“Loving the Master”
Luke 5 and Matthew 8 highlight the importance of obedience and great faith.
Simon tells Jesus, “But if you say” I WILL go back out there and try again. The power in HIS WORDS reminds us that God is into the details. Every letter of HIS WORD is precise, just like the mountains, rivers, and oceans He created.
Golfers understand a simple millimeter off-center on their driver can send the ball 40 yards offline, OUT OF BOUNDS, off-track! One degree off-center is the difference between a make or a miss on their putts. Likewise, one word from our doctor can shake our faith, or a bad week in the stock market can take our 401K down to a 101K causing great anxiety to all of us. (this week has proven that)
BUT, HIS WORD says, we serve a God who supplies all our needs according to His riches and glory. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, we need to TRUST Him, even when we don’t understand. The Bible speaks of Job, who trusted even when things didn’t make sense. He’s still God over cancer, bankruptcy, divorce, and addiction. He’s our healer, provider, counselor, and deliver.
This week fans all over the world will watch with great anticipation — The MASTERS, arguably golf’s greatest event. Last year, we were blessed with tickets for the week. I remember arriving early on Friday, but every parking lot was full. I ended up paying $25 to park a mile away and was thrilled to stand for eight hours, walk 15,000 steps, battle a 20 mph wind and I treated my bride to a pimento cheese sandwich for lunch. We shopped the tent and spent far too much on merchandise and I was pleased to hear Stephanie say “This was the greatest date ever!” What a memory! We were INSIDE the GATES! We could have watched on the TV, but the CAMERA CAN’T CAPTURE All that goes on INSIDE…(talk to me about livestream v.s. inside the church walls)
Saturday, Kaleigh walked over seven miles in a boot after ankle surgery, scouring all 18 holes in this “MUST see it all” environment. Halle and her husband, Michael, went on Sunday, stayed until the last putt was made and post-tournament interviews were completed, and fought 40,000 people in traffic only to, “Sunday at the MASTERS was the ‘greatest event ever!’”
There’s something so urgent about being inside the gates of Augusta. The beauty, splendor, and aura are unmatched. It’s like a little piece of Heaven. But if you change the word “Masters” by one letter to “Master”, it transforms the meaning. The centurion soldier told Jesus, “MASTER, just say the word” and my servant will be healed. Simon, tired and defeated, obeyed saying, “MASTER, I’m tired, but if you SAY the word, I will go back out there and try again.” The result was a massive REWARD! (a record catch of fish) There is always a REWARD for doing RIGHT! Obedience is greater than sacrifice.
Our family put incredible effort into attending The MASTERS and taking every bit of it in! Maybe you are a football family— arriving early, tailgating, and paying a premium for seats. Are we putting the same effort into our relationship with our MASTER, our Healer, Provider, Counselor, and Deliverer? Do we make time to read the Word, and spend time in devotion and prayer, or do we come to church late, leave early, and sit in the back?
We love The Masters, but are we truly serving the Master? I want my faith to “amaze” the Master, and I want to believe big, for the impossible. I believe what this Word says. If our prayers aren’t intimidating to us, they’re probably insulting to Him.
Things are different inside the gates of Heaven, and I want to make sure we all get there. We need to trust Him with our fears and anxieties, with our finances, and even with our political differences, knowing that the Master is still in charge.
Let’s put our plans in His hands and trust the “Master.”
Loving Your Spouse!
Stephanie and I, my bride of 30 years, dive into some tips to enhance your Valentine’s experience, but most importantly, how to strengthen your marriage! Based on Ephesians 5, together, we dive into the elements of “love and respect” and how we apply these to serve each other better. We throw some fun ideas in there to keep it fun!
Words Matter: The New Word of theYear
Each year, we set out to START the New Year right! We set new goals, establish new year's resolutions and maybe even commit to a new diet or join a gym. (Not so sure on the diet part)
For the past couple of decades, I have chosen a very specific word. Yes, I said wordas in one word. I research that word, study it, pray over it and preach it. 20 years ago, this all started with the phrase the Lord gave me regarding the word: Choices. This phrase rang in my ear and became a Chapter in my book, "Start Here, Go Anywhere." "Choices Made equal Consequences Paid" and the opposite is true as well. "Choices Made equal Rewards Gained." That one word, "Choices" is critical to our humanity, our past, present and future circumstances. The subtitle of my book became my life's teaching: "making good Choices and Recovering from bad ones."
Previous years have included in depth studies on words like: Joy, Gen Z, Courageous, Fasting, Delineation and Unequaled. Of course, Wisdom was an early "choice" of words as I began this 2 decade word search.
As I grow older and have come through what I call a "mid life mellow," I find myself thinking more about the beginning of a new life. The end of this life has never scared me, but the curiosity of what I will reveal as this year's word is becoming more and more the top of mind thought.
Before I announce this word, please let me challenge you to think about what your word would be? Study, Research, Discuss and even Preach that word throughout the coming year. You will find, like I did, there is so much treasure in a single word.
My word for 2025 is ...... (drum roll, please) .... ETERNITY.
I am excited to continue my study on the Great Return of Jesus Christ to Rapture HIS Bride. I plan to study the Prophecies in greater depth, see those continue to be fulfilled and prepare for that Glorious day. ETERNITY is a long time... and I want to be ready. How about you?
I speak my 5 P prayer over you today: May the Lord grant you Peace, Protection, Prosperity, Promotion and Productivity in Jesus name!
- Richie Hughes
Thanksgiving Top Ten
While I love Christmas and Easter and the attention to worship during those 2 holidays, sometimes I appreciate the Thanksgiving season in a different, but inspiring way. The focus on simply being "Thankful," and the time of Reflection for ALL that our Lord has done for us is special to me.
By nature, I am a note-taker and list-maker. I journal daily. I document the day by noting my prayers, reflections, my Hopes, and Dreams. I challenge you to make a list of the things you are Thankful for in this season. Mine reflects the most serious and also a few little things that I am thankful for in 2024. (In no particular order)
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His Love, Mercy, and Grace!
Family-
My Wife (she is Exceptional- I call her Godly HOTTY!)
My 2 daughters who love the Lord and Make me Proud everyday
My NEW Son-in-law- I finally got a boy!
My Heritage instilled by my Christian Parents. I honor my Father/Mother
SEC Football! College Football in general > NFL, NBA, MLB, etc.
Salsa, Pico De Gallo, Queso- CHIPS! Chuy's, El Cazador, La Parilla
My Church, My friend and Pastor and Loving People to do life with
TN River- Wake Surfing, Jet Skiing, Fishing, The Summer Sunsets
ruachglobalnetwork.com Faith Leaders! IYKYK.. if not, JOIN us!
Krispy Kreme and Chick-fil-A - Enough Said!!! (Don't judge me!)
The most precious Holy Spirit..."Through it All" - Andre Crouch
Prayer! His Answers! Without Ceasing for more Faith, Family, Finances and Friends. (His promises and to be "Anxious for Nothing")
Well, there you have it. Yes, I know I left out SO MUCH, but that is where YOU come in! Make your list and post it! Let's share how Thankful we are for this most Joyful time of year!