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

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 ...

By: Elder Michael L. Hargett Peace of God Outreach Ministries Waukegan, IL Pastors Gary and Patricia Stern Founders and Overseers 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...

Genesis 48:15-16 15 Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16 the Angel who has delivered me from all harm —may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth." We were blessed to have our daughter Melinda came visit with us for this Thanksgiving Holiday. As parents, we are naturally proud of her and all the things she is accomplishing in the Lord. She is truly wise beyond her years but most importantly, God plays the primary role in her life. I heard her giving testimony to her friends, she reads her bible everyday, and we discussed life from a biblical prospective. I began thinking about my legacy and what I would leave to my children when I am finally ca...

1 Timothy 4:4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with Thanksgiving. Giving honor to God, and to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit; our comforter and guide. To my Pastors, Gary and Patricia Stern, and to each and every one of you! God bless you this morning! I have so much to be thankful for this year! God has truly blessed this house and all that dwell here. I give thanks to God for my spiritual life and for the material blessings, and for the growth I have had in his word this year. Lord-God I give you thanks for the special blessing you gave to me for directing me to be under two strong Pastors which are teaching me and allowing me to do your will unimpeded. I give thanks to God for my family’s good health and for their love. But more importantly I give God thanks for His mercy, love, and forgiveness which strengthened me through my personal health crisis. I believe that each day is a day of Thanksgiving. Each n...

Proverbs 4:23 – Above all else, guard your heart (the center of your soul), for out of it comes the issues of life. How is your spirit this morning? That is the kind of question Saints use to ask each other on a regular basis during Sunday School or Bible Study. The purpose of this question was posed not to pry into each other’s life. Rather, those early Saints knew that the world, the flesh and of Satan’s working overtime in wearing our spirits down. They knew, as we know, about days, weeks, months and even years of spiritual emptiness and dryness, when the words of Scripture are empty, prayer is meaningless, receiving communion is ritualistic, our sensitivity to the needs of others is dull, and God seems very disinterested in our lives. Outwardly, we continue to go through the motions, doing our duties, keeping up appearances, telling everyone that everything is “Fine, just fine,” but inwardly there is a deep thirst, a powerful craving for something more. We would like to t...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."--John 1:1 Sunday’s gives the opportunity for each of us to praise and worship God. We give him thanks for the many blessings he has bestowed upon each of us this week. God continues to bless us as we have an opportunity here today to make a fresh start, for this is a day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it for it is a day of fresh starts and the prospect of new beginnings. We should begin each day with prayer because each day is a new beginning with its own opportunities. Right now, at this very moment, we are in the presence of a mighty and merciful God and has given each of us the possibility of making a new start in life. Seasons come and go, yet God's presence is ever faithful. No moment from the past can cloud the vision that God has for us. With God, all things truly are possible, and we must trust in God to guide us into a new and prosperous way of living our liv...

2Cor 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight” "Don’t get your hopes up!" I am sure you have all heard this before. Have you ever wondered what does this truly mean? For some, it means that life is bound to disappoint. It says, do not aim high because you’re not likely to have the things God promised. It says that we can’t expect good things to happen to God’s people. We must be careful of thinking this way. This kind of thinking is convicts us to an empty existence. If you think this way with little faith you will never get much out of life. You will continue to get as you always got! Therefore my beloved, Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. Watch your faith; without faith life is hopeless. Instead why not focus the immense power of God and his promise of everlasting life? Extend your faith a...

LUKE 12:15 “And he said to them, Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” I t is amazing to my wife and I that when we walk into a stores right now, we see Christmas decorations. In light of that, it may seem strange that I'm even addressing Christmas at the end of October. Our mailbox is stuffed full of catalogs and sale flyers. We were shocked to see Christmas Trees on full display in the mall. The true meaning of the Advent is being lost to commercialism and greed. During this time of year it is imperative that we understand and realize what is truly important and what we should be focused on as believers. It is important to know what God wants us to have, and which he makes possible, and is not primarily made up of material things or money. We also have the responsibility to teach this to our children. The holiday catalogs have arrived and television commercials are running, showing all the new to...

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surprisingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. We can't deny that there is suffering and tragedy in the world, suffering that is so often incomprehensible to us. We can look on a global scale, and see children being slaughtered for no good reason--or for any reason at all. In Iraq thousands of innocent people are being terrorized and tormented in the name of Islam. We can look on a national scale, and see friends and relatives of the victims of hurricane Katrina still trying to put their lives back together. And, most importantly, we can look on a PERSONAL level, and see our own...

2 Cor 4:16 “So we do not lose heart” L osing heart or losing faith is always an option. Sometimes, we do not have heart or the faith to persevere. Feeling overwhelmed and weak, we are ready to give up on ministry, projects, relationships, tasks, dreams, and faith. An amusing story that I often use involves an office worker who was assigned a mailing task to be completed overnight. When the supervisor arrived at the office the next morning, there was a note on the mountain of unprocessed mail which said, “Too hard! Went home!” At any given time, Paul the Apostle had reasons to be disheartened, to feel that his job was too hard. He was distressed when he wrote this second letter to the fledgling Christian community in Corinth. He was the first to proclaim the Christian message to this group and help them to establish a church, yet they were experiencing a crisis of confidence towards him, which undoubtedly caused him great anguish. If Paul had depended on himself and trusted only in his ...