Monthly Meditations with Dr. Michael L. Hargett, Sr.

Monday, November 23, 2009 Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Truly Giving Thanks! I hear people proclaim that they thank God for this and thank God for that and I often wonder do they really mean what they say? Do folk really thank God for waking up in the morning? Do folk truly thank God for use of their right mind? Do folk really praise Him they way he deserves to be praised? For me, I believe most people say it because it has become custom and ritual rather than meaningful. Evident by the way most folk who proclaim these things live their lives. Actions speak louder than words! Folk say they thank God yet they do not live for him. For example, ever seen an award show and a popular performer receives a Grammy. They often begin their acceptance remarks by saying “First, I give honor to God.” But the recording and video they performed represente

Monday, Sept. 7, 2009 1 COR 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Ever feel like the work you do in the Lord is not worth it? You pray and testify and the very people you desire to share in the Kingdom ignores your teachings, testimony and the truth. Can you just imagine how Jesus must have felt, knowing the rejection and pain he was had to face? When I was at Lowes the other day, working on an Accutinter, I spent most of my day inside and under a computerized robot of sorts in the Paint Department. Because I was inside a machine full of colorant and paint no one noticed me around much. The customers were rude and very rarely said “Thank You” to the sales associates. One even commented that she had a “Thankless job!” “Everyone wants something but does not care about the one assisting them in getting want they want.” Brothers and Sister

Isaiah 46:3-4 Listen to me...you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you I found this illustration for Father’s Day. It is the story of Derek Redmond, a star runner in the 1992 Olympics. Derek was competing for the medal in the 400 meter race. Less than half-way through, he ripped a hamstring muscle and fell to the ground in agony. While the rest of the runners moved past him, Derek managed to get to his feet and began struggling to move forward. Then something caught the attention of the television cameras. Jim, his father, ran past security and onto the race track. At first Derek shrugged him away, saying, "I'm going to finish the race." Jim said to his son, "We've started everything together. We'll finish this together." He put his arm around his son and held him as they crossed the finish line together. T

Monday, April 20, 2009 JOHN 20: 15 – 30 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were th

“SUNDAY IS COMING” GOOD FRIDAY April 10, 2009 Luke 24:1-5 1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? I t's Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday's coming. It's Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter's denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday's coming. It's Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday's coming. It's Friday. Jesu

In fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 62:11 & Zechariah 9:9), Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds lined the street shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." (Psalm 118:25-26) They placed palm branches and robes in front of Jesus. This was particularly disturbing to the religious leaders who were jealous of Jesus. They demanded that Jesus silence the crowd, but he responded that even if the crowd were silent, the stones would cry out. The events of the next week would forever change the world. Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowd welcomed him as a king. By the end of the week they were demanding his death. His followers abandoned him in fear. None of his close followers had really understood the events of Palm Sunday and Holy Week until after Jesus returned. They had all expected Jesus to be an earthly king, but God had given them something so much better - an open door into a Kingdom that would never end. Palm Sunday, in

Psalm 118:1 1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his Mercy endureth for ever. How do you give thanks to God in the midst of desperate situation? You may have lost your job. May have been given a bad medical diagnosis or maybe you are in the midst of losing a loved one. Despite what you are going through, God is still in the blessing business. Let’s take the woman in Mark Chapter 5. This woman had been suffering for a long time, just like some of you. She had a female problem, more than likely it was ovarian cancer, she was bleeding nonstop for 12 years. She went to many doctors. She spent all her money and was getting worse by the day! For all intent and purposes she was probably ready to just give up. No more money. She could not work in her condition. Husband probably left her. Children probably abandoned her. She was probably all alone in a desperate and seemingly hopeless situation. It was all over for her. She was probably told by her family just give up and

John 8:31-36 31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Senior Pastor Gary once again came off the hinges brining the word this week! Pastor thank you for that word! It was confirmation and conviction for me. And thus here is this weeks Monday Morning Meditation! Why did Jesus go to Calvary? Why did he suffer and die for us? We know he did it because he loves us, but what other reason did He do it? He did it so that we can be free! Free from the Law, Free from Sin, Free from

Isaiah 46:3-4 Listen to me...you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I found this illustration for Father’s Day. It is the story of Derek Redmond, a star runner in the 1992 Olympics. Derek was competing for the medal in the 400 meter race. Less than half-way through, he ripped a hamstring muscle and fell to the ground in agony. While the rest of the runners moved past him, Derek managed to get to his feet and began struggling to move forward. Then something caught the attention of the television cameras. Jim, his father, ran past security and onto the race track. At first Derek shrugged him away, saying, "I'm going to finish the race." Jim said to his son, "We've started everything together. We'll finish this together." He put his arm around his son and held him as they crossed the finish line together.

When I think of Memorial Day, the verse that comes to mind is John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than to this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” This verse is used on Memorial Day to illustrate the sacrifice of the men and women who have given their lives to defend the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation. As true believing Christians Memorial Day means so much more! Memorial Day for us commemorates the One who not only gave his life for his friends but for his enemies (RM 5:7-8) A true Saint’s Memorial Day is not only to remember those who gave their lives in battle but to remember the One who has given is the victory over death. This is a Memorial Day that the Saints gather in our churches to give God all the glory, praise, and worship. This is a Memorial Day which is observed by those who are faithful every week through their prayer, worship, and testimony every Sunday. For this is the day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be Glad in it! Therefore as we h