Saying the Right Words at the Right Time
Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. We are all familiar with the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Now, of course, we know that is not true. The Bible warns us that our words have power. Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. They can either build up or break down. Mark Twain once said, "The difference between the right word and the wrong word is like the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." Wise people are careful in choosing their words when settling differences. Saying the right thing in the right way at the right time can be very effective in making peace with another person. The reference to apples of gold in pictures of silver describes something that is both exceptionally beautiful and extremely valuable. It aptly illustrates the benefits of well-chosen, properly-spoken words that bring reconciliation. This means they are beautiful and valuable. A person who knows the right words to say is like an artist who can make beautiful, valuable things out of silver and gold. The most valuable thing you can give most people is a word of constructive encouragement. It doesn't take much, but a little encouragement will go a long way in a person’s life. Saying the right word(s) at the time is priceless. Our words have great power. They can build up and encourage someone who is struggling, or they can tear down and discourage someone who is seeking help. When we choose our words, we should always be aware of the impact that they can have on others. David wrote, “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me” (Psalm 39:1). Few things are more needed in our world than constructive words—words that heal, uplift, and encourage! Proverbs tells us Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones (Proverbs 16:24). Since our words can have such a powerful impact on others, we should choose them carefully and make sure they are filled with grace. We should always be on the lookout for opportunities God gives us to speak a constructive, encouraging word to family members, friends, and associates. Since we encounter people every day who are dying for a kind, encouraging word let’s remember Proverbs 25:11. There is a time for strong words in confrontation of sin. There is a time for comforting words when someone has a broken heart. There is a time for instructing words when someone needs guidance. Wisdom rightly assesses the situation and the need and then uses words which are appropriate to meet the need of the moment. Encouragement is a universal need and, unfortunately, one that often goes unmet. I know that I've often been found lacking in encouraging others. Encouragement doesn't have to be a big or expensive gift. Often all that is needed is simply a gracious note or a kind word. Question to Consider: How often does God want to use us to bless someone else, but we fail to do so? Point to Ponder: Ask the Lord what words and verses you can use to encourage someone this week. Prayer, Help me, Lord, to always remember that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Forgive me for being critical, judgmental, sarcastic, rude or unkind with my words. Help me to speak life and encouragement to those around me. Help me to be careful and responsible with my mouth to be wise and use my tongue to speak healing words. Teach me to know when to speak and when to be still or pray. In Jesus name Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Can Your Life Be Interrupted? (Mark 1:16-20)
The first group of men Jesus called to follow him were brothers, Simon and Andrew, then James and John. Jesus confronted these men with life’s greatest challenge and most important calling. Jesus was asking these men to become His disciples and then begin fishing for people to also follow Him. Both sets of brothers immediately left behind the lives they had known and embarked on an incredible adventure. But when Jesus called them to follow Him as disciples they immediately left their nets. Peter and Andrew along with James and his brother, John, were the first disciples that Jesus called to work with him. Jesus' call motivated these men to get up and leave their successful jobs—immediately. They didn't make excuses about why it wasn't a good time. They left at once and followed. Jesus calls each of us to follow him. When Jesus asks us to serve him we must be like the disciples and do it at once. Once Jesus presented His mission to them they followed without hesitation. Peter and Andrew left immediately while on the job; James and John left their father in the boat. These disciples were skillful at catching fish, but they would need special training before they would become able to fish for people's souls. Jesus was calling them away from their productive trades to be productive spiritually by helping others believe the Good News and carry on Jesus' work after He was gone. Jesus called His disciples to fish for souls with the same zeal and determination they had previously used to fish for food. The Gospel would be like a net, pulling people into its grasp, transforming their lives. Many people would be lifted from dark waters into the light of day. God did not save us solely so that we could go to Heaven. He calls and commands us to have an impact here on Earth, as well. When we trade the shame of the cross of Christ for the applauses and acceptance of men we have forfeited the power to shake the world. It is far better to be despised and even persecuted than to live a life without making a difference for God. ·The Gospel makes missionaries of all God's people! ·How can God use you to be His fisher of men? ·How can you train new converts to find new seas and cast nets where waters have never been fished before? Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding me that mankind’s greatest need is Jesus Christ. I’m humbled that You would use ordinary people like me to do your extraordinary work. Thank You for equipping me for Your kingdom work. I pray for Your Spirit’s leading in my life to reach as many souls in this world’s dark waters that You may get the glory. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatian 5:22-23)
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. In John 15 Jesus taught and preached concerning bearing fruit. Jesus uses the illustration of a vineyard to tell us how to allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit. In this passage God is the husbandman (John 15:1), Jesus is the vine (John 15:1, 5), and we are the branches (John 15:5). Without the vine the branch can do nothing (John 15:4-5). Just as the branch needs the life of the vine every day, we need the Holy Spirit of God every day. The fruit of the Spirit (not fruits) is like a cluster of grace. It has all of these in the one cluster. A fruit tree such as an apple tree produces several apples but only apples. The Holy Spirit is the Source of all spiritual fruit in our lives. Picture one tree producing nine different kinds of fruit. Examples: Apples, Oranges, Pear, Bananas, Peaches, Cherries, Plums, Grapes, Strawberries. The fruit of the Spirit has nine components: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit has three groups.
By yielding to the Lord we become fruitful. As Christians, we are called to bear fruit. That means we are to produce the fruit of the Spirit in increasing abundance over the course of our faith walk. All the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit must be present in our lives if we are allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in us. The fruit of the Spirit is for the benefit of others. Within each of us there is an abundant harvest of fruit to minister to those we encounter. All around us are people who desperately need love, joy, peace, gentleness, someone to be patient with them, be good to them, and so on. The fruit of the Spirit enables us to meet the basic human needs God has instilled in every human being. Question to Consider: Can you think of one person who manifests the character of Jesus Christ so much that when you are with him or her, you feel as if you have been with Jesus? Point to Ponder: Write down some ways the Lord is using you to display His fruit in your life. Prayer: Lord, thank You for sowing Your Spirit and Word into my life. Help me yield to the divine seed You have planted inside me. I know that Your life resides in me, longing to be released, so today I make the choice to let Your Spirit start working mightily inside me. Thank You for the life of God that is flowing up from my spirit right now, producing the life and the nature of Jesus Christ in me! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Rooted in the Word (Colossians 2:7)
Colossians 2:7, Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Paul uses the words rooted, built up, stablished, and abounding to describe how we grow in Christ. We are rooted in Him. We are not spiritual “tumbleweeds,” having no roots and being blown around by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). What determines the height and strength of a tree is the depth of its roots! The same is true in our Christian lives. The degree of our spiritual growth is determined by the depth of our spiritual roots in Christ. The Christian walk must be “rooted” and “built up” to endure. The word picture goes back to the parable of the sower. Jesus spoke of the importance of the root system when the Word is spoken and spread. Matthew 13:3-8, And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Faith which is firmly rooted in sound doctrine is vital to the survival and success in the Christian life. The Alpine tundra located in the Rockies is a type of natural region or biome that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. The high altitude causes an adverse climate, which is too cold and windy to support tree growth. However, there a flower of minute size and breath-taking beauty which can thrive and survive these harsh conditions. The source of this tiny plants survival and success is due to its three-foot-long root! On that mountain tundra, the wind blows hard and relentlessly, and the snow is deep and long lasting. But that tiny flower is firmly anchored, allowing it to burst forth in glory each spring. In the same way, may the flower of our soul have such a deep anchor in God and His Word. Just what is involved in a “root” that stabilizes and provides nourishment for the seed of the Gospel in the human heart? Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 3:17, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,. To grow in Christ we must be built up in him. This process is called sanctification, in which we become more and more like Jesus. When you begin construction of a building, you know from the start what you want it to look like when it is completed. Each of us is a spiritual building under construction that begins at salvation and continues for the rest of our lives. God knows the end result of what He is constructing in our lives. One day, we will all be complete. The lesson in botany teaches us to read God's Word slowly, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, word by word, letting it sink deeply into our minds and hearts. It is like the root that little alpine flower puts down to survive on the tundra. Fervent love for God’s Word and for the work of the ministry is crucial for success. When we meditate on God's Word and His work in the world around us, we lengthen the root of our soul into the life-giving soil of God's superior goodness. Prayer, Lord, Help me to truthfully analyze every part of my life in order to see what areas need to be more deeply rooted in You. I want my roots to go down so deeply that no storms of life and no attacks from the devil will be able to move me from the place where You have called me. Help me to stay so fixed, firm, strong, and stable that once I enter the fruit-producing season, I will never leave it! In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com A Passion for His Word (Joshua 1:8-9)
Joshua 1:8-9, This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Meditation on the Word of God is to be done continuously, not spasmodically. Meditation promotes consecration. If you do not meditate on the Word, you will not be obedient to the Word. This success needs to be understood as spiritual success, not necessarily material or financial success. The thought is that God’s Word was to be so familiar to Joshua that it would continually be upon his tongue. Familiarity with the Word of God to such a degree that it modifies our behavior comes by meditating therein day and night. The word meditate has the sense to ‘muse or think upon.’ The absorbing the Word of God to the degree that it soaks down into one’s heart. This clearly implies reading and studying it. The phrase “day and night” has the sense of spending time in God’s Word each day and evening. It is only when God’s Word so saturates our mind, soaking down into our heart, that we will actually do all that is written therein. Biblical mediation is not at all the same thing as non-Christian forms of meditation. In those practices, many of which have become popular in the last twenty-five or thirty years, the focus is on emptying the mind. In Biblical meditation we seek to clear our minds of the clutter that prevents us from focusing fully on God. We push aside that which keeps us from filling our minds with God's Word and his work in creation, the world and other people. Meditation could be summed up by this comparison: we seek to immerse ourselves in God’s Word as a sponge soaks up water. We train ourselves for a time to set aside everything we have to do and focus on what God wants us to become. We spend time intentionally listening for the voice of God (not audibly) speaking to us, through Scripture. We must be careful what we fill our minds with. It is very important that meditating on Scripture be our first priority. Otherwise we may lose our ability to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, which He promises His followers will recognize in John 10:3-4. But beyond that meditation on Scripture, we should begin to meditate on how God is working in the various people and situations we encounter, always listening for (meditating on) how God might want us to respond to those encounters. We can also look for (meditate on) God's work in creation. We must then in all humility take the things we have heard from God in our meditation and process them with other Christians. Since Satan can masquerade as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14), we need to have accountability regarding "a Word from the Lord." History is littered with the destroyed lives of those who did not heed the warning to seek accountability. How do you meditate Biblically? Example: If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Worry is taking a fearful thought and thinking about it over and over from every angle. Meditation is taking a verse of Scripture and thinking about it over and over from every angle, looking for application. Meditation always has application as its goal. The result of meditating on God’s Word is that we stay spiritually healthy and strong during the difficult seasons of life (Psalm 1:3). Bible study and Scripture memory should never be an end in themselves. We must also meditate, which always enables us to apply God’s Word to our lives. Going through God's Word is not as important as allowing God's Word to go through you. Seven Scriptures referencing meditation: Psalm 1:2; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 63:6; Psalm 119:15; Psalm 119:97; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:8. Prayer, Father, thank You for creating in me a passion for You. Help me to better understand and apply Your Word. Help me to clear my mind of those things that will prevent You of helping me have the mind of Your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Walk in Wisdom (Psalm 37:23)
Psalm 37:23, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. There is nothing more satisfying to a believer than to be living in the will of God for his life. And it is good to know that God actually delights in leading us along that way which He is laying out for us. That verse gives us a basic principle for knowing His way. We need to seek His leading in everything! Of course, it may not be an easy path. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (I Peter 2:21). Even if the path seems difficult at times, it is a good path, because it honors Him. An important check to be sure we are not drifting far off the path is to be sure we don’t disobey or question His written Word. “Order my steps in thy word,” we should pray each day (Psalm 119:133). God Himself establishes the path of the righteous person. David and Solomon make it clear that walking in God’s presence is necessary to a righteous life (Psalm 23:3; Proverbs 8:17-20). Meditate today on “the way of righteousness.” This speaks of a course of action; a life direction; a pattern of behavior; a series of circumstances. Life has many paths. You can choose many courses and directions for your life. Some paths are obviously wrong and they take us to very bad places. If you follow those wrong roads in life, you get to a place where you wonder, What am I doing here? I didn’t want my life to be about this. I had bigger and better dreams. You are ready for God's way of righteousness. Seeking His way is the first step to getting out of wrong paths and back into a way of living that God can bless. Proverbs 14:12; 16:25, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. That’s not what you want to do with your life. Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. If you have a heart to be on the right path, your ears ought to perk up when the Word of God says, “…he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” (Psalm 23:3). Literally it means into right paths. God Himself is very interested in your being on the right path—paths that lead to joy, peace, and blessing. You may say, “I want those paths that lead to life and blessing and prosperity.” Psalm 16:11, speaking of the Lord, says, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;” Isn’t it encouraging to know that God guides our paths? The hand of Almighty God, if you’ll submit to Him, is directing you into the right way. It might not be my way; it might not be someone else’s way. But it’s the right path for you as you continually seek to respond to His guidance and leading. Points to Ponder: ·There are paths that are right for a season. ·This was good at one time in our lives, but now He may need you to go a different way. ·Even on a good path God might change your life and send you in a new direction. ·Your plan should be to seek His guidance in His Word and by His Spirit whether you stay the course or make a turn. Questions to Consider: ·In what ways can you see the path of righteousness God is leading you on? ·How are you regularly submitting to His guidance? Prayer, Father, I believe You have a path of righteousness planned for me: I want to take every step on it! Alert me if I wander, correct me if I persist in a wrong detour. Thank You for the promise of Your presence and guidance. Thank You for Your Son’s commitment to never leave me or forsake me. I can rest and walk in righteousness with those promises. In Jesus’ name, amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Intimacy with Christ through Suffering
I Peter 2:21-24, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. The truth is, Jesus Christ suffered immensely. Part of His suffering was intended as an example to us that we should follow in his steps. The crucial principle here is not whether we will suffer, but rather how we react to trouble and suffering when it comes. We have been called to follow Jesus’ example - Luke 9:23, John 16:33, Acts 9:16, Acts 14:22, II Timothy 3:12, I Corinthians 11:1. The Apostle refers to when Jesus was reviled. This has the thought of verbal abuse: being cursed, mocked, ridiculed, or verbally attacked. Though this certainly happened in the hours prior to and during His crucifixion, it also happened on other occasions during His ministry. Rather, when verbally assailed, Jesus “reviled not again.” The thought is that He did not answer. He took it humbly and graciously. Moreover, “when he suffered” (unjustly), He did not threaten. At no time on the cross did He threaten vengeance against his tormentors. Rather, He committed (entrusted) Himself to His heavenly Father “that judgeth righteously.” In other words, rather than retaliate, He left it all and Himself in the Father’s hands (the righteous Judge to whom vengeance belongs - Isaiah 53:7; Luke 23:46; Romans 12:19). Adoniram Judson, endured great hardship in his efforts to take the gospel to a country that had never heard it before. The sickness of the tropics and the heavy persecution they faced took a heavy toll on the missionary and his family. His first wife and several children died on the mission field, and then Judson had to bury his second wife as well. At one point he wrote back to America, “If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.” When Adoniram Judson’s second wife told him that a newspaper article likened him to some of the apostles, Judson replied, "I do not want to be like a Paul...or any mere man. I want to be like Christ...I want to follow Him only, copy His teachings, drink in His Spirit, and place my feet in His footprints...Oh, to be more like Christ!" Even before the world was created, God’s plan was for us to be, “conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). God did not save us solely to allow us to go to Heaven, though of course that is a wonderful and undeserved blessing. God’s purpose and plan for your life today is for you to be a reflection of His Son. God also saved us so that we could go into the world just as Jesus did and point men and women to Him. God intends for us to be walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ as we go through this world. Adonirum Judson was the first missionary to India. Upon arrival to Burma, he started witnessing, started church services, and did all he could do, but to no avail. For 7 years, he preached and labored in Burma with not one convert. By many standards he was a failure. In fact, he was thrown in jail and while in jail, his wife traveled back to America. In that Burmese prison with 32 lbs. of chains on him and a Burmese prisoner next to him, he could have justified giving up in his own mind. When his fellow prisoner asked him what he thought of the prospect of the conversion of the heathen, he replied, "The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God." But rather than give up, and looking for an easier place to minister, he remained faithful and eventually, by the time Judson left Burma, there were over 10,000 people who had trusted Christ and dozens of churches that had been started, Judson’s translation of the Bible into the Burmese language is still in use today, touching lives more than 150 years after his death, all because a man passed the test of faithfulness. Prayer, Father, if we are imitations of one thing, may it be of Your Son, Jesus. We will never be perfectly like Him on this side of heaven, but we can become increasingly like Him. Teach us to “follow in His steps,” to practice spiritual disciplines as an expression of love and admiration for Jesus, not as an empty attempt to earn Your favor. God, You are the one who sanctifies us and works in us to make us more authentic imitations of Jesus Christ our Lord, in Jesus name we pray, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 5 Ways God Encourage Us? (I Peter 5:7)
I Peter 5:7, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. George Mueller (1805-1898) built many orphanages at Ashley Down, England. He relied only on God to supply the money and food needed to support the hundreds of homeless children he befriended in the name of Christ. A man of radiant faith, he kept a motto on his desk for many years that brought comfort, strength, and uplifting confidence to his heart. It read, “It matters to Him about you.” Mueller believed that those words captured the meaning of I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Mueller rested his claim for God’s help on that truth. He testified at the end of his life that the Lord had never failed to supply all his needs. Just a Mueller faced many trials and afflictions and was cared for by the Lord, God will preserve you and revive you in your hour of need if you will seek His help. How does He revive and encourage us? 5 Ways God Encourage Us? 1. By His Presence Matthew 14:27, But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. When He is near, we need not fear. Jesus would later said, “Lo, I am with you alway.” If we will realize He is always with us, we need never fear. 2. By His Promises Romans 15:4, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. The Scriptures give us an innumerable amount of promises to encourage us to live for God. 3. By His Power Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Paul knew the source of his strength. It was Jesus Christ. With His help, anything is possible. 4. By Prayer John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 5. By our Partners in Ministry Philippians 4:18, But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Their support had enabled his every need to be met. He acknowledges what they both already knew and that was that Epaphroditus had been the messenger who had conveyed their giving to him. Even as such a sacrifice was pleasing to both God and man, their offering to Paul served the same purpose. A true friend is one who rushes in when others rush out. A true friend will strengthen you with prayers, bless you with their love, and encourage you with a word. If you are lugging around worries, cares, and concerns about your family, your business, your church, or any other area of your life, why not stop right now and say, “Jesus, I’m yielding every one of these concerns to You today. I cast my burden on You, and I thank You for setting me free! To “cast” means to hurl, to throw, and it often means to vehemently throw or to fling something with great force with intensity. Points to Ponder: You don’t have to carry the whole weight of the world by yourself. Jesus loves you so much and is so deeply concerned about you and the difficulties you are facing. He calls out to you today, “Roll those burdens over on Me. Let Me carry them for you so you can be free!” Questions to Consider: Do you habitually worry and fret about certain things? What are the issues that weigh on your mind more than anything else? Are you able to cast these cares over onto the Lord, or do you keep stirring yourself up with thoughts of fear, reigniting the fretting and the worry all over again even after you have already released those cares to the Lord? Prayer, Lord, I thank You for what I’ve read today. I regret having carried these burdens and worries so long by myself when, in fact, You were always ready to take them from me and to carry them on my behalf. But it’s never too late to do what is right, so right now I make the decision to yield to You every one of these matters that are bothering me. Thank You for coming alongside me to take these weights from my shoulders. Because You are so loving and attentive to me, I can now go free. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 10 Steps to Building Biblical Relationships
Biblical Building Block #10 Comfort One Another (I Thessalonians 4:18) I Thessalonians 4:18, Wherefore comfort one another with these words. “Are you ready?” is a question that is asked on a regular basis in our lives. Are you ready for vacation? Ready for Christmas? Ready for the weekend? Ready for work? Ready for school? Seems we’re always getting ready for something. Of all the things we could be getting ready for, what do you think is the biggest and most important? Your wedding day? Graduation? First day on the job? How about the face-to-face encounter with God that you will have at the end of your life? Many people look at us Christians and wonder, "Why are they so hopeful?" The reason is very simple. This life is not all there is. We are looking for something far better. We know we'll spend the rest of our lives with the LORD in Heaven. We do not need to face the future with fear. In fact, the truth of the Rapture is meant to build confidence, not doubt or uncertainty. The certain promise of the Lord’s return is one of the great sources of hope for the believer. When reading from I Thessalonians 4:13, what begins with ignorance, grief, and hopelessness ends with comfort (I Thessalonians 4:18). Only God could take the deepest of human sorrows and in only six verses transform them into hope. That is exactly what this passage is about—hope. Death does not have the final word. The false teachers do not have the final word. Human speculation does not have the final word. Into the darkness of our confusion, God shines the light of His truth. Paul says we should comfort one another because of all that we know about the coming of the Lord. Comfort means to call to one's side, to call to one's aid, to comfort and exhort. The reason many are falling away and giving up on the Lord is because they have lost hope. It is our responsibility to comfort one another with the teaching of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. When will the rapture occur? No man knows. But increasingly, we see the signs of Jesus' coming around us. Perhaps we'll be the generation that "will not die" but will be carried up to Heaven. Those who are already dead in Christ will go up first, and we'll all meet Jesus in the air. Do I really believe this will happen or am I clinging hopelessly to some ancient fantasy? I believe that Jesus will return as strongly as I believe anything else. Let me ask you today. Do you have this hope? Are you ready to meet Him? Are you living daily like Jesus can come again? Would you commit your life daily to Jesus to live for Him and to look for Him? If Jesus came today would you be ready? Do others around you know that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour? Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder: · The great, unshakable hope of every Christian is the return of Jesus Christ.
Prayer, Lord God, thank You for enabling me to trust You with every occurrence in life, even those that feel beyond my ability to endure. Help me place my hope where Your Word tells me to place it—in You and Your promise of an abundant future with You forever. My hope is found in the promise that You are coming back for me! On those days when I struggle, it’s such an encouragement that this life is not all there is. Help me to be always ready for Your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 10 Steps to Building Biblical Relationships
Biblical Building Block #9 Be Hospitable One Another (I Peter 4:9) I Peter 4:9, use hospitality one to another without grudging. You don’t have to be called to preach to be involved in a ministry of serving others. God wants us to use our abilities and gifts to bless and encourage others. One of the most important fundamentals of being a Christian is being involved in a ministry serving others. If we have fully put forth love for our brothers (I Peter 4:8) we will practice hospitality toward them (I Peter 4:9). He wants us to reach people for Christ with the Gospel. The word for “hospitality” means to be friendly to strangers. Believers are called to be lovers of strangers. We are generally told to be weary of strangers and to stay away from them. The thought of lending a room to a complete stranger rent free would be absurd. In Peter’s day, showing love to strangers was very important to the local church and it facilitated the spread of the Gospel. Preachers, over the centuries, have relied on the hospitality of believers while traveling from town to town to minister to people. Paul lists this a specific requirement for elders (I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) and for any widow who would receive financial support from the church (I Timothy 5:10). Peter indicates that this this is a requirement for all believers. We have heard of the term “southern hospitality”. Sadly, in our time, Christians are not as well known for hospitality. For some, this may be due to ignorance. Perhaps they were never taught that Scripture requires believers to be hospitable one to another. For others, their lack of hospitality may indicate a lack of love for others. It may be that they are more concerned about personal comfort than the needs of others. Some choose not to due to lack of trust or fear of safety. Some might not be hospitable because they do not have a giving heart. Peter instructed that hospitality is to be shown without grudging. To show genuine hospitality requires doing it without murmuring. This means no griping, grudging, or grumbling. We are to be friendly, or cordial with a sweet spirit and attitude. We should exercise hospitality towards others without hesitation. This must be accompanied with a right heart and attitude. Hospitality requires significant time, effort and money. The Scriptures instruct us the be cheerful givers (II Corinthians 9:7). It is not uncommon for people to invite others into their home while, in their minds and hearts, complaining the whole time. It’s been said “Some folks make you feel at home. Others make you wish you were.” God wants us to make people feel at home, whether it is in our home or in our church. Questions to Consider: ·When was the last time you were hospitable to someone outside your immediate family or local church? How did you show hospitality? ·Would friends classify you as a hospitable person? What makes you hospitable? What prevents you from it? ·When was the last time you took someone out for a meal or just for coffee? Points to Ponder: ·Hospitality is a wonderful opportunity to encourage others in the Lord! ·Think of some ways you can show someone hospitality to another. ·Whether you are the visitor of the host, you are there to serve, not to be served. Prayer, Father in Heaven, although I fall short many times in showing hospitality like I should my desire and Your desire to use me never ceases. Touch my heart that I may serve others with care. Help me to know the deepest needs of people and comfort strangers who are weary. As You have generously invested in me, use me to cheerfully serve others that I may be pleasing to You. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Please Visit webpage again for – Part 10. |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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