hope

The One That is Lost

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He counted them once and then he counted them again. He knew he had one hundred sheep but he could only count ninety-nine. So he counted again and yes, one was lost. It was just one sheep, but these were his sheep. He knew each one by name and knew each one by sight. Now most of them are safe, but one was lost.

Ninety-nine sheep are safe. Only one is missing. Outside it is cold and dark. The wolves are howling. It is dangerous to go out. Some shepherds would say, “Ninety-nine are safe, so I won’t concern myself with the one that is lost.” But not the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep by name and His heart trembles for the one that is lost.

Carrying a staff and a rod for protection, he goes out into the cold darkness. He searches until he finds his lost sheep. Tangled in the briars and brambles, the frightened sheep is torn and bloodied. Using his staff, the shepherd draws the lost one to safety. Anointing him with oil and binding his wounds the Shepherd sings with joy because he has found the one that was lost.

Jesus, my Lord, is the Good Shepherd. Many of His children are safe in the fold. But some have wandered away. Maybe you have been cast into the briars and brambles of addiction. Or maybe you are just confused, stumbling around in the darkness, endangered by the worldly wolves. But Jesus, the Lover of your soul, is heartbroken because you are in danger. He longs for His lost ones to be safe.

Listen to my words all that are sick and lonely, afraid of the darkness that surrounds you. The Savior is calling out your name if you will just be still and listen. The Holy Spirit is the rod that will protect you and the staff that will rescue you. Jesus is the Seeker of the one that is lost. He will draw you close, bind your wounds, and anoint you with healing oil.

Trust in this promise from Ezekiel 34:15-16; “I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down.” says the Lord GOD. “I will seek what is lost and bring back what has been driven away, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick.”

Douglas & Deborah Huff

email- pavementendministry@gmail.com

Zaccheaus, You Come Down

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Have you ever been thirsty or hungry or tired and not know it? I have, there have been times when I would be busy doing something and simply forget to take time to eat or drink or rest. But then I would hit a wall. I would realize that I could not keep going one more minute because I had a need. I needed food or water or rest. When I would take a drink of cool water it would rejuvenate my whole body. It would make me wonder why it took me so long to realize that I had a need.

Zacchaeus was a man with a need. He had been so busy becoming a rich man that he did not realize how poor and tired and hungry he was. One day he heard a crowd coming, and asked, “What is going on.?” Someone said,” Jesus is coming.” So Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see who Jesus was. When Jesus saw him in the tree He said,” Zacchaeus, come on down I am going to your house today.” That day Zaccheaus found that Jesus met a need he did not know he had.

I know that many of you today are spiritually thirsty, hungry, and tired. You have been so busy trying to live a life that you have neglected to care for your soul. Now, you are out on a limb and you have a need that you can not fill.

Jesus is the Son of Man who came to seek and save the lost. He is looking up at you on your limb and saying, “Come on down I want to go to your house today.” If you will receive Him, He will bring salvation to your house. Then you can quince your thirst with His living water, satisfy your hunger with the Bread of Life and rest your weary head on His gentle shoulder.

Douglas Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

The Prodigal Son

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In the Bible, Jesus tells the story of a man whose son demands that he be given his inheritance so that he can go out on his own. The father reluctantly gives his son his own livelihood and watches as the boy goes off into the world. The father knew that this was not about the money; no it was about a son rejecting the father’s love.

As the story goes the young man goes to a faraway land where he blows through his money in no time at all. Of course, when the money is gone the good times are gone, and when the good times are gone so are the friends. Now we find the boy with no money, friends, or food. He has to take job feeding pigs and wishes that he could eat the pig slop. And then finally one day he decides to go home and ask his father for forgiveness.

Now you may think this story is about the prodigal son but it is not. The story is actually about the father. You see as soon as the boy left, his father began to watch and pray for his son to come home. Day after day he would stand at the gate looking and longing to see his little boy coming down the road. Finally, the day comes when the old man sees his son coming home. The old man we tears in his eyes runs to meet His boy. With hugs and kisses, He welcomes him home

You know on second thought this story is not about the old man. It is about God and you. Maybe like the boy you have rejected the Father’s love. Maybe you have taken your life and wasted it. Maybe you have found yourself in the hog pen of life and you have found that hog slop doesn’t taste so good.

Here is the good news, our Father in Heaven has been waiting and watching and longing for you to come home. He is waiting to receive you with open arms. Won’t you leave the pigs and come to the Father? I can see Him now, when you start walking toward Him He will come running to you. He will clothe you in His righteousness and feed you from His table. You know He loves you, pig slop breath and all.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

Come and See

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Come and See

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”” (John 1:43–46)

“Come and see.” This is a challenge to see in Jesus the Answer to all questions, the Object of all desires, and the fulfilled Promise of all time. Indeed the invitation is to come and see in Jesus the Final Treasure that is worth any sacrifice we have to make.

When Philip said, “I have found Him” he was saying they had been looking for a Messiah who would change their lives and he recognized in Jesus the Messiah. The crisis of our time is that the ones who need Him the most are not looking for Him. Oh, they are looking for something but they don’t recognize that Jesus is the Final Treasure.

A question for you, Christian. Do you recognize Jesus as the Final Treasure? The answer to that question may be the answer to the question of why has the American church lost its ability to impact society.

Brothers, you say that you are a Christian, so I challenge you to make the Word who was in the beginning, the Word who was with God and this Word who is God to make Him the Final Treasure of your Heart. Then maybe you can impart to a dying and thirsty world a desire for this Living Water.

Then when you extend an invitation to “come and see,” they will see that Jesus is indeed The Final Treasure.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

The Birds and Bugs Still Sing

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Early morning is best. I sit on my back porch to read, write and visit with God. Even though it is going to be hot today the air is still cool. While the breeze whispers a peaceful melody the birds and bugs sing the lyrics of creation. I can almost imagine that the world is at peace. However, the sound of a jet overhead reminds me that a great big stupid world is never far away.

I don’t know who said it but I once read that government is a necessary evil. It is necessary because men need to be governed or there will be anarchy. It is evil because people with authority always crave more authority. Government has an insatiable appetite for growth and its food is the well-being of the governed. Authority must be limited because a large and unlimited government is worse than no government at all.

As Christians, we are told to pray for those in authority so that we may live in peace. We must obey God. However, there has never been a time without strife or war somewhere. Does this mean that God ignores our prayers? Of course not! You see, peace is not the absence of war. Peace is the presence of God and the knowledge that your eternal soul is safe even if your mortal body is not.

Yes, God told us to pray for those in authority but He never told us to trust them. Often world leaders will gather together for council. But these planning sessions are never for the good of the people. They are only seeking to perpetuate their power. However, if we trust in God’s holy name we know that He will frustrate their plans. The Word of the Lord will stand forever and no weapon formed against Him will prosper.

The eyes of God are on those who fear Him. If our hope is in His mercy, He will deliver our souls from death and protect us in times of trouble. If we entangle our hearts in God’s strength, He will be our help and shield. So, when the heathen rage and the nations plot vain things let not your heart be troubled. Listen; the birds and the bugs are still singing because they know, our God still reigns.

Douglas Huff

Down Where the Pavement Ends

More Faith

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In the movie Jaws, three men were hunting a huge man-eating shark. One of the men, Sheriff Brodie came face to face with this extremely large and hungry shark. When this happened, he said, “We are going to need a bigger boat”.

In the Bible, Jesus taught His disciples that they would face great trials and persecution. He also taught them that they would have to learn to forgive others without reservation. These teachings of Jesus must have seemed as overwhelming to the disciples as the huge, hungry shark did to Sheriff Brodie. So, the disciples said, “We are going to need a bigger faith.”

In Luke chapter 17, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus then told them that if they had even a tiny bit of faith, they could do great things. Wow, that is a tremendous promise. That is what most of us want. We want to be known as someone who has done great things and we want to do these things with just a little faith.

As Jesus continued His teaching about faith, He explained the characteristics of a faithful person. He shows us in the Bible that those who are great in their faith are servants. He says that a faith-filled person is actively working for God’s glory. And we learn that there is no faith without works. A faith-filled person is not self-centered; they never seek gratitude but serve only for the glory of God.

A person of great faith knows that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works. A faithful person’s mind is always on Christ and these words are always in their heart, “not unto me O Lord, not unto me, but unto You belongs all honor and glory and praise forever and ever, Amen

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

email-pvementendsministry@gmail.com

Being Old Is Not The Same As Being Done

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In Joshua 13:1 we read these words; “Joshua was now old, getting on in years, and the Lord said to him, “You have become old, getting on in years, but a great deal of the land remains to be possessed.” Now I wonder, was God displaying a sense of humor here? As Joshua stood there with all the aches and pains that come with age and the long years of service to God, do you think that he needed God to tell him that he was old? No, I don’t think so, I think that God may have chuckled when He said this.

I have had a good many birthdays. When I crawl out of bed in the morning my bones creak and pop. Then I reach for my glasses because the years have blurred my eyesight. Old wounds and scars I have accumulated throughout the years remind me of some of the dumb things I have done to myself. So if God were to say to me, ” Doug, you are old and advanced in years” I would chuckle and say, “You think.”

Now, when God told Joshua that he was old, He also told him that there was a lot more land to possess. In other words, God said, Joshua, you are old, but you ain’t done. So rub some oil on those creaky old bones and get up and get busy.

In my years on this earth, I have seen a lot and done a lot. But I am not finished yet. There is still a lot more to do and see. I believe that God has said to me, Doug, you are old and advanced in years but you ain’t done yet. There is more work to do, so get up and get busy.

Now many of you like me, have had a lot of birthdays. All those birthdays are making your bones ache and your muscles hurt. However, if you have pain that is proof that you are alive, and if you are alive that is proof that you ain’t done yet. God is saying rub some creme on those old muscles then get up and get busy. Remember, make plans for the future as if you have many tomorrows, but live today as if you have none.

Douglas Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

The Bird

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There was a bird in the shop the other day. It flew in and immediately flew up to the ceiling. Thinking that the white ceiling was the sky, it kept flying against it. Not wanting him in there, I tried to shoo him out the door. However, to go out the door, he had to fly low. But it was his instinct to fly high. Instead of going out, he kept bumping against an artificial sky which was the ceiling. All day he flew back and forth, trapped because he would not lower himself to go through the door.

The bird reminds me of human nature. So often we become trapped by our foolishness. Refusing to humble ourselves we keep bumping against an artificial sky of our own making. We rush back and forth trying to find freedom, but on our own, we can never be successful.

God wants to show you the way. But you must swallow your pride and humbly kneel in prayer. Freedom can be yours and problems can be overcome if you are willing to do things God’s way. But you have to stop doing life your way.

Do you know how I finally got the bird out? Well, I turned the lights off and shut the door. Birds will not fly in darkness. I then open the door a tiny bit. This caused a small sliver of light to shine on the ceiling. The bird then began to flutter in that small patch of light. He was afraid of the dark and was drawn to the light. Then I took the ladder climbed to where he was and caught him in my hand. Then I took him outside and released him to real freedom.

So often it seems that darkness is driving us into a corner. In the darkness are you not drawn to a ray of light? When the world is dark Jesus is the light. If we will fly to the light, He will take us into His hands and release us into true freedom. Do you believe this? Do you trust Him? He is our only hope.

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV

Douglas & Deborah Huff

Faithful People

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In the Bible, Jesus taught His disciples that they would face great trials and persecution. He also taught them that they would have to learn to forgive others without reservation. These teachings of Jesus must have seemed as overwhelming. So, the disciples said, “We are going to need a bigger faith.” This devotion is an audio podcast, click the link below to listen.

https://podpoint.com/pavement-ends-ministry/faithful-people?fbclid=IwAR3a0MT56wLUVWaYTPvmBzYmPIAcfZOZDnWIqNAWENQH5V1MBoCSxQlgfNM#

Close Enough to Perfect for Me

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““Many women are capable, but you surpass them all! ” Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.”

Proverbs 31:29-31 HCSB

I have often described the Proverbs 31 woman as the biblical Barbie Doll. Why? Because just as it is impossible for a young girl to attain the perfect form of a Barbie doll, it is also impossible for any woman to attain the perfection of the Proverbs 31 woman. No, perfection cannot be attained this side of Glory. However, in Proverb 31:30, King Lemuel’s mother is telling him that a Godly woman who fears the Lord is close enough to perfect for her.

My Mama, Roosa Lou Moon Huff will be the first to tell you that she is not perfect. But, homemade biscuits and pear preserves for breakfast, macaroni and tomato soup for dinner, and fresh vegetables from the garden for supper, were just about perfect meals. Never having much money, but raising nine children who always felt like they were rich, could only be done with love from an almost perfect heart. Because of my Mama’s love and prayer, all of her children grew up to love Jesus. She also taught Sunday School for years and years. Hundreds of children learned about Jesus because Mama always had a perfect love for Him and the little ones He loved.

So Mama, all of your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, your daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, your sisters and nieces and nephews, all of the children you taught in Sunday School and the G.A.s, that you hauled around in that green and white van, are going to rise up and call you blessed. Many women are capable, but you surpass them all. We love you, Mama. Thank you for always being a Godly woman who fears the Lord. You are close enough to perfect for us.

Douglas Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

pavementendsministry@gmail.com