Amazing Grace Ministry

09/07/2026

Bubba's Buffet
Today's special...soul food.

To the Rescue!

Psalms 31:2 NKJV
[2] Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me.

A thief is usually not happy to see law enforcement arrive at the scene of a crime. But a burglar who became trapped while trying to climb through a small window of a fifth floor apartment was probably relieved when the police and fire crews arrived. It took firefighters thirty minutes to get the bungling burglar to safety, where he was promptly arrested.

The botched burglary is a great example of sin's trap and the need for rescuers. No one plans on getting trapped. The sin itself snags us, and we need rescuers. Those walking in the Spirit are responsible to rescue and humbly restore their brothers and sisters in Christ. What does that look like? The Greek language of the New Testament provides a graphic illustration. The word used for restore is katartizo, describing the setting of a broken bone.

So instead of having the attitude of a legalist, who seeks to exploit fallen brothers and sisters, and make them a topic of discussion, gently rescue others from their sin traps. You may share a house, an office, or a pew with someone who needs you to mend his or her brokenness with the spirit of love. Isn't that how you would hope to be rescued?

Have a blessed day 🙏
Bubba Lightsey
Senior Minister
Amazing Grace Ministry

09/06/2026

True Power

09/06/2026

Bubba's Buffet
Today's special...soul food.

Follow the Leader

Romans 8:14 NKJV
[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Directionally challenged people everywhere were thrilled when navigation systems became available. No longer would the embarrassing "I'm lost" phone call have to be made. Now we travel worry free, allowing the system to do the work for us until it leads us astray. Though there are many appreciative GPS users, occasionally, drivers may circle a block three times before realizing there's not a restaurant in sight, or far worse, find themselves teetering on the edge of a cliff that their navigator insists is the safe route.

As Christians, we have an eternal guide, the Holy Spirit, that serves as our life navigation system. But unlike our GPS, He can be trusted even when He's taking us down an uncertain road because ultimately His way is best.

So the question is simple, will you follow? If we trust our GPS to guide us on a cross country automobile adventure, shouldn't we follow the Holy Spirit through the journey of life? We may not always know where we are, but we will always be exactly where the Lord intends us to be.

Lewis Sperry Chafer once said, "When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak."

Have a blessed day 🙏
Bubba Lightsey
Senior Minister
Amazing Grace Ministry

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Necessary Preparation

By Greg Laurie

“Then the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.’”

—1 Kings 17:2–4

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were among the most wicked rulers in Israel’s history. Not only did they promote the worship of Baal, but they also tried to wipe out the prophets of God. It fell to Elijah to confront the king and warn him of God’s judgment. In 1 Kings 17:1, Elijah informed Ahab that Israel would experience a drought that would last for years.

Then God did something unexpected. Instead of building on that significant moment and initiating the inevitable showdown with the prophets of Baal, God chose a different path for Elijah. According to verses 2–4, “Then the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food’” (NLT).

In other words, “I have a different plan in mind for you, Elijah. I want you to disappear from the scene for a while. In fact, I want you to go to this little brook called Kerith and just hang out there.”

And that’s what Elijah did. He may have been a man of action, but first and foremost he was a man of faith and obedience. So, he went to a place of total obscurity. He took a time-out from his normal prophetic duties.

The reality is that sometimes God will use us and then say, “Now I’m going to work on you for a while. You’re not ready for what I have for you next. I’ve got to whip you into shape a little more.” That’s what He was doing with Elijah.

It wasn’t a time for action; it was a time for stillness and reflection. It wasn’t a time for striving; it was a time for prayer and study. It wasn’t a time for proving; it was a time for growing.

Maybe you’ve experienced a similar unexpected sidelining. Maybe there were cutbacks at work, and you were let go. Maybe you had a ministry that was flourishing but suddenly is now floundering. Perhaps sickness has altered your plans. You’ve had to make changes, and it seems like the end. But maybe it isn’t the end at all. Maybe it’s a new beginning.

The natural reaction to such circumstances is to become anxious or impatient. We may begin to question God, His methods, or His timing. Or we may try to force His hand by taking matters into our own hands. The apostle Paul recommended a different strategy: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT).

God may have closed a door for you because He has another door ready to open at any time. Here’s what you need to do: Wait on the Lord and be faithful to Him. Often the things we go through in life are preparation for something else. Know that God is preparing you for something in your future.

Reflection question: What might God be preparing you for?

09/06/2026

September 5, 2026

Sealed Forever

By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.

Read Revelation 5:1-6:17.

In Revelation, we see the perfect judgment of sin and evil at the end of history. God's judgment comes in groups of seven (the number of perfection), and make no mistake, this judgment will be complete and terrible.

Because the Lamb redeemed the title deed to Earth from the grasp of Satan by His death and resurrection, He alone is worthy to open the scroll and its seals (see Revelation 5). As He opens the first of the seven seals, we are shown the darkest period of human history ever. The first seal sets in motion the Great Tribulation and looses the rider on a white horse, symbolizing the promise of false peace, for the Antichrist will pose as a man of peace. The next three seals bring a red horse, representing war; a black horse, representing economic collapse, famine, riots, and disorder; and a pale horse, representing death.

At the fifth seal, the martyrs cry out for the Lord to avenge, and God tells them to wait just a bit longer (see Revelation 6:10-11). At the breaking of the sixth seal, an unparalleled earthquake shakes the earth. But even then, people will not cry out for mercy or forgiveness. They will be looking for a place to hide (see vv. 15-17).

Between the sixth and seventh seals is an interlude in which the faithful who remain on earth are sealed. None of God's elect will be lost. Then the seventh seal is opened, and seven angels with seven trumpets prepare to sound them—each a judgment to fall on the earth. To reassure us, John is instructed to measure the temple, which means to place boundaries around the elect of God; Satan cannot touch us. Finally, the seventh trumpet sounds, celebrating victory in heaven. Though the end hasn't yet come, the kingdom of the world has changed hands, returning to its rightful owner (see Revelation 11:15-18).

Now, do the catastrophic events of Revelation frighten me? Absolutely not. As these events draw near, I personally become more thrilled to make every minute of my life count in preparation for that great day. Far from being afraid, Jesus encourages, "When these things begin to take place, stand up, lift up your heads because your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28). God's message here and now for every believer in Jesus Christ is "Take heart! You are destined for glory."

Prayer: Lord, empower me to remember I am destined for glory as I face trials on this earth. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth'" (Revelation 5:9-10).

09/04/2026

Bubba's Buffet
Today's special...soul food.

Burying a Grudge

Matthew 5:44 NKJV
[44] But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

When Methodist pastor Charles Allen was in the fourth grade, a school official mistreated him. The man, who had a falling out with Allen's father, took it out on the son. Years later, during Allen's first pastorate, he heard that his old antagonist was seeking a job with area schools. Allen knew that as soon as he told his friends on the school board about the man, they would not hire him.

He later wrote, "I went out to get in my car to go see some of the board members, and suddenly it came over me what I had done. Here, I was out trying to represent Him, who was nailed to the Cross and me carrying a grudge. That realization was a humiliating experience. I went back into my house, knelt by my bedside, and said, 'Lord, if you will forgive me of this, I will never be guilty anymore.'"

The concept of grace is hard to understand because it's so far removed from how we as fallen people relate to each other. But we do know that grace changes things. Just as God offered us grace and forgiveness through the Cross, we can offer grace and forgiveness to those who have hurt us.

Ruth Bell Graham once said, "Every cat knows some things need to be buried."

Second helping,

I know, easier said then done. And there's much more to grace and forgiveness than most people think. Most people think that as long as they aren't plotting against someone, they have forgiven them. Not quite. True forgiveness is a hug or a handshake. Maybe a gentle hand on a shoulder or pat on the back. Looking someone in the eye and saying I love you. And meaning it. If I can do it, anyone can. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

What's impossible for us is easily accomplished with Christ working through us. Nothing is impossible for Him.

Have a blessed day 🙏
Bubba Lightsey
Senior Minister
Amazing Grace Ministry

09/04/2026

Dr. Michael Youssef closes Haggai with God’s command to His discouraged people: be strong, because He is with you. The inerrant Word of God calls believers to reject fear, repent of compromise, and stand firm when others abandon Biblical Truth. Our courage rests not in circumstances, but in the pr...

09/04/2026

Friday, September 4, 2026

Hearing God’s Voice in His Word

By Greg Laurie

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

—Psalm 119:105

“God is love; He doesn’t punish people.” “God wants us to be our authentic selves and not listen to people who judge us.” “God doesn’t care about rules; He cares about what’s best for each person.” How many variations of these statements and others like them have you heard or read recently?

There are a lot of people today who claim to hear the voice of God telling them to do this or that. Some even claim God is telling them to disregard biblical teachings in favor of a more inclusive approach to Christianity. No matter how convincing these arguments may seem, however, we must remember that God never contradicts His Word. His truth never fades, changes, or evolves. It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He always will lead us according to what His Word says.

That’s a hard pill for some people to swallow, especially when they see God’s Word as keeping them from pursuing their own desires. As a result, some come up with some lame concepts, such as, “We’re not married, but God has told us it’s okay to have sex.” I can assure them that God didn’t say that because in His Word says, "God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin" (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT). God won’t contradict His Word.

We also need to realize that God’s Word isn’t an obstacle; it’s an opportunity. Think back to the time when people used to send letters by mail. If you were expecting a letter from someone, you’d stand at the window, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for the postal worker to come by. Then you’d bolt to the mailbox to look for your letter. Maybe it was from someone you were in love with. Maybe it was an answer to a job application. Maybe it was something you ordered in the mail. Maybe it was important news you’ve been waiting for.

But what if you had a handwritten note sent to you from God Himself? Would you carry it around in your pocket for a couple of weeks and open it when you got around to it? I doubt it. You probably would tear it open as you’re thinking, “Wow, God spoke to me! What does He have to say?”

The Bible is a written letter from God. Many people carry it around. They have it in different colors and sizes. They have it in different translations. They even have it on their phones and devices. But they never open it. A letter from God Himself goes unread.

What a missed opportunity! The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NLT) God stands ready to illuminate every area of our lives. If you want Him to speak to you, then open His Word.

In the noise and busyness of social media, you’ll find countless people who will tell you what God wants and doesn’t want, what He loves and hates, what He rewards and punishes, and what He cares about and what He’s indifferent to.

But only in the quiet stillness of reading His Word for yourself will you find the truth about our heavenly Father.

Reflection question: How do you make the most of your time in God’s Word?