Thanksgiving is more than a holiday that falls on the fourth Thursday of every November. It is meant to be a way of life.  Matthew Henry said “Thanksgiving is good but Thanks-Living is better.”

Real thanksgiving, Biblical thanksgiving, is based not on our circumstances, but on God’s sufficiency; not on our production, but on God’s provision; not on our performance, but on God’s providence. Paul described thanksgiving with this admonition:  “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)  Thanks-Living is more than words. It is a positive mental attitude, focused on God and grateful for all the benefits that are ours as believers. It is a lifestyle rooted in the disposition of our hearts!

In the movie, Facing the Giants, Coach Grant Taylor tries to deliver the message of Thanks-Living to his football team. He said, “We’re going to praise God when we win and we’re going to praise Him when we lose.” Scripture does not instruct us to give thanks for all circumstances. Instead it says “Give thanks in all circumstances.” We can give thanks in every circumstance. Why? Because God will use every circumstance (whether good or bad) for the good of those who are His children.

Rest assured that God will never call us to be or to do something that He doesn’t also give us the power, the resources, and the ability to do! The God who calls us to Thanks-Living has a way to cause thanksgiving to abound in our heart and life. How?  In the Scripture, right before God says “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” He says, “Pray continually.” The key to a thankful life is a prayerful life. Philippians 4:6, 7, reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Thanks-Living will activate the joy of the Christian life! How? Every day we have a choice to make. The choice is whether we are going to praise God in the midst of our problems or brood about them. Throughout the Bible praising God as a lifestyle is highly emphasized. Why? First of all, it’s because it is only right and fitting that we honor God. He is so infinitely worthy of being praised and glorified!  What’s more, praise establishes strength and causes our faith to grow. Praise brings protection and deliverance. Praise transforms our surroundings, and helps us to renew our minds. Praise causes the presence of the Lord to manifest. Praise also creates havoc in the realm of the spiritual enemies of God, binding demonic rulers of darkness, causing them to be confused and destroy themselves. Have you ever read in 2 Chronicles 20 about King Jehoshaphat? He sent his turned-on team of praise musicians out in front of the army, and it caused their enemies to destroy themselves!

So how can we live a life of Thanks-Living and celebrate Thanksgiving every day of the year? By obeying the Scriptures, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  Happy Thanks-Living!

“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray”.  This saying is adapted from a line in the poem “To A Mouse” by Robert Burns. What it means is that no matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it.  This goes hand in hand with the Yiddish Proverb “Man plans, God Laughs.”

I believe this is a modern “twist” on the Biblical verse found in Psalm 33:10:  “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.” (In other words, men may plan but God has plans of His own)  At first glance we are prone to see this in a negative light, but it isn’t necessary always negative. This past weekend I had a wonderful life experience of this amazing truth.

The ministry to which God has led me is one that ministers to the over the road truck driver.  Many of our locations involve the use of trailers such as the type that you see on the interstate and delivering goods to the stores and merchants.  Let’s face it, if you eat it, wear it, or sit on it a truck driver delivered it.  These trailer chapels are placed in truck stops so as to be convenient for the drivers, and we really appreciate those companies that invite us into the plazas.  However, sometimes it is necessary to reposition one and this begins my story.  Once such Truckstop contacted us and asked us to reposition the chapel.  This particular chapel had been in its spot for approximately twelve years, so you can imagine what we were up against.  We began to imagine all the problems that would arise and began to make provision for them.  Problems such as rusted airbrakes frozen in place, tires being bad or ill inflated, air suspension being too low, and etc.  In addition to this we would need a truck and driver and a team of volunteers to make the move.  Hats off to Fedex and volunteers from First Baptist Church in Port Worth, GA.  This is where the lesson begins.  None of the ‘problems’ we anticipated proved to be a hindrance, but we encountered an entirely different set of difficulties.

The first thing to happen was when the truck tried to back up to the trailer, the moment if got over the curb, the pulling wheels began to spin and the front wheels sunk down and locked in against the curb.  As we were trying to figure out our course of action, the Lord provides a forklift and a logging chain.  We filled in the ruts and repositioned the truck with some boarding and steel plate and began again.  The truck made it back to the trailer, but about 6 inches from the hitch pin locking in the truck began to spin its wheels again in the soft soil.  But with the ingenuity of a company owner that was helping us, and the same chain the two were pulled together in short order.

The truck pulled out and the trailer rolled freely to its new home site.  Within just a short time the chapel was positioned and we were ready to unhook the truck.  The trouble is that the grade slope of the land was going to prevent this and the spin of the drive wheels was all we saw.  Before we could decide our next course of action, a driver going back to his truck from the c-store spoke up “Do you want me to get my truck and pull you out?”  In a few minutes he had unhooked his trailer and was back with his truck and a chain.  In less time than it took him to return the chapel was unhooked and didn’t move an inch from where we placed it. With the help of a forklift, the steps were in place and by noon all was ready for the next morning’s Driver’s Fellowship Meeting.

So, indeed we planned, and God laughed.  Not at us, but at the enemy who tried to hinder us.  By the way, the next day’s meetings had a marked increase in attendance.  Please pray for our chaplains as they sow the seeds of the Gospel, pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest, and also, please pray for God’s provision as we seek financial support for this home mission field.

A little ofver a year ago CNN Online News did feature on Truckstop Ministries. If you have not had the opportunity too see it, please take advantage of this link. It is well done and very informative.

http://www.cnn.com/video/standard/index.html#/video/living/2009/09/23/dcl.blake.jesus.truc k.stop.cnn?iref=allsearch

The dictionary defines perseverance as “persistence, steadfastness, determination, purposefulness, or resolve.” Automobile genius Henry Ford once came up with a revolutionary plan for a new kind of engine which we know today as the V-8. With great perseverance, Ford set out to get his new idea into production. He had some men draw up the plans, and presented them to the engineers. As the engineers studied the drawings, one by one they came to the same conclusion. Their visionary boss just didn’t know much about the fundamental principles of engineering. He’d have to be told gently–his dream was impossible. Ford instructed, "Produce it anyway." They replied, "But it’s impossible." "Go ahead," Ford commanded, "and stay on the job until you succeed, no matter how much time is required." For six months they struggled with design after design. Nothing! Another six months – Nothing! At the end of the year, Ford checked with his engineers and they once again told him that what he wanted was impossible. Ford told them to keep going. They did…and they discovered how to build a V-8 engine. Perseverance paid off!

The Bible talks a lot about perseverance because without it, individuals can never fulfill their God-given purpose or potential. In Hebrews 12-1-2 instructions are given to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. In the course of action known as life, will you run all the way with the flame of your torch lit for Christ? Are you persevering in spiritual growth with the same zeal that Henry Ford pursued the invention of the V-8 engine? Only when you persevere in your quest to be closer to God do you really come to understand that He is faithful to deliver on all of His promises. He offers everlasting hope and promises to never leave you. James 1:12 declares, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

“Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14).

As Christians we have been commissioned to be soul winners! Jesus told us to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20.

What is a soul winner?

A soul winner is a simplifier—making simple God’s plan of salvation to lost sinners. Most people in the world are not unreachable—simply unreached. They simply have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. I read of a fellow in Texas who picked up a hitchhiker and tried to witness to him. The hitchhiker shook his head. He then talked real loud, but the hitchhiker pointed to his ears and shook his head. So this soul winner started writing the Gospel out and the hitchhiker pointed down and shook his head. He couldn’t read, he couldn’t hear, he couldn’t talk. So this individual, who had only went to the third grade and couldn’t even spell Jesus, stopped the car and got out, took his Bible, pointed to the Bible, pointed to his heart, pointed to Heaven, made a motion to open your heart and let Him come in, got on his knees and began to pray. The deaf fellow got on his knees and mumbled a bit, got up with a smile of Heaven on his face, pointed to the Bible, pointed to Heaven and pointed to his heart. If we are to be soul winners, we have to do it on purpose. “He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

God Is In Trouble!

Someone told me recently, “All I want in 2010 is my life to be trouble-free!” My first thought upon hearing this was my dad’s infamous words whenever we would say, “Daddy I want….” Dad would always reply with a smile, “God said he would meet our needs, He didn’t say anything about our wants! A trouble-free life sure does sound good though!

However, did you know GOD IS IN TROUBLE?

There is a story about a little boy who prayed the following prayer; “God, please take care of yourself, because if anything happens to you we will all be in a world of trouble!” A truer statement has never been prayed! However, GOD IS IN TROUBLE! Psalms 46:1 reads, “God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble!” Therefore, whenever are heart is troubled or we are in trouble God is right there with us-for He is a very present help, in trouble!

Although most of us would love to have a trouble free life, there are those days that trouble seems to surround us on every side! Financial problems, family members, aggravation with co-workers, failing health, whatever the cause…it is trouble! However, it is in trouble that God is glorified.

Think about this, the Red Sea was gushing, as the Egyptians were closing in on the Children of Israel. Moses told them, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Ex. 14:13-14 Can you hear the reply of the children of Israel, “Stand still? Moses, do you understand we are all going to die?” “No,” Moses responded, “the Lord will take this trouble He has placed upon us and He will bring glory to Himself.” Without the trouble, there would have been no need for deliverance. Sometimes, God delivers us in the problem and sometimes He delivers us out of the problem. Remember the three Hebrew children? They were delivered in the furnace of fire, before they were delivered from it. Daniel was delivered in the lion’s den before he was delivered out of it.

A desperate man confessed to his pastor, “I am in big trouble; my life is really in bad shape.” “How bad?” the pastor inquired. The man cried, “I’ll tell you how bad–all I’ve got left is God.” The pastor’s face lit up. “I’m happy to assure you that a person with nothing left but God has more than enough for a lifetime of outstanding success!”

When God is all you’ve got, you’ve got more than enough! God cares about every trouble in our lives; He is simply waiting on us to bring them to Him! Back to the words of my dad, God will meet our needs; but a trouble-free life is a want that He never promised us. However, you can count on Him to be with you through EVERY trouble!

Chaplain Jesse Deems, the Southeast Regional Director for Truckstop Ministries, INC. invites YOU to come be a part of a unique ministry!

Have you ever stopped to think that what you eat, what you wear and even what you sit on has at some point been handled by the trucking industry? The trucking industry has been called the driving force behind the nation’s economy. This industry is moving 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When this industry stops, the nation STOPS! As a trans-denominational ministry, TMI seeks to partner with the local church to reach all those in the trucking industry with the Gospel, regardless of background. TMI Chaplains conduct Fellowship Meetings in both large and small truck stops, utilizing TV rooms, trucker lounges and semi-trailers that have been converted into Chapels. The ministry scope at each work varies depending on the location and the manpower available. At present, the Chaplaincy Program of TMI is in 77 locations in 29 states!

As Southeast Regional Director, Chaplain Jesse oversees the ministry and staff as we strive to meet individuals at the point of their need and encourage them through basic discipleship, fellowship, and spiritual guidance based on God’s Word. Often, when you think of a “traditional” missionary, you think of someone who moves to a foreign country to establish a ministry. However, eight years ago the Deems left behind twenty-plus years of the “traditional” pastorate to become missionaries to one of today’s largest industries; the trucking industry. The Deems count it a privilege to be called to proclaim God’s faithfulness and the message of John 3:16; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Chaplain Jesse believes that this is the greatest message anyone will ever hear, and that it is the greatest message they could ever share.

How can you help this ministry? You can pray for the ministry that we may always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He orders our steps. It is Chaplain Jesse’s passion to convey the dynamics of the gospel and this ministry. Consequently, he welcomes your invitations to share at churches and community functions.

Romans 10:14-15b reads: “How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” There are three groups of people in this scripture: the (1)unsaved, the (2)senders and the (3)goers. As the missionary, Chaplain Jesse is a goer, and is responsible for raising his financial support, therefore pray about sending him to the unsaved. Your support is appreciated as the Deems’ strive to manage their time, money and gifts in a way that models a commitment to excellence and a total-life attitude of stewardship. If you would like to be a goer, we would love to have you join us and become a part of the wonderful group of volunteers.

If you would like to have more information, or have Chaplain Jesse speak at your church contact him at 912/577-0632 or jdeems@truckstopministries.org.

Be sure to visit TMI’s website at www.truckstopministries.org.

The past three months have been invigorating and exhilarating! Among the highlights of these months has been the placement of a permanent chapel at the Petro Truckstop in Kingsland, GA.    Thank you Team leader Robert Knight and staff for your diligence! The same week that the chapel arrived in Kingsland, the TMI staff and I were honored to be invited to participate in Petro’s Driver’s Appreciation Days.  In October, Debra and I had the opportunity to work with Bill Bailey Southern Gospel Promotions and promote the ministry at a three day Southern Gospel concert in Waldo Florida.  Among our blessings in November was the opportunity to be a part of the Driver Appreciation Days at the TA in Baldwin, FL.  Team leader David White and his staff along with Regional Directors Jerry and Jewel Lusher did a great job of organizing this event!  December is always a busy time as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!  Yet, our staff at Tifton, GA, led by Team Leader Craig Nalls  rallied for a wonderful time of food and fellowship and previewing the year ahead. 

I believe that the key to the accomplishments of Truckstop Ministries rests in individuals who exemplify the spirit of Christ, and share the salvation message found in John 3:16.  Paul told us that in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation we need to shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).  The Chaplains in the Southeast Region are fulfilling this need! Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.

Yours in His Service,

Jesse Deems

As many of our friends and supporters know, we have been on a sabbatical for a little over a year. We really needed a time of rest, restoration and renewal. By the way we weren’t sitting around idle, we assisted a new church in developing some of its ministry. However, we knew that that was just a temporary thing. That is why I haven’t posted here in a while. But now, I have something to report.

When we took our leave we had been serving for the past eight years with Transport for Christ International, which is a ministry to over the road truckdrivers. In the time we have been regrouping we have felt the Lord leading us to another ministry organization which does the same type of ministry. Today, Sunday, Sept 20, 2009, we began our service with Truckstop Ministries Inc. There is a ministry website at www.truckstopministries.org and there you can learn about what we do and also how to contribute to our ministry and even do so online. Previously I had served as a Chaplain, and enjoyed that ministry very much. With TMI, I will be serving as Southeast Regional Director, and as a Chaplain.

The days ahead are teaming with challenge and excitement as we hope to see God’s hand move in the lives of those engaged in the trucking industry. Please keep us in your prayers and let us know if we can be of His service in your life.

The “Parable of the Vine” is a symbolic analogy which can help Christians understand the relationship God wants us to experience with Him.  Branches are an integral part of the vine. They are there for one primary purpose – to bear fruit.  If you look at a vine, you see the branches woven together and bearing fruit; the core of the Vine-the root is not seen.  It is the branches, and the fruit which they bear, that depicts the vine. Christ compared Himself to a vine for our benefit; so we can understand who we are in Him. Christ, like the vine, is the source of our existence. In Him we live, breathe and have our being. Without Him we are nothing. All life and all goodness are from the Lord alone; He is the True Vine.

The Christian life is all about relationship. When we are born of God, we are a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15), we carry His DNA, so to speak (I John 3:9). We sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3, 2:6) and have direct access to the throne of God (Hebrews 4:16). At salvation, God placed us in Christ and sealed us (2 Corinthians 1:21 -22). But, how do we abide in Him? To abide in Him, we need to constantly accept the same grace that was made available at salvation and trust Him completely. We then become channels for getting the work done. He also constantly instructs us through the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27 – 28).  Abiding takes effort! As a part of the Vine, we lose our identity. People should see Christ in us, in our actions, our speech, etc.  We should reflect God’s image! We walk as He walks (1 John 2:6).

Paul wrote in Romans 11:16, “If the root is holy, so are the branches.” We cannot confirm that Paul was thinking of the parable of the Vine but we can confirm that our righteousness and holiness come to us only because of our connection to the True Vine. It is only by our abiding in Christ—our attachment to Him—our close relationship with Him—that we produce any Christian growth. Faith requires both abiding in the Vine and allowing the sap to do His work in our branch. Christ will prune anything and everything in our lives that is not pleasing to Him. Any word or deed that we do that does not magnify His name will be brought to our attention (Colossians 3:17).

 If we resist the pruning of the Lord, there can come a time of being cut off (Luke 12:45-46;     I Corinthians 9:27). A question that we might ask ourselves is, “Are we living where God answers our prayers?” If not, why not and what are we going to do about it?  Our lives and works are a mixture of gold, silver, and precious stones along with hay, wood and stubble. We will be put to the test of God’s fire. Our hay, wood and stubble will be burned up so that our gold, silver and precious stones may remain. It is to our advantage to yield to the pruning of the Lord in this life, rather than in the next (I Corinthians 3:11-15).  

What a privilege to be called a friend by the very Creator of the universe. We didn’t choose Him, He chose us. He ordained us to bring forth much fruit. He promised to give us that which we ask for in the name of Jesus. That’s hard to comprehend, but it depends on our love for one another. John put it rather bluntly:  1 John 4:8, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”  1 John 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”  Just as a branch cannot bear fruit if it is cut off a vine, we cannot live the Christian life if we separate ourselves from the Lord.

Although this question asks that these verses be explained to the new convert, there is also a message here for the “mature” Christian.  It is a simple thing it is to be a branch, the branch grows out of the vine, and there it lives and grows and, in due time, bears fruit. It receives sap and nourishment from the root and stem. If Christians truly understood this about our relationship to Jesus Christ, our work would be changed into the brightest and most heavenly thing on earth. Instead of there ever being soul-weariness or exhaustion, our work would be like a new experience, linking us to Jesus as nothing else can. Too often the very work that He desires to do in us, and through us, is allowed to separate us from Christ. Many a laborer in the vineyard has complained that he has too much work, and not enough time for close communion with Jesus. Sad thought, that the bearing of fruit should separate the branch from the vine! The Christian life should be one of absolute dependence. The branch is nothing…it depends on the vine for everything. Could it be that we have looked on our work as something other than the branch bearing fruit? Every bunch of grapes that comes to our tables was absolutely dependent on the vine. The vine does the work, and the branch enjoys bearing the fruit of it.

Furthermore, it is the root that bears the tree (Rom_11:18), diffuses sap to it, and is all in all to it in flourishing and fruitfulness. In the same way, in Christ we have all supports and supplies. The branches of the vine are many, others on the other side; yet, meeting at the root, they are all one vine; thus all believers, though in place and opinion may be distant from each other, yet we meet in Christ, the center of our unity. Believers like the branches of the vine, are weak, and insufficient to stand by themselves, therefore, we are sustained by the root and become part of a strong and virile vine.