May 6 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“Our Long Home Is Just Beyond Us?”
I John 4:13; Ecclesiastes 12:5 

Can you say that you have a home for your soul? You do have it you know, if you’re given to Jesus, by the born again experience. While still in this mortal life we have a soul “house”, a place where God can dwell and function.  What it costs for this house is to love, cherish, honor and serve the Lord. Our true home is yet to be, but we have it positionally as if we were already there. And while we abide in this house, we have all that we’ll ever need, we can’t overspend on His riches. We can have the most intimate, personal communion with God and feast on the love of Christ. When we get tired, we can rest with Jesus, and from the windows of this house we can see our home, just out there, just beyond the reach of mortal means. To live in this house down here we must come to Jesus, though we feel so unworthy to let Him live here, what an odd place He has chosen to dwell. You may say, He cannot live within such a filthy place, I am a guilty sinner, and I can’t get it clean enough for such an honored guest. But let Him in by faith dear friend, and the instant He walks in, it becomes a home, a dwelling place; But only temporary, because our real home lies just beyond; this one is temporal but the other is eternal.

“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 hope of glad receiving. 

Just beyond the broken dreams,

Lives that are filled with things and schemes; 

Just beyond, lies death’s  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, 

We’re not afraid, while looking for home; 

Because it lies, just beyond us.

                                                    ~ Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“We can’t overspend on His riches.”

Bible Reading Schedule: II Kings 14-15

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.

 

May 5 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“It’s A Personal Thing”
II Corinthians 6:14-18; Daniel 3:17

Many times in preaching, writing, and praying I say with heart conviction, “that I may know Christ” (Philippians 3:10) You see, if He can say to me, I am His beloved, and God can say, “He is one of My people”. He says to me, whom He has chosen, that He is my God; He does not say that of the whole world, though He brought them all into existence, but only of His chosen ones. 

God is all knowing, nothing takes Him by surprise. Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God, He is God, Amen! God has not turned this world over to man yet, He is still in control. But His chosen ones, those born again, are His special possession, look what He has done for them - He purchased us with His blood, Oh precious blood, that flows freely still. He took us from beggars to His bosom, and we are loved with an everlasting love. Can you my friend, count yourself in that number, by faith in the crucified One? Can you look up with full assurance and proclaim, “my Lord, and my God”? Can you say with the three Hebrew boys, “our God whom we serve, will deliver us”? Can you read your title clear to a mansion in the sky? It is written in blood you know, if you’ve been born again. Can you say by faith, that He has done a work in you, then God readily says, you are “My People.”

“I AM”

I am His and He is mine, He is Lord, in Christ I’m fine;

He loves me special, He loves me so, I am His, and that I know.

I am accepted, I am His choice, And daily now, I hear His voice.

-Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“He took us from beggars to His bosom.”

 Bible Reading Schedule: II Kings 11-13

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.

May 4 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

 “Are My Things Idols?”
Jeremiah 41:20; Romans 1-3

One of man's greatest sins is worshipping too many things, which is idolatry. And we that are saved have the same tendencies as they that are idolators. They worship gods of stone and wood in other countries, here in America, many worship things, such as houses, places and recreation, and sports. Now these in themselves do not seem to be too bad, because we’ve convinced ourselves that we deserve this, since we have worked so hard to attain it.  But the problem is all of this is the indulging of self, which in God’s eyes is the great sin of idolatry. If self is allowed to dominate, then we as believers in God, have been duped by the devil and He is accomplishing through us what he has wanted all along, to make God appear to look bad in the eyes of the needy and the depraved.

Look how America has spoiled her children, this grieves God, because it is idolatry. Many  of Americas children have become a menace to all society and a double curse to their parents and also to themselves. Christian parents have decided to sleep in beds with stones, ignoring vainness in non-discipline. We pity those that bow to nature, and gods of inanimate objects and then we justify ourselves as we worship the god of flesh and pleasure. Now we can see why we are cursed with the sins of pornography, drugs, drink, and abusers of mankind. We are in worse shape than the heathen that bows to a false god; Because we forsake our living God and turn to things that only satisfy the flesh.  We need a revival of forsaking our idols.

“Do You Know?”

The heathen bows to, he knows not what, 

And we turn away from who we know we’ve got.

                                ~Tom Milam

Daily Jewel:

“we justify ourselves as we worship the god of flesh and pleasure”

 Bible Reading Schedule: II Kings 9-10

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.

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.

May 2 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Shepherd’s Psalm”

(Continued) Part 3

He brings my head down with grief, it seems...,

I can’t bear.

Hold now your tongue!

-- I give you Hannah no child she bore.

I give you Job, who suffered sore.

Still I cry,

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;”

-Yes, yes Peter I understand, 

His yoke is easy, His burden light; 

I care not what befall other men,

He leads me by my hand. 

Hanna’s lips were filled with praise, 

for a son, to the Lord she gave!

--And Job with humble heart,

his home and health, twofold restored; 

for his friends besought the Lord,   

From them Lord do not depart.

Many will ask the Shepherd  why? 

Hear me my friend, He’s standing by. 

Surely my life was forfeit for thee; 

stoned, beaten with rods, and cast on shipwreck shores.

What matter? I do not care.

--The course I will finish, the race I will run, 

and crowns I will cast,

at the feet of the Father’s beloved Son.

 For me He gives no feeble broken reed; 

but a staff secure, sufficient for my need.

That I may safely, yea boldly go, 

wherever He may lead.

Till one day I stand though weary and wore; 

My heart full of joy,  like an eagle will soar   

In the house of the Lord forevermore.

                                        ~ By Eric D. Dye

Daily Jewel:

“That I may safely, yea boldly go, wherever He may lead.” ~ Eric Dye

 Bible Reading Schedule: II Kings 4-5

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.

May 1 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Shepherd’s Psalm”
-continued-

--And greater love has ne’re been seen, 

than from the depths, His bride redeem, restore to honor,

long unclaimed; fresh, and white

---and clean neither asked their shepherd why, 

Only trusted that He was nigh.

The billows ore’ me roll, the tempest round me blows; 

My heart is given, to trembling fear.

Not my Shepherd I hear declared!

--How then is that desperate cry, 

Master we perish, carest not we die?

And long ago accused unjust, I now await in darkening dust; 

Forgotten of man, I hear not from God.

Oh I see an angry look, - - ask Joseph of his brothers,

the baker, the butler, --find it in the Book!

Still I cry, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;

--for with feeble hands the sailor shook, 

the one who slept beneath the stern; and standing on the wave swept ship, 

Peace Be Still!

The words He spoke; and delivered those who quaked and shook. 

---and Joseph wept his brothers to hold,     

and called for his father, a man grey and old; 

sent by the Lord, a way to prepare;

to deliver from famine,---and want, ---and despair.

Yet neither asked their Shepherd why, 

Only trusted that He was nigh.

I put forth my hands, and another girds, 

and take me where I would not go.

Why? Why?

---must it be so? 

Lovest thou me?

He asks;

Then come follow me.

Daily Jewel:

“Yet neither asked their Shepherd why, only trusted that He was nigh.”

Bible Reading Schedule: II Kings 1-3

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 30~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Shepherd’s Psalm”
Psalms 23 (a second look)

by Eric Dye

 For the next few days I feel much led of the Lord to include in this journal/devotional a most wonderful and spirit filled piece of work by my brother in Christ and a precious friend, Eric Dye.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;

He maketh me to lie down, in prison cells cold and damp,   

Not so you say! - tell that to Peter, as by prison guards he lay.

He leadeth me to a dry and thirsty land, Oh no you say!

--Ask Phillip of Gaza, and how he came that way.

And yet I cry, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;

for Peter walked, as in a dream, by an angels side that night;

through fettered gates, opened wide; the answer to another anguished cry.

And Phillip by a chariot ran,

to take a wandering eunuchs hand; and into water, lowered the man. 

Neither asked their Shepherd why, only trusted that He was nigh.

He rains upon my mortal frame, grievous stones,

my blood to stain, Do you protest? Unjust you cry!

-take a look at Stephen, as in the dust he lies.

He giveth me a wife of whoredom, to bear in agony and shame No more! No More! 

It cannot be! Stop...wait...hear Hosea speak of love...and joy...and hope,

to the children upon his knee.

Again I cry. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; 

For Christ arose before His throne,  a royal welcome to one His own; 

and echoes in the gathering dusk,

well done, well done...my son.

Daily Jewel:

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want”