April 25, 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

John 10:12-13 ~ 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.  KJV 

My husband has said numerous times, "You don't have to be saved to play a piano, organ, or sing in church. You don't even have to be saved to stand in a pulpit!" And sadly, it is so true. Many have fooled the flock by their "expertise" in music or oration; but none the less they are wolves to the Lord. We can "hire" people to play a part in our church services; but somehow, we can't pray that God will send someone to FILL THE GAP.? Folks, until God sends, don't "hire"! It is as plain as that! When the rubber meets the road, the "hireling" will flee and run from the things of God. They have no desire to be there except to get a paycheck!

I remember years ago, one of our previous pastors bringing some missionaries into my office in the print shop, and somehow a discussion came up as to how I came to be there. I let the Brown's know, this pastor didn't call me, his dad didn't call me, God called me. I didn't come for a paycheck, and many times there aren't any, but God has been so good to supply as "needs" arose. My rewards are heavenly sent, and He never fails to bless our service when we come with that heart to serve HIM! I came because God chose me for a service for a time, that was over 20 years ago, and He hasn't moved me yet. IF you are serving for a paycheck, you are serving for the wrong reason.

I certainly am not one to butt in, but don't take that pulpit, that Sunday school class, that position of leadership in your church, if God doesn't put you there. God's people are to be ready, available, and willing to fill those gaps. Ask Him to help you with a servant's heart! He will surely bless, as He has blessed me many times over. This is no way any intent to brag on me here; oh no! This is all to GOD's Glory and Honor ALWAYS. He is the one that leads, guides, guards, protects, and supplies. He has been soooo good to me! I can't thank Him enough!

How about you Christian! Have you answered the call to protect the flock? Do it today! You will never say, "I wish I hadn't!" God Bless,

Linda

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!

May 28 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

 “The God of Impossible Things”
Joshua 3:17

We probably will face many “Jordans” in our lives, those seemingly impossible things. Simply because Jesus faced up against all odds and utter impossibilities. But as long as we have our eyes on Jesus, in trusting and believing, we have power to conquer and overcome any hostile power that works against us. Everything that the devil has, has been thrown at Jesus already, and he didn’t win. (Satan is a loser by the way). He doesn’t own anything, for two reasons; God is the ruler of the universe and Satan got here too late; So, he doesn’t really own anything.

Christ overcame everything that we will ever face, at the cross. We need to stay close to Jesus, be filled with the Spirit daily, and seek to know God. We have access to the throne of grace. So that we can come boldly before God and say, “here I am again Lord, with another impossible situation; but I believe that you’re God enough to get me through this.” Then your stormy trial will cease, and a gentle warm breeze will carry you safely to the other side. Get hold of God and trust His power. He will never fail.

“Step Right Through” 

This thing that I face today; 

O God, what must I do?

Trust, He says, take a step,    

A light will shine right through.

I am there, though Jordan swells, 

To make the crossing with you.

Step through the door, in faith my child; 

And you will know what I say is true.

                                        ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Christ overcame everything that we will ever face....”

Bible Reading Schedule: II Chronicles 25-27

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?

May 20~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Marvelous Loving Kindness”
Psalm 17:1-15; James 1:5-6

It is easy to give of our substance, such as money and things. But it is altogether another matter to give our hearts with what we give. I believe we fail miserably in this respect; God help us to give more unconditionally.

Jesus doesn’t give His favors like we do, He gives the best from the top of the table, and not just the crumbs that fall from it. His gifts are given out from love, we sup with Him out of His own dish, while leaning on the comfort of His breast. He doesn’t give the leftovers, or the old rusty cans that have been discarded; nor does He give the little, small potatoes out of His garden, but the big ones that can be baked and garnished with other things that enhances; that builds upon, and never takes away. Everything that Jesus gives is saturated with His affection and will not trample over the poor man to get to the well-off man. His love is unmatched and undoubted in its sincerity and affection. 

All of His gifts and donations are given from a heart that bled for us and yet bleeds as we speak. We cannot weary Him with our asking; He doesn’t get bent out of shape with us for having to give all of the time, and we are not a burden to Him at all. In fact, He is pleased to extend His mercy and grace to us. He is our Saviour and continually gives His life for us, in His pouring out of His attributes and gifts. There is honey a-plenty, not from a dead carcass, but from our living Lord. 

“Tis So Sweet”

There’s glad sweetness in the honey, 

that’s produced from the heart.

Spiced with His affection, 

let us taste and do our part.

                            ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Everything that Jesus gives is saturated with his affection.”

Bible Reading Schedule: I Chronicles 27-29

Weekly Memory Verses:  Romans 8:14-18  

Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

 

March 18 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Helping Others”

Matthew 25:40; Galatians 2:10 

Most Christians are not physically rich, we are generally poor. Have you ever wondered why God allows this? Some people say that if you believe God strong enough that you can prosper monetarily. But that goes against the scripture and the Spirit-filled Christ life. Jesus suffered for us and to say that we can live a life of ease and no suffering would be deceitful and fraudulent. But any of our suffering here will not be compared to the glory that awaits us when we enter our eternal home.

To be a devout follower of Jesus, we are going to have to feed the poor, give drink to strangers, gather clothing for the less fortunate, visit the sick (much neglected ministry) and  get  the  word of God into the prison houses, schoolhouses and going house to house, because that was part of His ministry. This is basic, this we must do, and then you will see some great miraculous things take place in your life and others. To take part in reaching lost souls, is to take part in the greatest miracle known to Heaven and earth.

God could make us all rich and fill our houses and garages full of things that we would adore. God could cause the richest people and nations to bring all of their wealth and deposit it in your account, but for one simple reason He does not. Love is what counts, and He has given us enough and we are blessed with the ability to show our love for Jesus. We show it when we pray to Him and for others, and when we sing of His greatness and compassion. If there were no needy people in the world, we would miss out on sacrificial giving to those less fortunate; this proves that we truly love God and the brethren.

“Giving”

To love the ones that are loved by Him, 

Is to sacrificially give;

To be rich in grace and not of the world, 

Is to follow Jesus and for Him live.

                            ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“Our suffering here will not be compared to the glory that awaits us....”

Bible Reading Schedule: Joshua 14-16

Weekly Memory Verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-10

Romans 6:1-6 ~ 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

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