rejoice always

Who

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“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. I Peter 2:9

I remember a cold November morning. The frigid air stung my nose and I saw my breath when I exhaled. I sat in a deer stand about twenty feet high on the side of an ash tree. As I watched a squirrel scratching in the leaves, I hoped a buck would make an appearance.

Suddenly, there was a whoosh of air as a large pair of wings flew within inches of my head. A huge owl startled me when he landed on a limb not ten feet away. We sat at eye level, but his back was to me. Then, as only an owl can do, he rotated his head until he looked straight into my eyes. For a long second, we stared at each other. We both blinked, then he said “Who” and flew away.

As I pondered his question I thought, “Who indeed?” Who am I that God would bless me the way He has? I was raised to love Jesus by parents who loved me. He has blessed me with a sweet wife, precious children, and the most wonderful grandchildren in the world. But the thing that amazes me the most is this, God gave His Son to die for me, so that I might have eternal life. Then surprisingly, as undeserving as I am, He called me to preach His gospel.

As I thought about these things, I was reminded of 1 Peter 2:9 and I knew if that owl would come back I would answer his question this way. I would say, I am of a chosen generation, I am of a royal priesthood, and I am one of God’s own special people. For this reason, I will proclaim the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light. Because that is who I am.

Douglas Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

How Magnificent is Our God

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How magnificent is my God? With omnipotence, His shining glory illuminates the highest heavens. By His authority, He has ordained strength from the mouth of the most helpless of babies. In His presence, the enemy is silenced. With His righteous power He has, He is, and He will defeat the adversary.

On a blustery day, I hear the wind howl and watch as the tree sway back and forth. I watch as the sun goes down and light fades away. The moon rises, chasing away the darkness, and stands guard over the night.  In the distance, a whippoorwill cheers as the stars decorate the purple sky. All of this makes me wonder. Who are we that God would have us on His mind? He made us a little lower than the angels and He has given us a crown of glory and honor.

He is a great and awesome God and He has given us authority over His creation. He has placed all things in our control, the cattle in the field, the beast in the woods, the birds in the air, and the fish in the water. We are just sons of men, yet the Son of God has visited us and given us the right to become children of the most gracious God. 

How magnificent is the Power and Authority of the Lord my God. His shining glory illuminates the highest heaven. To Him be all honor and glory. Oh LORD our Lord How excellent is your name in all the earth.

Psalms 8:1-9

Douglas & Deborah Huff

email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com

The Aftermath of Easter

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Often this verse is on my mind as I awake in the morning. I guess it is God’s way of reminding me of how precious I am to Him. Sometimes I take the liberty of personalizing this scripture. I say; “For God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son, and because I believe in Him I will never perish but have everlasting life.”

I can personalize it because I believe that if I had been the only person, Jesus would have died for me. You see Jesus was not crucified for multitudes. He died for individuals. All of us can say, “For God so loved me, that He Gave His only begotten Son.”

Often people will say they do not believe that a loving God will send anyone to hell. They are right. God does not want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to come to Him and be saved. That is why He allowed His Son to be crucified. Jesus did not come into this world to condemn anyone. He came so that everyone would have the possibility of salvation. Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven. He wants you to choose to follow Him. If you decide not to trust Him, then you have made the choice not to go to Heaven.

Good Friday reminded us that at precisely the right time in history, Jesus died for the ungodly. Resurrection Sunday reminds us that the wages of sin will never be collected by those of us who trust in Christ. God has shown us how much He loves us. While we were hopelessly lost in our sins Jesus died for us. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross has justified us. That means when God sees us, it is as if we had never sinned. Have you chosen to be justified by Jesus?

Douglas & Deborah Huff

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Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com

Resurrection Morning

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It was early on Sunday morning. The sun had not yet broken over the horizon. It had been late Friday when they took Jesus’ dead body down from the cross and put Him in the tomb. It was almost time for the Sabbath to begin so they had no time to prepare His body for burial.

Now that the Sabbath was over some women were coming to anoint His body with spices. The tomb had been sealed with a heavy stone and soldiers had been assigned to guard it. As the women walked to the grave in the gathering light they wondered how they were going to get into the grave to see their Lord’s body for what they thought was the last time.

As the tomb came into view they were shocked. The stone had been moved and the soldiers were gone. They rushed to the tomb and looked in. The body of Jesus was gone. In the tomb, they saw what they thought was a young man dressed in a long white robe. They stood there perplexed and astonished.

The young man said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He’s not here, He is risen. Look, you can see the place where He was laid He’s not here. So Go and tell His disciples and Peter that He is alive. He is going to meet them at Galilee and you can see Him there just like He said. Then the ladies ran to tell the disciples that Jesus was Alive

Jesus Has triumphed over death, hell, and the grave. This is why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

We Might as Well Go Home, He’s Dead

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In Luke 24 there is a story of two followers of Christ who are walking home to Emmaus. It was Sunday and Jesus had been crucified on Friday. They said, “We might as well go home it’s over.” Some women had gone to the tomb early to anoint the body and came back to report that the tomb was empty. They said something about an angel and Jesus being alive. But the two disciples knew that was foolishness. He was dead and they were going home

Cleopas and the other disciple thought they had found the Messiah. They had heard the great stories and had even eaten some of the fish and loaves. They had seen a cripple man run and heard a mute girl speak. They thought Jesus had to be the Christ, the Son of God. But then He was arrested, tried, beaten, and crucified. Soldiers took His dead body down from the cross and buried Him. He’s dead. It’s over.

These two disciples were very disappointed in this Man named Jesus. They thought He was going to use His power to overthrow the Romans, restore the kingdom of David, and set them free. But He did not do things the way they thought He should. And now He’s dead. So they said, “It’s over we might as well go home.

As they walked home to Emmaus, Jesus Himself began to walk by their side. They did not recognize Him. They had eyes to see but could not see. He chastised them because they were foolish and slow of heart. Then using Scripture, He taught them that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and enter into His glory.

As He walked with them, their hearts began to warm. As he taught them their hearts beat faster. His Word was percolating their hearts. Later when He broke the bread, the full-blown aroma of salvation enveloped and filled them. All of a sudden they saw Jesus. He’s not dead. He is alive. It’s not over. It has just begun.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

The Bible Is Always Right

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The Word of God is always right. It is always right about everything. You may have an incredible IQ or you may be abundantly ignorant, however, if you say, ” I know what the Bible says but this is what I think.” Be assured of this. God does not care what you think. If you disagree with God you are wrong and He is right. Always.

The Word of God is never wrong. Maybe your circumstances have led you to think you can disregard His teaching, but you are wrong. Perhaps your situation causes you to feel as if His commandments don’t apply to your life. If so, you need to know that your feelings are wrong. Understand this. His ways are higher than your ways and His thoughts are higher than your thoughts. If you disagree with the Word of God, you are wrong and He is right.

God is never wrong! Never!

The Word of God is righteous. Some people have issues with the things the Bible teaches. Their perception of God is that He is cold and heartless. But they don’t know that God is omnipotent or that He transcends time. He was in the beginning and He is in the future. God has seen the actions of men in the past and knows the results of these actions in the future.

Do not trust your own understanding, but take joy in the Lord’s instructions. Meditate on His Word day and night and you will find that His Word is always righteous. Always.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com

Don’t Listen to the Pharisees on the Front Row

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By now almost everyone has heard of the “Asbury Revival.” A Wednesday night chapel service that continued for weeks. It has been reported that the Holy Spirit had taken control. It was also reported that the testimony, preaching, and singing of ordinary people were used in a mighty way.

This happened organically. There were no famous preachers, no well-known musicians, and no influence from religious denominations. It seems the Holy Spirit alone was in control. Jesus was lifted up and people were drawn to Him. And some people didn’t like it.

What I have to say is not in response to the “Asbury Revival.” I was not there so I can’t give an accurate report on it. But I have heard and read commentary on this amazing phenomenon from different people. Most have been positive. Others however have been negative. What I have to say is in response to the negative comments.

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, learn or glorify God. The Pharisees would show up to hinder Jesus and try to retain their influence over the people. Sitting in prominent places they were horrified because Jesus didn’t follow their rules and regulations.

Today many self-appointed VIPs have reported their negative opinions on this movement. Some say we should test the spirit, and with that, I agree. Some people ask if this revival is for real. To that, I say “Wait twenty years until we can examine the fruit of this movement, then ask me again.” Until then I will rejoice that the Name of Jesus is heard everywhere. He is lifted up, souls are being saved, and lives are changing. And I will pay no attention to the Pharisees on the front row.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

Email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com

No Other Name Than Jesus

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Jesus is my Savior. When I was a nine-year-old boy, I reached out my hand to Him and trusted Him with my life. I didn’t understand a lot about Him. But that was ok because He understood everything about me. My faith in Him was not misplaced. He has never failed me. I have many good friends and loved ones whom I can trust with things of this world, but for my eternal hope, I will trust in no other name than Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. No one can ever make their way to heaven except through Him. He is the only begotten Son of God. He came to do the will of His Father. It is the will of God that no one should be lost but that all should have eternal life. When the religious leaders instructed Peter not to preach in the name of Jesus, Peter said, “I think I will listen to God and not you.” Then Peter preached with the authority of God that there is no other name by which we might be saved than the name of Jesus.

If you trust Jesus, you will find in Him everything you need. When your life seems to be as dark as night, He is the Bright Morning Star. If your world seems to be crumbling around you, He is the Rock on which you can stand. If you feel lonely, you can know that He will always be there. His righteousness will wipe away your sin. If you are prone to wander in darkness, He is the Good Shepherd and the Light of Life.

Have you trusted Jesus and Jesus only for eternal salvation? I have heard His voice and I can tell you without a doubt that He, and He alone, can save your soul. Many things and people want to be a god to you. But Jesus is the only God who died to wipe away your sins. He rose from the dead to reveal that He alone can give you eternal life. In Christ alone, can you find Salvation? There is no other authority under Heaven by which you might be saved. No other name but JESUS.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com

Desiring the Masters Touch

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My favorite place for a morning quiet time is the back porch. Here I can see the sunrise, feel the morning breeze, and listen as the birds start their business for the day. Knowing that days have started like this for thousands of years helps me to draw close to the God of hope and glory.

As I sit and try to commune with God, my dog will pester me for attention. She stands on my left nudging my hand begging me to pet her. When I ignore her she goes around to the other side and nudges my right hand. If I continue to ignore her she comes around in front of me and plops her big ol head down on top of my Bible. When I push her back and continue to read she will lie down at my feet and wait until I decide to pay attention to her.

Why does she so persistently seek my attention? Is it because I feed her and take care of her? No. She would be loyal to me even if I did not feed her. She is persistent because she longs for my touch. Because I am her master, Her greatest joy is in the touch of my hand.

Like this dog I long for my Masters touch. While I sit on the porch and watch the sunrise I look expectantly to God. With the morning breeze He fulfills His promise as He opens His hand and satisfies my great desire with an amazing caress. The birds pay no attention to worldly affairs, as they have for thousands of years they just go about their daily business of singing to the Glory of God. So through it all, I remember this; God is righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His works. And He has promised To be near to all who call upon Him. If we seek first His Kingdom He will fulfill our greatest desires with the touch of His Hand.

Douglas Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

It is Good

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In the first chapter of the Bible we read the glorious story of how all things came to be. It is a marvelously simple record of God coming from nowhere, standing on nothing, and by the power of His Word, speaking everything into existence. After the creation of all things, He created one more thing. He created rest. In the day of rest, He looked around at all things and said “This is good”.

Deborah and I once spent a weekend on top of Lookout Mountain. Now this mountain is well named because from its peak you can look out and see a beautiful and majestic world. The grandeur of the river and woods remind you of God’s opinion that this world is good.

Also, from the top of Lookout Mountain, you could smell the smoke of a distant fire and hear the lonesome whistle of a faraway train. As I looked at the cities and towns, with their busy factories and highways, I knew this too was God’s plan. Because after He created all things, He turned to man and said “This is yours to have dominion over.” I believe that when God looks at the works of man He smiles and says “ This is good.”

It is good to go up a mountain sometimes. Because down here the world looks pretty messed up. Wars and rumors of wars and the wickedness of man make this world look hopelessly bad. But on the mountain, you can see the world as God sees it. He is The Great I AM. He has said, I am God and I change not. Because He does not change, His creation is still good. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and God the Father still says, “It is good.”

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends