What is the value of a person? If you were to answer this question literally, the amount of chemicals found in the human body would come to around $160.

Then, of course, there are the internal organs —which could be sold at a greater price, but that is illegal, so they don’t count.

In a survey a few years ago, a small percentage of people said they would murder a stranger for $200,000. Some also said they would murder a family member for $2 million.

Now, ask a mother who is cradling a newborn child in her arms for the very first time how much a life is worth. The answer would be, “You cannot put a price on life. This child is perfect.”

The love, joy, excitement, and hope of a parent holding a child in his or her arms is overwhelming. The love felt is so deep, it is so nearly overwhelming, it feels as though the heart will burst.

The joy that is felt is so strong, that there is laughter, dancing, and tears. The excitement that is so palpable needs to be shared. Phone calls and photos are made and the wonderful news is spread abroad.

And the hope for that child is endless. He or she can become anything in life they set their mind on: the president of this country; the discoverer of new worlds; the first person in the family to graduate college; the one to bring an end to world hunger — the possibilities are limitless.

One cannot put a price on any of this. Life is priceless.

No matter how much love, joy, excitement, and hope we might feel about life, it is nothing compared to the depth of love God has for each and every one of his children. We could take the level we feel and multiply it by a gazillion and we would not come close to God’s depth of love.

Ask God how much a life is worth and he would most likely say, “It is worth my leaving heaven to live among you.” He would most likely say, “It is worth my dealing with rejection by fearful, angry persons.” He would most likely say, “It is worth the sacrifice of my Son.”

God demonstrates the value he places on life each and every day. There are no limits to the worth of his children.

You are one of God’s children. You are worth more than the $160 of chemicals in your body. You are worth more than the price a sick person might place on your head.

You are worth everything to God. 

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: A person's worth is without price

In the book of I Kings, chapter 19, we see the story of Elijah fleeing from Jezebel’s threat.

This is after he inspired a change in many people’s hearts by declaring who God was, and proving how true God is, and eliminating 450 prophets of the false god Baal.

Sadly, Elijah often was maligned as a coward for running away from a face-off with this evil woman.

Allow me to take a different approach.

To protect himself, Elijah was instructed to go into the wilderness, and there he was fed repeatedly by ravens for a period.

At the end of chapter 18, we are told that he girded up himself and ran in the power of the Lord God, outrunning Ahab's chariot to Jezreel’s gates. Ahab goes in and details all of Elijah's exploits to Jezebel and she sends a warning that she will destroy Elijah.

Elijah ran to Judah and left his servant there, safe, while he went into the wilderness to die. But was it truly cowardice and lack of faith that drove him into the wilderness?

I am not so sure.

First of all, he was not afraid to die, but seems to prefer to fall at the hands of a merciful God, not a conniving queen.

Second, I believe that God sent him to Jezreel to let him see that what he had begun was not yet ready to be accomplished: the renewal of Israel back to its God.

I further believe that God was dealing with him and preparing him for his ministry’s next phase.

Perhaps you have done like Elijah and felt like you were the only person standing up for God. You began good work, and let others influence you to become hurt or discouraged.

Learn a lesson from Elijah. When it feels like you can do nothing else, isolate yourself to just you and God — no phones, no radio, just you and Him.

First response for many of you? “I have too many responsibilities to do that.”

Wrong answer.

Nothing and no one is more important than you spending time with the Father. When He calls, move to that place of solitude and listen.

Honestly, to put your responsibilities before God is a little thing called idolatry. Time spent alone with God will prepare you for your life’s next phase.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: When God calls, find solitude and listen

The Bible is clear: Having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ will clean our minds and hearts. The prophet Malachi says we will be cleansed like one using a refiner’s fire or a fuller’s soap.

A fuller washed newly woven cloth to clean out its natural oils and any impurities. Oils and impurities could shorten the life of the cloth, or contaminate items the cloth might touch.

The symbolism of a fuller’s cleaning was used metaphorically during those times to speak of those cleansed of evil. Jesus washes you clean when you accept him as your Savior. He washes out your spiritual impurities so you can live a longer, spiritually healthier life, and so you can be a good example for others to follow.

Malachi also used the metaphor of a refiner’s fire. A refinery was used to melt metals, so impurities could be screened out, leaving pure metal. Through this process, not only was the metal purified, it was also strengthened. Jesus purifies and strengthens a person’s life. Like the refiner’s fire, he removes imperfections and provides strength for living in God’s ways.

One day, a woman wanted to know what that passage was about, so she watched a silversmith work. The silversmith held a piece of silver in the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire, where the flames were hottest. He said he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled and answered, “Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.”

Amid challenges, remember that God is there, keeping an eye on you, never allowing you to stay in the fire too long. He wants to clean you, to rid you of your impurities, and refine you until he can see his own image in you.

This happens when you allow Jesus into your heart. Whatever moral impurities there may be, whatever emotional inadequacies may be felt, whatever self-imposed dirt or filth may be in your life, they are washed away by Jesus.

Imperfections are burned away, and you become strong enough to face life’s challenges and hardships, and celebrate life’s joys.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Grace is like a refiner’s fire

In continuing our look at the vision of Zechariah's lamp stand, found in chapter 4 of the book written by him, we notice a couple of differences and similarities in his lamps and the ones that John saw in the Revelation of Christ, chapter 1. 

The big, glaring difference? In Zechariah, he sees the two branches of the olive trees constantly giving a source to the lamps in the form of their oil. We do not see that in the Revelation.

The reason is quite interesting for, if you recall Jesus’ words, He Himself stated that both the law and the prophets led and guided the children of Israel — the saints of yesteryear — up until John the Baptist came preaching repentance as opposed to works. 

As stated earlier, the law and the prophets were, in my opinion, twin branches that stood by God and lit the way for man to find God.

In the New Testament, Jesus states that He came not to destroy the law and the prophets, but that they pointed the way to Him, and He came to fulfill the law and the prophecies concerning His coming to earth as well as His life, death, burial and resurrection. 

That John did not note the olive branches in His vision, but saw one resembling the Son of Man, Yeshua, Jesus, standing amid the lamps, indicates that indeed He fulfilled both the aforementioned items and He is now the source of the light and the Word.

One key element both of them have is the seven lights, and a reference to God’s seven spirits.

If I may, the idea of seven spirits simply means that in the law and the prophets of the Old Testament, God's Holy Spirit found completion, hence the idea of seven spirits. 

In the Revelation of Christ, we see those same seven spirits mentioned again, revealing that God's Spirit has His completion in the church through Jesus Christ. 

Read these chapters and compare, allowing God to speak to you. In the Old Testament, all points to Christ. In the New, all points to Christ. 

Should not our efforts be to point to Christ? May God bless you.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: All points lead to Christ

One approach to life is, “Be tough. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. If someone does, strike back and make them hurt worse than they hurt you.”

It's an interesting approach. Fend off your enemies. Put up walls (literal and figurative) between you and those who are different. Protect yourself at all costs. If someone wrongs you, get even and never speak to them again.

If this advice is followed throughout your life, you will wind up a hermit. You will have no friends and no family with which to interact.

Periodically we hurt one another. Sometimes it is intentionally done by someone who has an ax to grind, or by someone who was taught early on that getting their own way at any cost is the only way to live.

But most often hurting another is accidental. A slip of the tongue, a thoughtless act, or behavior engaged because of fear happen frequently. They are not intentional.

Seeking forgiveness from that person right away is paramount so it won’t fester into something much worse – like making an enemy. You cannot simply say, “Well, that’s their problem,” because that is not quite true. It is your problem as well. And it can spread to affect others, too.

Jesus provides a very good teaching regarding how to handle such enmity. He taught, “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

This lesson is counterintuitive. Love my enemy? He or she is my enemy. How can I love them? Why should I? They hate me, so I’ll hate them back!

Do good to someone who hates me? Why would I do that? They hate me and would probably be very suspicious that my actions are a way of trying to sneak in and exact revenge somehow.

Bless those who curse me? Sounds like I would just be asking for more abuse. No thank you.

Pray for those who hurt me? Sure, I can do that. “Oh God, send that person an infestation of lice. Amen.”

The thing is, Jesus knows what he is talking about. When you love your enemy, you are loving a child of God. You may not approve of the person’s actions, but you can love the person.

When you do good to those who hate you, they will eventually learn to trust you and understand that you have a good heart. Any prejudice they might have about you will eventually disappear.

When you bless those who curse you, eventually they will stop cursing you because they will recognize your genuine desire to put away any animosity between you.

When you pray for God’s blessing and healing for an enemy will have tremendous results, the healing may not be in the other person, but in your mind and heart.

There may be two different results when following this teaching of Jesus. The first is, your enemy may very well change his or her behavior and attitude toward you. This would be a tremendous blessing all the way around.

The second is, your enemy will not change, but your heart will. Your enemy will no longer be your enemy in your heart. And this releases you to move forward in your life, free from the strain and stress of concern for healing a relationship you did your best to mend.

Love, do good, bless, and pray. This will make all the difference.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Here's why Jesus said love your enemy

God's Law, as it was given through Moses, was to be a light to the Israelites. It would show them the path they must take to be a separate nation, pleasing unto Him. 

The prophets pronounced God’s words and wrote them down for us to see and understand what God was, and is, doing. 

Both the Law and the prophets continued to rule and govern the lives of righteous men and women until the time of John the Baptist (Luke 16:16) — and then began the teachings of repentance and the kingdom of Heaven. 

The Law was the light that shone for a way into God’s presence. King David stated that the Law, the word of God, was a lamp and a light to him for his daily journey. The prophets were the Word, revealing and witnessing of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to come.

Jesus also stated that He came not to get rid of the Law or the prophets, but to fulfill the Law and the prophecies concerning His coming. 

When John, the Revelator, began his presentation of the Gospel, He stated that Jesus was the light (the Law) and the Word (prophets) revealed in one. Jesus became the light by which all mankind might be saved.  He was also God's Word made flesh.

In Zechariah 4, the prophet envisioned a lamp stand that was continually fed by two branches of the olive tree that continue to yield their oil for this lamp to be lit. 

I believe that these two branches represented the Law and the prophets, which stand before God at all times, the very principles by which He sent His only Son to die so we could become pleasing to Him. 

They feed the Gospel today, and have allowed us as Gentiles to be grafted into the vine and share in His Word and His goodness. 

Next week, we will go a little deeper and explore more of the symbolism and importance of this vision of Zechariah's. May God bless you.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Analyzing the law, prophets and the light

This past Thursday was the National Day of Prayer. Within the City of Crestview, plans included two different times and locations for prayer, one for noon at City Hall, and the second at 6 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse.

Different leaders from various denominations were asked to lead the groups in prayer for our government leaders, church leaders, and our nation.

Each year, the Crestview Area Ministerial Association hosts each event. Prayers are lifted by local pastors and participants, asking God to help our nation repent of ways God’s Word has been ignored, to help bring about a sense of humility, and to bless and guide our national, state, and local leaders.

It is the intent of this day to collectively ask God’s guidance and direction for those of us who live and work in this great nation.

The United States Congress established this observance in 1952 as a day to turn to God in prayer and meditation. In recent years, this action came under fire by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. But, in 2011 the foundation lost its bid to declare this action unconstitutional, so the tradition continues.

It is important to remember our prayers do not draw God’s attention to particular situations or desires. God already knows what is going on.

When we pray, we are adding our voices to the prayers that are already ongoing. This strengthens our collective voices and petitions to God.

Sometimes people wonder if prayer works. They wonder if it is worth the time, energy, and effort to pray to God. The answer is “Yes!”

Does God hear? Absolutely! Does God answer our prayers the way we desire? Not always. Can God’s positive answers to our prayers become distorted? And how!

Evil is alive and, unfortunately, very well on planet Earth. For every positive act put into place, there is someone who will try to undermine or destroy the good that is done. And what happens is, people blame God for not answering their prayers. Non-believers point their fingers and laugh at us, wondering where our God is now.

Being people of faith, we never cease our praying. We never give up hope for a better world, a better nation, a better city.

Even though the National Day of Prayer has passed, our prayers continue. Lift yours to God. If you want a better government, pray for the one you have. If you want better leaders, pray for those you have. God hears and God answers.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: God does hear, and answer, prayers

What would life be like if…

●God was the only focus for why people did things?

●all the wonders of creation were viewed with awe?

●all persons respected life as a precious gift?

●all people found ways to praise one another instead of criticize one another?

●all disagreements were handled gracefully?

●all persons made sure one another had enough to eat?

●everyone aided each other following a disaster?

●the color of one’s skin, or the language one spoke made no difference whatsoever?

●all persons treated one another with nothing but respect?

●all persons shunned rudeness?

●all wars were to cease?

Such a worry-free life is what God had in mind, and more, when he created this world. But alas, that utopia was wiped out near the very creation of humanity. One gift God gave to his beloved children was the gift of free choice. And that gift was used to not follow the ways of God, but to seek one’s own pleasures.

Little has changed in the millennia since then. Many people have continued to use their free choice to seek their own pleasures in life. The wonders of creation are exploited for personal gain. Child, spouse and parental abuse continues. Lawsuits are rampant. Greed and selfishness abound. Prejudices for all kinds of reasons flourish. Wars around the world rage on ad nauseam. Sounds pretty bleak, doesn’t it?

Well, it is not nearly as bad as all that! Many people have chosen to use their gift of free choice to live in the ways set before them by God in Jesus Christ. They have chosen to focus on the Lord in everything they do. They view creation with awe and wonder. They view life as the precious gift it is.

There are those who praise one another instead of criticize. And when necessary, they provide discipline in order to correct more than punish.

There are those who are color blind, who do not prejudge persons on any basis, who respect others as children of God, who strive for goodness toward all persons.

They follow one of the teachings of the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22: “Brothers and sisters, encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

How about you? Will you exercise your gift of free choice to live in the ways of God rather than the ways of the world?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: How we use our freedom of choice

To be able to talk to others about our Savior is truly a pleasure.

Many people are receptive to hear of His love and provisions for our lives, just as there are many who want nothing to do with God or His Son. 

And this is in our churches today. 

Sure, people attend church, they might even be involved in the different social aspects, but allow a close look at their lives and we determine that they do not want to be corrected by His Word, even to the point of being offended by His Word and our testimony. 

It is with deep regret that we often see these people only when things are going well, and their way is not being intruded upon. 

Visit the sick? Got it covered.  Give tithes and offerings? Easy.  Even giving to missions is a no-brainer.

But attendance more than twice a year, or once a week? Now you are getting on my rest time. 

Saturday morning breakfast? Only if the weather is too bad. 

We must quit playing church, and start developing our relationship with the heavenly Father.

We cannot call ourselves true believers if our lives are not really changed. 

We cannot and will not be pleasing to Father if our worship is strictly out of duty or done when it is convenient for us. 

Jesus died on His time. He was severely stressed and beaten down; it was not convenient for Him to die for us. 

And yet He did. 

His sacrifice should mean much more to us when we stop and realize that He did it because He loves us — not because it was the right day. It was the right day because God declared it.

My friend, this is the day for you to begin to develop a true and right relationship with Him. 

Love Him for who He is — the Son of God who died for you. 

Let Him into all aspects of your life.  The rewards of salvation alone are well worth our inconveniences.

Seek Him while He may be found.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Today, begin your relationship with God