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

ISAIAH 55:1-4 1 "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink, even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk, it's all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. 3 "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. 4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. I cannot believe what Christmas is turning into. Stores were open on Thanksgiving Day, Decorations were up in October! All of this in an effort to entice us to spend, spend, and spend! Yet there are people spiritually thirsty and dying of spiritually malnutrition. Nothing offered on sale can ever compare to what God has to offer us. SALVATION! People are out there looking for hap...

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, November 9, 2009 Hebrews 4:12: 'For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart' Ever find that living as is Christian is difficult and hard. Reading and studying your bible is difficult and hard. Prayer is hard and boring. Fasting regularly is a discipline. Worship takes up time. And giving offerings may mean putting something off that you really want. Yes! The life we live for God is not always easy and it is most times it is difficult and hard. By we have it easy here in America. Try worshiping God in China, Iran, or even India for that matter and you will have a new appreciation for term difficult and hard. Many people around the world risk their lives to worship and praise God. Many non-believers point to this as a reasoning for their beliefs but for me this is evidence t...

Monday, November 2, 2009 Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Check out what this weeks scripture says… “Trust in the Lord with … “ALL” your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” In the midst of whatever you are going through are you trusting God with all your heart? Are you leaning not to your own understanding but his? We are so wrapped up in the economy of the world that we often forget to thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. Much like the Israelites back in the day, we forget to acknowledge that all the blessings we have and all the opportunities we receive come because of his grace, love and mercy. Things are rough for a lot of folk right now. People are desperate. What do you do when you loose your job, your money is funny, children acting a fool, and the doctors are not telling you anything go...

Monday, October 26, 2009 TAKE IT BACK MINISTRIES Pastor Dr. Michael L. Hargett, Sr., D.D., P.C., D.M., Ph.D. 2323 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 Psalms 34:8 “O’ Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Last week while on my travels in Wisconsin, I stopped for gas and came across a pack of “Mary Jane” candy. I purchased the candy, filled my vehicle with gas and was on my way. After looking at the pack candy sitting next to me, I begin to get excited even before popping the first piece into my mouth. I unwrapped the first piece, remembering my childhood and the very first time I had one. The flavor of the candy was nice and smooth as the peanut butter, honey, and pinch of salt emulsified in my mouth. Childhood memories rushed to the forefront of my thoughts. Then the spirit of the Lord spoke to me and this scripture came to mind. As I was enjoying my candy and memories of a great childhood, Oh, I...

Monday, October 12, 2009 Acts 12:5-11 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on...

Monday, September 28, 2009 Matthew 23:37-39 37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, () the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. 38 "Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! 39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" A friend of mine posted a FACEBOOK blog blasting Mega Churches. It is funny to me how folk outside the church can tell folk inside the church what to do. As I was reading and studying Matthew 23 this morning, Jesus warned against much of what this brother is seeing in the church today, he may not be all wrong. Nonetheless, here is my private response to him… Why is it that Bill Gates can have billions but a man or woman of God must be in the poor house? Folk do not have a problem with Microsoft getting bigge...