make a difference

The Ten Commandments of Marriage

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There are three Great Institutions of God. On the day of Pentecost, He instituted the Church. In the book of Exodus He instituted government. But the most important is found in Genesis Chapter two. Here God instituted the Family. The family was, is, and always will be the foundation for all of civilized society. God’s plan was, is, and always will be that marriage is one man and one woman for life. So using The Ten Commandments as my guide I have developed what I call, “The Ten Commandments of Marriage.

1. You shall have no other person before your Husband or Wife

No other human being should come between you and your mate. Your mate must always be the most important person in the world to you.

2. You shall not put anything before your husband or wife.

Your mate must be the top priority in your life they must come before your house, car, pleasure, money or fame, and anything else.

3. You shall not take your spouse’s name in vain

You must honor your spouse and seek to put each other first above all others. You must not dishonor each other’s name, person, desires, or dreams. And you must not belittle find fault or criticize. Instead, you must seek out ways to encourage your spouse.

4. Set time apart for one another religiously.

Your spouse and children are worthy of your undivided attention.

5. Honor not only your father and mother but also your father-in-law and mother-in-law.

When you are married you become part of another family. Honor your spouse’s mother and father as if they are your own.

6. You shall not destroy the spirit within your spouse.

Careless and hateful words wound severely the ones who love us the most.

7. “You shall not commit adultery.

The person to whom you are married is your helpmate, your friend, and your lover.

Guard your heart, your eyes, and your body they belong to and are for only your spouse.

8. You must not take from your spouse their dignity and self-worth.

And never take from your spouse what they are unwilling to give. Never take from your husband or wife the privilege of giving gifts and always receive with gratitude the gifts that they bring to you.

9. You shall not bear false witness to each other.

Always be honest with each other.

10. You must not seek greener pastures either physical or material.

Be content with that which God has given you. God will bless your lives together.

There is strange math involved in a Good and Godly marriage. When two people are married the two become one. If the two who have become one will join hands with Jesus then the two will become three. The Bible teaches that a cord of three strands will not be easily broken. If you will keep the Ten Commandments of Marriage, God will sanctify and bless your home, filling it with love and joy.

Douglas Huff

Down Where The Pavement Ends

Email-pavementendsminustry@gmail.com

Do It Again Lord

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            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

For Such Time as This

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Esther is a young woman who has a choice to make. Her family, friends and people face extermination. She must choose. Will she put her life in danger and try to save her people? Or will she do nothing and watch as everyone she loves is destroyed. Her uncle Mordecai tells her that she was born, “for such a time as this.” She chose to put her life on the line and she was used by God to help save her people.

You and I are here in this place and this time. You did not choose this time and maybe didn’t choose this place, but here you are. I would like to suggest that you may have been chosen for such a time as this. You were uniquely created for the responsibilities and opportunities of your life.

Like Esther you have choices to make. Maybe your choices are not as drastic as hers but they are yours to make. I take that back, your choices are just as drastic as hers. Your choices are life shaping for you and everyone in your life.

You may never stand before a king, but every day you will stand before someone. If you will be like Esther, you can make a positive impact on this world, but you must choose wisely. Today choose righteousness, choose wisdom and choose kindness because you never know whose life you maybe saving. After all you were born for such a time as this.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com

Don’t Make People Climb a Tree to See Jesus

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“Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see.” Children have sung this cute little song in church for decades. We think it is about a short man who could not see Jesus because of all the tall people. However, maybe we have missed the point. Maybe this story is about a group of people who are so self centered they make it hard for others to come to Jesus.

In this story good people have laid claim to Jesus. They have treated Him like a first come first serve buffet. Throughout the New Testament, in story after story, we see needy people having to do extraordinary things to reach Jesus. One woman just wanted to touch the hem of His coat, four men tore the roof off a house to bring their friend to Jesus and Zacchaeus climbed a tree just to get a glimpse of Him. Meanwhile, many good people are angry because Jesus has gone outside the walls to help those who need Him the most.

These Bible stories are great. But they are useless if we don’t apply them to our lives and our churches. I believe every action of Jesus was designed to make you think. So think.

Ask yourself these questions. What can I change in my life to make it easier for people to see Jesus?What kind of adjustments does my church need to make so people don’t have to climb a tree to see Jesus.

The bottom line is this. God never intended for His children to sit satisfied and comfortable on their pews. Jesus said “ I will build my church.” But He did not build His church with walls, He built His Church with legs. He did not build His church and say stay, He built His Church and said “ Go”.

We serve God best, not when we gather but when we scatter. So let’s go and tell the Zacchaeuses of this world that Jesus wants to come to their house today.

Luke19:1-9

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

Email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com

Hands

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Hands

He was looking at his hands.

A torn piece of cardboard announced his position in life.

It said, “I am homeless and need help, God bless you”.

His coat was dirty and ragged and all the warmth that he had.

A backpack lay on the ground beside him, possibly containing everything he owned.

He was leaning against the signpost, the sign said stop.

But the preacher, who preaches love and mercy, would not.

Hands

He was looking at his hands.

A torn piece of cardboard announced his want in life.

It said, “Homeless, I need help, God bless you”.

His hands were dirty and bare and empty.

I wonder, do you suppose he was thinking I wish I had work for these hands to do?

Maybe he was wishing for water to wash with or food to eat.

He was leaning against the signpost, the sign said stop.

But the preacher, who was busy doing church work, would not.

Hands

He was looking at his hands.

A torn piece of cardboard announced his prayer in life.

It said, “Homeless, need help, may God bless you.

He never looked up as the people drove by.

What was his greatest need? A bite of food, a drink of water, or just a phone call home?

Maybe God had placed him there for the preacher to help.

He was leaning against the signpost, the sign said stop.

But the preacher, who preaches about God’s Greatest commandment, would not.

Hands

I am looking at my hands.

A torn piece of cardboard convicts my soul.

It told me that the man was homeless and needed help. God forgive me.

I gripped the steering wheel and tried not to see him.

I rationalized that I am busy, and it is too dangerous, maybe he doesn’t really “need help.

But God said you, are My hands, but I pretended not to hear.

He was leaning against a signpost, the sign said Stop.

But the preacher, who preaches about the need to obey, did not.

May God have mercy on all who speak about love, but do not.

Douglas Huff

Email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com

Set Your House in Order

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I once knew a man who became very sick. He went to the doctor for treatment. However, the doctor was unable to help him. He had an untreatable cancer and only a short time to live. What can a man do in this situation other than go home and get his house in order.

This man and his wife of many years had worked hard to build a house, a home and raise a family. As he looked around, he realized the house that he would leave behind was in shambles. Not wanting to leave his wife in such a rundown house he began to make sure it was restored and in good condition. Yes, he was going to be gone and would not benefit from the restored house, but he loved his wife, so he got the house in order.

Society is the house we live in and it is in shambles. It does not matter what your age is, you are not promised tomorrow. If you do not want to leave a broken and rundown house behind, do something to improve society today. Remember your loved ones are going to live in this world you leave behind.

So cover this world and your loved ones with prayer. Then broadcast seeds of the Gospel everywhere you go. Be kind to everyone and lend a helping hand to at least one person today.

Love God with all your heart and let this love be evident in your words and actions. Remember this, if one person has a closer walk with God because of your actions today, then you have made the world a better place for tomorrow. And you will have succeeded in setting your house in order.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

The One Who Gives the Most

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Sitting in the synagogue next to the collection box, Jesus watched as the people brought their offerings. The wealthy and the influential put their money in with great ceremony. Their many large coins made a lot of noise as they were dropped into the box. The big shots wanted to impress everyone with their generosity. But Jesus wasn’t impressed.

That same day an old widow woman came into the synagogue. Quietly she dropped her two mites into the collection box. The wealthy and influential looked at her giving with great disdain. They considered her and her offering to be insignificant. But Jesus was excited about her giving. He was impressed with her generosity.

Now, the wealthy and the influential people are impressive to the world. They will have buildings named after them, they will sit on the board of directors and worldly people will call them great. But they do not impress Jesus, and He does not call them great. He knows they give from their overflow. He also knows their large coins are just a small part of their livelihood and will never be missed.

The old woman means nothing to most people. No buildings will have her name on them and no one will ask her opinion about anything. But Jesus is impressed with her giving and He is excited about her greatness. He knows that she is giving all she has and while most people see it as little, Jesus sees it as much. He knows that her offering is her life.

We must understand this, Jesus does not care about the haul of the offering plate. He only cares about the heart of the giver. One day we will all stand before the Savior. When you do, He will not ask how much money you gave or what great things you did for your church. You see, He does not care about the amount you give as long as you trust Him with all that you have. He does not need your money, but He longs to have your heart.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

Enoch’s Walk

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Here is a riddle for you. In the Bible I lived longer than any other man, but I died before my father did. Who am I? Of course most people know that Methuselah is the man who lived the longest. But how is it possible for him to live the longest and yet he dies before his father does? Well, the simple answer is this. His father was Enoch, a man who never experienced death. Enoch was a righteous man. One day as he walked with God, the door of Heaven was open to him so he walked right in and he was never seen on earth again.

When we read the story of Enoch in Genesis 5, we find that he walked with God after the birth of his son Methuselah. Was he a righteous man before the birth of his son? I don’t know, but I do know that he did walk with God after Methuselah was born. I believe the weight of responsibility that came with this seven or eight pound baby boy drove Enoch to his knees. Enoch realized that walking with God was the only way he could ever be the father that Methuselah needed him to be.

The Bible teaches that, “Children are a heritage from the LORD. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” Arrows are made to fly high and fly far. They are also made to fly straight and true. But it is the strength of the archer that bends the bow and launches the arrow. It is the skill of the archer that aims the arrow and hits the target and it is the wise archer who develops arrows to be true and straight.

The Word of God is clear. It is the responsibility of daddy to train up a child in the way he should go. A father should encourage his children to fly high and fly far, but he also must teach them to fly straight and true. This is a terrifying responsibility because the truth is unless he trusts in God no man has the strength, the skill, or the wisdom that children need from their daddy. Therefore the challenge is for every daddy to be like Enoch and to become known as a man who walks with God.

Douglas Huff & Deborah Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends

Reconciliation

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He walked into the shop early on a Monday morning. With my usual greeting I asked him, “ how are you doing today?” His answer was “ I don’t know yet.” My pastor senses were triggered, telling me that he had some problems on his mind. I said, “ Jesus loves you, so everything is going to be alright.” His face lit up and he said, “ Brother, you know you are right, and I really needed to be reminded of that this morning.”

His name was Harry and he and I immediately became friends. We are about the same age and have a lot in common. Both of us love Jesus, our families and America. In our conversation, we talked about the craziness in the world today. We are both concerned about all the riots and the hysteria over the corona virus. This causes us both to worry about the world that our grandchildren will inherit. Thankfully, we both know that Jesus is in control.

Oh, by the way Harry’s skin is dark and my skin is light. But our different skin color does not matter to us. We became friends because of all we have in common. It is our common prayer that America would return to the God of our salvation and be healed.

In this world we live in, racism is a commodity of small minded and manipulative people. Many politicians, most of the news media and some so called preachers, exist only for the money they make by causing heartache and division. These evil and wicked people thrive most when good people suffer. They hate it when good men like Harry and I ignore our differences and come together over the things we have in common.

Hey, let’s turn this world around. Just turn off the news. Those talking heads on television will only tear us apart. Love God with all your heart and your world will be changed. Love your neighbor as you love yourself and you might change their world. Understand this, you cannot be reconciled with your fellow man until you are reconciled with God. I am paraphrasing Romans 10:12-13 when I say; “ There is no difference between Black and White, because the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13

Let us all call on the name of the Lord and let the reconciliation begin.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

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The Apostle Paul was the greatest preacher ever. His obedience and sacrificial service to Jesus are something that we should all imitate. There is no doubt that when he was beheaded for his Savior the next thing, he heard was his Heavenly Father saying, “Well done My good and faithful servant.”

Yes, Paul was a great man of God. And yet he suffered from what he called a thorn in the flesh.” What was this “thorn in the flesh”? No one knows. It could have been an illness, a deformity, blindness, or anything that affected his physical body.

There is one thing that I have never heard anyone else suggest. Maybe Paul’s thorn in the flesh was an addiction. Maybe he was addicted to alcohol or drugs or food or even porn. Some people would say; “Paul could not have had an addiction because he was a Godly man.” Yes, he was a Godly man but he was not a perfect man, He had faults and his faults made him feel like he was ” the chief of sinners”. God does not use perfect people; He uses broken people. Especially those with thorns in their flesh.

The Bible does not answer every question, and that is a good thing. It is a fact that all Christians struggle with sin, even the Godliest among us. All of us have a thorn in the flesh of some kind. We do not know what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. But we do know that God’s grace was sufficient for Paul and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

One of the blessings of the Bible not giving us all the answers is this; not knowing what Paul suffered, we can identify with him in our suffering. When we feel wretched and wonder who will deliver us from this body of death, we too can thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord. Because God’s grace was sufficient for Paul’s thorn in the flesh and it is still sufficient for yours.

Douglas & Deborah

From Down Where the Pavementends

Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com