I’ve seen men who have rejected Christ’s salvation for decades make a personal decision to follow him. I’ve seen marriages, which were on the brink of failure, be healed. I’ve seen teenagers who only nights ago tried to end their lives find a renewed hope for living through Christ.

I remember when I first started preaching, I mostly spoke in front of people who were from the South. It was amazing to see how God moved hearts and the story of the Gospel changed lives. But I thought, “That’s because I’m in the Bible belt of America.”  The first time I had the chance to speak in the North West, I wondered if the same message would still be able to relate with such a different crowd from the South. And sure enough, it did. I continued to ask myself this as I traveled the world from Brazil to Africa and Europe. What I discovered is that God’s message is timeless and powerful in bringing lives to Him.

After returning from Ireland on Monday I was reminded of the sustaining power of the Gospel again. I saw God move in Ireland – a country so different than our own – and use His story to bring people to Him regardless. The people of Ireland come from a different background, lifestyle, ethnicity, race, etc., yet they still face the same humanly issues we do.

During our ministry in Ireland, one man who was 70 years old and for whom the people in the town had been praying for 30 years finally chose to receive Christ. Another man in his 40’s who had rejected his wife’s efforts to share the Gospel with him for two years, came to know the Lord as well. God moved in a mighty way.

I have found that no matter where you are in the world you will always find broken people. We were born in sin; we all have problems; and we are all looking for an answer. This has been proven true throughout my ministry. No matter where I go, I see people who are trying to fix things temporarily, but the only permanent solution that brings about true life change is Jesus.

Although people try to fill gaps with “things,” it is only the beauty of the Gospel that can truly transcend. People are longing for an answer to bring them hope, and the Gospel is a universal message because Jesus provides the hope, love and forgiveness for which every man, woman and child is looking.

My hope for you is that you will be the hands and feet of Jesus no matter where you are in the world. God has someone in your path today that you are meant to share His love with. Don’t miss the opportunity.

Love you guys-

Jay

Once we got to the prison we were led to a common area where I began to preach to several inmates, but just as I was about to tell them about Jesus, the prison went on lock down. I am not sure if you know about prison lock down, but when that happens everything is completely shut down and prisoners are returned to their cells. It doesn’t matter what is going on.

At the sound of the lockdown instructions, I looked at the guard and asked for a few more seconds. He turned and looked at me like I was crazy. I just didn’t want these men to leave without knowing how much Jesus loved them. I stood on a chair and began to shout at the top of my lungs, “Jesus Loves You! He will forgive you. Turn away from your unbelief and sins and reach him through faith!” As I did many began to join in by lifting their hands and cheering. For me, you never know what impact can be made just at the mention at the name of Jesus and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity.

After this we went to a separate facility, about five miles away, where we were led to meet with 12 men who were on death row. We met with the group collectively and then spoke to each man one-on-one in a small room with no guard. It was amazing to hear some of the stories. Some men were interested in the message I shared and others had decided just to come to get out of their cells for a little while.

One guy that really moved me told me was 36 years old and had been in prison for 12 years; he was just waiting for death. His family, who lives three hours away, had nothing to do with him and no one ever came to visit him. We did not discuss what he had done to get here but what he told me was powerful. He said, “Some may see this as Death Row, but I see it as Life Row. It took me getting to death row to find Christ, which in the end gives me life.” He went on to say that if he had not hit rock bottom, he didn’t know if he ever would have found Christ or found life. It is amazing what God does to get a hold of us and call us His own!

My visit to the prison really made me think. We are no different than these prisoners on death row. To God, all sin is equal. We don’t deserve God’s forgiveness any more than murders, liars, thieves and death row prisoners. God died for them just the same way He died for us. We deserve to be on a “spiritual death row” but in God’s love and kindness He showed us mercy and provided a way out.

It is easy to look at others and judge and to decide what punishment they have is fair but what about you? Are you glad God didn’t think you should die for your sin? Are you glad in His mercy He sent His son to take your place?

 Love you guys-

Jay

The survey ranked things by actual items people were giving up and then top categories. Food won the top category with 79,977 tweets. Ironically, Twitter tied for the top spot alongside chocolate as the highest ranked items.

I found it fascinating to see all the different items and activities individuals are choosing not to participate in during this season. Whether you participate in the formal tradition of Lent or not, it is important to take time during this season to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.

The miracle of our incarnate God willingly to take on human pain and suffering, as well as shouldering all the sins of humanity is something that I will never understand. It is something that He did to save us from an eternity without Him. This is HUGE.

I think it is important for us to remember this and to dwell on this, not just during the Lenten season, but  all year long. We should never forget the cross and what Jesus did for us.

Often we let this holiday slide right by us without taking time to truly be thankful for what God did for us. I encourage you to seek Him this week. Below is a poem that really shows what we have to be thankful for – not only on Easter but all year.

Easter Means Eternal Life

A perfect God demands a perfect justice;
He cannot let us get away with sin.
We used God’s gift of our free will to trespass,
So heaven’s gates were closed; we couldn’t get in.

Our sin required our blood, a sacrifice,
To atone for all the wrongs that we had done.
“But I love them!” cried our Father, filled with sorrow;
“I’ll send my only Son to be the one.”

Good Friday marks the slaying of our Jesus,
The unblemished lamb, the perfect sacrifice.
He took our guilt and blame upon Himself,
So we could be with Him in paradise.

On Easter morning, he came back from death;
He vanished from the tomb, the empty grave.
His resurrection means eternal life
For us, the ones he came to earth to save.

This summarizes all the Easter story
And because of it, we’ll be with Him in glory.

By Joanna Fuchs

Love You Guys-

Jay

The study, which was released Thursday, shows that 8.4 percent of U.S. marriages are interracial, up from 3.2 percent in the 1980. Out of marriages performed in 2010, 15 percent were interracial. The study relied on U.S. Census data and information from the American Community Surveys taken from 2008 to 2010.

Overall, the public perception of mixed marriages has only grown more positive. About 83 percent of Americans now say they think its “all right” for blacks and whites to date one another; in 1987, only 48 percent of respondents agreed with the idea. Sixty-three percent now say it “would be fine” if a family member married someone from another race, and 61 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds said they felt interracial marriages were changing society “for the better.” (Twenty-eight percent of respondents age 65 or older agreed.) According to the study, minorities, young adults, college-educated adults, and those who identify as “liberal” were most likely to look at interracial marriage in a positive way. 

As I read all the information from the study it was interesting to me. It brought me back to the conversation I had sitting around the table with my extended family over Thanksgiving. I told them that I did not care what ethnicity, nationality, color or race the person was who my children marry, I just wanted my kids to be with someone who loves Jesus.

I believe God is colorblind. We were created in His image, and He knew us even before we were in our mother’s womb.  He sees everyone the same. Although this is true with God, society does look at this differently. I think interracial couples face challenges adapting and understanding culture, but at the same time, don’t all couples? Not one family – even those of the equivalent race – is the same.

Many will say the Bible says we should not marry interracially, but if you look closely, you will see God was saying not to marry into other cultures because of their gods. Samson is a great example of this. He picked out Delilah because of her beauty alone and disregarded her beliefs. God does not want us to marry someone who is not a believer. He wants us to be equally yoked. He says this in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

God’s requirement is that we marry someone who loves and has a personal relationship with Him. I believe that if my children truly seek after God, they will find this person, be it black, yellow, red or blue!

Love You Guys-

Jay

Perhaps you are currently praying for a particular candidate or party to win, but last night, I felt God calling me to pray that He would choose whatever leader would bring us closer to Him, even if this person leads us down a path of more economic debt and difficulty.

As I began to pray for our God to provide America with the leader who would help us return to Him, it came to me that this person may not agree with my values. Matter of fact, this individual could be a horrible leader who God allows to take our country into further trouble as a means to get us to turn back to Him. History, whether biblical or secular, proves adversity is the trumpet which most often brings people to their knees in repentance. It is not my wish that this would happen but I am praying God would do whatever it takes for us to become dependent on Him again.

I will still vote for the person I believe will lead us in the right direction but I’m trusting God knows what is best. He knew the world before it was even created and He sees far in the future. I’m certain He is less concerned with our nation’s economy than He is with its independent, rebellious heart.

As I was telling my mom about the way I felt led to prayer, she began to pose questions and said she didn’t agree with me. Her concern was that she would not pray for bad leadership because her grandbabies, my kids, would see the results of it as they get older. I reminded her that if it meant my kids really dug deep into God’s word and became dependent on Him alone, I would embrace it. How her grandkids are affected is not God’s primary concern..

I do not want God’s wrath on our country, but if you look at the Old Testament, God tried to provide a way, and the people led themselves into a godless society. Generations passed, and the younger Israelites began to turn away from the true God, and worshiped all types of false gods. God threatened to abandon Israel because of the disobedience of the younger generation. Throughout history Israel’s behavior follows a consistent pattern: the people of Israel fall into evil, God allows a leader to save them or further oppress them as a means of reward or discipline.

While what happened to the nation of Israel is not what I wish on us, despite my protection of my kids, I would rather God do whatever it takes to turn this nation back to Him. Even if it means the darkest days of our country are ushered in.

As the election gets closer, I encourage you to really pray for our country. Pray tat God, who is rich in mercy, will save our nation. He knows the best way for that to happen whether it be a candidate that is after things of God or horrible leadership so we only want God.

I’ll leave you with this verse to remember to pray.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Wanting God’s Candidate -

Jay

I watched a YouTube video this past week that was very powerful. It talked about the difference between false religion and a relationship with Jesus. One part that really stood out to me was related to this discussion of religion:

“They can’t fix their problems so they just mask it not realizing that religion is like spraying perfume on a casket. See, the problem with religion is it never gets to the core. It’s just behavior modification like a long list of chores. Like, let’s dress up the outside and make it look nice and neat, but it’s funny, that is what they used to do to mummies, as they rot underneath. Now I am not judging but I am just saying, quit putting on a fake look, because there is a problem if people only know you’re a Christian by your Facebook.”

This was really powerful. How many times do we have fellow believers ask us how we are doing and we respond with “great”? We need to be able to talk to each other, challenge each other and grow together – not put on a mask. Christianity is about community. It is about finding a core group of people with whom to do life. Jesus had His core group in the disciples. They ate together, prayed together and even struggled together.

In the aforementioned YouTube video, the young man says that churches should be like hospitals for the sick. This is so true.  As humans, we have a sin nature. We will never be perfect. Every day we strive to live more like Christ, but every day our flesh gets in the way.

We should embrace our weakness because in our weakness Christ is strong. We should be open with each other about what we are struggling with. The message of salvation is one that says, you’re not perfect – only Christ is. We can try to do everything right but we are still broken.

I really encourage you to get plugged in with a group of believers and be real. Share with them your heart, pray together and seek God. When we start having accountability is when we begin to see a change in our lives.

One last thing about religion, there is a religion that is good. Jesus half brother James tells what this “pure religion” looks like in James 1:27. This “pure religion” is visiting the fatherless and widows while keeping yourself untainted from the ways of the world.

- Jay

            The dictionary defines a resolution as:

                        “a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.”

            And a goal as:

                        “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.”

The point I am trying to make is that a goal is seen to the end while a resolution is simply something we determine to do; often, these resolutions don’t seem to even last past January. When we make a resolution, we usually focus it on ourselves not on God. So why not think differently this year about your goals?

Every year I set goals for myself and goals for the ministry. I like to set goals that I feel like God has given me and then throughout the year I seek Him about them. For the ministry I make goals that I know only God can achieve.

In Luke 9:62 Jesus says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” I think what He is saying is that all our goals should look to the future and to our growth as individuals, churches and organizations. Do we learn from the past? Yes, because we don’t want to repeat it. But do we dwell on it and center our resolutions and goals on the past? No.

Our goals should not be based on what we want but what furthers the Kingdom of God and allows us to be better followers of Christ and reflect characteristics of Him. God will give us the desires of our heart when they line up with His desires.

As we make goals this year, surrender each to God, so it’s not your goal and what you want but what God wants for you. Ask Him, what is your goal for me this year?

- Jay

2011…When I think about the year that is about to pass us by a lot of things come to mind. I think back of the headlines we have seen: the death of Osama Bin Laden, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the 10^th year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, Charlie Sheen’s meltdown and a royal wedding. This year, like any other, was full of the good, bad, ugly and funny. It was a year for the calendars, for sure.

For me I watched my kids grow a year older, added a new family member – a Great Pyrenees named Judah – saw God do some great things through Harvest Ministries and finished the draft for my very first book. As we began to put all of the Christmas decorations away, eat the last couple of cookies we decorated and throw out all the wrapping paper that was destroyed on Christmas morning, I couldn’t help but think about this past year.

God had done some great and difficult things this year in my life, family and ministry. As all of the images flooded my mind, from the new birth of multitudes accepting Christ as Savior to the family members who faced death, I feel both joy and sorrow.

As I think about it all, it reminds me we need to take what we learn each year to prepare us for the next. We need to treasure the memories but grow from them, as well. Of the great things that happened this year, there were still times that I look back on and regret things that I have and haven’t done. As important or more than what happens to us, is how we react to those situations. I long to react more like Christ, but we are all sinners and have to learn to pick up our cross and follow Christ each day.

I really want to encourage you to take time to study 2011. Think back on the things you learned, even if you learned them the hard way. Pour into God’s word and really seek Him this New Year.

God is a merciful, loving God. Maybe you look back on 2011 and know something was missing. Maybe you feel an emptiness that can’t be filled with money, career, family, etc. Maybe this year, God is calling you to a new beginning with Him. If you don’t know Him, he wants to get to know you. Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

He loves you. As you learn from 2011 don’t miss all the great things God has for you in 2012.

Love you Guys-

Jay

I really want to encourage you not to miss Christmas this year. Don’t miss the reason for the season - Christ’s birth - and don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy time with your family. At the Lowder household, we have several traditions three of which are my favorites.

It all starts with our Christmas tree. We pile in the car and all go as a family to pick out the tree. To me it feels like the opening day of hunting season. We have to find the perfect one then “shoot it, bag it and bring it home.” When we get the tree home, decorations are pulled out from every crack and crevice of our home, the Elvis Christmas album is put on and we go to work decorating the tree.

After the Christmas tree is in play, it is time for Fantasy of Lights. We live in Wichita Falls, Texas, home of Midwestern State University. The Festival of Lights is an event put on by the university and sponsored by several people throughout the town. It is something we really enjoy and have taken the kids to every year. It is great family time and something each one of us looks forward to.

By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, we make time to refocus on Jesus and His birth. We always attend a candle light service at our church, which I think is important. I It is so easy to get caught up in everything that you forget to take time and thank God that He cared enough about us to send us a Savior, and that our Savior was willing to take on the human flesh and sins of this world so that He could have a relationship with each one of us.

As fun as the holidays are and as great as spending time with our families is, don’t miss out on remembering why we really celebrate. Also use this time to build lasting memories with your children and your spouse. Traditions that your family build will be the things your kids pass on for generations and the things they will remember for the rest of their lives. Just look at yourself…you remember them!

I also encourage you to watch this classic video, because it is great when thinking about tradition.

–Jay