Rev. Andy Hollifield is a Baptist preacher, evangelist, former pastor, writer, blogger and missionary who has been in ministry since 1986. He is the founder and director of H.O.P.E. Ministries in Candler, NC. He, his wife, and his son are heavily involved in various mission work.
"And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee" ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) KJV)
"Have mercy on me," the blind man screamed louder and louder as Jesus passed by. All he wanted was to receive his eyesight through some miracle from Him. Begging and being ignored had become a way of life for Bartimaeus. He hoped Jesus would stop but didn't expect him to. No-one stopped for him. When they did, it was usually because he was in the way, and they wanted him to move. Now, here were those same people, telling him to be quiet and leave Jesus alone. He figured Jesus probably didn't have time for somebody like him anyway.
Suddenly, the people who told him to be quiet were coming toward him and grabbing him by the arm. "Be of good comfort; rise; he calleth for thee." As they led him back to Jesus, he wondered what Jesus would say. He figures everyone else was annoyed because Jesus has them standing around in the hot sun. So He stopped the whole crowd on the road to talk to him. When he got to Jesus, he told him he wanted to receive his sight. Jesus told him to go on his way because his faith had made him whole. He immediately received his sight and followed Jesus.
Sometimes we underestimate our worth. Jesus says that we were worth dying for, so He did. He sees value in us that we don't. Not only did Jesus die for us, but He has a reputation for stopping the crowds with Him to take care of folks just like us. Though others may write us off or want us to be quiet and leave Jesus to the essential people, He came for people like us.
He once stopped a vast multitude because a sick woman believed enough to touch only His clothes and was healed. He also made a crowd stop under a tree where a tax collector had climbed up to see Him. He later went to his house to eat. He was known to stop crowds full of religious and political leaders to heal various outcasts with all sicknesses. God even made the sun stand still to give one of his soldiers enough daylight to finish a battle.
Jesus thinks no less of us. To Him, there's no higher priority. After all, he did volunteer to become the sacrifice for our sins and made daylight become darkness for three hours while He was on the cross. He would even bankrupt heaven to meet our needs. It'll never come to that, and heaven will never go bankrupt. He will put the whole world on hold to meet our needs. He's a real crowd-stopper. Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Heavenly Father, help me never underestimate how important I am to you. Let me always remember that your Son thought enough of me to die for my sins. I'm forever grateful to know there's no one more important in your eyes than the one who calls upon you with faith. Help me never to forget you always have time to meet my needs as you see fit. All I have to do is ask, and you will make the world stand still while you meet my needs.
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Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain.
And he must needs go through Samaria ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) KJV).
"What's he doing talking to her?" His disciples wondered amongst themselves, but no one questioned Him. They saw her leave her waterpot, heading into the city. Questions like, "What kind of woman draws water at noon?" and "Why's He talking to a Samaritan anyway?" filled their minds. "What self-respecting Jew would get caught talking to a Samaritan, especially one with a reputation like hers?" God used her past to bring people to Him. He did it while the religious preachers and His disciples stood by, amazed.
She soon returned with the men of the city. They came to hear Jesus. Many believed because of her words, but many more after hearing Jesus speak. They were so anxious to listen that they asked Him to stay, and He did for two more days.
Isn't it funny how the Lord works? One of the lowest of society was inviting people to Jesus. She brought many with whom she had likely committed sin to faith in Him. He used her past to change their futures. While it looked scandalous to the disciples, Jesus did it on purpose. The scripture says, "He must needs go through Samaria," meaning He had a reason to go there; one sinful woman at the well.
Jesus didn't find us by coincidence either. Our past could be the very thing He can use to draw others to Him. The evident change in our lives speaks louder than anything we can say. Everyone knew who and what she was. Therefore, they had to see for themselves when she started talking about the Messiah and all He told her. I wonder how many would've come and believed had she been an average upstanding citizen. We don't always have to advertise our past to lead others to Christ. They just need to see the change in our lives.
Jesus wasn't killing time; He came where we were on purpose. He went out of His way, unconcerned with others' opinions because He already knew all about us. He chose us anyway. We should never glorify sin but praise the one who brought us out of it. Others may be drawn to Him because, in their mind, we may be the most unlikely Christian.
In this world of uncertainty, help me live before a lost and dying world in a way that will draw others to You. May the change You've made in my life be evident for all to see. May those who know me see that change and come to faith in You even though I may seem like the most unlikely Christian. Take my sinful past and use it to draw others to Your love and salvation.
~
Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )
Thump, thump, thump! Her car was handling like a tank as she pulled to the shoulder of the road. Stepping into the cold rain, Leann stared helplessly at the rear tire. The belts that had been showing for weeks had finally given way. It couldn't have happened at a worse time.
She had worked late and left the kids with the babysitter a little while longer. Christmas was coming and her three kids were hoping Santa wouldn't forget them. Little did they know Santa had just had a blowout. The extra money she'd made working overtime was gone with the wind when the tire blew out. She could do nothing but cry and pray as she stood helplessly on the roadside in the cold dark rain.
"Lord, why this and why now? I'm trying to raise my kids right and keep them fed and in church. I'm doing everything I can do." Since their dad died in combat two years before, Leann had struggled to be both mom and dad. Now, cold, soaked, and alone, she was on the verge of giving up as she saw headlights come around the curve.
Brian Black pulled his rollback to a stop in front of her car. "Ms. Leann," he said, "I'm no knight in shining armor, but I am a flunkie with a rollback. How about you get up in my truck while I load your car and I'll take you home?"
"Thank you, Brian! I need to call the babysitter and let her know how late I'll be."
"There's no need for that," Brian replied. "We'll swing by and get the kids on the way. They'd probably like riding in my truck. I'll even put the car seats in the back seat."
One long hour later and in dry clothes at last, Leann got the kids in bed and collapsed in her chair. Suddenly the door flung open! "Whew, that rain's not letting up, but I got your tire changed."
"How much do I owe you, Brian?" she asked.
"Well, if you can afford a cup of coffee, we'll call it even, Ms. Leann."
Moments later, as she watched the taillights fade in the distance, she thought about her night. She'd only seen Brian a few times at church but hadn't spoken much more than hello. Yet, this caring stranger had come out of nowhere to rescue her in the rain. All it had cost her was a cup of coffee.
Two years later, as she's preparing supper, she listens for the sound of Brian's truck pulling in the drive. With the tap of his airhorn, three little kids come to life and light out the door, hollering, "Momma, Daddy's home!"
A smile comes on Leann's face as she brushes back a tear. She can't help but remember that cold, miserable, rainy night on the roadside with a flat. Who would've ever thought it would be that night she obtained mercy? In her mind, Brian was wrong about one thing. He was definitely her knight in shining armor.
Sometimes God may let you hit bottom and experience utter hopelessness, but that doesn't mean he's forgotten you. He may have allowed you to get there so you can enjoy it more when you obtain mercy. Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Copyright © 2020 Andy Hollifield, used with permission.
"... My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) KJV)
"You'll never move that rock, Mikey, it's too big." Not very encouraging, but Mikey had grown used to hearing it from his friends. Since moving to their home when he was only three, Mikey hated that rock and wanted his dad to move it to make room for a swing set. His dad told him if he could move it, he would buy him one.
Mikey was six then, and he spent every day trying to move that rock. Sometimes, he tried only a couple of times when he went outside to play. Other days, he'd try for hours. He first started with the little hammer in the tool kit he got for Christmas. When that didn't work, he used his dad's hammer. Still not successful, he saved his birthday money and bought a three-pound sledgehammer. Mikey had a boat-load of determination. Some might call it a stubborn streak. He never would give up on moving that rock.
As he entered his teen years, Mikey began to accept the fact that rock would probably always be there. Nevertheless, he didn't give up. By age 14, he'd bought himself a 10-pound sledgehammer. When he made the varsity football team, primarily because of his size and strength, he decided that rock could be useful in his training regiment. Each day he would spend an hour jumping on the top of the rock and pounding 30 licks with his hammer. He would then jump down and back up again and do another 30. By now, he had long since forgotten about the swing set.
On signing day in his senior year, he signed a scholarship letter of intent. It was for a full ride to one of the most prominent football universities in the south. Later that night at supper, he asked his dad, "Are you ever going to move that rock?"
His dad responded, "Why should I? Look what it did for you."
"What do you mean, Dad?" Mikey asked.
With a grin, his dad began to explain. "Mikey, since you were six years old you have wanted that rock moved. You worked at it every day, even breaking a few hammers along the way. That rock never moved, but it did something for you I never could've. It was that rock that made you strong. Although you hated it, it's the very reason you're where you are today. If not for that rock, you would've spent your time playing video games or something. Instead, now you're about to live out your dream of playing college ball. It's your hard work, determination, strength, and perseverance that got you there. That rock you hated so much did all of that for you far better than I ever could have. I'm proud of you, son."
Sometimes, it may be the thing that hinders us the most, that molds us into what God wants us to be. The trials we go through breed compassion for others going through them. They create in us a desire to alleviate someone else's suffering. They cause us to want to encourage others in their struggles. Those things we hate and don't think we'll ever survive are the very things that make us who we are.
Keep pounding the rocks in your life. Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Copyright © 2021 Andy Hollifield, used with permission.
"They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy." ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) KJV)
There were no signs she'd dug under it and no reason to think she could've jumped over it uphill. But at the sound of my voice, Bella turned and belly-crawled right back underneath the fence into the pasture like nothing ever happened — never touching the bottom strand.
Bella acted like she owned the pasture and was more like a good dog than a goat. She was always glad to see me, came when I called and followed me all around the pasture. She even headbutted the other goats if they came close.
What she didn't realize was her escapes set a bad example for the others. It wasn't long until they, too, crawled outside to graze. They picked right beside the fence and went back under when they saw me coming. They didn't realize the boundaries were there for their protection as well as confinement. I wanted them to stay in but also wanted to keep predators out. The spacing of the barbed wire and electric fence was probably adequate to keep predators out.
Two things I learned from goats. One was I didn't want any more, and the other was how much goats and humans have in common. We're both stubborn, strong-willed and determined to do whatever we set our minds to regardless of the danger or consequences.
Christ didn't put boundaries in his word to be mean. He always knows what lies beyond the fence. On the outside of his boundaries, we're subject to the enemy's attacks. Inside, we can dwell in peace and safety while the Lord keeps the enemy at bay. When we walk with him, he won't let anything harmful come through the fence. When we violate his boundaries, we may suffer consequences that last a lifetime.
Jonah learned this concept, but not until he was caught in a storm, thrown overboard from a ship and then swallowed by a whale where he stayed for three days and nights. It took all of that before he ever repented. When the Lord released him from the whale's belly, he didn't remove his command. Jonah still went to Nineveh and preached possibly the most remarkable revival meeting in history. The problem was, his heart had become bitter and vindictive, blaming Nineveh for his suffering. He thought because he'd suffered, they should also. Through a couple more hard lessons, God taught Jonah the extent of his mercy — there's no limit if we repent.
Jonah never enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He preached one sermon, and over 120,000 people repented. His bitterness caused him to forfeit the fellowship and admiration of those people who undoubtedly appreciated his obedience. How pitiful to accomplish that great work and never enjoy how God used him to bring Nineveh to repentance.
Are we willing to stray outside of God's protective boundaries? Are we prepared to sacrifice the blessings of obedience to pick outside the fence? We'd see things much differently if our family had lived in Nineveh. Are we willing to obey God to see our families repent in the future? God won't send Jonah to them, but he may send you. Have a blessed day in the Lord!
© Copyright 2021 Andy Hollifield, used with permission.
"Then went in that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed" ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).
Everyone wants to be front and center like Peter, but no one wants to be that "other disciple." The Bible uses that phrase five times. Four times in chapter 20 and the other in .
In John 19, Jesus saw the disciple whom he loved "standing by."
"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst" ( ).
I had totally missed something in that verse before. Do you realize the last thing Christ did was make sure his mom was taken care of? The part that stuck out to me was the other disciple. It was John, and he was also the one leaning on Jesus' breast at the last supper.
The definition of a disciple is not only the followers of Christ but also a person who is a pupil or adherent to another's doctrines. John was indeed adherent to the doctrines of Christ. Little is written of John personally. Three other times we find John referred to as "the disciple whom the Lord loved." John was usually found in the company of Peter. Still, it was apparent when all the disciples were gathered with Christ, Jesus was definitely the top priority.
When they were all together, Peter was usually found right in the middle of any conversation or activity. If you notice when reading about their activities, Peter, James, and John were generally listed in that order. That combination is recorded 10 times in the gospels and always in that order. They were the ones present at the transfiguration and the raising of Jarius' daughter. Jesus nicknamed James and John the "Sons of Thunder." Their mother once created some division among the disciples when she asked for them to sit on either side of his throne. Jesus, of course, didn't accommodate her wish. You never read anything really about either of them by themselves. They are almost always in the company of Peter.
John's individual big moment was at the crucifixion when Jesus entrusted him with the care of his mother. As an old man, the Lord also allowed him to see visions and write the book of Revelation. He was also the last of the disciples to die according to historical accounts.
John never had any standout moments after the ascension of Christ. He was never listed first but never seemed to mind. He just quietly went about doing his job for the glory of God. The impressive thing about John is he was always standing by.
"Standing by" means ready and awaiting further instructions. That was the story of his life, just standing by. Wouldn't it be great to have a bunch of close friends like that? Wouldn't it be great if Jesus had a few more like that? Just think how much simpler our lives would be if we were just "standing by" awaiting God's command. Ready to do whatever he said, just for His glory. Think how victorious our spiritual life would be if we were willing to be that other disciple just standing by.
Many Christians think they have to be out front and grabbing the headlines. If we could learn to just be satisfied with what He wants us to do. I hope I'm getting this across like it's in my heart. If we didn't think of ourselves more highly than we ought. If we were content to let Peter go in first like he did at the tomb. If we were just willing to go that last mile and "stand by" in case we were needed. If our name didn't have to be known. If we were that "other disciple standing by," we would have all we need.
All Scripture used is KJV.
Copyright © 2017 Andy Hollifield, used with permission.
"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." ( OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) KJV)
"Captain! I'm not sure I can do this! What if I mess up? What about the sandbars and rocks in this channel? What if I get off course in the dark and how will I know before it's too late?" Those were the very frantic words of First Mate Alexander as he steered the ship through Ripside Channel for the first time.
"I once stood exactly where you are. You'll do fine. Besides, I'll be standing right here and won't let you mess up," the Captain replied.
"Let me tell you the story of how Ripside Channel got its name," the Captain said. "Years ago, so many ships couldn't navigate the channel, so the community folks decided something should be done to help protect their sailors. They decided to place a light on top of a high pole in three places. One, right on the beach, and two spaced out further back inland. The trick is to line up all three poles and lights until it looks like only one light. Once you've done that, you can sail safely through the channel.
One hour later, a deep sense of relief swept over FM Alexander as the lights came into view. He'd successfully navigated Ripside Channel at night. This was one night he'd always remember.
As Christians, we'd do well to follow the Captain's advice. We should line up our lives to where we only see one light, the Savior shining like a beacon in our darkness. Although life's sea has many dangers and disappointments, our Captain has already charted the course and walked in our shoes. If we focus on him, no matter the severity of the storm, we're promised safe passage into that heavenly shore. Just follow that one light.
Heavenly Father, we ask that you would keep us safely in your care. Help us to focus on our one light who is Christ Jesus. No matter how difficult the way or how dark the night, help us realize we can always trust the word of our Captain. Help us as Christians understand that younger, inexperienced people are watching our lives. They're looking to see how we rely on you and counting on us to help them through trying circumstances. Help us shine the light of your love in our lives that others may be drawn to you. Amen.
Copyright © 9/2020 Andy Hollifield, used with permission.
