Author: thesingerschapel

WORSHIP

“He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; And smote the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham.” Psalm 78:49-51

It occurs to me this morning that the current child of God thinks that somehow God is not the same God of Genesis & Exodus. That He is perceived as somehow the God in His 20’s where He broke out doing big impressive things and amassed this huge catalog of work and piled up the wealth of creation while He was young, brash and strong. Then somehow in his 30’s God figured out how to parent His created people and swung a belt a little harder and really flexed discipline, maybe a bit much in those early days of figuring out how to do His work and raise up humanity. By the time of the kings, maybe in His 30’s, He still is ready to step up to an enemy and put the smack down on those who would insult His honor or touch His kids. Sure, there was punishment and big time consequences for their rebellion and idol worship but He told them that once they learned their lesson that He would bring them back home. Then there were His 40’s, where He just got quiet for about 400 years. He needed to deconstruct His ideals and make a fresh start for the back half of His life. Then God has a Son as an older and wiser God maybe in His early 50’s [CAUTION: DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE THAT THIS IS HOW I PERCEIVE THE LORD GOD OF HEAVEN. THIS IS HYPERBOLE TO EXPLAIN THE CURRENT PERCEPTION OF GOD BY SOME IN THIS DAY]. God is more mellow. There is so much love, grace, miracles, promises, redemption, restoration, blessing, healing, forgiveness. Oh how He has changed! (I speak as a carnal man) His 60’s were spent on His final project in establishing a church that includes everyone, left to the methods of mankind to operate as they see fit according to their culture, style and desires. Now, today, in 2026 I believe the perception is that the God of heaven is a tired, pawpaw, retiree who sits in His chair, winks & laughs at the antics of His grandkids that used to raise His anger and tells the elders to lighten up and not take things so seriously. “Oh, is that the music you kids enjoy today? Well, I more or less said that but I cannot remember…” More hugs less whoopin’s. Just talk to them and encourage them. Let them have their fun and everything will work out in the end for their benefit.” I would like to interject a theological word at this point in this analysis: HOGWASH!!!! He is still the same GOD! Lest we fall under the spell of society and modern humanistic talking points, God still hates sin. God still allows consequences for sin. God still killeth and maketh alive (1 Samuel 2:6). God is still not mocked. God still knows and sees. There is still a judgment for the believer to give an account for the deeds done in his body (2 Corinthians 5:10), and a judgment for the unbeliever who rejects Christ (Revelation 20). GOD IS NOT RETIRED, TIRED, OR SLEEPY. He is still the ‘terrible’ one (Deuteronomy 10:17). Let us keep that in mind. Worship the Unchanging One (Malachi 3:6).

WISDOM

“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3

The mind, the thinking processes of mankind are a top tier topic in this day. There has never been a time when people are more affected in their thoughts than now. Neurosis and disassociation from reality is so widespread that no age group is immune. Why? Thinking. I will not presume to explain the spider web of diagnoses of the minds of men but I will take the Wisdom of Proverbs 16:3. Works established by, dedicated to, and done for the sake of the LORD affect the thoughts. Specifically, thoughts will be established. What does that mean? When something is established it is defined, fully determined, resolved, proven, secure, structured, stable, settled, trustworthy, agreed upon, and founded upon truth. That simple Wisdom is the cure for the unsettled minds of today. Wise or foolish?

“Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” Psalm 68:4-6

One of the best things about being a child of God is that logically puts us in the family of God. He is our Father. We have brothers and sisters . We are family. JAH, contraction of Jehovah, the One True God, is our Father. In that, He is our protector. We live in His presence and he dwells with us. These verses name two types of people who are described as solitary; fatherless and widows. HE is with the lonely. The Psalmist is encouraging the defenseless and alone that the Almighty God has not left us alone. He is with us. We have a family. If we have family that is alone we should act like a proper family and let them know with our presence that God is not the only one who is there for them. God set ‘the solitary in families’ for a reason. Let us fulfill our role in that reason.

“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” Proverbs 14:1

We have all sorts of concepts about what a wife and mother does in the home. Wisdom says that a wise woman builds her house, not the structure, floor, walls, and roof necessarily, but the family. That is what home really is, just like the church is, the people. What builds people? Instruction, encouragement, training, coaching, loving, correct correction. What ‘plucketh down’ people? To pluck means to pinch off one bit at a time.  Discouragement, criticism, demeaning, sarcasm, incorrect correction. The floor may not rot. The walls may stand for hundreds of years. The roof may hold out every drop of rain, but destruction, the destruction of the people may come from within. Careful. Wisdom says be very careful to build and not pluck down. Wise or foolish?

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.” Psalm 36:7

Historians would tell us that when a king conquered another king, the victorious would take the robe of the defeated and have it sown to the end of his own. It appeared as and was referred to as his wings. In ancient times a king would spread his kingly garment over someone to protect them as they came under his authority. The King of kings will protect us under the shadow of His wings.

“Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” Proverbs 8:33

“Wisdom” speaks directly of ‘herself’ through the whole chapter. I wondered why in verses 1-3 that Wisdom was referred to as ‘she.’ Could it be that Solomon learned so much wisdom from his mother? Possibly. Wisdom is explained as the instructor of all who will hear, the hater of evil, the strength of kings, the source of riches, the leader unto righteousness and sound judgment, and supplier of treasure. Wisdom was possessed of the LORD in the beginning, ‘before his works of old.’ Creation was worked by Wisdom. To those who will hear, Wisdom will be a blessing to those that keep her ways.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

It appears that Winter intends to make sure everyone knows that it is cold on purpose. If the northern states will grant some grace to the south we’d appreciate it. We shut ‘er down, stock up on milk and bread and make dirt-clod contaminated snow men. We make the most of it. More about that in a bit.

January was a tremendous month of renewal and rededication to the highest purposes for the church and Christians. We had a little lighter schedule than the past year but the quality of our opportunities was strong. We greatly appreciate pastors Graham, Rouse, Raynes, Smith, Turner, and Cornutt for welcoming us to their services. These January meetings have proven to be for me a time of energizing to propel me into the new year. I would encourage anyone to find the recorded services of Fellowship Baptist Maryville TN, Progress Baptist of Hendersonville NC, and Teays Valley BC of Hurricane WV for a wealth of heaven sent preaching from some of God’s choice men. As we slide into February there are many miles to go so we appreciate your stedfast prayers.

We have been asking the Lord to work in our heart His wishes and will for expanding our reach and effectiveness in these last and tumultuous days. Paul’s admonition for Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5) to have a ‘Full Proof Ministry’ has been ringing in our soul. He has already begun to reveal some avenues to do just that. We intend to Make The Most Of It. I believe fully that if we will be obedient to every biblical and individual instruction that the Lord gives us, He will Make The Most Of It for the sake of eternity. The years are zipping by at an astounding rate. It is difficult to understand how we are already in February of 2026 when just yesterday we were figuring out our holiday schedule for 2025, Each day that passes the clock is relentlessly logging spent hours, minutes and seconds. Too often I look back and ask myself if I have done enough. I will reserve my answer as you answer for yourself. All that we have is what lies ahead. Let us all decide to Make The Most Of It. Don’t Stop Praying!

“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.” Proverbs 28:4

Last breath. Last heartbeat. Last moment of pain. Last experience in the flesh.

Eyes Open. Healed. More Alive Than Ever. In The Presence of Almighty God.

4 years ago this morning I sat at the red light waiting to turn in the parking lot of Northside hospital Gwinnett. I could see Angels room on the 6th floor. I prayed.

“Lord, I’m not mad at you. I just don’t understand. You are right and You are good. Help me and our girls. How am I going to raise them on my own? Please, if she has to go, please promise me that it will be worth it somehow. Let people get saved because of her testimony. Let marriages be strengthened and children appreciate their parents because of the reminder that life can end before it’s expected. Help me keep going and make right decisions.”