July 24 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Temperament and Tendencies”
Matthew 5:20

I could never live good enough to convince God to save me. There is no list of rules set up for me to live by that are good enough to help me make it. The simple rule is, “Jesus in me, the hope of Glory,” And by faith I trust Him to get me to heaven, and while I am yet here on this earth, I’m to have Him    in every thought and top priority in all that I do. I’m not saved by what I do, again because “I’m sealed unto the day of redemption,” and “The work He has begun in me, He will finish it.” In light of that, I pray like the Psalmist, “Search me Oh God, and see if there be any wicked way in me,” and if there are any secret sins, reveal them to me, that I sin not against you. Not so I can finally work my way to heaven, but that I may live out what is in me. I can never be pure enough or clean enough, but the old nature must conform to the Spirit of grace and truth, making me able to be an overcomer by faith. Only in redemption is this possible.

“Condition”

I stand in an awkward position, 

without His disposition;

I must come under contrition, 

and God will make the transition.

-Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“The simple rule is,
Jesus in me the hope of glory.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 16-19

Weekly Memory Verses:  Proverbs 14:31-35  

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

July 23 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Sanctification”
I Corinthians 1:30

 “I am crucified with Christ; never the less, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

It is not me, but Him now, that I’ve trusted in; I’m not my own, He proves Himself in and through me, yes me, mortal flesh! Am I worthy? I think not, yea less than worthy. I’m bought with a price that far exceeds all human understanding, it’s the shed blood of Jesus, applied to me that makes me clean and whole.

I’m set apart to manifest to others the love that He has put in me, and all of the attributes of the resurrected life. I am put here to ". . .live unto the Lord, . . .” Romans 14:8. We as Christians are sanctified to be: Sowers to scatter good seed; plowmen to break up fallow ground; heralds to publish salvation; salt of the earth to be a blessing and workers to work for Him and together with Him.

It is always amazing to me, Jesus says, “be ye holy for I am holy,” and then He gives us the power to do it; But we must draw it from His holiness. In this life, I can never be exactly like Jesus. But He must be Lord in me before I can ever prove Him to others.

 “Set Apart”

Thank you, Lord, for your work 

in me, I say it from the heart.

You came into me, my Lord to be, 

And now I am set-apart.

                ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:
“I am put here to live unto the Lord.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 12-15

Weekly Memory Verses:  Proverbs 14:31-35  

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

July 22 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Sanctification”
I Thessalonians 4:3; Philippians 3:10

To be set apart for the work of God, is in itself an awesome thought; that He would entrust us to follow His Son in death as well as life, because we must die out to sin and self in order to be alive in Jesus. The moment I’m willing to give up myself and go with the plan of God for my life, something in me begins to balk like a stubborn mule; it is called the natural man. He says, “What about me? I count too you know.” The flesh will stand up for itself and will cry out with selfish pride, “I’ve been faithful to you, and you owe me some respect.” But when you begin to depend on the faithfulness of the flesh, it will let you down. The natural man must die, that we might live unto Christ. 

When Jesus is number one in our lives, I mean, when He is allowed to completely take over everything, I then will learn to live a consecrated, sanctified life. When I come to the point in life when I say, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” I am then beginning to see what sanctification is all about; And I say, let it be, I must have this sanctified life. I have given my life over to Him, that He may do with me as He pleases. He became man and took my place on Calvary that I might be made something presentable.

“He Died For Me” 

To be saved is to trust, 

What He did you see;

I can become Him, 

Because He first became me.

~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“We must die out to sin and self.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 8-11

Weekly Memory Verses:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

July 21 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“For So An Entrance”
II Peter 1:1-21; Matthew 5:3

Jesus is my teacher, but first He is my Lord and Saviour. I’m absolutely nothing without Him. I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the crucified Lamb. The harder I try to be a good man, is the more I realize that I can be nothing more than a sinner saved by His wonderful grace. I am not fully made yet; He’s still working on me. I’m yet under construction.

Thank God, I have not attained yet what I’m looking for, but I will, through what He has done for me. “I have no merits of my own, I stand on Jesus and Him alone.” “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4).

Thank God! I despair in myself, I can’t accomplish what I feel I must for Jesus, so I must trust Him to do His will in me and through me. I stand totally helpless in myself. The more I think I can do for Jesus to win Him, is the less connected I’ll be with Him. If I have the attitude that Jesus just can’t make it without me, I’m finished before I ever start. I can’t make it without Him: I can’t preach, I can’t teach; I can’t be anything without Him living in me, guiding me, loving me and simply making me into what pleases Him. Thank God, I’m a poor rich man.

“On Beyond”

Of this world, very little I hold, 

But in Him, I’m rich and bold.

Earths’ pleasures diminish with the using, 

Memories fade without permanent fusing. 

Let us look forward, and not in despair,  

For waiting us is joy, far beyond compare.

                        ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“I’m yet under construction.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 4-7

Weekly Memory Verses:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

July 20 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“God Is Always Where the Need Is”
Isaiah 40:31

When I got saved, God gave me my marching orders. He said go. Now the problem for most of us is, that we are waiting on God to move a certain way to show us how to go and do His will. Our instruction manual, the Bible, teaches us in detail how to be dependent on God and get strength for the journey of going and compelling. 

If we are true believers in God and His word, it matters not what condition we are in, we will soon realize where our strength and ability come from. There is no excuse for not having strength and availability. When we understand that our spirituality comes from God and not from some physical commotion or emotion, then we will step out on zeal according to knowledge and God given faith.

Remember, if we are born again, He lives within us, we are complete in Him, and to step out on His promises is natural. It is sin to say, “I can’t do it;” I can’t go or claim that I can’t say this or that concerning truth and right. There are no excuses for sitting still and doing nothing, when He has enabled us to be able to do all things in His name. We cannot truthfully say, I have no ability to be what I should be for God. He will show us, because He is there where the need is, and we are His. 

“Where Is God” 

Where is God? 

We hear men say,

May I see Him please? 

He is here, living within;

And there, wherever the need is.

            ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:
“To step out on His promises is natural.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 1-3

Weekly Memory Verses:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

July 19 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Attitude of Belief”
John 13:13

 As Jesus said to His Father, “thy will be done,” we must also. He gives us our will and freedom to use it by choice. He will never force us to do anything, but if we pay close attention, He will always have open doors available to walk through. Jesus has been treated worse than any man, yet He is our Saviour, and we owe Him everything.

I represent the Redeemer in all things of my life; I see His holiness, I want to live holy; I realize His righteousness and I want to live righteous; I look at His worthiness and see that I am unworthy; But I’m moved by the Spirit to give Him praise, because He is worthy. He is able; He is Lord, and I am moved to be like Him.

May I see the Lord as He is and myself as He sees me. May I desire Him above all fellows. I must know Him, I must love Him, because I’m so unworthy. I have this deep settled peace that says, I can obey, I can trust, because of the covenant. He is mine and I am His because He became us that we could become Him! I’m not His because of what I’ve done, but because of what He did.

 "Obey”

To have a right relation, 

between my Father and me;

I must obey for His blessing, you see.  

I do it because of what He has put in me, 

And not all together from what you see.

Many things we see, we don’t understand,  

So be careful to look first at the Spiritual man.

                                ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“I have this deep settled peace, 

that says, I can obey.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 144-150

Weekly Memory Verses:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

July 18 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Unexplained of Belief”
John 3:19-21; Acts 9:6

For a man to break the human spirit of another, would leave no room for obedience to God. May we learn to turn ourselves aside and give God total right-of-way in our lives. For it is He that has changed us and is continually changing us, to be what He wants us to be in humility and temperance.

We are to obey Christ, not everything we think we ought to do, or feel like doing. We also can become slaves to religious acts by obeying another man’s domineering tactics, or our own self-righteous motives. When we do this, the Bible points a condemning finger at us. We then must go against what is natural, and that takes obedience to the wooing of the Holy Spirit. By obedience we are shown how to be a happy slave, glad to be of service to the Master.

To believe God, is to simply take Him at His word, regardless of what He asks for in my life. I am a son, not a religious robot waiting for someone to push a button. Jesus is the Master of my heart, He is Lord, He meets with me, He shows Himself to me to give instruction and I’m better to obey His call. When He calls and I don’t obey, I will never know His best for my life, and I will stand miserably ashamed at the judgement seat. Recreate in me a willing spirit Lord.

“My Best Is Believing”

To trust you Lord, 

Is to believe:

And take your work 

In gladness receive.

I must give way to the 

Obedience test, 

For in You rests, 

My Holy best.

                        

                ~Tom Milam

Daily Jewel: 

“To believe God, is to simply 

take Him at His word.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 139-143

Weekly Memory Verses:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

July 17 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Belief, The Power to Produce Effective Results”
I Corinthians 2:4

If I am only out to impress people, my impression of God is not valid. I would become a hypocrite and would draw people away from the gospel, rather than to it. I must be an instrument to draw people to believing Christ, not turn them away. I must have the power of God in my preaching, and believe that when I preach it, others will believe it. I pray that people can see enough of Jesus in me, that they will be persuaded to follow Him.

If there is anything in my life that makes me to be seen more than Jesus’ redemptive work in me, I must get rid of it immediately. It would surely hinder the gospel being presented. I am here to show God to others, to preach the gospel, and that is it. My prayer is that I can preach and present the gospel, so as to draw them to a willingness to change. 

I hope that people will not see me as something I am not; O God, that they may see Jesus and the plan of salvation in my preaching, or I have failed. If I ever cease to lift up Jesus, with honor and praise, I don’t want to be here, my work will be finished, and I’ll be of no benefit.

 “The Heart Room”

If I were a stalk,

And gave forth no bloom, 

No fragrance could lift a 

Desperates’ gloom.

The gospel must flourish 

To relieve man's doom,

 And fill with its odors,  

An empty heart room.

                                ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:
“I am here to show God to others.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 132-138

Weekly Memory Verses:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

July 16~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Perfect Trust in Asking and Seeking”
Matthew 7:7-11

When I’m out of control, God is very much in control. I must trust Him. When I’m down and out, He is up and about. I must trust Him. When I need an answer and I need many, He has the answer - it is never too hard for Him, but I must trust Him. When I need a father, He is there, when I need a friend, He is there, when I need fellowship, He is there. He is where the need is. Thank God.

Answers to my hard questions lie not in the minds of men, but in my Heavenly Father. What kind of Father would He be, that a son could not go to Him with anything, any problem, any question or any proud moment to give praise? I need not to worry about things I can do nothing about. I must give it to God.

Many times, we must walk through shadows that give us an eerie feeling, we wonder, is He really there behind such a dark place in life? We can count on it because He promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He gives us the ability to always abound by His gracious and wonderful Holy Spirit.

 “Asking” 

We wonder why He answers not;

It might be that we’ve failed to

ask, seek and knock.

                             ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:
“Many times we must walk through shadows.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 120-131

Weekly Memory Verses:  1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

July 15 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“An Honorable Servant and Friend”
Romans 1:14

The best way that I know to pay Jesus back for what He has done for me, is to try to win others to Him. I owe Him and I’m too broke to pay Him back. Hear this! The Holy Spirit indwells me and gives me the desire and ability to go to others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid a debt He didn’t owe; I owed a debt that I could never pay.

My daily prayer is to be burdened for the lost in light of what Jesus did for me. I surely owe Him everything and I truly desire to know the full impact of the plan of redemption. I must be able to show others this plan and by the power of God working in me, convince them not to make light of the call of God.

I am a servant and I surely owe the gospel to all men. I therefore am willing to spend myself for that cause. I’m not proud at all that I used to be a slave to the devil; But I’m very proud though to be a slave to Jesus, hallelujah! I count it a great honor to be in this position. I’m willing to be taught about how to be this broken bread and poured out wine for Christ and His cause.

“Teach Me” 

Thank you for the honor, 

To be able to serve you;

To go up higher, 

but never above you.

Lord, I’m little, weak and in need,

Show me sweet mercy and teach me to heed.

                                                                                                    ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:
“I owe Him and I’m too broke to pay Him back.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 119

Weekly Memory Verses:  Romans 10:9-13  

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12  ¶For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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July 14 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Humility Is Not Duty”
Matthew 5:39

I desperately want the love of Christ living in me and shown through me. I may be called names because I won’t stand for certain worldly rights and be cut down by those around me; But “on Him I’ll take my stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

If we can’t show Jesus in our lives as a presentation of holiness and right then we don’t have anything at all on the inside. We are still corrupt. But thank God, I have Jesus dwelling in me and I’m proud to show off His sweetness.

Jesus went a little farther for us, shouldn’t we be more than willing to go an extra step for His cause or for a troubled brother. Whether people see my good works or not, I’m still going to work for Jesus. I will not be stopped because I’m not appreciated by man. If I receive no honor at all, I’m still going with God, because I’ve made up my mind to follow Jesus. He has settled down inside of me and I can sing sweet peace in my soul. All of my rights are in Jesus, I have no earthly ones.

“A Christian”

Doing your duty is a rightful thing;   

But humility will get you an audience 

with the King.

-Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:
“I can sing sweet peace in my soul.”

 Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 108-118

Weekly Memory Verses:  Romans 10:9-13  

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12  ¶For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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July 13 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Removal of a Friend” Isaiah 6:1

In 1993 my first wife died (my friend), I saw the Lord as at no other time in my life. He filled a void that I could never cope with, loneliness. He came into a place that no human could touch and prepared me to get closer for the sustenance I needed. I was fainting and failing, also ever discouraged. He gave me a new life, a new wife who after several years died of a massive stroke, in 2009.  

When much grace is needed, much grace is given. Thank you, Lord, for your strength, a new outlook on life and a new vision concerning my spirituality, the Church and soul winning. While I was actually not looking to marry again, God was polishing a rare jewel just for me. One with a price far more than rubies and diamonds. Someone with great values, faithfulness and a rare, selection of facets that would lift me and secure the vows of matrimony with excellence and nobility; someone that would add to my part of Gods great ministry, and I could not be more satisfied or happy. Love brought us together; love and respect are our faithful companions. Love, fellowship, honor, and the indwelling Holy Spirit is the bonds of our betrothal. God brought us together; Tom and Linda Milam, till death us do part.

I desire that my character correspond with the character of Jesus, so that I can live the life that is pleasing to him. As I think on this, I’m reminded that a thought becomes an act, an act becomes a pattern, a pattern becomes a development of character, and our character becomes our destiny. I must look to know God in the fullness of His power. I pray for an inner-purification to handle the circumstances that surround me - I look at Psalms 23 and I’m reminded of God’s eternal security plan and my ever-increasing dependence on Him. I can do nothing without Him, I am nothing without Him. Sometimes I see nothing but shadows, nevertheless here I am, to be used to God’s glory and honor.

Daily Jewel:
“He came into a place that no human could touch.”

 Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 106-107

Weekly Memory Verses:  Romans 10:9-13  

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12  ¶For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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