiery furnace, said with much boldness and confidence, “...our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, Oh King.” They had faith in believing that He was the living God, and on this they stood firmly.

Do you have faith, child of God? Do you believe and know that Jesus lives in you and that you can cast yourself upon Him, by faith in His redeeming power? By faith you can say, “My Redeemer liveth, and there is something else we can say with confidence--” I know.” Many people say, “I hope so, I think so, or I trust so,” that sounds fairly comfortable, but you have not yet fully committed to the responsibility of “knowing so.”

The if’s and but’s of doubts are killers to your stability as a devoted follower of Christ, and your faith will waver constantly; And when hard trials come you will crumble and fall. Your peace and comfort is in knowing Christ, not just knowing about Him. When we have it settled that Christ lives for us, dark is not dark anymore; the night is not full of eerie ghosts of doubt and uncertain sounds but is fully illuminated with His presence.

 “I Know”

He lives! I know, I know - That I know! He’s mine! I can grow, grow and grow!

The only limits I have are mine, By faith I know, and will ever shine.

-Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Your peace and comfort is in knowing Christ.”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 1-2

Weekly Memory Verses: 1 John 1:5-10 

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

April 20 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Dying Is Nothing”

(Getting To It Is Quite Rough)

---II Corinthians 5:8; Hebrews 2:14

Child of God, do you fear dying? Let me share with you a simple, but true testimony of one that has gotten their promotion from exile to going home. Though my first wife is with Jesus, she is still speaking through some of my sermons. A few weeks before she graduated to Heaven, she and I were talking about what she was going to wear at her funeral, who was going to sing and the Preacher that she wanted to take care of the service. A nurse was busy taking care of the many bags, bottles and various other containers of medicines, and other necessary things. She stopped suddenly what she was doing and said with a very perplexed look on her face, “how can you sit there and talk of death so calmly and make detailed plans for your funeral.?”   “Doesn’t it bother you to talk of dying? You should be talking of living while undergoing chemotherapy, new blood and platelets almost daily.” But Betty, very calmly, and with the greatest assurance of faith that I have ever witnessed, said, “There’s nothing to dying, I’m a Christian, I’ve been born again; but getting to it has been quite rough.” We are all very close to Home, only a breath separates us from it. Life is hard and is filled with many disappointments. Getting to death, our final enemy, will no doubt have many difficulties for us along this journey, but dying is not death to the believer, it is finally living.  All of the storms of life will be over, and we may struggle with our last breath here, but our next breath will be in Glory, where there is nothing but peace and happiness, forever and ever.

“Our Home Is Just Beyond”

Just beyond the  veil  of  tears, 

Just beyond the sadness of years, 

Just beyond the sorrows of grieving;

Lies our hopes of glad receiving. 

Just beyond the broken dreams

Lives that are filled with things and schemes, 

Just beyond lies  deaths’  dark  domain,   

getting to it has left scars and pain,

All of those that have left before us--cheer us on-

-”It’s Heaven you’ll gain! He died and arose,  

we tell it with fondness,

were not afraid, while looking for home.

Because it lies, just beyond us.

                                            ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“There’s  nothing  to dying.”

Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Samuel 23-24

Weekly Memory Verses: 1 John 1:5-10 

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

April 6, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam March Devotions: "The Good Shepherd"

 And so, I continue. . .  That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7

Isaiah 40:10-11 ~ 10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. KJV 

The book of Isaiah clearly spells out the sins of God’s people—and if we are honest with ourselves, we might find things in our own lives that might fall under Isaiah’s critique of injustice. How do we treat family, friends, co-workers, or even strangers. Are we unkind, or rude? Isaiah’s message is also a call for believers to come back to purity in our love for God and for our neighbors. God is very very patient, as we see His Treatment of His Children throughout the Bible. It pains Him greatly when we sin, but He is forever merciful and waiting with His "strong hand" to bring us back to Him. 

The blessings of God are NOT by accident. He wants to see us excel and live prosperous lives, just as we want the same for our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He is the one that makes all good things happen in our lives, and we should be showing Him much gratitude, but we sometimes just go along in our daily walk without one thought of God the Father, the Son, or the Holy Ghost. Iti isn't that we don't love God, or that we are not saved, it just means He is not our priority, and He should be.

I am blessed to have a Godly husband, to labor beside great Christians because they are a help to me and my spirituality. As I love to repeat, it is hard to get away from Someone who says, "I will never leave you!"  We surely are blessed! So, what can the everyday Christian do to ensure that we do not offend God in sin. Read our Bibles daily, study the Word, pray, attend every church meeting or function. Surround ourselves with fellow Christians. God will bless! I promise! And because we do live in the flesh, when we sin, repent and ask for forgiveness IMMEDIATELY, HIS MERCY IS GREAT!

May God Help us to study His Word with a will to learn ourselves, but also to share of the knowledge we gain by keeping us in the will of God.

HE CARES! Do You Know HIM?  Lord, help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You. Amen.  With love and prayers, may we be your faithful Philippians 2:16 Missionaries?

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

Tom and Linda Milam ~ Missionaries to America and around the world! 

Listen to Bro. Tom on www.wbofradio.com "The Jewel For The Day" program, every Monday - Friday at 6am and 2pm EST.

In the name of Jesus, may we be HIS emissaries and used by Him to help others. 

• SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:  "PRAY BIG!"

• My surgery is scheduled TENTAIVELY scheduled for for June 1, but I need a release from a cardiologist before the surgery can be confirmed. Pray that can happen soon. I have an appointment with cardiologist on May 8th.
• My Sister Edie is having a heart procedure today at 12 - please pray all goes well
• Shirley - had pacemaker surgery 4/3/23 pray for healing. Miss Shirley came to work this week and feels so good. Please keep her in prayer.
• Nancy Health

• Pray for the Burkhalter family in the homegoing of their husband, father, uncle, grandfather - Roy will be greatly missed!
• David Wiles - ANNOUNCED CANCER FREE AFTER TREATMENTS - my nephew! 
• Remember a post I put out a few days ago!  YOU PRAYED BIG, AND GOD CAME THROUGH! WE WILL GIVE DETAILS LATER! 
• Pastor Bernard Antonis ~ Pastor's lungs are not well!  Pray for Mrs. Carolyn as his caregiver and a healing touch on her body. Most do not have a clue about caring for a loved one through many years. She is exhausted many times.
• David Harrison - cancer 3/26/23 UPDATE - Pastor Harrison has stage 4 cancer CAT SCAN revealed NO CANCER IN ANY MAJOR ORGANS! PRAISE THE LORD.   Pray for treatments that will start soon and that his body will be able to tolerate the treatments with no side affects. A praise - His health team are phenomenal - that is so important!
• Praise the LORD the Print Shop Paper Vendor has located some much needed paperstock, but price per case has gone from around $92 to over $140 - God will supply with your prayers! We are required to take a pallet of 20 boxes! $2,800 
• Dale ~ continued help and healing after losing his precious wife. Pray for his daughter Addie, that God would heal her broken heart as well.
• David Pierce, Sr. - Losing his vision 3/1/23.
• Chloe is spending much needed time with her family was even able to take a nature walk and the family shared a wonderful video.  Oh that God would heal her completely and use her forever for His purpose and will!  Chloe Rochester's results on tumor revealed that it is stage 3 and will most likely move to other organs quickly. She begins 52 weeks of intensive treatments. Chloe has is continuing treatments and we need to keep her in prayer. Pray BIG! Especially for the wisdom to the doctors and her parents.
• Missionary Stan Skriloff recently diagnosed CANCER free, continue to pray for Him and the side affects of his treatment to heal.
• Linda Sue Williams - Please pray Doctors can find answers to her illnesses and also pray for her dear husband Gene. 
• Please, pray for our daughter Lita in her health journey with Guillain-Barré syndrome. ANSWER TO PRAYER - MUCH NEEDED EQUIPMENT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. Please pray that God will move with regards to her future situation in health and finances. Thank you for praying. 
• Bro. Tom's EYES (struggling with his only good eye) AND SHOULDER - Please continue to pray for his shoulder, and that God would heal it completely. His doctor says Surgery is out of the question at his age.
• Lillian Kendall (my sister) pray for her health.
• DJ needs a special touch from heaven. (Shannon's son and she has asked us to pray for DJ - God Knows!) - please pray especially for his mother who is greatly burdened for the right result for DJ.
• Brady Rochester - diagnosed with Parkinson's and Neuropathy.
• Jim Bove ~ Needs a special touch from heaven for some personal issues. God knows! Please pray for his understanding and wisdom in health choices.
• Dolly ~ God knows and has the answers.
• Kaycee Scalise and hi-risk pregnancy. Kaycee is just weeks away from delivering her little baby boy. Please pray that her health and that of the baby stay strong
• Barbara - last stages of organ cancer. 
• Lorraine - praise the LORD for your healing touch.
• Lorrie - salvation.
• Wayne Corfman - pacemaker check went well but, he has a few more months of monitoring and will get his pacemaker changed out soon. He will be seeing his cardiologist more often. It is hard to believe it is time to get a new one. (Ten years since he died in my car and was revived!) Please pray for wisdom for his caregivers!
• Sharon J. Her mom Kathryn's health.
• Larissa, Helene, Calvin, Dominic, Rocky, Cindy - Our group home folks. Also, please pray for all of their caregivers.
• Pastor Mike Schneider, power and confidence to preach the whole counsel of God!
• Judy Lewis - Pray that her health recovery continues to improve.
• Dickie and Debbie Reynolds - Dickie's pacemaker replacement has been a real help, praise the LORD. These good folks are such a blessing to us as they pray for us daily, and let us know they are. Encouragers, that is what they are! Thank you is never enough but we are so very grateful for all who pray for Tom and I and our work for the Lord.
• Robbie Colt ~ had double lung replacement and is healing, after total damage of lungs by covid, also pray in the loss of his father to covid, and his stepmother. Pray for wisdom as he writes his next book. 
• Walter - is doing very well after treatment.
• Brenda Milam - wisdom and health (Tom's sister)
• Pam Shumate - Brenda's daughter health
• The Henshaw's health
• John Odom - aneurisms. Bro. John had a special request for prayer this last Wednesday night, God knows and we ask others to pray with us for him! 
• Louise Odom - cancer treatments. UPDATE: After cancer treatment she is healing from side affects please pray for her continued recovery and good health
• Connie - continued healing. Pray for continued success for Nana's Legacy as well.
• LeeAnn health.
• Pastor Greg Booher - health
• These families have lost loved ones to death in the last few months: John Isler, Larry Goodman, Frank Sparks, Lucinda Lane, Randy Rolle, Ruth Kemp, Bill Alley, Keith Cook, Cathy Harrison, Rachel Vance, Gail Tipton, Bob DeSalvio, Gail Tipton, Peters Family, Davis and Tichnell Family, Tudino family, Fuentes Family, DeSalvio Family, Thompson Family, The Toler Family in the homegoing of Donnie, Lucinda Lane Family (my beautiful sister-in-love), Keith Cook Family (our nephew and Tom's sister Florence's son), The Leo Family, The Echeverria Vallejos family in the homegoing of Patricia's father, The Baker Family, Richard Rosenmeier family, Jerry Kruchkow family, the Clingaman family, Carter Family, Mary Nutter Family, PJ's family
• Carolyn Holerger - health
• Scott Mitchem - Parkinsons
• Pray for Sister Cora and her hip healing from a fall and surgery. Keep her in your prayers please. Sis Cora saw her surgeon this week and he believes she is dealing with nerve pain. Please pray meds will give comfort.
• Pray for the Mission Team coming in June that we will be able to finish all the work they will do for the few days they are with us.
• Robyn-Health
• Carol and Richard-Health
• Cathy-Health
• Dicky and Debbie Reynolds - health
• Marsha-Health and ankle pain
• Carol and Richard-Health
• Lucinda Lane Family - pray for my brother Joe. This is a hard transition for anyone, but his health is poor as well.
• Paul Tipton - pray for Bro. Paul home giving ministry updates and getting ready to go back to serving God in Nicaragua without his helper and bride.
• Penny - pray for her husband Mike - health
• Benjamin - surgery went well, pray for his recovery which may be long.
• Elaine - continued good health and strength.

April 19 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“We Can See Clearly Now”
Matthew 27:51

When Jesus bowed His head on the cross and gave His life back to the Father, darkness fell like midnight, an earthquake rent the earth and graves burst open. Behind the veil (curtain) in the temple, the Priests were no doubt preparing the Lamb for sacrifice, but the veil ripped from top to bottom, (by the way, it was about six inches thick) no man could possibly tear it themselves. But I can see the Priests look at one another and say, “boys I believe we have just been put out of business, now Gods Glory can be seen by all.” Not only was Gods power manifested, but many other wonderful things could be realized and learned. The old law was not done away with, but fulfilled; no more animal sacrifices were needed, the one perfect Lamb had just been given, once for all. The mystery of the church was revealed and many other things were now open to view. The Mercy Seat could be seen, the glory of God shone from it; Now all could see clearly, the Revelation of God; Life and immortality are now brought to light, and those things which had been hidden from the foundation of the world are made known in Christ. The sacrifice for atonement was to be no more, no more the sprinkling of blood annually. No more bulls and lambs needed because Jesus took His own blood within the veil and sprinkled it upon the Mercy Seat once for all. We have access to God now, we can approach the throne of Grace with boldness, because of the Atoning blood that Christ presented for us.

“The Key”

The key to Heaven is Jesus, 

let’s enter with Him there;

To Heavenly places while here with Him, 

And there all Glory share.

                                    ~Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“We can approach the Throne of Grace with boldness......”

Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Samuel 21-22

Weekly Memory Verses: 1 John 1:5-10 

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.