A Loyal Friend (I Samuel 18:1-4)
I Samuel 18:1-4, And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. Jonathan was a faithful, mighty warrior, and one of the bravest men who had ever lived. Jonathan’s victorious strategy at the battle of Michmash was successfully used in World War I at the same exact location 3,000 years later, which has been considered the most successful military tactics ever used in battle. One-night, Major Vivian Gilbert of the British army was contemplating the situation against the Ottoman forces. He remembered a town by the name of Michmash written somewhere in the Bible. He found the verses and discovered that there was supposedly a secret path around the town. Incredibly, he managed to find that secret path, and with the British forces using this path to outmaneuver the Ottomans, the British took the town British troops under the command of General Edmund Allenby and captured the city of Jerusalem on December 9th, 1917. Jonathan and David were great friends, likened to brothers. The Scriptures suggests they could not have been closer had they been actual brothers in spite of the fact that David had been chosen by God to take Jonathan’s place as the next king of Israel. It was David who killed Goliath and defended the people; this was enough to earn Jonathan’s respect and trust. Yet rather than being resentful, Jonathan poured his heart into his friend, making his life better. Decide to be the kind of friend who makes the lives of others better rather than seeking the best for yourself. Jonathan came to David and put all that he had at his feet (I Samuel 18:4). He began with his robe. Jonathan's robe suggest his position, for it was the robe of a king's son, the robe of a crown prince of Israel. Jonathan also gave his garments to David. His garments speak of his possessions, the things which most personally belonged to him. Jonathan gave David his sword. His sword speaks of his protection, his right of self-defense. Jonathan put his bow at David's feet. Jonathan's bow suggests his prowess; it represents a skill he had. Finally, Jonathan put his girdle at David's feet. His girdle suggests his plans. This was not something King Saul received well. Saul wanted David out of the picture, regardless of what God had already decided. This resulted in David becoming a hunted man. He was the number one wanted man on Saul’s hitlist. Taking his father’s side would have been easy to do, but Jonathan was “born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). David and Jonathan were the epitome of what true friendship should be. No family ties, loyalties, or blood kinship could surpass the loyalty of these true friends. The souls of Jonathan and David were knit to the death. And no fault, failure, flaw, or foulness of David could waiver Jonathan's loyalty to him or make him love him less. If a friend is anything, it is someone who knows everything about you and loves you nonetheless. Jonathan, along with his two brothers and father, was killed in a battle with the Philistines (I Samuel 31:2-6). Upon hearing this, David was brokenhearted. He lamented the death of his dear friend, especially referring to his courage, saying he was swifter than an eagle and stronger than a lion (II Samuel 1:17-26). David could not hide his love for Jonathan and God cannot hide His love for you. He loved you so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross, that He might spend eternity with you. Points to Ponder: · If you have a friend, cherish that friendship. · Be a true friend to someone else today. · A true friendship is a great treasure and exceedingly rare. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to be as true and loyal as Jonathan was to David. 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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A Clean and Willing Vessel (Psalm 139:23-24)
Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Even though God speaks to many people, some do not hear because they are not willing vessels. People are unprepared vessels when they can't make good use of a word from God because of how they are living. So we ask ourselves: Do I stand ready to obey and change, should God direct that? Do I want to know if I am wrong? 1. Search Me. David is inviting God into his heart, where all sin originates. David sought for God to search him and reveal to him any sin that might have crept in. He surely was transparent before God. Though God knew his every thought, David invited God to shine His pure light into the inner crevasses of his heart to reveal to him his thought life. He wanted the Lord to search his heart and to go beyond his words and deeds and to probe the innermost depths of his being and to expose anything that grieved Him so that he might repent of it, if there was anything in his heart that grieved or caused sorrow for God. Opening ourselves up entirely to God may prove to be a painful process. Not only will we have to confront our sins, or the sins we might not currently be aware of, but we will also have to repent of them. When we are willing to go through this process of letting God explore us, expose what is within us, and extract it from our hearts, we will possess a clean heart. More than anything else, our greatest desire should be to please the Lord. David wanted to be obedient to God. He wanted to live in the way that would honor God. The heart reveals the true you. Acknowledging the omniscience of God once again, David pled with God to reveal any wickedness in his heart. David asked God to see if there was any wicked way in him. He wanted his life to be in accord with Divine requirements and wanted all wickedness exposed and removed that might remain in his heart. David invited the Lord to go beyond his words and deeds to examine the innermost part of his being. He wanted God to know his heart, his feelings, intentions, and motives. David asked God to try or to test him so that He would even know his thoughts. To try something is an expression used of refining metals for the purpose of purifying and proving them (Job 23:10; I Corinthians 3:13). David desired that God fully examine him to prove that he was pure within. God knows us better than we know ourselves. We need to regularly open our hearts to God and ask Him to search us within. We need to invite God to investigate us to the very core of our being, to test and prove us, and to reveal any sinful ways that are within us. More than anything else, our greatest desire should be to please the Lord. 2.Lead Me. “Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love to him”, Nathanael Emmons. God does not expect negotiation, He expects obedience in every part of our lives. Even believers who have known Jesus for years admit, “I’m not following perfectly.” Jesus knows you can’t follow Him flawlessly. In spite of that, He invites you to follow Him anyway. The leading of God will mean that David will not walk in sinful paths but will be led in the right ways that are pleasing to the Lord. If you want to be right with God, you must constantly confront your thought life with God’s Word. When God’s Word exposes where we are wrong, we must submit to the Lord and walk in His way. We all need to be led. Believers have the Scriptures and the Spirit to guide them, but too often allow self, or the flesh, do the leading. God has not promised to keep our lives free from times of distress, but He has promised to be with us through them and to use them to bring about our ultimate sanctification. Followers of Jesus Christ whose greatest desire is to be like the Lord, understand that they must have a daily walk and conversation with Him. He provides His constant presence to help you do what you are incapable of doing on your own. This is why you can call Jesus your Shepherd. He is the perfect Shepherd even though you’re not a perfect sheep. Thank Him for being your Shepherd today. Questions to Consider: Do you want to know if you are on a wrong path? Do you stand ready to obey and change, should that be what God directs? Where are you most resistant to hearing God's direction (for example, in circumstances that require humility or honesty or purity)? When you sit down to read the Bible or hear a sermon, are you willing to ask God to show you where you are wrong and what you need to know to be corrected? PRAYER: Father, I ask You to search my heart and reveal to me anything that is hidden so that I can repent of it and lead a life that pleases 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 Spiritual Drought (Isaiah 58:11)
Isaiah 58:11, And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. During a drought, everything feels parched and desolate. Most of us didn’t live through the drought of the 1930s (the worst in U.S. history) but our parents or grandparents did, and they remember nine, long years without rain. In the heartland of our country, the richest farmlands became the Dust Bowl. More than 75 percent of the country was affected by the drought, crippling 27 states severely. On April 14, 1935, a day known as “Black Sunday,” the wind whipped across the parched farmlands and blew dust into “black blizzards” that stripped millions of acres of topsoil. Most of us have never witnessed a drought of that degree, not in the land, but sadly too often in our spirits. Here Scripture teaches that our hearts are like a garden. If you water and tend your heart as this passage instructs, you’ll experience a harvest of God’s grace. If you fail to care for your heart, it will be overrun with weeds. Continued neglect will leave it lifeless and barren of anything capable of bearing fruit. The best way to grow a lush and healthy garden is to keep it under the care of a master gardener (John 15). Like me, maybe you’ve experienced some parched days in your relationship with God. Maybe you’ve had seasons where time with God was scarce, and weekend worship felt like “Black Sunday.” Do you feel like you are in a drought spiritually? These are drought days in our nation it seems. Some are in a financial drought, emotional drought, or a spiritual drought. This doesn’t have to be the end of your story. Isaiah said we would be like a watered garden and spring of water. Watered gardens thrive with growth and fruitfulness and a spring of water refreshes the soul and strengthens the body. God wants you to experience the fresh rain of His grace and mercy in your life. God will give abundant provision and strength. Even in the drought of a sun-scorched land, the Lord will provide whatever believers need to strengthen them as they walk through trials and hardships. The Lord wants to be our guide, strength, refreshment, repairer, and restorer. When you yield your life to the God and truly follow Him, He will guide your life and He will do it continually. What a blessing it is to have the Creator of the universe direct your way and show you what to do and where to go. Putting the Lord first in your life brings satisfaction, encouragement, strength, fruitfulness, and blessing. He will use you to encourage others. Investing your life in others will give you a great purpose in life. Sharing the Gospel and pointing people to the Lord by your words and actions are very fulfilling. Have you learned the importance of doing this? May the Lord help us all to strengthen and bless others. Points to Ponder: When you put the Lord first, He will satisfy you. You can have a fresh downpour of God’s grace and mercy upon your life (Matthew 5:6; John 4:14a). When revival comes to the human heart, it doesn’t come in a mist, or sprinkle, it comes as a downpour! Questions to Consider: How is your garden looking today? What dry places in your soul need to be refreshed? What is some of the cultivating the Lord has been working in you? Prayer, Father, thank You for showing me You are not only the master gardener but also the patient gardener. I’m weary of being dry and passionless. You care for my garden and take time to meet and walk with me in every area of my life. I see the true condition of my heart. I choose now to return to You. Would You come to my soul as a refreshing shower? Would You bring new life to my weary heart? Thank You that I don’t have to refresh myself; You refresh me. I need 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 Who Is Your Master? (Matthew 6:24)
Matthew 6:24, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. This verse deals with servitude. Jesus shows here the absolute impossibility of loving the world and loving God at the same time. Anyone who gives their heart to the world robs God of it. This verse deals a death blow to the idea that a Christian can be worldly and spiritual at the same time, that he or she can be popular with the ungodly and with God at the same time, that one can have their affections on earthly things and still have their affections on heavenly matters. It is impossible to serve Christ and the world at the same time. The ark of God and Dagon cannot stand in the same house (I Samuel 5:1-7). Jesus must be Lord in our hearts, ruling over us, so that His will and His glory receives the devotion and commitment of our hearts. Unless Jesus has the preeminence, everything in our life is in chaos and confusion. Jesus is to be the Lord and Master of our lives each day. As long as we put ourselves first, we cannot put the LORD, the Master of All, in the position He rightfully holds. Demas could not mix the love of the world with loyalty to Paul and his ministry (II Timothy 4:10). Augustine said, "Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." Vance Havner said, "A wife that is 85% faithful to her husband, is not faithful at all. There is no such thing as part-time loyalty to Jesus Christ." It was in 1873, in Dublin, at an all-night prayer meeting at the home of Henry Bewley, that D. L. Moody heard British evangelist Henry Varley utter those life changing words: "The world has yet to see what God can do with, for, through, and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him." "As I crossed the wide Atlantic," Moody said, "the boards of the deck... were engraved with them, and when I reached Chicago, the very paving stones seemed marked with them." The result: Moody decided he was involved in too many ministries to be effective and therefore began to concentrate on evangelism. Vance Havner once said, “There is no such thing as part-time loyalty to Jesus Christ. This verse can help one concerning getting the priorities of life straight. Either He is Lord, or someone or something else is. That may range from self all the way to Satan himself. Jesus, in effect, was saying that if one tries to serve two masters (two lords), he either will loathe one and love the other, or ignore one and be partial to the other. The word mammon has the idea of ‘wealth’ or ‘the getting of wealth.’ Jesus said, we cannot serve God and at the same time seek wealth. They are mutually exclusive. I Timothy 6:5-11, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. William Carey, who is called the “Father of Modern Missions,” served the Lord in India for many years. He gradually became very concerned about the attitude of his son, Felix. The young man had promised to become a missionary, but he reneged on his vows when he was appointed ambassador to Burma by the Queen of England. Carey wrote to his friend, asking prayer for his son with these words: Pray for Felix. He has degenerated into an ambassador of the British government when he should be serving the King of Kings. Points to Ponder: We are in a constant battle with our will and God's will. Seek heavenly treasures, not earthly treasures. It is impossible to have two masters, so make sure your master is Jesus Christ. Questions to Consider: Who are you serving? Is Jesus the master of your life? Are you totally dedicated to Him? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, create within me a strong desire to serve You. May You prevent anything that would hinder my fellowship with You. Help me to keep You first, to seek You first and to trust You when I feel like quitting. 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 Men of Courage (Daniel 3:16-18)
Daniel 3:16-18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Two boys entered the dentist's office. One of the boys said, "Doc, will you pull a tooth right this minute?" The dentist replied, "You don't need any gas or Novocain?" The boy said, "Nope! Just one big yank!" The doctor replied, "Sure! That's what I call being brave and courageous. Now show me the tooth you want pulled." The boy turned to his little brother and said, "Come here Jimmy and show the Doc your tooth." We are brave for others but struggle sometimes to have our own courage. These three Hebrews had genuine courage and confidence in the Lord. They knew that their God was able to save them from the fiery furnace. In fact, they were casting themselves upon the Lord to rescue them. But even if the Lord chose not to deliver them, they still could not betray Him. The minds of the three Hebrew men were made up! These men had genuine courage and faith. They would not bend, bow, budge or break. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. God wants us to make up our minds to live for Him! We need to make that decision now before we are tested. Trials will come. Our attitude should be that of Job 13:15, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. These three young men faced the ultimate test of their faith. They either had to disobey the Lord or disobey the king. And their decision was a matter of life or death. Their first loyalty belonged to the Lord. They loved and believed in the Lord and knew Him in a very personal way. From the earliest days of childhood all three of these young men had made the Word of God the center of their lives. When our faith is tested, we must continue to trust the Lord. Even if the test is a matter of life or death for us, we are never to deny the Lord. We must entrust the keeping of our souls totally into God’s hands. No matter how strong the temptation or how difficult the trial, God expects us to continue to believe and trust Him. Our faith is not to waver nor collapse, but rather to remain strong. Through faith, we can overcome all the tests and trials of life. We will never know the true strength of our faith until it is tested. Prayer: Father in Heaven, I know strength and help comes from You. Thank You for giving me courage under fire when serving You gets hard. Help me to continue to stand for You in life’s fiery trials. 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 The Right Place...The Right People…The Right Time (Esther 4:14)
Esther 4:14, For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? While Esther was enjoying her new role as queen, her uncle Mordecai uncovered a plot to exterminate the Jewish people in the land. He realized that something had to be done and that Esther was in the right position at the right time; but would she accept the challenge? God placed the right woman in the right place at the right time. Did it ever occur to you that you could be one of God’s heroes and that God is equipping and preparing you for something yet ahead? God has put us on this earth for a purpose. I used to think that I would have wanted to live in another period of time. Often Old Testament, New Testament, or during the great revival campaigns across our nation. I no longer feel that way. I am grateful and confident that with the Lord there are no mistakes and He has His people positioned at the right place and at the right time. Knowing the Lord is coming soon and having an opportunity to serve Him at this time is exciting. Where you are today is no accident. Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, challenged her and changed her for life by saying, “who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther never set out to become a queen, but once she was, she had to decide between her comfort and her calling. It’s a choice we all make. We all ask ourselves, “What’s my calling?” This involves your marriage, your family, your job, your friendships. It involves the community in which you live and service at your home church. One thing is certain, when God calls, it’s your time. Whenever you’re tempted to think to wait for some other time or more important opportunity, keep in mind, you don’t get to choose your time, God does that. Psalm 31:5a, My times are in thy hand:. God sends ordained people for an ordained purpose to guide us. Without Mordecai in her life Esther might never have understood her calling. And without his help she might never embraced it. The question you should ask is, “Who is your Mordecai?” Who knows you well enough to help clarify your calling? Who loves you enough to challenge you when you get off track, or to strengthen you when you want to quit and turn back? Not one of us is a composite of all of life’s virtues; we all have blind spots and weaknesses. That’s why God chooses to send others and why we need them. Maybe it is the Lord speaking to our hearts and telling us to take a bold step of faith and do something we have never done, something way out of our comfort zone. God gives gifts and talents to each of us that we need to use. Esther delivered when it was needed. You have a gift that was given to you by God. Everyone has a role to play. Everyone has talents and gifts that are given to them by God that they must discover, cultivate, and use for his glory. Esther put her life on the line and spoke up for her people and saved the Jewish people as a result. God is preparing His heroes; and when the opportunity comes, He can fit them into their places in a moment, and the world will wonder where they came from. God has put us on this earth for a purpose. As a believer, you are also lifted to a high position. You are now a child of God. You are a co-heir with Jesus. With this position, you have the purpose of bringing a message to the world. In this life, every position you hold, every place you go, you have a purpose. That purpose is to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus. You are in the right place, at the right time to bring that message to whomever you are around. You are the one who can do what no one else can do. You are there for a purpose. And He has put all of us where we are for such a time as this. Sometimes the Lord will speak to our hearts and tell us to do something. Maybe it is the Lord speaking to our hearts and telling us to take a bold step of faith and do something we have never done, something way out of our comfort zone. It might be something unexpected God will call you to do “for such a time as this”. You can find that purpose and dedicate your life to the glory of God, or you can ignore it and chase after the empty promises of this world. It’s really your choice. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank You that every day is a new beginning with new opportunities to trust in You. Lord, guide me in Your ways so that I will know how to take a stand for You, just as Esther did. When I start to feel out of place, help me to know You are near. 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 This One Thing I Do (Philippians 3:12-14)
Philippians 3:12-14, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The greatest enemy of the early church in Jerusalem was Saul of Tarsus. Fanatical in his opposition to the followers of Jesus Christ, he took every opportunity to persecute, arrest, and even execute Christians, not just in Jerusalem but across the country and in neighboring lands. Saul was on his way to Damascus when an encounter with Jesus radically changed his beliefs. Though he became just as passionate a follower of Jesus as he had once been an opponent, the man who came to be known as Paul still had the blood of many on his hands. Paul could have allowed the memories of what he had done before he met Jesus to hold him in bondage. He could have been overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, but he put the past behind him and kept his focus on the future. Paul did not claim that he had reached any sort of perfection in his spiritual life, or had fully comprehended Who Christ is. If Paul did not feel like he had reached the peak but still needed to improve, there are certainly areas where we still need work as well. May we get to the point where we can say, “I am not allowing my past life to drag me down. Rather, I am moving full speed ahead toward the goal. And in Heaven, when Christ calls me home, I'll receive the prize—I'll be like Christ: that is, completely conformed to His image”. We would all admit that we have failed in the past. That is, we have fallen short of God's goal for our lives. Don’t let your past keep from serving the Lord in the present. God always remembers to forget the sin He forgives (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17) One of the most important benefits we receive from God’s freely offered salvation is freedom from the burdens of the past. The devil works hard to keep us in bondage to the past because he knows how much it hinders our service to God. The Christian life is not meant to be lived while looking backward. If you spend all your time today thinking about your failures or successes from yesterday, then you will ruin your tomorrow. Yesterday is like a rearview mirror. When you go for a drive in the car, you use a rearview mirror. A rearview mirror shows you what's behind you. You need a rearview mirror, but you only need a rearview mirror to glance in, not to live in. You don't move forward by focusing on a rearview mirror; you move forward by focusing on the windshield. If you live in a rearview mirror, you will get hurt and possibly hurt somebody else. But in front of the rearview mirror is the windshield, a much bigger piece of the glass. The windshield shows you where you are going and that's a lot bigger than where you have been. Don't let yesterday mess up today, which will ruin tomorrow. While you are driving forward in your Christian life, every now and then look in your rearview mirror. Just don't stare too long. Instead, God’s forgiveness allows us to look forward, and to accomplish all that we can for Him. Paul was not distracted by his surroundings, he was just heading for the goal. When he did reach the end of his life, he was able to leave behind the testimony that he had indeed run well and finished well. "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" II Timothy 4:6-7. We must avoid the trap of becoming distracted by the events of this life. There is a mark, there is a goal and we should be striving for that goal in our lives! May the Lord help us to keep our eyes on the goal. Too many come out of the blocks primed and pumped to run the race, but after a few short months or years, they have become distracted and fallen out of the race. Don’t think you have to sprint; just keep a steady pace. Rather than living for the moment, run with eternity in view at all times. God is honored by a race well run and a life well lived. If we live for self and deny the Saviour we will regret it on our appointed day when we stand before Him!
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to keep my eyes on Jesus. May I run the race well that I would bring glory 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 The Eyes of the Lord (Proverbs 5:21)
Proverbs 5:21, For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. God sees you. His eyes “pondereth all his goings”. He doesn’t miss a single detail of your life. He hears your conversations with others. He knows your unspoken fears. Your ways are “before the eyes of the LORD.” Three examples of God seeing evil: 1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). 2. Achan and his sin (Joshua 7). 3. Belshazzar (Daniel 5). Three examples of God seeing good: 1. Abraham (Genesis). 2. Joseph (Genesis 39). 3. Jesus Christ (Acts 10:38). When the Bible speaks of the eyes of God, what does that mean? 1. The Eyes of the Lord are Inescapable (Proverbs 15:3). Proverbs 15:3, The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. He sees all. Praise God, He sees all the good we do. This is a great motivator for all of us to continue to do good. He records, He remembers, and He rewards all the good that we do. 2. The Eyes of the Lord are the Icon for What’s Right and True. The Word of God instructs us in Deuteronomy 6:18, “And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee...” Throughout the Old Testament, individual kings were under His gaze. The Scriptures declare that some “…did that which was right in the sight of the LORD…” (II Kings 14:3), while others did not. 3. The Eyes of the Lord are Interested in His Own (I Peter 3:12). I Peter 3:12, For the eyes of the LORD are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the LORD is against them that do evil. While God sees everything on earth, He has fixed His attention on the lives of His children and to extend loving care toward us. All this begs the question—why is God watching you? And not only is God watching, His eyes are tenderly focused on you. Here’s why: Isaiah 43:4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” He watches you because He loves you. Of the seven billion people on this planet, you are precious to God. Being precious to God is better than being intrinsically valuable. If God’s love for you hinged on your inherit value, then His love would have to change when you forfeit that value. But God’s love is unchanging—He declares you precious because He chooses to love you. And because your preciousness begins and ends with God, that will never change either. You don’t have value; you are valued. Ephesians 1:4–5, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. You didn’t earn or deserve your value, so you can’t lose or forfeit it. God has declared you precious in His sight. Rather than thinking, I have value, believe instead, I am valued. I am precious to God. Fix your eyes on that today. Prayer, Father God, I need not fear Your observation. You focus on me and know every detail of my life. Not only do You see me, but You also value me. Remind me of these truths, when my heart starts to waver, when I doubt my worth in Your sight. Thank You that I can never lose Your love. In Jesus Name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com God Has A Plan For You (Jeremiah 29:11)
Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. When we are going through trials, it is of great comfort to know that God allows nothing to come into our lives without first passing through the hands of our Heavenly Father. If we are to rise above our circumstances then we need to look at them from God's point of view. Fervent prayer and continually studying the Scriptures will help you learn how to do this. What does this mean to you? Below are five things: 1. God made plans for you before the world began. He has plans for you now. You are not a mistake. You are purposed for greatness (John 10:10; Ephesians 2:10). Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Not only does our Lord offer eternal life, He offers a fullness of life in the meantime. The Christian life surpasses anything the world can offer. 2. God's plans for you are bigger and better than your plans for yourself (Ephesians 3:20). Think of your greatest aspiration and then acknowledge the fact that God's desire for you is much bigger than anything you've ever imagined for yourself. 3. Remain faithful over what you have been given charge. Even if it seems like no one is noticing, God is. He is paying attention to what you do and how you do it. He will remember, recognize, and reward you. 4. Never give up. Your life may seem dull, ordinary, and common, but we serve a God who can turn your life around in an instant. Keep your hopes up in the midst of dark days when you don’t understand what is going on. Remain in faith daily. Trust God every step of the way. Just keep having hope in the Lord no matter how dark it looks. 5. God can turn your life around. One swing from God can take you from fearful to a mighty man of valor (Gideon), from a barren man to a father of nations (Abraham), from a fisherman to a fisher of men (Peter), from an extremist to an evangelist (Paul), and from a shepherd boy to a king (David). Serve God faithfully become the man/woman God has called you to be! Prayer: Father in Heaven I know You love me and it amazes me that You made plans for me before the foundations of the world. Thank You Father for caring for me. I know the thoughts and plans You have for me are for Your glory and for my good. Whatever I may face today, I can expect that You are working for good in all of it. So I’m going to step forward in faith, trusting You in all things and seeking to cooperate fully with Your plans for me. I know I can’t imagine all the good You have planned for my life, but I also know it’s all coming in Jesus’ name, so I can say, amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Coffee and the Word of God (Psalm 63:1)
Psalm 63:1, O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” Nothing else is quite like the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee early in the morning. In fact, many are dependent on it every day, particularly the first thing in the morning. I’m amused at the bumper sticker I read once, “No Coffee…No Workee”. Or this comment a wife gave her husband before they had their morning conversation, “Woah, I have not had my coffee yet.” Understand, that just as important as it is for people to have that cup of coffee first thing, isn’t it more important to have time with the Lord first thing? There’s no questioning it, many people are addicted to coffee. They must have their fresh brewed cup of coffee in the morning to get a little caffeine into the system. The pleasure even begins when preparing the coffee. From spooning the coffee from the canister to brewing it in the pot. Coffee is one of the simple pleasures in life that many will never tire of and will always be dependent on. Coffee always goes great with morning conversations and brings pleasure when shared. For most, you cannot get enough coffee. Some want coffee filled to the brim, to the point that it is to the point of running over. Coffee! How do you like it? Smooth? French Roast? Bold? Intense Bold? Some prefer their coffee different from than how others would prefer it. Just as people depend on, seek and drink coffee for numbers of reasons, so people seek the Scriptures for various reasons. God’s will is for people to be awake and alert, not groggy and tired. As many seek coffee to bring about alertness, let me encourage you to seek the Scriptures as a means to pursue and bring about His Will for your life. 1.The Diligence. "Early will I seek thee." David wrote Psalm 63 at a time when he desperately needed a personal experience with God. If one has affection for God, he or she will be early in their attention to worship. Being late for church often shows one's lack of diligence in their devotion. David’s desire for God is very great. The psalmist unashamedly confesses that the true God is his God. Avid coffee drinkers are not ashamed and are open to announce their need of coffee. Every believer should pray as David in Psalm 63:1. David’s prayer describes a deep longing for God. One that can only be satisfied by a close, personal relationship with Him. Those who claim to know God need to examine themselves by asking, do I really have a strong desire for God’s presence and purposes to be first in my life. Do I go through life with my focus mainly on temporary or worldly goals or pleasures? Have my personal desires replaced prayer, Bible study and true service to God? 2.The Desire. "My soul thirsteth for thee." Thirst expresses a great desire. Few people thirst for God as they thirst for the things of the world. God will use our wants to create a desire for Him. "My soul followeth hard after thee" (Psalm 63:8). The words, "followeth hard" mean to be glued to something, to cleave tenaciously to something. It expresses steadfastness of affection to God by the psalmist which is a great show of loyalty. Dedicated coffee drinkers are willing to go to great lengths to satisfy their cravings. Only He can satisfy the emotional and spiritual wants in our heart. David was on the run from Absalom and had to flee the land, unable to worship the Lord in Jerusalem. His lack of closeness with the Lord made him thirsty for Him. David sought the enjoyment of communion, closeness, and fellowship with God in public worship in Jerusalem, which was an urgent need of his soul. He viewed it not merely as the sweetest of all luxuries, but as an absolute necessity, like water to a deer. He must have his time with God or faint. We must be close to the Lord or we too will faint. Neglecting the Living Water will leave us spiritually parched. Thank God we don't have to go to Jerusalem to be close to the Lord or worship Him. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we can walk with God each day. Even through the fires of life that we may face, He can quench the thirst in our soul. 3.The Devotion. "My flesh longeth for thee." David expressed just how desperately he longed for the Lord. David recalled how his soul was thrilled when he went into the sanctuary. He longs or yearns intensely to be in church physically, not just in the spirit. Psalm 5:3, My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. God desires that believer’s read His Word every day. But where does one read? Keep in mind, all Scripture is inspired of the Lord. Therefore, pray and ask Him where He would lead you to. Whatever the need is, the Bible has the answer. But some need a particular portion of Scripture more than another due to what the need is or how the Lord is leading them. Some prefer Psalm, Proverbs, Gospels etc. Whatever the desire or direction the Lord is leading you to that day, get in it. Points to Ponder: ·Somedays you may need Psalms for refreshing. ·Somedays you may need Proverbs for wisdom, knowledge, guidance, counsel, instruction. ·Somedays you may need the Gospels for that close walk with the Lord. PRAYER: Lord, I know that You have something to reveal to me in Your Word. My soul craves to be drawn to Your Words. 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 |
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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