Big Creek Church

06/26/2026

THE PREACHER AND THE MOONSHINER
By: Pastor Johnie Akers

Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God.” The story is told of a country preacher who, many years ago, was driving through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky on a narrow road. He said he felt that the Lord told him to stop his car, get out and preach. He didn’t see anyone around, and at first was a little skeptical—but he did what he had been told to do by the Lord and he preached the Gospel to the trees and forest creatures. Some weeks later he was stopped by a man on the street. This man was a resident moonshiner. He told the preacher that on that afternoon he had seen the preacher’s car coming down the road and that he had hidden in a ditch to avoid being witnessed to. The very spot where he was lying was the place the preacher stopped his car. As the moonshiner lay in that ditch, the Holy Spirit used the sermon by the preacher to bring the man to repent and change his life. Like the preacher, we may, at times, become a bit skeptical as to the leading of the Lord, throughout our day to day activities. But how often, does God attempt to break through the hustle and bustle of our busy days to attempt to get us to be obedient in a direction that He has sovereignly planned to impact someone’s life. You see, God knew where the moonshiner was—not only in the ditch, but at a point in his life where he needed to make a change. In the preacher, God found an obedient vessel, who was willing to even appear foolish, in preaching a sermon to trees and forest animals, to obey the voice of the Spirit of God. God’s voice to you today may not direct you to some profound act such as preaching to the woods, but I believe if we are sensitive enough to His direction, there are hurting lives and hungry souls that God desires to lead us into their paths to become a light as they traverse through dark circumstances, and to bring them hope, through a way of a myriad of uncertainties. Be sensitive to His voice and leading today, it could change your life and without a doubt, change someone else’s, by bringing them to the dawning of a hope-filled new day.

06/25/2026

THANKS FOR THE LICE
By: Pastor Johnie Akers

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks.” While Corrie ten Boom was living in a German concentration camp, her entire body became infested with lice, making a bad situation even worse. Due to the horrific conditions of the camp, she was unable to rid herself of the little pests. They infested not only her hair and clothing, but also her bed. One day she was complaining rather vociferously about the lice to her sister. Whereupon her sibling reminded her of the Scripture, “In everything give thanks.” From that point on, Corrie’s sister challenged her to begin giving God thanks for the insects. Corrie’s response was, “How can I give thanks to God for lice?” “Just try it,” challenged her sister. From that time on, Corrie ten Boom made a conscious decision to offer thanks to God for the lice. Later, after her release from the concentration camp, Corrie found out that the lice had actually protected her from the assaults of the German soldiers. Word had spread throughout the camp, even to the Germans, that Corrie ten Boom was infested with lice. The German soldiers, fearing they too might become infested, kept their distance from Corrie. You and I will never fully appreciate how a wise and heavenly Father may use what seem to be annoyances to us, for our greater good. This is why it is imperative that in all situations or as Apostle Paul put it in our Scripture lesson today, “In everything give thanks.” I never thought there was any good purpose for gnats until an entomologist told me that without them, some plants would not be pollinated, and some animals would die of starvation because gnats were in their food chain. Today, take another look at what initially may seem to be areas of annoyance in your life. These could range from uncontrollable circumstances in your personal life, to family members or co-workers that beleaguer you on a daily basis. Begin giving God thanks, even for the things or people that annoy you. Sooner or later, you will discover how God is actually using the little nettles of your life to fulfill a greater purpose, for His glory, during each new day.

06/24/2026

06/24/2026

GO AHEAD AND ROLL YOUR EYES
By: Pastor Johnie Akers

Matthew 25:14-18, “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one . . . Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same and made them other five talents. And likewise, he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.” School children in Singapore don’t get punished for rolling their eyes at their teachers. In fact, they’re encouraged to do so. Every morning before assembly, the children can be seen standing in rows rubbing and rolling their eyes to slow music. Teachers say the daily exercises help improve blood flow, relax the eye muscles and reduce eye strain. Some say it can even improve eyesight. Every muscle in the human body can benefit from regular exercise. Without regular use, our muscles can wither away; but with regular use, they become stronger. Faith is a muscle! When Jesus told the parable of the talents, from where we derive out Scripture lesson today (Matthew 25:14-30), He was actually describing two men who elected to “exercise their faith” and invest the money their benefactor had entrusted them with, and a third man who elected not to “exercise” his faith, and, thus, not make any monetary investment. The result? The two men who worked their “faith muscles” were rewarded with a noticeable return of their investment. Meanwhile, the man who allowed his “faith muscle” to remain dormant lost his talent—that is, he was stripped of his opportunity to use his faith (by investing the money given him) because his faith had withered through lack of use. Every opportunity you have to use your God-given resources and abilities is actually an opportunity to “exercise your faith.” Make the most of those opportunities; don’t take the risk of allowing your faith to wither away and become an immaterial footnote on your life. Examine your life today. Take inventory of the God given deposit in your life. Then, do what you do best; take what God has given you and through faith, exercise it to fulfill your greatest potential. In doing so, you will find true peace and fulfillment in life, for this and each new day.

06/23/2026

POWER IN THE BLOOD
By: Pastor Johnie Akers

1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” As the great Methodist evangelist John Wesley was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused and turned back to face the preacher. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’“ The thief hurried away into the darkness, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit. Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ and a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! “I owe it all to you,” said the transformed man. “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!” My friend, there is still power in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ to wash away every vestige of sin from your life as well. Listen, we are all human, we all have made mistakes that in retrospect we wish we had not. But no matter who you are, or what you have done, the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you this day. As William Cowper’s great hymn resounds, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins, and sinners plunge beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains.” Right now, receive by faith the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ, and the transformative power of God’s mercy and grace can impart to you peace and absolution for this new day.

06/22/2026

CHOOSE LIFE
By: Pastor Johnie Akers

Deuteronomy 30:19, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” In December 1995, American Airlines Flight 965 departed from Miami on a regularly scheduled trip to Cali, Columbia. On the landing approach, the pilot of the 757 needed to select the next radio navigation fix, named Rozo. He entered an R into his navigation computer. The computer returned a list of nearby navigation fixes starting with R, and the pilot selected the first of these, whose latitude and longitude appeared to be correct. Unfortunately, instead of Rozo, the pilot selected Romeo, 132 miles to the northeast. The jet was southbound, descending into a valley that runs north-south, and any lateral deviation was dangerous. Following indications on the flight computer, the pilots began an easterly turn and slammed into a granite peak at 10,000 feet. One hundred and fifty-two passengers and all eight crew members aboard perished. Four passengers survived with serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated and declared the problem human error. The navigational aid the pilots were following was valid but not for the landing procedure at Cali. In the literal definition of the phrase, this was indeed human error, because the pilot selected the wrong fix. The front panel of the airplane’s navigation computer showed the currently selected navigation fix and a course deviation indicator. When the plane is on course, the needle is centered, but the needle gives no indication whatsoever about the correctness of the selected radio beacon. The gauge looks pretty much the same just before landing as it does just before crashing. The computer told the pilot he was tracking precisely to the beacon he had selected. Unfortunately, it neglected to tell him the beacon he selected was a fatal choice. Friends, our lives are a product of the choices we make. Choices have consequences; some good, some bad. In our Scripture lesson today, the Lord gives us an open book test, with the answer provided. He sets before us two choices and then tells us which one to choose—choose life. Any other course is a fatal error. Choose life, the result will always be a favorable outcome and a safe landing for this and each new day.

06/19/2026

SOAK OFF THE LEECHES
By: Pastor Johnie Akers

Matthew 18:21, 22, “Then came Peter to him, and said, ‘Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘I say not unto thee, ‘Until seventy times:’ but, ‘Until seventy times seven.’” In Gary Preston’s book, Character Forged from Conflict (Bethany, 1999), he tells about a traveler making his way with a guide through the jungles of Burma. They came to a shallow but wide river and waded through it to the other side. When the traveler came out of the river, numerous leeches had attached to his torso and legs. His first instinct was to grab them and pull them off. His guide wisely stopped him, warning that pulling the leeches off would only leave tiny pieces of them under the skin. Eventually, infection would set in. The best way to rid the body of the leeches, the guide advised, was to bathe in a warm balsam bath for several minutes. This would soak the leeches, and soon they would release their hold on the man’s body. Preston went on to suggest the powerful lesson represented by the sage advice of the jungle guide. When we have been affected by injury from another person, as the leeches would attach themselves to one’s body, our first instinct is to attempt to yank the experience from our lives, and expect all the bitterness, malice, and emotion to be instantly gone. However, resentment still hides under the surface. The only way to become truly free of the offense and to forgive others is to bathe in the soothing waters of God’s forgiveness. When we immerse ourselves in the revelation of how God has extended His love and forgiveness to us, in spite of who we are and what we have done, the result is that all of the leeches that have clung to us from being exposed to the wrong doing of others, will release themselves and thereby release us from their infectious grip, not only freeing us presently, but mitigating any long-term negative effects in our lives. Listen friend, true freedom from the injuries that others have imposed upon us can only be found in the forgiveness Christ Jesus has extended to us. By bathing in those soothing waters, one can enjoy a new found freedom from past hurts and the release to experience His mercy and grace with each new day.

06/18/2026

KNOCKING ON THE CHURCH DOOR
By: Pastor Johnie Akers

Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally well read Bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and jewelry. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor: “Before you come back here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship in church.” The old cowboy assured the preacher he would. The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the cowboy and said, “I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.” “I did,” replied the old cowboy. “If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for coming to this church?” asked the preacher. “Well, sir, God told me that He didn’t have a clue what I should wear. He said He’d never been in this church.” In our Scripture lesson today, the Lord is on the outside of the church at Laodicea, knocking on the door to get inside. Let us always be guarded against exclusionary judgments of others, for in doing so, the One we actually exclude, is the Lord himself. God has no respect of persons. He accepts all who come to Him. By accepting “whosoever will,” we accept Him into the midst of our churches, our homes and our lives; and it is His presence among us that will transform, not only Sunday, but every day into a new day.