My brother Larry made it a habit of reading the “Proverb of the Day” which simply meant that the first thing each morning he would read the chapter of Proverbs which matched up to the day or date of the month. As he read he would  look eagerly for inspiration to start his day and then to use to also be a blessing to the hundreds of Truckers to which he ministered from the McPilot truck stop on I-85 in South Carolina. Copied below is a devotional he authored and sent out to the hundreds of truckers on his email list.

Today 12/31/19 would have been his 75th birthday and is his first birthday in Heaven since going to be with the Lord earlier this year.

Truth for Truckers*December 27, 2013* Proverb 27

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” This opening verse immediately gets the mind engaged and challenged at the same time putting emphasis on the day which the LORD has given us. “This is the day that the LORD has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” is the right attitude for the believer as we praise the Lord for each day that He gives us to serve Him. One day at a time is the slogan many blessed Christians adopt. So, it is, we must live for the Lord and give Him each day as we go out into the highways and hedges to serve Him.

Solomon’s blunt emphasis reminds me of how James developed this truth later in the New Testament. James is the first book written after the Cross of Jesus Christ and is considered to be the New Testament Proverbs as he deals with vital subjects in a brief but powerful way similar to Solomon’s Proverbs. Listen to how James deals with this same topic:
“Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil . Therefore to him that knows to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin.” (James 4:13-17)

The clear teaching from both Solomon and James focuses upon the boastful attitude many display when they talk of how they will accomplish things in the future without regard for the Lord’s will in these matters. And, since we are approaching a new year in just a few days we must adopt the right attitude as we look forward to the future.

Although one day at a time is a great philosophy to adopt, we must also be responsible and consider what the Lord has for us in the immediate future, and the long range plan He has for our lives. We are first of all witnesses for Him. This one fact must guide all of our daily, short term future and long range plans that we have as ministers of the Gospel.

A good daily goal is to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks a reason for the hope that is in us. Remember, we have this treasure in earthen vessels and if we are not prepared to share this treasure we are NOT doing God’s daily, short term and long range goals for our life. It is just that simple! Obedience brings forth fruit that remains!!

If we are ready to give an answer, the Lord will send those He knows need to hear the message of the Gospel. A good way to get ready is to carry Gospel tracts. Another good thing to put into your life is memorizing Gospel Scriptures, the Roman’s Road is and has been an effective method of presenting the Gospel.

The Romans Road: Romans 3:23, 5:8, 5:12, 6:23, 10:9.10,13.

Our job is to sow the Seed, it’s the Lord’s job to see to it that the Seed gets watered, and brings for the increase! His precious Word will not return unto Him void! So, it is the faithful servant’s task to learn the Word and be ready to give an answer to every man that asks. If you prepare for this daily goal, the Lord will fill in the short term and long range plans.

(His full story is here: http://www.btmi.org/harley.html)

Seed sowing is ‘a piece of cake’ when the Lord sets it up which is one of the key lessons I’ve learned during these thirty-three plus years since I was saved. His leading must be in the forefront of every day, hour, minute and second! Watch Him move and work, His Kingdom is operating 24-7 without fail! His Holy Spirit is available to all who ask! “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13) It is what to do each morning before the Word for the day, the Psalm/Proverb, today is the 27th and once again He delivered, right on time, as usual!

So, as you set your daily goals, your short term and long term plans, be sure you start with your main calling as a witnessing Priest unto God, praying in the Holy Ghost as He leads you each day, moment by moment, bringing to pass His will for your life through His Word and by His Spirit you will see Him move creating divine appointments that only He can bring about: “For Jesus said without Me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) OK drivers, let’s get on with it in 2014!

Chaplain L.E.Wolfe

Yes, whether said back in 2013 this advice is timeless! So let’s “Get on with it” in 2020!

Go here for more encouraging messages: New Blog Index

You can also click on the links listed on the right side of the page and see what the Lord may have for you today!

Christmas 2019 is in the history books and during the celebration the Lord spoke to my heart about what could have been and what really came to be. How could a boy from a broken home, with no father figure to speak of, with all kinds of opportunity to go off to the wrong side of the tracks, with the odds literally stacked him, find himself blessed beyond measure with a marriage and family as seen in the above picture? That boy is me! Pinch me!

How do you explain it? It’s all because of the prayers of God’s people and the mighty Grace of God working in my life. The deadly winds of the world we’re stacked against my single-mom family as she was raising SIX sons all alone! Christian relatives prayed, interceded with love and care in times of crisis and took us in when needed.

God protected me as I sang in my rock-n-roll band in night clubs and fraternity parties where booze and drugs abounded.  My prospects for a family supporting career were minimal, as there were absolutely no funds available for higher education.

But with good training in drafting at my high school, and a big brother Larry looking out for his younger twin brothers (Bruce and Brian) he was instrumental in getting us drafting jobs with a major corporation. Each of us would make a good living there for the next 45 plus years! Isn’t God good?

Then in 1975 my wife JoJo and I both gave our hearts to Christ and the transformation which made all the difference began. What would our futures have been like without Jesus? We’ll never know but because of His Grace, Love, and unending Mercy we look forward to 50 years of marriage next year! God is SO good! Amen?

Go here for other encouraging stories: New Blog Index

Dec 24, 2016
by Evangelist Larry Wolfe

Christmas: The Heavenly Message II (Luke 2:8-14)
‘And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night’ (v.8). The time indicated here was ‘during the night watches’ showing that they were diligently guarding and caring for their animals.

‘And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid’ (v.9). This miraculous phenomenon from heaven literally frightened the shepherds, as the angel, in an instant ‘was present’ in their midst. Not only was he standing before them in one split second of time, he was accompanied by the very Shekinah Glory of God! This brilliant illuminating presence of the angel was similar to the scene recorded in Acts 9:3 when the Apostle Paul was confronted on the road to Damascus by the Lord and His Shekinah Glory. The phrase recorded there ‘shined round about’ is the translation of the same word used here. The Lord confronted Paul at midday, and the glory of His presence was brighter than the noonday sun, but here, in the middle of the night, this miraculous and glorious light from heaven must have been even more brighter as the contrast between the darkness of night was far greater!

This same glorious light will accompany the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes the second time to rapture His own. Yes, in Matthew 24 when the disciples asked Jesus ‘What shall be the sign of Thy Coming’ He explicitly told them it would be this same Shekinah Glory! ‘And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory'(Matthew 24:30). Yes, ‘Every eye shall see Him'(Revelation 1:7) when He comes to take us home to be with Him just before that great and terrible Day of the Lord/Wrath of God judgment!

Although the name of the angel of the Lord is not given here, most scholars believe that Gabriel, whom God used to bring the news of a miraculous son to Zacharias the father of John the Baptist, and the news of another much greater Miraculous Son to the virgin Mary, is the angel God used to announce to the shepherds what had already taken place in Bethlehem, the birth of the Son of God! ‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.’ (v.10,11) The angel’s response to the shepherds was identical to Gabriel’s responses to Zacharias and Mary: ‘Fear not’, a powerful command delivered to the shepherds in an attempt to bolster their faith and dispel the fear which had suddenly gripped their hearts.

The angel turns the focus to his message when he proclaims ‘For behold’ a word which is used to draw attention to what follows:’ Good tidings of great joy’. This description of the message turned their minds from fear to anticipation as the angel explained the good news which he was about to give would also provide great joy, and this good news and great joy was for all people! The universal message of the Gospel was now about to be given to these humble shepherds! ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ All their questions were answered in this simple nineteen word sentence. To whom is this universal message of Good News given? ‘For unto you.’ What has happened? ‘A Savior, which is Christ the Lord is born.’ When did it happen? ‘This day’. Where did it happen? ‘In the city of David.’ Who is this One that has been born? ‘A Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’

This grand and glorious announcement of the birth of Jesus the Savior, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Lord Jehovah come to earth, brings to mind Isaiah 9:6 which has a similar sound and message: ‘For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace..’ Truly, the fulfillment of this and many other Old Testament prophecies had been fulfilled! The message of good news and great joy was first of all ‘A Savior’ had been born.

The nation of Israel was indeed looking for a Savior who would deliver them from the physical grip of the Roman rule. But Jesus did not come to release them from the physical bondage of a dictator, but instead He came to deliver all mankind from the spiritual bondage of sin. Regardless of who is ruling physically in your life, this good news of the Gospel will bring you great joy which only can be found in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will bring peace to your soul, He will give eternal life in heaven to anyone who recognizes that they are a sinner and will by faith call upon Him to save them from the wages of sin which is death, and the eternal tortuous suffering of the fires of hell!

Secondly, the message the angel proclaimed included the fact that this One was indeed the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One of God who was sent to deliver His people from their sin. The word ‘Christ’ is translated from the Greek, and ‘Messiah’ is translated from the Hebrew with both words meaning ‘The Anointed One’. Daniel 9:25,26 mentions the ‘Messiah the Prince’ and ‘Messiah’ in the cornerstone passage of end times prophecy when Daniel gives the outline for Israel’s history. These shepherds would well understand Who it was that was just born by the specific word ‘Christ’ referring to their long awaited Messiah.

The word ‘Lord’ verifies the fact that this One was not only the Savior and the Christ, but was indeed the very God of heaven come in the flesh, yes, the Lord Jehovah, ‘The Lord over all'(Acts 10:36, Romans 10:12), the very ‘Lord of glory'(I Corinthians 2:8; James 2:1) was born! The angel continues his message saying: ‘And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger'(v.12). The extraordinary fact of The Lord of glory, The King of heaven, The Savior of all mankind would be found lying in a ‘feeding trough’. No pomp and circumstance, no purple robe or crown, no trumpets blaring a fanfare for this The Sovereign King of the Universe. No, instead He would be found in a lowly, humble manger, in a stable, a shelter for animals! This was indeed the sign the shepherds would look for and find as they made their way to Bethlehem. But, before that could happen, God sent forth this grand finale to the angelic scene taking place in the shepherd’s field: ‘And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men.’

The word ‘suddenly’ emphasizes the instantaneous impact of this glorious event. All at once, in the ‘twinkling of an eye’ this great multitude of angels appeared and began praising God for what He had just accomplished in sending His only begotten Son. The ‘heavenly host’ refers to the ‘armies of heaven’ (Daniel 4:35) God’s ever present spiritual ministers that can manifest themselves physically at His command! Here they are called upon to praise and give glory to God for what He had done there in Bethlehem, and what He would do throughout the ages as He unfolds His plan for the redemption of those who would put their faith in Jesus.

Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? He and He alone can save you from the penalty of your sin if you will but call on Him as the Scripture teaches: ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and can’t save myself. I do believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, and rose from the dead on Easter to give me eternal life. I ask you right now to come into my life, forgive my sins, take over my life and give me a guaranteed reservation in heaven. Thank you for saving me; help me now to live the rest of my life for you. Amen.

Please let me know if, as a result of reading this message, you have prayed this prayer and have trusted Jesus as your own personal Savior. Leave a comment so that I can encourage you in your new found faith.

Dec 22, 2016
by Evangelist Larry Wolfe

Christmas: The Heavenly Message I (Luke 2:1-8)
Luke chapter two contains the most complete description of the miraculous virgin birth of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. It begins in (v.1) with the historical record telling us that Caesar Augustus, the emperor of Rome, decreed that ‘all the world should be taxed.’ This decree demanded that all the known inhabited world, citizen by citizen of the Roman empire had to return to the city of their house and lineage to be registered for a taxation census. This called for both Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem, the city of David as they both were descendants of David, the most famous and revered king of Israel.

Although the story sounds serene and peaceful, the phrase ‘in those days’ (v.1) refers to the darkest days in Israel’s history as they were at this point crushed under the heel of this tyrannical dictator Caesar Augustus. Even though there was ‘peace’ it was only due to the fact that there was no effort to liberate the people for they were bludgeoned into submission by the presence of an overbearing Roman army. No man, woman or child could resist their mighty authority and so ‘in those days’ meant the days of the darkest hour the world had ever seen.

In this time of extreme darkness and despair, when ‘Cyrenius was governor (head of the military) of Syria all went to be taxed , every one into his own city’ (v.2,3). Although many people lived in the city of their lineage, there were thousands of others who had to travel a great distance to conform to this decree, but it was the hand of God moving in the life of Joseph and Mary, bringing them to Bethlehem, so that the prophecy of Micah 5:2,4 might be fulfilled: ‘But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, tho’ thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler of Israel whose goings forth have been of old from everlasting for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth.’

In reality the insignificant ones in the narrative of Luke 2 and in the ultimate history of the world are Caesar Augustus and Cyrenius, for the most miraculous and important birth ever was about to take place in Bethlehem, the birth of the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ! And this Roman taxation census decree would bring about the will of God as prophesied by Micah hundreds of years earlier yes, the Savior of the world would be born in Bethlehem!

From Nazareth to Bethlehem, a little over 75 miles, was a considerable journey of three to four days depending on the mode of transportation, but because Joseph and Mary were of the family of David, their trip was required for obedience to the Roman decree. However, their understanding of Who the Child was that Mary would bring forth could well have motivated them to make sure He was born in Bethlehem, Their likely knowledge of the Word of God and the prophecy of Micah might have been the major reason they traveled to Bethlehem with Mary’s delivery so close to occurring.

The word ‘espoused’ in (v.5) literally means betrothed, promised in marriage, or engaged. She was ‘great with child’ used only here in the New Testament and simply means pregnant. ‘And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered’ (v.6). Here the word ‘delivered’ means to bring forth or to bear fruit and it is used again in (v.7) translated ‘brought forth’ and in (v.11) the word translated ‘born’ is derived from the same Greek word.

‘When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law.’ (Galatians 4:4) Yes, God’s time was now ready for His Son to be brought into the realm of man, to deliver all mankind from the penalty, power, and ultimately, the presence of sin if only man would receive Him as Savior. ‘But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth’ (John 1:12-14).

The Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word, was made flesh. The incarnation of God Himself, the birth and life of the Lord Jesus Christ, are here being referred to by John in the opening chapter of his Gospel. ‘And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn’ (Luke 2:7). The most important event in the history of mankind has just been recorded in this simple yet most profound verse of Scripture. The first Coming of the Son of God is now set down in the annals of history. The birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Savior, the Christ, the Messiah, the Lord of heaven and earth has just been accomplished and the whole world now recognizes this fact and marks the date of December 25th as Christmas!

But, the date is really not the important issue. The fact that He was born of a virgin as prophesied by Isaiah, and lived a sinless life, and gave Himself a ransom for many, by shedding His blood and dying for the sins of the whole world, and then was resurrected from the dead, ascended to the Right Hand of the Father and now lives forevermore to make intercession for His own, yes, these are the important facts that can never be changed, for they are rooted and grounded in the eternal Word of God!

Have your received this Great Gift of God? Are you sure that if you died today you would go to heaven? You can be sure by praying and asking God to save you from the penalty of your sin by receiving the Lord Jesus as your Savior by faith and God will do what He has promised for He has said: ‘Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and can’t save myself. I do believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, and rose from the dead on Easter to give me eternal life. I ask you right now to come into my life, forgive my sins, take over my life and give me a guaranteed reservation in heaven. Thank you for saving me; help me now to live the rest of my life for you. Amen.

Please let me know if, as a result of reading this message, you have prayed this prayer and have trusted Jesus as your own personal Savior. Leave a comment so that I can encourage you in your new found faith.

PREPARING FOR THE BIRTH OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST:THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL
by Evangelist Larry Wolfe, Dec 20, 2016

The prophet Isaiah throughout his writings entitles the coming Messiah–our Lord Jesus Christ–the “Holy One” although he uses this significant name interchangably for God the Father. This title, Isaiah’s favorite, is used a total of twenty-nine times beginning in the very first chapter of his most significant prophecy, most significant because of it’s intense focus on our Lord Jesus. This attribute of the character of God is in fact more than just an attribute, for holiness is the primary word used to describe the very essence of our God.

It is not surprising therefore that the preparation for the Holy One’s birth would be saturated in holiness as described in Luke chapter one. From the very outset, when Zacharias was visited by the holy angel as he was ministering in the holy place at the altar of incense, God’s holy angel underlined the fact that Zacharias’ son would ‘be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.’

Another of God’s holy angels, Gabriel, would then visit the virgin Mary bringing the good tidings of great joy, telling her that she would ‘conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS’. He explained to her that ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God’.
Mary then visits Elizabeth, her cousin, the wife of Zacharias who was miraculously with child as the holy angel had told her husband. When Mary greeted Elizabeth ‘the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost’ and immediately ‘spake out with a loud voice’ and blessed Mary, recognizing that Mary would be the mother of her Lord!

Mary, following Elizabeth’s words, magnified the Lord, rejoicing in spirit for what God her Savior was doing in her life. She rightfully ascribed to Him the name ‘Holy’ in verse 49! She continues her magnification of the Lord by listing His mighty actions toward men and His people Israel. Later in the chapter, the birth of John the Baptist is recorded. And at that time his father Zacharias was ‘filled with the Holy Ghost’ prophesying of God’s great working in visiting and redeeming His people, bringing salvation through the house of David by the Lord Jesus Christ just as He had spoken through his ‘holy prophets’! Zacharias continues by underlining the fact that God remembers His ‘holy covenant’ performing the mercy He promised to the fathers.

The last reference to holiness comes in (v.75) where Zacharias encourages and exhorts those who would read his prophesy in the ages to come. He reminds us all that we must serve the Lord without fear, in ‘holiness’ and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. This holiness which we need in order to ‘see the Lord’ is provided by the Lord Jesus Christ when we receive Him as our personal Savior. This provision of personal holiness is just one of the many benefits we receive when we are ‘born again’ by putting our faith in His death, burial and resurrection.

This first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, which gives us the surrounding circumstances of our Savior’s birth, is saturated in holiness, a fitting preparation for the miraculous incarnation of the Son of God, the Holy One of Israel! Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If you have, are you serving Him in ‘holiness’ and righteousness? The greatest gift you can give the ‘Holy One’ this Christmas is yourself, dedicated to serving Him in ‘holiness’ and righteousness…all the days of your life. Merry Christmas!!

Do you want to receive Jesus and have Him as your Savior this Christmas?

Go Here: Guaranteed Reservation in Heaven!

More encouraging stories here: New Blog Index