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

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem . A friend of mine back in Virginia recently asked me why Christian folk are such hypocrites? Her co-worker who constantly preaches to her, and then she observes him in a constant state of sin. Lying, cheating, and steeling everyday. They work for a not for profit company and do a great deal of fund raising and phone solicitations. Her follow-up question to me was, “How can this guy preach and speak of God to the people we are calling while in the same breath he is lying to them about the company’s need for money?” My answer to her was that she does not see him in his prayer closest and perhaps he repents. Her next question to me was “Doesn’t God get sick and tired of fake repentance?” This question blew my mind. She put something in my spirit that I just had to take to God in prayer. God how much is enough for you? Where do you draw the line? Her qu

P roverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. I recently saw an episode of the Dr. Phil show where he interviewed and counseled three mothers who where sick of being mothers. Each of these three women had children that had serious disabilities which required around the care. One of the them stated that her heart was no longer in it, and she just wanted to be free. Each of these women has been caring for their children for years and where becoming overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for their children. I began to wonder how many of us do things on a daily basis but our heart is not in it? How many of us come to church on Sunday morning and our heart is not in it? How many of us make an offering and our heart is not in it? How many of us are in a marriage and our heart is not in it? How many of us are caring for a parent, a sick spouse or child and our heart is not in it? If our hear

Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV) "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." My wife and I were able to get away for the past few days for her 20th High School Reunion this Labor Day Holiday. We had a great time together, with no children, no work issues, and no cell phones! Yes, I even left my cell off (Majority of the time). She reminded me that it was time to rest and take some much needed time off from our busy schedules. We often hate to admit that we are getting older and must rest the natural to stay strong in the spirit. Prayer is essential to resting the spirit. Taking time out to talk and rest with God is just as important to me as eating and sleeping. I have a relationship with Jesus that needs to be nurtured and maintai

Ephesians 6:13 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Many of us in the church easily give up during the time of adversity or when things do not go the way they expected or just having to deal with church folk. There are far too many Christians sitting at home because of something that happened to them or through them that caused them to be hurt in the church. Instead of waiting patiently in perseverance, they allowed others to discourage them and caused them to be weary of the church. That’s understandable, as Elder Leslie Larkins so elegantly preached on yesterday. The word she brought forth touched me. Her sermon came from Jeremiah 1:5-19. (Elder Larkins God used you on yesterday! I received that word! You were on fire and I loved the Kung Fu moves!) Nonetheless, Satan’s main focus in our lives is to keep unsaved folk unsaved and to keep save folk distracted. Especially after a long strugg

Jude 1:20-21 "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God." Have you ever asked yourself, what is God’s will for my life? Most often we ask this question God in the midst of a storm. During a sickness, the death of a loved one, loss of employment, or whatever you may be going through. If you are facing a storm, hold your head up, pray for strength and go through it. That which does not kill you will only make you grow stronger in the spirit. This is the time when you can ”Build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God." Jude 1:20-21 I can not sit here and tell you what God’s plan is for your life, but I can tell you that he is the source of all that is good in your life and he is your strength and redeemer! Nevertheless, God will help you every step of the way. God will help you breathe my next breath. God will help y

Psalms 37:25 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. When you are going through the trails and storms of life most times you feel as if you are in it all by yourself. This is especially true when you are a Christian, because we are charged to live by the spirit to not gratify the desires of a sinful nature. Many of you have been running for Jesus a long time. You have come a long ways from where you started from. The road hasn’t been easy. You have been through some difficult situations. You’ve been through some pretty turbulent storms along life’s road. But you can identify with what I am saying, “You have come too far from where I started from.” Nobody told you that the road would be easy. But look where you started from, and look where you are today! No matter what you are going through, I do not believe He brought you this far, just to leave you now! In the book of Exodus we find the children o

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Can you define friendship? Is a friend someone that tells you want you need to hear when you need to hear it? Is a friend you can take you problems to? Is a friend someone you can count on when you are going through a storm? Is a friend all of the above and more? Friendship is love isn’t it? My niece Tylasha found out that friends are not always what they claim to be. she had planned a surprise birthday party for my sister. When she began to call some of my sister’s closest friends to invite them, she was shocked by some of their responses. Most where excited about the occasion, others where pleased and exc

Luke 7:36-50 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them bo

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

Genesis 19:26 26But his wife looked back from behind him and she became a pillar of salt. I have been traveling this week on an extended road trip. Let me say that I am grateful and truly blessed for all your prayers and phone calls. I traveled to New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina this passed week. God blessed me to arrive at each of my destinations on time and safely. Along the way, I noticed one thing when I was driving. I always had to keep my eyes firmly fixed on the road ahead of me. I was aware of the traffic behind me through my rear view mirror. I was aware of the traffic around me through my side view mirrors but for the most part my eyes were fixed on the road ahead. So often times in life we look back on our past, we look back on “what was” instead of what is or what could be through Christ. God promises us that He will never leave or never forsake us. God is with us in the good times and through the bad times. He is here today, and he will be there tomorrow and will

ECCLESIASTES 3:11 11God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. We are taught at a very young age to be excited about expected events. I remember as a child that I could hardly wait for my birthday, holidays, and Summer Breaks. Sometimes as an adult I find myself anxious waiting for things I desire from God. I heard someone say that as we look at our watches; God looks at the calendar. Waiting on God is sometimes a difficult discipline for believers to develop. By nature we're not patient, and our culture offers little encouragement to develop the habit. We want, we need, and we believe that we deserve what we desire now. Credit card companies and retailers have made billions of dollars on this fact alone. There is no doubt many of us may be waiting for a number of things, too: a victory, a healing, peace in the family, growth in the family, vi

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.

Hebrews 13:5 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Congratulations graduate class of 2008. Many of you have heard the old saying “Now your life begins.” Or “The hard work begins.” I love that God continues to give us endings as well as new beginnings. As you step out into the new phase of your life remain steadfast and strong in your faith. Your friends may leave you. Your family may desert you, but God has said in his word that he will never leave or forsake you. I do not believe He brought you this far, to leave you! I have an I-pod with various black gospel singers, and gospel choirs. I enjoy listening to praise music especially the old spirit filled songs that really told a story with enthusiasm. Choirs back in the day put a lot of spirit into their music. There is a track by Rev. James Cleveland that comes to mind this morning. Before he started his song, he said he