This Devotion is an audio podcast.
When I read the Bible I see that whenever Jesus was teaching there was always Scribes and Pharisees present. These men were not there to worship or learn or glorify God. The Pharisees would show up to hinder Jesus and try to retain their influence over the people. In this podcast, I share my thoughts on the people, who have spoken negatively abouttheAsbury Revival.
Jesus personally called the men He wanted to be His disciples. These men were Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot. Now we know that Jesus walked this earth as a man, but He was The Great I Am. Therefore, He knew all there was to know about these men He wanted to be His disciples.
Judas was a thief who would sell his soul for thirty pieces of silver. Thomas doubted that Jesus could rise from the dead. James and John were called the Sons of Thunder, probably because they had violent tempers. Peter well, we all know that Peter denied he even knew Jesus. When Jesus called these men, He knew about their past. He understood their current actions and He knew what they would do in the future. Yet He called them anyway because these were the ones, He wanted.
The disciples were all chosen by Jesus despite their sins and failures. The Bible teaches that there is a way that seems right to men, but the ways of men always end with death. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When Jesus called the disciples, they all repented and followed Him for eternal life. All except for Judas, who chose the way that seemed right to men and lost his soul.
There is good news for you and I. Jesus is still the Great I Am. He knows about your past, your future, and what you are doing now. And yet He still chose you. Jesus has called out to us because we are the ones that He wants. You and I are chosen despite our sins and failures. He does not call us because we are good or holy. He doesn’t call us because we are righteous and just. He calls us because we are sinners in need of a Savior and He is that Savior. So now you have a choice to make. Will you choose the way that seems right to men or will you choose to follow Him?
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends
Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The writers of these books of the Bible are called major prophets. However, these men would not be popular preachers in today’s world. They would be canceled by the woke culture. Talking heads in the news industry would call them religious kooks. Most politicians would label them as right-wing terrorists. The elite denominational leaders would shun them and call them conspiracy theorists.
Isaiah was a visionary and Jeremiah was tenderhearted. God gave Ezekiel a hard head and He blessed Daniel with the gift of diplomacy. These men were called by God, led by God, and answered only to God. They knew that it was not their responsibility to please people. They were called to say, “ thus says the Lord.” Their responsibility was to speak God’s truth regardless of the consequences.
A pandemic of stupidity has infected the world today. It is a direct result of religious leaders who are controlled by the prevailing winds of popular opinion. Many churches have decided that putting rear ends in pews is more important than putting truth in people’s hearts. They would rather disobey God than offend people. Instead of standing on the word of God, they listen to news media, entertainment figures, and politicians. This is why churches are dying and souls are being lost.
God’s people need to be like the great prophets in the Bible. All of us need to be visionaries with tender hearts, and hard heads and like Daniel be diplomatic but willing to brave a den of hungry lions. The world does not need any more smiling preachers or tolerant Christians. It needs prophets whose feet are planted on the foundations of righteousness. It needs followers of Christ who are rooted and grounded deep in God’s Word.
That old long con artist Satan has stung society into lunacy. Now it is time for Christians to stop going along with anything to get along with everyone. We must take the old prophets as our mentors and be willing to suffer anything for our God and Savior. We are God’s watchmen so let us exercise our right and responsibility to be salt and light in a dark and rotting world.
Douglas &Deborah Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends
Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
Lord, once there were people who were told by their government how they must worship. They were told who they would serve and what their doctrines would be. But You stirred their hearts and they rose up in defiance of the tyrannical rulers. They bravely risked their lives and sacrificed all they had for religious freedom.
Lord once again we find ourselves oppressed by a government who would tell us how we must worship, who we will serve and what our doctrines will be. Lord you once stirred the hearts of your people to rise up in defiance of an unjust government, My prayer today is that you will do it again Lord
Lord, this great nation was born when men were stirred to fight for their Independence and freedom. Brave men realized that they were endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Lord you stirred the hearts of these brave men to stand up to despotism and demand the right to live in a land of truth, justice and righteousness. Today I beg you Lord please do it again!
Lord once you raised up great men to lead this nation. These men were not politicians who could be bought or swayed by vagrant ideologies. Truly great leaders are valiant statesmen who stand on Biblical principles and refuse to be bought or bullied by ungodly men or entities. Lord, you once raised up true leaders to guide this nation, please Lord do it again.
Lord, you once raised up prophetic men who were unafraid to stand before evil and corrupt leaders and say, “thus says the Lord’. Heavenly Father we once again need a Moses to say, “Let my people go”. Once again we need an Elijah to challenge the false gods and the evil Jezebels of today. Once again we need a Nathan who will stand before the nation’s leaders and say, “be sure your sins will find you out”. Once again we need a Jeremiah who will weep over this broken nation as he boldly proclaims a truth that burns in his bones. Once again we need a man like John the Baptist who will shout loudly, “Repent, because the Kingdom of God is at hand” Lord you raised these men up once, today I beg You, please do again.
Lord in past centuries you stirred the hearts of common people to call out to you and from these stirrings great awakenings was born. During these times of revival, fearless evangelist thundered across this land preaching that you must be born again. They proclaimed the truth of God’s word and did not hesitate to call evil, evil and sin, sin. Lord we desperately need for You to do it again
Lord, once you made this nation great. But now we wallow in sin. The cesspool of sodomy is forced on us by evil men. Right is called wrong and wrong is called right. Today righteous people are ridiculed and perverted people are celebrated. How long Lord will you strive with wicked men.
Lord you have told us that if we who are your people will’ “Humble ourselves and pray, and if we will turn from our wicked ways, that you will hear from heaven and heal our land. Lord you once made this nation great; it is my humble prayer that You will please do it again
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends
When young Samuel was awakened in the night by the voice of God his response was,” “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” This young man had grown up in the temple. He had heard the Word of God preached and taught. He probably knew as much about God as most adults. Yet he had no preconceived ideas about what God was going to say. He woke that night anxiously waiting to hear something new from God.
A lot of people today have it all wrong. Instead of saying, “ Speak Lord, your servant is listening” they say, “Listen, Lord, your servant is speaking”. People often read the Word of God, not with an open heart but with a personal agenda. They don’t want to hear what God has to say. They want God to say what they wish to hear.
The truth is many people read and learn Scripture, not to please God but to manipulate God. Some people read the Bible looking for passages they can use to support their twisted ideas of righteousness. They foolishly cherry-pick Scripture verses that suit them. Like Satan, they can quote the Bible but they have no relationship with the Author of the Bible.
I remember hearing an old preacher say, “If you are reading the Bible to learn about God, Stop it!” This old preacher was teaching that we should not read scripture to learn about God, instead, we should read His Word to rest in His presence. Like the Disciple whom Jesus loved, we should lean on His breast and listen to His heart. If we wish to experience God’s love, we will open our Bibles and say, “Speak Lord your servant is listening”.
Douglas Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends
Email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com
Okra, I’m glad it grows where I live. It is one of my favorite foods. It tastes good no matter how you cook it, and it is good for you. You plant it in the spring and it will keep producing until the first frost of the fall. However, during the mid-growing season, it might stop producing. When this happens, my Nanny would say the Okra needs a good whooping.
A whooping! What did that mean? It is simple really. As an okra stalk grows it always produces at the top of the plant. Even though it is not producing any okra the bottom of the plant still has the old leaves. These old leaves are useless but they draw nutrients from the stalk and this prevents the plant from making tender okra at the top. So, my Nanny would take a brush broom and knock the old leaves off. The okra would then begin producing again.
Usually here is where I would begin a spiritual analogy. However, this is not a spiritual lesson, it is a civics lesson. You see the United States of America was designed to produce. With the natural resources that we have, we could and should be completely independent of the rest of the world. This great land can produce everything that we, the American citizens need.
However, most elected politicians are like old okra leaves. They do no good and only hinder our great country. They have turned the government into a giant money laundering scheme to pad their evil egos. For example, no federal program or department ever accomplishes anything and they never go away. They were not designed to accomplish anything they were only designed to perpetually line the pockets of career politicians.
The politicians and the so-called news media constantly treat Americans like mushrooms, they want to keep us in the dark and feed us crap. They tell you that the programs and departments are for your own good. They say that the government will protect you and provide for your every need. With governmental smoke and mirrors, they promise to defend your civil rights while behind your backs they decimate the Constitution. As long as they can convince gullible idiots to vote for them, they will get away with it.
The treasonous traitors in Washington DC have sold our birthright for their profit. The nation’s capital is full of bottom-feeding, nutrient-sucking parasites. It is time for God-fearing American citizens to take a brush broom to Washington DC and flail and give it a good whooping.
Douglas Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
“Thank you for your service.” We always mean well when we say this but I have noticed many veterans seem to be embarrassed by the recognition. It is as if they would say,” I was just doing my job”. Yes, they had a job to do and they did it well. Veteran’s Day and everyday a grateful nation says thank you for a job well done. Myself, I will always be proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free and I will never forget those of you who served so faithfully to preserve that right for me.
This devotion is an audio podcast. In it I wish to say thank you and honor all brave Veterans who served our nation so faithfully. Please Click the link below to listem
Do it Again Lord
Lord, once there were people who were told by their government how they must worship. They were told who they would serve and what their doctrines would be. But You stirred their hearts and they rose up in defiance of the tyrannical rulers. They bravely risked their lives and sacrificed all they had for religious freedom.
Lord, once again we find ourselves oppressed by a government who would tell us how we must worship, who we will serve and what our doctrines will be. Lord you once stirred the hearts of your people to rise up in defiance of an unjust government, My prayer today is that you will do it again Lord
Lord, this great nation was born when men were stirred to fight for their Independence and freedom. Brave men realized that they were endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Lord you stirred the hearts of these brave men to stand up to despotism and demand the right to live in a land of truth, justice and righteousness. Today I beg you Lord, please do it again!
Lord, once you raised up great men to lead this nation. These men were not politicians who could be bought or swayed by vagrant ideologies. No, truly great leaders are valiant statesmen who stand on Biblical principles and refuse to be bought or bullied by ungodly men or entities. Lord you once raised up true leaders to guide this nation, please Lord do it again.
Lord, you once raised up prophetic men who were unafraid to stand before evil and corrupt leaders and proclaim , “Thus says the Lord’. Heavenly Father we once again need a Moses to say, “Let my people go”. Once again we need an Elijah to challenge the false gods and the evil Jezebels of today. Once again we need a Nathan who will stand before the nation’s leaders and say, “be sure you sins will find you out”. Once again we need a Jeremiah who will weep over this broken nation as he boldly proclaims a truth that burns in his bones. Once again we need a man like John the Baptist who will shout loudly, “Repent, because the Kingdom of God is at hand” Lord you raised these men up once, today I beg You please do again.
Lord, in past centuries you stirred the hearts of common people to call out to you and from these stirrings great awakenings were born. During these times of revival, fearless evangelist thundered across this land preaching that you must be born again. They proclaimed the truth of God’s word and did not hesitate to call evil, evil and sin, sin. Lord, we desperately need for You to do it again
Lord, once you made this nation great. But now we wallow in sin. The cesspool of sodomy is forced on us by evil men. Right is called wrong and wrong is called right. Today righteous people are ridiculed and perverted people are celebrated. How long Lord will you strive with wicked men.
Lord, you have told us that we who are your people must humble ourselves and pray, and that if we will turn from our wicked ways, then you will hear from heaven and heal our land.
Lord you once made this nation great; it is my humble prayer that you will please do it again.
Douglas Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends
The Apostle Paul has been credited with planting many churches. However, it is an injustice to The Holy Spirit to give Paul the acclaim for starting these churches. Paul never planted a church, he never started a church. He simply went into all the world, made disciples of all kinds of people, immersed them in the Word of God and taught them to follow Jesus. Churches popped up wherever Paul went because the Holy Spirit worked in and through the disciples Paul made.
Today, so called “churches” are popping up all over. But seldom are any real churches being started. Most are the results of selfish people who willfully divide a congregation in order to have their own way. While others are the product of egotistical pastors, who want their own little kingdom. Claiming to be called by God, they split established churches in order to start their own congregation. These are not church starts that expand the Kingdom of God. They are church splits that weaken the Bride of Christ.
During my years as pastor and always wanting to learn, I attended many seminars. The prevalent topic in these events was how to fill pews and expand churches. These seminars were most often taught by authors whose main goal was to sell their latest book. I bought many of these books. Now I know the best way to use these books is to stack them up and use them as a platform. While standing on this pile of useless verbiage, I should shout to the world this message “Jesus said, I will build my Church. You go preach the gospel and make disciples.”
The local church is a vital part of God’s Kingdom. However, no church has ever grown as a result of strife in the body or egotistical leadership. Throughout the Book of Acts we find the Church being added to and churches multiplying. This was not because of silly gimmicks or special growth programs. Churches grow and are multiplied because people hear the gospel and are saved. The Kingdom of Heaven is expanded when Christians are taught to fear God and love Him with all their heart, soul and might.
It is Jesus’ job to build His Church. Our job is to make disciples of all kinds of people, immerse them in the power of the Holy Trinity and teach them to obey God’s word. Let’s stop trying to do Jesus’ job and focus on doing our own. If we do this the Church will grow, churches will multiply and the Bride of Christ will be ready when the Bridegroom comes again.
Douglas Huff
I sit on my back porch drinking coffee. The air is still cool, the birds are singing and last night’s dew still glistens on the grass. Everything I see is beautiful and everything I hear is peaceful. As I sip my coffee, I am almost deceived into believing that all is well in this world.
But then I listen to the radio or watch a talking head on television and am reminded that stupidity is prevalent. Satan is the great manipulator. He has convinced people that immorality is moral and wickedness is righteous. Souls are marching to hell while flying the rainbow flag and babies are being murdered with the approval of many so called christians. And I know that the world is far from well.
Here in America we are concerned for our nation. We hope and pray that God will turn us from our sins and return us to our former righteousness. However, we make the mistake of reminiscing with rose colored glasses. You see the good old days were not that good and this country has never been righteous. Understand this, God is not going to save America because God does not save nations, He saves people.
But there is cause for optimism. Our God still reigns and always will. It is true because of our prosperity many Americans think that God is unnecessary. However the Light of Salvation is driving out darkness in all the nations of the world. In Habakkuk 1:5 we read, “Look at the nations and observe — be utterly astounded! For something is taking place in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.”
Yes, God is answering our prayers for revival. Great awakenings are happening all around the world. Just not in our neighborhood. An inconvenient truth for children of God is this. Salvation does not come from works less any man should boast but revival is all about us working for and bragging on God.
When the children of Israel were trapped between Pharaoh and the Red Sea they cried out to God. God told them it was time to quit talking and start walking. Jesus commands us to “ Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” Prayer is important. But the bottom line is this, until we are willing to stop talking and start walking there will be no revival in our neighborhood.
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends
Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
Pavement Ends Ministry 