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

I pray each of you had a Happy Mother’s Day. Once again my Senior Pastor Gary Stern preached a message which truly hit home with me. As it was Mother’s Day yesterday, his sermon was titled “Seven Ways to Love Your Mother.” My meditation today is from the notes I took from this great man of God. John 19:26-27 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. “You can not willfully wrong your Mother (or the Mother of your children) and be right with God.” With this in mind you here are seven ways you can love you Mother. 1. Love her verbally. Women need to hear it. You can live a life time trying to show this to her. Buying things for her, but what she really needs from us is to hear “I LOVE YOU!” 2. Love her physically. When was the last time you gave your Mother a gentle

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer is essential to our spiritual lives. When you go to God in prayer he hears you. It does not always mean that he is going to give you what you want but he will always supply what you need. God wants to hear our prayers, but to keep them from becoming too self-focused, God wants us always to remember to give thanks. It is so easy for us to turn prayer into a request line. We are the ones who are left bereft when thanksgiving and praise are robbed from our prayers. One of the things I do not understand is when the faithful begin to question why they are going through what they are going through. God is simply preparing you for the blessing, because he knows with his blessings more trouble is sure to follow. As true believers

"I will surely bless you and multiply you."--Hebrews 6:14 Many believe that prosperity lies within the material possessions we have. We all strive to obtain the big homes, cars, and televisions. The bigger the better. However, as I remain steadfast in my studies of the word of God, I am finding that the Holy Spirit is a wellspring of substance and prosperity without end. With the true blessings of God I am prospered. It is important to me that I begin each day with taking a moment to give thanks for all the blessings for which God have given me. This is my way of knowing and affirming that the spirit of God continues to supply me with all that I need for life’s journey as I make steady progress. As each day passes, I allow my focus to remain on the blessings of Holy Spirit. I give thanks for the people in my life: a loving partner, precious children and, I give thanks for my Pastors for my job, family and friends. I give thanks for my health that renews me in mind and body. I

Scripture: Matt 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and man." My Children’s Corner Sermon a few months ago at church was about making wise choices and being obedient to God. It has been a while since I have covered this topic in my weekly meditation but it never hurts to revisit such an importance subject. There was a mighty king in Africa who wanted all of his millions of people to covert to Christianity. Many rejected him and many tried to kill him. Frustrated and weary of fighting he decided to denounce his thrown and become a monk. He traveled many days and nights until he reached the nearest monastery. After arriving he met with the leading monk and had an interview. During the interview the monk asked did he understand that the number one rule in the monastery was to be completely obedient to God. “Oh, yes!” Said the king. “I will be completely obedie

Galatians 2:20 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Back in Africa, when the sun comes up all the animals are running! It does not matter whether you are the Mightiest of Lions or Weakest of Gazelles, when the sun comes up all the animals are running. For the mightiest of Lions understands that if he does not run faster than the weakest of Gazelles, he may starve and die today. The weakest of Gazelles understands that is he does not run faster that the mightiest of Lions, he will become the Lion’s meal and die today. You see my Brothers and Sisters, when the sun comes up in Africa ALL the animals are running the marathon of life! It is the same way for us as Christians. When the sun comes up we all better be running for Jesus! Doesn’t matter whether you are the Bishop, Pastor, Deacon or Member when the sun comes up this day we should be rejo

Have you ever received an email which professes that is you pass it along and it continues, blessings will come to all who may read it? I do not like these emails. Blessings come from God and not from an email, although an email can be a blessing to someone, but what we need to understand is that all blessings come from God. We are blessed everyday of our lives. (Deuteronomy 28:2) All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God. Why are these emails sent to us in the first place? Many do not carry scripture nor are they based on any biblical principal and most proclaim to have answers to problems we are dealing with at the moment, but how can that be when many are not based on the word of God. Nice pictures and cute cartoons but lacking in the word. I would contend that intentions are most often good. Faithful emails start out as a testimony, a prayer or words of encouragement. Yet along the way they are altered and changed. Other emails are sen

On the Road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-35 13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him. 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19"What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And wh

John 20:21 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Today is Good Friday but over 2000 years ago it was just another Friday. It was Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where he is praying, but Sunday is coming! It is Friday. The disciples have all abandoned their shepherd, Peter denies that he knows Jesus, but Sunday is coming! It is Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked and ridiculed by the Roman soldiers, but Sunday is coming! It is Friday. Jesus is in the tomb. Heaven is silent. You can hear Satan laughing because he thinks he has won, but Sunday is coming. For many of us, it has been Friday for a long time. We have taken some hits, lost some battles. We have failed, and failed again. Today is Good Friday and Easter Sunday Morning is coming! Looking back on the events on Calvary you can hear the words which Jesus spoke from the cross. We can hear the cry of forgiveness as Jesus said, "Father forgive them, they know not wh

This is a youth sermon by Josh Martin that I wanted to share with you all. Have a great Holy Week! Look for a special Good Friday Meditation this week. With many blessings! Elder Michael L. Hargett Matthew 21:8 (NIV) A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Many superheroes like Superman and Superwoman have something in common. Do you know what it is? Many of them wear a cape. Their cape has many uses. It can protect them from bullets. It can keep them warm when it is cold or it can keep them dry when it rains. It can help them fly through the air or leap tall buildings in a single bound. Have you ever pretended that you were Superman or Superwoman? When I was a child, I used to tie a cape around my neck and pretend that I was Superman flying through the air. You probably have done that too. In the day when Jesus lived, many people wore a garment called a cloak. It was a loose outer garment similar to a ca

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. B ack in the day, I worked at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. I remember this lady who claimed to be a Christian but no one wanted to associate with her. From my observation, she did not seem to be very efficient at her job nor was she a nice person. She always had something negative to say and when her supervisor or the departmental manager would go to her with an issue, she would rebuke them as “the devil”. She never did much but fuss at folk about the bible. One minute she is praising the Lord and the next she is cussing and fussing about the Bible. People would simply avoid her to avoid conflict. Do you know anyone like this? If not, then maybe it is you! (Just kidding, but did you look?) If she was like this at work, I am sure she was like this at home and at chu

Ephesians 4:21-32 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[ a ]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve

JOHN 6:22-35 22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. Jesus the Bread of Life 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28 Then the

Psalm 119:129-136 129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore, I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. 135 Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed. Does the prospect of changing and growing in the Lord seem mammoth to you? Is taking that first step in admitting your need for God difficult? Then consider this approach. Take that first step anyway. Take a step out on His word. Begin to see the people, activities and things around you as God reveals them to you. Nevertheless, it is up to you! You have to make up in your mind that you are going to step out on f

Exodus 14:27-30 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. 29But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. Ever feel caught between a rock and a hard place? Some of us may be feeling that way right now. We all do at some time or another. Middle aged adults feel squeezed between the demands of career and children and aging parents. Middle school students feel the pinch of adolescent. Middle class Americans feel the pressure of trying to live within our means while finding ourselves at the edge of our credit li

2 Corinthians 5 1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. The Bible tells us that we who are born again are “pilg

Matthew 8:1-3 1When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. T he month of January 2008 is almost over, most have already given up on their new year’s resolutions, and then there are those who feel as if they have simply left off from last year’s troubles and worries. The major excuse for not keeping up with self-proclaimed resolutions is that they have been tried and nothing seems to be working in the physical. I am not one who believes in resolutions. Why? Because, I know that I can do all things through Christ. A perfect example of this is the leper in today’s scripture. His simple prayer worked! He prayed; “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” What a marvelous and wonderful prayer! What an exa

2 Corinthians 5:7 “We live by faith, not by sight.” “To live by faith is to live joyfully, to live with assurance, untroubled by doubts and with complete confidence in all we have to do and suffer at each moment by the will of God. We must realize that it is in order to stimulate and sustain this faith that God allows the soul to be buffeted and swept away by the raging torrent of so much distress, so many troubles, so much embarrassment and weakness, and so many setbacks. For it is essential to have faith to find God behind all this.” Reference: Jean-Pierre de Caussade, 1675-1751, in Discipleship Journal, issue 40 · The world can give you advice – but God can give you direction. · The world says it’s impossible - but God says “all things are possible” · The world can give you a high – but God can give you joy. · The world says you can not accomplish it – bur God says “You can do all things through Christ.” · The world can give you a temporary hug – but God can wrap his arms around you

Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was a vast waste, darkness covered the deep, and the spirit of God hovered over the surface of the water. God said: "Let there be light," and there was light; and God saw the light was good, and he separated the light from darkness. He called the light day, and the darkness night. So evening came, and morning came; it was the first day. The year 2007 is gone, finished, past. We cannot reclaim it or undo it. The New Year, like a newborn child, which is placed in our hands as the old year passes away. We cannot rest on the things it has brought us. The days and weeks to come are God's gift; they carry God's blessing and the time to show our faith in Jesus as Lord. Let's journey forward, knowing that God already inhabits the future and promises to provide us refreshment. My prayer for the year ending is that all that was good in it remain with us an all that was harmful be left behind. We

May Jesus, the One who came for us, be the One who brings you and yours the joys of His incredible love! Jesus was given to us as the perfect gift! Merry CHRISTMAS! Isaiah 9:6 “ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. ” “Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.” Barbara Bush Let us pray… FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR THAT PORTION OF THE SCRIPTURES WHICH REVEALS TO US YOUR WILL AND YOUR WAY FOR OUR GOOD AND HAPPY LIFE ON EARTH. WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, WHICH WAS YOUR PERFECT GIFT TO US, AND TO THIS DAY YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE US GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; THAT WE MAY UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT YOUR WORD AND HOW WE CAN FOLLOW YOUR TEACHINGS IN THIS MODERN WORLD. GOD HELP TO KEEP OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS AND OUR EYES FIXED FIRMLY ON YOU. SO, THAT IT MAY L

Job 42:1-17 1 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." 7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of