Encouraging Words by Jamie Futrell

Posted on October 7, 2010

The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians 9:23-25 (NLT)

23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
 24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
Gary Chester Morse was a living example of running the race to win the eternal prize.

I came to work for Gary in 1992.   My future wife already worked for Gary then.  He thought we were made for each other.  And so he helped me to woo her.  Gary was right.  Kimberly was made for me.  I eventually asked her to marry me. 

One week before our wedding, tragedy struck.   My father took his own life.  I was 24.  I didn't know until then that when Gary was 21, his father had committed suicide.  Because of this shared experienced, Gary became more involved in my life.  We began meeting every week to pray together.  He gave me insight and wisdom on marriage, life and fatherhood.  He treated me as if I were someone very special.

As a result my life is entirely different today.  My children are raised in a Godly home.  And I am confident that one day my grandchildren will be as well.  I would often tell Gary thank you.  I would ask him, "Do you realize my entire family tree is different because of you?"  His fingerprints are on so many things in my life. 

But the character that made him the man we loved was forged in some very painful struggles. 

One of the most painful times in Gary's life was in 1981.  He had bought a radio station in Augusta, Georgia.  After that, his life fell apart.  He lost everything.  He found himself 36 years old and living at home again with his mom in Kingsport, Tennessee.  The worst part he told me was his children were living hundreds of miles away in Paducah, Kentucky.  He was missing them so much he could hardly stand it.  One thought kept running through his mind.  Over and over.  Give up.  Quit.  The enemy told him, "You're not going to finish the race."  Gary said suicide seemed like such a reasonable answer.

There was one thing that kept him hanging on one day at a time.  He had written verses from the Bible on index cards to memorize.  He would keep them on the dash of his car and read them every day.  They were God's promises.  There were many days when Gary didn't believe them.  But he kept running the race.  He kept pressing on.  Because he still believed in the One who made the promises.  He read them everyday.  Again and again.

And the Word brought life.  And the Word brought hope.

Obviously, the promises were made good.  When Gary looked back on this period of his life, he realized how God had saved him.  As a result, he decided to record all of the scriptures that God had given him and shared it with others. 

The recording was powerful. 

Gary would give some away and others would pay him something for them.  He touched the lives of thousands of people with what he titled, "The Encouraging Word."  People would stop him or his wife in the grocery store or at church and share with them how God had used the recording to touch them or a family member with the scriptures God gave Gary.

Are you feeling discouraged?  Ready to give up?

Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)

13 ......I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Press on.  Keep running.  Whose life will God change through YOU because you didn't give up.

Gary you did it.  You fought the good fight.  You finished the race with great victory.  Praise be to God.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. P.S.

- If you would like to have a copy of the Encouraging Word; we will be happy to send you one for any size donation to Men Who Win.  Just send a check to:
Men Who Win
133 Springwell Lane
Paducah KY 42001

Jamie Futrell - Men Who Win
Iron Sharpens Iron Ministries
info@menwhowin.com
www.menwhowin.com


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