Ecc 1:9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
I am told that one of the vice-presidential candidates has been accused of plagiarism. I do not know if this is correct or a fabrication of some political “spin doctor.” I do know that it is considered to be a serious accusation. To plagiarize something is to take what has been written or put forth by someone else and represent it as being original to oneself. In other words, not giving credit where credit is due.
This certainly was not the case with the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. The prophets put forth there message with a resounding “Thus saith the LORD!” The Apostle Paul said, 2Co 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
I have been a child of God for over forty-eight years now. I have been privileged to hear some of the greatest preachers of the twentieth and twenty-first century. Nearly every day it crosses my mind that I have heard the truth proclaimed from the most anointed and spirit-filled men of God born within the last hundred years. And I have heard them echo the old, old story thousands upon thousands of times. The best have been those who humbled themselves and admitted that what they were about to preach was original only from God.
Recently, I had the joy and honor of preaching during a campmeeting in the south. I love to go just to be blessed by the spirited singing and enthusiastic preaching of the Word. But on occasion I am asked to preach. After the morning meeting concluded and younger preacher approached me to ask if he could use the outline and thoughts of my message. Without hesitation I responded that he should take them and use them as the Lord leads for nothing is original with me, the message came from God.
We dare not rob God of His glory. It belongs to Him alone.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Peace Be To Thine Helpers
1Chr 12:18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
A few years ago, my dear friend, Dr. John O’Malley, preached a message at our church entitled “Helpers of the War.” It was a reminder that even though David was a great and blessed man of God, he needed the help of others to accomplish victory over the enemy. God provided that help through his mighty men. I am sure in every ministry there must be helpers of the war for none of us are sufficient within ourselves. We need God’s help and we need the help of might men. These would be men who have the same heart and love for the Word of God and the work of God.
As we serve God we will encounter those who question the war we wage for the souls of men. There will be those who oppose the war. But praise God for the helpers of the war.
Principle #6 of the Reformer’s Unanimous program states, “Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord.” No one really expects the world to aid in the service of God. But how wonderful it would be if our churches were filled with believers who have given themselves to be “helpers of the war.”
A few years ago, my dear friend, Dr. John O’Malley, preached a message at our church entitled “Helpers of the War.” It was a reminder that even though David was a great and blessed man of God, he needed the help of others to accomplish victory over the enemy. God provided that help through his mighty men. I am sure in every ministry there must be helpers of the war for none of us are sufficient within ourselves. We need God’s help and we need the help of might men. These would be men who have the same heart and love for the Word of God and the work of God.
As we serve God we will encounter those who question the war we wage for the souls of men. There will be those who oppose the war. But praise God for the helpers of the war.
Principle #6 of the Reformer’s Unanimous program states, “Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord.” No one really expects the world to aid in the service of God. But how wonderful it would be if our churches were filled with believers who have given themselves to be “helpers of the war.”
Friday, August 29, 2008
The Hope of the Local Church...the hope of America
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Lawlessness and moral depravity are the contrary (or enemy) of sound doctrine (truth). Those who have chosen to be immoral or sympathize with others who have will always compromise the truth to attempt to justify the sin.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Those who choose to listen to the ear-tickling charlatans cannot endure truth and will constantly run to what pleases them and not what corrects them.
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Truth is the only way to reach the spiritually dull-minded. A faithful witness who is relentless in standing for truth will be the only hope for those in darkness or without discernment. (An interesting observation is that this crowd believes because there are more of them than those who hold fast to the truth, they are right and sound doctrine is wrong, or uncompassionate, or legalistic).
Tit 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
The word “become” in the text here suggests a putting forth or complimenting of sound doctrine.
This is the hope of the local church. This is the hope of America.
Lawlessness and moral depravity are the contrary (or enemy) of sound doctrine (truth). Those who have chosen to be immoral or sympathize with others who have will always compromise the truth to attempt to justify the sin.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Those who choose to listen to the ear-tickling charlatans cannot endure truth and will constantly run to what pleases them and not what corrects them.
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Truth is the only way to reach the spiritually dull-minded. A faithful witness who is relentless in standing for truth will be the only hope for those in darkness or without discernment. (An interesting observation is that this crowd believes because there are more of them than those who hold fast to the truth, they are right and sound doctrine is wrong, or uncompassionate, or legalistic).
Tit 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
The word “become” in the text here suggests a putting forth or complimenting of sound doctrine.
This is the hope of the local church. This is the hope of America.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Lunch With The Governor
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Yesterday afternoon, August 19, 2008, I along with my wife and daughter-in-law, had the privilege of sharing lunch with the governor of Indiana, the honorable Mitch Daniels. This was not my first encounter with our governor, but it certainly was one of a different kind. “Religious leaders” from all over our state were invited to attend the luncheon. I went mostly out of a desire to speak to someone about the awful way our church has been treated by local county officials concerning our building program. I did make contact with a man on the governor’s staff who expressed a great desire to get involved and at least give us a less one-sided hearing. However, I came away with much more.
I have often heard it said that religion and politics make strange bedfellows. And I agree. Politics makes no room for God for it seeks to rule for its own glory. God will not share His glory with anyone or any institution. Contrariwise, government must be tempered with a strong faith in God in order to function as it was designed and as it should. Truly our founding fathers realized this and had a great desire for God’s blessings upon America.
Yesterday I listened as Governor Daniels expressed his personal faith. He is Presbyterian by denomination and I cannot say if he is trusting in his works, his church, or in the Lord Jesus Christ. But he did make mention several times of being a fallen sinner (his words) in need of forgiveness. I saw his frustration as he explained that politics would not allow him to inject his personal faith into his job as a public servant. I understand that and appreciate it because I do not want to be told that I must be a Presbyterian. However, he did get something very right in his speech. He explained that while he could not run a Presbyterian administration it was his job to protect religious freedom in our state. I wish more of our elected officials held the same sense of responsibility.
I am a Baptist! I am a King James Bible believing Baptist. I believe that the Word of God is the pure, undefiled, preserved revelation of God for us to follow and practice in all matters of faith and living. I wish Governor Daniels held the same beliefs, but on those matters we differ. I am glad, however, that he is willing to stand for my rights as a citizen to practice my faith and it is his responsibility to see nothing hinders the citizens of this state from doing just that.
Thanks for lunch, Governor. And thanks for your stand on religious freedom.
Monday, August 11, 2008
FORTY-ONE
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2Timothy 4:1-5 KJV)
In over forty years of ministry you can see a lot. On Sunday, August 10, I celebrated forty-one years of Gospel ministry. The kid preacher who started on the streets of Cincinnati, Ohio, playing guitar to gather a crowd and preaching to anyone who would stay long enough to listen, has gone through many valleys and across many mountain tops in his time. My endeavor over the last four decades has been to fulfill the last phrase of the above text, “make full proof of thy ministry.” What a joy it has been to see souls saved, young people surrender their lives to the Lord for ministry, help missionaries get to the field and help them on the field, and pastoring a people who love God.
The future presents new challenges as we go on to serve our God. How exciting it is to anticipate the Lord’s work reaching out to even more souls through new avenues of evangelism, but still by His chosen vehicle, the Local Church. Time to quit? We will have none of that! This is like our ministry is starting all over again. We didn’t quit when others turned away. We didn’t quit when Satan hindered. We didn’t quit when we stumbled along the way (just get up and go some more). We didn’t quit when family and friends forsook us. God has never left us and we have no reason to doubt Him now. Praise God, I think I’ll go a little further.
In over forty years of ministry you can see a lot. On Sunday, August 10, I celebrated forty-one years of Gospel ministry. The kid preacher who started on the streets of Cincinnati, Ohio, playing guitar to gather a crowd and preaching to anyone who would stay long enough to listen, has gone through many valleys and across many mountain tops in his time. My endeavor over the last four decades has been to fulfill the last phrase of the above text, “make full proof of thy ministry.” What a joy it has been to see souls saved, young people surrender their lives to the Lord for ministry, help missionaries get to the field and help them on the field, and pastoring a people who love God.
The future presents new challenges as we go on to serve our God. How exciting it is to anticipate the Lord’s work reaching out to even more souls through new avenues of evangelism, but still by His chosen vehicle, the Local Church. Time to quit? We will have none of that! This is like our ministry is starting all over again. We didn’t quit when others turned away. We didn’t quit when Satan hindered. We didn’t quit when we stumbled along the way (just get up and go some more). We didn’t quit when family and friends forsook us. God has never left us and we have no reason to doubt Him now. Praise God, I think I’ll go a little further.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
BLIND OR BLESSED?
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) …” (Revelation 2:9a) written to the church at Smyrna.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17) written to the church of the Laodiceans.
The Smyrnian church was blessed through their works, tribulation and poverty, but they did not realize it. The Laodicean church had possessions aplenty, but without the blessings of God. It is just as blind to think oneself without the blessing of God as it is to believe that material things indicate the presence of God. Beautiful cathedrals do not a church make. Neither is one forsaken because he lacks physical substance.
The key indicator in the matter is “me.” “Woe is me” excludes God as much as “look at me.” For the child of God who is walking with Him, there is no time without blessing. In fact we are not qualified to determine what is a “bad day” and what is not. God never has a bad day. Likewise, we not are able to proclaim “God has blessed” because of finances or possessions to promotions. Our heart must always sing “to God be the glory.”
Faithful obedience to the Word of God and consistent service for our Lord will bring God’s blessing as long as “me” stays out of it.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17) written to the church of the Laodiceans.
The Smyrnian church was blessed through their works, tribulation and poverty, but they did not realize it. The Laodicean church had possessions aplenty, but without the blessings of God. It is just as blind to think oneself without the blessing of God as it is to believe that material things indicate the presence of God. Beautiful cathedrals do not a church make. Neither is one forsaken because he lacks physical substance.
The key indicator in the matter is “me.” “Woe is me” excludes God as much as “look at me.” For the child of God who is walking with Him, there is no time without blessing. In fact we are not qualified to determine what is a “bad day” and what is not. God never has a bad day. Likewise, we not are able to proclaim “God has blessed” because of finances or possessions to promotions. Our heart must always sing “to God be the glory.”
Faithful obedience to the Word of God and consistent service for our Lord will bring God’s blessing as long as “me” stays out of it.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
SEVEN WONDERFUL FACTS ABOUT THE TRUTH
“But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2Corinthians 1:18-22)
I have a dear preacher/pastor friend here in town who reminds me continually that the greatest challenge for men in the 21st century is to know and believe the truth. Each week on Sunday and Wednesday I stand behind the sacred desk of God and attempt to proclaim the truth to my people and those visiting our services. When I am called upon to preach in school chapels, youth camps, preacher fellowships, etc., I endeavor to bring forth the truth for the hearer’s consideration. Nothing substitutes for the truth. Lies must be perpetuated by lies. Truth stands when lies fail. Truth liberates and lies imprison.
Here are seven facts about the truth:
1. Truth and right are never affected by numbers. Remember it was the crowd that died in the flood. It was the majority that was destroyed in Sodom. It was the multitude that cried, “Crucify him, crucify him!”
2. Truth and right are never affected by unbelief. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Timothy 4:3-4) Just because one does not believe the truth does not change the truth. It just means they have chosen to believe fables.
3. Truth and right are never affected by neglect and neglect does not release one from the responsibility to the truth.
4. Truth and right are never affected by disobedience. Just because God’s people choose to disobey Him does not nullify the truth.
5. Truth and right are never affected by comfort or convenience. When in history did it ever become comfortable to do the right thing or stand by the truth when society rejected truth?
6. Truth and right are never affected by price. Man can be bought, but God cannot.
7. Truth and right are never affected by time. We do live in different times. But the truth never changes. If sin was sin one hundred years ago, it is still sin today.
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)
I have a dear preacher/pastor friend here in town who reminds me continually that the greatest challenge for men in the 21st century is to know and believe the truth. Each week on Sunday and Wednesday I stand behind the sacred desk of God and attempt to proclaim the truth to my people and those visiting our services. When I am called upon to preach in school chapels, youth camps, preacher fellowships, etc., I endeavor to bring forth the truth for the hearer’s consideration. Nothing substitutes for the truth. Lies must be perpetuated by lies. Truth stands when lies fail. Truth liberates and lies imprison.
Here are seven facts about the truth:
1. Truth and right are never affected by numbers. Remember it was the crowd that died in the flood. It was the majority that was destroyed in Sodom. It was the multitude that cried, “Crucify him, crucify him!”
2. Truth and right are never affected by unbelief. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Timothy 4:3-4) Just because one does not believe the truth does not change the truth. It just means they have chosen to believe fables.
3. Truth and right are never affected by neglect and neglect does not release one from the responsibility to the truth.
4. Truth and right are never affected by disobedience. Just because God’s people choose to disobey Him does not nullify the truth.
5. Truth and right are never affected by comfort or convenience. When in history did it ever become comfortable to do the right thing or stand by the truth when society rejected truth?
6. Truth and right are never affected by price. Man can be bought, but God cannot.
7. Truth and right are never affected by time. We do live in different times. But the truth never changes. If sin was sin one hundred years ago, it is still sin today.
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
BURDENS
Ps 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
As I was reminded this week by a silver-haired old preacher, Brother Locke who has been in the war for many years, we all have burdens in life. As a Christian, if you do not think you do now…you will. Life has a way of putting burdens upon us and our Heavenly Father will even place burdens on us to strengthen us, teach us, prepare us for the future.
There are several causes for burdens. The most obvious one is the burden of sin. It is this burden which the Holy Spirit uses to direct us to Jesus Christ. He\is job is to convict us of sin and show us the danger and destructiveness of sin. It is the burden of sin that gets upon a man’s heart that reveals his depravity and opens his eyes to the holiness of God. This burden humbles us so that we may repent and place our trust in Christ for redemption.
Then there is the burden of sorrows. Every person whether lost or saved will experience sorrow in life. There are those times of desertion by family and friends, times when we are disappointed by unfulfilled dreams, times when our strength and abilities fail us. But as our text reminds us, “…he shall sustain thee:…”
And also, there are burdens that come with service. Serving Christ means working with people. People have needs which must be attended. The servant of Christ is there to give attention to those needs. But it is possible to become weary in well doing when the burden becomes overwhelming.
So how does one deal with such burdens? We are told to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD.” We are never to defend our burden as some who revel in having hardships thinking they will acquire sympathy. Nor are we to despair in our burden for God has promised that the righteous shall not be moved. We need to learn to take our burdens to God in prayer and cast them upon Him. Claim His promise of help and celebrate the provision He will give.
The cure of sin is salvation. God will never release us from burdens of sorrow, but rather will us them to reinforce us in our service to Him.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
As I was reminded this week by a silver-haired old preacher, Brother Locke who has been in the war for many years, we all have burdens in life. As a Christian, if you do not think you do now…you will. Life has a way of putting burdens upon us and our Heavenly Father will even place burdens on us to strengthen us, teach us, prepare us for the future.
There are several causes for burdens. The most obvious one is the burden of sin. It is this burden which the Holy Spirit uses to direct us to Jesus Christ. He\is job is to convict us of sin and show us the danger and destructiveness of sin. It is the burden of sin that gets upon a man’s heart that reveals his depravity and opens his eyes to the holiness of God. This burden humbles us so that we may repent and place our trust in Christ for redemption.
Then there is the burden of sorrows. Every person whether lost or saved will experience sorrow in life. There are those times of desertion by family and friends, times when we are disappointed by unfulfilled dreams, times when our strength and abilities fail us. But as our text reminds us, “…he shall sustain thee:…”
And also, there are burdens that come with service. Serving Christ means working with people. People have needs which must be attended. The servant of Christ is there to give attention to those needs. But it is possible to become weary in well doing when the burden becomes overwhelming.
So how does one deal with such burdens? We are told to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD.” We are never to defend our burden as some who revel in having hardships thinking they will acquire sympathy. Nor are we to despair in our burden for God has promised that the righteous shall not be moved. We need to learn to take our burdens to God in prayer and cast them upon Him. Claim His promise of help and celebrate the provision He will give.
The cure of sin is salvation. God will never release us from burdens of sorrow, but rather will us them to reinforce us in our service to Him.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Signs of a Growing Christian
Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Jas 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: Jas 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. Jas 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Spiritual growth is rare among modern Christians. The hindrances abound toward those who would genuinely seek to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly, the world, flesh and devil have motive to impede a believer from maturing, but one would be surprised to find that even among the clergy there exists those who criticize anyone from getting “deep” with God. “You will become so heavenly minded that you will become no earthly good!” I have yet to see the reality of that statement. If one is truly heavenly minded, is that not the mind of God? Would not such a one possess the heart and longsuffering of God?
I have observed that the mature Christian is fearless and faithful through adversity. They consider trials to be fertilizer for their faith. As our text expresses in verses 2-4, they count it all joy…the trial of their faith worketh patience…wanting nothing. A growing Christian will pray to find answers and seek God’s wisdom. A Christian who is mature has a balanced view of earthly possessions and eternal reality. And no matter what happens in life, a “deep” believer will never blame God for struggles, but rather praise Him for the opportunity to bring glory to Him.
“Oh, that’s just your interpretation, Brother Groves. Just the way you see it!” No, my friend, it is what God is showing me.
Spiritual growth is rare among modern Christians. The hindrances abound toward those who would genuinely seek to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly, the world, flesh and devil have motive to impede a believer from maturing, but one would be surprised to find that even among the clergy there exists those who criticize anyone from getting “deep” with God. “You will become so heavenly minded that you will become no earthly good!” I have yet to see the reality of that statement. If one is truly heavenly minded, is that not the mind of God? Would not such a one possess the heart and longsuffering of God?
I have observed that the mature Christian is fearless and faithful through adversity. They consider trials to be fertilizer for their faith. As our text expresses in verses 2-4, they count it all joy…the trial of their faith worketh patience…wanting nothing. A growing Christian will pray to find answers and seek God’s wisdom. A Christian who is mature has a balanced view of earthly possessions and eternal reality. And no matter what happens in life, a “deep” believer will never blame God for struggles, but rather praise Him for the opportunity to bring glory to Him.
“Oh, that’s just your interpretation, Brother Groves. Just the way you see it!” No, my friend, it is what God is showing me.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
THIRTY-EIGHT
Recently, my wife and I celebrated our thirty-eighth wedding anniversary. I have always admired those couples who have gone faithfully through life to reach their fiftieth and even seventy-fifth anniversary. It has always been remarkable, but today it is also rare. Not necessarily because one of the partners has passed away, but rare because fidelity is rare among us today. I am grateful for the years our Lord has given us together.
Our church hosted a fellowship after the evening service the Sunday following our anniversary. One of the members asked me what I would do if Mrs. Groves were to pass away. I told him that I would probably have to go with her. He said jokingly, “Well, Preacher, the women would be lined up to get you.” To which I replied, “I have spent thirty-eight years training this one and I do not have the energy to train another.”
It would be more truthful that she has trained me. Partners look out for one another. She certainly has taken good care of me through the years. Humanly speaking, I could not have done what I have accomplished through more than four decades of ministry if she had not been by my side. Thirty-eight and a half years ago she accepted a challenge, “Marry me and see the world.” She did and we have. She has gone with me across America, ministering in twelve states; across the oceans in Tokyo, Japan; Taipai, Taiwan; Athens and Corinth, Greece; Ephesus in Turkey; and all through the Holy Land.
She has been lied to and lied about by church members; criticized for her stand; disappointed by those thought to be friends; and broken hearted over the actions of loved ones. Still she remains yielded, submissive, and faithful. Jesus Christ has always taken first place in her life and I would have it no other way.
I gave thought to the possibility of waiting until our fortieth anniversary to share my heart on this matter, but I believe our Lord’s return is so near I did not want to miss the opportunity. Sandra, I love you, I always have.
Pr 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Pr 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Pr 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Our church hosted a fellowship after the evening service the Sunday following our anniversary. One of the members asked me what I would do if Mrs. Groves were to pass away. I told him that I would probably have to go with her. He said jokingly, “Well, Preacher, the women would be lined up to get you.” To which I replied, “I have spent thirty-eight years training this one and I do not have the energy to train another.”
It would be more truthful that she has trained me. Partners look out for one another. She certainly has taken good care of me through the years. Humanly speaking, I could not have done what I have accomplished through more than four decades of ministry if she had not been by my side. Thirty-eight and a half years ago she accepted a challenge, “Marry me and see the world.” She did and we have. She has gone with me across America, ministering in twelve states; across the oceans in Tokyo, Japan; Taipai, Taiwan; Athens and Corinth, Greece; Ephesus in Turkey; and all through the Holy Land.
She has been lied to and lied about by church members; criticized for her stand; disappointed by those thought to be friends; and broken hearted over the actions of loved ones. Still she remains yielded, submissive, and faithful. Jesus Christ has always taken first place in her life and I would have it no other way.
I gave thought to the possibility of waiting until our fortieth anniversary to share my heart on this matter, but I believe our Lord’s return is so near I did not want to miss the opportunity. Sandra, I love you, I always have.
Pr 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Pr 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Pr 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
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