The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And, **IF** you don’t leave where you are, you will never get to where you want to go. Also, no matter where you go ... there you are! Over the past year our Bible studies have included Getting to know our Great and Awesome God; His Master Plan; His Moral Attributes; His Word; His Revealed Name; Understanding why the Bible doesn’t mention a trinity or refer to God as "persons"; Identifying the differences between the Jerusalem Road and the Roman Road Plans of Salvation, and acknowledging which one is right; What every child of God needs to know about the "Last Days" (a study of the Book of Revelation); Going and growing is God’s desire for each of us, What spiritual level are you (and I) on? and today’s study "There has to be a starting place for Everybody". Also, we just took an anonymous survey among our congregation by secret ballot. The survey convinced me that we still have a ways to go to be like our Lord ... and a ways to go to be doing what He wants us to be doing. But, it was an enlightening survey, and a good indication of the level of our spirituality as individuals AND as a congregation.

I am persuaded to believe that a person must remain totally focused on doing whatever it is God has called them to do ... regardless of what others around them may be saying, doing, or even thinking. Therefore, while it was a concern of mine, from strictly a harmonious standpoint, my "main" concern about this survey was NOT about what someone else says, does or thinks ... or likes and dislikes. I was more interested in the "Things I would like to see being done to help" AND the "Things I am doing to help" categories. I believe those two categories reveal the plain truth about us as a Church family. We are living in the Last Days. As a result, we need to all be mindful of the perils all around us, and not take our focus off what God has called each of us to do, or to give in to carnality, and become murmurers, complainers and back biters. Instead, we need to be more prayerful in our own personal lives and in our dealings with others, as well as being more rooted and grounded in the Word of God. It’s one thing to express a concern, and to be praying about that concern ... and that of criticizing, finding fault, murmuring, complaining, causing strife and discord.

While there was more positive than negative in our survey, I am convinced that unless those who listed something that they disliked about our pastor OR our church possess that quality, and are being a good example of it (which they critiqued our pastor on) OR are doing something to help in the area of concern, that they critiqued our church on, then they need to find themselves an altar, and repent! However, even **IF** they are walking the walk AND talking the talk, without fault, themselves, they still don’t have Scriptural authority to pass judgment on others. But, as Jesus said in John 8:7 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone ..." Furthermore, those who do cast a stone had better be real mindful of this:

2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

At any rate, the results are in. And, those who chose to participate have spoken. So, let’s learn from this survey, work together in love and unity, and make this the BEST Church anywhere around this part of the country. Now, on with our Bible studies ... unless or until ya’ll have heard enough out of me.

Today’s study is entitled "There has to be a starting place for Everybody." The survey convinced me that, like probably every other congregation out there, we have people on different levels of spirituality and growth among us. Therefore, we will continue looking into the Word for things that will help us to grow spiritually individually and as a congregation. Also, I hope it will touch the heart of any who are just plain indifferent, judgmental, cold and carnal in their thought process, and dealings with others.

There is a very important job to be done in these last days. And, if necessary, I am convinced that God will by-pass the synagogues of self righteous scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees, and go get some folks who will go do the job at hand ... just like He did 2,000 years ago. Just because we have the truth, you and I should NEVER think we have a corner on the market with God. **IF** we aren’t doing what He wants us to do AND being what He wants us to be, we will be passed by, and NOT blessed of God. Period, end of issue! To whom much is given, much is required. I don’t know about you, but I am NOT interested in an "us an our four and no more" ... or a mutual admirational society ... or trying to teach someone who is NOT teachable ... while multitudes around us are in the valley of decision, and are hurting and dying. Furthermore, I am NOT interested in being a big fish in a small pond. And, that’s what a lot of folks these days are ... a big fish in a small pond. Get them out of their comfort zone, and away from their small pond, and they become a tadpole ... or a crawfish. And, in my opinion, that stinks in the nostrils of God! Also, in my opinion, every Holy Ghost filled person should continually ask themselves this question ...

*IF* EVERYONE IN THIS CHURCH WAS LIKE ME, WHAT KIND OF CHURCH WOULD THIS BE?

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**IF** a person doesn’t know OR care where they’re going ... any road will do. It may sound too incredible to believe, but there are people out there who don’t know OR care where they end up at. I know for a fact that there are people out there who will take off with a load of alcohol and/or drugs, and just ride for hours on end. It doesn’t matter where they’re headed or where they come out at. All they are interested in is just getting high, partying and having, what they consider to be, a good time. Likewise, there are people who are doing the same thing ... spiritually speaking. They don’t want anybody rocking their boat. They want to just listen to what they want to hear, and do whatever it is they want to do. Well, in both cases, people can do that. However, neither one of these scenarios is without a very great risk. Only someone who is mentally impaired in some way would play Russian Roulette. But, it’s being done everyday by someone ... naturally speaking AND spiritually speaking.

On December 10, 1985, before I left Port Sulphur, Louisiana, if someone had told me that before I got back to Lincoln County, Mississippi, I would be a changed man, I would have thought it just wasn’t anyway possible. However, God had other plans. It was on that trip, that I received my "Last Call" from God. Now, some may wonder, how I knew it was my last call. Well, all I can say is, **IF** and when a person receives their "Last Call" from God, believe me, they know it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Then, it is up to them what they do. In my case, I thank God that I had the good sense to make a hard decision ... but the right decision. And, the reason I say "hard decision" is because the easiest thing in the world to do is to keep right on doing whatever it is you’re already doing. Just the thought of change is hard. And, most folks resist change like the plague. At any rate, although I didn’t know how on earth I was going to get from where I was to where I needed to be, I knew that God was my ONLY hope. Therefore, I pulled off the highway at mile marker 7 and buried a very sinful past, thoroughly repented of everything I could think of, asked God to deliver me from the things that had me bound, and pulled back out on the highway feeling like a ton of bricks had just been lifted off my shoulders. However, there was this little nagging feeling lingering in the back of my mind, wondering if I was really going to be able to get away from those things which had me bound. Well, God did deliver me there that night, even though I didn’t fully realize it until some time later on. And, following about three years of beating myself up pretty bad, and allowing satan to drag up my past and effectively intimidate me AND prevent me from really being and doing what God was wanting me to be and do, by the help and grace of God, I was finally able to get everything put behind me. And, I don’t plan on looking back, turning back or dwelling on the past any more. Mile marker was my "Starting Point". However, mile marker 7 was just that ... a starting point. And, while I have stopped back by mile marker 7 a few times and thanked God for what He did for me there on Dec. 10, 1985, I realize that I can’t win today’s battle with just the recollection of what happened at mile marker 7 on that cold winter night years ago. I’ve moved beyond mile marker 7, but I haven’t forgot about mile marker 7. Now, I’ve said all of this to encourage any one who is NOT where they need to be with God. Please find yourself a mile marker 7, bury the past, repent, ask God to help you, and move forward embracing "change" in your life. By the way, we all get a starting point every time the clock ticks .... one second. You and I cannot do a time about what’s in the past. We can only do something about from this "point" forward. That’s why we MUST live our life one day at a time ... hour by hour, minute by minute. Yesterday’s failure can be overcome. And, while yesterday’s victory can provide strength for today’s battle, we cannot depend on yesterday’s victory to win today’s battle. Everyday is the beginning of a brand start. Too many people fail to fully understand this principle, and live their lives in either haughtiness and self righteous arrogance because of something they feel good about concerning yesterday OR in total defeat and intimidation because of the memory of yesterday’s failure. However, the fortunate few who finds the straight and narrow path that separates those two extremes, and walks in it, are blessed indeed.

Today really is the first day of the rest of your life. You can start right now, right where you are, and begin a new life complete with a new direction for your life. It is a lie from hell that you will never be what God wants you to be, or that your life will never change for the better. However, get beyond that and learn the value AND strength of humility BEFORE you jump out there to make a big splash, or do a work for God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Proverbs 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

James 4:6 & 10 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

There is a vast difference in being timid and shy and that of being humble. Being timid and shy is a sign of insecurity, and a lack of confidence. Whereas, humility is a sign of spiritual maturity, strength and confidence. Furthermore, humility is a MUST for anyone who wants to be truly used of God. Anybody can jump out there and do and say a bunch of stuff, but that doesn’t mean they’ll walk the walk or be used of God, and Divinely favored of God. Furthermore, unless or until a person understands that the way up is down in the Kingdom of God, chances are they’ll never amount to a hill of beans in the Kingdom of God. Instead, they’ll probably always be standing on the sidelines, whining and complaining about this and that. By the way, there is also a vast difference in humility and boldness. For one to be humble does NOT mean they are not to be bold. Quite the contrary! An humble servant of God is NOT shy and timid when it comes to standing up for what’s right AND for doing what’s right. God is not looking for a bunch of mealy mouthed, spaghetti spined do-gooders. I am convinced He is looking to use those who are humble, and who are also bold enough to stand in the gap to make up the hedge in these last days. I am even further convinced that He is NOT looking for arm chair quarterbacks, who sit on the sidelines and pick apart, murmur, complain, bicker, back bite and devour someone who is out there on the field, actively engaged ... and actually doing something for God. NO successful and happy team ... marriage ... family ... or Church family ... is dysfunctional, with this one pulling this way and that one pulling the other way. Nor, are they constantly whining and complaining about what somebody else did or didn’t do, and talk or act like ... or even think ... they could do a much better job. It just does NOT work like that. Furthermore, you don’t know where the shoes pinch at until you actually put ‘em on. At any rate, an humble person is a strong and confident person. And, a strong person doesn’t feel like they have anything to prove to anybody else, nor or they struggling with an ego ... or toting their feelings around on their shoulders, and crying every time someone knocks them off.

**IF** we are going to be effective in our field of labor, we must get beyond any spiritually immaturity, carnal or childhood ways and school yard politics among us, and get busy doing what God wants each one of us to do. And, just like any successful team, while everyone has their own territory, position or duties, they all compliment each other, and cooperate together in the spirit of teamwork to accomplish a pre-determined desire and outcome ... that of WINNING! Nobody in their right mind steps out onto the field with losing on their mind. Instead, they are thinking success and winning with every breathing breath. Everybody loves ... and rallies behind ... a winner! However, what 99% of the population does NOT understand is that winning and losing, or success and defeat, FIRST becomes an attitude BEFORE it is ever played out on the field of life. Therefore, **IF** a person ... or a team ... never attains a successful/winning mental attitude, chances are, they never move beyond being just a mediocre player or team, which leaves no legacy. Only those who are laser focused on success ... and winning ... will manifest the kind of attitude which produces the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success and winning to become more than just wishful thinking or an illusive dream. I will go a step beyond that. Only those who "love" what it is they’re doing, and believe in it whole heartedly, will ever truly realize the kind of success they long for. **IF** succeeding was easy, everybody would be successful. But, success requires total focus, discipline, love, teamwork and a number of other attributes and qualities that the mediocre just don’t possess (but could acquire ... **IF** only they were teachable, had the right spirit AND had a big enough "want to" ... or desire).

Hebrews Chapter 11 has been called the "faith" Chapter. In it, we read about people whom God used in some really great ways. And, it would be wise for you and me to live our lives in such a way that we, too, leave a legacy behind. But, the sad fact is, in Luke 18:8, Jesus posed the question whether or not He would even find faith on the earth when He comes. At any rate, one should find someone who is actually doing something for God, to use as their mentor, and not conform to those who travel the road of mediocrity and hypocrisy.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. -Author unknown