July 12 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Personal Development or Building the Church?”
Ephesians 4:13

We are reconciled unto God by what Jesus did, we have accepted this through faith and now stand redeemed by the complete work that He did for us. It has been said that each Church should have its own identity. Well, it does - lifting up Jesus Christ! If we can’t honor and lift up Jesus in all things of our lives, then we need to check and see who our real father is. My greatest goal as a preacher of the gospel is to lift up Jesus, not to put Him back upon the cross, but that people might see Him as He is - the Saviour of those that will trust Him to deliver them from eternal separation from God and Heaven. 

If we fail in presenting Jesus and Him crucified, buried and then glorified to soon come again and receive us unto Himself, then we need not to call ourselves a blood - bought Church. My desire as a preacher, missionary and person, is to lift up Christ, not just for myself or my own prestige but to the glory of God and for the sake of those on their way to hell. For the confused, wayward brethren that have lost hope. I therefore must know Jesus and be given totally to Him. I want what pleases God!  I want His presence; I desire to have His very life. And I don’t even know how to ask for what is best for me; But here I am Lord, use me, I want to be a vessel of honor.

“He Does It”

Do I measure myself, 

By what I have done? 

Or am I trusting Jesus,

That we two might be one.

                    ~Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“I must know Jesus.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 101-105

Weekly Memory Verses:  Psalms 32:1-6

1 Psalm of David, Maschil.>> Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3  When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

4  For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

5  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

June 26 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Now, Is the Grace of God”
II Corinthians 6:1

Thank God, His grace is sufficient for the present. I don’t have to worry about yesterday, it is gone. I don’t have to worry about tomorrow, it is not here yet. But today, I must draw from it, to be my best for Jesus. 

I pray in panic sometimes, when I don’t know what to do. I pray much when I’m hurting; I pray absolutely when I’m angry, and I even pray when I’m reluctant to pray. But most of all may I be found praying and trusting God for others’ sake, and also those precious times when I just stop everything, just to thank Him.

There are troubles all around, decisions to make as a missionary; lives are falling apart, the devil is raging, souls are dying, Gods people are negligent; I am perplexed and overwhelmed, I must draw from His grace now. I must trust in His grace and provision; I am dry in my thinking many times: Too many things are happening at once, it is hard to maintain. Grace, O grace, I need you now!

May I extend myself in the grace of God, that nothing can be seen or heard of myself, but Jesus and His love.

 “Grace”

There’s grace a-plenty in His coffer 

Grace a-plenty, He does offer.

Grace for work, grace for love;  

Grace for reaching the throne above. 

Grace to guide us straight to Him, 

When we pray and repent of all sin.

-Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“May I extend myself in the grace of God.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 1-9

Weekly Memory Verses:  Ephesians 2:1-5  

1 ¶And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 ¶But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

 

June 25 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Saints and Sorrow”

John 12:27-28

I’m beginning to understand now, some of the sorrow that I’ve been through, I’m not complaining, but I simply see myself as never before. I know now as I’ve never known that He is with me in my saddest hour, to pick me up and comfort me when people fail to have the ability.

God is never wrong; He makes no mistakes; our suffering and sorrow is but for a moment and then it is gone. The pangs of sin will hinder and haunt us until we cross over. Then the joys we share will not compare with the unspeakable pleasures that heaven holds.

Suffering and sorrow have brought me closer to God. I could have easily gotten bitter, self-centered or envious of those that seemingly have no sorrow or storms of suffering. But thank God I’ve experienced the things that I have. Had I not, I would have a completely different attitude.

I see now why God has laid on me such a compassion to help others and be spent myself. God has done this work in me, and I have nothing to brag about, but Jesus and Him crucified. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

“Psalms 30:5” 

Sadness here, suffering there, 

sorrow, sickness, everywhere. 

When will it stop? 

What can we do? 

Take it to Jesus,

He’ll see you through. 

                    ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Our suffering and sorrow is but for a moment.”

 Bible Reading Schedule: Job 41-42

Weekly Memory Verses:  Ephesians 2:1-5  

1 ¶And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 ¶But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

 

June 5 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Shut In”
Genesis 7:16

Gods divine hand of love shut Noah in, away from all that was going on outside of the Ark. You see, Jesus was not of this world, and we are not either. We can’t do what the world does. Because our desires are not in things, recreation, and pleasures of this world. We cannot follow the same paths, and do the same sins as the world, with no thoughts of Gods chastisement. We can’t mingle with the multitudes and dabble with the children of darkness. We are shut in by our Heavenly Father, as Noah was shut in with Him in the ark. God didn’t say go into the ark, but said, “Come into the ark”. His intention and desire was to dwell with and in Noah and his family.

God lives within everyone of His children in the person of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Don’t let the clamor and noise of the world, keep you from hearing that gracious call, "Come, enter your private place and close your door and hide in Him for a while." Like Noah, we can be shut in so that evil could not reach in and destroy our testimony. Now this being shut in with God is not of our own doing and brag but is of our willingness to give up ourselves and our rights to ourselves and let Him live in and through us. The flood waters billowed under him, raising him even higher, to the lofty winds of security that carried him onward. Everything outside of the ark was ravaged and ruined, but on the inside was safety, peace and rest. Without Christ, we’re in a mess, but in Christ we’re safe and secure. Are you shut in so, that you have no desire to come out? We that are Christs’, are shut in forever by His compassionate, eternal faithfulness.

“Trust”

The Master has come and shut Himself in, 

The philosophers scream and cry to get in, 

The door is shut, you can find no place,   

We all get in by trusting His grace.

                                    
~Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“God lives within everyone of His children.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 10

Weekly Memory Verses:  John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

June 4 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Serving, In Humility”
I Peter 5:6

Pride is a downhill ride, and the biggest loser is the one that’s eaten up by it. It will destroy the very best of people. We are to love righteousness and do good; Jesus went to heal the sick. We are also to go to them and minister to their needs. Jesus went also to do good. We are also to go with humble hearts and helping hands, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. Jesus will not only sit with us, and have fellowship with us, but will go with us where the needs of others are. If we will go, He said, “Lo I am with you.” When Jesus washed the disciple's feet, he took on the duties of a servant, to prove to them that we too must serve others with kindness and meekness, especially in giving them the gospel; We must be willing to give ourselves to this humble work. 

Do you know someone that is hurting? Go to them with a gentle touch of care. Is a friend cast down? Go with one purpose, to lift them up, and you may be lifted yourself. Is someone weeping? Go, to help dry their eyes. Is a child hungry? Feed him and you’ll win him.

“Humility”

Be bathed in humility, but carefully watch it, 

‘Cause when you think you’ve got it,

you’ve lost it!

The one that brags about being humble, 

Is getting ready to go for a tumble.

Humility never boasts of itself, 

And in Heaven, it will rest upon a shelf.

~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Pride .... will destroy the very best of people.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 8-9

Weekly Memory Verses:  2 Peter 3:9-12

9 ¶The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 ¶Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

June 3 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Humility Doesn’t Brag”
I Corinthians 10:12

Beware of the person that is always bragging about being humble, because he is not humble at all; But is full of deceit. I cannot stand on anything but Christ alone. He is to be honored, lifted up and praised; I am to be put in a position of where I’m not seen or heard, unless it is to magnify Him. Christ Himself said, we would be exalted in due time. For now, we are to work and wait patiently for the change. One sure way to find out if you are in God’s will, is to go to the hospital to visit a dying loved-one or friend, or maybe when a disaster has destroyed many homes and land. Look into the eyes of someone in despair, where it seems all hope is gone. Where they must pick up their lives again and again; Pray with them, offer them hope. When for instance a doctor has just pronounced a terrible incurable blood disease to the closest one to you and says there’s nothing left to do.

When and if you go through something like this, you’ll walk away and find a solitary place and bury your face in your hands and weep until your fleshly eyes can stand no more, and the soul bows in pity and nothing is left standing but Jesus over you, with an outstretched hand and a love so strong that He gently picks us up to go another mile and face another task. Then you’ll know the meaning of humility.

 “Dying”

 Yesterday I prayed with a friend that is dying, 

Today I realized I must die too.

Death to the Saint is not leaving with crying, 

But happily leaving to live anew.

 As soon as tomorrow, she may be in glory;  

My friend, let not pride hinder telling the story.

Of the death of Jesus, in humble grace; 

That bled and died, and has made us a place.

                                                ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Beware of the person that is always bragging about being humble,

because he is not humble at all.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 6-7

Weekly Memory Verses:  2 Peter 3:9-12

9 ¶The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 ¶Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

June 2 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Garden of Bitterness”
Revelation 22:2

Our imagination runs wild as we think on what the first garden looked like, and then we are overwhelmed with sadness as we realize what we lost there. But in the end, we will gain it back, and more. But today I want to discuss the third garden; the one that is not so glamorous, but overlooked and disregarded, and even avoided. The garden of Gethsemane. In this garden is bitterness, turmoil, and desolation, even loneliness. But in it flows “the river of the water of life.” Think of it my friend, without a Gethsemane there could be no New Jerusalem! Without the dreadful night in this garden, there could be no beautiful sunrise of the morning of eternal hope of glory!

Gethsemane’s necessity led to our reconciliation to God by the death of His precious Son on the cross. Redemption is not taken as serious as it should be. It is too lightly thought of; our carnality has cheapened its truth. We gave up our rights and gained privileges by the grace of God. I must never forget Gethsemane, because if I do, I will lose the value of redemption and my actions will regard it as cheaply bought, and I will miss God’s best for my life. “I am not my own, I am bought with a price;” I will serve Him!

“Gardens”

The garden in the beginning, 

Grand beauty I see.

The garden in the end, 

Paradise, must be.

But what of the garden, 

We tend to neglect?

The garden of bitterness, 

“Gethsemane!”

                                    ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“I am not my own, I am bought with a price.”

Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 3-5

Weekly Memory Verses:  2 Peter 3:9-12

9 ¶The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 ¶Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

April 30, 2023 ~ LKMilam April 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

1 Peter 5:1-2, 4 

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Although the Christian is to be ever conscious of the purpose the Lord saved us, we are to be witnesses and share the good news of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World. Peter is encouraging the elders of the church as a witness of Jesus' sufferings, to continue to care for God's people with the leadership of the Holy Spirit with a heart to be ready always to teach, lead, and care for the flock until our Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ shall appear in the clouds! When He calls us home, our rewards will be waiting. Those crowns will be our glory - but we will willingly and lovingly lay them down at HIS FEET!

Until that day, Christian do all that you can do to win the lost to the Saviour. Don't leave one behind to suffer the devil's punishment of hell. God never intended for one soul to go to hell!  It is His desire that all shall be saved! Help us O Lord, to do thy will ALWAYS!

HE CARES! Lost person, Do You Want to 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. 

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. 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America and around the world! 

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

April 20, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam April 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

John 10:2-3 ~ 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  KJV  

The SHEEP know their Shepherd when they hear Him; I have heard this all my Christian life AND it was usually in relationship with me and my Saviour. Jesus is the true Shepherd, but Jesus is not talking about Himself here. The shepherd that comes to the sheep through the "right door" is the surrendered to God shepherd of the flock/congregation. A true shepherd comes through love, a God calling, care, and sacrificial service. God always intended that His people be led, fed, and protected by those who come in the legitimate, intended way. The door is there for a reason. Some will always climb over the barriers, but God has the barriers and the door there for a reason. 

So those who do not enter by Jesus Christ into the pastoral office, is no other than a thief and a robber in the sheepfold.  "Ambition, avarice, love of ease, a desire to enjoy the conveniences of life, to be distinguished from the crowd, to promote the interests of one’s family, and even the sole design of providing against want-these are all ways by which thieves and robbers enter into the Church." (Clarke) Woe unto those who are not in pastoral position by the call of God Himself. We must be discerning of those who would come for one desire, to better self, not the flock/congregation.

Jesus is the one to follow, He is the door to enter. . . there is no other way!

HE CARES! Lost person, Do You Want to 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. 

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. 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America and around the world! 

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

April 14, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam April 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 34:22-24 ~ 22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.  KJV  

Although God spoke of the salvation of His flock, and the protection of that flock from the evil one, and here He speaks of one shepherd, David, who will care for them as their shepherd, I see the picture of my Saviour. God sent Him and Jesus willingly came to save the lost sheep of the world, His children. Those that have accepted Jesus as Saviour and He is coming again to save us from this evil world and the evil one who is trying to destroy all that is called good.

Folks, this is real. The Bible is REAL, Heaven is real and so is HELL. We are in a battle for the souls of men and right now, this day in time, all around the world, the devil is wreaking havoc on all people. Many have no contact or control and untold numbers have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. but God . . . We have a Saviour on the way. Are you ready? He is the GREAT SHEPHERD! The one that made a way for us to be with the Lord God in Heaven. I pray today is the day you make sure of your place with Him there.

". . .  I the LORD have spoken it."

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. 

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. 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America and around the world! 

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

 

May 3 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Tribulations”
Romans 5:3; 12:12; John 16:33

There are certainly some things in this world that you can count on concerning tribulation, and that is heartache, turmoil and aggravations. Many times, we ask why is it so that the wicked prosper and the believer is downcast? Look up dear saint of God to your heavenly Father and see His beauty, power, his holiness and pureness. We will be just like Him one of these days. He is working on us to conform us to His image; With many of us it seems He has a very difficult job. He is refining us; constantly taking out the impurities as He lights the fires under us time after time; He reminds us over and over how corrupt we are without Him and He leads us in ways of holiness. Take a look down now, what do you behold under your feet? We were once held captive in the domain of Satan, he was our driving force, our Master and King. He lost you and he will daily try to dominate you because he is a sore loser, (I Peter 5:8). You will have battles, trials and troubles, because you live now in a hostile environment. What you used to call home is now a strange land and enemy territory. You are a pilgrim passing through, looking for a better country. God is your friend now, this world holds no friendliness for you now; for if you are a friend to the world, God cannot be your friend. The enemy is on every hand, we are on a literal battlefield, there’s not much rest, the closer to the frontline we get, we find we must be on guard at all times and have more disciplined behavior. Look close inside now, does any sin dwell there? Are you yet trusting in self to fight the battles? Then troubles loom in every shadowy place.

“He Cares”

Do not despair, He said He’d be there, 

Your trouble seems double, but He does really care,

He said He’d deliver, His children, believers, 

And honor us here and in crossing the river. 

(Psalms 91:15)

Daily Jewel:

“He is working on us, to conform us to His image.”

 Bible Reading Schedule: II Kings 6-8

Weekly Memory Verses: Psalms 23:1-6

Psalms 23:1  A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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 1 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

 “Kisses From The Heart”

Song Of Solomon 1:2

Christ is very bold with His love, like the church is to her head, or like a bride to her husband. Look at the grateful love Mary had for her Saviour as she anointed the feet of Jesus with the precious oil and wiped His feet with her hair. She condescended to serve Him out of love and not task. She then sat and learned as He taught, this was the richest of loves. Queen Esther was loved by her king so, because she loved him and gave herself willingly to please him, this mutual love is Godly love.

The spouse that enjoys liberty, knows perfect love and the fullness of it is limitless. Do we know this same free spirit toward Jesus? Do we kiss Him by affection, devotion and praise? We are made to enjoy the love of Jesus, and if we know love, we will give love. When we were first saved, we received the kiss of reconciliation, we heeded the call to the heart that said, “my spouse must trust me.” Christ extended grace when He kissed our fevered brow and accepted us as His beloved; Then we enjoy the kiss of communion that is our hearts desire for daily love.

We have received the kiss of marriage and now to the gathering, the kiss of reception, this is that daily spirit-filled life of love which is the kiss of unadulterated pleasure. We are filled with the joys of heaven, as faithfully we walk together in the rest of fellowship.

“Fellowship”

By faith we walk the road, 

To Heaven our final abode;

Communion is the pilgrims well, 

And sweet fellowship from it swells.

                                ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“The spouse that enjoys liberty, knows perfect love....”

Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 1-3

Weekly Memory Verses: Romans 8:24-28

Romans 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26  ¶Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28  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. KJV

March 30, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam March Devotions: "First Mary, Then Martha"

And so, I continue. . . 

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

Colossians 3:1-2 ~ 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. KJV   

Paul warns us that are saved to constantly ". . .seek those things which are above, . . ." why? There is nothing on earth more important than MY relationship with my Saviour and when I focus on Him, I can sustain myself here on earth until He comes for me, but the devil wants to destroy me and my testimony! What I do as a Christian can be good but could be bad! 

I don't know why it is, that Christians do more harm sometimes to God's work than the devil himself.  When we allow "self" to get in the way of what God would have us be, we need a checkup! Am I reading my Bible, praying, serving, witnessing in the Spirit of the Lord, or has it become a "duty" When we become weak and separate ourselves from the things of God, we allow the devil to work through us. Are we playing church and not living it? Sounds awful, right? But just hear me out, please. 

"You mean the devil can mess with us AFTER we get saved?" Yes sir! Yes mam! A very wise man warned me about surrendering to full time Christian Service. "Warned!" Yes, warned. He was my Pastor. When God called me to full time Christian service, Dr. Terry Booher wanted to make sure it was GOD'S CALLING, not Linda's. He wanted to make sure that I was totally committed to serving God no matter what I would be faced with. No paycheck, God can take care of me. Loss of friends and family, God is my ever guide and Jesus my heart. Other Christians causing havoc in my life, I'll pray for them, and God will move.  There were so many things he warned me against - how did he know?  Because he was going and had gone through many of those heartaches himself. The worst thing a Christian can do to himself, and others is NOT being in God's will. I want to be right where God wants me, and I believe along with my husband, that at this time in our ministry, we are where God wants us.

Paul knew. He was severely persecuted and yet once God had called him on that day on the Damascus Road, he never turned back.  And if you have a heart to seek those things from above, and not on the "things" of this earth, God will take care you. We can tell you it has not been easy. Many nights we have spent in tears with a broken heart. "Christian Friends" who had turned their backs on us, family who avoided us, co-workers who berated us. Christian Service? When I married my husband in 2010, he warned me that now that I was the wife of a preacher of the Gospel, I had a target on my back! What? Truth. BUT, through it all the angry attacks, the lies, the hurt and harm attempted on me and mine, we have a great assurance on our Lord God will handle all things HIS WAY! Folks, Think, they are "in charge" but no, they are not, and neither am I. We still serve a living God who has control of everything in our lives. He is the One Who brought us to this place, and He is the One who will take us from this place!

You all know, Tom and I, have been living pillar to post here in FL for the last few months. We questioned and prayed asking God to guide us. Was He finished with us here at the printing ministry? Was this a sign that we should go home? A few weeks here, a few days there - it has been very difficult. Many have been praying for a home for us here. We have a beautiful home in WV and we both miss being there even if it is just for a short while. But we haven't been able to go there but just a couple of times in over a year. Our presence in the printing ministry is very important right now. This is God's work, and He knows.  A few weeks ago, I put one more plea for prayer on our social pages to pray for us a home and I was contacted immediately by a friend and former employees' wife. She told me of this special place that just might fit our needs. It was unique, and many would not even consider what she was suggesting. She asked us if we would come to a certain address and meet with the owners, and of course we said yes immediately. 

At first, we looked at it and were totally overwhelmed and KNEW this was way out of our price range. After going over the whole place, the owner turned to us and said these blessed words, "We want to give this to you as a gift to your ministry. Is the name, "Milam's Ministries?"  Tom and I were in shock, LORD is this true? Tears began to flow as we realized he was as sincere as sincere could be! When you think you just cannot go on, your prayers are not being answered, and then GOD shows Himself in this miraculous way, you know you are in the right place, in the right time, doing what GOD has called you to do. "Brother, are you sure....?"  "Yes, we believe in your work for the LORD, and we want to be a part of it in some small way!"

This Sunday we will have a big "reveal" and believe me you will be shocked.  We thank God over and over for His daily provision and care, but this "home" was not anywhere in our picture ~ but it was in God's. We know PEOPLE PRAYED BIG - and we have the evidence! It isn't the ONLY miracle we have seen since we were challenged by our knew church theme! PRAY BIG AND SEE WHAT GOD WILL DO! We will share a couple of those as well. God did it and we can't wait to give you full details!

We love you all friends and family. Keep praying God is moving and we are seeing revival at this place where GOD has placed us. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Seek out Him Who gave His all for us. We are truly blessed!

May the God of all creation give you strength, power, peace and may He ever be FIRST in our lives!

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. 

PRAYER REQUESTS!

• Butch Mays - UPDATE 3/27/23 : BUTCH WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL ON THE 26TH AROUND 2PM. WE PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS PROTECTIVE HAND ON HIS LIFE!  Pray for continuing healing from open heart surgery. ~ Pastor JP Mays dad out of Maranatha BC in Princeton WV.
• 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! 
• Carolyn healing from skin cancer removal - praise the Lord.
• 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!
• Also, praise the LORD for the paper Maranatha Baptist IN Princeton WV gave us - Gospel tracts are on the way to the cartel on this paper. . . pray for souls saved and safety for the missionaries who carry it with God's protection. This trip they have been approved by two heads of state in these cartels, to set up a "church" building. They have been meeting in open air areas, and many have trusted Christ as their Saviour! The more that are saved, peace reins in their homes and communities. O the stories that can be told! Pray that God will provide all that is needed! 
• PRINT SHOP ANSWER TO PRAYER!  ANOTHER NEW PAPER PALLET ARRIVING MONDAY 3-13-23, GIVEN TO US BY AN ANONYMOUS donation.  Praise the LORD! 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 

• SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:  'PRAY BIG'!

• Dale ~ continued help and healing after losing his precious wife.
• UPDATE: 3/26/23 Baby Knox had to be re-intubated. . . HOWEVER, HE HAS WOKEN and is actually sucking . . . genetic tests still are not back... keep praying
• Sal fell, broke his hip, had surgery. Praise the Lord, Sal is still in rehab, AND as of Sunday 3/26/24 he was up on a walker and sometimes walking without one. Please pray for a speedy recovery! One of our much needed volunteers. Pray he can continue showing improvement and get out of rehab soon.
• David Pierce, Sr. - Losing his vision 3/1/23.
• UPDATE 3/4/23 - little 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 had her second  treatment. Please continue to pray for her, please pray God will give wisdom to the doctors and her parents.
• Missionary Stan Skriloff recently diagnosed CANCER free, rang the bell yesterday after taking his LAST CHEMO treatment! He is suffering with other issues due to chemo treatments! PLEASE PRAY God will heal him fully and give him strength to carry on the work He loves so much!
• Linda Sue Williams - Please pray Doctors can find answers to her illnesses. 
• 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 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.
• Edie Smith (my sister) needs a touch from heaven to heal her body.
• David Douglass - had a knee replacement surgery -  healing
• 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. 
• 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. 
• Robbie Colt ~ needs double lung replacement after total damage of lungs by covid, also pray in the loss of his father to covid, and his stepmother. 
• 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. 
• Louise Odom - cancer treatments. UPDATE: Radiation treatments are starting take a toll on Mrs. Odom's body. 1/2 way through the treatments... pray for her health
• Connie - continued healing. Pray for continued success for Nana's Legacy as well.
• LeeAnn health.
• Pastor Greg Booher - health
• 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.
• 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 Florences' 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
• Shannon - health problems, grieving in loss of father. 
• Carolyn Holerger - having numerous "cancer" spots removed from her face, neck and shoulder. Please pray for her pain level, anxiety, and especially her heart. 
• Pray for Sister Cora and her hip healing from a fall and surgery. Keep her in your prayers please. She is still experiencing a lot of pain. Sis Cora has an appointment with surgeon - her pain is not getting better at all.
• Pray for the Printing Ministry - PLEASE Pray our paper supply will continue - we are still not able to purchase COVER STOCK, but we praise the Lord for our previous pastor's wisdom in buying several truckloads of this precious product. Only God knew what we would be facing today with shortages, and we have the "widows' mite" we are working from. We have started negotiating with equipment vendors, particularly for the color and black and white printers! We seek wisdom and discernment in this area!
• 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.